The Dawning Light of Christ: A People Called Blessed

Sermons - FUMCO

Matthew 5:1-12

A recent television commercial for a battery manufacturer asks the question: would you rather have more power or longer life? The “hook” for the ad is the premise that a sudden power will give you victory in the moment, but down the road you’ll tend run out of energy sooner.

That’s a playful question in the world of digital gaming, but in the real world its the beleaguered and downtrodden—the least and lost among us—which all too often face the same challenging question. Would I rather have the power to remove this burden I carry and have it lifted from me, or would I rather have the strength to endure the ongoing trial, withstanding its fire and fury until even the trial itself has been fully spent?

Jesus chose the long way, the way of quiet strength and patient endurance. This is also the way Jesus chose for his followers. The true strength of God is not clothed in earthly riches and splendor, nor in the bluster and power of violence and force. It is eternal in a nature, gentle in spirit, and able to withstand the ups and downs of the ordinary circumstances and desperate moments life.

Today we continue our sermon series revealing The Dawning Light of Christ, and celebrate the true nature of God’s own power; it is a power and force we call love, and it offers unyielding light and hope for every dark corner of our world.