09/06/2026
“Walking in the Light”
SERMON prepared for Lake Como Community of Hope, September 6, 2026
SCRIPTURE: Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20
Introduction: Our readings today are about how to walk in the light, how to live God’s will in the church, and in the everyday world that surrounds us. Paul writes to Rome about walking with God as a neighbor, a citizen, and a follower of Christ. Then we hear Jesus helping us to work with and in the church as God’s people.
First Reading
Need: Paul is near the end of his active proclamation of the Good News of God’s love in Jesus Christ. He has traveled all over the Mediterranean world, starting and guiding churches. He has heard that Christians are meeting and worshiping in Rome, the capital of the empire. He wants very much to visit them. But for now, he has written a long letter to help them see how to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. And, while he is at it, he has written to us, here and now.
News: Jesus taught that love is the first and greatest commandment—Love God with all that you have; love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the other commandments are just ways of living this one. Paul put it this way: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.” Jesus and Paul cared deeply about the poor, the blind, the sick, the mourner, the oppressed, the lonely. Jesus and Paul saw that caring for people in pain, for the lonely, for those in need, is a way to make God’s love for all real.
Paul is glad that the Romans have come to know God’s new life in Jesus. God’s light brightens their lives; it is time to wake up and to spread that light everywhere.
Response: Paul did make it to Rome. But he was a prisoner. He was arrested, imprisoned, and appealed to Caesar, which was his right as a Roman citizen. He was transported by boat to Rome, where he was able to live in house arrest until he was executed under Nero. He saw the light and love of Christ spread through the capital of the Empire.
Second Reading
Need: In our Gospel reading, Jesus helps us see that the people we are upset with, that we believe are disobeying God, even in the church, still need to be seen as fellow children of God. Go and talk to the person; bring a friend and talk; ask the whole church to help you. Jesus seems to be harsh when he says, If they don’t reform, treat them as a Gentile or a tax collector. Perhaps we need to remember—Jesus fed and healed the Gentiles, and he called a tax collector to be one of his disciples.
CONCLUSION
I found a story that helps us see what Jesus may be saying. A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, who we'll call Brother Smith. She says that Brother Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.
One particular day, Sally walked into class and knew they were in for another fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Brother Smith told the students to draw a picture of
someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry . . . and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.
Sally’s girlfriend (on her right) drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend (on her left) drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of Brother Smith, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on his face.
The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn and was filled with disappointment when Brother Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.
As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Brother Smith began removing the target from the wall.
Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus . . .
A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced out.
Brother Smith said only these words, "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:40
No other words were necessary; as each tear-filled eye focused only on the picture of Christ. The students remained in their seats . . . even after the bell rang . . . then slowly left the classroom, tears streaming down their faces.
"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:40
