Living the Lectionary 15th Sunday After Pentecost

Season: Pentecost Week of September 25th

About the Season: The season of Pentecost is a season of being given the gifts of God for the purpose of living out His mission on earth as His Body. Its color, green, implies the growth of the Church both personally and as a Body through the work of the Holy Spirit. About this Sunday: Today we begin a new series within the season of Pentecost. This four week series, Will You Go? will focus us on the question of the mission of God in our lives and how we are willing or unwilling to go. Today we begin by looking

Will You Go?: Authority to Send

at Jesus parable of the Two Sons and consider Gods authority to say Go, work in the vineyard, as well as how we respond.

Reflecting on the Readings: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 Will You Turn? The Word of God comes to Ezekiel and in His authority, God changes the rules of iniquities so that the sinning and repentance of each person equals consequences to only themselves. Are you ready to deal with the consequences of your sinning? Psalm 25 Trusting Gods Authority David relies upon Gods authority to save Him, even from himself. Do you need to be saved from yourself and sent on a mission? Philippians 2:1-13 Humble Authority Jesus Christ emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave and through that was given the authority of the Father. Who are you in authority over? Are you humble in your authority? Matthew 21:23-32 The Authority of Action Jesus explains that His authority comes from doing the will of the Father through this short parable, and tells us that His authority is conferred through our actions in His will. Are you following His authority and His will? Law and Gospel: Law: Positions of authority can often lead to abuses of power. We abuse power when we dont act in the humility of Christ, following the will of the Father and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Gospel: Jesus gives us His rightful authority by giving us His righteousness which we did not

earn, but receive. Jesus followed Gods will completely and gives us the authority that should come from that complete obedience. Living the Lectionary Ideas: Learn: For the next few weeks, we will be exploring the book of Philippians. Find out what you can about this book of the Bible. Do: Keep track of how many things you say yes to this week and how many things you say no to. Additionally, keep score when you actually do the things you say yes to. Live: Exhibit the trait of humility this week by following Pauls advice to consider others as better than yourselves.