Sermon 4: A Vowed People

This is the last of the sermons for the series on the mission of the Church of the Nazarene in Mid-City. I place it on the web while fires are slowly getting in control to the north of my home and to its south -- unlike four years ago, we are not in the literal "line of fire." Evacuation, destruction of property, is a tragedy. It seems that the San Diego City and County officials learned well from the Cedar Fire of the past; all seems much more in order without the chaos. Maybe that's just my geographic perspective, however.

I know of at least one of my students who has lost a house; I deeply mourn. Yesterday was a long, grey day. To my knowledge, none of our congregation has been evacuated. I worry about Pastor Shawn's family who live in Ramona; I haven't heard back from him.

As always, I deeply appreciate you feedback to this series. I am reviewing a book today for the Wesleyan Theological Journal called, "In Search of the Catholic Spirit: Methodists and Roman Catholics in Dialogue" by David M. Chapman. I discovered that a British Methodist, Hugh Price Hughes, was the first to notice the historical continuity between the Methodist/Holiness movement and "the friars in the Roman Catholic Church." It is this understanding of our heritage (and by ours, I mean the Church of the Nazarene within the one evangelical, catholic, orthodox faith) that lies behind this sermon.

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Posted by johnwright at 10:50 AM | Comments (0)

The Mission of the Church of the Nazarene in Mid-City, Sermon #3

Last week was so full. In a space of four days I gave 4 extra lectures/presentations. They were fun to do, but left the week a bit breathless. I didn't get time to blog Bible Study, nor even to record the third sermon in my series on the Mission of Mid-City.

Saturday evening we met in a new practice -- a gathering for a pot-luck meal and preparations for Sunday, including a prayer service. Gaelan Gilbert led it, drawing from an older liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer. As we prayed, I was reminded in those prayers how simple, but relevant those prayers were to us. The prayer service prayed our mission for us.

In the sermon I try to develop the significance of place -- place such as Bethlehem, the place where Christ comes forth. Bethlehem takes on a typological signficance for Christians through Jesus Christ. Bethlehem becomes whereever Christ is fully present in the Word, Sacraments, and Works of Mercy. I hope that God uses these petty words to drive us all deeper into the particular places where Christ is present.

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Posted by johnwright at 7:54 AM | Comments (3)

Sermon 2: A Pilgrim People

In the holiness movement in the 1960s and early 1970s, we heard much about not "belonging to the world." Often this meant for males not to grow their hair long and females not to cut theirs. With the raise of the church growth movement in the 70s, this discourse of not "belonging to the world" slowly and gradually declined. Instead we went to the social scientists to tell us how we might be appropriately like the world so that the world will become us. "Of the world but not in it," so to speak. Congregational life is seen primarily as a sociological reality now; theology might inform to support the sociology, but it does not cast the fundamental mission of the church.

When I went to Notre Dame, I encountered the work of John Howard Yoder and Stanley Hauerwas, as well as post-structuralist thought like Michel Foucault and Roland Barthes. Suddenly the joys of "not belonging to the world" became more evident to me. Then it struck me that this was also a theme in the doctrine of the church in Vatican II -- the church as the pilgrim people of God. Rather than a weird holiness or Mennonite or "Hauerwasian" them, I began to see this as part of the very grammar of the Christian life.

As we move onto the series of sermons on our mission, we turned yesterday to the theme that "We are a pilgrim people." I would be thankful for more responses like the very constructive ones from last week.

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Posted by johnwright at 11:25 AM | Comments (7)

Living without a Green Card

On Sunday I began a four week sermon series on the fundamental vision for the Church of the Nazarene in Mid-City, English-Speaking Congregation. I'm calling it: "Living without a Green Card: The Congregation as Sojourners and Aliens." I have tried to preach without notes recently, but produced a written version of the sermon for my blog. Your comments are welcome!

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Posted by johnwright at 1:07 PM | Comments (4)

Annual Report

Yesterday was the last Sunday in our district year. I gave my Annual Report as part of the Sunday sermon. It was a distracting time -- Lawrence was there, a cell phone went off, and it was difficult material to speak and to hear.

In some ways, Lawrence really helped me see the issue. Lawrence struggles with alcoholism and with other types of disorders. I have known him for years now. He has taught me much by relating how badly people treat the poor and the ill when they meet them. For those who know, Lawrence yells out in times of personal stress, "People matter more than Jesus" in the middle of our service, often repetitively. While he can make some uncomfortable, we know that Lawrence needs to do this some -- but also that he can control himself. Janine so wonderfully helped him yesterday as Lawrence had some struggles with his control while I was preaching, particularly at the beginning.

Lawrence is right -- people matter. But I spoke with Lawrence in the service that people matter because of Jesus, not more than Jesus. In some ways this is the whole point of my Annual Report -- that if we lose the fully revelation of God in Jesus Christ who is simultaneously the full revelation of humans to ourselves, we have drifted off into a type of "religious humanism" that ultimately cannot sustain itself. As I have thought through the struggles over the years in our congregation, it suddenly struck me that we have experienced trends much like American Catholicism. The Annual Report tries to point us beyond destructive cycles to live in the obedience of faith, finding freedom under true authority that we find in God through Christ in the context of the church -- concrete local congregations.

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Posted by johnwright at 7:55 AM | Comments (2)

Second Sunday of Easter

I have stop posting sermons because I stopped writing manuscripts and began preaching orally without even notes. Within our cultural and congregational context, there is much to say for this. But this Sunday I wanted to be more precise in my language. I prepared a manuscript and retreated behind the pulpit. With last Sunday a multicongregational Sunday, this was my chance to give an Easter sermon. Some liturgists will argue that the primary convictions of a person/congregation come out at the most important liturgical celebrations. This comes pretty close to mine, but not merely mine, but, I would argue, the faith given to the saints.

I would welcome comments on the sermon. Part of the reason for the manuscript was to invite comments. Remember, Christ is risen!

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Posted by johnwright at 10:37 AM | Comments (7)

Sermon by Craig Keen

Last Sunday we had the honor of hearing Craig Keen deliver the Word of God. I think that we've finally made the connection and I post it here in response to the several requests made. Craig is a profound friend and member of our congregation, and a Professor of Systematic Theology at Azusa Pacific University.

I'm working on a paper on vocation and political theory in Max Weber and 1 Peter. I hope to get some time to reflect on Benedict XVI's encyclical before long. It has spurred much reflection already from me.

Enjoy Craig's sermon!

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Posted by johnwright at 7:48 PM | Comments (8)

After a Hiatus

The past week we began school. I've also been working on an article for a small book. I hope to share some of this with you. I've also completed reading On the Way to Jesus Christ by Joseph Ratzinger, better known now as Benedict XVI. I hope to share reflections and thoughts that have arisen here as well.

Before that, however, I wanted to post my sermon from last week. It was the first Sunday of Epiphany -- and I try to broach the subject of Revelation, and it's relationship to secularism in a practical and pastoral way. Anyway, I offer it to you for your comments and feedback.

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Posted by johnwright at 10:02 AM | Comments (3)

From the Feast of the Nativity, Morning Service

On Christmas morning we continued our celebration of the Feast of the Nativity. I've revised the sermon some from that morning, and want to share it with you, even if we are not to the fifth day of Christmas. The Luke story struck me anew. Much of the social history behind the reading comes from Richard Horsley's socio-historical work on the birth narratives of Jesus.

Peace to you!

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Posted by johnwright at 12:12 PM | Comments (5)

For Unto Us a Child is Born

I usually post sermons after the fact, but today I wanted to get tonights sermon posted. My prayer is to have my life enfolded into the wonder of the Incarnation.

Have a joyous and wonder-full Christmas.

Peace,
John

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Posted by johnwright at 1:31 PM | Comments (0)

Second Sunday of Advent

Yesterday's sermon was hard to give. As I look back over it, it was probably hard to hear as well. To speak of that which is to come is difficult, without a whole lot of stutterings and qualifications.

Yet I am more and more convinced that the way forward is by returning to the very roots of the Christian tradition, rather than learning to translate it into contemporary language and categories. We have to understand our lives fundamentally different for the Spirit to shape us. To live so that justice and the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the sanctification of believers, are the same thing is a fundamental mission for our ocngregation as we live in connection with the Church of the Nazarene. This is what happens when we return both to their proper setting within the Scriptures and the history of the church. The sermon struggles to find a way of speaking outside the malformations that the politics that a liberal society places upon the church to return justice to its home within a Christian language of the Spirit's sanctifying work in our lives.

Your comments and observations, either about its oral version yesterday, or written here, are always welcome.

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Posted by johnwright at 9:15 AM | Comments (40)

Judgment!

The last 12 days have been rather hectic. Last week I worked on a little paper that I will give at a "Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah" group in Philadelphia this weekend on commentaries on Chronicles -- my area of focused academic expertise. I'll try and post it by the end of the week. With teaching loads what they are, this has pushed everything behind some. Blogging has become less a priority. I do want to make some comments -- possibly later today, on some of the material that I've been reading.

Sunday I was back in the pulpit after a bit of a hiatus. I want to post the sermon. In it one can probably feel my talking and reading with the Communion and Liberation friends, Karl Barth, and Jamie Smith's book, Speech and Theology and the slow grinding of contemplation, reflection and prayer. Among other things that I'm recognizing is the importance of the theological work of Søren Kierkegaard that holds these folk together. More on that later!

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Posted by johnwright at 8:59 AM | Comments (5)

Ministry and Installation of Associate Pastors

Yesterday was a "topical sermon" in that we installed two new associate pastors. I'm going to attach the sermon on ministry -- which I think has much wider implication for us in many ways. It's an area upon which I'm doing some formal research I'm also going to append the small installation service at the end of the service.

I am thankful for Jeff and Shawn (not to mention Kathy and Deron) to share in the task of pastoring such a wonderful, faithful congregation. I am very hopeful as we all travel together towards our end, Jesus Christ, who, of course, of also our beginning!

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Posted by johnwright at 10:35 AM | Comments (6)

Christian Perfection

Sunday in the Epistle reading, I noticed that the Greek word for perfection, telos, appeared. Perfection is one of the most overlooked biblical concept today, and central to the heritage of the Church of the Nazarene -- although I've never heard it used in a sermon outside myself for decades. In prayerful reflection, it also seems to me that the concept is crucial for the integrity of the witness of the church today, and the Spirit's formation of saints. So I read the passage through this prism -- that really seemed to help me grasp the passage. So here is Sunday's sermon on Philippians 3:14-21.

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Posted by johnwright at 8:30 AM | Comments (12)

Two Sons

I didn't place last weeks sermon on the web. Maybe I'll get to it. But I wanted to get yesterdays. It continues some of the themes that I've been reflecting on within my (w)rants.

Then back to grading.

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Posted by johnwright at 8:58 AM | Comments (0)

Romans 12:9-20

The next few days I want to post several items -- including the funeral service for Mike Patterson. Eric has nicely and graciously blogged recorded his observations over at ericisrad.com. I continue to be moved by the witness of Mike's life -- very evident in our gathering today. But first, I'd like to post this morning's sermon. The congregation was very, very gracious in receiving it this morning.

The text is a classic non-retaliation text that draws upon the gospel traditions from Jesus that commits Christians, so it seems, to not engage in mortal violence -- and thus excludes Christians from war. But I felt that the first part of the text was too important for us to hear. So believe it or not, I didn't develop the pacificist side of the text, but the concrete calls for a local congregation.

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Posted by johnwright at 3:28 PM | Comments (20)

Much to Blog, but only a sermon

I have much to blog since my spin through Deutschland -- readings done there, experiences going from nation-state to nation-state, Scott Harrison's acquittal from his case, Mike Patterson's speedy deteriorization of health and suffering with him, the Pope's messages at World Youth Day, the beginning of the academic year, my girl's soccer team beginning, dialogues with friends like Eric Lee at ericisrad.com and David Jones at ressourcement.blogspot.com. But as I have to finish my first lecture for 11:00 am, I'm just going to append my sermon from yesterday.

It was the first time that I had preached since early June. It was a bit scary for me, honestly, because I was speaking more of God, rather than merely "God for us." As a matter of fact, I was trying to refocus our attention that God can only be "God for us" when we allow God to be God. The Romans 11 passage has become increasing important for me. Within classical Christianity, it is a central passage. One could argue that it frames all of Thomas Aquinas and even Augustine's thought.

One has to recognize how preaching breeds insecurity in this cultural environment. Any comments and discussions would be very helpful to teach me more. I'm going to try and do better responding to the discussions than I have in the past!

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Posted by johnwright at 8:15 AM | Comments (1)

Before the Week Gets Away

I'm in my office tonight. I just finished revising a manuscript of a book that I've been working on for about ten years. I have an article proposal to send to Germany, and then, I've completed most my early summer responsibilities.

To celebrate, I think that I'll post my sermon from last Sunday, lest anyone is out there! Maybe I need to write more inflamatory stuff to get more responses.

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Posted by johnwright at 8:23 PM | Comments (4)

The Justice of God

Sunday was the first Sunday of "regular time" -- following Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Trinity Sundays. I found the Scriptures fascinating in this light. It also took us to Romans 3 -- where we have recently discovered that Paul did not think of the "righteousness of God" having appeared through "faith in Jesus", but rather, "through the faithfulness of Jesus." The difference is rather pronounced -- for one, the righteousness is found in the "believing human"; the other "in Jesus" in whom "the human" may participate by believing. My previous focuses had been on the Christological aspects of this shift. What I saw was, instead, in the readings a wonderful commentary on "whose justice" -- and since it is God's, Real Justice.

As always, your comments are appreciated.

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Posted by johnwright at 10:45 AM | Comments (10)

Trinity Sunday

Sunday was Trinity Sunday. As I reflected to prepare for my sermon in the passages, I really wanted to try and present to the congregation that God IS Triune. God as the only Necessary Being is thus completely different from we who are creation, yet our life is still bound up in God's. I therefore wanted to show how God is different from the god in which the United States society initiates people, and then tie this into participation in God's very Being in the Eucharist.

I was surprised, then, when last night I search on Zenit and found Bendict XVI's short reflections on Trinity Sunday that had some of the same concerns that I had, though expressed much more succinctly and poetically. Here's excerpt from Benedict's mediation:

"Jesus has revealed to us the mystery of God. He, the Son, has made us know the Father who is in heaven, and has given us the Holy Spirit, the Love of the Father and of the Son. Christian theology summarizes the truth about God with this expression: only one substance in three persons. God is not solitude but perfect communion. For this reason, the human person, image of God, is fulfilled in love, which is the sincere gift of oneself.

We contemplate the mystery of God's love by participating in a sublime way in the most holy Eucharist, sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, representation of his redemptive sacrifice."

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Posted by johnwright at 9:20 AM | Comments (8)

Last Sunday was Pentecost

I've been a bit slow posting last weeks sermon, but here is is. I tried to take Jesus' words in John 20:19-23, "Peace be with you" very seriously. I wanted to not allow a public/private distinction to arise for peace, a dichotomy between "personal" and "public" peace.

As always your feedback helps!

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Posted by johnwright at 3:29 PM | Comments (4)

Sanctify Christ in your hearts as Lord

I hadn't planned on preaching Sunday, but contingencies led me to proclaim the Word. The comments on my interaction with Peck's The Road Less Traveled have been really good and helpful. I hope my language wasn't too bizarre in the post. I do plan to share some thoughts on psychology in the near future. I don't think that we can understand the psychological culture that we live in without also understanding the fundamental ways that we are shaped into consumers.

So in the extended Entry is my sermon from last Sunday. I really don't ask to preach on texts on non-retaliation -- they just seem to pop up once you start reading the Scriptures!!

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Posted by johnwright at 7:38 PM | Comments (31)

Monday Morning

The Cardinals are gathering in Rome!! I'm prayerfully wondering what's going to be happening -- and how long it will take. In the meantime, I have a conference here at PLNU on Multicongregations the next two days -- along with a multicongregational meeting tonight. Between teaching and grading, life will be a bit full. I can't wait to have a little more time because I have a long rant building in me that I can't wait to share with you.

But as it is, instead all I have today is to post my sermon from yesterday. You'll notice certain themes come together that I think are central to the Christian life and witness: the eroding effects of the politics of the state and consumerism, God's revelation in Jesus Christ, the Triune God, and Christian non-violence. I'm always glad to hear comments!

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Posted by johnwright at 9:32 AM | Comments (14)

Palm Sunday Reflections

Holy Week is here. Yesterday we read from Matthew 21 in the parking lot in French, Khmer, Spanish, and English, before processing into our various rooms where each of our four congregations worship in their own languages.

We did not observe Passion Sunday, but Palm Sunday -- I am counting on our congregation to show up for our Maunday Thursday and Good Friday services. Yet we did read from Isaiah 53. It provided for me an interesting context for thinking about Palm Sunday.

One never feels adequate in preaching. Yet one offers one's words in hope that the Spirit may faithfully shape us into the people of God as we prepare to go to the Eucharist together. My sermon from yesterday is in the extended entry. Your feedback is always appreciated.

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Posted by johnwright at 12:29 PM | Comments (2)

Here we go!

It is with fear and trepidation that I enter the blogosphere. Yet cyberspace gives a wonderful opportunity to share thoughts together as we pass through this life. Below in the extended entry is a written copy of my sermon for yesterday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. I look forward to hearing from you and posting with at least semi-regularity!

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Posted by johnwright at 8:22 AM | Comments (11)