Sermon: Ephaphtha (9-8-24)

Sunday, September 8th, 2024 (The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Isaiah 35:4–7a; Psalm 146; James 1:17–27; Mark 7:31–37

SERMON

THE YEAR OF REVIVAL: Practicing the Way

“Ephphatha”

Summary

Prayer opens your eyes and your ears to Jesus, 

who shows you the world from heaven’s perspective.

The GOAL

To become like Christ through prayer.

Thank you for listening!
If you would like to support the ministry of Good Samaritan Church, or learn more about us please visit us at www.goodsamaritansugarhill.com.
Or visit our social media pages

linktr.ee/GSACBuford

Transcript

Sunday, September 8th, 2024 (The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Isaiah 35:4–7a; Psalm 146; James 1:17–27; Mark 7:31–37

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION to the Solution

On Wednesday a 14 year old boy shot and killed four people at a high school in Winder. 

Since Wednesday 19 people have been arrested for making social media threats against schools. And eighteen of those arrested were students. 

This morning an attacker shot three Israeli soldiers from the Israel Defense Force who were standing on the Jordanian border of the West Bank.

As of 6:21 am there was a manhunt for a Joseph A. Couch - a 32 year old man who has so far shot five people in Kentucky.

And you might remember, three weeks ago a 17-year old boy with a knife named Brayden Hemphill threatened two Gwinnett County police officers at the other side of downtown Sugar Hill - at the roundabout of Whitehead Road and West Broad Street. After charging at the officers, he was shot and killed. 

And I will not take time to estimate and enumerate the number of violent deaths that are taking place all around the globe. The number of people who are dying of starvation, treatable and untreatable illnesses, mental health conditions, road incidents, work incidents, and domestic incidents is incredible. 

I think it is insufficient but important to say something about the WORLD. 

It is in certain times and certain places 

more horrific than any of us could possibly imagine. 

Typing these words on MY apple computer, 

while sitting at MY desk, 

from the comfort of MY air conditioned house, 

full of nutrition from MY store bought food, 

which I picked up driving MY power 

steering enhanced motor vehicles, 

it is easy for me to diagnose these problems, 

And allocate the blame to someone else. 

I think that there are probably political solutions to some of these problems.

I think that there are technological solutions to some of these problems. 

I think that there are economic, and educational solutions

To some of these problems. 

But there is one solution that I can tell you with full confidence will address 

The problem of violent crimes,

Sickness in mind and body

And the social climate of blame, and apathy.

The Church being the Church.

AMEN?

I really do believe that the Church is the answer to the problems of this world. 

And the reason why I believe that is because I believe, 

as the scripture teaches that the CHURCH is Jesus on earth today.

The Church is the BODY of Christ.

The Church is the hands and feet of Christ.

And to that end - I think it needs to be stated - 

And I really do not mean to be objectionable or controversial in this:

Not every community 

that “calls” itself “the Church” is “the Church.”

Do you think you are part of the Church?

Do you want to become part of the Church?

The Church that Jesus handed over to us is full of incredible teachings,

And opportunities to help us grow. 

The sacraments are like Spiritual caffeine for a life of maturity.

The scriptures are wisdom and knowledge for our meditation.

But neither the sacraments, nor the scriptures

will sink into your bones unless you engage in the work

that Jesus gave us to open up our ears, and open up our hearts 

To hear and understand.

Today

I talking to you, of course, about prayer

SERMON

THE YEAR OF REVIVAL: Practicing the Way

“Ephphatha”

Summary

Prayer opens your eyes and your ears to Jesus, 

who shows you the world from heaven’s perspective.

The GOAL

To become like Christ through prayer.

QUESTIONS? TEXT (678) 561-2603

THE POINT

The gospel reading today has Jesus traveling in the decapolis

Mark 7:32-33

They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue.

Why would Jesus put his fingers into this man's ears?

Why would he spit onto his hand and then use that spit-filled hand to touch a spit-filled tongue?

Like a gardener whose knees, and clothes, and fingers 

all bear the marks of the garden - 

SO Jesus shows us that the work of prayer 

is a working of the soil of our own humanity.

Prayer forces us to confront brokenness and death by getting our own hands dirty.

The POINT:

We need to get our hands dirty in prayer.

Conclusion

AMEN

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Readings

Isaiah 35:4-7

Say to those who are of a fearful heart,

    “Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God.

    He will come with vengeance,

with terrible recompense.

    He will come and save you.”

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

    and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,

    and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,

    and streams in the desert;

7 the burning sand shall become a pool,

    and the thirsty ground springs of water;

the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,

    the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

Psalm 146 - Lauda, anima mea

1 Praise the Lord, O my soul; *

while I live I will praise the Lord.

2 Indeed, as long as I have my being, *

I will sing praises unto my God.

3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man, *

for there is no help in them.

4 For when one breathes his last, he shall return again to the earth; *

and in that day all his thoughts perish.

5 Blessed is the one who has the God of Jacob for his help *

and whose hope is in the Lord his God,

6 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is therein; *

who keeps his promise for ever;

7 Who does right to those who suffer wrong; *

and who feeds the hungry.

8 The Lord sets prisoners free; *

the Lord gives sight to the blind.

9 The Lord helps those who have fallen; *

the Lord loves the righteous.

10 The Lord cares for the strangers in the land; he defends the fatherless and widow; *

but the way of the ungodly he makes crooked.

11 The Lord shall be King for evermore, *

even your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Praise the Lord.

James 1:17-27

17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Mark 7:31-37

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Collect of the Day

O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prep Group Notes:

True faith really comes when we have exhausted all of our other resources. 

Prayers: 

Fr. Michael - 

Fr. Marc - 

Fr. Collin - a new place

Fr. Drew - facility, the launch in the Fall (10/20), small groups, organization, team, strength in the Lord 

Fr. Scott - energy, dealing with work issues, thx - joy in the house coming together, working together with Jane. Discerning - Rector gig in Cornelius, NC - Good Shepherd

Personal Notes:

The 9 Practices

Sabbath, Solitude, Prayer, Community, Scripture, Fasting, Generosity, Service, Witness

ACNA Catechism pg 81

225. What can hinder your regular prayers?

My prayers may be hindered by many things, such as lethargy or loss, selfishness or sin, distractions or difficulties, or seasons of spiritual dryness. With God’s help, a rule of prayer strengthens me to overcome all these. 

(1 Kings 19:1–18; Psalm 116; Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 20:45–47; Romans 8:22–27)

ACNA Catechism pg 82 

226. What nurtures a fruitful life of prayer?

My life of prayer is fed by the regular reading of Scripture, practice of personal prayer, and corporate worship of God. The ancient threefold rule of the Church encourages weekly Communion, the Daily Office, and private devotions to shape this way of life. 

(Psalm 1; John 15:1–17; Ephesians 5:15–20; Philippians 4:8–9; Hebrews 10:19–25)

A Rule of Life from Practicing the Way

1 A community of rest in a culture of hurry and exhaustion, through the

practice of Sabbath.

2 A community of peace and quiet in a culture of anxiety and noise, through the practice of solitude.

3 A community of communion with God in a culture of distraction and

escapism, through the practice of prayer.

4 A community of love and depth in a culture of individualism and

superficiality, through the practice of community.

5 A community of courageous fidelity to orthodoxy in a culture of ideological compromise, through the practice of Scripture.

6 A community of holiness in a culture of indulgence and immorality,

through the practice of fasting.

7 A community of contentment in a culture of consumerism, through the

practice of generosity.

8 A community of justice, mercy, and reconciliation in a culture of injustice

and division, through the practice of service.

9 A community of hospitality in a culture of hostility, through the practice of witness.

THREE STREAMS

1. SACRED: A Life Set Apart

• Ancient faith engages persistent practices borne of wisdom, experience, and history.

“Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16)

2. DYNAMIC: A Life Empowered

• Vibrant faith grows in the energy and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

“Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.” (Acts 2:43)

3. COHESIVE: A Life Transformed

• Grounded faith conforms to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.

“You are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.” (2 Corinthians 3:3)

CORE VALUES

1. BE: Worship & Pray

We find God by SURRENDERING our whole self.

“In him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

2. KNOW: Learn & Encounter

We apprentice by SEEKING the truth in community.

“Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 139:104)

3. GROW: Obey & Develop

We flourish in God by STRIVING in spiritual practices.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

4. GO: Encourage & Invite

We share God by SUBMITTING our lives to God’s calling.

“And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard?” 

(Romans 10:14)

Vision Statement

BE. KNOW. GROW. GO. We are Good Samaritan Church, a community of believers committed to worshiping God as a Sacred, Dynamic, and Cohesive Family of Faith. Our mission is to make disciples and share the transforming power of the gospel in our community and the world.