Rex's Reflections: Welcoming Rev. Lisa Lefkow to FPC Naples

This Sunday we will welcome a guest preacher to our pulpit, although she will be familiar to most of us. Rev. Lisa Lefkow is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church and the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Collier County. She has preached for us on a summer Sunday for the past few years, and we’re grateful she is returning again this year. Lisa has a tremendously caring heart for God’s people, and I know you will enjoy the Word from the Lord she will bring us on Sunday.

Living a Life Rooted in Genuine Love

Lisa will be preaching on Romans 12:9-21. In this section of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he encourages them and us to live a life rooted in love. This love should be genuine and be an imitation of the self-giving love of God most clearly seen in the person of Jesus Christ. He is also clear that this love is not reserved just for the faithful. He calls us to “extend hospitality to strangers” who may or may not believe as we do. Paul even takes this a step further, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” Paul himself was at one time a persecutor of the church and so writes from his own understanding and experience of undeserved mercy.

Understanding Mercy and Grace

At the end of our passage, there is a confusing line about how caring for enemies “will heap burning coals on their heads.” It seems to contradict everything that Paul is saying before it. Here, Paul is not saying that caring for enemies will bring punishment to them. Quite the contrary, in fact. Think back to Isaiah, who had an angel touch his lips with a burning coal. He is told, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Caring for the needs of others, even our enemies, helps them in multiple ways.

Joining Together in Worship

I look forward to worshipping with you either in-person or online as we offer our thanks and praise to God together. The title of Lisa’s sermon is “Who Am I?”

Peace,

Rex

Rev. Rex Childs

Associate Pastor