Bethany Theological Seminary Sermon: Nonviolent Peace, Love, and Discipline

Bethany Theological Seminary Sermon: Nonviolent Peace, Love, and Discipline

Matt Guynn, Director of Organizing at On Earth Peace, will be presenting an online sermon at Bethany Theological Seminary on Wednesday, March 4th at 11:20AM-12:00PM ET service. The worship theme that the students have chosen for this Bethany Theological Seminary Fall Semester is "Repairer of the Breach". RSVP below to receive a link to join the Bethany worship service.

Theme: 

Confronting the trust-breaking force of authoritarianism, followers of Jesus are called to nonviolent power, love, and discipline. Matt will explore the tough choices in this moment and trace a path toward creative and bold courage-in-community. How can we tap into nonviolent imagination and spiritual vitality for the times we are living in? 

Scriptures:

“For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 (NRSVUE)

Acts 5:29, “We must obey God rather than any human authority" (NRSVUE).  

Luke 4 

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

    because he has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

    and recovery of sight for the blind,

    to set the oppressed free,

19     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”