When Kings Go Off To Battle

“When Kings Go Off To Battle”

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

2 Samuel 11:1–15

July 28, 2024

Burnt Hills United Methodist Church

Video from Livestream (starts at 16:33)

Content warning: This sermon addresses sexual violence, sexual abuse, rape, and abuse of power.

No Longer Strangers

 "No Longer Strangers"

Proper 11 (16) 

Ephesians 2:11–22

July 21, 2024

Burnt Hills United Methodist Church

Video from Livestream (starts at 20:30)

You Nations must not forget that before you knew the Chosen One you were not natural-born members of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator. You were called “the outsiders” by the ones who called themselves “the insiders.” But remember, the sign that marks them as insiders is cut into their flesh with human hands.

You Outside Nations did not share in the promises or the peace treaty that the Great Spirit made with those tribes. You were out from under their special care and protection—unaware of and apart from the Chosen One. You shared no common hope and were outside the help Creator gave to them in this world.

But no more! Even though you Outside Nations were far away, you have now been made close by the lifeblood offered by Creator Sets Free, the Chosen One. He is our great peace, who has brought the people of all Nations together with the tribes of Wrestles with Creator, making them into one new people by removing the barrier that separated us. 

In his own human body he removed the hostility between us when he did away with the rules and requirements of our tribal law that separated us. This is the way he recreates people—making one new humanity out of the two. This brings us all together on the path of peace.

Even though we behaved like enemies, we are now friends with the Great Spirit and with one another. When Creator Sets Free died on the cross, those things that made us enemies died with him. We are now joined together as one people in one body. He brought this good story of peace and harmony to people who were far away from him and to people who were close to him. Because of him we both have a clear path, through one Spirit, to the Father from above.

Now we are all his holy people and members of one new nation. No one is on the outside of this great family that our Father is creating. We are all related to one another and initiated into Creator’s lodge that is built together with wooden poles—the message bearers and prophets of old. Creator Sets Free is the main pole binding us together, like branches being weaved into his sacred lodge. Joined together in this way, we become a dwelling place for his Spirit.

—Small Man to the Sacred Families in the Village of Desire, Chapter 2, Verses 11 through 22; First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament