In this sermon on January 15th 2023 - Fr. Dan Shoemake talks about living a life where we see ourselves as an embodiment of the Law of God.

Sunday, January 15th, 2023 (Epiphany 2)

Exodus 12:21-28; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

SERMON

the Talk & the Walk: Walk the Walk

The Talk and the Walk is a sermon series about Religion:

Why we are talking about religion: there is a common theme I am hearing

Secular: organized religion is a problem - it is the source of evil in the world. “Christian”: Jesus did not come to establish a religion, he came to break people free from religion

Identifying the Problem

What IS religion?

1. Many things can be called religions even though they are radically different.
2. Religion can be identified as any belief or practice.

Religion as a HAMMER

Three Ways we can Misunderstand or Misuse a Religion

1. Using the Hammer as a Screwdriver

• Worship as entertainment
• Sermon as TED talk or pep talk
• Church as Country Club

This has lead to Wrong Conclusion: 20th-21st century ambiguity: Whatever you believe or DO is a valid religious practice.

*Image* MEGACHURCH

*Image* Decline of Christianity since 2007

• Liturgical Churches hold water better than non traditional

Screwdriver Conclusion: The Three Streams of Anglicanism

• Evangelical, Charismatic, and Catholic

2. Not using the Hammer because you hit your thumb

• “Hammers are supposed to build houses - not to break thumbs”
• “I am not good with hammers, so I’ll leave that to someone else”

Diagnosis: People have a problem with People

When so-called Christians say “the problem with the Church is …”

They are actually talking about themselves. They ARE the Church.

Church is supposed to be difficult. It causes us to grow. People butt heads. Feelings get hurt - that is what it MEANS to BE the Church.

Correcting our Understanding

Understanding what RELIGION is

Re-legere (to say or read over and over again)

Re-Ligare (to bind or connect to)

Or - Deut 6:4-9

6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God,

the Lord alone.

5 You shall love the Lord your God

with all your heart

and with all your soul and

with all your might.

6 Keep these words

that I am commanding

you today in your heart.

7 Recite them to your children

and talk about them

when you are at home

and when you are away,

when you lie down

and when you rise.

8 Bind them as a sign on your hand,

fix them as an emblem on your forehead,

9 and write them on the doorposts

of your house and on your gates.

TRUE Religion is about THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED.

The Passover Religious Practice: Walking the Walk

The Passover Sacrifice is All About Jesus

AMEN

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