PRAYER
O Holy God, we know we have fallen short.
We turn our backs when we can embrace.
We remained silent when we could speak.
We speak when we can listen.
We judge when we can seek understanding.
We cling when we could give.
Forgive us, O God, for focusing solely on ourselves and help us to continue to grow into the people you created us to be through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
SERMON
Has social media made our world better or worse?
Matthew 9:9-13 NRSV
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collection station. He said to him, “Follow me.” And Matthew got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
POINT: The act of calling usually means that a person is being called out from one place and then sent into another.
ekklēsia = the “called ones”
“Church is not an organization you join; it is a family where you belong, a home where you are loved, and a hospital where you find healing.” —- Nicky Gumbel
POINT: Our judgments are flawed, but God’s love and mercy are not.
James 2:13 NRSV
For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
Kyrie, eleison
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.