Rev. Cwirla's Blogosphere

Paul "Cyberbrethren" McCain has a great Easter sermon from Kenneth Korby posted on his blog Cyberbrethen.  Here are a couple of paragraphs of vintage Korby gold.

 The temptation of the craftsmen who are charged with building her is to use materials that are shoddy and cheap. The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 3) calls them “wood, hay, and stubble.” The enticements of the temptation contain the threat and promises of the deceits of civilizations and religions: “You will not die; you will be as gods.” The promise is an invitation to mistrust the Lord. The threat is the pressure: if you want to be something, buy our wares. And so, many who build on the foundation advocate proposals with variety and enthusiasm, promising new keys to success, guaranteed formulae for church growth. Renewal is promised through ritual. Effectiveness goes with certain evangelism programs and techniques. Church growth is worked out with scientific and business-like acumen and industry. These things have become as popular as the New Measures of the nineteenth century. Added benefits increase the allurements: there will effective and influential ministry, authentic and supportive communities. And who, in God’s name, can be against these? And then, the best of all worlds: these various building materials will be promoted from a “Lutheran point of view!”

Meanwhile, a hidden, alien catechesis works quietly to shape a different spirit and form, a different content and pattern of life. The Apostle warns against using wood, hay, and stubble, noting these materials are flammable. They are fuel in the fire of judgment and the day of the Lord. The smallest piece of wood will ignite, even if it has been tinkered with! Those who build on the foundation with such materials will indeed escape with their lives, but their work will be consumed and they will be left naked.