As we bring this series on worship to a close I wish to take time to remind us of a few of the things we have covered over the past weeks (You can find these articles in more detail on the church website or my blog, jayssermonthougts.blogspot.com):
1. Worship is not about you… It is about God.
2. Being focused on ourselves rather than God and others ruins worship.
3. Evangelism, Discipleship, Giving, and Praying all grow out of worship and then return to worship.
4. Scripture tells us how we are to worship and praise.
5. It isn’t someone else’s job to “make you worship.” Each of us has the choice to worship or not.
Finally, this week we will look at the fact that worship is a verb, an action word. It means we do something. More specifically worship is something we do, not something done to us.
I think back to Paul and Silas. As the Christian Rock group Petra told the story in “Let Everything that Has Breath,” Paul and Silas were thrown in jail
For preaching the gospel of Christ
Though in chains they praised His name singing songs in the night
I have heard other stories of people truly praising God and worshiping in the face of persecution and certain death. No matter how bad it gets we can still worship God.
While I truly feel we are blessed with pastoral leadership, great music leaders in Chris and Brett, great musicians in the band and Scott, and a great facility, none of these are necessary for us to worship. As you read this there are people worshiping under Marula trees in Africa and in the cramped space of a basement in China. With or without all the architecture and leadership we can still come together as the body of Christ, offer God our praises, and give an offering.
As Joe McKeever puts it in his article, “Our insistence on worshipful music, worship settings, and worshipful everything are all signs of our disgusting self-centeredness. It’s disgusting because I see it in myself, and do not like it.”
I leave the topic now with this final thought… Worship is life. While we need to gather together in corporate worship regularly, we also need to realize that our life is our worship. What we do daily in our goings and comings should be worship.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1, NLT
I’ll See You Sunday;
J
McKeever, Joe, “7Things We Regularly Get Wrong About Worship”, http://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/7-things-we-regularly-get-wrong-about-worship.html, May 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Worship Articles - 3
As I began writing this article I heard the song How Great Thou Art. Consider the words of this great hymn:
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power through-out the universe displayed.
Then sings by soul, my Savior God to thee;
How great thou art, how great thou art!
What a way to begin writing an article about Worship. As we look at Scripture we see that we are called to worship. 1 Chronicles 16:29 and Psalm 96:8 tell us to “Give (ascribe) to the Lord the glory due His name and bring an offering.” David wrote in Psalm 51:17 that “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart O God, you will not despise.” Throughout Scripture
we are invited, we are commanded, we are called to sing to God, offer praise to God, rejoice before God. We are to pray, offer, humble, love… All this is what worship is about.
Our worship is more than an emotional experience just as it is more than just something we show up for. Jesus tells the Samaritan Woman at the well that “Those who worship God must worship in spirit and in truth.” In other words we must worship with all that we are. Worship is more than lip service or going through some ritualistic motions. Worship is what we do in our innermost being. And, worship is something we choose to do.
Worship is a decision that we make as we enter the house of the Lord and as we walk through our daily lives. How many times have we said, “I just couldn’t worship today, the Soprano was off key.” Or, “The preacher was a little off today and it really messed up my worship.” Or, “I wish they would sing [insert your favorite worship song] so I can worship.” It is so easy to blame others for our lack of
worship. We live in a consumerist society where we feel we should be served. If we don’t get what we “pay for” it must be someone else’s fault. As Joe McKeever puts it, the truth is that “No one can eat my food for me, love my cherished ones in my place, or do my worshiping for me.”1 We are the only ones in charge of our decision to worship.
My prayer is that we will make the decision to worship, not only on Sunday but everyday of our life. In fact, I hope we will worship with our life. I’ll see you Sunday where we will continue corporately the worship we have done privately all week.
Peace,
]
1 (McKeever, Joe, “7 Things We Regularly Get Wrong About Worship”,
http://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/7-things-we-regularly-get-wrong-about-worship.html, May 24, 2011)
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power through-out the universe displayed.
Then sings by soul, my Savior God to thee;
How great thou art, how great thou art!
What a way to begin writing an article about Worship. As we look at Scripture we see that we are called to worship. 1 Chronicles 16:29 and Psalm 96:8 tell us to “Give (ascribe) to the Lord the glory due His name and bring an offering.” David wrote in Psalm 51:17 that “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart O God, you will not despise.” Throughout Scripture
we are invited, we are commanded, we are called to sing to God, offer praise to God, rejoice before God. We are to pray, offer, humble, love… All this is what worship is about.
Our worship is more than an emotional experience just as it is more than just something we show up for. Jesus tells the Samaritan Woman at the well that “Those who worship God must worship in spirit and in truth.” In other words we must worship with all that we are. Worship is more than lip service or going through some ritualistic motions. Worship is what we do in our innermost being. And, worship is something we choose to do.
Worship is a decision that we make as we enter the house of the Lord and as we walk through our daily lives. How many times have we said, “I just couldn’t worship today, the Soprano was off key.” Or, “The preacher was a little off today and it really messed up my worship.” Or, “I wish they would sing [insert your favorite worship song] so I can worship.” It is so easy to blame others for our lack of
worship. We live in a consumerist society where we feel we should be served. If we don’t get what we “pay for” it must be someone else’s fault. As Joe McKeever puts it, the truth is that “No one can eat my food for me, love my cherished ones in my place, or do my worshiping for me.”1 We are the only ones in charge of our decision to worship.
My prayer is that we will make the decision to worship, not only on Sunday but everyday of our life. In fact, I hope we will worship with our life. I’ll see you Sunday where we will continue corporately the worship we have done privately all week.
Peace,
]
1 (McKeever, Joe, “7 Things We Regularly Get Wrong About Worship”,
http://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/7-things-we-regularly-get-wrong-about-worship.html, May 24, 2011)
Worship Articles - 2
How fitting it is that we are talking about worship after I have had the recent experience of leading all aspects of worship in The Current. This week we continue our discussion of worship and come to the problem of and the importance of “self” in worship. Danish theologian Soren Kierkgaard saw this problem in the church as far
back as the mid 19th Century. As he looked at churches, he saw worship being played out as a drama of Prompters, Actors, and Audience. Usually he would see the drama played out from the perspective of God being the Prompter – that the Holy Spirit moves us into worship, the leaders (musician, pastor, liturgists, etc.) were the actors – carrying out the lines that others were to see, enjoy, and get something out of, and the congregation was the Audience – those that sit and receive what the actors perform as prompted by God.
When we look around the church these days I think we still see the same thing. This is what we have become accustomed to as worshipers. Yet, as with Kierkegaard, I think this model has the order all wrong. This model of worship tends to make worship about “me” and “my needs”. If the music is off or the preacher has a bad day then we consider it to have been a bad performance for the week and worry that we didn’t get anything out of it. When the focus becomes about self, i.e. “getting my needs met, learning something, hearing a lesson that blesses me, being lifted by
the singing – then Christ has no part in it.” Maybe that is why Joe McKeever says, “Selfcenteredness Destroys all Worship.”1
Instead of this errant model that we have become so accustomed to, Kierkegaard suggests a different model and order for the drama of worship. This model is what I like to remember as I worship and lead others in worship. Whereas we often start with God as the prompter suddenly the leader becomes the prompter. Those that lead the music, read the passages, preach the sermons are the Prompters who lead the congregation to then be the Actors in the great drama of worship. Finally we realize that all this is done for the Audience of one, God. Worship truly
becomes something of great beauty when we get self out of the way – selfishness, selfcenteredness, self-interest, self-seeking, and self-absorption.
Only when we live and breathe our worship in this way do we fully realize the power of our Audience. I pray that this week you will begin preparing to be a participant in the great drama of worship.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Jay
1. (McKeever, Joe, “7 Things We Regularly Get Wrong About Worship”,
http://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/7-things-we-regularly-get-wrong-about-worship.html , May 24, 2011)
back as the mid 19th Century. As he looked at churches, he saw worship being played out as a drama of Prompters, Actors, and Audience. Usually he would see the drama played out from the perspective of God being the Prompter – that the Holy Spirit moves us into worship, the leaders (musician, pastor, liturgists, etc.) were the actors – carrying out the lines that others were to see, enjoy, and get something out of, and the congregation was the Audience – those that sit and receive what the actors perform as prompted by God.
When we look around the church these days I think we still see the same thing. This is what we have become accustomed to as worshipers. Yet, as with Kierkegaard, I think this model has the order all wrong. This model of worship tends to make worship about “me” and “my needs”. If the music is off or the preacher has a bad day then we consider it to have been a bad performance for the week and worry that we didn’t get anything out of it. When the focus becomes about self, i.e. “getting my needs met, learning something, hearing a lesson that blesses me, being lifted by
the singing – then Christ has no part in it.” Maybe that is why Joe McKeever says, “Selfcenteredness Destroys all Worship.”1
Instead of this errant model that we have become so accustomed to, Kierkegaard suggests a different model and order for the drama of worship. This model is what I like to remember as I worship and lead others in worship. Whereas we often start with God as the prompter suddenly the leader becomes the prompter. Those that lead the music, read the passages, preach the sermons are the Prompters who lead the congregation to then be the Actors in the great drama of worship. Finally we realize that all this is done for the Audience of one, God. Worship truly
becomes something of great beauty when we get self out of the way – selfishness, selfcenteredness, self-interest, self-seeking, and self-absorption.
Only when we live and breathe our worship in this way do we fully realize the power of our Audience. I pray that this week you will begin preparing to be a participant in the great drama of worship.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Jay
1. (McKeever, Joe, “7 Things We Regularly Get Wrong About Worship”,
http://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/7-things-we-regularly-get-wrong-about-worship.html , May 24, 2011)
Worship Articles - 1
I have so enjoyed the time we have spent here. You have all been so wonderful and welcoming to me and my family as we have begun to grow accustomed to Corsicana. The meals, gift cards, gifts, and the pounding have all been greatly appreciated. I have also enjoyed visiting with so many of you during the week and on Sunday as well as during my visits to the nursing homes. I truly look forward to the many years we have together as we continue to grow in grace and offer Christ to others.
As the pastor of The Current and your new Associate Pastor here at Corsicana First, I want to take the time during these first few newsletters to discuss two areas that are important to me. In so doing I hope you will begin to get a flavor for my ministry as we grow together. The first focus will be worship and taken in part from an article written by Joe McKeever called “7 Things We Regularly Get Wrong About Worship”. In later weeks we will look at being welcoming from an interesting perspective. Finally we will look at where I think the rubber meets the road
as a church within the Corsicana community – Local Missions.
For now let us focus on worship. In Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado, Max tells us that “The purpose of worship is to change the face of the worshiper. That is exactly what happened to Christ on the mountain. Jesus’ appearance was changed: ‘His face became bright like the sun’ Matt. 17:2)”. As we spend time over the next weeks looking at worship I hope that we will keep this in mind. Worship is not about us getting something out of the service, it is about us being changed into the likeness of Christ. So often I hear people say, “Oh, I don’t go to church any more, I just don’t get anything out of it.” As if to say that the goal of coming to worship is to get something as though we were going to the store for groceries.
So, if worship is not about getting our needs met then what is it about? Worship is about the Lord, plain and simple. We are to go to church to give, not to get. When we have set the expectation within ourselves and those we invite to “get” instead of “give” then we become disappointed and leave in frustration. We all need to remember that we are there to give, first and foremost. What we are to give is glory to God, because God is worthy of our worship and glory. How often do we recite in the prayers and creeds that “…thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory”? Or sing “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…”
Therefore, as we prepare our hearts and lives to receive the grace offered in Holy Communion this Sunday, may we prepare our hearts not to “get something” out of the service but to instead gather to give glory to God who is worthy of all our praise.
I’ll see you Sunday,
Jay
As the pastor of The Current and your new Associate Pastor here at Corsicana First, I want to take the time during these first few newsletters to discuss two areas that are important to me. In so doing I hope you will begin to get a flavor for my ministry as we grow together. The first focus will be worship and taken in part from an article written by Joe McKeever called “7 Things We Regularly Get Wrong About Worship”. In later weeks we will look at being welcoming from an interesting perspective. Finally we will look at where I think the rubber meets the road
as a church within the Corsicana community – Local Missions.
For now let us focus on worship. In Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado, Max tells us that “The purpose of worship is to change the face of the worshiper. That is exactly what happened to Christ on the mountain. Jesus’ appearance was changed: ‘His face became bright like the sun’ Matt. 17:2)”. As we spend time over the next weeks looking at worship I hope that we will keep this in mind. Worship is not about us getting something out of the service, it is about us being changed into the likeness of Christ. So often I hear people say, “Oh, I don’t go to church any more, I just don’t get anything out of it.” As if to say that the goal of coming to worship is to get something as though we were going to the store for groceries.
So, if worship is not about getting our needs met then what is it about? Worship is about the Lord, plain and simple. We are to go to church to give, not to get. When we have set the expectation within ourselves and those we invite to “get” instead of “give” then we become disappointed and leave in frustration. We all need to remember that we are there to give, first and foremost. What we are to give is glory to God, because God is worthy of our worship and glory. How often do we recite in the prayers and creeds that “…thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory”? Or sing “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…”
Therefore, as we prepare our hearts and lives to receive the grace offered in Holy Communion this Sunday, may we prepare our hearts not to “get something” out of the service but to instead gather to give glory to God who is worthy of all our praise.
I’ll see you Sunday,
Jay
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Will You Follow?
Maundy Thursday 2011
Will You Follow
It all started with a young lady. You know how rumors can start in a small town... She was to marry her sweetheart Jo but then the scandal broke. It seems we have become accustomed to it in our day, often young couples begin their family before the wedding. But it wasn't too many years ago that it was scandalous.
People would turn their head and talk when she and Jo would walk by. At times the shame would overcome her. Other times she remembered that this was different. She didn't plan this. She didn't really even want this. But she accepted it. Little did she know her life would never be the same. Little did she know what her sacrifice really meant. Little did she know that she would one day give up her son so that others might live.
This scenario could fit any number of stories to illustrate the point, but the story of Jesus really needs no other illustration. Jesus came to us as a child. Humble, helpless, and innocent. Jesus lived as a pauper. We read his own words as he says he has no place to lay his head, he ate grain that was plucked from the side of the road and he wandered around the countryside, often by foot. Jesus was not royalty by earthly standards. Yet, he was called King.
On this night we remember Jesus final meeting with the disciples in the upper room. They gathered for the Passover Feast, a meal to commemorate and celebrate God's final deliverance of Israel from Egyptian Bondage. We have heard the directions for this meal from Exodus 12. In that reading it is interesting to note the communal aspect of the meal. It was meant that families would share in the meal with others, no food was to be left. All of Israel gathered in their homes and ate the meal at the same time. This was a communal remembrance of God's salvation. (Amber Essick – Abingdon Preaching Annual)
It was this feast that Jesus chose as his communal meal for the church, we call it Communion. Paul reminds us that the church is to gather for this meal regularly to remember what Christ has done for us on the Cross. The old remembrance of Passover has now marked the new covenant through the body and blood of Christ.
As we read in John, there was more to the night than just the meal. Jesus, the one they called Lord and Savior, donned the clothes of a servant and stooped to wash their dirty feet. There is so much more in this image than just the God-man stooping before humanity. Amber Essick says it like this, “Not only is the God-person stooping to humanity, but during the feast celebrating freedom from slavery, Jesus takes on the role of a slave in order to teach his disciples a vital lesson about what it means to follow... It is a life of giving up our own way to walk the Christian path together.”
And there we have it again. The concept of following.
And where is Jesus asking us to go? Where is he asking us to follow him? Where does he lead?
Jesus leads us to love. To love one another to the point of becoming our slaves.
If by some way the imagery of Palm Sunday was lost on any of the 12 in that room, now it was clear. Jesus is leading them to love and to serve. For it is through loving and serving that others will know we are Christ's disciples.
Will you follow? Will you love and serve your neighbor? Will you go where Jesus calls you?
That is what you will need to answer over the next few days as Easter approaches.
Let us Pray.
Will You Follow
It all started with a young lady. You know how rumors can start in a small town... She was to marry her sweetheart Jo but then the scandal broke. It seems we have become accustomed to it in our day, often young couples begin their family before the wedding. But it wasn't too many years ago that it was scandalous.
People would turn their head and talk when she and Jo would walk by. At times the shame would overcome her. Other times she remembered that this was different. She didn't plan this. She didn't really even want this. But she accepted it. Little did she know her life would never be the same. Little did she know what her sacrifice really meant. Little did she know that she would one day give up her son so that others might live.
This scenario could fit any number of stories to illustrate the point, but the story of Jesus really needs no other illustration. Jesus came to us as a child. Humble, helpless, and innocent. Jesus lived as a pauper. We read his own words as he says he has no place to lay his head, he ate grain that was plucked from the side of the road and he wandered around the countryside, often by foot. Jesus was not royalty by earthly standards. Yet, he was called King.
On this night we remember Jesus final meeting with the disciples in the upper room. They gathered for the Passover Feast, a meal to commemorate and celebrate God's final deliverance of Israel from Egyptian Bondage. We have heard the directions for this meal from Exodus 12. In that reading it is interesting to note the communal aspect of the meal. It was meant that families would share in the meal with others, no food was to be left. All of Israel gathered in their homes and ate the meal at the same time. This was a communal remembrance of God's salvation. (Amber Essick – Abingdon Preaching Annual)
It was this feast that Jesus chose as his communal meal for the church, we call it Communion. Paul reminds us that the church is to gather for this meal regularly to remember what Christ has done for us on the Cross. The old remembrance of Passover has now marked the new covenant through the body and blood of Christ.
As we read in John, there was more to the night than just the meal. Jesus, the one they called Lord and Savior, donned the clothes of a servant and stooped to wash their dirty feet. There is so much more in this image than just the God-man stooping before humanity. Amber Essick says it like this, “Not only is the God-person stooping to humanity, but during the feast celebrating freedom from slavery, Jesus takes on the role of a slave in order to teach his disciples a vital lesson about what it means to follow... It is a life of giving up our own way to walk the Christian path together.”
And there we have it again. The concept of following.
And where is Jesus asking us to go? Where is he asking us to follow him? Where does he lead?
Jesus leads us to love. To love one another to the point of becoming our slaves.
If by some way the imagery of Palm Sunday was lost on any of the 12 in that room, now it was clear. Jesus is leading them to love and to serve. For it is through loving and serving that others will know we are Christ's disciples.
Will you follow? Will you love and serve your neighbor? Will you go where Jesus calls you?
That is what you will need to answer over the next few days as Easter approaches.
Let us Pray.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Day and Night Part 2
Day and Night, Part 2
John 4:1-26
He was hot and tired. He was hungry and thirsty. He had been walking for hours. This first leg of the trip covered some 25 miles as the crow flies; but, walking through the desert mountains that 25 miles seem to stretch into 50. So often we think of Jesus as a super human -
"Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!"
"Look! Up in the sky!"
"It's a bird!"
"It's a plane!"
"It's SUPER JESUS"
It's hard for us to remember at times that Jesus was fully human. He would tire. He would thirst. He would hunger. Jesus was like any one of us in that respect. This day was no different.
I wonder if he had thought much about his conversation with Nicodemus just days before. A leader, a teacher, a ruler of the Jews, one who truly should have understood who Jesus was and why he was there yet he went back to the Pharisees still confused, still trying to understand, still in the dark. Jesus had talked to these types many times but Nicodemus was different. He truly was searching.
Now here he sits, waiting by the well for someone to come and draw the water that he may have a drink. His disciples had left him alone as they went to gather and buy food in Sychar. So, here Jesus sits: tired, thirsty, and alone.
I wonder if Jesus knew she would be coming at this time to this place.
Had he seen her coming at noon when he passed through this part of Samaria on other trips, wondering why she didn't come with the other women in the morning and afternoon?
Did he have divine knowledge that she would be there?
Did it just happen that they both ended up at the well together at noon?
We don't know, but what we find as a result of their encounter is the longest recorded conversation between Jesus and anyone else. You might expect it to be with one of the elite. Maybe with a Roman official as the ruler of the territory. You might expect Jesus' long conversation to be with another Pharisee or a Sadducee, the religious elite of the Jewish circles. Maybe even a Priest of the Samaritan Temple at Mt. Gerrazim. But a woman? A Samaritan Woman? A culturally suspect Samaritan Woman? A sinner that has even been ostracized by the other Samaritan Women?
Surly Jesus had more self respect that to spend the heat of the afternoon in deep theological conversation with a person like that!
Yet, that is precisely whom Jesus spends his time with.
Notice, in Chapter 3 it is Nicodemus who engages Jesus is conversation. Not so here in Chapter 4, it is Jesus that initiates the conversation. In chapter 3 the conversation takes place at night; here it takes place in the day. With Nicodemus it takes place hidden from others and few knew of the conversation. In fact, there is no mention of Nic at Night even leaving much less bearing witness to how Jesus' conversation had strangely warmed him, or impacted him in any way. But here, this un-named, sinful woman has a lengthy conversation with Jesus and leaves to tell others all about what has happened and who this man of God is - the Messiah, the one who bears living water, the one who is the very light of the world.
Now may I ask? which one do you wish to be compared too? The sinful outcast that has given more than taken, been hurt more than helped, been rejected rather than received
OR
The insider that has been educated in the finest schools, dressed in the finest clothes, and received in the finest homes?
The one that others talk about
OR
The one that people hope to talk to?
The one that everyone knows the business of but few know the name
OR
The one that everyone wants to support and even vote for in public office?
I dare say most of us would prefer to be the later rather than the former. We don't want to be the sinner of the community, we want to be the saint. We don't want to be the outcast, we want to be accepted and loved by everyone. We don't want to be a nobody, we want to be a somebody. I know I do.
Yet, time and again we see Jesus warning the somebodies and caring for the nobodies. Time and again we see the somebodies are in the dark as through it were the dead of night and the nobodies are the ones in the light as though it were noon and the sun was high in a cloudless sky.
How is it that those of us who gain an education, live the good life, and play by the rules are the ones that so often have the hardest struggles with our faith? Why do we find ourselves in the dark while "those people" seem to always bask in the light?
Maybe it's because we have established our rules and set up our standards and accepted our "best life" and called it living in the blessings of God when in fact the standards of our world are far from the standards of God.
Everywhere Jesus went he upset the apple cart.
The world was looking for a Messiah that would be a military ruler and king, what they got was a teacher, a rabbi, and one that didn't even follow all their interpretations of the law.
The world said that there was a Social Order that all were to follow. Jew's didn't associate with Samaritans, Romans were superior to Greeks, Men were superior to Women. The healthy were superior to the sick. The wealthy were privileged and the poor were being punished and on and on and on the order goes. Yet Jesus came in and told stories where the Samaritans were the heros. Jesus came and healed the sick. Jesus blessed the poor. Jesus taught women, Greeks, Romans, and Jews without prejudice.
The world said that life ended with sin and death. Jesus defeated the power of sin and death.
Each of those things that were true then are also relevant and true today.
So often we look for Jesus to give us our blessings rather than being a blessing to others
So often we try to fit Jesus into our mold
So often, instead of being like Jesus we find ourselves trying to make Jesus like us.
And that is the crucial difference we find between Nicodemus and the woman at the well.
Nicodemus wouldn't accept the waters he was offered by Jesus because it didn't make sense yet.
The woman at the well received the living waters and let them overflow into a blessing for others.
Eventually Nicodemus, the cultural and religious insider, would receive that water too, but by then an entire community had been changed because a socially unacceptable woman dared to believe on faith and let it change her life.
What would happen if you too went out and shared how Jesus had made a difference in your life? Last week I challenged you to look at where you have been hiding in the dark and then pray about how you are to step out into the light.
This week I want you to do more than just step out into the light. This week I want you to find one place where you can let that light reflect out for the world to see. I want you to let God's light shine forth in the darkness. I want you to let the living waters overflow that you may be a blessing to others.
John 4:1-26
He was hot and tired. He was hungry and thirsty. He had been walking for hours. This first leg of the trip covered some 25 miles as the crow flies; but, walking through the desert mountains that 25 miles seem to stretch into 50. So often we think of Jesus as a super human -
"Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!"
"Look! Up in the sky!"
"It's a bird!"
"It's a plane!"
"It's SUPER JESUS"
It's hard for us to remember at times that Jesus was fully human. He would tire. He would thirst. He would hunger. Jesus was like any one of us in that respect. This day was no different.
I wonder if he had thought much about his conversation with Nicodemus just days before. A leader, a teacher, a ruler of the Jews, one who truly should have understood who Jesus was and why he was there yet he went back to the Pharisees still confused, still trying to understand, still in the dark. Jesus had talked to these types many times but Nicodemus was different. He truly was searching.
Now here he sits, waiting by the well for someone to come and draw the water that he may have a drink. His disciples had left him alone as they went to gather and buy food in Sychar. So, here Jesus sits: tired, thirsty, and alone.
I wonder if Jesus knew she would be coming at this time to this place.
Had he seen her coming at noon when he passed through this part of Samaria on other trips, wondering why she didn't come with the other women in the morning and afternoon?
Did he have divine knowledge that she would be there?
Did it just happen that they both ended up at the well together at noon?
We don't know, but what we find as a result of their encounter is the longest recorded conversation between Jesus and anyone else. You might expect it to be with one of the elite. Maybe with a Roman official as the ruler of the territory. You might expect Jesus' long conversation to be with another Pharisee or a Sadducee, the religious elite of the Jewish circles. Maybe even a Priest of the Samaritan Temple at Mt. Gerrazim. But a woman? A Samaritan Woman? A culturally suspect Samaritan Woman? A sinner that has even been ostracized by the other Samaritan Women?
Surly Jesus had more self respect that to spend the heat of the afternoon in deep theological conversation with a person like that!
Yet, that is precisely whom Jesus spends his time with.
Notice, in Chapter 3 it is Nicodemus who engages Jesus is conversation. Not so here in Chapter 4, it is Jesus that initiates the conversation. In chapter 3 the conversation takes place at night; here it takes place in the day. With Nicodemus it takes place hidden from others and few knew of the conversation. In fact, there is no mention of Nic at Night even leaving much less bearing witness to how Jesus' conversation had strangely warmed him, or impacted him in any way. But here, this un-named, sinful woman has a lengthy conversation with Jesus and leaves to tell others all about what has happened and who this man of God is - the Messiah, the one who bears living water, the one who is the very light of the world.
Now may I ask? which one do you wish to be compared too? The sinful outcast that has given more than taken, been hurt more than helped, been rejected rather than received
OR
The insider that has been educated in the finest schools, dressed in the finest clothes, and received in the finest homes?
The one that others talk about
OR
The one that people hope to talk to?
The one that everyone knows the business of but few know the name
OR
The one that everyone wants to support and even vote for in public office?
I dare say most of us would prefer to be the later rather than the former. We don't want to be the sinner of the community, we want to be the saint. We don't want to be the outcast, we want to be accepted and loved by everyone. We don't want to be a nobody, we want to be a somebody. I know I do.
Yet, time and again we see Jesus warning the somebodies and caring for the nobodies. Time and again we see the somebodies are in the dark as through it were the dead of night and the nobodies are the ones in the light as though it were noon and the sun was high in a cloudless sky.
How is it that those of us who gain an education, live the good life, and play by the rules are the ones that so often have the hardest struggles with our faith? Why do we find ourselves in the dark while "those people" seem to always bask in the light?
Maybe it's because we have established our rules and set up our standards and accepted our "best life" and called it living in the blessings of God when in fact the standards of our world are far from the standards of God.
Everywhere Jesus went he upset the apple cart.
The world was looking for a Messiah that would be a military ruler and king, what they got was a teacher, a rabbi, and one that didn't even follow all their interpretations of the law.
The world said that there was a Social Order that all were to follow. Jew's didn't associate with Samaritans, Romans were superior to Greeks, Men were superior to Women. The healthy were superior to the sick. The wealthy were privileged and the poor were being punished and on and on and on the order goes. Yet Jesus came in and told stories where the Samaritans were the heros. Jesus came and healed the sick. Jesus blessed the poor. Jesus taught women, Greeks, Romans, and Jews without prejudice.
The world said that life ended with sin and death. Jesus defeated the power of sin and death.
Each of those things that were true then are also relevant and true today.
So often we look for Jesus to give us our blessings rather than being a blessing to others
So often we try to fit Jesus into our mold
So often, instead of being like Jesus we find ourselves trying to make Jesus like us.
And that is the crucial difference we find between Nicodemus and the woman at the well.
Nicodemus wouldn't accept the waters he was offered by Jesus because it didn't make sense yet.
The woman at the well received the living waters and let them overflow into a blessing for others.
Eventually Nicodemus, the cultural and religious insider, would receive that water too, but by then an entire community had been changed because a socially unacceptable woman dared to believe on faith and let it change her life.
What would happen if you too went out and shared how Jesus had made a difference in your life? Last week I challenged you to look at where you have been hiding in the dark and then pray about how you are to step out into the light.
This week I want you to do more than just step out into the light. This week I want you to find one place where you can let that light reflect out for the world to see. I want you to let God's light shine forth in the darkness. I want you to let the living waters overflow that you may be a blessing to others.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
By Night and by Day, Part 1
By Night and By Day
John 3:1-17
John chapter 3 seems to be the most preached upon chapter of the Bible, and rightly so. John's portrayal of Jesus' night-time conversation with Nicodemus lays out the full message of Jesus' gospel. We have heard sermons preached from nearly every angle and depth with this passage. We have memorized verses from it and based entire curriculum for children and adults on this passage.
But my question is, has the passage become so familiar that we have lost some of it's meaning in our familiarity with it? Have we become complacent in our reading of this familiar passage? Have we gotten to the point that we skim it in reading because we think we already know everything there is to know about it?
Maybe. But let's try to read it again today. Let's try to hear it anew in this reading. Let's try to receive what God has for us in this passage today.
SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER
We had been through the same obstacle course earlier that day. We could even hear the rat-a-tat-tat and whistle of the M-60's rounds going over our heads as we climbed and crawled our way through, but this time it was different. This time it was dark. The only light was from the moon, the carefully placed explosions on the course, an occasional over head flare, and the tracer rounds of the M-60's zipping through the night sky. It was fun when we went through the course that morning, but at night it was different. It was dark. It was scary. It seemed real. That was only training.
Years later I would lay in a sleeping bag in the mountains of El Salvador on a humanitarian mission. With no weapons to protect us from the bands of Communist renegades and guerrilla war-lords we relied upon the 14-16 year old “soldiers” that were assigned to keep our compound secure. Things were fine during the day, but at night we could hear other sounds. At night we were vulnerable. At night we would hear gunfire and not know where it came from our where we should go. Others of you have been there in varying degrees, some truly in fear of your life. Friends of mine have been in real combat and talked of the darkness. My Grandfather was in the Battle of the Bulge and spent years overcoming his fear of the dark.
There is something about the dark isn't there. We don't have to be in the military to experience it. From children having to have the closet doors closed and a night light to adults walking through a dark sanctuary we all experience that uneasy feeling that comes with darkness.
But darkness also does other things doesn't it. Darkness conceals. It hides what is happening. It makes things hard to see, even large vehicles. Some of you may have noticed my vehicle looks a little different. Well, if you look close it is a different vehicle. We recently traded our older used Expedition for a newer used Expedition that gets 25% better gas mileage than our old one. You may also notice that it has a little blemish on the Drivers front Bumper. Now I don't know how you can miss a vehicle that size, and white on top of that, but the first night we had it in our possession a young lady didn't see it and backed into it. Because of the darkness she couldn't see it. You see, darkness conceals, in more ways than one.
Often it is in the dark, literally or figuratively, that we do most of our sinning. We don't want others to see what we are doing so we do them in secret, in hiding, in the dark.
Darkness is also when we get our best rest. We have labored all day and then at night we relax, we rest, we recline. It is at night, in darkness that we “reset” our clocks. It is in darkness that our body produces Melatonin, a chemical that helps regulate our sleep cycle and is crucial to our immune system and overall health.
But here in John darkness seems to take on another meaning. I have heard it said that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to conceal his trip to see this “Jesus” that the Pharisees were opposed to.
Others have said that both Jesus and Nicodemus were so busy during the day that they couldn't carve out time for an appointment and so night-time was the only time the two could get together to talk.
But most all agree that John is using darkness not only as a marker for the time of day but as a metaphor for those who are symbolically in the dark.
I know everyone always wants to jump to 3:16-17 but let's spend just a few moments looking at just the first few verses of this passage.
In the first verse we meet Nicodemus, a character that John will develop through the chapters. His introduction though is crucial for we see just who this man is. Nicodemus is a ruler, a leader of the Jesus, a Pharisee – a teacher and a powerful one at that. When Nicodemus walked through the streets of his home town he was recognized as a religious authority.
Yet, this authority comes to Jesus at night, why? Because he is in the dark himself. He just doesn't get this Jesus. And in the darkness, he comes to Jesus and says, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God...” (John 3:2)
Who is this “We”? Nick came by himself at night, we could call him Nick-at-Night if we want, so who does he mean when he says “we”?
- Maybe he is coming to speak for the Pharisees, the religious elite. But why would he have to come at night? If that was the case it would have been a part of his daily duties and he would not have needed the cover of darkness.
- Maybe he came to speak for the other closeted believers. Those that believed but were too afraid to be seen or heard.
- Or, maybe Nick-at-Night came saying “we know” when what he really meant was, “I don't have a clue.” He just doesn't know who this Jesus is or why he has come or what all his miracles mean. Nicodemus is truly in the dark.
As pastor and author Thomas Steagald puts it, “Nicodemus, in the dark, comes with a protest of knowledge that belies the truth: 'I do not know who you are.' He is trying desperately to fit Jesus into his view of things – to fit Jesus into the long line of teachers, prophets, whatever – one more in the sequence.”
Yet, before Nick-at-Night can even raise a question it seems that Jesus is answering his questions in verse 3, “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above” (or “born again”). This is a verse like 16. We jump to it and pull the text out of the midst of the story to make it an evangelistic effort. We have even wrapped our salvation language in this one phrase, “born again.” But when we remove this phrase from the context of what Jesus is saying and what John is portraying about Jesus we do it a disservice.
When we do that we assume that Jesus is talking to Nicodemus as an unsaved person, an unbeliever, an atheist, a skeptic, a pagan. But remember who Nick-at-Night is – a “teacher of Israel”, a “Leader of the Jews”. He was one of the key leaders, a Pharisee, a devout and faithful person. Nicodemus was a believer who studied the Scriptures, prayed daily, tithed, and made God a part of his daily life.
Now may I ask, does that sound like anyone you know? A believer who studys the Scriptures, prays daily, tithes, makes God a part of his or her daily life...
I return to a quote by Rev. Steagald,
"Jesus says to Nicodemus – not to an atheist or nonbeliever, not to a skeptic or pagan, but to a faithful Pharisee, to a leader of the Jews, to a teacher of Israel – unless you are born again, you will not see the kingdom of God.
Familiar as this text is, and as comforting in a way, if we look deeply we find it to be frightening as well, for we are the ones who so often come to Jesus saying, “Lord, I know who you are.... I know what you want.” When I say such a thing or think such a thing, I prove only that I too am in the dark...."
So, we return to where we began, wandering in the dark through familiar territory yet, needing help to find our way. It is not until we find Jesus, each and every day, that we begin to see the light in more than just flashes from overhead flares offering an eery glare. Just as Jesus was telling a religious authority some 2000 years ago, he tells us today, unless we be born again, born anew, born from above with water and spirit we will not see the kingdom of God. As Jesus told him then, he tells us now, step out of the darkness, not just once but daily.
And, that is what Lent is about. That is what this season is about. I want to challenge you today to spend this week looking at your life, thinking of how you have been hiding in the dark. Then I want you to pray about how it is that you will step out of the darkness and into the light. If you follow his story as John develops his character, you will see that Nicodemus slowly begins to step out of the darkness and into the light. He begins to see things differently, he begins to act differently, eventually defending Jesus in front of others and taking part in Jesus' burial.
Nick-at-Night took bold steps but they all started with little ones, the first was coming in darkness to see the light of the world. What will your first step be?
John 3:1-17
John chapter 3 seems to be the most preached upon chapter of the Bible, and rightly so. John's portrayal of Jesus' night-time conversation with Nicodemus lays out the full message of Jesus' gospel. We have heard sermons preached from nearly every angle and depth with this passage. We have memorized verses from it and based entire curriculum for children and adults on this passage.
But my question is, has the passage become so familiar that we have lost some of it's meaning in our familiarity with it? Have we become complacent in our reading of this familiar passage? Have we gotten to the point that we skim it in reading because we think we already know everything there is to know about it?
Maybe. But let's try to read it again today. Let's try to hear it anew in this reading. Let's try to receive what God has for us in this passage today.
SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER
We had been through the same obstacle course earlier that day. We could even hear the rat-a-tat-tat and whistle of the M-60's rounds going over our heads as we climbed and crawled our way through, but this time it was different. This time it was dark. The only light was from the moon, the carefully placed explosions on the course, an occasional over head flare, and the tracer rounds of the M-60's zipping through the night sky. It was fun when we went through the course that morning, but at night it was different. It was dark. It was scary. It seemed real. That was only training.
Years later I would lay in a sleeping bag in the mountains of El Salvador on a humanitarian mission. With no weapons to protect us from the bands of Communist renegades and guerrilla war-lords we relied upon the 14-16 year old “soldiers” that were assigned to keep our compound secure. Things were fine during the day, but at night we could hear other sounds. At night we were vulnerable. At night we would hear gunfire and not know where it came from our where we should go. Others of you have been there in varying degrees, some truly in fear of your life. Friends of mine have been in real combat and talked of the darkness. My Grandfather was in the Battle of the Bulge and spent years overcoming his fear of the dark.
There is something about the dark isn't there. We don't have to be in the military to experience it. From children having to have the closet doors closed and a night light to adults walking through a dark sanctuary we all experience that uneasy feeling that comes with darkness.
But darkness also does other things doesn't it. Darkness conceals. It hides what is happening. It makes things hard to see, even large vehicles. Some of you may have noticed my vehicle looks a little different. Well, if you look close it is a different vehicle. We recently traded our older used Expedition for a newer used Expedition that gets 25% better gas mileage than our old one. You may also notice that it has a little blemish on the Drivers front Bumper. Now I don't know how you can miss a vehicle that size, and white on top of that, but the first night we had it in our possession a young lady didn't see it and backed into it. Because of the darkness she couldn't see it. You see, darkness conceals, in more ways than one.
Often it is in the dark, literally or figuratively, that we do most of our sinning. We don't want others to see what we are doing so we do them in secret, in hiding, in the dark.
Darkness is also when we get our best rest. We have labored all day and then at night we relax, we rest, we recline. It is at night, in darkness that we “reset” our clocks. It is in darkness that our body produces Melatonin, a chemical that helps regulate our sleep cycle and is crucial to our immune system and overall health.
But here in John darkness seems to take on another meaning. I have heard it said that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to conceal his trip to see this “Jesus” that the Pharisees were opposed to.
Others have said that both Jesus and Nicodemus were so busy during the day that they couldn't carve out time for an appointment and so night-time was the only time the two could get together to talk.
But most all agree that John is using darkness not only as a marker for the time of day but as a metaphor for those who are symbolically in the dark.
I know everyone always wants to jump to 3:16-17 but let's spend just a few moments looking at just the first few verses of this passage.
In the first verse we meet Nicodemus, a character that John will develop through the chapters. His introduction though is crucial for we see just who this man is. Nicodemus is a ruler, a leader of the Jesus, a Pharisee – a teacher and a powerful one at that. When Nicodemus walked through the streets of his home town he was recognized as a religious authority.
Yet, this authority comes to Jesus at night, why? Because he is in the dark himself. He just doesn't get this Jesus. And in the darkness, he comes to Jesus and says, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God...” (John 3:2)
Who is this “We”? Nick came by himself at night, we could call him Nick-at-Night if we want, so who does he mean when he says “we”?
- Maybe he is coming to speak for the Pharisees, the religious elite. But why would he have to come at night? If that was the case it would have been a part of his daily duties and he would not have needed the cover of darkness.
- Maybe he came to speak for the other closeted believers. Those that believed but were too afraid to be seen or heard.
- Or, maybe Nick-at-Night came saying “we know” when what he really meant was, “I don't have a clue.” He just doesn't know who this Jesus is or why he has come or what all his miracles mean. Nicodemus is truly in the dark.
As pastor and author Thomas Steagald puts it, “Nicodemus, in the dark, comes with a protest of knowledge that belies the truth: 'I do not know who you are.' He is trying desperately to fit Jesus into his view of things – to fit Jesus into the long line of teachers, prophets, whatever – one more in the sequence.”
Yet, before Nick-at-Night can even raise a question it seems that Jesus is answering his questions in verse 3, “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above” (or “born again”). This is a verse like 16. We jump to it and pull the text out of the midst of the story to make it an evangelistic effort. We have even wrapped our salvation language in this one phrase, “born again.” But when we remove this phrase from the context of what Jesus is saying and what John is portraying about Jesus we do it a disservice.
When we do that we assume that Jesus is talking to Nicodemus as an unsaved person, an unbeliever, an atheist, a skeptic, a pagan. But remember who Nick-at-Night is – a “teacher of Israel”, a “Leader of the Jews”. He was one of the key leaders, a Pharisee, a devout and faithful person. Nicodemus was a believer who studied the Scriptures, prayed daily, tithed, and made God a part of his daily life.
Now may I ask, does that sound like anyone you know? A believer who studys the Scriptures, prays daily, tithes, makes God a part of his or her daily life...
I return to a quote by Rev. Steagald,
"Jesus says to Nicodemus – not to an atheist or nonbeliever, not to a skeptic or pagan, but to a faithful Pharisee, to a leader of the Jews, to a teacher of Israel – unless you are born again, you will not see the kingdom of God.
Familiar as this text is, and as comforting in a way, if we look deeply we find it to be frightening as well, for we are the ones who so often come to Jesus saying, “Lord, I know who you are.... I know what you want.” When I say such a thing or think such a thing, I prove only that I too am in the dark...."
So, we return to where we began, wandering in the dark through familiar territory yet, needing help to find our way. It is not until we find Jesus, each and every day, that we begin to see the light in more than just flashes from overhead flares offering an eery glare. Just as Jesus was telling a religious authority some 2000 years ago, he tells us today, unless we be born again, born anew, born from above with water and spirit we will not see the kingdom of God. As Jesus told him then, he tells us now, step out of the darkness, not just once but daily.
And, that is what Lent is about. That is what this season is about. I want to challenge you today to spend this week looking at your life, thinking of how you have been hiding in the dark. Then I want you to pray about how it is that you will step out of the darkness and into the light. If you follow his story as John develops his character, you will see that Nicodemus slowly begins to step out of the darkness and into the light. He begins to see things differently, he begins to act differently, eventually defending Jesus in front of others and taking part in Jesus' burial.
Nick-at-Night took bold steps but they all started with little ones, the first was coming in darkness to see the light of the world. What will your first step be?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The Faith of Giving
The Faith of Giving
Sermon 3 in Series on Stewardship
Matthew 6:24-34, 1 Kings 17
We continue our series on Stewardship. Over the past couple of weeks we have looked at the fact that as a steward of all that God has entrusted to us we use our time, our energy, our finances, our everything to serve and honor God. Today we look at another aspect of stewardship: faith. Our passages today deal with faith, or trusting God fully and as we begin I want you to ask yourself, “Do I really trust God or do I place my trust in other things?”
Hmmmmm, Why did Jesus say this about the conflict of serving God and wealth then immediately talk about worry and faith? Could it be that when we try to serve two masters, or wealth instead of money, we find that our trust in God is shaken and we begin to worry about all the things that we don't have control over?
I think it's the same reason we have something printed on our currency and coins. I challenge you to find current US coinage or paper currency that does not contain the words “In God We Trust”. Even the government sees the danger in placing our trust in mammon, wealth, money. Yet, is that not what so many of us have done?
Let me ask you a question, Why do you work? Have you ever wondered if you work just for money, just to get wealthy, just to get more? Now I know that we all need to work to pay the bills or prepare for retirement. I know some of you here today are living off the retirement you prepared for so I'm not belittling that aspect of working and financial planning. I know that in order to plan for the future, take care of your family and your own needs, support charities such as our church, and give to the needy we must earn money, But what would be your answer if I asked you, “Would you still work if you didn't get paid?” “Would you still do what you do if money was not involved?” or are some of us miserable just to get wealthy? Who are we serving? Who is our master?
You see, when we start asking ourselves questions like this; When we start looking at what and how we spend and use what God has entrusted to us; When we start looking at how we hoard for ourselves vs. give for the needs of others; we begin to see who our master is. We begin to see who we serve. We begin to see where our faith lies.
But doesn't Jesus have a beautiful way to tell us not to worry about anything? I can just see Jesus sitting there on the hillside, surrounded by people that had followed him hoping to understand the meaning of life and faith. Here Jesus is surrounded by a sea of humanity looking out over his creation. The birds flying above them on a backdrop of blue. A bird sitting above them in a tree singing. The lilies of the field with their brilliant colors dotting the hillside. I can just see Jesus pointing the the people toward the beauty around them and reminding them how God cares even for these little seemingly insignificant things and how much more he care for them.
Once again, it is a question of faith. Where do we place our faith? Do we place our faith in ourselves - the ME and the WE? Thinking that we have all the answers and can do it all? Do we place our faith in money thinking we can buy our answers?
Let me tell you a story of one example of well placed faith. It comes from 1 Kings 17. It is the story of an unnamed widow in Zarephath of Sidon and happend during the reign of King Ahab of Israel. It was said that Ahab “did more evil in the sight of the Lord than any of the kings before him.” Ahab had married a Sidonian named Jezabel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon, and built an altar to Baal in Samaria. When the prophet Elijah heard this he proclaimed God's word to Ahab and his kingdom, “There shall be neither dew nor rain for the years until I proclaim the drought has ended.” And then Elijah went into hiding with God providing for all of his needs. He lived in the wilderness by a creek and the ravens brought him food. When the creek finally dried Elijah went into the region of Sidon as directed by God. There he found a widow, the mother of a son. When he asked for help she quickly replied to bring him water but when he asked for a bite to eat we find just how bad things were for the widow. She says, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may eat it, and die.” An image of what may have been happening all over Israel, Samaria, and even into Sidon, the cost of King Ahab's sins was being felt far and wide.
But Elijah knew that God wasn't ready for this widow and her son to leave the earth. This man that had been fed by the ravens, had been protected from the wrath of Ahab and Jezabel, had been given drink by God from a drying creek, this man of God knew about placing your faith in God and he told this mother, cook for yourself and your son, but first cook for me then you will not go hungry.
She does as she is told and it is as Elijah said, the bowl of meal never ran out- the oil never ran dry. God provided for her and because of it she was able to provide for her son and for Elijah.
The plot thickens when her son dies before the drought ends and Elijah leaves. She blames Elijah, but Elijah calls upon God and through the power of God the young man is revived. Finally, this lady from the very land of Jezabel says, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is true.”
This woman had no money in which to place her faith. This woman had nothing left, yet when she placed her faith in God she saw results. She didn't get wealthy. She didn't seem blessed to those around her. She didn't look like she was anything different than anyone else. But through her faith her needs were met. Through her faith she was truly blessed.
Doesn't this sound like what Jesus was talking about in his Sermon on the Mount? Don't worry, believe, have faith.
What we do with our faith, how we live out our faith in God has a direct impact on how we express our stewardship. When we don't trust God we trust ourselves, we trust our money, we trust our health, we trust... something other than God and we wonder by we don't feel blessed, we wonder why we don't feel happy, we wonder why we feel we always need more. Yet, when we finally place our faith in God and live that faith out the blessings will come and they will show up in all we do. They will show up in our worship. They will show up in our service. they will show up in our prayers. They will show up in our finances. They will show up in our witness. And once again we are back to where we were just a few weeks ago, realizing that the vows of membership as Methodists are not about just being United Methodist, they are about being disciples of Jesus Christ. That is what our stewardship is about. That is what our faith is about.
Today, I want you to close your eyes during the hymn of invitation. I want you to take a moment and reflect on where you have been placing your faith. I want you to ask yourself if you have been holding back from God because of a lack of faith, a lack of trust. I want you to ask yourself if you have what your work, your spending, your everything says about your faith in God.
Today, I want you to look within yourself and decide this day which master you will serve. Choose wisely.
Sermon 3 in Series on Stewardship
Matthew 6:24-34, 1 Kings 17
We continue our series on Stewardship. Over the past couple of weeks we have looked at the fact that as a steward of all that God has entrusted to us we use our time, our energy, our finances, our everything to serve and honor God. Today we look at another aspect of stewardship: faith. Our passages today deal with faith, or trusting God fully and as we begin I want you to ask yourself, “Do I really trust God or do I place my trust in other things?”
Hmmmmm, Why did Jesus say this about the conflict of serving God and wealth then immediately talk about worry and faith? Could it be that when we try to serve two masters, or wealth instead of money, we find that our trust in God is shaken and we begin to worry about all the things that we don't have control over?
I think it's the same reason we have something printed on our currency and coins. I challenge you to find current US coinage or paper currency that does not contain the words “In God We Trust”. Even the government sees the danger in placing our trust in mammon, wealth, money. Yet, is that not what so many of us have done?
Let me ask you a question, Why do you work? Have you ever wondered if you work just for money, just to get wealthy, just to get more? Now I know that we all need to work to pay the bills or prepare for retirement. I know some of you here today are living off the retirement you prepared for so I'm not belittling that aspect of working and financial planning. I know that in order to plan for the future, take care of your family and your own needs, support charities such as our church, and give to the needy we must earn money, But what would be your answer if I asked you, “Would you still work if you didn't get paid?” “Would you still do what you do if money was not involved?” or are some of us miserable just to get wealthy? Who are we serving? Who is our master?
You see, when we start asking ourselves questions like this; When we start looking at what and how we spend and use what God has entrusted to us; When we start looking at how we hoard for ourselves vs. give for the needs of others; we begin to see who our master is. We begin to see who we serve. We begin to see where our faith lies.
But doesn't Jesus have a beautiful way to tell us not to worry about anything? I can just see Jesus sitting there on the hillside, surrounded by people that had followed him hoping to understand the meaning of life and faith. Here Jesus is surrounded by a sea of humanity looking out over his creation. The birds flying above them on a backdrop of blue. A bird sitting above them in a tree singing. The lilies of the field with their brilliant colors dotting the hillside. I can just see Jesus pointing the the people toward the beauty around them and reminding them how God cares even for these little seemingly insignificant things and how much more he care for them.
Once again, it is a question of faith. Where do we place our faith? Do we place our faith in ourselves - the ME and the WE? Thinking that we have all the answers and can do it all? Do we place our faith in money thinking we can buy our answers?
Let me tell you a story of one example of well placed faith. It comes from 1 Kings 17. It is the story of an unnamed widow in Zarephath of Sidon and happend during the reign of King Ahab of Israel. It was said that Ahab “did more evil in the sight of the Lord than any of the kings before him.” Ahab had married a Sidonian named Jezabel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon, and built an altar to Baal in Samaria. When the prophet Elijah heard this he proclaimed God's word to Ahab and his kingdom, “There shall be neither dew nor rain for the years until I proclaim the drought has ended.” And then Elijah went into hiding with God providing for all of his needs. He lived in the wilderness by a creek and the ravens brought him food. When the creek finally dried Elijah went into the region of Sidon as directed by God. There he found a widow, the mother of a son. When he asked for help she quickly replied to bring him water but when he asked for a bite to eat we find just how bad things were for the widow. She says, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may eat it, and die.” An image of what may have been happening all over Israel, Samaria, and even into Sidon, the cost of King Ahab's sins was being felt far and wide.
But Elijah knew that God wasn't ready for this widow and her son to leave the earth. This man that had been fed by the ravens, had been protected from the wrath of Ahab and Jezabel, had been given drink by God from a drying creek, this man of God knew about placing your faith in God and he told this mother, cook for yourself and your son, but first cook for me then you will not go hungry.
She does as she is told and it is as Elijah said, the bowl of meal never ran out- the oil never ran dry. God provided for her and because of it she was able to provide for her son and for Elijah.
The plot thickens when her son dies before the drought ends and Elijah leaves. She blames Elijah, but Elijah calls upon God and through the power of God the young man is revived. Finally, this lady from the very land of Jezabel says, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is true.”
This woman had no money in which to place her faith. This woman had nothing left, yet when she placed her faith in God she saw results. She didn't get wealthy. She didn't seem blessed to those around her. She didn't look like she was anything different than anyone else. But through her faith her needs were met. Through her faith she was truly blessed.
Doesn't this sound like what Jesus was talking about in his Sermon on the Mount? Don't worry, believe, have faith.
What we do with our faith, how we live out our faith in God has a direct impact on how we express our stewardship. When we don't trust God we trust ourselves, we trust our money, we trust our health, we trust... something other than God and we wonder by we don't feel blessed, we wonder why we don't feel happy, we wonder why we feel we always need more. Yet, when we finally place our faith in God and live that faith out the blessings will come and they will show up in all we do. They will show up in our worship. They will show up in our service. they will show up in our prayers. They will show up in our finances. They will show up in our witness. And once again we are back to where we were just a few weeks ago, realizing that the vows of membership as Methodists are not about just being United Methodist, they are about being disciples of Jesus Christ. That is what our stewardship is about. That is what our faith is about.
Today, I want you to close your eyes during the hymn of invitation. I want you to take a moment and reflect on where you have been placing your faith. I want you to ask yourself if you have been holding back from God because of a lack of faith, a lack of trust. I want you to ask yourself if you have what your work, your spending, your everything says about your faith in God.
Today, I want you to look within yourself and decide this day which master you will serve. Choose wisely.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Gifts
Gifts
The Final Sermon in a series on the Vows of UMC
and the First in a series on Stewardship.
Today, we conclude the series on our vows of membership in the United Methodist Church, that is to support the Church with our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness. In this series we have seen that these vows go beyond what it means to be Methodist. We find that these 5 statements are in fact statements of what it means to be Christian. They are rules by which we shape our life and align ourselves with Christ.
In this we have looked at how our Prayers aren't something that we start and stop, but they are a part of who we are. Our prayers are our connection to the source of our very power in God.
We have looked at how our Presence is more than just showing up on Sunday morning when it is convenient. Rather it is a part of living our lives in such a way that we are present with God and bring the very presence of God, Jesus in the flesh, into the lives of those around us.
We have looked at how our Witness is not just something that Paid-Professionals do, it is what we all do because we understand what God has done for us and we want to offer the abundant life offered in Christ to all who will receive it.
Last week we looked at Service and how we are to serve God in all aspects of our life and through all of us serving God, great things are accomplished. Our service isn't about us as individuals, it is what the people of God do collectively, thus doing more good. As an example we saw how the “Souper Bowl of Caring” started out as a few students taking a prayer seriously but now have raised some $80,000,000 since 1990, all of which has gone to local charities. That is the result of people saying yes to “justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.”
Now, today we come to the conclusion of this series and the start of the next. Today we talk about the 5th element of the vow of support. The vow to support the church with our Gifts. And yes, that is money. Let us read together a familiar scripture about giving, one that is read and rehashed over and over again as church after church enters building campaigns and capital campaigns, and anything for which they need to raise money. I hope that today we will see this passage, and another New Testament passage in a new light when we are done.
With it being Boy Scout Sunday and having our Webelos and Tiger Cub Scouts present, I find it fitting that we start today's sermon with a story of a young boy. So...
Once upon a time, in a land far far away... isn't that the way a story always to begin?
So, once their was this young boy, maybe 10 years old, let's call him Juan. One night Juan asked his mother for permission to take a long hike the next day through the countryside by the lake near their home. While Juan's mother was concerned about him being out on his own for the day, she trusted him and knew many of the people in the community, people that would be able to keep an eye on him as he traveled through the day. He got up the next morning and packed a lunch. It could have been any type of a lunch. Maybe it was a Lunchable. Maybe it was a tube of chicken and rice like what a child in Asia may carry. Maybe it was tortillas and tamales wrapped in foil like we would find in South Texas or Mexico. Maybe it is a pupusa revuelta like we would find in El Salvador. Maybe it's Kibbie wrapped in Grape Leaves like we would find in Syria and parts of the Meditaranian. Maybe it was fish and bread wrapped in reeds like we would find in the Middle East. Maybe it's just a PB&J.
Whatever it was, he packed just enough for himself and maybe a friend if he ran across someone, and he set out on his adventure for the day. Little did he know that his adventure would cost him his lunch.
As Juan wandered by the sea he began to hear a crowd. It wasn't an angry crowd – like what we have been hearing and seeing from the reports in Egypt. It wasn't even a jubilant crowd like we heard about Friday when the Egyptian President resigned. No, it was a crowd of thousands but it moved quietly, as though they were all following someone, trying to hear what was said.
People were whispering through the crowd, relating what those in the back had missed.
The crowd continued to follow a dozen or so who were at the front of these thousands of people until they were on a verdent green slope overlooking the sea.
Juan followed this crowd up onto the hillside and as he looked out from the top of the hill he was astonished at the beauty of what lay before him. Thousands of people, a literal sea of people with colors and textures sitting on this hillside as though the entire mass of them would ripple into the turquoise blue sea below them in the distance.
Juan couldn't hear what was being said so he began to make his way through this assembly of humanity, this sea of people from all places. As he approached the front he could hear what was happening, there was one at the front teaching. Once he could understand what was being said he found a patch of grass and sat to hear what could be so important that thousands of people would gather like this.
Juan had almost forgotten his lunch when he began to hear the grumblings of hungry stomachs around him. Others thought of it too because he overheard some of the men at the front discussing how they were to feed all these people. Hearing that, Juan decided he could share his food, maybe get a couple of bites of bread and give the rest away. The teacher looked at Juan and smiled as the helper, we'll call him a Andrew, took the little lunch packet to the teacher, maybe we could call him Jesus. Jesus took the fish and the loaves, the meager lunch of a young boy - all he had to offer, and with a prayer began to pass the offering of the boy out to the multitudes. Yet, the end of the time of sharing and eating, the Disciples gathered more scraps of food than the boy had even started with, 12 times as much as the boy had offered. Somehow, Jesus had taken what the boy offered and blessed it in such a way that all were filled and there was an abundance left over.
Now, you may ask what this story has to do with money. You may ask, “what does this story have to do with the Malachi passage on tithes and the storehouses? Well, I say they have everything to do with one another. You see, Jesus has all that the boy has to offer. He took the gift of the boy that others may eat and be filled with an abundance left. What is the tithe for in Malachi? That the storehouses may be filled and that there may be an abundance to care for the needs of the priests who worshiped God, lead others in the worship of God, and cared for the widows and orphans. When this was done there was blessing. Malachi states this by saying that God will “open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” We find the same promises in Proverbs 22:9 - “Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.” or 28:27, “Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing...”
So, What am I saying by juxtaposing the story of the boy offering his one basket of food and Jesus feeding the 5000 with the tithe passage from Malachi?
First, I am not saying that if you place 10% of your income in the offering plate each week you will get 12 times that amount back in financial blessing. Your tithe is not some financial investment scheme that you can compare to a Bernie Madoff scam. You do not give a tithe or an offering (which are different) because of what you are to get out of it. You do not feed the poor expecting them to give you something in return. No, you give out of generosity for what has already been done.
So, if I'm not trying to sell you on a spiritual monetary investment scheme what am I saying? That you, that we, will not be blessed unless we are obedient. Our blessing may or may not come financially, but when our gift is given with a generous heart, as was the gift of the boy in John's retelling of the feeding of the 5000, then God's blessings can flow.
We are to give to God what is God's, not just because we are told to. We are to give to God what is God's, not because we expect a blessing in return. We are to give to God what is God's because of our gratitude for what God has already done for us.
Gratitude that we are a forgiven people – though what we have done before God is unforgivable.
Gratitude that we are an accepted people – though we are unacceptable before a holy God.
Gratitude that we are a loved people – though we have failed to love as we were taught.
We give because of what Jesus has done for us on the Cross.
We give because we recognize that all we have and all we are is because of Jesus.
We give because we know that all we have and all we are belongs to God already.
That is why we as United Methodist specifically and we as Christians in general vow to support the Church – that is the Body of Christ – with our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness. That is who we are in response to what Christ has already done for us.
The Final Sermon in a series on the Vows of UMC
and the First in a series on Stewardship.
Today, we conclude the series on our vows of membership in the United Methodist Church, that is to support the Church with our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness. In this series we have seen that these vows go beyond what it means to be Methodist. We find that these 5 statements are in fact statements of what it means to be Christian. They are rules by which we shape our life and align ourselves with Christ.
In this we have looked at how our Prayers aren't something that we start and stop, but they are a part of who we are. Our prayers are our connection to the source of our very power in God.
We have looked at how our Presence is more than just showing up on Sunday morning when it is convenient. Rather it is a part of living our lives in such a way that we are present with God and bring the very presence of God, Jesus in the flesh, into the lives of those around us.
We have looked at how our Witness is not just something that Paid-Professionals do, it is what we all do because we understand what God has done for us and we want to offer the abundant life offered in Christ to all who will receive it.
Last week we looked at Service and how we are to serve God in all aspects of our life and through all of us serving God, great things are accomplished. Our service isn't about us as individuals, it is what the people of God do collectively, thus doing more good. As an example we saw how the “Souper Bowl of Caring” started out as a few students taking a prayer seriously but now have raised some $80,000,000 since 1990, all of which has gone to local charities. That is the result of people saying yes to “justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.”
Now, today we come to the conclusion of this series and the start of the next. Today we talk about the 5th element of the vow of support. The vow to support the church with our Gifts. And yes, that is money. Let us read together a familiar scripture about giving, one that is read and rehashed over and over again as church after church enters building campaigns and capital campaigns, and anything for which they need to raise money. I hope that today we will see this passage, and another New Testament passage in a new light when we are done.
With it being Boy Scout Sunday and having our Webelos and Tiger Cub Scouts present, I find it fitting that we start today's sermon with a story of a young boy. So...
Once upon a time, in a land far far away... isn't that the way a story always to begin?
So, once their was this young boy, maybe 10 years old, let's call him Juan. One night Juan asked his mother for permission to take a long hike the next day through the countryside by the lake near their home. While Juan's mother was concerned about him being out on his own for the day, she trusted him and knew many of the people in the community, people that would be able to keep an eye on him as he traveled through the day. He got up the next morning and packed a lunch. It could have been any type of a lunch. Maybe it was a Lunchable. Maybe it was a tube of chicken and rice like what a child in Asia may carry. Maybe it was tortillas and tamales wrapped in foil like we would find in South Texas or Mexico. Maybe it is a pupusa revuelta like we would find in El Salvador. Maybe it's Kibbie wrapped in Grape Leaves like we would find in Syria and parts of the Meditaranian. Maybe it was fish and bread wrapped in reeds like we would find in the Middle East. Maybe it's just a PB&J.
Whatever it was, he packed just enough for himself and maybe a friend if he ran across someone, and he set out on his adventure for the day. Little did he know that his adventure would cost him his lunch.
As Juan wandered by the sea he began to hear a crowd. It wasn't an angry crowd – like what we have been hearing and seeing from the reports in Egypt. It wasn't even a jubilant crowd like we heard about Friday when the Egyptian President resigned. No, it was a crowd of thousands but it moved quietly, as though they were all following someone, trying to hear what was said.
People were whispering through the crowd, relating what those in the back had missed.
The crowd continued to follow a dozen or so who were at the front of these thousands of people until they were on a verdent green slope overlooking the sea.
Juan followed this crowd up onto the hillside and as he looked out from the top of the hill he was astonished at the beauty of what lay before him. Thousands of people, a literal sea of people with colors and textures sitting on this hillside as though the entire mass of them would ripple into the turquoise blue sea below them in the distance.
Juan couldn't hear what was being said so he began to make his way through this assembly of humanity, this sea of people from all places. As he approached the front he could hear what was happening, there was one at the front teaching. Once he could understand what was being said he found a patch of grass and sat to hear what could be so important that thousands of people would gather like this.
Juan had almost forgotten his lunch when he began to hear the grumblings of hungry stomachs around him. Others thought of it too because he overheard some of the men at the front discussing how they were to feed all these people. Hearing that, Juan decided he could share his food, maybe get a couple of bites of bread and give the rest away. The teacher looked at Juan and smiled as the helper, we'll call him a Andrew, took the little lunch packet to the teacher, maybe we could call him Jesus. Jesus took the fish and the loaves, the meager lunch of a young boy - all he had to offer, and with a prayer began to pass the offering of the boy out to the multitudes. Yet, the end of the time of sharing and eating, the Disciples gathered more scraps of food than the boy had even started with, 12 times as much as the boy had offered. Somehow, Jesus had taken what the boy offered and blessed it in such a way that all were filled and there was an abundance left over.
Now, you may ask what this story has to do with money. You may ask, “what does this story have to do with the Malachi passage on tithes and the storehouses? Well, I say they have everything to do with one another. You see, Jesus has all that the boy has to offer. He took the gift of the boy that others may eat and be filled with an abundance left. What is the tithe for in Malachi? That the storehouses may be filled and that there may be an abundance to care for the needs of the priests who worshiped God, lead others in the worship of God, and cared for the widows and orphans. When this was done there was blessing. Malachi states this by saying that God will “open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” We find the same promises in Proverbs 22:9 - “Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.” or 28:27, “Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing...”
So, What am I saying by juxtaposing the story of the boy offering his one basket of food and Jesus feeding the 5000 with the tithe passage from Malachi?
First, I am not saying that if you place 10% of your income in the offering plate each week you will get 12 times that amount back in financial blessing. Your tithe is not some financial investment scheme that you can compare to a Bernie Madoff scam. You do not give a tithe or an offering (which are different) because of what you are to get out of it. You do not feed the poor expecting them to give you something in return. No, you give out of generosity for what has already been done.
So, if I'm not trying to sell you on a spiritual monetary investment scheme what am I saying? That you, that we, will not be blessed unless we are obedient. Our blessing may or may not come financially, but when our gift is given with a generous heart, as was the gift of the boy in John's retelling of the feeding of the 5000, then God's blessings can flow.
We are to give to God what is God's, not just because we are told to. We are to give to God what is God's, not because we expect a blessing in return. We are to give to God what is God's because of our gratitude for what God has already done for us.
Gratitude that we are a forgiven people – though what we have done before God is unforgivable.
Gratitude that we are an accepted people – though we are unacceptable before a holy God.
Gratitude that we are a loved people – though we have failed to love as we were taught.
We give because of what Jesus has done for us on the Cross.
We give because we recognize that all we have and all we are is because of Jesus.
We give because we know that all we have and all we are belongs to God already.
That is why we as United Methodist specifically and we as Christians in general vow to support the Church – that is the Body of Christ – with our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness. That is who we are in response to what Christ has already done for us.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Service
Sermon 4 in the Series on Membership Vows to Uphold the UMC
SERVICE
Isaiah 58:1-10, Matthew 5:13-16, Micah 6:8
What is service? We vow to support the United Methodist Church with our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness. But what is service? It all depends on how you look at it.
Service from the root- To Serve...
-(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in - like in tennis or volleyball
-serve a purpose, role, or function – Like, This podium serves to hold my Bible and notes
-do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function – Like some of you serve on committees -and councils here in the community.
-be used by; as of a utility – our electric service
-help with food or drink – Food service, some of you will be served by a waiter or waitress later today.
-devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas - some of you served in the military.
-I could even get into animal husbandry if we get real deep into the definitions of service.
We could go on and on and on. In fact, I found 69 definitions for Serve or Service. I know some of them overlap but still, is there any wonder why we have questions about what our vow of service means?
We turn it into all these other things. In the end, we make our vow of service about showing up at church once or twice a week if it's not inconvenient. We make it about writing a check and placing it in the offering plate. We make it about being seen in the right place doing the right thing so others will know what we have done. So often it seems that our service becomes about us.
That's what God was telling the people of Israel through Isaiah. Their fasting had become about themselves. Little changed through the years. Micah tells of the problems with sacrifices rather than fasting. The people had pulled so far from God that they didn't even know how to get back to him. They fasted, they sacrifices, not an animal for the nation as was called for, but thousands of animals. There even seemed to be talk of sacrifices that included children. Not a pretty picture for God's People. Their sacrifices had become an abomination to the very God the people said they served.
But God does not leave them without an answer. Instead, God give the answer in both places...
Isaiah 6:10 - “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.”
And in Micah 6:8 - “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Just as the people in those days of old, we too have the answers of what God calls us to do. We too have the answers of what it means to serve and, it really hasn't changed any. We are still called to free the oppressed, to share bread with the hungry, bring the homeless poor in out of the cold, clothe the naked, we are still called to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God. None of this has changed.
We see it all through the Gospels of Jesus.
You see, Jesus had a vision for what it would mean for his followers to be who he called them
to be. Matthew 5:13-16 shows us that image:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
We are a set apart people. We are a people called to be within this world but not of this world. We are a people that call ourselves Methodists, and that needs to mean something.
I have looked for some other words than my own to explain what it means to uphold the UMC with our Service. A statement from the Website of Nimmo UMC, Virginia Beach, VA explains it like this...
Jesus called disciples to follow him, and he sent them out in his name. The pledge to uphold the church by our service recognizes that we are a sent people; that we have a purpose which goes beyond weekly gathering for spiritual growth.
"But what can I do?" This is the question for many who feel they do not have the gifts or talents to be of service. Remember, though, that God has called you into the church because God wants YOU for who you are and for what you have to offer. By becoming involved in avenues of service, you may discover gifts and talents you did not know you had.
How you serve depends upon your interests, your gifts and abilities, the time you have available, the needs of the church, etc. … Beyond that, it means adhering to a life style in which the welfare of others is a primary goal.
This is a ministry which exceeds the capacity of any single person or congregation. Membership in the United Methodist Church is a membership in a world-wide community of faith. We can, and do, make a difference in the world -- all over the world -- as we uphold the church by our service.
We have a varied group here. We have children, youth, young adults, middle age adults, adults nearing retirement, and those in various stages of retirement. We are a congregation made up of business people, ranchers, educators, laborers, supervisors, entrepreneurs, and everything in between. There is no limit to what we could accomplish as a church if we were to all begin serving God as we were created. We would be in service in this community feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. We would be in service around the state as we work with the Conference in building and repairing homes for those in need. We would be in service around the world as we bring medical supplies and clean water to refugees in other parts of the world. There is no end to what we could do.
To close I want to show you a video about what can happen when a few kids take the words of a prayer seriously and begin to serve. In 1988, Brad Smith, a Seminary Intern at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC delivered the words "Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat" as a part of the pastoral prayer that Super Bowl Sunday. Little did he know what would happen from it.
Since that prayer was the spark that ignited the fire we now call Souper Bowl of Caring over $73,000,000.00 has been raised for local food banks and charities.
My question for us today is, What will we happen if just the few of us took seriously our vow to SERVE? How many lives would be changed?
SERVICE
Isaiah 58:1-10, Matthew 5:13-16, Micah 6:8
What is service? We vow to support the United Methodist Church with our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness. But what is service? It all depends on how you look at it.
Service from the root- To Serve...
-(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in - like in tennis or volleyball
-serve a purpose, role, or function – Like, This podium serves to hold my Bible and notes
-do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function – Like some of you serve on committees -and councils here in the community.
-be used by; as of a utility – our electric service
-help with food or drink – Food service, some of you will be served by a waiter or waitress later today.
-devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas - some of you served in the military.
-I could even get into animal husbandry if we get real deep into the definitions of service.
We could go on and on and on. In fact, I found 69 definitions for Serve or Service. I know some of them overlap but still, is there any wonder why we have questions about what our vow of service means?
We turn it into all these other things. In the end, we make our vow of service about showing up at church once or twice a week if it's not inconvenient. We make it about writing a check and placing it in the offering plate. We make it about being seen in the right place doing the right thing so others will know what we have done. So often it seems that our service becomes about us.
That's what God was telling the people of Israel through Isaiah. Their fasting had become about themselves. Little changed through the years. Micah tells of the problems with sacrifices rather than fasting. The people had pulled so far from God that they didn't even know how to get back to him. They fasted, they sacrifices, not an animal for the nation as was called for, but thousands of animals. There even seemed to be talk of sacrifices that included children. Not a pretty picture for God's People. Their sacrifices had become an abomination to the very God the people said they served.
But God does not leave them without an answer. Instead, God give the answer in both places...
Isaiah 6:10 - “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.”
And in Micah 6:8 - “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Just as the people in those days of old, we too have the answers of what God calls us to do. We too have the answers of what it means to serve and, it really hasn't changed any. We are still called to free the oppressed, to share bread with the hungry, bring the homeless poor in out of the cold, clothe the naked, we are still called to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God. None of this has changed.
We see it all through the Gospels of Jesus.
You see, Jesus had a vision for what it would mean for his followers to be who he called them
to be. Matthew 5:13-16 shows us that image:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
We are a set apart people. We are a people called to be within this world but not of this world. We are a people that call ourselves Methodists, and that needs to mean something.
I have looked for some other words than my own to explain what it means to uphold the UMC with our Service. A statement from the Website of Nimmo UMC, Virginia Beach, VA explains it like this...
Jesus called disciples to follow him, and he sent them out in his name. The pledge to uphold the church by our service recognizes that we are a sent people; that we have a purpose which goes beyond weekly gathering for spiritual growth.
"But what can I do?" This is the question for many who feel they do not have the gifts or talents to be of service. Remember, though, that God has called you into the church because God wants YOU for who you are and for what you have to offer. By becoming involved in avenues of service, you may discover gifts and talents you did not know you had.
How you serve depends upon your interests, your gifts and abilities, the time you have available, the needs of the church, etc. … Beyond that, it means adhering to a life style in which the welfare of others is a primary goal.
This is a ministry which exceeds the capacity of any single person or congregation. Membership in the United Methodist Church is a membership in a world-wide community of faith. We can, and do, make a difference in the world -- all over the world -- as we uphold the church by our service.
We have a varied group here. We have children, youth, young adults, middle age adults, adults nearing retirement, and those in various stages of retirement. We are a congregation made up of business people, ranchers, educators, laborers, supervisors, entrepreneurs, and everything in between. There is no limit to what we could accomplish as a church if we were to all begin serving God as we were created. We would be in service in this community feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. We would be in service around the state as we work with the Conference in building and repairing homes for those in need. We would be in service around the world as we bring medical supplies and clean water to refugees in other parts of the world. There is no end to what we could do.
To close I want to show you a video about what can happen when a few kids take the words of a prayer seriously and begin to serve. In 1988, Brad Smith, a Seminary Intern at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC delivered the words "Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat" as a part of the pastoral prayer that Super Bowl Sunday. Little did he know what would happen from it.
Since that prayer was the spark that ignited the fire we now call Souper Bowl of Caring over $73,000,000.00 has been raised for local food banks and charities.
My question for us today is, What will we happen if just the few of us took seriously our vow to SERVE? How many lives would be changed?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Vows of Membership - Witness
(Most of this information was learned at an Evangelism Workshop led by Rev. Danny Tinney and Bishop Mike Lowry. I greatly appreciate their guidance through the process to becoming an Ordained Minister in the United Methodist Church.)
Part 3 of the Vow of Membership Sermon Series
Witness
This week the sermon will be much different than you are accustomed to. In fact, some of you may not consider this a sermon at all. Notice in your bulletins... you have some work to do during this sermon so take out a pen, or borrow a crayola from your child's worship packet, or take the pencil from the pew and lets get to work. You see, I could stand up here and tell you about being a witness. I could confront you about not inviting others to church. I could accuse you of not introducing people to Christ but at the end of the day nothing would have changed. So, we are going to do this a little different.
To start with, I have selected 2 scriptures that were not a part of the Lectionary. Turn with me if you would to Matthew 28:19-20, now take your finger and hold that spot and turn back a few pages to Matthew:22:36-40.
Prayer
I have heard it said that:
A great COMMITMENT to the great COMMANDMENT and the Great COMMISSION will build a great CHURCH.
That being said, I want us to look at each of these real quick. To start with, the Great Commandment. Jesus was being questioned by the Pharisees about the greatest commandment of Moses' Law. Rather than giving one answer to them, Jesus upped the ante so to speak. This was his custom, when we was challenged to answer the Pharisees he would usually give them more than they bargained for. This time, he answers with the common answer showing them that he knew what they were looking for. He recited the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:5 known as the Shema because of the way it starts, "Hear O Israel, Love the YHWH with all you heart,and with all your soul, and with all your strength." In other words, Love God with all that you are, ever have been, and ever will be. "Ahhh" the Pharisees say, "He's not as dumb as we thought, He has studied the Scriptures." But then Jesus added Leviticus 19:18, "Love your neighbor as yourself." What Jesus is saying is that in order to love God you must love your neighbor. This isn't just some 'touchy-feely' kinda love, this is an action love. A love that is manifested in the way you live and breathe. It is the kind of life Jesus talks about in Matthew 25 where says that the ones that feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, visit the lonely... to these will be accounted as righteous for when you serve one of the least, you are serving Jesus.
This is one step in building a great church. This is one step in evangelism. This is one step in being a witness for Christ. The next step comes in the Great Commission.
Do you realize that we have gotten this verse wrong all these years. We have placed all the focus on GO. Don't get me wrong, we need to GO places and spread the word of God in other places. We need to get away sometimes to love our neighbors in South East Texas, or Appalachia, or Espanola, NM, or Haiti, or Liberia Africa... These things are important and we need to continue them; BUT, the focus of this verse is not GO. In fact a student of the Greek will tell you that the word GO here is in the passive form, meaning "as you go on your way..." The only imperative verb in this verse is MAKE.
We are commanded to MAKE Disciples of Jesus Christ. We are to Make Disciples by going, Baptizing, and Teaching. Isn't it interesting the way we make Disciples is first to Baptize, then to Teach. Wow, how often do we think of it in the other way...
"Well, they're not ready to be Baptized, they don't understand what it means yet."
"Well, they're still living in sin so we can't Baptize them yet."
"Well, they don't understand the doctrines of the Faith so we can't Baptize them yet."
No, all that comes later, first pour the Grace of God over them, then teach them... The truth is, none of us really understand what it all means anyway. We are all just pilgrims in this strange land trying to find our way home, aren't we?
Now, this is where it get's tricky and this is where I could spend a couple of more hours on the topic. We could talk about techniques. We could look at models of evangelism. We could discuss the Roman vs. the Celtic way of Evangelism. We could discus Modern Era vs. Post-Modern Era. We could argue Christian vs. Post Christian Era. At the end of the day though, you would still walk out of here saying, I don't know what to do.
So, we are going to take a few minutes today to put some concrete answers down as a start at what it means to be a witness to Christ. Evangelism is simply introducing someone to Christ. And we only have 1/3 of the job to do.
1. We know that God is at work in the life of the person, showering them with Prevenient Grace - that grace that comes before we even know it.
2. We are responsible for what we do as individuals and the church.
3. The respondent is responsible for what they do.
We only have 1/3 of the responsibility in Evangelism. As long as we do our part, we leave the rest up to God and the other person.
So, in 25 words or less, how would you introduce someone to Jesus that has never heard of him? Take a few minutes as write your answer down.
I know that some of you may not be able to finish right now. I pray that you will take it home and continue looking at this, but we need to move on.
Anyone want to share?
Now, what are your 3 Core Convictions - Not scripture but can be from Scripture... This is what you believe, the why you are a Christian.
An example would be Jesus is God in the flesh that walked here on earth.
What three Scriptures mean the most to you... They may be early childhood verses that you memorized in VBS or SS. They may be pivotal verses that changed your life. don't just write the reference, do your best to write them down from memory.
What difference does it make that you are a Christian? Write the answer.
Name three people that you associate with that don't go to church and may not be a Christian.
What you have just done is create a template for sharing your faith with others.
You have thought about and stated who Jesus is to you. You have stated why you believe what you believe. You have remembered those verses that have become a part of your life. And you have thought through why you are a Christian and why someone else should be.
With this in hand you have the tools to not be afraid to start a conversation with someone about your faith. I don't mean that you should walk up to a stranger and ask them "If you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity" or "Do Ya Know Jeeesus?"
No, look at those three people you named. You already have a relationship with them. If you are living your life for Christ, they already know about your faith and may have questions. All you have to do is seize the moment and let God do the rest...
Part 3 of the Vow of Membership Sermon Series
Witness
This week the sermon will be much different than you are accustomed to. In fact, some of you may not consider this a sermon at all. Notice in your bulletins... you have some work to do during this sermon so take out a pen, or borrow a crayola from your child's worship packet, or take the pencil from the pew and lets get to work. You see, I could stand up here and tell you about being a witness. I could confront you about not inviting others to church. I could accuse you of not introducing people to Christ but at the end of the day nothing would have changed. So, we are going to do this a little different.
To start with, I have selected 2 scriptures that were not a part of the Lectionary. Turn with me if you would to Matthew 28:19-20, now take your finger and hold that spot and turn back a few pages to Matthew:22:36-40.
Prayer
I have heard it said that:
A great COMMITMENT to the great COMMANDMENT and the Great COMMISSION will build a great CHURCH.
That being said, I want us to look at each of these real quick. To start with, the Great Commandment. Jesus was being questioned by the Pharisees about the greatest commandment of Moses' Law. Rather than giving one answer to them, Jesus upped the ante so to speak. This was his custom, when we was challenged to answer the Pharisees he would usually give them more than they bargained for. This time, he answers with the common answer showing them that he knew what they were looking for. He recited the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:5 known as the Shema because of the way it starts, "Hear O Israel, Love the YHWH with all you heart,and with all your soul, and with all your strength." In other words, Love God with all that you are, ever have been, and ever will be. "Ahhh" the Pharisees say, "He's not as dumb as we thought, He has studied the Scriptures." But then Jesus added Leviticus 19:18, "Love your neighbor as yourself." What Jesus is saying is that in order to love God you must love your neighbor. This isn't just some 'touchy-feely' kinda love, this is an action love. A love that is manifested in the way you live and breathe. It is the kind of life Jesus talks about in Matthew 25 where says that the ones that feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, visit the lonely... to these will be accounted as righteous for when you serve one of the least, you are serving Jesus.
This is one step in building a great church. This is one step in evangelism. This is one step in being a witness for Christ. The next step comes in the Great Commission.
Do you realize that we have gotten this verse wrong all these years. We have placed all the focus on GO. Don't get me wrong, we need to GO places and spread the word of God in other places. We need to get away sometimes to love our neighbors in South East Texas, or Appalachia, or Espanola, NM, or Haiti, or Liberia Africa... These things are important and we need to continue them; BUT, the focus of this verse is not GO. In fact a student of the Greek will tell you that the word GO here is in the passive form, meaning "as you go on your way..." The only imperative verb in this verse is MAKE.
We are commanded to MAKE Disciples of Jesus Christ. We are to Make Disciples by going, Baptizing, and Teaching. Isn't it interesting the way we make Disciples is first to Baptize, then to Teach. Wow, how often do we think of it in the other way...
"Well, they're not ready to be Baptized, they don't understand what it means yet."
"Well, they're still living in sin so we can't Baptize them yet."
"Well, they don't understand the doctrines of the Faith so we can't Baptize them yet."
No, all that comes later, first pour the Grace of God over them, then teach them... The truth is, none of us really understand what it all means anyway. We are all just pilgrims in this strange land trying to find our way home, aren't we?
Now, this is where it get's tricky and this is where I could spend a couple of more hours on the topic. We could talk about techniques. We could look at models of evangelism. We could discuss the Roman vs. the Celtic way of Evangelism. We could discus Modern Era vs. Post-Modern Era. We could argue Christian vs. Post Christian Era. At the end of the day though, you would still walk out of here saying, I don't know what to do.
So, we are going to take a few minutes today to put some concrete answers down as a start at what it means to be a witness to Christ. Evangelism is simply introducing someone to Christ. And we only have 1/3 of the job to do.
1. We know that God is at work in the life of the person, showering them with Prevenient Grace - that grace that comes before we even know it.
2. We are responsible for what we do as individuals and the church.
3. The respondent is responsible for what they do.
We only have 1/3 of the responsibility in Evangelism. As long as we do our part, we leave the rest up to God and the other person.
So, in 25 words or less, how would you introduce someone to Jesus that has never heard of him? Take a few minutes as write your answer down.
I know that some of you may not be able to finish right now. I pray that you will take it home and continue looking at this, but we need to move on.
Anyone want to share?
Now, what are your 3 Core Convictions - Not scripture but can be from Scripture... This is what you believe, the why you are a Christian.
An example would be Jesus is God in the flesh that walked here on earth.
What three Scriptures mean the most to you... They may be early childhood verses that you memorized in VBS or SS. They may be pivotal verses that changed your life. don't just write the reference, do your best to write them down from memory.
What difference does it make that you are a Christian? Write the answer.
Name three people that you associate with that don't go to church and may not be a Christian.
What you have just done is create a template for sharing your faith with others.
You have thought about and stated who Jesus is to you. You have stated why you believe what you believe. You have remembered those verses that have become a part of your life. And you have thought through why you are a Christian and why someone else should be.
With this in hand you have the tools to not be afraid to start a conversation with someone about your faith. I don't mean that you should walk up to a stranger and ask them "If you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity" or "Do Ya Know Jeeesus?"
No, look at those three people you named. You already have a relationship with them. If you are living your life for Christ, they already know about your faith and may have questions. All you have to do is seize the moment and let God do the rest...
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