The prophet Zechariah reminds the Jewish people that someone must rebuild the Temple when they return from exile.
The man responsible for this task, as Zechariah says, is a man by the name of Zerub-babel; he acted like a governor or mayor. He was the one to go to the former site of the Temple, and take what was left, and rebuild it. Not an easy task; indeed, it was a dangerous task.
Remember, too, that the site upon which the Temple had stood for centuries had remained abandoned. It was a mountain of rubble. Nobody had been working on it. Many folks saw this “pile of stones” as insignificant, or as a thing of the past, something not concerning the future; and they despised any attempt to rebuild it; it was a waste of time in their eyes. 
Hence, the key verse: many people “despised the day of small things” (4:10); that is, they saw the whole project of rebuilding the Temple as worthless, as a “small thing.”
The prophet Zechariah thinks otherwise. Indeed, Zechariah reminds the people of the consequences of forgetting the work before them; that it was God’s work, and that it would take place “not by power or might, but by God’s Spirit.” That is another way of saying that “Yes, this work might appear little in your eyes, but in God’s eyes it is important.” Big armies are not the point; large plans are not the point. Instead, an openness to what God’s Spirit is doing is the point.
It reminds us a little of what the apostle Paul says to the Philippians: “The work that God began in you, God will bring to completion” (4:9). What God starts, regardless of how insignificant it might appear, God will seek to bring it to completion, for no small thing, or person, is unimportant.
For Zechariah, God has started a great work in Zareb-babel to rebuild the Temple, and God will get it done, even amidst those who scoff at it and who see no need for it.
Therefore, let us ask ourselves, what is God seeking to bring to completion in you? Where do you need to trust God to lead you? What small things do you need to do for Christ? 

​Pastor Andy Kinsey

The conclusion of Matthew is packed with practical directions, theological implications, and both a personal and communal charge to carry out the work of Jesus.  This section of scripture has been compared to the great musical compositions of composers like Beethoven in that just when you think the final chord is played, another one, a greater / grander chord is played - and then another and another until at last, we reach the emotional and mental climax and our connection, inspiration, and desire to be all that we are called to be is off the charts.  
Much like the words of John 3:16 being called “the gospel in one verse,” these words have become known as The Great Commission.  Jesus lays out precisely what we are to do,  how we are to do it, and ALL with the assurance and promise that the Spirit of God remains with us. 
Remember, this took place within days of the resurrection - Jesus had defeated death and so when we read the words, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me!” We need to understand that the price was paid in full. Jesus’ authority as the risen one, is the authority of thee ONE who has defeated tyranny itself, the ultimate tyranny; HIS is the authority under which life, God’s new life, can begin to flourish. (NT Wright 206)  
This is basic to our faith in Jesus - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the crux of what Paul stood on and proclaimed in Romans 8, when he said, “who can separate you from the love of Christ? Is anyone going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us?  No way.  Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not retirement announcements, politics, party line agendas, not denominational challenges, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in scripture - I am absolutely convinced that nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable; absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus, our Master embraced us.” 
That does not mean however,  that our world is already what it should be or already complete as Jesus intended.  It means that Jesus is at work to take our world then and now; from where it was, under the rule of death, corruption, greed, shame, and every kind of perversion, and ungodliness, and bring it into completion.  How is Jesus doing this?  Through us.  We stand on the mountain with those first followers and receive the commission just as they did. It is our commission just as much as it was theirs. 
We are commissioned to:   
ONE: We are to make disciples - Just as Jesus came alongside those he first called and then spent three years with them training them to carry on his ways, we too are to come alongside all people of every age, every stage, wherever they might be and whoever they might be.  We are to be about teaching, listening, equipping, empowering, and affirming them in the teachings of Jesus and what it means to live them out in their daily lives.   
TWO: We are to baptize those who choose to follow - baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace; this is the way in which those who follow Jesus, symbolically and publicly proclaim their new life in Christ.  We step into the water with Jesus, we lay down our old ways and lives beneath the surface of forgiveness and grace, and we rise again in new life.  That is why we remember our baptism every January.  To remind ourselves that we are a new creation; we are washed clean of who and what we once were before we said yes to Jesus; we are then ready to carry out the “good news” of Jesus to others.   
THREE: We are to teach them to observe all that Jesus taught - to be a community dedicated to living out the faith in ways that make a reality, “on earth as it is in heaven.”  We are to be God’s kingdom where we are, with who we are, and as we go about this life on earth.  
Make disciples.  Baptize, Teach.  If followers of Jesus and churches across our country could get those three things right, what a difference it would make. 
The best part of it all?  The most beautiful part?  These directions are held in place by the promise that Jesus is with us always and forever.  It is with Jesus, by the Holy Spirit,  that we live out his commission.   
Here on the summit between 2022 and 2023 we would do well to see ourselves like those early followers receiving the charge AND the promise. What do we do with it?   How do we live out the great commission?  What does it look like here at Grace Church?  What does it look like in your life?  Where do you see the Kingdom of God among us?  How do you engage in the great commission, living out your baptism in Christ?  
It looks and sounds like:  Finding ways to get involved.  Asking questions about classes, projects, and events hosted or sponsored here at church.  Encouraging others to check out what’s happening with Grace.  Participating in new classes, spiritual practices, supporting projects, and pursuing things that help you grow in your relationship with God.   It means making the doors of our church open both ways - for all to come in and for all to go out in service to alll.  It means talking, listening, praying. 
Whatever it looks like.  However it takes shape.  One thing remains and I ask you, people of God, to hear it now:  
New Year - new beginnings - same God.  
New adventure - new challenges - same God.  
New ideas - new ways - same God.
New opportunities - new experiences - same God.  
New Year - Same God - same great church called to keep on keeping on.  

May we trust God, trust one another, and trust the journey ahead. 
Amen
Rev. Dr. Jenothy Irvine

There is a whole list of these truisms in the Letter of James, which everybody seemingly knows. For example, “Every good gift comes from heaven” (v.17). “Be swift to listen and slow to speak” (v. 19). “Lay aside filthiness and wickedness” (v. 21). Sounds like our parents, doesn’t it? Pick up your socks…clean behind your ears…come home on time.

James is a good book in the Bible, but it comes with a great deal we already seemingly know.

As I mentioned, this presents us with a challenge. I mean, give us those passages that are often obscure and let us show you how much we know, right? We can show off our knowledge. With the Letter of James, however, we wouldn’t need
preachers because we already know it!

But in James “knowing” is not the problem. The problem James is addressing has to do with “doing.” Hence, the famous passage – Be doers of the word and not hearers who deceive themselves (v. 22). 

Apparently, James has folks who are good at knowing, but not so “good” at doing. There is a disconnection.

I can remember one of my mentors always saying to me, “Well, that sounds fine, but what are you going to do about it”? It is kind of like a player who has great practice skills but can’t translate the skills of practice in the game. Or an actor in front of the camera: when the director says “action,” the performer needs to act. The performer might know all the lines, but the moment the scene begins, the action starts!

So, in James: knowing what to do is not as important as doing what you
know you need to do.

Questions: what do you need to do to carry out the faith this week? What is the Spirit challenging you to perform? What is Jesus wanting you to do?

​Rev. Dr. Andy Kinsey

Sticks and stones may break my bones
But words will never hurt me. 
If that is true then the following words will not bother you. 

If you were a better teacher, your students wouldn’t be failing.  If you were a better parent you kids wouldn’t be in trouble.  If you were a better musician, employee, pastor, coach, friend, colleague.  If you hadn’t messed it up.  If you took better care of yourself.  If you’d paid more attention.  If you had done it right the first time.  If you were a better daughter or son, you would call more often, visit more often.  If you were a better sister or brother, you would forgive them, you would help more.  If you were a better spouse it wouldn't be so hard.

If they really knew what you thought.   If they could see who you really are.  

It’s not that complicated.  If you just prayed harder.  Had more faith.  Trusted God more. …But words will never hurt me.    

I get why that little phrase came to exist, but truly, who are we kidding?  We know that words DO hurt.  Words shape how we relate to the rest of the world and the people in it.  Words shape our identity and how we understand  ourselves.  We know words have lasting effects.  I am confident that everyone here can remember a moment or experience when words made a difference in their life, how they viewed a situation, or how they reacted in a certain circumstance.  Words can be the difference between a good day and a bad one, between laughter rising up and filling a room, or tears falling softly when no one is watching.  Words can be the difference between I believe in you and I can’t believe you let this happen.   

We live in a world that feeds off the power of shame and it has been that way since things fell apart in the Garden with Adam and Eve.  It was shame and doubt that the serpent planted in the mind of Eve when she and Adam were faced with the decision about eating the fruit.  It was shame, fear, and envy that came between Cain and Abel.  It was shame that plagued Abram and Sarai when they couldn’t have children and led Sara to tell Abram to sleep with her maid in order to have children.  Shame and jealousy drove a wedge between Jacob and Esau.  Shame convinced Moses he could not be the leader God wanted him to be.  Shame held captive countless men and women throughout the bible.  Shame continues to be a key part in perpetuating the lie that we live in a world of lack; that there is never enough, we don’t have enough, we can’t get enough.  It is the underlying message that we ourselves are never enough for the world, we can’t do enough to fix or change things.  We are undeserving of some things but most deserving of other things like criticism, judgment, and ridicule. 

When we look at the story of Jesus’ birth and in order to more fully understand its impact, we cannot ignore the shame surrounding the people directly and indirectly involved.  We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that the most life-changing, beautiful story ever told contains elements of pain, fear, shame, and unknowing. Perhaps it is for that very reason that the story of Jesus’ birth never gets old and always has something new to teach us.  

Do you remember Mary’s first words when the angel told her she would have a son?  “How can this be?!”  I imagine Joseph had the same question…how could this happen?  Why him?  Why her?  Why now?  What does this mean?    

We don’t know how long Mary waited to tell Joseph, but she eventually does and I wonder what happened the afternoon and evening after Mary told Joseph.  Maybe I have seen too many movies, have a hollywood bent, or maybe it is because I read the story through today’s lens, but I don’t think Joseph swept Mary into his arms, twirled her around, sat her down on the chaise lounger, gazed to her eyes and said, “Oh Mary, its o.k., we will figure this out, all that matters is that you are o.k..  Who cares what everyone else thinks, this is about you and me, we will sit down, have a family meeting and work it all out, I’m sure our parents and my job will completely understand and offer support.”  

On the contrary, everything was at risk of falling apart under the hand of private and public shame and humiliation.  Joseph faced a huge decision and carried a massive weight on his shoulders.  He was a carpenter, his job was to build and fix things but how do you fix this?   

The emotions were certainly all over the place; disbelief, anger, confusion, doubt, and yet love, care, honor for this young woman he was to marry and her family.  He was, we are told, a good, noble, and devout / believing man.  I imagine it felt like a wrestling match between his head and his heart.  Maybe you can relate.  The pressure must have been palpable in the room as he laid down to try and sleep that night.  The text tells us that before finally closing his eyes, Joseph resolved to dismiss Mary quietly and do what he could to take care of the situation with little attention or uproar.  That was his way out, or so he thought.  But God was all in and had other plans. 

I don’t think God had other plans because God thought Joseph was wrong or that he was doing the wrong thing or had the wrong motives, but because God wanted to show Joseph (and Mary) that what God puts in motion, shame cannot stop.  God wanted to show Joseph and Mary and the community that what God was doing was bigger than them and beyond the immediate.   

The angel’s words gave the direction and certainty Joseph needed to open the door and walk from shame to hope.  A hope born of the Holy Spirit.  A hope centered in the God of all those who came before him.  A hope found in God’s faithfulness.  A hope that was bigger than the two of them, and was in fact for the whole world.  A hope given by the God who created all things, is in all things, and is all things.   A hope that would confront shame not with power, violence, and control but with vulnerability.   

Here is what you need to know about shame: it cannot be beaten by just trying harder, doing more, working longer, or having more.  You cannot outrun shame by staying busy, distracting yourself, or throwing yourself into another project.  You cannot silence shame by making more noise or with more recognition, applause, status, or accolades.  When all is said and done, in the quiet of the night, in the calm between the storms, or in the empty noise of a car ride, a hotel room, or the walk on your favorite trail, shame makes itself known.  

Joseph invites us to open the same door he did long ago;  the door that leads us from shame to hope.  Where do you need hope in your life this Christmas?  What parts of your life have been wounded by words of shame?  When have you heard yourself ask, like Joseph did, “How can this be?”  How can your words speak hope into the lives of others?

Perhaps your Joseph moment is now.  Perhaps you feel the weight of a decision or choice to be made.  The impact your choices have made or will make on those around you.  The burden of not knowing what to do.  The pressure of messing up or making a mistake.  You feel the wrestling match between your head and your heart.  You want to do the good and right thing.   

Joseph didn’t have all the answers.  He didn’t figure it all out before he spoke to Mary.  In fact, if you think about it, Joseph was as emotionally and spiritually naked (vulnerable) as the baby God was about to bring into the world.  Joseph found a way to trust God would get him through the door.  

Dear God, may we do the same.  
Amen
Rev. Dr. Jenothy Irvine
​

In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul encourages the Christians in Corinth to show gratitude and to give generously to support people in need in Jerusalem during a time of famine and starvation. The need is real, but Paul doesn’t want the Corinthians to give out of a sense obligation or guilt. Instead, he says, “everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They should not give with hesitation or because of pressure, but out of what Paul calls a cheerful heart,” or a heart that is not bitter (9:7).
From Paul’s perspective, God has the power to provide us with “more than enough of every kind of grace.” That is to say, we always have everything we need and more than enough for every kind of good work (vv.7-8).
          In other words, shame and guilt don’t work as ways to motivate people! It doesn’t work to shame or guilt people to give, and it doesn’t work to give out of shame or guilt either. When we give out of such emotions, we are not giving out of a cheerful, or a blessed, heart.
          Yet, we also don’t want to give out of obligation either. Giving is not simply a matter of duty. It is not about paying our dues, and it is not about supporting a church budget. Yes, we have increased the budget in 2023 by 3%, but giving encompasses more than that: Giving comes out of gratitude for God’s abundant blessings.
          That’s the focus: on God; when we focus on God, the gifts follow! Indeed, all that we need, as a congregation, is right here. It really is! All the gifts, all the treasures, all the talents, are here! God has given them!
          As we share in gratitude, how may we express our faith generously? What might that look like for our ministry and in our community? Where is God seeking to break through and touch our hearts so that blessings will flow?
          As we celebrate a season of thanksgiving, may we also show our gratitude as well! 

Rev. Dr. Andy Kinsey

In households, garages, kid’s rooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens around the world there is someone looking for that lost grocery list,  the misplaced checkbook, a missing shoe, the out of sight tool,  the one pen that works, car keys, or yes the phone they are talking on.  And in those households, garages, kid’s rooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens around the world someone is saying, “it's right here, right in front of you.”  Or if you are in my mom’s house you would hear, “if it was a snake, it would a bit ya!”  Whether it is the tangible items in life or intangible things of the heart and soul, that which we seek is often found in plain sight.  Including God. 
I wonder, how many times do we walk right past the glory of God and don’t see it?  How often do we pass by God’s promises and don’t notice?  How often do we ask, “where is God” and fail to see God breaking through before our very eyes?  Instead, we fill our days with busyness and business.  We scurry and hurry to try to prove ourselves worthy and valuable.  We try to convince ourselves and others that this craziness is all worth it.  Instead, we worry about what the neighbors think, how much money we have in the bank or if we are ready for whatever waits around the corner.  We doubt.  We question.  We can be petty, picky, and presumptuous.  We put our security in things and strive for whatever is bigger and better, the newest and fastest.  We become consumed by what we consume emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  We pretend we aren’t afraid but if we’re brave enough, to be honest, we are. Afraid of loss, failure, and judgment.  Afraid of what we don’t know, of not having control, and of what may or may not happen. 
Luke 12:22032 is often used to tell people, “do not worry,” “do not be anxious,” and “do not put your faith in anything else but God and God alone.”  I suggest we listen again to the words of Jesus and perhaps hear how God’s presence, provision, peace, protection, mercy and love are closer than we sometimes know.  In this section of scripture, Jesus speaks to us through his words to his early followers.  They brought their frustrations and disagreements about money and wealth to him; wanting to know who was right and who was wrong?  What was the right way to handle money, save it, spend it, invest it, and how much was enough, too much, or too little?  
They expressed their worry, fear, and anxiety about the current state of affairs, who was the ultimate authority, what were they to do, how were they to respond, when would everything be back to normal, what was normal in this Kingdom of God’s?  What did God want them to do?  How would they know if they got it right?  What did it mean to let go of everything and follow him?  They clung to their material possessions, not knowing what else to hold on to.   They were not asking how or where they might see God, but that was the question Jesus answered because that was the truth that would release them from their worry, doubt, or fear.  They had to learn to see God in plain sight to understand God’s presence and purpose. 
In Jesus’ day, people lived in a shame and honor system.  The more stuff you had; land, livestock, possessions, status, education, and wealth, the more honor you were given.  And for those with less or nothing, the more shame you had to deal with.   It is easy to see then how the accumulation and significance of stuff; material things became entrenched in the minds of people.  If you had stuff, you must have money or other stuff to trade, and therefore you must have wealth, status, and security.  It was the only way you could guarantee your livelihood and take control of your future.   If you live long enough with that kind of understanding and value system, you come to believe that is where your worth, security, and identity is found and before long you are living and seeking the kingdom of self rather than the kingdom of God.  It’s no wonder we don’t see God unless something major happens, or we don’t feel God at work unless something big takes place.  
We set ourselves up for failure and frustration when we live with that kind of mindset or understanding.  It is more difficult to see God's breakthroughs if we have filled all the internal spaces of our lives with worry, doubt, fear, anxiousness, skepticism, regret, and blame, and all the external spaces with material things.
Jesus never ordered anyone to live in such a way.  He did not pull his followers aside and say, “umm, so here’s the deal: God sent me to fulfill the law, redeem the world, and restore the kingdom, buuut just between you and me, you might want to take all you can while you can, make sure to get more than you need, don’t let go of control, and put your faith in only what you can see.”  What Jesus did say, however, was “Do what is good, beautiful, and true.  Be the best you can with what you have and what you know.  Do the best you can with what you have and what you know, and leave the rest to God.  If you have more, great.  Seek God, live to make God’s kingdom a reality on earth, love others, and let God do the rest.  If you have less, great.  Seek God, live to make God’s kingdom a reality on earth, love others, and let God do the rest.  God is with you all the way.”  
When I was on the coast of CA and then in Australia, I saw some amazing flowers.  I guess because they were different they stood out more but they were only doing what they do best and God did the rest.  The colors and shapes were stunning.  The texture and detail were incredible.  The patterns and lines were captivating.  When I think of those flowers I realize the truth of Jesus’ words, “Consider the wildflowers…how much more does God love us.”  In plain sight, God reminded me that God is a God of past, present, and future and all is well and all will be well.  The same was true about some of the birds I saw. The colors.  Shapes.  Detail.  Pattern and lines.  Even the Cassowary; a prehistoric looking and aggressive creature, but beautiful nonetheless.  Again scripture tells us, “look at the birds of the air…yet how much more God cares about us.”  In plain sight, God reminded me that it is God who holds the future and all will be well. 
When I came back I saw God breakthrough in other places too.  Places not so far away but in the actions, words, and faces of those around me, around us.  I was reminded that God breaks through when we, like the flowers and birds, do what we were meant to do and let God do the rest.  When we engage in things like:
Spiritual Formation 
Listening
Sharing
Community
Worship
Mentoring
Celebrating
Connecting
Serving
Remembering
Loving unconditionally 
God in plain sight. 
There are many examples of God breaking through in plain sight if we look.  God’s breakthroughs are not always big and bold.  Loud and in your face.  But they are miraculous.  They are life-changing.  They are transformative.  They do reveal the very presence of God with us. May we have the courage and desire to pay attention. 
Amen
Pastor Jenothy Irvine

The great Baptist preacher Carlyle Marney once remarked that a person can be understood as being like a house: we have our living rooms where we entertain, and we have our garages where we hide the trash. The way to observe All Saints, he suggested, was to walk out of your house and into your front yard and salute the people on your balcony. The “balcony people” are those who have gone before us and given us encouragement along the way, who have left us a legacy of mercy.
That’s what we do on All Saints: we salute all the saints who have gone before us, and whose devotion to Christ provides us with the faith we have today. In fact, we would probably not be here without those who have shared with us their faith in Christ.
That is what we hear in our passage from the Letter to the Hebrews: we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (12:1). Here are the people on the balcony cheering us on, telling us stay focused on the pioneer and perfecter of our faith: Jesus Christ (12:2)!
They are the ones, as Joe Trueblood said last week, who have broken through the line of scrimmage, like a fullback, blocking ahead of us, and helping us to get through. They know how to play the game, so to speak. They are the ones who have shown us what a living faith looks like, trusting in the One who has broken through death and come out the other side to life eternal.
Therefore, when we think of saints, we typically think of people who are committed to Christ, or who have loved God and their neighbor with their whole heart and mind (Mt. 22:32-40).  Yet too often, we also think of saints in some exalted sense, or in a way that seems to be superhuman. This is not a good way to think about saints. When we remember the saints, we want to remember those who are ordinary people, or those nobody remembers but whom God loves and knows.
It is, of course, in keeping with Jesus’ ministry, for Jesus did not reserve his teachings to just an inner circle. His ministry, as I understand it, was wonderfully open and public, reaching out beyond the bounds of his disciples, to include the great and the small. He welcomed everyone, even folks we would not expect.
In fact, I think sainthood is one of the miracles of the church: look around you, and you will see the miracles of God, or the ‘communion of the saints,’ as we say often in the Apostles’ Creed.
Therefore, the saints include all of us who seek to live in faith and struggle with doubt and who know they stand in need of grace and forgiveness. After all, says Martin Luther, we are both “saint and sinner” at the same time, always prone to leave God for something else on the one hand, but also always open to the Spirit’s power on the other (Luke 15:11-31).
I believe that when we come to this kind of realization, a breakthrough is taking place: God is breaking through in our lives and opening us up, to use us for amazing purposes, taking our hearts and turning them outward.
How do we see God breaking through? What is God saying to us? Where can we celebrate these breakthroughs? 

Rev. Dr. Andy Kinsey

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells two parables where a man and a woman practice selective attention, one in search of a lost sheep and the other in search of a lost coin. One uses a spotlight to focus and the other uses a zoom-lens. 

With respect to a spotlight approach, Jesus talks about a woman who has ten coins, and when she loses one of them, she lights a lamp and sweeps the house and searches carefully until she finds it. She shines her spotlight into every dark corner of the house, ignoring things that are on the fringe, until the beam of the light hits the coin. Once she finds the coin, the woman then calls out to her neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost” (Luke 15:9).

So far, so good. This approach is about seeking out and highlighting what matters, until we locate what we are looking for.

In regard to the zoom-lens approach, Jesus teaches about a shepherd who has 100 sheep. Typically, on most days, the shepherd can watch the flock. Yet, when one sheep goes missing, he needs to zoom in on the one sheep until he finds it. Yet, as Jesus notes, “When the shepherd finds it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices” (Luke v. 5). 

This approach to paying attention seems to be riskier. When the shepherd focuses on the one lost sheep, he loses sight of the other 99 sheep. We might imagine that when the shepherd throws a party, rejoicing over finding the lost sheep, the people at the party might ask him, “Why didn’t you focus on the 99? What happened to them?”

That’s a good question. Watching over 99 sheep seems more sensible than zooming in on one! Yet, that is Jesus’ approach, leave the 99 and seek the one. In fact, this is what Jesus says, “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (v. 7). 

Again, it is a risking venture, but it is key to understanding what Jesus is saying. More importantly, it is key to understanding how Jesus is living, for the heart of Jesus’ ministry is the welcoming and eating with tax-collectors and sinners (vv. 1-2); as Jesus says later, that’s why he has come: to seek and save the lost, always to the consternation of the Pharisees and scribes (Luke 19:10).

Yet, this is the point of the parables, as Jesus says, “Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (v. 10). 

Where do we need to have selective attention? Jesus answers: put the spotlight on the one coin, not just the nine coins. Zoom in on the one sheep, not the 99. Such attention might not seem sensible; it might sound ridiculous, but it goes to the heart of God.

How might we practice selective attention in our relationship with God? Where is God calling us to pay attention to what he is doing?

Pastor Andy Kinsey