Music Fridays- Derek Webb, "Savior On Capitol Hill"

Derek Webb is best known as a songwriter in the praise and worship band Caedmon's Call. Along with his band mates in Caedmon's Call, Webb has worked with the "Who's Who" of contemporary Christian music- including projects with Third Day and the legendary Phil Keaggy. 

In his solo work, Webb has written a series of albums in which he wrestles with issues that are, frankly, too controversial for the syrupy sweet holy huddle which passes for Christian radio these days. He tackles themes like opposing heresy, struggling with financial idolatry, and, in this short but powerful song, our tendency to trust national politics more than we trust in the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. The footage below is from a concert last december. Enjoy!

A Wesleyan Cure for Our Economic Mess?

In this week's United Methodist Reporter, J. Richard Peck has a fascinating commentary in which he quotes a letter from John Wesley addressing an economic crisis from 1772 which bears a few similarities to our current mess- namely massive national debt and an economy driven by luxury items. 

 I could not help but notice how Wesley, the co-founder of Methodism and the poster child for 18th century Evangelicalism,  writes in favor of policies bound to make modern American Evangelicals think twice. (It made me squirm a bit. I even googled searched to make sure the letter was legit and that the quotes weren't taken grossly out of context.)

Wesley states his disdain for taxes in general (and I, for one, agree.) But then he points out that taxation was needed due to massive national debt. Accordingly he called for raising the taxes on luxury items. 

In other words, Wesley wanted the rich to pay the bill while protecting the middle class and the poor. 

He even went as far as to suggest that the government should encourage and perhaps even compel people to stop buying luxury items so that the economy could be re-focused on the plight of the poor, sustainability, and debt reduction. 

I'm still digesting this, so I'm not going to venture into endorsing or denouncing Wesley's ideas or Peck's modern application thereof. But I will confess that this is making me re-think what it means to be a theologically conservative Evangelical at the voting booth in the midst of economic turmoil. 

Anyone with thoughts, questions, or ideas, please share them in the comments. 

Grace and peace,

John

Tyler Street Pulpit- Laity Sunday Edition

The following sermon was delivered by Mitch Stevens during our 10:50 am service on Oct. 26, 2008. Nathan Howard read the Scriptures. To God be the glory.

Music Fridays- The Inaugural Edition

Starting today, Fridays will be music day on the blog. There will be pop, classical, jazz, blues, country and more. Some songs will be clearly Christian. Other will come from secular voices who raise vital questions. Still other songs will be picked for their beauty. And yes- some will be selected because they address pressing concerns or hot-button issues. (I've got a good one picked out for next week which will make you think twice before casting your ballot next month.)

For today, though, I submit for your listening pleasure a modern classic from Rich Mullins. Regular worshipers will recognize the bulk of the lyrics. We speak them together every week. 

Enjoy!

"I have given you authority!"

While going through morning prayer, I read the following from Luke 10:17-24:

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning."Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.

"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." Turning to the disciples, He said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them." (NRSV)

If I read this rightly, then Jesus is giving a bold charge to His disciples- a charge still valid for us today. He promises authority and security. In other words, he promises us that so long as we truly act on His behalf (in His name) and by the power of His Spirit, though we may face trials, we shall overcome.

And so I ask you; if you truly believed that you wouldn't fail, what would you do for the sake of God's Kingdom?

May God grant you a vision. And may He supply you the courage to try.

Grace and peace,

John

Tyler Street Pulpit- Oct. 19, 2008

The following sermon was delivered by Rev. Chris Allen during our 10:50 am service on Oct. 19, 2008. Our Student Ministries Director Jon Farrer read the Scriptures. To God be the glory.



More sermons from Tyler Street United Methodist Church can be found here.

Tyler Street Pulpit- Oct. 12, 2008

The following sermon was delivered by Dr. David Greenlee of Operation Mobilization during our 8:30 am service on Oct. 5, 2008. Our Student Ministries Director Jon Farrer read the Scriptures.

Dr. Greenlee serves as the International Research and Strategy Associate for Operation Mobilization. He and his wife Vreni have served the Lord in over 100 nations over the past 30 years.



More sermons from Tyler Street United Methodist Church can be found here. 

Responding to Bad News from Royse City

On Sunday, Rev. Chris Allen issued a call to prayer for the family of Steve Richardson and for First UMC of Royse City in the wake of Rev. Richardson's recent arrest.

As you pray, I encourage you to read this thoughtful response printed in the UM Reporter and penned by Dallas-area writer Shannon Vowell.

May God bring His healing to this painful situation.

Grace and peace,
John

Tyler Street Pulpit- Oct. 5, 2008

The following sermon was delivered by Rev. Chris Allen during our 10:50 am service on Oct. 5, 2008. Our Student Ministries Director Jon Farrer read the Scriptures. To God be the glory.

Charles Wesley meets Caedmon's Call

I've been a huge fan of the band Caedmon's Call ever since my wife Laurie introduced me to their music back before we started dating at McMurry.  Here's a YouTube clip of their song "Only Hope" which is adapted from Charles Wesley's hymn "Depth of Mercy" along with a short chorus they've added.

I've also included the lyrics to all thirteen stanzas of the original hymn. (Yes, I said thirteen. And yes- the early Methodists would have sang all 13 stanzas every time they sang the hymn!)

Enjoy! And may you know the depth of God's mercy today!

Depth of Mercy
by
Charles Wesley

Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name,
Put Him to an open shame.

I have spilt His precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable,
I, who yet am not in hell!

Lo! I still walk on the ground:
Lo! an Advocate is found:
“Hasten not to cut him down,
Let this barren soul alone.”

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!
He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move,
Justice lingers into love.

Kindled His relentings are,
Me He now delights to spare,
Cries, “How shall I give thee up?”
Lets the lifted thunder drop.

Whence to me this waste of love?
Ask my Advocate above!
See the cause in Jesus’ face,
Now before the throne of grace.

There for me the Savior stands,
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Jesus, answer from above,
Is not all Thy nature love?
Wilt Thou not the wrong forget,
Permit me to kiss Thy feet?

If I rightly read Thy heart,
If Thou all compassion art,
Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow,
Pardon and accept me now.

Pity from Thine eye let fall,
By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert,
Cast a look, and break my heart.

Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.

Grace and peace,

John

While sitting on the Church steps without my keys this morning...

... I had some time to read, pray, and think.

I came across this instruction from Paul:

"And finally, brethren, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with all of you."

(2 Thessalonians 3:1)

As I read these words, Oak Cliff was happening around me. Joggers with iPods and expensive running shoes passed by food-service workers on their way to the bus stop. Dumpster divers hunted for their daily treasure. Cars ranging from rolling wrecks to high-end luxury machines cruised by. Every skin tone, line of work, and tax bracket co-exists here and all hold one thing in common: every one of them, just like every one of us, needs the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church can never be satisfied with the fact that our members- our brothers and sisters in the Gospel- have found faith. Compassion for others and a hunger to share God's love should drive us to pray and yes to work to spread the Good News.

It is impossible to share our testimony with too many people.

It is impossible to show too much compassion by addressing the physical and emotional needs of the people we meet everyday.

We will never run out of people to befriend, to invite to Church, to make time for, to love with the love of God in Christ.

Tyler Street UMC is alive with faith- and we should praise the Lord for it just as Paul praise the God for the faith of the Thessalonians. Yet even as we praise, let us remember that the cause of Christ is still advancing in this world and God's work is not done. Now is the time for renewed zeal for spreading the Gospel to all kinds of people. May we be faithful to the task at hand.

Grace and peace,
John