Transformational Abiding as Ekklesia: The People Called The Church

Being certain to discern God's plan for a sermon message while keeping in mind the church calendar, sermon series planning and lectionary passages require a prioritized internationality. While lectionary passages were set aside for the beginning of 2023 sermon planning, I still feel that wrapping up the sermon series on John 15-16 about Abiding in Jesus is imperative.  God led me to and through the intent and direction of these passages from a simple prayerful interaction with my 2022 word of the year: "Abide." I also, equally, feel that Transfiguration Sunday matters to our journey during Lent. In case someone reading this blog is not familiar prayer words, lectionary, or the church calendar a brief explanation follows:

• Prayer words: Some people will randomly choose a word for a year to guide their prayer life. It is really that simple. No magic or rules.
• Lectionary: Scripture passage that are prescribed for each Sunday containing an Old Testament, New Testament, Gospel passage along with a Psalm or Proverb. Though the course of three years, roughly 85% of the Bible is covered. It is intended that all the passages will be read or used to craft the message.
• Church Calendar: beginning the four weeks prior to Christmas with Advent, the calendar begins, taking you through the life cycle of the faith by recognizing holy moments. Lent is the journey of repentant and discernment leading up to the sacrifice made by Jesus on our behalf.

Pre-sermon Doodling

So this Sunday, the wrap up to Abiding as the Church community and Transfiguration Sunday collide. As usual, through my prayerful pre-sermon doodling, God was faithful and sent me in the proper direction. In fact, I find that the two thoughts require each other to be taught in their fullness.

The word transfiguration means to transform. As we abide in Jesus, The One True Vine, and produce MUCH fruit, we have no other path but to transform.

The transfiguration of Jesus is a powerful story of when Jesus' identity was revealed in glory on the mountain. In this moment we see Jesus revealed as The Christ, our Lord. It is a day when are reminded that it is Jesus, the Son of God, that we willing give our allegiance to in trust and faith. We live as he lived, we serve as he served, we teach as he taught. Without this reminder, we could easily begin to believe that religion is our Savior.

The fruit of abiding in Christ, ultimately is what we call the church. There was no "word" for church. The word used in the New Testament was "ekklasia," meaning those called out. There are some that would have you believe that this word is a political title, meaning the first church was called to lean into to the political structure. This is so far from the truth. It is true the same word was used by the publicans to "call out" those to serve them. But when used in scripture, it is used to call out those to serve Christ and his be his church. 

I think the are interdependent. Without transformation an average person can not do what the calling requires. Humans just aren't equipped on their own. The world needs the power of the Trinity: God the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit to lead and to follow, to heal and to restore, to love and be loved.

Tune into Facebook tomorrow, Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 10am CST to see how the sermon unfolds live or later in the afternoon on CUMCTube.