Collect for second Sunday Before Advent
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11
Matthew 25: 14-30
Q. Can you play the trumpet?
A. No
Q. Have you ever tried to play the trumpet?
A. No
Q. So how do you know you can’t play the trumpet?
Most of us know the passage well, and we have probably heard many sermons that remind us that we must use the gifts God has given to us. Whatever gifts and whatever level we are blessed with, there is a role for them in God’s plan.
The standard sermon continues by telling us that it’s not good enough just to use them – we must develop them – just as the trustworthy slaves invested the talents they were given. No point on having gifts if they aren’t used.
This saying is true and worthy of full acceptance, to paraphrase 1 Timothy.
But the Gospel message doesn’t end there.
It might not be the trumpet. Or the Clarinet. A Trombone, Double Bass, a singing voice. It may not be music at all. If not, there are many other skills you may have been given that you are not yet aware of: artistic talent, hospitality, compassion, intercession, forgiveness, unconditional love. There will be some. And I challenge you to think, pray and try to find out what they are.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 8th October 2023
Throughout the centuries, God offers a gift being able to choose life and starting again, but when continually refused, He shakes the dust off His sandals and moves on. Could you blame Him, then, if He turns Hs blessing to the poor?
Praying Together 1st October 2023
The reward for accepting Him is the joy of knowing freedom, and then to accept His command to work in the vineyard, to feed His lambs – not with empty words, but with deeds.
Praying Together 24th September 2023
Heavenly Father, help us to work to accomplish your will for us according to our individual gifts without comparing ourselves to others. Help us to acknowledge our own failures and avoid condemning others for theirs.
Praying Together 17th September 2023
And when it comes down to it, I will always need forgiveness – as do we all. For all of us have sinned and fallen short.
Praying Together 10th September 2023
Yes of course we have a responsibility to address sin – but before we criticise others, we need to start with ourselves.
Praying Together 3rd September 2023
‘Those who want to save their life will lose it’, said Jesus, but though people hear Him, they don’t actually listen.
Praying Together 27th August 2023
In the end, it is Peter, once again, who takes the step that faith demands. Thousands since that day have proclaimed the same. And so do I.
Praying Together 20th August 2023
As are we all, whoever we may be – Jew, Greek, slave, free, man, woman. One in Jesus, the Christ. That’s the important bit.
Praying Together 13th August 2023
Once in a while, we might close our earthly eyes and leap over the side. There is nothing that Jesus asks us that we can’t achieve.
Praying Together 6th August 2023
The prophecy is fulfilled, the light has come, the day will dawn and the morning star will rise in our hearts. Hallelujah.
Praying Together 30th July 2023
The treasure is there – it just needs to be found. We search for truth, and realise that Jesus is the truth; the way; and the life.
Praying Together 23rd July 2023
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.