Daily Readings - Tue Sep 10 2024

¹Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?²Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?³Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?⁴If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.⁵I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?⁶But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.⁷Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?⁸Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.⁹Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,¹⁰Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.¹¹And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Luke

Chapter 6

¹²And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.¹³And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;¹⁴Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,¹⁵Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,¹⁶And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.¹⁷And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;¹⁸And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.¹⁹And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

Sermon

In today's readings, we explore themes of community, conflict resolution, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from 1 Corinthians addresses disputes among believers, urging them to resolve conflicts within the church rather than secular courts. Paul reminds the Corinthians of their sanctification through Christ, emphasizing a life free from sin. The Gospel from Luke describes Jesus selecting the Twelve Apostles and healing many, illustrating the expansion of His ministry and the community's role in spreading His teachings. The context of these readings reveals the challenges of the early Christian community. In Corinthians, Paul guides believers in handling internal disputes, highlighting the importance of wisdom and integrity within the church. In Luke, the selection of the Apostles marks a significant moment in preparing for the spread of Jesus' message, showcasing His healing power and the community's outreach. Both readings emphasize the importance of living as a sanctified people. Corinthians focuses on internal community dynamics, while Luke highlights expansion and outreach. Together, they remind us to resolve conflicts with love and seek wisdom within our faith community. The moral lesson is clear: live with integrity, avoid sin, and be instruments of healing and grace, reflecting Christ's transformative power in our lives.