(From the sermon by Fr. Tim Taylor, at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Nashville, TN on August 18, 2013).
“In Luke 12:56, we hear of Jesus’ words: “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
We talk a lot about our stewardship of time, talents and treasure, but we often forget that we are also stewards of the gospel! We are stewards of the good news about the unlimited forgiveness and love of God and the victory of the Lord Jesus over physical death and the death in our hearts.
The world around us is dying every day for lack of what we have been given in trust to share: dying violently in the crossfire of drug battles on our city streets, or dying slowly of hopelessness like the last glowing embers of a spent fire. Marriages are dying because no one knows where forgiveness can be found. People are knocking each other down and bruising themselves in a desperate search to satisfy a need they do not even know how to name.
And all the while the Good Shepherd is seeking them, and calling us to help, right here and right now. We need a fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit with all his power.
One of my mentors was Samuel Shoemaker who wrote a poem, “I Stand By The Door.” Here is an excerpt:
“You
can go in too deeply, and stay in too long,
And
forget the people outside the door.
As
for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near
enough to God to hear him, and know He is there,
But
not so far from men as not to hear them,
And
remember they are there, too.
Where?
Outside the door---
Thousands
of them, millions of them,
But—more
important for me---
One
of them, two of them, ten of them,
Whose
hands I am intended to put on the latch.”
Can we commit ourselves to make a deliberate effort each month or each week, to bring someone else to Christ through His church? Everyone should have an opportunity to know God’s love; we are called to “stand at the door” and help them put their hands upon the latch.”
Blessings, my friend,
Agatha
Invitation: Everyone is invited to join us EVERY morning (Monday-Saturday) for a 30-minute Eucharist at 7AM at St. George’s Episcopal Church. Sunday service times are available at www.stgeorgesnashville.org.
Our chapel is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week and is located on the west side of the building, 4715 Harding Rd., Nashville, TN.
WON’T YOU PLEASE JOIN US?
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