Will Shewey: God Have Mercy – All of Us Need the Lord
We’re still in the gospel of Luke. We’ve been journeying through Luke since the summer months began while talking about the parables that Jesus gave, according to Luke’s gospel.
Luke 18:9-14
In Luke 18:9-14, some people were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else. Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray. The pharisee stood by himself and prayed, “God, thank you that I’m not like other people.” You have to put your own spiritual and self-righteous sound to that; but, he said, “God, I thank you. That I’m not like other people like robbers, evildoers, adulters or even like this tax collector I passed twice a week and gave a tenth of all I get.” The tax collector stayed at a distance and would not even look up to heaven. But smote, his breast and said, “God, have mercy.”
All of Us Need the Lord. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. This is the reading of the gospel from Luke Chapter 18. So Jesus tells this story about two men who are doing a good thing. Apparently, they were going to the temple to pray. Could anybody find fault with that? I mean, surely that should be a good thing, right? And for just a second, we have Good Hope for both of them, the tax collector and the pharisee. But pretty soon the real attitude of the pharisee comes to the surface. You see the pharisees, in the days of Jesus, were considered to be the separated ones. They thought of themselves as the holy ones, a little bit above the rest who were very strict observers of Moses’ written and oral law. They emphasized the outward displays of what they referred to as holiness more than the inward attitude of the heart.
Now, we read about them a lot throughout the gospel of Luke. They showed up in Luke Chapter 5, where they criticized Jesus for his association with the tax collectors and sinners. They are always associated in the scriptures with the righteous whom Jesus has not come to call now. Think about that. That sounds like a paradox. But Jesus said, I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners for repentance? Those, who are whole do not need a Savior, He says. “We need those who are broken and who are lost . . . We, who know ourselves to be separated from the full purpose of God. So these pharisees show up, and even in the Chapter 7, they would not be baptized by John, as the others were again. They felt a little bit better, that they didn’t need that ritual.
Now, the tax collectors were people, who were usually well off in society. They were among the most despised of the people in the Roman government. They oversaw the land because they worked for Rome to collect the taxes of the citizens of Israel at that time. And they were given pretty much a free pass to charge whatever they wanted to charge. They had to give the amount that Rome required. That was the minimum; but, then they could actually extort the people or blackmail the people by whatever means to get an extra amount. And whatever they could get extra, they would take and care for themselves. They were well-known for this.
Jesus, in parables, is talking about lost sheep . . . The lost coin, the lost Son. Remember those parables that we talked about? Lost people and lost things. So the pharisee is trying to compare himself with the tax collector while thinking, “I’m really the righteous one and the tax collector is unrighteous.”
But let’s get back to the prayer that Jesus taught in Chapter 11 which is for all of us. Remember the Lord’s prayer, we pray. We’ve been praying it a lot here lately at Shades of Grace, and I found myself praying it a lot and meditating on it; and talking about the Lord’s Prayer. Sometimes, I’ll go walking down the road, and I’ll just speak the Lord’s Prayer out loud. Let’s pray that prayer. My father, my Father, our Father in Heaven and go through that prayer talking about the kingdom of God. The will of God being done. How we are to depend on the Lord for every daily provision, for forgiveness and for deliverance. This prayer that the two men are praying . . . One of them seemed to leave those parts out. He thought he had already achieved. He’d already crossed the final hurdle and passed the last test. And that everything was okay; when, in reality, he was simply trying to justify his own self-righteousness. The poor man on the other side of the street, the tax collector, who was the one, who was really the hated one in society was saying, “Lord have mercy on me, Lord. I need your mercy. I need your grace. I am a sinner”.
We find Hope in the least of these. We find the hope in the one who understands that he needs God. There’s a song we used to sing a lot. I remember many years ago. So way back in another lifetime in south Florida. When I worked on an inner city church staff, there was a song that was popular, which said people need the Lord every day. We pass them by. Every day we pass them by we see through their eyes. The emptiness going. Who knows the how many ways people need the Lord?
Link to YouTube Video – “People Need the Lord”
Maybe in America, we’ve been conditioned to look at situations on the surface. And without even realizing it, we can become sinful by judging on the outward appearance . . . the kind of car that someone drives or doesn’t drive, the kind of clothing they wear, the kind of place they live. You know, we tend to make those assumptions about others. When we really don’t know them. That’s why it’s so very, very important that the Lord tells us not to judge. We cannot judge right for with the same measure, we will be judged. Also, it’s like mercy. If we give a lot of mercy, we’ll receive a lot of mercy. We have to offer forgiveness in order to receive forgiveness. And often, we are the ones who stand in our own way. How many of you know that we can be our own worst enemy.
How many of you want to stay in the lords will and stay out of the Lord’s way? Make yourself available and say, “Lord. Here I am, use me.”
Link to YouTube Video – God Have Mercy – Luke 18:9-14
Luke 18:9-14
We have friends who sleep in the streets, abandoned buildings and automobiles. Yes,
these include children and women. Our facilities offer lunches five days a week to anyone hungry from the broader community, hot showers, birth certificates, mail service, emergency clothing and groceries.
For many who die alone and unclaimed, we help provide cremation and a final resting place. All services are free and without any strings attached. Many churches, caring citizens and civic organizations make this all happen.
Our Mission Statement is “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of the world.” Many thanks to all who join hands and hearts in unity as together the work of the “Church” is carried out.
We are zero tolerance when safety issues arise. Our goal is to make every worshiper, guests, and volunteers experience an atmosphere of security at all times. We are serving a unique sector of the city’s residents. East Sullivan Street is a safer place and the United Methodist Church is a positive permanent presence there.
Yes, we pay for extra security service, as all other similar organizations are required to do. We are doing our part of building healthy relationships and faithfully follow God’s call to reach the last, least, lost and lonely of our works.
NEWS AT SHADES OF GRACE:
Pastor Regina and/or Dr. Smiddy holds Bible Study, Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.
 |
 |
PAL – A group that is being formed for support parents of children with addiction.
Sunday is my true time of Sabbath, and I am grateful to be scattering gospel seeds along my path.
One of the vital services performed by Shades is the purchase of birth certificates for anyone who needs it. These documents are necessary for housing, jobs and many other reasons. Many of those who come to us are homeless and alienated from any family connection. So they don’t have access to this information, Jimmy secures the document and keeps a duplicate on file.
On July 1, 2014, I was appointed by the United Methodist Bishop to serve the streets of Kingsport, Tennessee.
As we prepare to begin our 10th year of ministry, we offer thanks and praise to God for more miracles than we could ever imagine. We are equally grateful for all our partners and friends who helped the ministry be where we are today. I look forward to sharing many more stories with you and experiencing many more virtual worship services. God be with you all.
Shades of Grace: A United Methodist Congregation is living proof of our living God who loves each one unconditionally and gives us all a reason to keep pushing forward in faith.
Join us online Sunday and revisit this very unique and enlightening worship event. And invite a friend to tune in too! I believe you will be inspired.
Ministry at God’s Living Room is a most life changing and rewarding experience. It is at times the most difficult and heart wrenching experiences. Only the Lord knows the true impact on lives of the least of these. There aren’t enough words to describe this storefront house of worship.
The one thing that has never changed in our ever evolving congregation is the acceptance of ALL people. I have said many times if everyone is not welcome, then no one is welcome. It’s all or nothing. I firmly believe this commitment of caring for the least of these is the reason for our miraculous success and growth in the city. I’m thankful to represent Jesus in the United Methodist Church.
We formerly live-streamed at 4:00 p.m. Sundays in real time. We continue streaming at that same time by edit\redaction and upload of previous Saturday service. Through it all, no aspect of our outreach and ministry ceased. We remain strong and vibrant as we seek to live into the vision of making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of our world. We are a safe sanctuary that welcomes and embraces ALL persons in the name of Jesus!
People come to the doors of Shades of Grace at all hours. People come in every size, shape, color, condition, circumstance, and unimaginable lifestyles. They come unhappy, high, hungover, ill, angry, rejected, dissatisfied, lonely, confused, unloved and feeling unworthy.
When they come, we do not ask them to answer questions or try to determine whether or not they are worthy.They simply come because the word ‘Church’ is on our windows. And Jesus says “Come.” We feed them, clothe them, give hot showers, medicines, and pray with those who are open to it. But all is done in Jesus’ Name. They know we will meet them where they are and not necessarily where we want them to be. A song we sing simply says, “People need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, Christ is the open door.”
God loves all people. We are called to love all people. God is love. We’re simply scattering seeds and the Holy Spirit helps them grow. The end result belongs to God. We will continue to welcome, accept and embrace all people in the Name of Jesus Christ. We are the Church. We are the people of God. This is the Kingdom of God. It’s where I desire to be. Grateful for a storefront house of worship called Shades of Grace: A United Methodist Congregation. It is called God’s Living Room.
“Shades” began in October, 2014 as a new Church start of Holston Conference. Due to the nature of ministry with the least of these, there is no membership available. Anyone who claims a place here is accepted and given opportunities to be fully included in ministry. We offer sacrament of holy communion and baptism upon profession of faith. Worship is non traditional in many ways, but solidly grounded in Wesleyan Theology. We offer some of the very best music and worship to be found anywhere.
The ministry is active Monday through Saturdays every week, and closed on Sundays. We feed hundreds of meals to our community friends who are homeless and in need each week and provide hot showers for men and women. We furnish a clothing closet. We provide many funerals for homeless unclaimed in partnership with a local funeral home and Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Please share this ministry. It doesn’t matter where you live, who you love, car you drive (or not), live in a house or cardboard box, attire, piercings or tattoos. God loves ALL. As Oscar often says, “Pray for all who deal with addiction and depression. The world needs a lot more love. So, let it go; let it go.”
Challenging all to exercise and walk. Keeping up my steps. Staying healthy as possible to serve and witness for the Lord…Let’s get it done! Keep moving.
May eternal flames of the CHRIST candle continue to light our path as we “walk each other home”. My prayer is that not one of God’s little ones will ever be made to stumble because of my sincere efforts to fully follow the LORD. Thy will be done, LORD!
You can now listen to Shades of Grace on the Radio – FM 92.1
Everyone continue to pray for all who are feeling hopeless and helpless.
Luke 10:27 “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
It’s amazing how so many wandering souls make their way to our doors every day. Lord, May we be faithful to your call.
Serving the Last, Lost, Least and Lonely:
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
FYI – Coming Events
Wednesday at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Bible Study with Pastor Regina Shelton, Will Shewey and Dr. Joe Smiddy
Recovery at Shades: Recovery meeting for ALL on Monday at 5:00 p.m. at 313 E. Sullivan St. Meetings will continue each Monday. Led by our Shades of Grace folk.
Would you like to share cards of encouragement with local persons in Recovery? Please write a note inside and drop them off at Shades of Grace at 313 E Sullivan Street anytime this week. Thank you friends!
“Link to YouTube Video – Watch Pastor Michele Beck’s Words of Inspiration
You Can Also Watch the Video of Sunday’s Service on the Shades of Grace UMC Facebook Page
We Have Provided a Donate Button for an Opportunity to Give. You will also be able to add prayer requests
