Hear Never Judge A Book By Its Cover (Windows Media Player) Hear Other Messages Home
Hear Never Judge A Book By Its Cover (Real Player)
Requires either Windows Media Player or Real Player
(How to Get Back Full Screen After Audio Starts)
Never Judge A Book By Its Cover
Our theme today is an old familiar cliché. Today’s lectionary readings provide ample evidence of that. However there are two points to be made today.
The very first point is that God, our heavenly Parent, does not look on the outside of a person, but He does look on the inside: the character, heart, soul, and spirit of a person.
Has someone ever called you courageous, when in fact, inside of yourself you knew you were scared silly? Will you not agree, courage is an “observer” word? By observing we see though frightened, a father still enters the burning building, faces the armed giant, or tells the truth.
Notice for example the man who, after an airliner crashed into the Potomac River some years ago, swam into the icy water and led person after person safely to shore before his own limbs stopped working. Notice also with David who did not concern himself with hiss odds of winning or the enormous difference between Goliath’s armored fierceness and his own simply clad vulnerability. Both the swimmer’s and David’s focused, compassionate urges gave life to many.
What can prepare us to respond as part of God’s saving work? No doubt, the ever present desire to align our lives with God. Through daily devotions and meditation, weekly worship and small group study, we become focused, unselfconscious, and “tuned” to the rhythm of love and service for the Lord. Let us be faithful in these practices so that, whatever the risks, when we feel the nudge of need around us, we will be led to do as the swimmer and David did. Thus, those observers will not know how scared silly we truly are.
The second point I want to make is God reveals to us that He does not always use the “biggest nor the best.”
Both David’s selection as the next king of Israel or the parable of the mustard seed – paired here today – point out that God will use whom God will to fulfill God’s purposes. And as we celebrate Father’s Day today, that we acknowledge with all human imperfections fathers possess, where there is love of God, there is love to be shared and grown.
Remember, you are no ordinary creature. You are God’s child. You are the child of the King.
One writer said:
My Father is rich in houses and lands
He holdeth the wealth of the world in his hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.
I’m a child of the King, A child of the King;
With Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King.
“Never judge a book by its cover.”
|
Windows Media Player should already be on your computer. A browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer that supports Windows Media Player is also required. Windows Media Player is used on many sites in addition to this one. If you do not have Windows Media Player or you would like to update to a later version, click Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player 10 Series for use with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Windows XP operating system has a total file size of 11.638 MB and downloading it over a 56.6 K modem takes about 28 minutes. Versions of the Windows Media Player for other operating systems and browsers are available at Windows Media Player. |
How to Get Back Full Screen After Audio Starts:
If no instructions, click refresh icon in bar at top of screen.
