This sermon is the third sermon in our Lenten reflections on how to engage God, engage our story, and engage the world around us. This week seems to make the point that if engaging God does not change your life, why would anyone else care? To personalize it, if my life (or your life) is not impacted by God's love and our relationship with Christ, why would anyone else want to engage God and be in a relationship with Christ?
In the passage to the Philippians, Paul presents an interesting case of himself. He notes that he has all the credentials -- he was a person of importance with the right pedigree, but he gives it all up to join with Christ in Christ's resurrection and in Christ's suffering.
Consider the Abraham story we read in the Genesis passage. When Abraham enters into covenant with God, he embarks on a bright (pun intended) future that will sees his descendants as numerous as the stars, but it also will lead to his packing up and moving to a new place. The adventure begins!
I am struck by two thoughts: one, many of us can point to ways our lives have been changed and why we choose to be in relationship with Christ; but, two, the prosperity gospel that is often preached in our time (you know, if you love God everything works out perfectly for you and you get rich along the way) does not seem to be the faith that Abraham and Paul discovered.
Perhaps that sharpens our focus -- if we cannot promise wealth and prosperity to someone if they decide to engage in a relationship with Christ, what can do we have to offer?
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