Sunday, March 05, 2006

brian is preaching

brianmcl.png Opawa Baptist has wifi. So these are notes, what I heard Brian say, [with a few editorial comments by me], as Brian preached. It will be interesting to see the difference between seminar mode and working with the text mode.


What is the project that God is working on? What project will we commit our lives to? How big is that?

Matthew 15:21-28.

The invitation to imagine that you are a woman. You have a daughter. You are not Jewish. You have heard of some trouble maker called Jesus. Jewish people did not like to mix with people not like them. Some Christians are like this today.

You hear word that Jesus is coming to your region.

Your daughter is sick. She writhes and calls. You are worried about your daughter.

Try to imagine you are part of this story. Feel you are inside her.

Brian reads and pauses. He asks how you are feeling? People respond with words and phrases.

Brian continues reading, verse by verse, pausing; asking “what are you thinking now?” People respond with words and phrases. Brian repeats them, unpacks some of the responses, provides more details from the original context at times.

At verse 26 he asks mothers to say how they would feel.

Now he is asking us to switch positions. Imagine that you are his disciples, lying in bed that night. What would you be feeling.

Brian continues into the next narrative (29-31). Jesus is now healing thousands of Gentiles. (32-38). People respond with words and phrases.

I don’t know what you think about this and I’m not going to tell you what to think. But I wonder, did Jesus have to learn how to ride a skateboard? Did he have to learn how to walk? In Hebrews we read that Jesus learned obedience. In Luke we read that Jesus grew in stature. So when did Jesus stop learning? Is it possible that Jesus could learn something at age 32?

Some of you would say, no, it doesn’t fit with my theology.

There are only 2 times Jesus changes his mind. (John 2). Both involve women.

What does the wider context say? John the Baptist has just been killed by Herod.

The Kingdom of King Herod kills people like John the Baptist. It criticises you constantly.

The Kingdom of God heals and feeds people. It listens to you.

When I read these stories, I think there is no greater project that the Kingdom and we are still learning today. It’s as if Jesus is saying, no more killing in the Kingdom. I’m starting something new.

If I was a disciple, lying in bed that night, I’d think there’s no better thing to be involved in.

Brian is praying
what do you think of this project and what would we like to commit ourselves to;
have we stopped learning or can we keep lets keep learning and following as disciples in the Kingdom.

Posted by steve at 07:41 PM

3 Comments

  1. Steve,

    Do you know if these workshops will be online… like the “emergent discussions” in 2005 (I think) were?

    I would love to hear the workshop on Generous Orthodoxy and Out of Bounds Church. I just purchased both books… though I feel like a bit of a renegade… No one in my “community” even KNOWS who you or Brian are!!

    I look forward to reading all your notes!

    Comment by Kimber — March 6, 2006 @ 4:51 pm

  2. Thanks Steve it was good to catch the bit I had to miss last night. Thanks too to you & Lynne for all the work all weekend – hope you are both getting some rest today!! It was good to “stork” in person rather than just by blog – Bless ya

    And that old wireless link reminds me of my comment in the cafe church workshop – aye Lynne!!

    Comment by Jo Wall — March 6, 2006 @ 4:54 pm

  3. Thanks Steve it was good to catch the bit I had to miss last night. Thanks too to you & Lynne for all the work all weekend – hope you are both getting some rest today!! It was good to “stork” in person rather than just by blog – Bless ya

    And that old wireless link reminds me of my comment in the cafe church workshop – aye Lynne!!

    Comment by Jo Wall — March 6, 2006 @ 4:54 pm

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