September 30, 2022

Dear Road Church Friends,

This week’s Gospel reading includes a saying by Jesus that his apostles found so difficult that they cried out in unison, “Increase our faith!” They could not imagine living up to the challenge of unlimited forgiveness. That challenge still stands! Who among us has what it takes to forgive someone in our family of faith, who wrongs us, or angers us seven times in a day? Does that not border on folly? Perhaps the parents of a small child could do that, but not for someone who is old enough to know better. Forgiving a person who wrongs or hurts us seven times in a day would take more faith than anyone has. If we are serious about following Jesus in this important matter, then we can relate to the apostle’s desperate prayer. But, before we pray, we might ask what it means to increase our faith. Can we grow our faith, if so, how? What is faith? These are questions we will consider Sunday morning as we prepare to share together in the Lord’s Supper.

SCRIPTURE:   Luke 17:1-6     SERMON:  Increase Our Faith!

JESUS said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2 It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4 And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

PRAYER

   Lord Jesus, you said, “Do this in remembrance of me,” help us at every communion service to look back and remember that the life you lived is an example for us to follow. In all your acts of sacrificial love we see the will of God our Father being done on earth as it is in heaven. Your Spirit has given us the eyes through which you see the world, and the faith to move mountains. Increase our faith to face the challenges of our day, and to forgive others as we have been forgiven. Grant us the vision and courage to be children of the kingdom against the grain of the world. Where there is hatred may we bring peace. Where there is doubt may we bring faith. Where there is despair may we bring hope. Amen.

POEM

Light Shinning Out of Darkness by William Cowper

God works in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds you so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace;

Behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour.

The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan his work in vain;

God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain.

Blessings to you all.

Pastor Norm

This worship service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/clehpL-G4LE