August 10, 2015 Volume XXV, No. 8 Nationalchurch.org
The Messenger
METROPOLITAN CHURCH
A MULTI-SITE UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY
“I Do Not Think That Means What You Think it Means”
Our August sermon series, “I Don’t Think That Means What You Think it Means” has been exploring scriptural passages that are often misused and misquoted. If you miss any of the sermons in this enlightening series, you can listen to the audio version of the sermons on our website at nationalchurch.org/Praising/Sermons_Podcasts.
Recently several of our church members have inquired, “What does your new sermon series title mean?” The series takes its title -- “I don’t think that means what you think it means” – from a wonderful movie called “The Princess Bride” (a really delightful movie that I highly recommend if you have never seen it), in which one of the characters regularly misuses a word. Playing off of that idea, during the month of August, the sermons will explore Scriptural passages that are often misused or misquoted. While there is certainly rich material to choose from, we picked four phrases that are widely heard (and often incorrectly). We launched the sermon series on August 2 with the phrase: “The Lord watch between thee and me, while we are parted one from another,” from Genesis 31: 44-50, often called the Mizpah blessing. While most of us have heard this phrase used as a passage with romantic connotations between spouses when they are separated, in fact its Biblical origins are quite different and the passage actually expresses the deep distrust that existed between the patriarch Jacob and his father-in-law Laban. We used this passage as a springboard to look at how we structure healthy boundaries with difficult people in our lives. On August 9, the sermon was based on the phrase, “Vengeance is mine,” and the Scriptural base was Deuteronomy 32: 34-35 and Romans 12: 18-21. While this is often used as an expression of anger against those who we perceive have wronged us, Paul reminds us that God’s vengeance is exactly that: God’s. In these verses, we have an opportunity to look at how we let go of our own anger and hurt, and place our trust in God’s perfect justice. On August 16, the phrase that will form the basis of the sermon is “The poor will always be with you,” and based on Scriptures from Deuteronomy 15: 10-11 and Mark 14: 3-9. These words of Jesus, which are often quoted with a sense of apathy regarding the hopelessness of changing economic structures, are actually a command to allow our passion for social justice to flow out of our relationship with God.
Watch Dr. Parker discuss our new sermon series at youtu.be/ZVDv2CKkFww
On August 23, we will close out the sermon series with the phrase we have all used many times, “God won’t give you more than you can bear.” The Biblical base is from I Corinthians 10: 12-13. This verse from I Corinthians is often (mis)quoted to comfort people going through affliction. In reality, it is a verse that calls us to prepare for hard times. We will spend this week looking at where we find God in the midst of crises and what we can expect from God in those times. I hope that you will join us on this August journey as we explore together these often-used phrases and learn why, “I don’t think that means what you think it means.” Blessings, Charlie
Save the Date - Fall Picnic Sunday, September 13, 12pm - 2pm, Metropolitan Memorial
Join the Metropolitan Church community and American University for our fall picnic! “Celebrity” grill masters, a petting zoo, moon bounces, food, and friends – a perfect way to kick off the new school year. The whole community is invited – bring your friends and neighbors of all ages. AU and Metropolitan will provide hotdogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, soft drinks and desserts. Bring a salad to share. We’ll see you at the picnic!
Sept. 13