November 18, 2007- Thankfulness and Stewardship theme sermon.

Over the next number of sermons, especially as Advent, Christmas and Lent approach I want to highlight the peculiarity of what we believe.  Identity, confusion with a "christian culture" that is becoming less so year by year, is probably not a good thing for Christians.  Our culture is changing and how Christians respond, more and more, should sound peculiar.  We can no longer just believe in God, that means anything to everybody- which is why a Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and anyone else can stand side by side and sing "God bless America- but we believe in a particular God- the God of Jesus.  That might sound like a peculiar way to talk; that's just the point.  More on this to come.

Preparing a thankfulness and thankfulness for stewardship sermon from a "doomsday" text was somewhat of a challenge.  My jumping off point was vers 13,14 and 15.  Given that Luke also wrote Acts which talks about Peter, James, Barnabas, Paul and many others giving testimony and witness during tough times, through and by the Spirit, the same goes for us.

What is peculiar about our testimony and witness is that it can be demonstrated in our words and actions 1)about Jesus.  When Peter is arrested he doesn't try to defend himself, he simply talks about Jesus and what he must do because of Jesus.

2)In our words and actions for and among each other aka stewardship. Our definition of stewardship may be peculiar.  Stewardship isn't so much taking care of what you have been given, but giving and using for others what you have been given; and in thankfulness this is done at Trinity in numerous and gracious ways.

A highlight of the sermon will be to underscore again that Christian stewardship isn't only work done at church, but also chiefly consists of the vocations we fill in our daily life- mothers, grandfathers, secretaries, drivers, managers, students, owners, scientists...

If such stewardship is the result of peculiar beliefs, as I think it is, such stewardship done faithfully should draw the ire of a sort.  "Why do you spend so much time there?  Why give so much there?  Why organize your schedule around events at church?"  Such stewardship is peculiar to our culture, such stewardship is good.