Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany audio

The prophet Micah says: "What does the Lord require of us? Act justly, love faithfulness and walk humbly with your God."Such acts are not easy for us mere mortals - which is why we tend to build buildings, install stained glass windows and make pews more comfortable - those things are easy. Did you hear Jesus' words in the Gospel lesson? "If you don't want to be near me - I won't judge you because I didn't come into the world to judge - I came to save - and besides, I don't need to judge you because the stuff you have surrounded yourself with and the words you speak will judge you."How close do you need to be to Jesus? The church has never, ever saved anyone. The church can't save anyone. No building, music, pew, program, pastor or DCE has ever saved a single soul. The only one who can save you is Jesus. The Bible is very clear on this - if you want to be saved you hold on to Jesus - who is and always has held on to you.The manger in Bethlehem, the miracles, the crucifixion, the empty tomb - that is God holding on to you with all His love.