
OPENING PRAYER
God of goodness,
we enter your presence fully aware of our human imperfections yet overwhelmed by your love for us.
We thank you that there is no human experience we may face where your love cannot reach us.
Whether we climb the highest mountain or find ourselves in the darkest valley, you are there.
Teach us to find peace in the love that requires nothing more than the simple, trusting heart of a child.
Amen.
SERMON
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.” —Brené Brown, Daring Greatly
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT
Three different times, I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time, he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
POINT: The opposite of shame is vulnerability within a supportive and loving community.
POINT: Empathy is the most effective weapon to combat shame in a community.
Romans 14:1 NLT - Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
Romans 14:13 NLT - So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
“As long as we continue to live as if we are what we do, what we have, and what other people think about us, we will be filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain addicted to the need to put people and things in their “right” place. To the degree that we can embrace the truth that our identity is not rooted in our success, power, or popularity, but in God’s infinite love, to that degree can we let go of our need to judge.” —Henri Nouwen, Here and Now
Romans 8:38 NLT
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.