My Sermon for the Sunday After the Election

Yesterday, I had the privilege of guest preaching at my seminary friend's church while she was on vacation. It happened to be the first Sunday after a divisive election. While I have known my friend for 22 years, her congregation doesn't know me well. I wondered, "Could I have a word for them at such a tender time that would be helpful?"

The service went beautifully. The overwhelming response was that the message was really needed. One congregant told me that she would be sharing the message with her friends, which was the best compliment. But the true testament of its success was that I had been responsive to Lord's pull at my heart. I had not attempted to preach a progressive sermon, nor a conservative one, but a faithful one. 

The division that is wreaking havoc in our country is also sweeping through the church. If you're tired of the media dividing us for their own profit, if you believe that we're more alike than we are different, or if you simply want to turn the page on the anger and division and contemplate a better way forward—God's way—I invite you to listen. 

It's a tender time, but scripture has so much insight for us. And Brene Brown, the sociologist and New York Times bestselling author, does too. I love her book Braving the Wilderness, which I reference in this sermon. What I am convicted of is this—we need less walls between us and more bridges. 

Further, if the church can't model this, who can?

Join me in watching on Facebook here. The sermon begins at minute 46:13 and is based on Ephesians 4:1–6.