September 3, 2017. We don’t want to hear bad news, especially if it involves sacrifice. In today’s Gospel, Jesus had bad news for his disciples. Peter did not understand and became a stumbling block to Jesus’ mission. But Peter’s true identity had yet to be revealed. What should our identity be? Pastor Penny challenges us to reexamine deeply held values and swallow our pride. As our self-made identity becomes whittled away by tragedy and our experiences, we discover our true identity, given to us by God.
*** [Keywords: 1 in 1000 year storm 2017 Christ Lutheran Church Christian Ferguson Foster Friess GOP mega donor God created us God has given us God is not happy God is with us God would put in place Gospel Gospel reminds us Greek Hurricane Ida Jesus Jesus asked a question Jesus did Jesus makes promise Jesus recreated us Jesus’ right hand man Kingdom of God Pastor Penny Holste Peter believed that Return to Civility campaign Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal TV Three Passion Predictions ability to care for people advertisement approval of God arranged to meet avoid be raised belief in forgiveness black Democrat build in flood plain built there anyway call each other friend called Peter Satan can’t buy our lives cars child children of God claimed to be the Messiah comfortable being single confused about what we should strive for in life conqueror controversial counselor create real Kingdom of God created and molded ourselves deeply held opinions destiny didn’t understand Jesus’ mission disciples discover something don’t want to hear bad news don’t want to lose our lives drive out Romans from Israel every fifteen years everything is moving experience tragedies experiences flew into St. Louis flood flood gates forces molding it found common bond friends gave his life getting ill getting older gives us power to work with him go against popular opionon go away hair hard and long has been there all the time identity image in flux independence innate value job knowledge lawns leaders learned listened looked up losing someone you love lost her husband loving other people meeting in church military leader mold our lives to meet those expectations multi millionaire narrowly missed Houston never find out who we really are new temporal kingdom not brought on by God not easy to follow Jesus not ever taken away from us not if it requires sacrifice not someone who died other was friend others before ourselves our identity outer appearance outside of the world part of God’s kingdom peel away outer image of ourselves people around us personal interest in Messiahship pick up on signals political figure political views professed protect our identity raise money reexamine deeply held values reflected understanding of society rock rocks in our lives same person you were same words to Peter as with Satan scolded Jesus sea walls seawalls second look self giving Savior self made identity selfies sense of freedom sermon shaped and worked so hard on social media something to hang onto spiritual leader spouse stores story strength to carry it out strive to make it happen stumbling block success suffer and kill him suffer the consequences swallow our pride talked tempting those who lose their life for my sake will find it took Peter aside tragedies true identity true identity is safe values warning went out to lunch what we look like what will you give in return for your life? white Republican whittled away wilderness wrong kind of Messiah you’re not ready]