Brood of Vipers - Who, Me?

Last week's sermon dealt with Matthew 3:1-12, which includes John calling the Pharisees and Sadducees, who had traveled to the wilderness to see John baptizing repentant sinners, a "brood of vipers."  


Here's what Steve Woolley says about this passage.  See his entire post here.

I think that these words are intended to come crashing through the ages right into our own hearts and minds.  They are about us. 

Our casual identity as Christians can too often take the form of regular church attendance, pledging and maybe even engagement in bible study or some worthy project, but without any connection to daily living in other areas.  On the other hand, we can also be tempted to confuse faith with an overly compulsive obsession in the rituals of worship.  As did the Pharisees and Sadducees, we come to Jesus seeking his company and lingering on his words.  We come for the comfort and consolation of Jesus meek and mild and get a tongue lashing for not bearing fruit worthy of repentance.  Wow!  Who wants that?  Is it possible we should actually pay attention this time?  Or maybe we could just hurry to the manger to adore the little baby who demands nothing more than his mother’s milk and a clean diaper. 

Stanley Hauerwas on Recapturing Advent

This is an interesting video called, "Recapture Advent."



I love this line: "Advent is the recovery of how to live in a world of impatience as a patient people."

May we, this Advent, remember well and step faithfully in the way of Christ.

Advent Love

Sermon for 12.5.10 - Second Lord's Day of Advent.

Matthew 3:1-12

First, below is the video from United Methodist Communications that illustrates a piece of the love God shares with creation through Christ.