Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Before leaving on my sabbatical, I preached a sermon from Genesis 12 entitled “Reclaiming a Founding Vision.” In Genesis 12 God covenants with Abraham and Sarah, promising to bless the nations through their descendants. That is, I believe, our founding vision. In Christ we become children of Abraham so that we might be a blessing to the nations. Sometimes we get so caught up in the business of religion that we forget our calling. Fortunately, God remains faithful to this covenant, and has a way of rekindling that vision in our hearts. The title of that sermon, “Reclaiming a Founding Vision” served as theme of my sabbatical. Since pastors are tempted to get focused on the mechanics of the institution rather than the vision that guides us a congregation, the sabbatical provided me the opportunity to remember and reclaim that vision for my life, so that I can lead this congregation in fulfilling our calli...
Sermons of a Disciples Preacher Ministering in Troy, Michigan