On this 7th Sunday after Pentecost, July 7th, 2024, Rev. Matt Sapp delves into the profound teachings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who reminds us that judging others blinds us to our own faults and the grace available to all. As we celebrate our freedoms this weekend, we are reminded of our equal capacity to offer God's grace instead of judgment.

Rev. Matt Sapp shares a humorous and relatable story about the arduous process of renewing car tags in Fulton County, Georgia, contrasting it with the much simpler process in Coweta County today. This anecdote serves as a segue into a discussion on self-awareness, inspired by Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount.

He then explores the dual aspects of self-awareness: recognizing our own faults and valuing the most precious parts of ourselves. He paraphrases the first six verses of Matthew chapter 7, emphasizing the importance of not being overly critical of others while being mindful of our own shortcomings.

Rev. Sapp also reflects on the concept of living a 'provisional life,' as discussed in Oliver Borkman's book '4000 Weeks.' Instead of waiting for a future moment of truth, we are encouraged to live meaningful lives now, embracing our flaws and nurturing our sacred hopes and dreams.

As we take stock of ourselves this holiday weekend, Rev. Sapp calls for an honest self-assessment of our weaknesses and the protection of what is most sacred in us. He concludes with a blessing, urging listeners to live fully into who God created them to be, right here and now.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome
00:41 Sermon: Be Self-Aware
16:26 Benediction

Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Matthew 7:1-6
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

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• where women and men have equal opportunities for leadership.
• where traditional worship is engaged with excellence.
• and where diverse approaches to Christian faith and theology all find themselves at home under the lordship of Christ.