Rev David Diller preached on “Who Will Be Left Behind,” from Matthew 25:1-13.  Jesus’ first sermon in Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount, is a call to discipleship as a new, responsible way to think & live as adults in this world.    This text, from Jesus’ final “Judgment Discourse” (Matthew 23-25), is part of the matching end piece.  As the bridegroom, Jesus will make the final evaluation of his Church, the wise & the foolish maidens.   Throughout his Gospel, Matthew makes it clear Jesus wants fruitfulness, an authentic, intentional life devoted to deeds of justice & mercy. Mere membership, even faith that calls Jesus “Lord, Lord,” does not suffice. 

When the Church left its Hebrew moorings & ventured forth on the sea of Greek philosophy, it lost its bearings in a storm of metaphysical controversy.   Jesus’ message of salvation as the Good News of healing & wholeness for real people in this world was transposed into a Greek paradigm of salvation for a disembodied soul after death.  Although such Gnosticism was officially declared a heresy, the Gnostic view of the soul flying away from the prison house of the physical body has become the popular orthodoxy expressed in most of our “gospel songs.” 

After Roman persecution ended with the establishment of the Church under Constantine, early Christian ascetics who sought to constrain & mortify physical (especially sexual) appetites became the new “stars” in the Church.  One Simon the Pillar Dweller literally left the world behind.  He climbed a 60’ high pillar & lived there the last 36 years of his life.   Extreme asceticism became the craze. 

Such withdrawal from the world is far from Jesus’ intention.  The Kingdom or Reign of God he proclaimed was his vision to engage us as healthy, wise, & mature people who would be “salt” & “light” to just such a crazy world.   The “foolish maidens” who ran short of oil stand for those who fail to come to terms with the world in which we live & continue their outmoded routine of thinking & behaving.  Strict constructionists of a theological system, they are the fossilized remnants of a former age.  The “wise maidens” who have a fresh supply of oil are disciples who hold to Jesus’ essential message of love for God & others.  They put the heady wine of Jesus’ dynamic ideas into the new wineskin of a constantly changing culture by finding ever new ways of expressing love & mercy. 

 Rev Diller is teaching Contemporary Theology, reviewing the history of Israel, the Church, the Bible, & how theological ideas have changed across the centuries down into modern times. The final class meets Mon, Nov 17 at 10 am.
          Payne Springs UMC hosts a Walk to Emmaus reunion every Tue at 5 pm.
          Everyone is welcome to join us for Disciple Bible Study. Our next Monday night class meets Nov 17 at 5:30 pm. Our next day classes meet Tue Nov 18 at 2 pm & Wed, Nov 19 at 10 am. You do not have to be a church member, just curious and eager to learn about the God who loves us & expects us grow up in our thinking & our living so we live free & responsible lives caring for one another.
            Payne Springs UMC is a caring church family learning to follow Jesus. Our purpose is to help every person grow to full maturity in the image of Jesus Christ in the twenty-first century. With open hearts, open minds, and open doors, we combine both traditional & contemporary styles. We invite you to come learn about God and Jesus, the Bible and the Church each week. Sunday school is from 9-10am. At 10am coffee, juice, & snacks are served in Fellowship Hall. Worship is from 10:30-11:30am. Nursery care is provided. Sunday evenings we invite you to an in-depth study of Matthew at 5 pm. If you have questions or need directions, call our church office at (903) 451-2978 or go to www.paynespringsumc.orghttp://www.paynespringsumc.org.