In this blog, we'll focus on the working being done at Sligo Presbyterian Church, Sligo, Pennsylvania. We'll also look at what's happening in Sligo, Rimersburg, Clarion, and all the other communities served by our congregation.
Paul faced a problem. One of the churches he’d planted in Greece was being torn apart by factions and internal conflict, a situation that sounds an awful lot like what we see within the modern church. These divisions not only endangered its ability to share the Christian faith within a pagan world, they also threatened the unity of the church itself. In this letter, Paul challenged these Christians to put aside their animosities and refocus their faith on Jesus Christ. In each session, we’ll consider a part of Paul’s letter as follows:
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in its own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.
Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?
And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? I die every day! That is as certain, brothers and sisters, as my boasting of you—a boast that I make in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought with wild animals at Ephesus with a merely human perspective, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised,
“Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die.”
Do not be deceived:
“Bad company ruins good morals.”
Sober up, as you rightly ought to, and sin no more, for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen and to each kind of seed its own body. Not all flesh is alike, but there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one thing, and that of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory.
So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the physical and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven. As one of dust, so are those who are of the dust, and as one of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the one of dust, we will also bear the image of the one of heaven.
What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Look, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Whenever we come to the Bible, we often read looking for instruction and encouragement for the day. But the Bible isn’t meant only to guide us day-by-day. The Scriptures are a historical record. They reveal what God has done and is doing in the world—and introduce us to the people who played a particular role in His plans for the world.
If you’re a longtime reader of the Bible, you’re more than likely familiar with many of these people. Some are examples of faithfulness. Others are cautionary tales against faithlessness. But all were examples of people who furthered God’s plan to give “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” [John 3:16, CEV]
During this series, we’re discussing the following witnesses to God’s authority and love:
From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.
On the parking lot side of the church, we removed the rotting railroad ties, installed curbs and sloped and seeded the ground. The congregation thanks Gerry Smith for completing this job. Below are some pictures of Gerry working on this project.
Jesus reframes the ten commandments from a list of external rules into matters of the heart. He taught that true righteousness is not merely about avoiding bad actions, but about harboring pure thoughts and actively demonstrating love for God and humanity. During the months of July, August and September, we’ll consider the Ten Commandments Through the Eyes of Jesus, focusing on the following topics:
On Sunday, August 30, we discussed the Seventh Commandment: Do Not Commit Adultery. [Exodus 20:14, NRSVUE] Below is a video of the service, a presentation of the sermon, and the bulletin & program for the service. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.
Jesus reframes the ten commandments from a list of external rules into matters of the heart. He taught that true righteousness is not merely about avoiding bad actions, but about harboring pure thoughts and actively demonstrating love for God and humanity. During the months of July, August and September, we're considering the Ten Commandments Through the Eyes of Jesus, focusing on the following topics:
Well, here we are, the last Sunday in the month of August, which gives us the chance to look back and to look forward. Of course, as we look back to, let’s say, the Sunday after the fourth, most of y’all know we’ve been in this sermon series entitled The Ten Commandments Through the Eyes of Jesus. And during that time, after considering how Jesus interpreted the whole Jewish law, we talked about the first six commandments themselves. For example, we looked at how we should have no other gods nor should we worship idols. We shouldn’t take God’s name in vain and we should keep the Sabbath holy. And over the last couple of weeks, we’ve talked about honoring your father and mother and not committing murder. Now, if you’re interested in hearing any of these sermons, you can find them on our blog, Facebook page and Youtube channel. Now that’s the kind of thing we’re going to see when we look back.
But like I said, since we’re a couple of days away from September, well, today gives us the chance to look forward, you know, into the Fall. And I’ve got to tell you, for me, moving into this time of year has always meant sort of entering a different world. For example, as the weather begins to change it’s about pulling out jackets and coats for the first time in six months, and hoping you didn’t forget about the sliced cucumbers you had in one of the pockets when you hung it up last April. Now that’s different. And because football season is about to start, the Fall is about trying to figure out how to write a sermon while watching the game without getting distracted, of course, from the game. Now that’s different. And since we live in a world where people put out decorations that are both elaborate and early, the Fall is about going past tomb stones and cobwebs as I walk Coco Chanel around 4:30 every morning. Now that’s certainly different. You see, these are just a few of the differences we’re about to see in the next couple of weeks.
And you know, in keeping with this different kind of season, I did something really different at the end of the sermon last week. As a matter of fact, it’s something I’ve only done a handful of times during my five years I’ve been here. You see, after I finished up the sermon about “Do not murder,” [Exodus 20:23, CEV] I introduced this week’s command with this slide: You shall not commit adultery. [Exodus 20:14, NRSVUE] And I’ll tell you, right there was the difference I’m talking about. You see, for several reasons we can talk about later, I nearly always use the Contemporary English Version, the CEV, when reading and presenting scripture in the sermon. But last week, when I was looking at the Seventh Commandment, I didn’t. Instead, I used the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, the NRSVUE. And the reason I did that involved how the CEV translated this particular verse from Exodus. You see, according to the Contemporary English Version, the commandment reads: Be faithful in marriage. [Exodus 20:24, CEV] And in my opinion, this positive spin really isn’t an accurate translation of the Hebrew.
But having said that, based on how Jesus saw this commandment, I think both are pretty accurate and definitely appropriate. In other words, in his eyes, this commandment was about both what we shouldn’t and what we should do. And that’s what we’re going to talk about this morning. You see, we’re going to look at how we can obey the Seventh Commandment, first, by not committing adultery and then, second, by being intentionally faithful in marriage. And even though the focus will be on the relationship between husband and wife, I think folks who aren’t married can apply the ideas we find in the Bible to other situations and relationships.
And like I said a minute ago, we’re going to start by focusing on the commandment as translated in the New Revised Standard: You shall not commit adultery. [Exodus 20:14, NRSVUE] And you know, I think Jesus was crystal clear about what this meant to him, when he said this during the Sermon on the Mount:
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell." [Matthew 5:27-30, NRSVUE]
Now that’s what Jesus said, adultery was about lust, and when I say “lust,” I’m talking about those passions and emotions which lead us to do some things that are contrary to what God wants us to do. Now for Jesus, that’s adultery, and just think about what it means. In a very real sense, he radicalized the word, moving it from an external act to an internal feeling. Of course, I don’t think that’s something everyone wants to hear. I mean, there are times when it’s easier and more comfortable to stick with the outside, rather than the inside, isn’t it? For example, years ago, I women came to talk with me about some very serious issues she was having in her marriage. She told me that for several months, her husband had become cold and distant. And one day, she found out why. He’d developed a pretty passionate and very explicit relationship with a woman online, one in which they were making promises to one another and planning a future together. Now understand, according to the wife, they’d never actually met and yet all this was going on. And I remember, after telling me all this, she said, “Well, at least he hasn’t committed adultery.” You see, for her, adultery came down to a very specific physical act, and that gave her some comfort in her very dysfunctional marriage. But I’ll tell you, for Jesus, I don’t think that was the case at all. You see, for him, adultery was internal, involving the human heart and mind. It was shown by that intense and unchecked and forbidden passion and desire that goes against God’s design. And even though, in the case of adultery, it’s directed toward another person, according to Jesus, we can also lust for money and for power and for anything else that we want to possess and control, without any concern for God or anyone else.Now that’s what lust is. And for Jesus, when it’s focused on a person, it’s adultery.
And if we want to obey the Seventh commandment, that’s why I believe it’s so important for us to control our lust. Now notice I said “control” not “eliminate,” because since lust is emotional, frankly I think controlling it is probably the best we can do. But I honestly think we can control it. And we can do it by making three decisions before lust causes all kinds of damage. You see, first, we can control it by deciding to avoid certain situations that might trigger lust. In other words, like an alcoholic probably shouldn’t spend his time hanging out in bars, we can choose not to put ourselves in situations that we know might get us into trouble. As Paul wrote to the Romans, “Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” [Romans 13:14, NRSVUE] That’s one.
And second, when we experience those lustful feelings, regardless of the situation, we can decide to flee rather than to fight. I mean, let’s get real, that was the reason Joseph ran away from Potiphar’s wife and Paul told Timothy to “Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” [2 Timothy 2:22, NRSVUE] We’re not going to score any points or become spiritually strong by choosing to remain in dangerous situations. Dah. Lust will win nearly every time. We need to run away. That’s two.
And third, we can decide to seek accountability. In other words, when lust is rearing it’s ugly head, we can turn to God and maybe a Christian brother or sister who can help us stay on the straight and narrow. Demons love the dark, because they lose their power in the light, and so does lust. And I think that’s why James wrote, “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” [James 5:16, NRSVUE] I’ll tell you, this we can do. And when we do, when we take steps to control our lust, I think we’ll be obeying the commandment: You shall not commit adultery. [Exodus 20:14, NRSVUE]
But remember, that’s just one translation of the command. I mean, according to the Contemporary English Version, the Seventh Commandment is Be faithful in marriage [Exodus 20:24, CEV]; therefore, obeying may involve doing more than just controlling lust. And I’ll tell you, I think we can get a pretty good idea about what is by listening to what Jesus had to say when asked about divorce:
Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. So they came up to him and asked if it was right for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus asked them, “What does the Law of Moses say about this?”
They answered, “Moses allows a man to write out divorce papers and send his wife away.”
Jesus replied, “Moses gave you this law because you are so heartless. But in the beginning God made a man and a woman. That’s why a man leaves his father and mother and gets married. He becomes like one person with his wife. Then they are no longer two people, but one. And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together.” [Mark 10:2-9, CEV]
Now that’s what he said. You see, for Jesus, marriage wasn’t about a couple living two separate lives. Instead, it was about the two becoming one. In other words, it was designed by God to be a life-long covenant, in which a sense of spiritual and physical “oneness” can grow and mature. And for him, this union superseded any kind of parental bond and shouldn’t be undone by human choices. You see, for Jesus, in spite of what Moses said, divorce was never part of God’s original blueprint, not for us. And I’ll tell you, I think that’s something important to recognize before we get married. As a matter of fact, that’s reason why, in a traditional wedding service, the vows go something like this:
I take you to be my wedded husband or wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge myself truly with all my heart.
You see, for Jesus, this is what marriage is all about. Therefore, if we’re serious about the Seventh Commandment, I believe controlling lust is, at best, only half of it. I think we also need to strengthen our marriages actively and intentionally. And in my opinion, that’s more than possible when we decide to do these three things. First, married folks can decide to communicate with grace and humility. I mean, we can support and encourage one another. And we can choose to resolve rather than escalate so that problems don’t fester and grow. And let’s face it, the writer of the Proverbs knew what he was talking about when he said, “A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up.” [Proverbs 15:1, CEV] That’s one.
And second we can also decide to guard intimacy and commitment. I mean, it’s really easy to be distracted by all the stuff happening around us. And as every parent knows, kids don’t make it easier. But maybe “that’s why a man leaves his father and mother and gets married.” [Mark 10:7, CEV] You see, when we get married, we enter something that’s brand new. And I believe the more we prioritize that relationship and make sure it rests on mutual submission and intentional love, the stronger it’ll become. And that’s two.
And finally, we can also decide to put God at the center. Now before I say anything else, let me be clear. I’m not suggesting that a strong marriage is impossible without shared faith, that would be stupid and wrong. Still, I believe spiritual strength can help couples withstand trials. And praying together can help couples make decisions. And sharing moral standards and ethical values and spiritual goals can make moving into the future a whole lot easier. And maybe that’s why Paul wrote, “Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same?” [2 Corinthians 6:14, CEV] You see, when we decide to strengthen our marriages, I think we’ll also be obeying the Seventh Commandment: Be faithful in marriage [Exodus 20:24, CEV].
Now, having said all that, I’ve got to tell you, I’m a little uncomfortable using two different translations in the same sermon, so don’t expect it in the future. Frankly, I don’t want to be tempted to jump from translation to translation so I can find the right words to reinforce what I already believe or want to say. That’s not fair to y’all. And since the time is coming when I’ll be held accountable for what I preached and taught, well, it may not be good for me either.
But I’ll tell you, I think today is really the exception to the rule, because although different, I believe both translations reflect what Jesus actually taught. In other words, I think we can say, You shall not commit adultery [Exodus 20:14, NRSVUE], which challenges us to control our lust. But I also think it’s right for us to say that God commands us to “be faithful in marriage" [Exodus 20:14, CEV], which means we really need to strengthen our marriages. For me, both reflect what it means to obey the Seventh Commandment.
And now that adultery is in the books, next week we’ll talk about commandment number eight:
To mark the beginning of a new school year, the SPC Kindness Kids made gifts for Sligo Elementary School teachers and administrators. The gifts were delivered on Wednesday, August, 26. Some pictures are below. Under Debbie Rudiger's leadership, the Kindness Kids meet every Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. to show their faith in Jesus through acts of kindness.