Quick Summary:

We’re marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation movement with four worship services built around themes from the Lutheran World Federation Global Assembly last May.

The central theme, and our focus last week, is: LIBERATED BY GOD’S GRACE. In the three weeks that remain, we’re exploring the implications of this claim refracted through three sub-themes: humans not for sale; creation not for sale; and salvation not for sale.

The sermon explores modern day examples of human slavery and trafficking, comparing them to the experience of the slave girl St. Paul encounters in Philippi, as recorded in Acts 16: 16f. Seattle is a 21st century portal for human trafficking. Christ is always found in the deepest, darkest places of imprisonment. When we see Christ’s presence in those places, we can never look at another human being as a commodity, or as someone to be exploited for gain. Because we have been liberated by God’s grace, we can say unequivocally: HUMAN BEINGS NOT FOR SALE.