Daily Readings - Tue Sep 10 2024

¹If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints?²Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?³Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!⁴Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!⁵I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?⁶But instead, one brother goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers!⁷The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?⁸Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.⁹Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders¹⁰nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.¹¹And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Luke

Chapter 6

¹²One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.¹³When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:¹⁴Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,¹⁵Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,¹⁶Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.¹⁷He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon,¹⁸who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured,¹⁹and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing 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.