Down with the Burden—Up with the Cross! Simon, having just received his new name, "Rock," is now referred to as "Satan"! Peter needs a wake-up call to shake him loose from the quick relapse into the flesh and blood of his unredeemed self. You can download the audio
files to save and listen off-line
Pastor Nick Connolly
delivered at First United Methodist Church
for joint services with
Grace United Methodist Church
and other churches from Kearny.
August 31, 2008
Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28
It's about the cross, not only as a symbol of the death to self, but the actual reality that could take place in the Roman Provence of Judea. Bodies used to hang on crosses as vivid signs to everyone of what would happen to those who revolted against the dominance of Rome's massive ego.
The recording abruptly came to a halt when space ran out on my digital recorder. (I'll be sure to remedy that for the future!)The sermon continues as I walk about at the Jersey Gardens Mall, recalling elements of the sermon. As a "Monday Morning Quaterback," from my room, I add a few more comments, recalling further points in the sermon.
...Correction: I did the math on how many breaths per day we take in and take out in the course of a day. If we draw ten breaths per minute in a relaxed state, that would mean 600 breaths per hour and 14,400 per day. What gracious gifts of life we receive from God minute by minute!
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