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November 8, 2009 “Giving” Mark 12:38-44
Today’s Gospel reading is similar to a two-act drama. In the first act we have Jesus’ perspective on the scribes and in the second act we have Jesus perspective on giving, in the famous “widow’s mite” story. When you read this passage within the larger context of the surrounding chapters, you find that the widow is a Christ figure.
I believe that while these small coins probably carried the smallest monetary value of the day, and therefore are often called pennies, their value was more than today’s penny. In the Greek, the word for “small copper coin” is “lepton.” A lepton’s value was 1/128 of a denarius. A denarius, according to Matt. 20:2 and John 12:5, was equal to a full day’s wage.
So, looking back at the 2000 census data, the median household income in Oconto was $34,589 – making the current day value of a denarius about $95. Dividing that by 128 equals about 75 cents: today’s equivalent value of each “small copper coins.” Therefore, in today’s world, the widow would be dropping $1.50 into the plate! So, a typical but honest stewardship sermon for our community tells us that the poorest person here is obligated to be giving $1.50 each week. But, this sermon is not your typical stewardship sermon. Let me explain why and how I understand stewardship to be defined in this “Widow’s Mite” text.
First, who were the scribes? The scribes were some of the religious leaders of Jesus’ time. They were experts in the scriptures, and the “proper” interpretation of them as Jewish law. As such, the scribes were not only the clergy, but also lawyers. They would often be the ones responsible for settling estates for widows. Some were known to “devour widows' houses,” or literally, eat up the estate, as payment for their services. Jesus was pointing out their self-centered, greedy, and arrogant attitudes. Jesus as much as calls the scribes hypocrites, charlatans, fakes, and pious pretenders. They served the rich, for the purpose of becoming rich themselves. It appears that these scribes, as the religious leaders were doing something that was making the already-vulnerable widow population feel obligated to give to the temple more than they frankly could afford.
That's why when Jesus then sees a widow giving away the last two coins she had to rub together, he sees in that not first of all an example of good stewardship in action, and therefore something that we should all try to imitate. What Jesus saw was a glaring example of how far off balance the whole temple enterprise had gotten. This woman felt obligated to give away what little she had and although that revealed how earnest she was, it was an earnestness that had been manipulated. So when Jesus says, "That's all she had to live on," he said it with exasperation in his voice. She should not have done that. She should not have been told to do that. One commentary on this passage points out that Jesus' closing words here were essentially a lament. As Jesus watched this widow walk away with now literally nothing to live on, he as much as said, "There goes another precious one down the tubes!"
This is a stewardship sermon. But, to make this stewardship sermon a sermon of obligation would be against the Gospel message. Stewardship isn’t about tithing or proportional giving. Those are good Biblical standards for evaluating our giving, but stewardship is about more than giving. Stewardship has to do with the attitude of our hearts. Stewardship is a way of life. Stewardship has to do with the choices we make each and every day, including our choices about where we distribute the financial loan God has blessed each of us with. It is a loan entrusted with us, and not actually a gift, although we still call everything a gift from God. Truly, all we have is not ours; it is on loan from God, to be used for God’s glory.
Stewardship is about our response to God’s grace, given to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Stewardship is about giving: God giving us his own son, and us giving glory to God through every aspect of our life. Jesus knew that soon he would give up his own life to save the lives of the disciples, and also each of our lives. He would give away all that he had, right down to his very life's blood. It would look like the end, but it was really the beginning. It would look like only death but it would really lead to abundant life.
Everything we do in the Christian life—including giving to the offering plate—is an outflow and an overflow of God’s grace, which gives us the power and the freedom to be who we have become as new creatures in Christ.
For that reason, and more, as part of our Stewardship Campaign for 2010, “Living as People of Faith: if God is calling us to it, God will carry us through it,” we are asking you to fill out and return a pledge card, but please do not put your name on it. We don’t want to make you feel obligated to give. Your giving is between you and God. We are trusting that as we focus more on growing in the spiritual aspects of living as people of faith, the needed worldly finances will also grow. Please do fill out your pledge card, but as you do, please talk with God about how much is right for you to give back to God, in response to the grace that God has first given to you. We use our gifts and give of ourselves not because of some stern external obligation or pressure or because we’ve been made to feel guilty as we are manipulated by the church.
Instead we are free to be who we are: we are free to let the Spirit move us along in the ministry we are called to provide. When we understand stewardship to be more than about simply giving, and especially more than giving out of guilt, we will be different, and people will notice. What does that look like? I’d like to offer one example; the example of Burl Sanders. Burl has given his testimony several times before in churches around North East Wisconsin, through the ministry of the Presby Players, and we welcome him here to our worship this morning.
Burl is taking us back to a Saturday night in June, 1938. The United States is in the last years of the Great Depression. Organized religion is at its peak. We are in the sanctuary of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, located just west of Hickory near the Blue Ridge Mountains. Saturday night sings by families of gospel singers have become the much needed and highly appreciated entertainment of the time. Gospel-singing families traditionally sing at one church on Saturday night, and then do a few guest appearances on Sunday mornings at other churches in the area. Burl Sanders and his family are one of these Gospel-singing families. Burl, please come and take us back to 1938 as you give us your testimony.
OCTOBER SERMON SERIES ON JOB
“SPIRITUAL FORMATION: Learning to live with/for the only God we cannot create”
Oct 4 – Job 1:1, 2:1-10 (“What is integrity?”) Oct 11 – Job 23:1-17 (“Is it faith...or just a religious institution?”) Oct 18 – Job 38:1-7, 34-41 (“How big IS your God?”) Oct 25 – Job 42:1-6, 10-17 (“Becoming what we are to be!”)
"The Book of Job is, ultimately, not about what it means that humans suffer. It is about what it means to be human at all when God is seen truly to be God... This great text stands over against the prevalent religious impulse to fabricate a wishful picture of the world, to imagine the sort of God who would rule benignly over such a world, and then to bow down in worship before this projection of our own sense of moral order. " Thomas G. Long - "Job: Second Thoughts in the Land of Uz"
“Becoming what we are to be!” Job 42:1-6, 10-17
“How big IS your God?” Job 38:1-7, 34-41
“Is it faith...or just a religious institution?” Job 23:1-17
October 4, 2009 - WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY “What is Integrity?” Job 1:1, 2:1-10
Job is a famous man in the Old Testament and he suffered about as much as anyone you’d ever want to meet. The first question to pop into our minds is often, “Why?” Why did Job suffer so much? We will find that his friends kept saying, “Job, you’re being punished.” But the Bible very clearly tells us — no, Job was not being punished. We are told that Job was a blameless and upright man. Job was a man of integrity.
Now, integrity is defined as a firm adherence to values. In the Hebrew, the word is TUMMA. The root of this word carries the fundamental idea of completeness. Integrity has to do with being complete, or undivided. Job had integrity. He was undivided in his faith and loyalty to God Almighty. But his integrity didn't protect him or save him from pain.
As most everyone knows, the Book of Job is essentially one long discussion, or drama, on the age-old question of theodicy: Why does a good God let bad things happen to good people? We don’t really get an answer to that question. We will end this sermon series much the way we leave this table. The conversation ends on a note of wonder, mystery, and awe. God is God.
For many, the first two-and-a-half chapters of Job are the hardest to understand. It is here that we discover that it’s actually not God at all who is so directly afflicting Job but rather some figure called “Satan” who seems to do his dirty work by the permission of God in what seems like some high-stakes cosmic game, and you and I are just pawns. The idea that our lives could become chess pieces in a cosmic game between God and those who oppose God does not compute with my understanding of the God of the Bible. In order to make sense of the beginning chapters of Job, we need to read through the entire book, and then come back and re-read these opening verses.
The question in Job, is the same question in the whole of the Bible. It is not so much a question of “Why?” — it’s actually a question of “Now what?” Now what? The pain has happened. What are you going to do about it? Are you going to turn from God? Are you going to become bitter? Are you going to turn your back on God? Or are you going to trust God and trust that God, in the power of the Holy Spirit through the risen Lord can take a very awful pain and turn it into good in your life?
We are told in Job 2:10 that in and through it all, Job did not sin with his lips. Too often, the world as we encounter it becomes the scale, the balance, the straight edge against which we measure all that appears crooked to us. Not so for Job. Job knew that the way things are bear no necessary resemblance to the way God may well want them to be. Christians have long believed that the world as we encounter it now does not necessarily reflect in its every detail the desires of God. This core belief is what points to the need for a Savior, for a redemption and transformation of all things.
Pain is a terrible thing, but God can take even that terrible thing and turn it into good. God can take even the worst thing that has ever happened, crucifixion of his own son, and turn that into good. That is a model for us, a model of hope that we can experience in our own lives. The pain that we feel, the agony that we feel, is not permanent. It’s not going to be the end. There will be a time, when like Jesus, we will get a new body that no longer feels pain.
When Jesus left, his body was no longer living in Jerusalem and Galilee. In fact, he said, “I am leaving but you will be my body, you will be my presence.” He was telling us that God will primarily be known through people just like you. That’s the role of the church. That’s the role of those of us who have been comforted; we are to let that comfort overflow as we comfort those who are in need. We, in fact, become God’s body. And there comes a time in the lives of hurting people where they ask themselves, “Where is God? Does God care?”
The best answer to that question is found in people like us. Are we there? Are we showing the love of God that they cannot see in any other way? Are we bringing that hope? Are we bringing that healing that God himself desires? I can point to many situations in which I can say, “YES! We are.” But I also know there are many more situations in which we need to work harder to show that God is here and God does care.
Integrity is good. Integrity is important. But honestly, it is not your integrity that matters and it is not my integrity that matters, especially in times of pain and loss. No, what matters most, is the integrity of our God, shown through the works of our faith, as we live in community, as we live in Christ. As we celebrate the Lord's Supper this morning with believers around the world, may we celebrate the integrity of the God who created everything, who redeems everything and who will re-create everything in perfection. May we not only encounter Christ this morning, but may we be Christ, standing together with believers from every tribe and nation, throughout all of eternity.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen, and Amen.
September 27, 2009 “Prayer” James 5:13-20
As I mentioned earlier and noted at the beginning of the bulletin, I have changed the order of worship just for today, in order to “begin experimenting with the kinds of community practices James proposes” because I believe that we are like “most congregations [who] have not been as comprehensively transformed as James [and our Lord Jesus Christ] would wish for them.”
I've asked the three ladies from our church family who attended Synod School to help lead today's worship. Why and what exactly is Synod School? Well, the official description states that “Synod School is a learning and personal enrichment experience for people of all ages.” Synod School is an experience that in not easily described or defined. It is like trying to explain the Christian Faith to a non-Christian. Everyone who has attended seems to agree that you need to experience it to fully understand it.
Why have I asked Margaret, Lynne and Polly to help lead worship today? They attended Synod School this summer, and the theme was “Building a Culture of Peace for All God’s Children — Practicing the Art of Reconciliation.” James addresses communities more than individuals. The purpose of the Epistle of James is to set an example for us, the gathered community of believers reading this letter, of how we are to be living out our faith, in the midst of trials, creating or re-creating, a healthy community of faith; a healthy church family. Today, our final lesson from the book of James focuses in on the need for the church to practice forgiveness and reconciliation – the theme from this year's Synod School. A harmonious, mutually-concerned congregation will evince the sort of relationships James endorses here. James closes his letter to the twelve tribes who have been scattered, with a variety of commands to engage in prayer.
James begins by noting that the twelve tribes have been scattered – that's you and I, the church of today, scattered and fractured. James uses the form of imperative verbs, commands. James ends this letter with the expectation and command for you and I to be reaching out and leading others back to the Lord. You and I are to actively offer God's grace to others through the power of prayer as we invite them to re-join the family of God. Interestingly, the theme for next year's Synod School is “Grace Notes.”
First of all, we are to be committed to sharing each other's burdens and joys. A healthy congregation should sustain a high enough degree of mutual trust to be able to safely confess their sins to one another. Now, I have to admit, the public admission of wrongdoing is often seen as a negative characteristic of small, close-knit, high-demand, sectlike religious groups. James does not, I think, consider this a means of cult-like social control; rather, it constitutes an ingredient of the kind of common life he proposes for all Christians. Secret sins corrode our souls, but they also corrode our relationships with others. The more fully we can trust others with even our painful failings, the more readily we can share with them in the forgiveness that releases us from the power our sins hold over us. We need to reclaim the positive characteristics of confessing our sins to one another. This is easy to do in a small, close-knit group. But, as the congregation grows larger and more diverse and less like a family, such open confession becomes rarer and harder. It takes intentionality and endurance. It doesn't happen overnight. The comprehensive transformation of a congregation begins with prayer.
Prayer is mentioned briefly in 1:5-8 (“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting ...”) and 4:2-3 ("You want something and do not have it...You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly.”) The idea here is: pray at all times and under all circumstances! This idea is also found in Ephesians 6:18: “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints”.
The prayer described in this passage is for the sick, for those who are suffering, for those who are enduring hardships. Although, on the surface, it seems as if James is addressing the issue of faith healing, he is actually concerned with those who are overwhelmed by sin. The Greek word for "sick" means "weakness" or "incapacity" and so is a word that can be used of a physical weakness, or an inner spiritual weakness, or mental weakness. James is speaking about a religious or moral weakness; being weak in faith. It is clear from the surrounding text that he is concerned with a sickness of the soul, a soul entrapped by unconfessed sin. Having read his letter, we can now see our poor state of health; we have been dragged away and enticed to sin. And sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death – eternal separation from God. The solution to this condition of loss is provided through administering forgiveness and grace in prayer.
Notice how James's approach to healing differs from that of Paul. The community of faith prays for healing; and healing comes from God. these words from James shatter the notion that only spiritually gifted people should pray for healing. When some Christians read Paul's teachings on spiritual gifts, they are tempted to think that only spiritually gifted people should pray for healing. In James's letter however, the emphasis is upon God, who answers the prayers of the righteous. It is not necessary for us to wait until we can identify a person whom God has chosen or used in the ministry of healing. Any Christian may pray for healing because healing comes from God. I will continue to remind you of the fact that we believe every member of this church family is a minister. You are all ministers. Each of you are to be praying for those who are overwhelmed by sin.
The prayer of faith, that is, a prayer based on the promises of God for forgiveness is powerful and effective. Therefore, those convicted of sin need to confess their sins, hand the matter over to the Lord in prayer, supported by you, the ministers of the church, and they will be renewed or "healed". The person who trusts the Lord (whom James calls a "righteous" person), will find that their prayers are effective. Do you believe that? Do you live that? By your works, specifically the works of your prayers, you do show your true faith.
There are many people who need you, the ministers of the church, to lead them back to the Lord. You are to pray for their forgiveness, to truly forgive them yourself and on behalf of this worshipping community, and to anoint them with a sign of God's grace. The future of not only our congregation, but our denomination and the church as a whole depends on you – your prayers, your forgiveness, your works, your reaching out to your neighbors and caring for them. After you have shown God’s love and God’s grace, they will ask you about your faith, and about becoming a part of your church family. But, before you do any of that, you need to experience this forgiveness and reconciliation yourself. You and I have to practice what we preach.
Next week we will join with churches and believers around the world in celebrating the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper; Holy Communion; Eucharist – Great Thanksgiving. There is much for us to be thankful for. For us, we will also have the joy of welcoming some more new members into our worshipping community, and celebrating the sacrament of Baptism with yet another child, another gift of God entrusted to our care.
My prayer, is that this service of worship and prayer will be an opportunity for us to begin experimenting with what a transformed community of faith might actually be, and how we might better live out the faith in Jesus Christ that we professes to believe. As you go through this week, I encourage you – I implore you, and even command you – to seriously pray for the Church; pray for our church family to be healed, to grow, and to experience reconciliation and transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit; pray not only for our church, but for the church universal.
Use this week to prepare your hearts for transformation and reconciliation. Use the prayers printed in today’s bulletin as devotional guides. Read them at the start of each day. Put a copy in your lunch – feed your soul as you feed your stomach. Read them at the close of each day, before you go to sleep. Put a copy in a zip-lock bag and stick it to your shower wall. Let God’s forgiveness clean your spiritual body as you clean your physical body.
May this service of worship and prayer be a time for you to renew your covenant with God, through the transforming power of prayer.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen, and Amen.
There were technical problems with the audio recording for September 13 & 20.
September 20, 2009 “Half-Hearted or Divided Loyalty?” James 4:1-10
Several years ago, I saw a Christian Drama group, One Time Blind, perform a skit called “God in A Box.” Basically, there were people with different sized boxes. One had a very large box. Her God was all powerful, all knowing, all loving…could do anything! Another had a new pocket-sized box. His God could be easily carried around and was available in every situation. They were arguing about which “God in a Box” was better.
We do that all the time. We put our God in a box and only let God out when it suits us. We have compartmentalized religion, and therefore we believe we have contained God within a certain box. And then, we argue about our God, or at least about our perception of God, often politely disguised as discussion or even civil debates, between people, between churches, between denominations. The bottom line: You can’t put God in a box. God is God. God will be who God will be.
Today’s first reading is entitled “Two Kinds of Wisdom.” There is Wisdom from the world and Wisdom from above. Worldly wisdom, with envy and selfish ambition, brings disorder and wickedness. Wisdom from above, shown by Gentleness, yields peace. Verse 17: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.”
Wow! With a list like that, it’s tempting to say, “That sounds nice. But I can never do all that. The Lord knows I can’t do all that.” And you’re right, the Lord does know you and I can’t do it. Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And “the wages of sin is death, [pause] but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Paul lays it out very well. Just because we know we are sinners doesn’t give us more reason to sin. Similarly, just because we know we can’t live our life operating completely within the wisdom from above, we should not give in and live more under the envy and selfish ambitions of the world. We have to work at become better Christians. But how? James gives us the answer in chapter four.
Let’s take a look at the flow of this chapter. Remember, this is not a letter written to a specific church, community or local group of people. This is a general letter to the people of faith who have been scattered all over the place. This is a letter to people like us. He begins with the fact that there are conflicts and disputes. He doesn’t assume that there is a life without conflict! Conflicts and disputes are the universal starting point. That almost hurts to read out loud because it’s so true. Look at the world we live in. Many of us continue to ask why, in this day and age, the only way we seem to be able to deal with problems among the countries of the world is to arm mostly the poor and kill until someone gives up or one side has no one left standing.
But let’s not look so far away; let’s not look at others. Look closer to home, as close as you can – your own life; your own heart. Can you think of a conflict of dispute in your life? Can you? Think about that specific item as we read through the rest of this text. James then asks, “Where do these conflicts come from?” The come from your inner cravings; your wants; from focusing on your own personal pleasures.
These sobering words from James are a call to examine ourselves with seriousness, to ask ourselves questions such as: "Why did that make me so angry? Why am I willing to argue (or to fight) about this incident? What do I really have against that person?" We may discover that envy, selfish ambition, or covetousness have been masquerading as anger and indignation or that we are willing to argue over something that we really don't care that much about. Or, we may be ashamed to admit what it is that we do care so much about that we are willing to argue and fight with those we love.
There are several scriptures that talk about getting what we ask for, getting what we pray for. They all have the qualifier that we are to be asking or praying for the right things. Our asking is to be for the well-being of the community, especially those who are in need. For others, not for our own personal pleasures.
It is not wrong to want pleasure. It is not wrong to ask. The message of the good news assumes we have such desires and that they can be legitimate in themselves. After all, the good news is that there is a way where our desires, God's desires and others' desires - at least what God desires for them - can jell together into a peaceable unity. Christians who deny this and pretend that they are not engaging in a relationship with God partly out of concern for themselves, are playing games.
So, even though you take a compassionate attitude towards people and you behave accordingly, it is much more than a matter of doing what is right or being good. It is about embodying the wisdom which comes from God; it is about embodying God. It is about letting Jesus Christ be at work within you through the power of the Holy Spirit.
That is why James can get away with calling us all a bunch of adulterers! Anyone who gives themselves to the world divorces themselves from God, and breaks the bond, the covenant, of that holy and spiritual marriage. How many Christians have flirted with the wisdom of the world? How many believers have had an affair with worldly wisdom? James 4:5 says, “Do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, "God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? Our God is a jealous God.
Here comes the Good News: James 4:6-8 6 But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Are you and I “double-minded”? In the original language in which James wrote, Greek, this refers to someone who is always hesitating. The term for “double-minded” is really about being half-hearted. If we say someone is “half-hearted” it doesn’t sound so bad. And yet, the truth is, if you are half-hearted, you are guilty of adultery! But God wants you back, and God offers you grace and forgiveness.
We are to submit ourselves to God in humility. When we do that, we are never far away from God, because that is God's very nature: self-giving, choosing not to take up the whole space, giving space for others to be, to be transformed, and to grow.
Don’t be deceived into thinking that you are only half-hearted about your faith. If you are half-hearted, you have divided loyalty. Remember what I said last week: faith without works is like a screen door on a submarine! Let your life show the amazing love of God that is offered to all. You don’t have to be able to do amazing things or be living a perfect and blameless life. You simply have to be willing to devote and commit your whole heart to serving God. In time, God will take care of the rest.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen, and Amen.
September 13, 2009 "The 2 Ounce Diet Plan" James 3:1-12
I believe it was George Burns who once said, "The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible.” With that, I’m 1/3 of the way there! J Or maybe not.
“The 2 Ounce Diet Plan.” You may already know what I’m referring to. At least in general. What exactly is a diet? It’s about regulation, or control. The 2 Ounce Diet Plan is the most important diet for you and I. The most important diet you and I can be concerned about is the diet that regulates the most influential sixty to seventy grams, or two ounces of our body: that little muscle we commonly call the tongue.
The tongue has the immense power to help and heal. It also has the potential to hurt and harm. The damage done by the tongue can not be taken back.
A certain good woman one day became aware of the fact that she had said many things to hurt many people. In her effort to undo what she had done, she went to an older, wiser woman in the village, explained her situation, and asked for advice. The older woman listened patiently in an effort to determine just how sincere the younger woman was, how far she was willing to go to correct the situation. She explained that sometimes, in order to put things back in order, great efforts must be made. She then asked: "Just what would you be willing to do, to repair the harm done?" The answer was heartfelt. " Anything."
The wise woman said, "There are two things needed to do to make amends. The first of the two is extremely difficult. Tonight, take your best feather pillows, and open a small hole in each one. Then, before the sun rises, you must put a single feather on the doorstep of each house in town. When you are through, come back to me. If you've done the first thing completely, I'll tell you the second." The young woman hurried home to prepare for her chore, even though the pillows were very dear to her, and very expensive. All night she labored alone in the cold. She went from doorstep to doorstep, taking care not to overlook a single house.
Her fingers were frozen, the wind was so sharp it caused her eyes to water, but she ran on, through the darkened streets, thankful there was something she could do to put things back the way they once were. Finally, as the sky was getting light, she place the last feather on the steps of the last house. Just as the sun rose, she returned to the older woman. She was exhausted, but relieved that her efforts would be rewarded. "My pillows are empty. I placed a feather on the doorstep of each home." Now, said the wise woman, "Go back and refill your pillows. Then everything will be as it was before." The young woman was stunned. "You know that's impossible! The wind blew away each feather as fast as I placed them on doorsteps!! If this is the second requirement, then things will never be the same."
Each of our words is like a feather in the wind. Once spoken, no amount of effort, regardless how heartfelt or sincere, can ever return them to our mouth.
Human speech, says James, seems to be innocent enough. After all, the tongue is such a small part of the body. But despite its size, he says, it's much like a bit that controls a horse or a rudder that steers an enormous ship. In fact, the tongue can burn like a raging forest fire, incinerating everything that it touches. It corrupts both the subject and object of speech. What we say to one another, James writes, can be "full of deadly poison" that kills.
The concerns that James expresses here fit very closely with his interests in the rest of his letter. Last week we noted the requirement that our works be directly connected to and flowing out of our faith. The life of a disciple is to be shaped in every way so as to manifest the faith they say they believe. He sees the apparently trivial example of spoken words as an especially compelling example of an outward expression of our true faith.
One of the sources I use to discern how the current Sunday’s text is best connected and applied within our congregation had a question this week, regarding these instructive words of James that are often avoided because they are hard to hear; they seem very condemning. There is little if any encouragement in this text to send you out into the world with a feeling of satisfaction. The question posed was this: “When we preach, do we set out to preach an inspirational word or an instructive word?”
It challenged those of us who have accepted God’s calling to proclaim the Word of God each week to consider what the true role of preaching in worship is all about? Is my role as a preacher to inspire? To encourage? To entertain? To help you feel better about yourself? Yes. Yes to each of those, in varying amounts. But within all that I say is to be an instructive word. As I proclaim the Gospel message each week, I am to be teaching the practical application of God’s Word. Most sources at least reminded those of us who are proclaiming the Gospel from what some call the “Holy Desk” about the importance of choosing the words we use in our sermons carefully. And, while that is so very true, we should also remember that each of us, living out our faith in every moment of every day, is a living, breathing, walking and talking real-life sermon.
Today’s scripture is about taming the tongue. However, James makes it clear that he refers not to talking too much, and not simply to gossip. It is about the intentional control of the words we use. James challenges Christians, especially leaders, to express themselves carefully, as it befits sisters and brothers made in the image of God. Few should become teachers, he says, and those who do become teachers should watch what they say, because teachers will be held liable not only for their own errors, but also for the resulting errors that their students learn and continue to pass along.
Today, we are recognizing and blessing the teachers and learners involved in this upcoming year of our Christian Education. But, while a few people of this particular family of faith have accepted the specific call to become teachers, we also have to remember that each and every one of us is a teacher. You and I teach each other every day by what we do and what we say. This letter from James is written to you and I.
I can only begin to imagine the many specific individuals he had in mind while penning this portion of the letter. He had personally heard the words of many people as they talked to Jesus, and then talked to others about Jesus. And he had also personally witnessed the actions of these same people, which may or may not have agreed with their spoken beliefs. James had witnessed many people who claimed to love Jesus, to hail him as their new king, to shout “Hosanna – Lord, Save Us!” and then only days later shout even louder, “CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!” How could James not make such a great point about the importance of carefully choosing the words we say?
While you and I may not have ever said those specific words, I have heard more than enough stories about members of this congregation who have spoken harsh words at each other. This has even happened right here, in this place we call a sanctuary – which means “safe place.” To quote the 10th verse of this 3rd chapter: “My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.” These harsh words have caused wounds which have become barriers that remain yet today. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so! If you and I are truly living the faith we claim to believe, and we claim to believe in the transforming and healing power of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit at work in us, then we should not let those barriers stand; we should seek forgiveness from each other and work towards healing. How can we expect to receive God’s forgiveness, if we are not willing to forgive?
James reminds us of the truth that everyone makes many mistakes. If someone didn't make any verbal goofs, such a person would be perfect. Because of this we all ought to talk carefully, since everyone – myself included – is liable to make a mistake at some point. While gabbing and gossiping may increase the odds of us speaking unwisely, the heart of the problem lies in the simple reality that we will each slip up when we are speaking. But it isn’t just the casual mistakes in our speech that James is talking about. The Greek word translated as “mistake” in our text carries with it the meaning of “stumbling” or “causing to trip.”
What James is telling us about, is that although everyone makes mistakes, certain communication amplifies the effects of these slip-ups. The more a mistake (or a hurtful word) is repeated, and the more authority with which it is clothed, the greater are its damaging effects. In this way, our tendency to speak casually or carelessly, while applying equally to all people, bears particular importance for teachers and all leaders.
A powerful and quickly publicized example of this fact was offered to us this past week by a little-known (until now) congressman from South Carolina, Joe Wilson. His two-word outburst directed at the President of the United States has made him one of the most controversial men on the internet. Some believe it to be an intentional, even planned comment intended to strengthen his political position and others believe it was an uncontrolled and unfortunate slip of the tongue. One comedian suggested that he should have shrugged off the mistake by simply stating, “Sen. McCain ate my Kit Kat while I was in the bathroom.”
While James acknowledges that everyone slips up in speaking, he presses the case that none of us should shrug off such mistakes. The slips of the tongue that seem so slight, he reminds us, can cause great consequences. He regards the tongue as a wild, destructive force with unpredictable consequences. Harsh words cause damage that lasts a lifetime.
A father who wanted his child to learn this important lesson, devised a very tangible teaching tool. Each time the child would say something that hurt another person, the father would send the child out to the fence in the back yard, with instructions to drive a single nail into the fence with a hammer. This went on for many weeks, until the child all but stopped the hurtful speech. So then, the father praised his child for gaining control, and sent the child out to the fence with instructions to pull out each and every nail, noting that God had forgiven them of this sin. When the child had finished removing the nails, the father came out, knelt down and put his arm around the child, saying, “The nails are gone. Your sin is forgiven. But the damage of your words will always remain. Each time you look at this fence, remember these nail holes, and remember the nail holes in the hands and feet of Jesus.”
If you have caused hurt and harm by words you have spoken, receive the forgiveness offered in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But don’t stop there. Go and seek the forgiveness of the person you have wounded; work towards true reconciliation that is only found in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can fill the holes, and heal the wounds that stand between you and your sisters and brothers.
May you and I bless the Lord and Father, and not curse those made in the likeness of God.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen, and Amen.
September 6, 2009 “Labors Lost, or Labors of Love” James 2:1-10, 14-17
You’ve seen them… they’re plastered on cars all over the place. They are the various attitudes and opinions about work!
“I Owe, I Owe, It’s off to work I go.” And, “A bad day fishing is better than a good day working.”
This past week, I heard that people were catching trout and salmon out off the breakwater. So, I took my father-in-law’s boat out and went fishing two mornings…and caught nothing – other than a few little gobies! A pastor friend from Seminary who lives on the West Coast, Washington State, apparently had the same results earlier in the week. So, on Friday morning, his wife passed along some wise advice: “Instead of going fishing, why don’t you try going ‘catching’ today.” He came home with four nice pink salmon. J So, if anyone wants to go “catching” with me this week, let me know.
Now, while there is some good humor in that story, there is also some serious truth. I was honestly satisfied to have spent some quality time with a couple of good guys, talking about life, about the joys and struggles of trying to be a good husband and dad, about work, about recreation…on and on. I was satisfied to have gone fishing, and not catching, and that is OK with me. Unfortunately, that same philosophy pervades our views of faith and works. And while our works – our actions – are not the same as our work – our employment – our work and our works are directly connected to our faith.
This is Labor Day weekend: a yearly national tribute to you, the American worker; to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. For many, Labor Day weekend is the symbolic end of the summer and for some it marks the official beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. Way to go Badgers!
Work is a very important chunk of our lives: Did you know that if you are like the average American, from age 18 to age 65, working just 40 hours a week, you’ll spend almost 100,000 hours at work during your lifetime?
Another way of putting it is that our lives are generally divided into three different arenas. Theoretically, we spend about 8 hours a day sleeping, 8 hours a day working, and 8 hours a day doing other things. Reality today says we spend less than 8 hours sleeping, more than 8 hours working, and fighting just to get 8 hours to do something other than sleeping and working.
Now, work is good. Through our work, God supplies & provides. But is there more to work than personal gain? Why do we work? Is it just to make some money? Is it just to provide for our families? Or, does God have a greater purpose in mind for us as we spend 40-60 hours plus a week in the workplace? What connection is there between our work and our faith? What does our faith look like while we are working?
We need to realize that because most of us spend 40 hours per week or more at work, some people are spending more quality time with their co-workers than they do with their own spouses and children. Unfortunately, the down side of this is shown by the office romances that take place. We need to be aware of this, and be intentional about spending quality time with those select few we have promised before God to love and cherish. The up side of our busy work schedule, is that we spend a lot of time with people who need Jesus and we have a lot of influence over them. We can be one of the reasons they come to Jesus or turn away from Jesus. The workplace gives us an opportunity to practice what we say we believe. The workplace is a place where we can display a level of integrity that matches our faith.
Today’s passage begins with a question about what faith actually is: “Do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?” In the first chapter of James, the author is concerned about an understanding of faith that is too small. People may want to reduce faith to a series of statements that people profess to believe, but for James, faith is what is operative in a person's life. People act on the basis of what they believe to be true. Proverbs 27:19 tells us “Just as water reflects the face, so the human heart reflects the person.” If people say one thing but do something else, James would say their actual faith is the faith that underlies their actions. Jesus taught that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” People must believe in something if they are to act at all. The question is whether the faith that actually shapes the actions of their lives is faith in Jesus Christ or faith in something else.
James assumes that people might think, "Well, ok, I see your
point. But I do pretty well on the whole, so don't bother me with this. I'll
try to keep most of the Ten Commandments and let the rest go." James
wonders, "So which commandments don't count? Adultery is ok if you don't
commit murder?"
Well
there's a difference you know
You might be thinking, "Where is the good news in a passage like this one?" The passage is unrelenting in the way it goes after the question of what it means to live as a person of God, and it does not let people off the hook. James clearly spoke the good news in the previous chapter, where he spoke about the generous gifts of God (1:17-18). But here James reframes the question. He is asking you and I, "Where is the good news for your neighbor?" James wants the good news to be experienced—by each believer and through each believer to the many others who need a tangible expression of grace.
How do you and I do that? How do we live out our faith? How do our works, in and through our work, show that we have a true faith in Jesus Christ?
Well, first of all, James does not negate the importance of belief. Our works begin with a firm belief. We need to intentionally affirm what we believe, and then our actions, our works, will show our beliefs.
For me, whether as a mechanic, working on the assembly line at IBM, or driving a garbage truck, it helped to think about who it is that I am truly working for. Colossians 3, and elsewhere in the New Testament tells us to work at all times as if we are working for Jesus. We are told to work as if we are working for the Lord! Would that change the way you go at your job? More importantly, would that change the way others look at your faith? This is a starting point.
It is pretty easy to do what the boss wants you to do when they are watching isn’t it? But, when the boss is not looking, when the boss is not standing over our shoulder, do we work with the same enthusiasm and diligence? If I am a lazy untrustworthy employee, what will happen when I try to tell others about Jesus, especially if that person is my boss? If you are in a situation where you are just drawing a paycheck, what kind of example are you to those around you? Believe that God has you there for a reason. Remember who you serve and remember who writes the ultimate check! Do you believe that you are working for the Lord? Do you believe that God has a purpose for you working where you are? If so, then your actions will show it; your works will give witness to your faith.
A more specific example of our works giving witness to our faith is seen in the manner in which we react, and respond, to our surroundings. React is the immediate result, respond is the thoughtful intentional result. How many times have you sat eating lunch with your coworkers when a person starts to complain about something, especially something work related? Within 5 minutes, everyone sitting at the table feels obliged to chime in with their own litany of job gripes. Complaining is contagious – even infectious. It’s hard not to become a carrier. The reality is, everybody has tough days at work. The difference for Christians is that because we follow Jesus, we are to respond differently. We are not to whine and complain.
The sad truth is that a Gallup poll found that there is no difference between churched and un-churched people when it comes to lying, stealing, and loafing. Which means Christians might be acting religious on Sunday, but like everyone else, they’re acting like the world the other six days.
I encourage you to claim your workplace as your MISSION
FIELD! The Christian church has thought and taught that “mission” was about
carrying on religious work with people in foreign lands. This came from a 16th
century elitist mindset. The word mission comes from the Latin meaning an
act of sending. The Biblical understanding of mission, is the act of God
sending people, people like you and I, to live our faith wherever we are.
You and I are all missionaries. Now, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be
doing mission work in foreign lands; WE SHOULD BE, and we are. The truth of
today is that the countries to which we have sent missionaries, are now
sending missionaries to America. We have not paid enough attention to our
own neighbors.
A career threatens to become your god;
A calling comes from
God.
A calling is something chosen for us by God.
A calling lasts a lifetime. You and I have callings. We are to live out our faith through our actions; through our works. Your workplaces, the places in which you work – no matter how many changes take place in your lifetime – your workplace is your mission field. Your co-workers are watching God’s theater, and you are the main character. Your responses to difficult situations show the true attitude of your heart.
As another Labor Day approaches, keep in mind that work matters. It brings about personal fulfillment and gives great benefit to a community. But most importantly, work is to bring glory to God. In the Old Testament, laziness is viewed with condemnation. Proverbs 18:1 says, "He who is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys." In the New Testament, Paul sternly warns to "keep away from any brother who is living in idleness" (2 Thessalonians 3:6-8). The Apostle Paul was a tireless worker and his life brought glory to God. Energy in the workplace which gives service to others, brings personal fulfillment, benefits the community and gives glory to God, is energy well spent. If you have become somewhat disillusioned about work, re-think about how you're approaching it. Maybe you don't need to change your job, you need to change how you view your job, and your career. Whatever your career may be, remember your calling, and take heart in the words of Solomon who after observing many of life's mysteries, concluded in Ecclesiastes 3:22 that "I saw that there is nothing better than a man should enjoy his work."
When you look back of the many mysteries of your life, and after you are finished with this life on earth, will your work be considered as labors lost? Or will others remember your faith, shown through your actions, your works? Will your work be considered a “labor of love”?
There’s a difference you know, between having faith and playing make believe. Faith without works is like a screen door on a submarine.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen, and Amen.
August 30, 2009 “Looking in the Mirror” James 1:19-27
[SORRY - NO AUDIO THIS WEEK]
There seem to be many professional athletes who have a very open faith life, such as Tony Dungy & Kurt Warner, Aaron Kampman and Donald Driver. Most will say Reggie White, the “Minister of Defense,” was the first publicly Christian athlete, the first professional athlete to use his career as a tool for sharing and showing his faith. We all know, there are some who say they are Christians, but we question their faith based on the life they are living. Honestly, it is hard to live your faith is such a way that you don’t get questioned by someone; not only is it hard, but it is almost impossible. The only public figure I know who has had an almost perfectly unquestionable life is Billy Graham. But, he was intentional about it; he worked hard to maintain the image he was preaching. I’ve read that he even went so far as to have someone go into his hotel rooms, each night, when he traveled, before he entered the room, to make sure nobody was even trying to set him up, trying to make him look bad. Every person, no matter how much of a public figure you are, needs to be intentional about living out the faith they proclaim. And, the real question is not how your faith life is seen by others, but how your faith life is seen by God, by the one who is the final judge, our Lord Jesus Christ. How do you and I see ourselves? What is the image we see? Is it an honest image, or a rose-colored image?
When I was in Junior High, I was about 5-foot-7 and weighed almost 200 pounds. Now, if that was all muscle weight…well, it wasn’t, so I won’t even go there. I couldn’t do one sit-up or one chin-up. I could barely complete walking one mile for the school fitness tests. I think the day I saw the scale read about 210 was the day I decided to do something. I tried many things, most with little success at changing my image. Somehow, the summer between my junior and senior year everything worked together. That was the turning point for my weight problem. In college, I was extremely thin – my body fat was about 7%, but I still wasn’t athletic, or muscular. I was just skinny – make that scrawny! That image of who I was in junior high is still clear in my mind. So, I continue to try and watch my weight, at least a little bit. But, I have to admit, I’m intentional about weighing myself only in the morning, when I’m at my lightest weight. That’s the weight I like to use on official documents, or when people want to calculate my BMI. We all do that to a certain extent – some even to a much greater extent! We look at ourselves in a certain light, through a certain lens, and we see what we want to see. Now, I’m not saying that we all need to be ultra-critical about what we see, just honest, seeing both the good and the not-so-good.
For example, did you look at yourself this morning in the mirror? Think about the last time you took a real look in the mirror at yourself. Think about what you remember from that reflection. You can probably think of many things: a wrinkle, a gray hair, less hair, a pimple, new facial hair, bags under your eyes. There is something that each of us remembers about our image in the mirror. You can’t really forget some things, can you? Sometimes you can do something to change that image over time, but you can’t easily forget your own image. Why is that? Because the image is real. What you saw in the mirror was the real you, for better or worse.
The same is true of our inner image. We come to church on Sunday morning, we hear and say many things about our faith, about what we believe. When we walk out of this place, do we remember what we heard and said? Do you and I live out, Monday through Saturday, what we show on Sunday morning? According to the scripture we read today, if your actions don’t mirror your words, which should mirror the true Word of God, then not only are your actions worthless, but all your wonderful words are worthless as well.
You wouldn’t expect an athlete to simply come to practice, read some play books, watch some films, talk about what they had done or were going to do but never actually practice and play an actual game, would you? Here’s a real life example of that: Last week, St. Paul’s, a Division II school in Virginia, was set to play West Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday night. But the equipment they ordered for the team had not yet arrived, forcing the game to be called off. That had to be embarrassing for the coaches and demoralizing for the entire team. Now, before you let that “couch critic” within you say too much, think about how many people find themselves in a similar situation everyday: they say they believe in God, they attend church services fairly regularly, and when an opportunity comes to live out their faith, they realize they aren’t prepared, or don’t have the right “equipment” to actually participate.
You and I can be great arm chair quarterbacks, or comfy couch coaches. That’s fairly easy. I know I wouldn’t want to put on pads and take regular hits from any pro football player, even the smallest in the league! I’m not prepared for that kind of physical action. No NFL coach would ever put me in a game right now…probably never for that matter! But, I could probably play in a local church league game…at least a few plays. You don’t have to be a spiritual superstar to participate in the game of life, playing on God’s team. You do have to learn the plays. You do have to show up for practice. And you do have to be ready put it all into action. You can’t just sit back and watch the game in hi-def. The Christian faith is not entertainment. It’s real. It’s life and death real. You and I are on God’s team, and we are on the field, making plays every day of the week. If not, you’re fooling yourself, deceiving yourself, and you’re gonna get hurt.
It’s right here in verse 22: “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” The Message translates it as, “Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!” And the New International Readers Version says, “Don't just listen to the word. You fool yourselves if you do that. You must do what it says.”
Immediately following this verse is the mirror analogy. Which person are you? After looking at the mirror of God’s perfect law on Sunday morning, do you leave here and forget what you saw? Or, do you leave here, and you persevere – you keep looking at God’s word every day – and you do what it says?
As we begin a five-week journey through the book of James, we begin today by looking in the mirror – the spiritual mirror. What do you see? Be honest with yourself. Take a good hard look. You’ve been given a wonderful gift: your life. You’ve accepted this gift, and it’s up to you what you do with it. God, through this letter from James, wants us to not just say we are Christians. It is not enough to just believe in Jesus Christ. You and I are to show, by what we say and do, that we are Christians, we are followers – disciples – of Jesus Christ. You and I are to be learning from Christ, by spending time with him. You and I are to be sharing with each other what we are learning. You and I are then to be doing what we say we believe. You and I are to live our faith in such a way that others see something that they want.
Before you go out there, playing hard for God, don’t forget the one key word in this passage: listen. Listen to God. Listen to the Holy Spirit speak to your spirit. What does God want you to do? Don’t just do anything. Don’t do what the person next to you in the pew is doing. Ask God to speak to you, to somehow tell you what you need to know to make the big plays and be a vital part of God’s team. But you also need to expect some changes to happen. Mel Gibson starred in a movie called What Women Want. He was a ladies’ man who could suddenly read women’s minds. He knew what women were thinking! Most of us men would at first think this to be GREAT! But, he started hearing what a jerk he was, and about how lonely they really were. When he actually started listening, he changed. When you and I actually start listening to God’s word, we change. When we change, others will notice the changes and ask about them. The changes will provide the opportunities for sharing what Jesus has done in our life.
Here’s what I call the “Four L’s of Life”” Look – look into the mirror, the Word of God, and then look at yourself. Listen – listen to the Holy Spirit. Learn – learn as much as you can about God and your relationship; learn from each other. Live – live what you believe.
August 23, 2009 “God Wants You Strong!” Ephesians 6:10-20
If you were to look at my preaching plan worksheet, you would notice that the focus text printed out for today is Ephesians 6:10-20. Directly underneath, handwritten with blue ink is John 6, followed by a question mark. I wrote that proposed change 7 weeks ago, while preparing to preach from the Ephesians text for Glenn Blum’s funeral. I feared that I couldn’t or shouldn’t preach two sermons on the same text within such a short timeframe. I kept reminding God of this during the past two weeks. But God seemed to keep telling me to complete my preaching series from Ephesians. Early this past week, it was as if God replayed the words of my own sermons back to me. “Do not fear.” Do you remember what I said fear was? False Evidence Appearing Real. These "false evidences" are often what we call assumptions. As I stepped back from my sermon prep, and considered what false assumptions I was allowing to appear as realities, I began to grasp how much this form of FEAR was hindering what God wanted to say through me today.
So, as I came back to the Ephesians text, laying my false evidence and assumptions aside, I saw the irony: I was not suiting myself with the virtues associated with the Whole Armor of God. Notice, I said “suiting myself.” Honestly, when I have read this passage, I have had a vision of some tall, strong person placing this suit of armor onto me, and onto each of us gathered as the community of saints.
This viewpoint was radically changed for me when I looked
closer at the verbs of verses 10 and 11. "Be strong" in verse 10 (Greek:
endunamousthe) and "clothe yourselves" in verse 11 (Greek: endusasthe)
are both middle verbs in Greek, which gives them a reflexive quality:
literally, "strengthen yourselves" and "clothe yourselves." In Paul’s
earlier discussions of God's power in this letter to the Saints, the active
role of the community has not been stated explicitly. This power was put to
work in Christ (1:19-20) and is far above other powers (1:21). Paul prays
that the readers may be strengthened with God's power (3:16) but also
recognizes the "power at work within us" (3:20). Ephesians 6:10-11 extends
this concept to suggest that the community itself acts to take up God's
power, at least partially through its own initiative.
Here
again, I stepped back from my sermon prep and asked God to help me
understand more fully the need for clothing myself with this spiritual armor
in relation to doing reconciliation. I realized that amid the more dramatic
battles with cosmic powers, I have overlooked the fact that the one who is
speaking of being strong is not an American whose life is secured by an
empire or the economy. He is instead “an ambassador in chains” (verse 20). One pastor suggests we consider the similarities and differences between the “Ambassador in chains” who wrote Ephesians and the Ambassador for the US, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“[Hillary Clinton] has announced the new administration’s message of change with a mixture of seriousness, charm, and moral superiority. But try imagining Hillary trading in her trademark pantsuits for an orange jumpsuit and her global jetsetting for house arrest, and what you get is an absurdity. Diplomats can’t project American power if they are prisoners. You can only talk softly when you carry a big stick, not when you are handcuffed.”
But, to wear the whole armor of God is not to be strong in the way that we already know to be strong but to be strong in the way that Jesus is strong.
The
battle lines drawn by Paul in the rest of Ephesians run through our everyday
speech and relationships. The new self, the person who has clothed
themselves with the whole armor of God, is a person who shows their inner
strength by telling the truth, sharing with the needy, and building up
others through their speech. They are living in unity and reconciliation
within our communities. The cosmic battle imagery at the end of Ephesians
cannot be divorced from the everyday earthiness of what precedes it.
The theological message of Ephesians 1-3 is now depicted metaphorically as preparation for a spiritual battle in which believers engage through their actions. We are to clothe ourselves with the new self, found in Christ Jesus.
By fastening, girding ourselves, with the "belt of truth", we prepare ourselves for the work to which we have already been called: we are to "speak the truth in love" to one another (cf. 4:15, 25). This is not the truth we think others want to hear. This is not the truth we want others to hear. This is the truth, according to and in the presence of God Almighty.
The "breastplate of righteousness" relates to the "new self" with which we are to clothe ourselves, as beings "created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (4:24). We are to live in righteousness – or as I explain it, we are to live in right-usefullness for God. The breastplate protects our heart. If our heart’s desire is to serve and praise God, then we are able to be used by God, and are considered righteous in his sight.
The "gospel of peace" (6:15), for which we should ready ourselves by putting on as shoes, has already been explained by Paul. Christ as our cornerstone "is our peace" (2:14, 20) by reconciling different and seemingly opposing groups of people into one body. We are all different. We come from differing viewpoints. But we are to proclaim the gospel of peace which joins and holds us all together.
We are to take up "the shield of faith" (6:16). It is "through faith" that Christ dwells in the believer's heart (3:17). Faith is not a noun. Faith is a verb, an action. The act of taking up the shield of faith shows the protection provided by Christ’s death and resurrection, and provides protection through its ability "to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (6:16). If your faith is not active and alive, you are not protected. It is during those times when you feel like you are being attacked more and more, that you need to use your faith, that you need to pick it up and live it more and more.
The “Helmet of Salvation” (6:17) is God's gift, which comes through the believer's active faith. Salvation is not only forgiveness of past sins, it is strength to overcome, even conquer, present and future sins. Wearing the helmet of salvation gives us confidence. As Paul wrote to the Romans, we have confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God. If God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us. We have salvation, we need to keep our head high and glorify God at all times and in all circumstances.
The “Sword of the Spirit” (6:17) is the word of God. However, contrary to a common misinterpretation, the word of God in this context is not the Bible, which after all didn't exist in its present form in the first century. The word of God in this context, and most of the New Testament, is the word which God gives us to speak. We must be rooted in Scripture, and we must also speak God’s words in our daily living. We are to speak words of comfort, hope and courage. We are to speak words which challenge each other to grow stronger in our faith. We are even to speak words of prophetic judgment for being uninvolved or insensitive. Our sword of the Spirit is the Scriptures made alive when we speak the truth, in love, for the purpose of reconciliation, actively living out our faith in Christ. Before we speak, there is one vitally important piece of armor which we must clothe ourselves with: prayer (6:18).
Prayer is an activity directly connected to clothing
ourselves with God's armor. The battle with cosmic forces is not simply a
battle delayed for a future day of God's judgment, but is a present battle
in which you and I must engage on a regular basis. Prayer is vitally
important. Pray for yourself. Pray for your family. Pray for me and for my
family. Pray for each other, your church family. Pray for the Elders and
Deacons of this church. Pray for believers everywhere, your Lutheran,
Methodist, Catholic – whatever surname they have taken on – pray for your
extended family. Pray for those in leadership roles. Pray for those who are
powerless, oppressed and tyrannized. “Pray in the Spirit at all times.” God wants you and I to be strong, in Christ. This “armor” forms the core of who we are as Christians. But this armor is not to be used to go on the offensive, but rather to defend ourselves from the powers of darkness and evil. They are not weapons with which we beat others over the head, even metaphorically. Instead, they are gifts from God, given to strengthen us so that our lives and words provide a strong defense from any attempt to derail our journey with Jesus. We have a defense against those who would attack us or attempt to mislead us, and we have a defense against our own pride and inability to maintain a God-desired course. We can feel safe and secure in the power of the one who gives us eternal life. In whatever battles we find ourselves, the whole armor of God will strengthen us, bringing us even closer to the life that God so dearly desires for us, living as heirs to the throne, members of the royal priesthood, the family of God, united and strengthened in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
God wants you strong. God wants you and I to have a strong and healthy faith life. God has placed the whole armor of God at your feet, and is instructing you to clothe yourself and strengthen yourself. Step back and look closely at your life – your faith life. What do you see? Do you see the whole armor of God? What does it look like?
What are you doing with God’s armor? Are you polishing it to show it off to your friends and family? Or are you actually using it, wearing daily it in battle, to defend your family and friends?
God wants you strong as you live out your faith. God wants you STRONG!
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen, and Amen.
August 16, 2009 “More Than Living” Ephesians 5:15-20
Living. What is it? How do you and I live? What do we do with the life God has blessed us with? Someone has calculated how a typical lifespan of 70 years is spent. Here is their estimate:
Sleep................23 years...........32.9% Total................70 years............100%
Another calculation has determined that during an average lifetime, the average American spends almost $90,000 on food, at a total consumed weight of almost 110,000 pounds, makes 1800 trips to McDonalds, spends almost $7000 in vending machines, eats 35,000 cookies and 1500 pounds of candy.
We can spend vast quantities of time calculating just how we spend our time. Richard Evans, best-known as the announcer for the weekly Mormon Tabernacle Choir radio broadcast, Music and the Spoken Word, had a wonderful quote: The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it. Don’t wait so long to begin your life. Another way of putting it, is that we need to be intentional about living our lives.
This is the message of today’s text. “Be careful then how you live…” Literally, in the original Greek, it says, “See to it – carefully! – how you walk.” How you walk about before God. How you walk the walk as a Christian believer. This combination of words underlines the need for the believer’s utmost concentration on leading an irreproachable life. This text is one of the signposts of life. Caution: slippery, twisting, rough road ahead. I can hear my dad next to me as I was learning to drive “Slow down, watch where you are going. Get both hands on the wheel.” While teaching us to drive, my dad had a tendency to blurt out his instructions, as if there was some imminent danger in the road that we didn’t see.
As a parent, I’m finding that I’m much like my father. When I’m trying to explain something to my children that I believe is vitally important, I sometimes find myself repeating the same thing over and over, and sometimes I realize I’m getting louder and louder – as if the louder I am, the clearing their understanding will be! Sometimes, I’ve found this happens quicker than others, and I am blurting. I don’t think my dad and I are alone guilty of this. Do you know what I’m talking about? The same thing is happening here. This section takes one seemingly simple concept, and explains it from several different aspects, in an increasingly emphatic tone. As if to say, “Are you listening to me? Don’t miss this! This is important!!!!”
It starts out with the first clarification on how we are to live: we are to be “making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” The word translated as “making the most of” carries with it the concept of redemption, or taking back, renewing. We are to redeem the time given to us, because our human nature tends to waste time, or use it for things that are of no eternal significance. This is reminiscent of Genesis 8:21 – “for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth.” And similar in concept to Romans 3:23 – “for all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God.” The days are evil. There is evil all around us.
Then it digs a bit deeper, but don’t be like the world! “Don’t live as the unwise, but as wise. Don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” You have been taught what Jesus taught, what Jesus expects of you. You have the Word of God at your fingertips. You have been taught how you should act. Keep a close eye on who you are, what you say and do, and how you live. Be different! Show the world a different picture of life. Our living is to show the Gospel message.
Before we go further, I need to remind us that while we are to show a different picture of life, we need to be careful just what that picture is. You can take a picture, and simply crop in, or zoom in, to eliminate the true surroundings. Sometimes that is not good, and sometimes it is. Last Tuesday, I was part of the Installation Service of Pastor Mary, at First American Lutheran. When they took a picture of the clergy who were there, the Bishop wisely (and humorously) noted that the photographer should make sure the “EXIT” sign just above our heads was out of the picture. With today’s computers, you can take a family picture, and digitally “erase” someone, or add someone into the picture who wasn’t even there. You can easily move someone’s head to another picture, and “attach” it to a different body. The same is true of God’s Word.
For example, there is the story about the young man who decided to seek guidance from God by opening the Bible at random and sticking a pin in the page, and trusting that the words where the pin stuck indicated God's will for him. The pin landed in the latter part of Matthew 27:5, describing the actions of Judas Iscariot: "he went and hanged himself." Not satisfied with the result, the man tried again, and this time the pin landed at the end of Luke 10:37: "You go, and do likewise."
We need to read the verses within the context they are written, so that we don’t add more to them, or take anything away from them.
With that in mind, here comes one of the verses that get’s lifted out and used to an extreme by some, without any knowledge of the context in which it is found. Verse 18 – “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery.” This is a true command. The Bible is clear that believers should not get drunk. But it carries with it much more than only focusing on the issue of drinking alcohol.
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery.” Debauchery is defined as “extreme indulgence in sensuality” or the archaic definition is “seduction from virtue or duty.” Other translations use words such as dissipation (wasteful consumption) or lasciviousness (lusting.) The Greek word is “asotia.” It is the same root word that is found in Luke’s Gospel about the “wild living” of the prodigal son. Calvin explains this word as “unbridled, indecent merriment” and says it means that “drunkards throw off quickly every restraint of modesty or shame.” It signified extravagant squandering both of money and of the physical appetites. Simply put, if they are wise, Christians will avoid all such excess. ALL! The new life we have in Christ Jesus, is to be shown through a new and careful way of living. A way of living that is different from the non-believer.
We are to be filled with the Spirit. We are to sing songs and make melody to the Lord in our hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the will of our Lord: that we be filled with the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Spirit, we will continually give thanks to God. This is how we are to live each day. Live each day, carefully watching what you do and say. Live each day as if it were your last. Live the Gospel message. Be wise. Let God be in control of your life.
Listen to this same text, as Eugene Peterson translates it in The Message.
11-16Don't
waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of
darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when
people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one
will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in
the light of Christ. 17Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. 18-20Don't drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ. Don’t waste your time. Watch your step. Don’t cheapen the life God blessed you with. Everything you and I have is a blessing from God. Everything you and have is to be given back to God, with thanks.
Are you just living? Or are you living for God? Living for God, is more than simply living.
Today, we are installing members of our church family to the office of Deacon. The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. This is only one form of, one opportunity for living out the Gospel Message. The Nominating Committee has been prayerfully considering who God might be calling to fill several roles of leadership and service. When they contact you in the months ahead, pause and think carefully about how you are living your life, and about how God might be calling you to more than living. Remember, God doesn’t call the qualified, God qualifies those who are called.
What area of your living have you been guilty of debauchery, wasteful consumption, or lust?
How is God at work in your heart, through the power of the Holy Spirit, as you are a new creation in Christ Jesus, a living and growing part of the Holy Temple of God, the Body of Christ. If you are a believer, the new life you have been given is for more than living.
May all praise and glory be given through our living, to our almighty, eternal and gracious God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
August 9, 2009 “The BIG Idea” Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Today’s lectionary text begins with “so then” which is also commonly translated as “therefore.” Whenever you see a “therefore” you have to first look back and find out what the therefore is there for. Before I read today’s text, I want to make sure we all know what this “therefore” is there for.
This is a letter to the Saints, to the believers. In order to be considered a believer, a person would have gone through some form of teaching and public questioning. We do the same today, in varying forms and formats, before someone becomes a member of our church family. There are some basic beliefs that all of us have agreed upon. So what had the original readers of this text been taught and agreed upon before becoming part of this group of Saints? Beginning with verse 21:
21 For surely you have heard about [Christ] and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
The conclusion of today’s text is the BIG idea: be imitators of God. Part of our call as Christians, is to imitate both God and Christ. The love shown in Christ has been central to the message of Ephesians and is meant to characterize the life of faith. The “new self” of the believer is formed by the imitation of God. God’s love and reconciliation brought about through Jesus Christ should be formative of Christian life.
Today’s portion of the letter to the Saints in Ephesus, the Ephesians, provides and opportunity to address some practical and spiritual concerns in a way the “promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love” (4:16) and the unity God desires through reconciliation.
As I’ve mentioned before, many people have been taught what it means to be a Christian, to be a member of a Christian church, by what they have seen and heard from the world around them. Not enough people have taken the necessary time to study the Word of God to verify those beliefs. We tend to compare ourselves against the rest of the world, rather than against what God expects from us.
As Christians, it’s easy for us to look at the world “out there” and shake our heads about what’s going on. It is good that we see things and notice that there’s a problem. But we should be careful about looking down our noses at others. As Philip Yancey notes in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace?, “All too often the church holds up a mirror reflecting back the society around it, rather than a window revealing a different way.”
We can look around and notice that many negative trends in society are quietly and quickly creeping into our families. When we look inside our church family life we find that we confess our sin on a regular basis, or at least we provide an opportunity for that to happen. I know there were many times in my life when I viewed much of the worship service as a formality that had to be done, rather than an opportunity or even a privilege to engage into conversation with God, as part of an important relationship I need to nurture. Have you ever thought about the confession of sins in that way?
Think of a close relationship that you have with someone. When you do something to hurt them, you need to sit down with them, look them in the eyes, and honestly apologize. If you don’t or can’t do this, you need to honestly question the quality of that “close” relationship. The same is true when we have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Every part of the worship service should be personal and participatory. If you are only sitting there going through the motions on Sunday morning, you need to honestly question the quality of your relationship with God.
Even when you are honestly engaged in conversation with God on a Sunday morning, it’s still relatively easy to sit quietly in a pew and silently confess your sins. But how often do we actually admit and air out our specific sins believer to believer? Now, I’m not advocating that publicly stand up each morning and air our dirty laundry before the entire family of God! I am saying that we do need to admit our sins believer to believer. There is a great strength to the act of confession, and each of us are ministers for each other – we each act in a priestly role to hear each other’s confessions and then to hold each other accountable; to help each other grow in our faith.
Sure, we can each look inside our own souls and ask ourselves, Do we really love God? Do we truly love our neighbors as ourselves? Do we really follow the letter and spirit of the Ten Commandments perfectly? The honest answer is “no.” All humans are fallen humans. All have sinned and fallen – fallen short of the glory of God. You and I are humans, therefore we are all sinners in need of God’s grace, and we are all sinners trying our best to imitate God and Jesus Christ, and to live in love through reconciliation.
How exactly do we do that? Let’s read through the examples given in today’s text.
Speak the truth, put away falsehood. I think we can all agree that we shouldn’t tell lies. But where do you draw the line between telling an outright lie and just telling someone what they want to hear. The world has taught us that sometimes it is better to tell someone what they want to hear, rather than to tell them the truth. God’s word instructs us to speak the truth.
I noticed of the front page of this weeks paper that Abner Eyewink of Abrams appears to be speaking the truth. He commented about his pastor’s sermon putting people to sleep, and noted that his Lutheran and Methodist friends had noticed the same thing happening in their churches. Now, I do wonder if Abner followed the Biblical mandate to first tell the individual, then to have another believer join him, and then, after that he can bring it to the public attention? J Probably not. He is like most of us, living the faith the world has taught us. Honestly, I thought back and wondered if this “Abner” was at worship with us last Sunday? I didn’t think it wasn’t one of my better sermons. If any of my sermons put you to sleep, you need to tell me the truth. In order for my sermons to become better, and for the entire faith life of this congregation to grow, you need to tell me the truth. If you walk out of this service and say, “nice sermon today pastor” but you really didn’t hear a thing that challenged and changed you, you’re not telling the truth.
But don’t forget, while the best thing is to be direct, and honest, we should also be speaking with love, and not self-righteousness or revenge. This is why in verse 29 we read: Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. Speak the truth. Build each other up. Grow together in your faith. This is the transformative effect of God’s love. Grow together into the body of Christ.
To imitate God is to engage in conflict. Conflict contains anger. Therefore, we are told to be angry! Be angry, but do not sin. This is healthy conflict. This seems to quote Psalm 4:4. “When you are angry, do not sin.” Even with the transformative effects of the love of God, the writer of Ephesians recognizes that sin does not disappear. The persistence of sin is not an indictment of the transformation itself but a reflection of human frailty. Many of the New Testament writings deal at length with the persistence of sin within the body of Christ. The language of 4:28, “Thieves must give up stealing” is a reminder that even thieves are to be found within the body. Before you go pointing out the thieves next to you, remember that along with thieves are people doing every other act that is clearly identified as sin by both the Old and New Testaments. We are all sinners, and we all need forgiveness, and we all need to offer forgiveness.
The sin focused on in this text is the sin of anger. Anger is a normal part of the human emotional experience, yet it can be an occasion for temptation, “making room for the devil.” Things will happen that make you angry. You need to admit that, and let the person who offended you know. Verse 31 gives us different varieties of anger and its results: bitterness, wrath, slander, malice.
The world has taught us to swallow our anger, or just ignore our anger; suppress it and control it. Some even take the second half of Psalm 4:4 as biblical proof: “ponder it on your beds, and be silent.” The words “ponder” and “be silent” are meant to keep the psalmist from taking action against his enemies. It is saying, “Don’t get revenge on your own, take it to God in prayer, and leave it there.” The reality is that when our anger does not have a proper outlet, it goes underground where it festers and creates more serious problems. Often, resulting in speaking the truth, the festered infected and diseased truth, out of revenge.
This process of growing into the Body of Christ, this process of reconciliation, this process of admitting or confronting sin in each other’s lives, involves what we call conflict. The world tells us to avoid conflict. The Bible teaches us over and over again to engage in conflict, healthy conflict, for the purpose of growing together, in Christ.
The world has taught much about conflict management. Honestly, conflict management is nothing more than learning how to sweep disagreements under the rug; to ignore our differences. There has been a move towards conflict resolution. This gets us to agree on our differences and even to admit our own part in the conflict. All it is, is conflict management at a deeper level. It just adds another layer of carpet over the rug. The conflict still remains, and sooner or later, the stench will permeate every layer of carpet that is laid down.
We will get angry, but we shouldn’t let the anger sit and fester. The Bible instructs us to “not let the sun go down on our anger.” The corrective to this is speaking truth to our neighbor. Engage in conflict, but be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
What the Bibles teaches, is conflict transformation. We are to engage in conflict, healthy conflict, for the purpose of growing together, in Christ. Few people in the world are willing to engage in conflict transformation though. This involves a fundamental change in our being. This brings about unity, but at a cost. There is a sacrifice offered when we engage in conflict transformation. Thisa sacrifice, a fragrant offering to God.
By speaking the truth, admitting there is sin in our lives, and offering every opportunity to forgive each other, as God in Christ has forgiven you, we are transformed. When we are truly willing to be transformed, from the inside out, we become imitators of God and Christ. This is our calling as children of God, living and growing together in unity.
What sin is God calling you to admit to another believer, receiving God’s forgiveness as you honestly repent and desire to change?
What sin has someone else offended you with, and how can you address it quickly and in love?
August 2, 2009 - Outdoor Worship at City Park “A Life Worthy of the Calling” Ephesians 4:1-6
July 26, 2009 “At Work Within Us” Ephesians 3:14-20
July 19, 2009 “The Crumbling Cornerstone” Ephesians 2:11-22
July 12, 2009 “Identity Theft” Ephesians 1:3-14
I’ve titled today’s sermon from the first chapter of Ephesians “Identity theft.” Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. Simply put, identity theft is the process of using someone else’s personal information for your own personal gain.
Identity theft is on the rise, affecting almost 10 million victims in 2008 (a 22% increase from 2007). Low-tech methods for stealing personal information are still the most popular for identity thieves. Stolen wallets and physical documents accounted for 43% of all identity theft, while online methods accounted for only 11%.
Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and thousands of hours repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.
How can you find out if your identity was stolen? The best way to find out is to monitor your accounts and bank statements each month, and check your credit report on a regular basis.
There is also another form of identity theft, one that we are all guilty of: Spiritual Identity Theft. You commit the spiritual crime of identity theft when you live as though you were not a new creation; when you act like someone other than who you are in Christ; when those closest to you don’t know you believe in Jesus Christ. This happens to us all at different points in our life. We walk away from a conversation or a situation, and a voice inside us says, “why did you say that?” or “why didn’t you share how God has been at work in your life?” or “I hope nobody from Church heard or saw that.”
Spiritual Identity Theft is nothing new. The first people ever convicted were Adam and Eve. Even Jesus Christ said that many would come pretending to be him. And the Apostle Paul wrote much in his letters about who we are “In Christ” and about what the true identity of Church should be. The letter to the saints in Ephesus teaches us about the true identity of the Church.
If someone were to ask you to describe what the true identity of the Church is, what would you say? Would you be able to give a list of characteristics or qualities? If so, are you sure those qualities are biblical, or might they be qualities that you and I have been taught by the world around us?
Many people commented that Michael Jackson’s memorial service was a Christian service. I’ll admit that I didn’t watch the memorial service, but from the clips I’ve seen and the reports I’ve read, there were several Christian elements to his memorial service, and even a few very bold evangelical statements by popular entertainers. But I don’t and won’t believe that is how God intended the world to view Christianity. The identity of the Christian Church has been stolen and is being used for someone else’s gain – not Jesus Christ.
The world has a poor understanding about Christianity. For example, Claudia Hernandez, a 29 year old day-care teaching assistant in Los Angeles said, "I know right now he's teaching the angels to dance." Michal Jackson was a great dancer, but I don’t think he is teaching the angels to dance. His gift of dance was a gift from God, not vice versa.
President Barack Obama told CBS, “There are certain people in our popular culture that just capture people's imaginations. And in death, they become even larger. Now, I have to admit that it's also fed by a 24/7 media that is insatiable." The media is teaching the world about Christianity. The media is teaching our children about Christ. The media has taught us about the Church. It’s time for Christians to once again verify their beliefs against the Word of God. We, the Children of God, need to know exactly who we are as heirs to Christ, and part of God’s royal family.
It's important to know who you are in Christ because just like any other royal family, our identity comes with benefits. Things happen when we speak. The atmosphere of a room changes when we enter and we walk in divine favor. Do you believe this? I know it does for me. People act differently when I’m around. Some even admit it to me, kind of like as a confession of their sins. Whenever someone makes a comment like, “I can’t repeat that because the Pastor is standing here” I simply respond with, “It really doesn’t matter what I hear or see, God is always listening and watching. That is much more important.” Some people do act differently when I walk into a room. The same exact thing should happen whenever any one of you walks into a room. People should know you are a Child of God and treat you differently. Honestly, we should all be treating each other with more respect than we do.
Unfortunately, we are guilty of Spiritual Identity Theft. You and I live under our old identity. We don’t use the new identity given to us by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in the gift of Jesus Christ. When we steal our old identity back, we voluntarily step into a spiritual jail cell. The door is unlocked and wide open. All we have to do is walk out of that cell and live out our new God-given identity.
This first chapter of Ephesians gives us a framework for that identity. Verses 3-14 are actually one long sentence in the original Greek text. They are often referred to as a “doxology” because they recite what God has done; they tell of the blessings we have through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Starting in verse 3: Our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” The phrase “in Christ” is used occurs about a dozen times in Ephesians, referring to the spiritual union we have with Christ. We call this the Body of Christ, or the Church. Christ is the center of God’s plan, and the head of the Church. It is only in relationship to Christ that there is a meaningful future destiny. Paul uses the term “heavenly places” five times in Ephesians. We are to keep our focus on our eternal destiny.
In verse 4 we read the first of 4 references in this passage alone, to the fact that God first chose us. God chose us before the foundation of the world. Again in verse 5, God “destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ.”
In verse 7 we read that in Jesus Christ, “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” The Ephesians were familiar with the practice of redemption: slaves were freed by the payment of a ransom. As believers, we are free from slavery to death because of our sins.
In verse 9, God “has made known to us the mystery of his will.” We have no excuse. We have the Word of God. We are not to let the media or the culture around us tell us how we should be living. We need to question our own beliefs and actions by placing them against what we read in Scripture.
What is God’s will? What is our holy purpose? Verse 12: So that we “might live for the praise of his glory.”
And the final verses of this one long sentence: “In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.”
You and I have been marked with a seal. This seal shows whose we are. We are God’s children. Are we going to continue to hide that seal, to not claim the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through us? Are we going to continue to sit in our spiritual jail cell, continuing to commit spiritual identity theft? Or, are we going to accept the fact that bail has been posted, you and I are free to walk out into the world as new people, new creations, and live for praise of God’s glory?
The choice is yours. I’ll close with the words from Joshua 24:15 “Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen, and Amen.
July 5, 2009 “Weak or Strong” 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
This is the time of the year that we celebrate our independence. We celebrate our nation’s freedom from the British Empire. We celebrate the strength of our nation. This “strength” can be defined in a multitude of ways, and can even be argued as actually being a weakness in some ways. I believe that our strength is found in our rights, those things that every person is entitled to. We often remember or hear the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Our founding fathers noted that our “rights” come from our Creator. All questions and discussions about Deism within this founding group aside, one of the founders, John Adams, wrote to his wife Abigail about the Declaration of Independence. He said, “I am apt to believe that it [the day of our independence] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
By solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. This weekend we celebrate the many freedoms we have in this wonderful nation in a variety of ways, often including some act of devotion to God. Most Americans wouldn’t miss this annual opportunity to celebrate their freedom. But, I would like us to consider something more. I would like us to consider the ways in which we, both as a nation and individually, have in our current perceived strength actually become weak? In what ways have we put so much emphasis on our human achievements, that we forget about the achievements of God, specifically in Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit?
Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin are death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
How much more should we celebrate our freedom from having to work for and earn our eternal salvation? Each day is a day in which we should celebrate with thanks the gift of our heavenly citizenship.
We are all sojourners on God’s earth, no matter what earthly nation we are citizens of. A sojourner is one who lives or stays in a place for a time. The Bible understands this to be the most fundamental characteristic of what it means to be human: we are all here just for a time. We are all of us on our way to yet somewhere else. We are all sojourners. This is even more important as we pause to reflect on our nation’s origins, history, and contributions to God’s ever-growing neighborhood.
The book of Exodus tells us to “love the sojourner, therefore; for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” Jesus calls us to be perfect, which in Greek means something like “whole,” “undivided,” or “complete.” In one sense, the perfection Jesus calls for is a call to treat other people in the same way God treats people – all people – in the divine realm. Jesus calls us to live in a new world of God’s eternal reign, and Jesus in all that he says and does proclaims this new world to be already operative.
As history would have it, Israel, the nation of Abraham and Sarah, became the quintessential sojourning community, now distributed throughout all the earth. And by adoption, we gentiles were added to that nation through the mystery of the cross and resurrection, a mystery that means to remind us that we too are sojourners called to care for others as God so graciously and generously cares for us.
It takes little reflection on the main stories of our faith to find the stirrings that brought and continues to bring sojourners to this great land we call America. A land founded, in part, by religious and entrepreneurial refugees from an old world seeking a new world. A land that, as it found its identity, became a beacon of freedom and liberty for people the world over.
But the liberation of our forefathers came at a price for those already living in the neighborhood, and for those we brought by brute force to work the land that gleams from sea to shining sea. The land has itself been brutalized and gleams a little less each year we are here. It does not appear that we have been completely faithful to live out of whatever it might mean to become perfect as God is perfect.
We celebrate our independence. We celebrate our rights for life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. This is a phrase that seems to be from the English philosopher and enlightenment thinker John Locke. Many of us have become so “enlightened” that we even celebrate our own personal independence. To many people believe they are entitled to much more than they actually are. Sometimes our government is accused of believing they are entitled to more than they should be.
Without dismissing or underrating the importance of our freedom and independence as a nation, we need to consider just how independent are we? We are actually quite dependant, or interdependent actually.
We are all utterly interdependent beings from birth to death. We could not survive without microbes that help build our soil and the plants and trees that create oxygen and offer us food; we would never become mature adults without teachers and mentors; our cities would be full of disease if we didn’t have people who collect our garbage.
Today’s text brings this interdependence and dependence upon God into focus. The Apostle Paul in this second letter to the Corinthians is responding to some questions that are being raised about his authority, and about the message he has given to them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are some new preachers, which we find in the surrounding texts are called “Super Apostles.” These Super Apostles have been boasting about their amazing gifts, and trying to diminish the authority of Paul.
Paul didn’t want to boast about himself, but he is now forced to. Another way of putting it is that he has been forced to use the tactics of his critics: boasting. So, he uses the techniques of the time, used by those Super Apostles, to defend the Gospel message. The way Paul speaks is shaped by the prevailing styles, terms, and metaphors of his era. He is talking their game!
For example, the idea of "the third heaven" is a strange concept to us today that raises all sorts of questions. This verse is a good example of how 2,000 years and a different culture can come between the text and our understanding of it. If we were a part of Jewish culture 2,000 years ago this sentence would have made more sense than it does to us today. When they conceived of the universe, they constructed a multi-layered world, sort of like a large onion composed of various layers with the physical world in which human beings lived at the center.
His point was not to tell us how many levels of heaven there might really be. His point was to tell us that he had powerfully encountered the presence of God. He had physically seen the risen Christ. His point is that it happened and it made a pivotal difference in Paul’s life.
The mystery religions of his time often cultivated transcendent experiences. So Paul uses a similar wording, "whether in the body or out of the body" (2 Corinthians 12:3). Their ecstatic visions were to be kept secret: "things not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat" (2 Corinthians 12:4). For Paul, speaking in the voice of the third person ("I know a person in Christ who..." 2 Corinthians 12:3) could be an ironic imitation of how people told such stories to heighten the mystery of watching themselves having the experience.
Paul cautions and even instructs us to not think too highly of ourselves, no matter how great we may be. It is good to focus on our weaknesses once and while to remind us who really is in control of our lives, and to remind us of whose we are.
In the verse following the text for today, we find Paul saying, "I am nothing." This is a witness to his profound confidence which is grounded in Christ outside of himself. In the same way, you and I are nothing. We are weak, but He is strong! No matter what we celebrate, the ultimate celebration, the primary focus, should always grow out of our human weaknesses and point to the power of Christ at work in us.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, AMEN, and AMEN.
Pastor Craig has been on vacation and is very thankful for the wonderful guests who have filled the pulpit for the past two Sundays.
June 28, 2009 "The Grace of Giving" Warren Kraft, CLP
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Rumors – The Ethiopian Eunuch
People cautioned me prior to going to seminary to be on guard against becoming spiritually disconnected from God. As contradictory as this may seem – getting further away from God while learning about God – the intense Biblical scrutiny of Seminary training has the potential to pull the plug on a person’s faith, if they are not careful. The intensity of it has the potential to break family bonds; it even has the potential to sever a couple’s holy marriage covenant. So, I did my best to pay close attention to these contact points – my relationship with God and my relationships with my wife and son.
During my first year in Seminary my faith life gained great power. I was enjoying this time of “broadband, high speed faith downloads.” My relationship with my wife and son was better than ever. I couldn’t understand how someone could walk out of Seminary saying, “My faith is at its all time low.” The second and third years of Seminary brought some harder coursework, and heavier reading. This all took more time. I didn’t put as much time and effort into my relationships. They all began to get squeezed off to the sidelines. The connections became corroded and worn.
In my first call, there were times that I felt my unofficial title was “Associate Pastor of ODA - Other Duties Assigned or Assumed.” I could have tried to do everything for everyone. As your pastor, there are more possible things for me to be busy with than the hours of a week will allow. I could easily get connected with many people, and become disconnected from God. I could become over-connected with being a pastor, and become disconnected as a husband and father. You all know what I mean. The possible demands in my life are really not much different from any of yours. It doesn’t take much to wake up one day and realize how disconnected you have become from what should be the most important connections for you. I am thankful that God blessed me with a wife who is understanding, but lets me know when I’m not paying enough attention to the most important connections in life: with God, and with my family. Being that it’s mother’s day, I’ll also public acknowledge that I’m very thankful that she works hard to be the best mother she can be. Kris and I are blessed with good family connections – not perfect, but good – but it takes work.
There have been many times which I have felt to be at the end of my “hope rope.” We all find ourselves there at one point or another in life. It feels as if life is crashing down on us. Trouble is tripping us up at every turn. We go to the scriptures for strength and encouragement, but we remain confused, bouncing down a wilderness road, all alone. You and I are to be reaching out and getting better connected. That sounds easy, but if you are like me, you need some help, some examples of what this looks like in real life. This is why the book of Acts, sometimes called the Acts of the Apostles, is one of my favorite books of the Bible.
Acts is a book carefully structured by Luke to do many things, not the least of which is to tell the story of God’s mission for humanity to expand the kingdom of God. In this “part 2” of Luke’s gospel, Luke paints a broad canvas of the Spirit's work in growing the church from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We find the story's outline in Acts 1, verse 8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." That's the whole story of the Book of Acts. It’s a story of God’s mission of grace – God's wildly inclusive grace. The church is moved out to the ends of the earth and is to be reaching out still today; reaching out and getting connected.
(A) 26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went.
Oh, to have the focused passion of Philip; the connection with the voice of God; the willingness to be obedient. When the Spirit says to Philip, “Go south on the road to Gaza, the wilderness road” he obeys at once. He doesn’t hesitate at all. I’d probably stop and think about it. Hmmm….Let me weigh out the options. How will it impact my life, my future, my family? What is this going to cost me? Can I afford it? Hmmmm…let me pray about this for a while. No, not so with Philip! The text reads, “So he got up and went.”
Philip didn’t stop to question the distance he would have to go, the thriving ministry he would be leaving behind in Samaria, or even the fact that this was the “wilderness” he was going to. All of these afflictions somehow made it even more appealing to Philip. I can see him now, jumping up and starting this fifty-plus mile jog toward Gaza. He probably would have worn a t-shirt that said, “No Pain, No Gain.” Philip is up to the task. Here we are, on the sidelines of the race, cheering him on. Telling others, “I’m glad that’s not me.” But deep inside, we wish it were us.
Somewhere along the way down to Gaza, Philip catches up with an Ethiopian Eunuch, riding inside a large chariot that has a driver sitting up on top. They are going back home from Jerusalem to Ethiopia, south of Egypt and the modern Sudan. Many people get sidetracked into undiscernibly vague meaning of the title “eunuch” and miss the amazing fact that Philip caught up with this chariot! Philip, on foot, caught up with this horse drawn chariot. That is beyond my comprehension. Can you imagine the long distance Olympic records he could have set? For those of you training for one of the runs this summer, here is a role-model for you. If you are running for the glory of God, anything is possible! This is not your normal meeting of two people. This is truly a divine connection.
The Ethiopian was looking for a connection to the story in front of him. Can I get connected with the God of this story? The Ethiopian was reading a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. This guy has connections. If this story were taking place today, the Ethiopian would be reading the words of Isaiah on a pre-production prototype of a 4G handheld device. A device that would make the i-phone, the poken, and every portable computing device obsolete. But, we find that even the best the world has to offer, even the latest technology by itself doesn’t make us any more connected. What if this story were happening today? What would it be like?
Imagine yourself jogging along a country road. If you are like me, this will take a big imagination. Imagine that while you are jogging, suddenly you are catching up with a big black limo. The back window is down just enough for you to see a well dressed person with a confused and agitated look on their face, looking at the screen of this new 4G device, and reading some online version of scripture out load. What’s the first thing you’re gonna say? “Hey, do you understand what you are reading?” (pause) Ri-i-i-i-i-ight!!!! OH, and of course the person inside will respond, “How can I unless someone guides me? Get in, please. Would you like a bottled water; a Gatorade maybe?” Come on! This is an amazing encounter; one that only God could choreograph.
I talk with people every week who admit that just like me, they turn to the scriptures for strength and encouragement, but they remain confused, bouncing down this wilderness road, all alone, praying for just such an amazing encounter as this. We do need to read the Bible on our own, but there are times when we need some extra guidance to understand the Word of God.
32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth." 34 The eunuch asked Philip, "About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"
“About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” This is the central point of this passage; the decisive, climatic point; the game-winning play. Philip offers the Ethiopian guidance to understand the passage. Philip takes the opportunity to connect the Old Testament words of the Prophet with Christ, as it describes the silent suffering of the Servant of the Lord; he is compared to a voiceless animal about to be sheared or slaughtered; for he was unjustly condemned and executed. Luke understands these words of Isaiah to refer to the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
The Ethiopian sees some water and wants to be baptized! He tells the driver to stop, they get out and Philip baptizes him. Philip obviously wasn’t a Presbyterian, or at least didn’t follow Presbyterian Polity, but we Presbyterians can be reminded that we don’t have the sole rights to a relationship with the Triune God. Philip and the Ethiopian were connected, and now the Ethiopian and the Triune God are connected. God works in mysterious ways. As quickly and powerfully as Philip was told to go south, he is swept away from the Ethiopian, back up north on his way to Caesarea, where, later in the book of Acts, we find him with four daughters. Philip and the Ethiopian don’t swap e-mails or phone numbers to keep in touch, to stay connected. They both go on their way, one rejoicing over the good news he had just received and one proclaiming the good news to even more.
This past Friday, I took my daughter with me to test out my Father-in-law’s little fishing boat. For those of you who know her lively spirit, you know how intently Kris was praying back at home. We put in at the city docks and puttered out to the bay and back. At one point, she snuggled up next to me, and said, “I love you daddy.” I couldn’t have planned a better connection! Along the way, she kept calling out to people fishing along the banks. “Hey mister.” No response. “Hey there man, what are you doing?” A voice inside of me said that I should tell her not to bother them. But a louder voice told me to let her reach out, and to teach me how to become like a child, and call out to everyone I see. For that is how we get connected. And the way in which we get connected in good times, will help us to reach out and get connected in times of uncertainty. We can all learn something about the kingdom of God from a three-year-old.
A pastor in a growing suburban community told of an encounter with a mother who was waiting inside the church to pick up her child one afternoon, and was working on her laptop. She looked up at the pastor who was walking by and asked, “Can I get connected here?” Can I get connected here? She was only thinking about getting connected to the internet. As the body of Christ, we can offer a much better connection.
We all find ourselves at the end of our “hope rope” at times. Phillip and the Ethiopian had both experienced points in their life which were filled with suffering and uncertainty, but the power of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, God’s only son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, renewed them and transformed them. They had gotten connected. You and I can get connected.
Can you hear Him now? How about now? Where is God calling you? Who has God been trying to connect you with? Who is running alongside your chariot? Invite them in. Or, who’s chariot are you running alongside of? Open the door; get in; sit down. Get connected. God’s Word is alive and speaking to each of us today. If only we are willing to be obedient and get connected. As Christians, we will always have the world’s largest and most reliable network.
In the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit, Amen. And Amen.
May 3, 2009
“Acts of Kindness” Acts 4:5-12
“The next day…” Before we go any further, we need to remember what had just happened?
First, remember that the book of Acts is the second part of Luke’s Gospel. We are told in Acts 1:1 that the Gospel of Luke is about what “Jesus began to do and to teach.” Second, in Luke 24:53 we were told that “they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
In chapter 2 we read about the day of Pentecost, so the Holy Spirit has already come upon them. And I’ll point out that Peter was the one who explained to the crowd surrounding them, probably at the temple, what had happened on that day. What happened? In 2:41 we are told that “about 3,000 were added to their number that day” and in 2:47 “the Lord added to their number daily those were being saved.” Peter was seeing God at work through him like never before! With every moment of every day, Peter was gaining firsthand experience of what Jesus can do through us when we are willing to let him.
Then in chapter 3, Peter and John, once again go to the temple. Peter sees a crippled beggar, and stops to offer him healing through Jesus Christ. Looking ahead, we are told in 4:22 that this man was over 40 years old – this was obviously not a set up; this was to be a verified miracle of physical healing. The man is healed. He jumps up and follows them around in the Temple area, making a big scene. I would too if I had just been healed like that! This creates quite a stir, and draws a huge crowd – a huge crowd away from the Temple prayers that were taking place!
Now, imagine for a moment, some very well known non-Christian religious leader is speaking to a large crowd and someone off to the side, way in back, starts jumping up and down shouting excitedly about how they had just been healed by Jesus Christ. Security would probably come and haul them away, right? Not only the person who was jumping around, but the person they were clinging to, who had apparently caused their healing. The same thing happened to Peter and John. 4:1 and following – “The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees…were greatly disturbed…[and] they seized Peter and John…and put them in jail [overnight].”
Peter and John have had a night in jail to think over their defense. They could have allowed a spirit of fear to control them – the last time this had happened, the man who had been jailed was crucified! Remember what FEAR is? “False Evidence, Appearing Real.” They focused on the real evidence of Jesus resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon them. They chose to focus on the promises given to them by the scriptures, and by Jesus Christ before and after his crucifixion.
Now, let’s read what happens! (Acts 4:5-12)
The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.” There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’
That’s an impressive speech! How would you respond if you were questioned about your faith? You just did something to help someone out – not something simple and private. You just did something that caused others around to ask you why you did it? What would have caused you to do something so seemingly un-natural, or counter cultural? You are standing before a group of people – and most of them know you fairly well – and you have to respond. What would you say? Would you be able to speak like Peter did, and give a solid defense of your faith in Jesus Christ?
Oh, your thinking, “but Peter had the whole night in jail with John to come up with a response.” Well, this was only weeks after Jesus death. Peter had only been a follower of Jesus for a few years. You and I have had more than a few years in which we claim to have been following Christ. I can only speak for myself, but I know I have had more than one missed opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ. I have had times like this when I chose the spirit of fear and remained silent. Peter had a few of those times before this as well. You and I are to be prepared to give an account for the faith we believe. Those are Peter’s words of advice about how to deal with persecution – 1 Peter 3:15.
How would you respond if you were questioned about your faith? Would you, could you give such a powerful response as Peter? Oh, now your thinking, “but Peter was one of the disciples. I’m no preacher! I don’t have any theological degree like you Pastor! I’m just a common hard-working person.” So was Peter. If we look ahead in verse 13, we find that Peter is described as “unschooled” and “ordinary.”
The word often translated as “unschooled” literally means “unlettered” (Greek: agrammatoi) which can mean unschooled but seems closer to “illiterate.” And the word often translated as “ordinary” is the Greek idiotes which meant amateurs / non-experts. You can hear from the greek how it has been morphed over the centuries into the insulting word “idiot” in our modern English. Here you have it, “Christian Faith for Idiots.” The religious authorities were calling Peter and John to be first-class hicks; people who were as ignorant as the day is long and about as able to deliver a stirring public speech as your weird uncle whose vocabulary typically runs the gamut from “Huh” to “Shucks.”
How can this be? Could this actually happen to you? You betcha it could! Notice verse 8: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…” It wasn’t Peter speaking, it was the Holy Spirit. God can and will use you, and give you the words you need, if you are willing to be used.
Again, looking outside of the text prescribed to us by the common lectionary, we find that the religious leaders were “astonished.” But then they note one other little item: they acknowledge the fact that “these men had been with Jesus.” They were disciples of Jesus. You and are disciples of Jesus too, are we not?
In a few moments, you will be making a vow, during the baptism of Alissa Jean, that you will help raise her in the Christian faith, and you will help to teach her about Jesus Christ. In order to teach something, to effectively teach something, you must believe it and practice it – live it out. If you and I are going to expect our children to believe in Jesus Christ, we need to live it out. If you and I expect our children to read the Word of God, you and I need to spend time in the Word. We need to spend time with Jesus.
Let me read to you what another Reformed pastor posted on the web about this text:
Peter and John startled and discomfited the religious authorities in the Sanhedrin on account of their boldness and on account of their uncompromising view that Jesus is The One and Only through whom a person can be saved. Such a view of salvation has often been called narrow, parochial, provincial, intolerant. And yet all through the history of the church it is just such a bold pronouncement that often underlies revival.
In the April 12, 2009, edition of the New York Times Magazine, something of this same dynamic could be sensed in the large cover article about how dynamic pastors from Africa are shaking up the religious scene in the United States. Once upon a time, American and European missionaries went to places like Nigeria to proclaim that Jesus is Lord and that salvation can be found nowhere else. As one African pastor said in the article, the gospel seed that was sown, took root, germinated, and bore so much fruit that now the Africans are coming to America to preach that same message. Yet upon coming here, they discover that pluralism and tolerance have watered down the church’s message. As the article put it, “With an adoptive boldness that seems quintessentially American, Redeemed [i.e., African] preachers talk of restoring a bygone God-fearing era. ‘Right now there is moral decadence. Things are not the way they used to be. All kind of things: pollution and watering down the Gospel—the gospel of convenience, the gospel of tolerance. You want to please people rather than pleasing God. This is one of the purposes why we are here, to bring sanity to the church.’”
One suspects the Apostle Peter could not have said it better!
Remember, as Reformed Christians, Presbyterian Christians, we believe in the priesthood of every believer. We believe that every member is a minister. The Holy Spirit has been given to each of us alike. You have called me for the specific purpose of the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. God has called each of you to spend time with Jesus – reading God’s Word and praying. God has called each of you to regularly do acts of kindness, good deeds to others. God has called each of you to be prepared to give an answer, a reason for why you choose to have hope in Jesus Christ, and don’t choose the spirit of fear. God is calling each of you to live out your faith. One of the ways in which you do this is by doing good deeds, acts of kindness. What good deed, what act of kindness is God calling you to do?
If you are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone, let it be known to all, salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone. There is salvation in no one else.
Know that you are acting under the authority of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of the Father.
Amen, and Amen.
Resurrection Sunday - "HE IS RISEN!"
April 12, 2009
“Back to the Beginning” Acts 10:34-43; Mark 16:1-8
In our first reading, we have a very concise account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter hits all of the key points of Jesus’ purpose and the command that Jesus gave to us all: “to testify about him.” What are we to testify? “That everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” That is the Easter message.
Peter’s speech to the Roman centurion, along with all his relatives and close friends, sounds like a creed that would have been said during the earliest post-resurrection gatherings of what would become the Christian Church. It is concise and complete and sounds familiar to us.
The Gospel text I am about to read, while sounding familiar and being concise, is anything but complete. Please stand as I read Mark’s account of that first resurrection morning.
Mark 16:1-8
1When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
I believe that most of you here today know the resurrection story's
basic outline. The Word of God never changes. But the context in which we hear
and live the story changes. This Easter, some may hear the story in a new way.
Some of you have seen your retirement accounts all but disappear; others have
experienced the loss of a dream; some of you have experienced the reality of our
mortality in the physical death of someone very near and dear to you. Some of
you will welcome the good news as a timely reminder of assurance; others will
have intellectual doubts. The combination of our different contexts creates a
hotbed of emotions; it
creates
discomfort and uncertainty, directly anchored to the Good News of Jesus Christ,
much
like our Gospel text. Mark’s resurrection story offers the briefest and most unsettling of the resurrection accounts, inviting us to struggle with the mystery, fear and astonishment that seemed to overwhelm the first disciples. Most Biblical scholars agree that verse 8 is the original ending. But it is not the ending we expect. We are left hanging. Mark leaves us hanging with no appearance of a risen Jesus to put a nice, happy ending to a story of suffering and death. We’d much prefer an ending that has all the loose ends tied up, answers all our questions, and leaves a happy feeling in our hearts as we go eat meals with family and friends and hunt for Easter eggs. This ending is not like the last episode of TV’s famous "Friends,” but is more in line with the controversial final episode of "The Sopranos," where everything was left unresolved.
Easter is supposed to have postresurrection appearances, joyful seaside meals, scenes of reconciliation and forgiveness, garden embraces of the risen Lord, and the disciples’ excited shout, "He is risen!" But Mark offers us none of these, choosing instead to end his story with frightened women fleeing from a cemetery in silence.
If Mark’s ending leaves things unresolved, and creates discomfort and uncertainty, it is partly due to our knowledge of how the Easter story is told in the other Gospels. But, we need to be reminded that none of the Gospels provides a clear-cut, fully convincing account of the resurrection. Matthew says the disciples worshiped Jesus but some doubted; Luke says that in their joy they were disbelieving; and John says one of the Twelve refused to believe until he touched and felt.
Our faith is not found in the resurrection story. No, it is not! Neither the miracle of the resurrection nor the incomprehensible discovery of the empty tomb produces faith. Faith is created only when a person encounters the living Christ. Only those to whom the resurrected Jesus has appeared alive can understand the report of the empty tomb. In the New Testament, faith is response to divine revelation, and Mark provides that from the mouth of the young man in the tomb. Mark’s brief Easter account is full of Good News. To disciples who had abandoned him, and especially to Peter who denied him, Jesus’ word was, "I will meet you in Galilee. There we began together; there we will begin anew.” Our faith is found in response to Jesus revealing himself to you and I through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is to be more than a Sunday morning faith, more than a comfortable faith that fits into our busy schedules. True Christian faith is an uncertain and at times wild encounter with the living Christ. It will at times leave us frightened and wanting to flee.
As you and I come to this last verse and contemplate what seems to be an unfinished ending, worried that the story of Jesus ends in mute fear and uncertainty, you and I should feel compelled to go back to the beginning and reread the whole Gospel, looking for clues to what the real ending might be. We are to go back to Galilee and read again, fully expecting to meet Jesus, the risen but still hidden Christ, his saving hand extended to all human aching, longing and need. Jesus is waiting to find us and be found. He has risen, but not disappeared. He has risen from the dead to bring life to those who seek him.
You and I are to go back to the beginning, back to where Jesus first called us. Or, we are at least to go back to the beginning of Mark’s Gospel, and reread it with the terror and amazement of that first resurrection morning. What do we see when we read the Gospel of Mark again, with postresurrection eyes? We see Jesus healing and teaching and casting out demons, but always being misunderstood, even by those closest to him. Mark is telling us that the saving action of God in the world is always hidden, ambiguous, sealed off from the obvious explanation. Reading Mark with the seemingly unfinished ending in mind, we find Jesus breaking through into human life as one who is powerful, but also as one who will suffer and die. We see a God whose power is a strange, suffering power. We go back to Galilee, and the second time around every story in the Gospel of Mark is a post resurrection appearance. What we see is a God who surprises us at every turn in the road, a God whose power is expressed finally in weakness. We find the foreshadowing of an unfinished ending: Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
What is your reaction to the empty tomb? Are you like the women who came that first resurrection morning? The Greek word in verse 5 translated as “alarmed” is a strong verb used only by Mark in the New Testament, meaning “They were dumbfounded!” If you are like most people, you want to have answers; you want to know how things fit together; you want your life to make sense. That’s not the way God created us. We are to be dumbfounded by the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Maybe this Easter morning, we would do well to acknowledge any fear that rises in our throats amidst the lilies, the alleluias, and the sweet smell of spring’s new life. It’s OK. This life isn’t perfect. Neither you nor I am perfect. We are called to live in the tension of holy fear and reckless joy that comes from knowing the wild, wonderful Jesus who destroyed death to give us life. Yes, the tomb is empty. Jesus is on the loose. Do you see him? There is a wild Jesus on the loose, offering new life to all who believe in him, in the forgiveness of sins through Jesus name. There is new life in Christ! Do you know this person, Jesus Christ? He knows you, and even so, he loves you unconditionally.
Let’s all go back to the beginning.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
BENEDICTION FOR RESURRECTION SUNDAY
I hope you can watch a group of little children at an Easter egg hunt and notice their joy is in the search. When they find one egg, they will want to find one more. Once again, by little children do we learn basic human truths.
Alleluia! Jesus Christ is on the loose! Go, search for him, and meet him. He’s waiting for you! In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Palm Sunday April 5, 2009
“Lord, Save Us!” Mark 11:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
"Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" These words in Mark’s Gospel are dear to those who love Jesus Christ. They have become almost cliché, yet they still hold great power for Christians throughout the world. We hear these words and we see pictures of Jesus riding into Jerusalem. This image for many tends to blend right into an image of Jesus on the cross, and then even more quickly it becomes an empty cross, and we celebrate the risen Christ. We know the flow of these holy events so well, that we can’t help but to see them all at once in our mind.
Have you ever watched a movie, and noticed some little detail in the background that you never noticed before? You’re watching a movie set in the 7th century, and the person next to you says, “did you see that pick-up truck driving up the hill in the background?” You pause the movie. You rewind it a little bit. You freeze-frame the movie to the point where the truck becomes visible. Ahah! The editors missed that one! You laugh, you press play, and you go back to enjoying the movie. But you never watch this movie in the same way. You are always looking for more.
That’s what happened to me as I read through today’s texts. I’d like to draw your attention to the 11th verse in the 11th chapter of Mark’s Gospel. After this amazing day, after telling of a farmer’s colt that he had not seen; after the triumphant entry; after “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” We are at the close of the day. Jesus stops by the temple. He does not teach. He does not preach. He does not heal. He does not confront or challenge. He does not even speak; neither does he cross the path of anyone who requires his attention. Mark conveys the impression that here, in this sacred space that lies at the heart of his people, Jesus is quite alone, and that it is “already late” – nightfall has come. Jesus simply looks around.
Artist and author Jan Richardson causes us to see more than the words of the text. “Jesus peers into this sacred space that is inhabited and haunted by his own story. And perhaps it is this story he sees again this night. Perhaps he sees Mary and Joseph coming out of the shadows, carrying their infant son. Perhaps he sees Simeon gathering his young self into his arms, singing about salvation and a light for revelation, joined by the old prophet Anna, who raises her voice in praise. Perhaps Jesus sees again the twelve-year-old who conversed with the temple teachers, and the tempter who tried to lure him to fling himself from the pinnacle of this place. Perhaps a woman, once trapped and terrified, stands before him again, this time with the light of forgiveness and healing shining through her eyes.”
Perhaps Jesus sees even more. I would venture to say that Jesus, in this moment, sees all of history. Jesus looks back throughout all the generations that have lived, that have called upon God in times of great distress, and worshiped God. Jesus looks forward through all the generations yet to come, and sees all of us who continue to call upon his name for our own salvation. The echo’s of the shouts of “Hosanna” continue to ring from the cold stone walls of the temple as he stands in silence at the close of this most amazing day.
Hosanna. What does it mean? Where does it come from? Why did the crowds shout “HOSANNA!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem just hours before? And why were they now silent? The sounds of “Hosanna” are blending in Jesus mind with the shouts of “Crucify him” that are soon to come. To find the answers, we must turn back to the Psalms – Psalm 118, verses 24 and 25.
Ze ha-yom asah adonai, nagila ve-nismeha bo This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Ana adonai, ho she an na na.
Did you hear it? Ana adonai, ho she an na na. The Hebrew of verse 25 is ho she an na. It is the Greek transliteration of these words that give us our word, Hosanna! It is an emphatic plea, “Save us, we beseech you – we beg of you.”
Save us. Save us from what, or from whom? This is on the heals of words that we use when we enter the sanctuary to worship God. “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Why then, “Save us, O Lord!”?
The Hebrew for “save us” is literally, “cause our salvation.” If we look at the larger context of the whole chapter, we see a story of rescue: Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answerd me… All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation… Open to me the gates of righteousness… This is a story of someone running to the Temple, to the horns of the alter outside the temple, seeking safety; seeking salvation. This is a story of a military form of rescue. Salvation is God’s victory over evil for God’s people to be able to “dwell in the house of the lord forever.” Throughout the scriptures, people sin – people don’t obey God’s commands – and they break the covenant of safety and salvation. They run to the Temple to let God be their strength and might. They continued to go the Temple to praise God for the many victories of the past, and to praise God for many more victories they fully expect to come.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the Passover was about to begin. People were going to the Temple for Passover, to praise God for the expected victory to come. They shouted, “Hosanna – Lord, save us, we beseech you!” The people were praising God for the victories they had seen in their past, and they fully expected God to bring a new victory once again. Then Jesus went into the temple, and he looked around at everything.
Pause a moment, in the midst of this busy week. At the end of each day, stop and look around. Hear the sounds of God’s victory. See the salvation God has given to you.
Our life and times are in God’s hands. God knows every moment of Jesus’ agony. God knows every moment of our desperation.
Hosanna! Lord, save us!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
LENTEN SERMON SERIES: Lives of Love – How to Extinguish the Live Coal in Your Heart
3/8 “The Golden Rule? What’s Gold Worth These Days?” 3/15 “Loving as Jesus Loved: Removing Branches” 3/22 “Overcome Evil with Good: Leaving Room for God” 3/29 “Imitating Christ’s Humility: Work it OUT!”
March 29, 2009
“Work it OUT” Philippians 2:5-13
Today we have sermon four, the final sermon in my series on forgiveness. So far, we have “Do to others as God would do to you.” Forgiveness is a process and not a one time event; a deep letting go, releasing, and untying. Forgiveness is even a Christian practice of embodying forgiveness and love. This means we have to leave room for God to be at work; for God to decide what punishment, if any, is fitting. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. We are to bless those who persecute us, and even love our enemies.
Do you remember the definition I have been using for forgiveness? Forgiveness is a decision to let go of our anger and resentment so we can live happier and richer lives. It is not about denying the other person's responsibility for hurting you and it does not minimize what your experience is.
It's funny how people sometimes think that just going through some mechanical religious gesture will make a difference. Just going through the religious motions will not somehow make you religious. It's either inside of you or it's not.
For example: A preacher and deacon were playing golf one day. Each time before the minister prepared to putt he would bow his head, close his eyes, and his lips would move as he silently prayed, and then he open his eyes and then proceeded to tap the ball into the hole. This went on for a few more holes and the preacher prayed and never missed a putt. At the same time, the deacon was struggling on the greens. He missed one putt after another, and his score was going higher and higher. So after nine holes, the deacon asked the preacher at the turn, "Preacher, if I said a little prayer like you do before each putt, do you think it would help my putting?" The preacher said, "No. Praying is not going to help you." Surprised the deacon asked, "Why not?" The preacher said, "Because you don't know how to putt."
You can’t just go through the motions of forgiveness; you have to know how to forgive, and equally as important, you have to know how to be forgiven. Forgiveness has to come from deep inside. You can’t fake forgiveness.
Today, we look at some very concrete steps for embodying forgiveness; steps for when you are seeking forgiveness, and steps for when you are granting forgiveness.
Today’s text from Philippians is called “The Christ Hymn.” Paul starts this letter not in his usual manner of “To the church” but rather, “To the Saints” IN Philippi, making this the most personal of all his letters. The vocabulary Paul uses in this letter becomes a key factor to show the very personal nature; words belonging to the historical context of Philippi being a Roman colony and a high concentration of “friendship” language.
In this letter, the word “beloved” is used three of its eight occurrences in Paul’s letters. Paul is addressing them because he loves them and he wants the best for them which they will only have as they continue to grow in Christ. Their relationship with Christ is Paul’s main concern. The same is true with us here today.
Here, Paul starts out by speaking about unity. Then he offers a Christological Hymn – a hymn about the person and work of Jesus Christ. This is thought to be a hymn used by the early church; a hymn the Philippians would have been familiar with. This hymn many have been more like a statement of faith, just as we read the Apostle’s Creed, sing the doxology or the Gloria Patri. It comes at the end of a series of injunctions. Be of the same mind. Have the same love. Be considerate of one another. Look after one another's interests. In fact, let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. Then, he describes the humility of Christ. It was as if the words he'd spoken prior to that moment were inadequate in describing how the Philippians should live with one another. The only way that Paul knew how to describe the depth of their relationship with one another was to describe the way Christ Jesus had related to humankind. In all things, Christ is our example.
Whenever a passage really bothers me, I know that it’s God’s way of telling me that I should pay particular attention. In this text the 5th verse bugs a me little. “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” You may be thinking, “Is this some sort of brain transplant? I’m told I need to see things the way Jesus saw them, but how can I do that? I’m not Jesus!” But that’s the cop-out. If I work at it, I can learn to see things more like Jesus did. Never fully, but I get closer and closer. It’s always a struggle. It’s a process. This passage is about faithfulness in the struggle.
The 12th and 13th verses have been like a thorn in my side for the past four years – that’s when I wrote a 12 page paper on these two verses! Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Is Paul saying that salvation is not by faith, but by our work? Not at all. He is telling us how to live out the salvation we already have, filled with honor and respect for what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross.
There are a few key words and phrases for verses 12-13. I’ll start from the end and work backwards.
Fear and Trembling
I’ll simply state that this phrase is unique to the Pauline writings, and occurs only three other times: 1 Cor. 2:3, 2 Cor. 7:15, and Eph. 6:5. Keep in mind that Paul intends much more than our normal understanding of either word. I’ll save the full explanation of this phrase for another sermon.
Salvation
The verb form of salvation is not found even once in this letter! Paul has “re-invented” the word in a manner that brings multiple and diverse possibilities for interpretation and application. Calvin said that salvation is “The entire course of our calling…including all things by which God accomplishes perfection.” This includes, at the core of salvation, the practice of forgiveness.
Work out
This is a present tense imperative participle. In other words, this isn’t something that has a final outcome. He is telling us to be continually working out our salvation; to be continually living out our faith. This is a command for sustained effort, diligence and hard work. In light of our focus on forgiveness, I connect this with the process of forgiveness; the ongoing, unending process of letting go or releasing, for the purpose of being united together as partners in Christ’s mission.
As I mentioned earlier, Paul’s opening to this letter is different, and intentional. Not only does he say, “to the Saints” but he adds “from the servants, to the saints!” Paul’s main theme in this letter is the living out of God’s grace through self-sacrificing partnership in the Gospel. It is as if he said, “Let me show you that joy comes from being partners in the Gospel; through mutual self-sacrifice.” The Philippians are able to carry out, or bring to fruition their salvation precisely because God himself is empowering them, giving them the strength to continue on. God is “at work” in and among them.
I firmly believe that one of the most powerful ways in which you and I can “work out our salvation” as Paul intends it, is through the practice of forgiveness and reconciliation.
If you are at all like me, there are times when you know that God just has to hit you alongside the head with a two-by-four to get your attention, to get you to change. (OK, sometimes it may even be something bigger than a two-by-four.) I’m going to give you what I call my “Two-by-Four” practice for forgiveness. There are two directions for forgiveness – seeking and granting. I’ve given each direction four basic steps. The “Two-by-Four” practice for forgiveness.
If you are seeking forgiveness, here are four key steps:
1. Try to understand or empathize with the pain you have caused. 2. Admit what you did was wrong or hurtful. Take responsibility for your actions. Apologize. 3. Make every effort to change, to not do the wrongful action again, and make restitution if needed. 4. Ask for forgiveness and forgive yourself – even if the other person doesn’t forgive you.
Some people try to punish themselves for their sins. They do not stand on the promises of forgiveness and Christ' propitiation. "Many years ago, a father and his daughter were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance, they saw a prairie fire, and they realized that it would soon engulf them. The father knew there was only one way of escape: They would quickly begin a fire right where they were and burn a large patch of grass. When the huge fire drew near, they then would stand on the section that had already burned. When the flames did approach them, the girl was terrified but her father assured her, 'The flames can't get to us. We are standing where the fire has already been.'" (From Erwin Lutzer, Failure, The Back Door to Success.) You need to forgive yourself, even if, and especially when, no one else will.
If you are granting forgiveness, here are four key steps:
1. Acknowledge your pain and anger. Allow yourself to feel disrespected. 2. Let go of blame, resentment, and negativity. Give up your right to “get even,” but insist on being treated better in the future. 3. Communicate your act of forgiveness. Convey your future expectations and limits. Be specific about them, and give your reasons why you feel a need for them – to ensure your safety, physical, emotional, or whatever category you need to feel safe in. 4. Work toward reconciliation (when it is safe.) Remember, to reconcile means to bring together again; unity; to become friends again. Unity is the goal of forgiveness.
As those who are “in Christ Jesus” we are to be working together in partnership, forgiving each other, being reconciled, so that the love of God and the grace of Jesus Christ might be shown to all.
If we as a congregation were to truly “work out our salvation” in this manner, we would be a HUGE witness to the self-centered individualistic society we find ourselves living in.
Are you willing to work it out with me?
May our hymn of response be our honest prayer, to continually work out our salvation, through the practice of forgiveness.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
March 22, 2009
“Overcome Evil with Good: Leaving Room for God” Romans 12:9-21
Today we have sermon three of four in my series on forgiveness. The point of my first sermon was a clarification of the Golden Rule: “Do to others as God would do to you.” The point of my second sermon was that forgiveness is a process. It is not a one time event. It is a deep letting go, releasing, and untying that makes possible the abundant life Christ came and comes to bring to those who abide in him.
As long as we refuse to let go of the pain, the anger or the hurt inflicted by someone else, we are tied up in knots and held captive. When this happens, we shut ourselves off from the love of God. As long as we hold on to past mistakes – ours or those of others – we cannot be whole. It's not that God won't forgive us – God has already forgiven you and I through the power of the cross – it is that we do not allow God's forgiveness to do its work in us.
The more we receive and accept God's forgiveness, the more we are empowered to forgive others. The more we allow the Spirit to help us untangle the knots of resentment we hold on to from the wrongs done to us, the more we are able to experience freedom from our own past mistakes. We are commanded to forgive. Not just a few times, but “seventy time seven times.” We are to offer unlimited amounts of forgiveness, just as God offers to us.
And, to close our review, remember the definition I have been using for forgiveness: forgiveness is a decision to let go of our anger and resentment so we can live happier and richer lives. It is not about denying the other person's responsibility for hurting you and it does not minimize what your experience is.
Today we embark on the practical application of forgiveness; the action steps of forgiveness. Much of this I’ve learned from the work of L. Gregory Jones, a United Methodist minister and dean and professor of Theology at the Divinity School at Duke University.
I’d like you all to listen to three questions, and just remember the answer that first pops into your mind. The answers will more than likely be people, places, or events in your life that have had a significant impact on who you are, and how you view yourself. If you want, it may help you to close your eyes for a moment while I ask these three questions. This is early enough in the sermon that I shouldn’t risk you dozing off, right? Just close your eyes and think about the answers to these questions.
Question one: What or who do you love unconditionally?
Question two: What or who do you hate? OK, for some, “hate” is too strong of a word. But just remember what or who came to your mind.
Question three: What or who do you find hard or even impossible to forgive? This may or may not be the same answer as you had for the second question.
Remember the answers to these questions. OK. You can open your eyes.
When you and I are presented with the last two questions, many, if not most of us can come up with an answer fairly quickly.
But for many people, that first question, “What or who do you love unconditionally?” is the hardest one to answer. We tend to pause a bit longer before coming up with an answer. Why is that? Too often we define ourselves, we stake our identity, on being against someone, something or some group or cause. My dad always taught me that these people are trying to make themselves feel better, trying to build themselves up, by putting others down. When we do this, we are actually hoping to overcome our own uncertainty and vulnerability by defining the other person as less than ourselves, or in reality, we are defining the other person as less than human.
There once were two shopkeepers. Their shops were across the street from each other, and whatever one did, the other would try to match and, if possible, exceed. One night, an angel of the Lord acme to the first shopkeeper and said, “The Lord has sent me to you with the promise that you may have one whish that, no matter how extravagant, will be granted to you. There is only one catch: whatever you receive, your rival shopkeeper will receive twofold. What is your with?” The first shopkeeper, thinking of his rival, responded: “My wish is that you would strike me blind in one eye.”
There’s humor in that story, until you and I realize that we are the first shopkeeper. We all try to “one-up” someone else to some extent at some point or another in our life. It’s a common, human sin that we all must continue to work at overcoming. The healthy way to build ourselves up is by facing head on the pain of wrongs done to us, and by us, throughout our life. To define ourselves by who or what we love demands forgiveness; letting go of all wrongs and hatred.
Forgiveness is a process. One of the keys to learning to forgive is to practice forgiveness. In order to get better at anything, we have to practice. Jesus tells us that we are to practice forgiveness not just a few times, but “seventy time seven times.” The practice of forgiveness has no end. There is no “arrival point” in forgiveness. Forgiveness is practiced throughout the journey. The Christian practice of forgiveness is a way of life, often a whole new way of life, a way that is shaped by an ever-deepening friendship with God and with other people. This may seem odd. After all, forgiveness is letting go, releasing, and untying. The practice of forgiveness includes not only letting go, but letting go of something that is keeping us from getting closer to God, closer to Jesus Christ.
The central goal of forgiveness is to reconcile. To reconcile means at the most basic level to bring together again. It has to do with making friends again. In the context of Christian faith, to reconcile means to restore communion – with God, with one another, and with the whole creation.
The practice of forgiveness is not effective until we transform it from something that is great on paper into a way of life that we live in our relationships with one another. The practice of forgiveness calls us to develop habits through which we unlearn sin and learn holy living. The practice of forgiveness requires that we take the risk of offering words, gestures, and actions that break the pattern of lovelessness for the sake of reconciliation. We can start by simply saying, “Thanks for your kindness in doing this.” Or we can be more direct and say to the person who offended us, “I forgive you, let’s work this out.” Or we can go to the person we have offended and say, “I’m sorry, please try to forgive me.”
I know that there are times when bitterness and even hatred seem justified; there are situations where people have been or continue to be afflicted and oppressed. Boundaries are legitimate, Permanent hopeless barriers are not. You might be in the right. But your “rightness” has become “righteousness” or “righteous indignation.” You have allowed your “rightness” to corrode into an inability to love, which is the same as death. It’s a state law that every motor vehicle has to stop for a pedestrian in the crosswalk. That means that I’m RIGHT when I walk boldly into the crosswalk and demand all oncoming vehicles to stop for me. I’M RIGHT!!! Even though I’m right, if I were to actually do this, I might be dead right. As Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” Paul is hinting that to love genuinely is to love as Jesus loved. And this text doesn't just say "Love others more," it describes very specific behaviors for loving others. Behaviors such as forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not always easy. Forgiveness is a process. Forgiveness is a Christian practice. As one theologian has said, forgiveness is an invitation to the imagination. It is not forgetfulness of the past, but it is “the risk of a future other than the one imposed by the past of by memory.” Forgiveness requires you to use your imagination, to risk a new and better future. Forgiveness is an adventure.
Some of you know that I have been playing racquetball. You probably also know that I have the worst record of wins in the league. I joke “who better to be at the bottom than the new pastor in town.” I joke that I’m living out the Mark 10:31 principal: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.” The truth is, I’m not really focused on winning. I joined the league to get exercise and learn the finer points of the game. I’m practicing racquetball. That’s how you get better. I’m learning specific tactics for different styles of opponents. I’m learning as many specific shots as I can. I know that in order to win, someday, I need to focus on the details of the game. It is the same with Paul's ideas for genuine Christ-like love here in Romans 12. He is giving us very specific ideas for authentic love. Paul is giving us specific tactics for truly understanding and living the Christian practice of forgiveness.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Live in harmony with one another; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
To the extent that you can control the situation, “live peaceably with all.” One translation says “never even look for revenge.” Even desiring revenge is outside Christian conduct. Never even desire or look for revenge. Leave handling sin to God (at the end of time).
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Leave room for God. Let go and step back. Leave room for God to be at work. How do we let go? What can we do to leave enough room for God to work?
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.”
You can think of it this way: to “heap burning coals on their head” is a way of shaming your enemies; shaming them for the purpose that they might repent, and practice forgiveness.
Then, Paul sums it all up: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Jesus calls us, as his disciples, to embody forgiveness as a way of life where people are drawn into communion with God and one another. We are coming closer to Holy Week, a time when we reflect more and more on the betrayal of Jesus by one of his disciples, the arrest of Jesus in the dark of the night, the unfair trials with trumped up charges, and culminating with the agonizing crucifixion of our Lord. Jesus was led to the cross by sinful humans. Jesus was nailed to the cross by the same sins you and I struggle with each and every day. Jesus was crucified by human beings, just like you and I. We are no better than they were. Even so, Jesus took on their sin and evil. Jesus takes on our sin. Jesus wrongful death was released, set free, set right by God in the resurrection. The risen Christ returned with forgiveness, and the offer of new life. Jesus untied the mistakes of all humanity, and set us free, for the purpose of becoming closer, closer to God, closer to each other. Jesus is calling you. Jesus is calling you and I to become closer to him. Jesus is calling you and I to embody forgiveness.
Overcome evil with good. Leave room for God to be God.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
March 15, 2009
“Loving as Jesus Loved: Removing the Branches” John 15:1-4, 9-14
Last Sunday I began my series on forgiveness. The point of the sermon was a clarification of what we call The Golden Rule: “Do to others as God would do to you.” I said that when we kneel at the foot of the cross, and receive the forgiveness God has already offered to us through the death and resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ, we experience what I believe is the most defining moment in our life. We experience the total forgiveness that only God can offer. The human forgiveness we offer fades away in the shadow of the cross. Yet, we are to forgive. Not just a few times, but “seventy time seven times.” We are to offer unlimited amounts of forgiveness, just as God offers to us. While it may seem impossible, the answer to how lies in a proper understanding of what forgiveness is.
Do you remember the definition of forgiveness that I gave last week? “Forgiveness is a voluntary act, a decision to let go of our anger and resentment so we can have happier and richer lives. It is not about denying the other person's responsibility for hurting you and it does not minimize what your experience is. Remember that forgiveness is about your inner healing, not about letting someone else off the hook.” The word forgive can be defined in a variety of ways, but all are very similar. It includes the concept of giving away; to completely give something away; to let go; to release.
As Jesus is walking with his disciples – his final walk out of the city of Jerusalem as a free man – they are walking past the temple towards the Mount of Olives. Jesus uses the image of a grape vine, with a bunch of huge grapes on it, to explain how the disciples are to live. They are to bear fruit. You and I are to bear fruit. When Jesus talks about God pruning and cleansing the vine, he is talking about the process of cutting off small shoots of a vine that have no fruit on them. There is no sense wasting nutrients on a bunch of leaves, when it could be going to fill out the fruit that is already growing. If we do not bear good fruit, our heavenly Father – the vinegrower – will prune us; cut us off; give us away; release us. It’s a form of forgiveness. But we are still cut off.
We can learn much about our spiritual life from growing plants.
I’ve been asked to give the eulogy/homily at my aunt’s funeral in Oshkosh tomorrow. Her husband died a few years ago, but they loved growing plants of every kind. They knew what to plant, when to plant it, where to plant it, and just how to prune each plant so that it would produce the largest flowers or fruit possible. There is even a fruit tree in their back yard that they grafted together from two separate trees. It is one tree that produces two kinds of fruit! If you are at all like them, the nice weather this weekend has probably got you started thinking about what to plant, where to plant it, how you will fertilize it…all along thinking about how you can produce the best flowers, fruits, and vegetables possible. I mean, if you’re going to go to all the work of growing a plant, you want it to produce as much as possible. You want it to be fruitful. And yet, you also know that there will inevitably be those plants that just don’t produce much, for a variety of reasons.
The same is true in the life of the church – there will be those people who just don’t produce much, for a variety of reasons. One of the most difficult portions of being a pastor is sending out a letter to someone that says, “You haven’t been in church for quite a while. You haven’t been coming to anything we have offered. We haven’t seen any spiritual ‘fruit’ being produced in your life. In order for the other fruit that is growing to grow even more, we feel it’s time to prune the membership list and cut your name off.” This is difficult to do, but I know that in the long run it will be worth it. My goal is to not cut anyone off if we don’t have to, but rather to help provide a better environment for their growth. Therefore, I also want to make sure to include a portion that says, “Before we cut you off, and prune you from our membership, we want to know if we’ve done something to cause your lack of participation and your apparent lack of fruitfulness. If so, please let us know so that we can apologize and ask for your forgiveness.” I don’t want to cut someone off, but I know from experience that it needs to be done, even if it doesn’t look good – or feel good – at the time.
When Kris and I bought our first home, there was a shrub right next to the front door. It hadn’t been trimmed in many years. I looked it over, and over again, and over again. Then one day, I trimmed it. OK, I’ll admit that it looked like I just hacked it! It looked awful! Kris was a bit…upset when she came home from work and saw this pathetic clump of wood with only a few leaves remaining. I told her to trust me, it would come back and look much better. Well, it did. Just not that year, or the next year. It started looking good when we sold our house. When we drove past a few years later, I had to point out the beautiful looking shrub next to the front door. (I’m human. I’m far from perfect. J ) Pruning is necessary for healthy growth.
Each of us have areas in our lives that are fruitful in some way. But the fruit some people are bearing is not good fruit. We need to make sure that we are bearing fruit for God, spiritual fruit. No matter what kind of fruit we are bearing, each of us have areas in our lives that are fruitless little shoots, that need to be cut off; released; completely given away. These are the areas in our life that need forgiveness. Your fruit won’t grow to its full potential unless you forgive, unless you give away that pain, resentment, anger, and hatred that is sapping the life right out of you. If you choose to not prune off that area in your life, eventually it will grow to the point that it takes so much of your energy, that you will no longer be able to bear any fruit. What happens then? Verse two: God removes every branch in Christ that bears no fruit. You can still be “in Christ” but bearing no fruit.
So, one way to look at forgiveness is in letting go, or giving away. Pruning off something that is sapping your spiritual energies. But, as I thought today’s scripture, about vines and branches, I thought about another aspect of defining forgiveness. I’ll admit, I don’t know Aramaic, but from what I have read, the Aramaic word for forgive includes the concept of untying…untying the knots of past mistakes, and returning things to their state of original freedom.
When I thought about untying, I thought about vines. We often think about the good, fruitful vines when we read this passage from John’s gospel, but this week I want us to think about those invasive vines that wrap themselves around a perfectly healthy plant or tree, and keep it from growing.
Growing up on the farm, when we would go out to cut wood for heating the next winter, we would find wild grape vines growing all over our woods. They would loop from tree to tree. You couldn’t really cut them safely with a chain saw, because they would jump around too much. You would have to chop them off at each end, where they were attached to the trees. When you did cut down a dead tree, you had to be very careful of the vines that would come whipping down with the tree. It could be very dangerous. Some of those vines had grown so large, that they blocked the sunlight from getting to anything beneath.
There are things that have happened in our lives which we have let grow around us in such a way that we can no longer move or grow. They block the light that God is trying to send to us. We have let some weed take over our life, growing around us, becoming like a web of vines strangling any possible growth.
We need to cut off those weed vines that have slowly wrapped themselves around us and bound us up. We need to untie the knots of these growing weeds and cast off those vines which have held us back, and hold us captive. We need to forgive. As long as we refuse to let go of the pain, the anger or the hurt inflicted by another, we are tied up in knots and held captive. When this happens, we shut ourselves off from the loving, healing energy of God. As long as we hold on to past mistakes – ours or those of others – we cannot be whole. It's not that God won't forgive us – God has already forgiven you and I through the power of the cross – it is that we do not allow God's forgiveness do its work in us. As a result our energy is drained and our strength is sapped.
But the opposite is also true. The more we receive and accept God's forgiveness, the more we are empowered to forgive others. The more we allow the Spirit to help us untangle the knots of resentment we hold on to from the wrongs done to us, the more we are able to experience freedom from our own past mistakes. As we do, our energy flows freely and our strength and vitality is restored, and we begin to produce greater fruit. Forgiveness is a process. It is not a one time event. It is a deep letting go, releasing, and untying that make possible the abundant life Christ came and comes to bring to those who abide in him. To those who love one another, as God first loved us; to those who forgive one another as God first forgave us.
Remember, forgiveness is a decision to let go of our anger and resentment so we can live happier and richer lives.
To forgive means that we need to choose to untie those vines; choose to prune off the unfruitful branches, and grow the way we were intended to grow: producing fruit for God.
What areas in your life do you have branches that need to be removed? sins that you have committed or sins that have been committed against you?
Forgiveness. It’s a process. It begins by kneeling at the cross and accepting God’s forgiveness. God accepts you the way you are. God creates in you a clean new heart, and sends you out to forgive others; to share the love that Jesus Christ has to offer.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
March 8, 2009
“The Golden Rule? What's God Worth These Days” Luke 6:27-36
Six months ago. Sunday, September 7, 2008. It was six months ago today that I first stepped into this pulpit and preached my candidating sermon. It doesn’t seem like it’s been six months! Time does fly when you’re having fun. Six months ago, I preached my first sermon here. Do you remember what the text was? The Lectionary for that day, the scripture prescribed by the church, included a portion of Matthew 18. Do you remember what that sermon was about? The title was “A God of New Beginnings.” It was about reconciliation. I talked about what I called “defining moments” – those times in life when God offers us a new beginning; those moments that we never forget where we were and what happened, for better or for worse. I told you to remember when the defining moment is a negative moment, we need to step back and see it from God’s perspective, and see the start of something new and positive in the long run. I talked about reconciliation as more than simply confronting someone, but to combine intentional caring with it. “Care-Fronting” was a term I used. I talked about reconciliation as a core practice of Christian community, guaranteed by the work of God and the presence of Jesus himself. I talked about the need for restoration of the community; the need for wholeness within the community.
Let me read the closing from that sermon, six months ago:
“If two agree, the Father will concur. One alone cannot judge. We need to be actively engaged, participating in the regular worship and life of the congregation. We can’t sit at home and judge others. When we see a problem, we need to be willing to be a part of the solution.
It is strange that we ordinarily feel compelled to hide our wounds when we are all wounded! Community requires the ability to expose our wounds and weaknesses to our fellow creatures. It also requires the ability to be affected by the wounds of others.
When we know only the surface of people we see differences; when we know them deeper inside, we find similarities. Those similarities become bridges for us to allow God to be at work – for God to offer new beginnings!”
That was six months ago. Those were the last words I gave to you before you voted to call me as your pastor. Since accepting the call to be your pastor, I have been laying a foundation for reconciliation. I believe reconciliation is one of the core principals of being a Christian. If you want to be a Christian, you need reconciliation. We all need it. Every single one of us is a sinner. We need to be reconciled to God. We have also sinned against each other, and need to be reconciled to each other. This simply means that we have to be brought together. It seems simple. But I spent an entire week last year taking mediation training from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, and I feel like I only touched on the basics of reconciliation.
What is reconciliation like? Have you ever played with magnets, real strong magnets? As I kid, I could amuse myself for a long time (probably even while sitting in church during a boring sermon!) by playing with a pair of cow magnets. It was fun to set one down and see how close I could get the other one before they snapped together – with a sharp CLICK! Some of us are like that. I feel like my call here was like that. God set us near enough to each other, and we just clicked together.
More often though, I would try to get the like poles of the magnets to touch. It was almost impossible. I could do it, but it took a lot of work. Maybe that was one of God’s ways of preparing me for ministry, because all too often we are just like those similar poles, pushing away from each other. We “can” be in the same room with each other, if we have to, but it takes a lot of work. You know what this is like. There is an unseen force that just repels you away from the other person. That’s just “managing” the conflict between you. You never get close to reconciliation.
The scripture I based my sermon on six months ago ended with verse 20 of chapter 18. If we read further, in verse 21 we find the starting point for reconciliation: “Then Peter came and said to [Jesus,] “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy times seven.”
There is no limit to the amount of forgiveness you and I are to offer. There is NO LIMIT!! Forgiveness is simply the starting point for reconciliation. Forgiveness is necessary for building bridges. Forgiveness is a requirement for your acceptance of God creating a new beginning.
On Christmas 1957, Martin Luther King delivered a sermon in which he said, “He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love… Forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done or putting a false label on an evil act. It means, rather, that the evil act no longer remains as a barrier to the relationship.”
I’ve gotten to know enough of you in these past six months to know that there are more than just one or two of you who just silently replied with something like, “Forgiveness? Forget it. I can’t forgive them. You might as well just say amen and let me go home, cause I’m not listening to another word you have to say.” I also know there are more than one or two of you who just silently replied with, “Forgiveness? I’ve tried to forgive. I just can’t do it.” And there are some of you who just silently replied, “I want to. I know I need to. But how?” I’ve heard each of these comments from members of this congregation. Know that you are not alone.
Did you hear the words I just read from my candidating sermon? “It is strange that we ordinarily feel compelled to hide our wounds when we are all wounded! Community requires the ability to expose our wounds and weaknesses to our fellow creatures. It also requires the ability to be affected by the wounds of others.” That was forgiveness in disguise. If I told you on that day that I expected you to forgive your enemies, there might have been a few more “no” votes! A world-renowned clinical and political psychologist defines and describes forgiveness fairly well: “Forgiveness is a voluntary act, a decision to let go of our anger and resentment so we can have happier and richer lives. It is not about denying the other person's responsibility for hurting you and it doesn't minimize what your experience is. Remember that forgiveness is about your inner healing, not about letting someone else off the hook. You can forgive and chose not to stay in the relationship. The goal of forgiveness is about your inner peace. It means that you choose to see the situation differently, in a way that can bring you peace. It helps you see with spiritual sight.” You can forgive the refs for making a bunch of bad calls, but they still made some bad calls! You’re just not going to let their bad calls impact your life.
Forgiveness is critical. But, forgiveness can seem impossible. Forgiveness isn’t easy. To talk about forgiveness as it needs to be discussed will take more than one sermon. So, this is the first of a four-part sermon series on forgiveness. I want to walk with you, to help us all gain a better understanding of what forgiveness is, what the barriers to forgiveness can be, and to help provide some practical applications for starting a journey towards forgiveness. When better to do this than during our Lenten journey.
That’s a long introduction to get to our scripture reading for this morning. I promise that I’ll more than make up for it with a short sermon to follow. Listen now to the Word of God, from Luke 6, starting with verse 27, as translated by Eugene Peterson in “The Message.”
27-30 "To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
31-34 "Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
35-36 "I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
37-38 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
The Word of God. Thanks be to God.
The golden rule.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! The golden rule. Gold is one of the most valuable metals in the world and has been for centuries. It has incredible value for a variety of reasons. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it has properties that make it very useful for other things as well. For Example, gold is one of the finest conductors of electricity. Throughout all of human history, gold has been the most desired and valuable metal. There is not a metal as precious as gold.
What’s gold worth these days? Almost $1,000 per ounce. Why? Financial analysts will say it’s because of the uncertainty in the dollar. Gold seems to be the standard everyone expects to fall back upon if everything else fails. Gold is worth so much today because the dollar, along with most every other currency in the world, seems to be worthless. That’s gold in the financial world.
Unfortunately, gold in the spiritual world follows a similar pattern. When everything else seems to be failing, we fall back on the Golden Rule; or at least we think we do. We read this “Golden Rule” verse in scripture, and stop. But the verses that follow explain what it really means. Jesus is telling us that real Golden Rule isn’t just “do to others as you would have done to you,” but rather, “Do to others as God would do.” That’s the real value of gold, spiritual gold.
An article in the Chicago Sun Times earlier this week stated that “in all of history, only 161,000 tons of gold has been mined, barely enough to fill two Olympic-size swimming pools. More than half of that was extracted in the last 50 years and there have been few recent discoveries. Gold can be found, but gold cannot be ‘created.’"
There is no value to forgiveness. It’s priceless. Forgiveness cannot be quantified. It’s unlimited. Forgiveness cannot be created. Forgiveness can only be found…at the foot of the cross. The greatest “defining moment” in all of history, is found as we fall to our knees at the foot of the cross.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
March 1, 2009
“Hide and Seek” NOTE: The audio is only part of the sermon Jonah 1:1-10 We are working on updating our equipment and this week's sermon got cut off.
Have you ever thought of coming to church as playing hide and seek? I think some people do see it that way. For example, one Sunday morning – a Palm Sunday morning – five-year-old Johnny had a bad cold and stayed home from church. When his sister came home, she was laughing and having a great time. He had never seen his sister come home from church so excited. She was carrying several large palm branches, and gave Johnny a couple. Johnny asked what they were for. Her reply was simple and to the point. “People held them over Jesus’ head as he walked by.” As his sister ran off to play, Johnny fumed. “Wouldn’t you know it. The one Sunday I don’t go, he shows up!”
The truth is, God is always here. Jesus is always waiting for you and I. The Holy Spirit is continually calling us to come; to come closer. God is calling us to come and find Jesus; to come rest; to find refuge; to find hope; to find joy, true joy.
The eternal God, who created us, is saying, “Come, and find me. I want you to get to know me better.” Some people see this as a sort of spiritual hide and seek game.
Hide and seek is one of Kathryn’s favorite games to play with me. When she “hides” she makes little giggling noises, and most often isn’t really too hard to see when walking into the room. She is never really out of my sight. And once she learns to look where our dog is standing, I won’t be able to get out of her sight either. I think everyone plays hide and seek at some point in their life, and we each have stories about playing hide and seek.
When I was talking with Sue, our interim organist, the other day about my plans for today’s message, she immediately told of when she played hide and seek as a little girl – when she was not much older than Kathryn is. Sue was hiding in a box, well hidden, completely out of sight. She told me, that the words spoken to her made such an impression that she will never forget them. What were the words? “You might be able to hide from me, but you can’t hide from God!”
Those five words are sermon enough. You can’t hide from God. I could just say amen and sit down. I could…but there is just too much in these first 10 verses of Jonah to let me do that. That wouldn’t be fair to you.
Our Bible reading plan for this past week has taken us through most of the Minor Prophets. They are called “Minor” because of their size, their brevity, but not because of their importance. Quite the opposite. If you missed this past week’s readings, I strongly encourage you to go back and read them. They are very fitting as we begin our journey through the season of Lent, towards the wonderful message of Easter morning. These prophets are all calling for repentance, something that each of us needs to hear again and again. I’ll say it again, because I believe this so very much: If you haven’t read the chapters for this past week, please take the time to do so. Actually, they can all be read in one sitting. And, if you do that, you see a few common themes jump out at you. One of these is summed up in Jonah – you can’t hide from God. You can run, but you can’t hide. Sometimes, you think you’re hiding, but all you’re doing is delaying the inevitable, or missing out on something great that God has for you.
What is the first word to Jonah from the Lord? “GO”
“GO” is a powerful word. God told Abraham “go.” Jesus told the disciples, “Go into all the land and make disciples.” The word “go” appears about 50 times in the book of Acts. It has been said, and I quite agree, “A going church is a growing church.” We are called to be sent. That is what the word “church” means in the Greek – “those who are called out” – for the purpose of being sent. The church is not a club, not a privileged group of elitists, meeting here for our own good. The church is the church when it is going. But, we have to be going the right direction.
Jonah was going, but not the way God told him to go. Jonah was called to go to Nineveh. Nineveh was the largest city in the world at that time, about 550 miles to his northeast. Instead, he set sail for Tarshish, about 2500 miles west, in the southern tip of Spain. He was willing to go, and he chose to go four times as far the opposite direction! You and I would never do that, would we? Hmmmm…
Have you ever said, “Well, if God didn’t want me to do this, then why was (such and such) right there available for me?” We can rationalize anything. I can hear Jonah, “Well, if God really didn’t want me to go to Tarshish, then I wouldn’t have been able to get aboard this boat now, would I?” Don’t rationalize your disobedience to God. Remember, you can’t hide from God. When a person tries to run from God, they always find a way to rationalize their sin. When you want to run from God, you can always find a ship ready set sail. But, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 139, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?” It only seems like you are hiding from God.
It may seem like you are hiding from God, but at what cost? There is always a cost. Jonah paid the full fare for the 2500 mile trip to Tarshish, but he never arrived to his destination. He didn’t get a refund either! Not only that, but his poor choice was a cost to others. In verse five we are told that the sailors threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. They knew that to sail into port without the cargo would not gain them anything, except their very lives. In the face of death, they were willing to face any amount of human punishment and disgrace. They lightened the load of the ship, but the load was still there – Jonah, and more specifically, his sin was weighing them all down. There is no load so heavy as the load of sin. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” You can’t hide from God. But sometimes the opposite direction of God, the direction of sin, does seem very appealing. When you’re tempted to follow after a sin, just remember, the grass is always greener over the septic tank.
Sin is anything that draws us away from God. Sin isn’t always obvious. Sin can be tricky. Sin can be deceptive. Sin can creep up on you slowly. Sin is a narcotic. Sin numbs or deadens us, causing a loss of feeling or paralysis. Sin is a narcotic. Sin puts us to sleep, just like it did to Jonah in the second half of verse five: he went below deck and fell into a deep sleep. Sin even represses the ability to be convicted of sin itself. Sin is a deadly cycle. In verse six the captain of the ship comes down and yells at Jonah, “How can you sleep at a time like this? Get up and call on your God!” Even the well seasoned Captain and the whole group of crusty sailors went to their gods in prayer. They were desperate! Then the captain came down and woke up Jonah. We each need the Captain of the sin-ship we are on to come down and wake us up, and call us to pray to God. Don’t wait for your situation to become so desperate that you are willing to try anything. You can’t hide from God. God is calling you, and God will forgive you.
Yes, there is always forgiveness. But there is also a cost for running away from God. God will let you have your own way, to a point, but there will be a cost. But, what about God’s grace you ask? God’s discipline is an act of God’s grace. God never loses sight of those he loves. God will either bless our obedience, or regulate our rebellion. Regulation comes with a cost. God loves us too much not to discipline us and restore us to fellowship. Forgiveness comes with a cost, because forgiveness comes as a result of sin. Sooner or later, your sin will be found out. You might be able to hide from me. You might be able to hide from your spouse. You might be able to hide from…whoever. But, you can’t hide from God.
So, what do you do? Honesty is the best policy. Admit to God your sin. Don’t wait until you get caught. Jonah got caught. Verse seven says that the sailors cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. God can even use gambling to serve his will! When he was exposed, these tough storm-beaten sailors hurled a barrage of questions at him. Who are you? What did you do? Where are you from? What group are you with? Why are we paying for your sin?
How did Jonah respond? He was honest. He told them the truth. “I’m a Hebrew. I fear God. I worship God; the God who made the heavens and the earth, the land and the seas, and even this storm that we are now in.” Then, notice the implied response of the sailors. “You fear God? You worship God?” (Have you ever heard the words, “You call yourself a Christian?”) “You say you worship God, and yet you are running from God? You aren’t doing what God has called you to do?” Yeah, right. WHATEVER! Great prophet you are!
Jonah sinned. Jonah paid a price for his sin. The sailors were forced to pay a price for Jonah’s sin too. We know what happened to Jonah. But, I wonder what ever came of those sailors? I wonder what they told their families, and their children about that experience? I wonder how that near-death voyage impacted their lives? We never know how God might use our humility, when we are willing to be honest and admit our sin, to seek forgiveness, and even forgive others of sins they have committed to us. There is a cost to sin. But it doesn’t have to be the cost of being a prisoner to that sin. 1 John 1:9 says, “If you confess your sin, Jesus will forgive you, and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.”
Chuck W. Colson, former aide to Richard Nixon found guilty of obstructing justice in Watergate-related charges, told this closing story: As one who has served time in prison and has since spent most of my life working in them, I'll never forget the most unusual prison I've ever visited.
God is calling you. God is calling you to journey to the foot of the cross God is calling you to be honest with Jesus.
There is a cost to being this honest, but being in a right relationship with God is so worth it.
God is calling you to trust in Jesus name.
When you do, the words of our closing hymn will have even greater meaning: “When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. I Christ, the solid rock, I stand.”
This Lenten season, let’s all stop playing hide and seek with God. You can’t hide from God. You might as well run to Jesus. His arms are wide open.
Amen. And Amen.
BENEDICTION for 030109:
This Lenten season, let’s all stop playing hide and seek with God.
God is calling you to journey towards Easter, not by skipping over the season of Lent. You can, but you will be missing out. God is calling you to come.
Come Wednesday night and hear about how Jesus called someone. Someone who ranked just above plankton on the food chain. Someone as crooked as a corkscrew. Someone Jesus called to be a disciple.
Who is this person? You’ll have to come Wednesday, 7:00 PM to find out!
Dress casual. Come as you are. That’s how Jesus calls us.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, GO! And sin no more!
February22, 2009
“Do What He Tells You” Mark 9:1-10; Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
God has created each of us differently, uniquely. We each encounter a different set of experiences in our life. These experiences mold us and shape us – for better or for worse. God calls each of us to different occupations and vocations. Some of us experience more changes in careers than others. My brother knew when he was about 12 that he wanted to be a farmer, and that’s what he is and loves it. When I was about 18, and wondering if God was calling me to ministry, an old and wise pastor told me, “You’ll know you are called to ministry if you don’t feel called to anything else.” My full resume would include primarily a variety of areas in mechanics, auto body, and welding/fabrication. I have also worked a second-shift computer assembly line at IBM, have done some computer repair, home maintenance and remodeling. I’ve worked for a nursery doing hardwood propagation and landscaping. I’ve been a receptionist and secretary, and for a short time I was a host at Denny’s. I was a garbage collector for a short time. (However, I didn’t do this long enough to earn the title “sanitation engineer!”) I’ve driven school bus, been a youth director, and am now an Ordained Pastor. I’ve probably done more things that I can’t recall, but I firmly believe that these experiences have helped me to be a better Pastor. If for no other reason than to know that I don’t want to do anything else. I love ministry. I love being a Pastor. I’m glad God has called me to be a Pastor. I’m glad God has called me to be your Pastor.
It is amazing to look back and see how God has been at work in my life so far. Have you ever done that? Have you thought back over your life and looked carefully at the highs and lows? When life seems overwhelming, and going nowhere in particular, that is a good thing to do. You can’t do it alone though. You’ve got to get others who know you well to help you out. Look back over your life, and jot down the times and events that have been highlights, and the valleys of darkness. When you do this, when you are being open with someone else who knows you, and honest with yourself, you can see a pattern where God has been at work, directing your footsteps. The author of Ecclesiastes has man, many years to look back upon. I’ve only got 40 years behind me, but I can see God at work in the highs and lows of my life, directing me to this place.
When I was in Junior High, I didn’t seem to “fit in.” I really wanted to fit in, just like everyone does. I wasn’t into sports. Probably because I wasn’t athletic – quite the opposite: at 5’8” and 200 pounds, I couldn’t do a push-up or a pull-up, and I could barely walk a mile for PE class. I wasn’t exactly what you would call academic either. I didn’t really enjoy school one bit. I did what I had to get by. To get by, I hung around with a group of guys who didn’t really fit in either. I wasn’t really part of their group, but they allowed me to hang out with them. Looking back, they were actually quite mean to me. But at the time, they were the ones I felt most connected to, and they let me sit with them. We weren’t your average junior high kids. We talked about things that no other Junior High kid was talking about. We talked about how things were made, and how we were going to build new creations, how the universe came to be, and how to solve mysteries and puzzles. That’s one place where I did fit in with them. I could solve puzzles faster than most of them. I was proud that I could solve the Rubik’s Cube as fast, if not faster, than anyone back then. These guys loved science fiction, played D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) every lunch hour, and basically marched to their own drummer without worrying what others thought about them. One of their favorite books was “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” If you have read this, you know that a computer called “Deep Thought” calculated the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything as…42. The answer was 42, but they didn’t know the question.
Today’s text, from the last chapter of Ecclesiastes, is both the answer and the question. The writer of Ecclesiastes, often thought to be King Solomon but we’re not certain, is at the end of a long and diverse life. The book contains the philosophical and theological reflections of this old man, who has enjoyed more in this life than most ever could dream of. We can assume for now that the author is King Solomon. He had spent his whole life trying to find happiness and meaning. God had allowed him unlimited resources and opportunity to find a reason for living any way he could. He pursued every possibility available to man: work, wealth, pleasure, fame, friends, love and power.
In the end, Solomon determined that human wisdom has limitations, and we cannot determine the larger purposes of God or the ultimate meaning of life as we know it. But yet, Solomon also determined that a life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless. Without God, nothing else can satisfy us. In the end Solomon concluded that life was futile and useless apart from God.
“Hear is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments.”
Fear God and keep his commandments.
We know that we can’t fully keep God’s commandments. Adam and Eve only had one commandment, and they couldn’t keep that! God gave Moses and the people of Israel the 10 Commandments, and they couldn’t keep those. God sent his own son, Jesus, and we simply have to believe in him, follow him, and we don’t really do that. But God knows this. God’s grace looks past the actual deeds, and into our hearts. This can be good, or this can be bad. One of my seminary professors made the uncomfortable but honest statement, that there are some who sit in the pews each week who will not be in the Kingdom, and there are some who have never been inside a church who will one day be at God’s feet. Only you and God can know the answer to that, and in some cases, only God knows the reality that will be. And yet, we are to do our very best to keep the commandments. Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love God, and the second is like it, to love our neighbor as ourselves. These sum up the Ten Commandments, and the whole of scripture falls under these two.
Yet, we can’t allow God’s grace to become “cheap grace” for us. We do need to “keep” God’s commandments. The Hebrew for “keep” has with it the meaning of “hedging in” or “guarding” or “protecting.” This means we need to do everything in our power to protect God’s Word. In order to do that, we need to know it. We need to be reading God’s Word every day, and talking about it with other Christians. We can keep God’s commandments in this manner. God needs to be central in our life, in order for our life to make any sense at all. Without God, without God’s Word, our life is meaningless.
Fear God. Now this is where many people have trouble. What does it mean to “fear God?”
There are many ways in which the word “fear” can be used. It can be used of a person shaking fearfully in a corner, too petrified to move. Fear can also refer to the respect people show to others when they are obedient and serve each other. Fear can refer to a person who avoids a fallen power line for fear of being shocked. Being on the Great Lakes, we know the fear of the power held in the wind and the waves which have sunk many a ship and taken many a life. But these powerful forces, beyond our control also provide great pleasure when respected; when properly feared. If a person goes out on the Bay in a 14’ boat in the fall when the winds are picking up and the temperature is falling down, they have no fear. If you want to make it across the bay, you need to know the bay, and you need to approach it with a certain respect and reverence.
We are to fear God. We are to know God. We are to revere and respect God. Our reverence and respect for God is what drives us to honor Him with our lips and with our deeds. It is the respect that we show our God through humble submission to the commandments we have been given. But even as we serve God in reverence, we must be aware of the wrath that awaits those who are not obedient. God is our Lord and Creator. God is also our Judge.
As it says in verse 14, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
We need to remember that we are always in God’s presence and God knows our thoughts and desires, even better than we know them ourselves. We are to fear God, but we are not to be afraid of God. Remember, Psalm 111:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it will have a good understanding.” How do we practice the fear of God? One way is by coming together to worship God. But even that has it shortcomings.
When we come to worship are we more concerned with our job, what our neighbor is wearing, what we will be eating after worship, or are we simply focused on offering up worship to God? During the worship service, how much time do we spend talking or thinking about worldly things verses meditating on the scripture, pondering the sermon, reflecting on the prayers, especially the Lord’s Prayer. When we come into this sanctuary, this “safe place,” we are to take a few moments and set aside the concerns of our earthly life, and focus on God. As I have said before, “Worship is a place to be shaped by God to be the church in the world.”
Life apart from God is meaningless. If we want our life to have real meaning, we need to do everything we can to keep God as our focus. We need to do what God tells us. When Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain, and was transfigured – changed – right in front of them, God told them, “This is my Son… listen to him!” God continues to tell you today, “Listen to Jesus, do what he tells you.” What does he tell you and I? We are to Love God, and love our neighbor. That isn’t something that we can do alone. That means joining as a community of believers, the family of God, to worship God, to learn about God, to learn about ourselves, and to be sent out living for God.
I invite you, and ask that you in turn invite others, to come worship on Wednesday evenings this Lent. Right here, in this sanctuary. I’m going to sit right down here, and share some stories of the ancestors of Jesus, through the amazing word pictures of Max Lucado in his latest book, “Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God.” In the introduction he invites us all to come hear story after story marked by scandal, stumble, and intrigue. Who’s stories are these? You and I. That whose they are. We find our stories in the stories of people in God’s Word. We find our hope where they found theirs. In the midst of them all…hovering over them all…is the hero of it all: God. Maker. Shaper. Rescuer of sinking hearts. God. These are the people of the Bible, brimming with much more spunk and spark than many people realize. Come, every Wednesday, 7:00 PM, for a casual time of worship, as we practice the fear of God in a more informal manner.
Here is the conclusion: We need to fear God, and keep his commandments.
February 8, 2009
“The Heart of Worship” 1 Chronicles 16:23-34
The scripture we just read, 1 Chronicles 16, is part of what is called David's Psalm of Thanksgiving. The very beginning of this Psalm of Thanksgiving, verse 8, says, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the peoples." David sang of God's wonderful acts. David. Who is he? Where did this Psalm of Praise come from? What do we know about David's life? David had 19 sons and one daughter who are named in Scripture. These children were all born to his wives. In addition, he had numerous unnamed sons and daughters born to wives and concubines.
David was a shepherd, a priest, a prophet, a soldier, and a King. David had both bad and good experiences: sufferings, agonies, moments of danger, threats, feelings of guilt, triumph, assurances, joy and happiness. He was not perfect, but he became a great king in the history of Israel. He learned that in all circumstances, God was with him, and did wonderful acts for him. That's why David said, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done." For David, to give thanks to God, and to glorify God’s name, was the heart of worship.
There’s a contemporary Christian song by that same name, “The Heart of Worship” written by Matt Redman. This song has been recorded by many artists and played in many, many places of worship over the past decade. The song dates back to the late 1990s, born from a period of apathy within Matt’s home church in England. Redman’s congregation was struggling to find meaning in its music at the time. Matt’s pastor did a rather brave thing: he got rid of the sound system and the band for a season, and the congregation gathered together with just their voices. You can imagine how the question was initially received with and awkward, stunned silence. This was much like the reformers of the 1500’s, removing and forbidding any musical instrument in worship. The point that Matt’s pastor was trying to make was that they had lost their way in worship, and the way to get back to the heart would be to strip everything away.
I read an interview with Matt last spring, in which he said that his pastor asked his church family, “When you come through the doors on a Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?” He was reminding them that they were to be producers in worship, not just consumers. I would phrase it as your need to be participants leading worship rather than an audience. God is the audience of one (or the audience of three-in-one to be theologically correct!) Eventually, people broke into a cappella songs and heartfelt prayers, encountering God in a fresh way. Matt said in that interview, “Before long, we reintroduced the musicians and sound system. We’d gained a new perspective that worship is all about Jesus, and He commands a response in the depths of our souls no matter what the circumstance and setting. The song simply describes what occurred.”
Listen to the lyrics of “The Heart of Worship”: When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come Longing just to bring something that’s of worth that will bless your heart… I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
The heart of worship in David’s time was the Ark of the Covenant. In Exodus 25 we read about this specially built chest which held the tablets Moses received on Mt. Sinai; the 10 Commandments; the law. The Ark of the Covenant was to be placed in the Tabernacle, which was made of “ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim worked into them by a skilled craftsman.” This was a magnificent place, a place for God to dwell among His people. This portable Tabernacle tent, became the temple David desired to build, which was eventually completed by his son Solomon. The Tabernacle became the Temple became the Sanctuary. This place in which we gather to worship – the sacred place, the holy place, the safe place, literally it is the place set apart. Set apart for what? Set apart for the heart of worship. No longer is the heart of worship the Ark of the Covenant, per se, but the heart of worship is found in the new covenant, in Jesus Christ. Worship is all about Jesus. This sanctuary is all about the worship of Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior. An interesting side note, at yesterday’s Presbytery meeting, Rev. Tom Willadson noted that the only things found in a sanctuary are Christians and wildlife. I don’t quite know what that says…but, this sanctuary is all about the worship of Jesus Christ. David said, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the peoples." and “Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Tell of his salvation from day to day.” In 1 Chronicles 13 and 15 (as well as 2 Samuel 6) we have the story of David's moving the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. When David and the people attempted to use a common method (an ox-drawn cart) to transport that which was holy, God severely judged them by killing a man who reached out to steady the ark. There is a seriousness with which God desires us to set Him apart and to avoid secularizing worship. A church that seeks to look more and more like the world is in danger of presenting a God that is no longer holy because He is hardly discernible from the world.
So what should worship be like today? How do we keep Jesus Christ as the heart of worship?
The Presbyterian Book of Common Worship describes a four-fold shape of worship, consisting of (1) Gathering, (2) The Word, (3) The Eucharist and (4) Sending. Within these four primary movements are secondary parts of worship, such as: Call to Worship, Hymns of Praise, Confession and Pardon, Prayer for Illumination, Scripture Readings, the Sermon, an Invitation to Discipleship, the Affirmation of Faith, Baptism, Prayers of the People, Offering, Invitation to the Table, Great Thanksgiving, Lord’s Prayer, Communion of the People, Songs or Acts of Commitment, the Charge and Blessing. There is broad historical ecumenical consensus on this liturgical pattern and flow.
The PC(USA)’s Directory for Worship offers a slight variation on this structure, describing five actions centered on the Word of God. These characteristically Reformed views of worship emphasize the centrality of the Word, and frames human actions in worship as a response to God’s initiative. You have no doubt noticed that I have included in today’s bulletin six actions. The actual elements included in our worship haven’t changed. I have just included titles to the various portions of the service. Although the framework is somewhat different, this order of worship is essentially consistent with the Reformed pattern.
I began with the title “CALLED BY GOD” to remind us that everything begins with God. When we come into this safe place, the Sanctuary, we are really “GATHERING AS GOD’S FAMILY.” The first thing we need to do is to get our hearts and minds prepared for worship. For some, this might take more time, or might be more meaningful to some than others. This is why we have the doors to the sanctuary closed, trying to limit the noise of the rest of the family sharing in valuable fellowship. I’ve decided to try having the candles lit before the worship starts, to symbolize God’s presence here before we enter. We begin worship a verse or two of scripture followed by an initial expression of praise – usually a hymn. This adoration of God makes us aware of our own sinfulness. As Calvin notes at the beginning of the Institutes, knowledge of God and knowledge of ourselves are inextricably linked, so that “we are prompted by our own ills to contemplate the good things of God” (I.1.i) and conversely, contemplation of God’s goodness leads us to recognize our own sinful nature. In worship, encounter with God’s holy presence comes first, prompting an awareness of human sinfulness. Therefore, we repent of our sin and ask God’s forgiveness in the prayer of confession. This is the key to a right relationship with God. From the beginning, indeed from creation itself, God enters into relationship with human beings. This relationship of love and faithfulness is what we call “covenant.” In this covenant, humanity and God are bound by promises of love and faithfulness. This concept of a covenant relationship is the focus of next week’s sermon.
Hughes Oliphant Old, in Worship that is Reformed According to Scripture demonstrates that the pattern of praise and confession at the beginning of worship has its roots in Temple worship in the time of David and Solomon. According to this pattern, the pilgrims of the Temple would process to the gates with a hymn of praise, then they would hear a penitential sermon which led them to reexamine their lives and confess their sin. Following this confession, the gates would be opened and they would proceed to the Temple. Old says, “It should be noticed that praise and the confession of our sin go hand in hand. Just as Isaiah when he was confronted by the presence of God in the Temple was first caught up by the seraphic song, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!’ and then prostrated himself on the ground with this humble confession, ‘Woe is me! … for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips’ (Isaiah 6:5), so we approach God in both praise and confession”.
But we can never be worthy of God’s mercy. For that reason, the invitation to confession is itself an assurance of God’s mercy so that we can come to humble confession before God. We do not earn God’s forgiveness through our expressions of remorse; we have already been forgiven, and therefore we freely confess our unworthiness and receive forgiveness anew.
The actions of confession and pardon are deeply connected to baptism. In The Service for the Lord’s Day: Supplemental Liturgical Resource 1 it says, “In the waters of baptism, washed in the name of the triune God, we receive God’s assurance of forgiveness and cleansing. Claiming the promises of God sealed in our baptism, we boldly confess our sin and accept forgiveness. We are confident that in our dying to sin and old destructive ways, the God of boundless grace raises us to new life.”
The congregational prayer, or prayers of the people, and the Lord’s Prayer traditionally should be placed as a response to God’s Word. But for today, I decided to join other 19th Century Presbyterian liturgies and place it as a direct response of God’s Covenant Community.
Next comes what we as Presbyterians would call the Heart of Worship: God’s Word. Many times I have heard people, including well trained clergy, say, “Listen for the Word of God” just before they read the Word of God. Now you may not notice anything wrong with that, but if we are listening “for” the Word of God, then what we are actually saying is only some of what we are reading from God’s Word is God’s Word. No, we are “LISTENING TO GOD’S WORD.”
After we have listened to God’s Word, read and proclaimed, we are to find ourselves “RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD.” This response can take on many forms, but there is a participatory element, as well as the expectation that we will somehow be changed from the inside out during worship.
As we close our time in this safe place, we are to take the heart of worship out to the rest of God’s children. But just as everything starts with God, everything also ends with God. We do not choose to take God’s Word, God’s Living Word Jesus Christ out of this safe place. God chooses us. God sends us out, just as God sent Abraham on his journey, and every other saint before or after him. When we leave this sanctuary, we are “BEING SENT TO LIVE GOD’S WORD.”
We need to get back to the heart of worship. The 2008 General Assembly passed the following overture calling the church to seek the Lord in special times of prayer and worship known as solemn or sacred assemblies: Realizing that worship is our response to God’s love for us and that we pray for God to “put a new and right spirit within [us]” (Ps. 51:10), we invite each congregation and presbytery of the PC(USA) to gather in times each sets aside for spiritual renewal through intentional gatherings such as spiritual assemblies, which may include personal and community worship, meditation, confession, forgiveness, fasting, and prayer. Recognizing the biblical value of solemn assemblies for spiritual renewal, we request the Office of Theology and Worship to make available materials to include rich varieties of worship, Bible study, prayer, Christian meditation, and other spiritual disciplines.
I am preparing a service for us to start Lent with the Solemn Assembly of Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a day of solemn assembly that is built right into the church year. With public mourning for our sin and the sin of all humanity before God, on this day we request that the Lord Jesus Christ remember our creation and breathe new life into our burned-out, dusty lives once more. Please plan to be here for this service, and invite others to join us.
May we truly, honestly, and powerfully get back to the heart of worship.
"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the peoples."
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Tell of his salvation from day to day.”
February 1, 2009
“Divine Appointments” 1 Samuel 9:1-10, 14-21
“Why then have you spoken to me is this way?”
Have you ever had someone say something about you that just didn’t make any sense? Something positive. They pointed out a quality about you that you found hard to believe? I remember, when I was about 20 years old, a retired pastor basically told me that God wanted me to be a minister. I’m very thankful for his guidance and encouragement.
In today’s text, we are introduced to the first King of Israel, Saul. If we were to read on into chapter 10, we would find the anointing of Saul as King. We are told of Saul’s lineage and that Saul was more handsome than anyone else in Israel, and he was a very tall man. On the outside, he had the perfect appearance of a born leader. We find in the next twenty chapters that his inner leadership abilities didn’t match his outer appearance. Too often, Saul acted on his own, and actually disobeyed God’s directions. Yet God used him.
My study Bible points out that while our strengths and abilities make us useful, it is our weaknesses that make us usable. Let me repeat that. Our strengths and abilities make us useful. It is our weaknesses that make us usable. Our skills and talents make us tools, but our failures and shortcomings remind us that we need a craftsman in control of our life. We need God to be in complete control of our life. That can be a scary thought for many people. But, when God is in control of our life, it is amazing to see what happens. Sometimes, all too often, we don’t even realize how much God is actually in control of our lives!
When Saul set out to find his father’s lost donkeys, I’m sure he didn’t think, “Maybe I’ll meet a great prophet, a seer, and he will anoint me to be the first king of Israel!” He’s a tall, good looking young man, being sent on an adventure, in search of some lost donkeys. What young boy doesn’t dream of getting this sort of opportunity? But Saul had no idea what was about to happen. He was about to experience what many would call a “Divine Appointment.”
Have you ever had a coincidence, which was so special that it seemed like God was in it? A divine appointment is ‘a meeting’ which was inspired by God. Throughout the Bible there are many examples of divine appointments. Time after time God leads the faithful to cross another person’s path and great things happen! God is sovereign; God is all knowing and all-powerful. If we are willing to be led by the Holy Spirit, great things are possible. It is often said that God is not so much interested in our ability but our availability.
Several years ago, while I was a youth director, I was in the senior pastor’s office, basically complaining about all the people who were stopping by my office during the day, and interrupting my work. These people were irritating me! How was I to get any ministry done if these interruptions kept happening? He smiled, sat back in his chair, and said, “Craig, over the years I have learned that the real ministry happens in the interruptions.” For those few times that I need to have uninterrupted time, I go hide out someplace where I know I won’t be interrupted. Otherwise, I sort of look forward to being interrupted. Sometimes we are so busy that we don't allow for interruptions, much less see them as divine appointments. We might be "making such good time" that it is hard to stop. Or maybe we are really getting a lot done and checking things off of our to do list and we don't want to break the rhythm of what we're doing. We may be doing a lot of business and having a profitable day and don't want to blow a carefully developed opportunity to do our job well. If we aren't careful, we'll see these interruptions as irritations rather than divine appointments.
In one sense, most of Jesus' miracles were interruptions. Oftentimes, he was on the way to another appointment when someone else would stop him and provide him the opportunity to do something miraculous.
Do you allow Jesus to interrupt your schedule? If we're not allowing interruptions like these in our schedules, don't you think we may be missing some very important divine appointments? We need to see our schedules as God sees them, using a Biblical understanding of time.
The early Christians knew there were two ways to view time. The first focuses on the passage of time chronologically. The word for this kind of time is chronos. The other way to view time is to see it as strategic moments when something more than just the mere passage of time is in play. At these strategic moments, several different layers of life and reality converge at a given moment and provide great opportunity. This kind of time is called kairos.
For Christians, this coalescence of people, places, times, and events, is more than coincidence, fate, or the alignment of the planets. God is at work redeeming time, working in history, and shaping his people through strategic moments and events. While we don’t completely know why or how things work out the way they do in those moments of opportune time, we believe that God is behind the moment. He is the God of kairos; the God of opportunities. For believers, there are no such things as coincidences.
I’m not sure how to know at the time that a “nudge” or a “thought” to do something is actually the leading of the Spirit. I know some folks have formulas and others attribute everything to “God led me to tell you...” kind of promptings. I’m working on this myself. Sometimes I’ll find out something happening in one of your lives, and then I think back and realize that you were on my mind at that particular moment. I should have called, but was too busy with my schedule. I have to admit, I’ve gotten better at the physical interruptions being ministry, but I’m still working on the spiritual interruptions. All I know to do is to pray, search Scripture, and ask wise spiritual people for advice on big things. In the small daily things, I try to live by my Christian priorities, honor my commitments to others, and to routinely place the people of God in my thoughts and in my prayers. Somewhere in all of that, I believe that God gets me to the right place, at just the right time, a whole lot of the time.
Does this make me special? Yeah! I’m a child of God and God is working in me and through me; that’s special. Does that make me unique or more special than anyone else; than any of you? Nope! God does the same kinds of things in the life of each of his children who are letting God be in control of their life.
What does this look like, in real life examples?
Do you remember last year’s Super Bowl, and the “miracle catch” by David Tyree? The catch introduced the 28-year-old Tyree to the world. Did you know that in 2004 he was arrested for drug possession after the police found half a pound of marijuana in his car and put in jail? Tyree says, “What looked to be the lowest point in my life ended up being the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”
Let me read you a few quotes from an article in the New York Times.
The morning Tyree left jail, in March 2004, his estranged girlfriend, Leilah, sent him a text message. It read, “I’m with child.” She was pregnant with their second son. He promised to visit her in Syracuse and went home and downed a bottle of Rémy Martin cognac. During the visit that month, Leilah presented Tyree with an ultimatum — her lifestyle or his.
Tyree promised change, just as he had promised before. He glimpsed a Bible on her bed, and when he picked it up and started reading from the book of Genesis, for the first time, the words on the page made sense. He went home and “called every woman and told them, ‘Things are about to change.’” Tyree said he never drank again.
Then one day, for no reason in particular, Tyree went to the Bethel Church of Love and Praise in Bloomfield, N.J. He sat in the back, about a month after the arrest. A woman started singing before the congregation, her voice, loud and passionate, filling the room. As Tyree listened, he felt her joy and realized he had none. He lowered his head into his hands and started crying, first sniffles, then sobs lasting 25 minutes.
“I’m a successful player in the N.F.L., having what most people would desire for their lives,” Tyree said. “I’m at the pinnacle of sports. But I had no joy. I had no peace. My life was obviously in disarray.”
“It’s imperative for me not to act like this was all me,” Tyree said. Though the catch opened up numerous marketing opportunities for the once-anonymous Tyree, he remains more concerned with changing lives. In 2006, Tyree and his wife started Next in Line, a project that counsels teenagers.
Tyree never expected to make possibly the greatest catch in the history of the Super Bowl. He never expected an earlier touchdown grab in the same game, his first of the season.
Sometimes these “Divine Appointments” aren’t all positive; they don’t always make life easier. Sometimes God places us in circumstances that actually seem to make life a bit harder.
This year’s Super bowl stars are already being highlighted: Kurt and Brenda Warner. Some are saying that Kurt’s ability, or lack of, as quarterback is said to be the make or break element of today’s game. They are said to be a deeply religious family of nine. Brenda Warner was a divorced mother of two living on food stamps when they met, and they've had five children in the 11 years they've been married — she believes their story is one that can inspire others. But as much as she'd love to tout their community work or their First Things First foundation, Brenda proceeds with caution.
She says that the Internet has been cruel to her over the years, with mocking commentary of her former look and criticism of her heavy involvement in Warner's career. She says, "You try to avoid it. But people will come up to you, people you are close to, and say, `Did you see what they said about you?' It's like they do it just to see your reaction. So I am more protected now. I've put up a few walls, and that works for my benefit, but I probably miss out on relationships because I have so many walls." What are your walls? Why have they been built up? How do they keep you from noticing the “Divine Appointments” of your life? What would it take to bring those walls down? Many of you will be around other people tonight; people who need Jesus to be more active in their life. I want to challenge you to be aware of “Divine Appointments” during the big game.
This year as you are watching the Super Bowl, use it as an opportunity to pray for the athletes. You can use silent prayer and it will work just the same as spoken prayer. Whether you are in a room full of people or alone you can still pray for the players and no one will be the wiser. Pray for their Salvation, their relationship with the Lord, their health & safety, their marriages, kids and families. You can also do the same for everyone in the room with you and even for yourself. We all need prayer. Someone was once asked if they could pray for them and the reply was: "I need the prayer and you need the practice."
Then, start to do this every day. Let this practice of silent prayer become the driving force of your life. As you pray, trust that a “Divine Appointment” will happen. It probably won’t be a obvious as David Tyree’s or Brenda Warner’s, but it will be at least as important. It may simply be an opportunity to let someone tell you the trouble of their day. It might be an opportunity to share a little loose change with a young child eyeing a lollipop. It might be an opportunity to do a random act of kindness, like chipping some ice off a neighbor’s walk. It might be as simple as picking up the phone and calling an old friend or relative that you haven’t talked to in a while. It might be an opportunity to tell someone, “you should come to church with me sometime.” Take one of those new information cards in the pew with you today. If you want more, there’s plenty out on the table in the narthex. Set one or two on the table where your friends coming over for the super bowl can see them. Who knows, they might just ask you about coming to church.
We never know what small act, what “Divine Appointment” might just allow for someone to be able to understand the power that comes from participating in this Holy Meal, the Lord’s Supper.
Amen.
January 25, 2009 “Loving God” Deuteronomy 6:1-9
There’s a story titled “How the Birds Formed a Church”
Then the mockingbird said, “What about the choir? We must have a good choir, and don’t forget the organ!” “Oh,” said the thrush, “we don’t want an organ. A piano is much better.” But the titmouse didn’t want a musical instrument at all. And the sparrow said, “It would be just as well to throw out music.”
The goose stood up and said, “What we really need is a preacher who is good with young people. If you don’t attract young people, the other churches will gobble them up for sure.” But the starling said he thought it was better that the preacher be a good mixer. And the blue-jay figured if the minister could lay off preaching about sin and stuff that almost anyone would do. We just need a preacher who is popular among the townsfolk.
So they formed a church. And it really was – for the birds.
Today is the fourth Sunday of January, the day on which our by-laws state we are to hold our annual congregational meeting. And so we will, immediately following worship. But first, I want to pose a question for you to answer. Why church? Why come to church? Why be part of a church, any church, let alone First Presbyterian Church of Oconto WI? Why?
A 2007 study by the Barna Group found that when asked to choose the most important relationship to them, seven out of ten adults choose their earthly family over their heavenly Father. One-third said their entire nuclear family is more important than God. Twenty-two percent named their spouse as the most important relationship in their lives. Nineteen percent mentioned various iterations of people’s deity, including God, Jesus Christ, Allah, and the Trinity among others. Seventeen percent identified their children.
This may not seem entirely bad, after all, family takes three of the top four places. However, it represents a significant theological problem, and a huge departure from Scripture. As George Barna puts it, "People were more than 50% more likely to say that their church’s congregation is their most significant group than to say that God represents their most important personal connection. That certainly reflects the interpersonal comfort that millions of people have developed at their church, but also indicates that people may have forgotten the ultimate reason for belonging to a Christian church."
“The ultimate reason for belonging to a Christian church.” What is that reason? There are many reasons, but at the core of them all would be to follow the greatest commandment, or commandments, of God’s Holy Word. The greatest commandment, quoted in Matthew, Mark and Luke, comes from today’s reading in Deuteronomy 6:5: to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. The second, quoted with the greatest commandment in all three Gospels, comes from Leviticus 19:18: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
To belong to a Christian church is to affirm the desire to connect people with other people, and more importantly, to connect people with God. As the pastor of this church family I constantly ask myself, “How can we help connect p |
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