Opening Prayer:
Loving God,
open our ears to hear your word
and draw us closer to you,
that the whole world may be one with you
as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Matthew 14:22-33 We all face storms in our lives. When have you been scared by the storms, and displayed “little faith” in Jesus’ love? How did Jesus save you from drowning in your stormiest time?
This Sunday, Matthew shares the story of Jesus walking on water to his disciples. Last Sunday, Jesus overcomes physical hunger by multiplying the loaves and fish; now he overcomes the forces of nature by mastering the winds and the sea. These are powerful stories for Jesus’ followers. In the darkest part of the night, the scared disciples in their little boat see Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee to save them. Peter wanted to meet his Lord and Master on the waters, to show him his love for coming to save them all, but his faith wavered before the storm and wind. At his cry for rescue, Jesus reaches out his hand and pulls Peter up, loving and saving him even despite Peter’s “little faith” -v.31.
Romans 10:5-15 Paul asks “How are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard?” – v.14. Do you feel that being a Christian means you have to share our faith with others? If so, how do YOU do that?
Throughout Paul’s Letter to the Romans, he contrasts the “Law”, the teachings of Moses in the first five books of the Bible, and the “Gospel”, the Good News revealed through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this Sunday’s readings, Paul contrasts the righteousness that comes from DOING (obeying all of the commandments of the Law) and that which proceeds from BELIEVING (“For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” – v10). Paul emphasizes the importance of learning the Good News through hearing, or proclamation. Today, we call this evangelism, or preaching, or faith-sharing like Bible Study! The Gospel is voice-activated; all it takes to plant a seed of faith in someone’s heart is a word from God spoken at the right time.
Closing Prayer:
Through the storms of life, O God,
you are with your people
in the person of Jesus your Son.
Calm our fears and strengthen our faith
that we may never doubt his presence among us
but proclaim that he is your Son,
risen from the dead,
living for ever and ever. Amen.