"Truly, I Tell You" - November 20, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

The Sermon:
There are a number of things this passage brings to mind, but I am only going to discuss a couple of things that I have found striking. I’ll begin by simply saying that for a shepherd to separate sheep from goats is an easy thing to do. They were often pastured together and when it was time to put them in their respective pens, it was a simple process.

As Jesus continues on with this story, it is evident that he is not actually talking about animals. He is using sheep and goats as an analogy for humankind, which will be separated into two groups t the final judgment…sheep-people on the right and goat-people on the left. (political?) The ones on the right are welcomed into the kingdom of God and the ones on the left are told to depart from Christ’s presence forever.

This begs the question as to what criteria is used to sort them out? I think it is clear that is has to do with whether or not one has been merciful and helpful to those in need. Jesus indicates that those on the right have actually ministered to Him by their compassion toward others…those on the left have actually ignored Him by ignoring those in need.

One thing that stands out for me is that, unlike sheep and goats, those who have loved their neighbor and those who have not can ultimately only be distinguished by the Son of Man…He is the Great Sorter in this story. Those who do good deeds and those who do not cannot accurately determine which are which…and, I am certain that there are members of both groups who will be surprised to find out which group they were sorted into!

Another prominent point is that we need to recognize that our sins of omission are equally as serious as our sins of commission. It reminds us that what we don’t do is as great a reflection of our commitment to follow Jesus…as what we do. Now, some may hear this story as a call to serve others in a specific way…such as found a mission or a relief organization. Many good things have been done by Christians who see in this passage a model of how love for one’s neighbor should be put into action.

However, not everyone is called to found a mission agency. Every Christian should be able to hear in these words of Jesus a reminder that doing good deeds is an essential part of Faith. Some critics have noted that, judging from this passage alone, a non-believer who is compassionate to his neighbor in need is on the same footing as a believer who does the same. Of course, Jesus was not giving a full description of the final judgment. He was making the point about not ignoring the poor, economically depressed and the oppressed among us. At least part of what this story implies is that having our sins forgiven should result in a greater willingness to love our neighbor.

Certainly the doing of good deeds does not eliminate the need for forgiveness of sin, but there can be no lasting faith, no love of neighbor without actual acts of doing good deeds.

This story also reminds us that the place we live out our faith is in the sheepfold of daily life. In other words, compassion belongs not only in the extraordinary events and circumstances of lie, but also in our ordinary, everyday encounters. We need to hear that because most of life is not played out on the big stage or in the kinds of things that make headline news. Actually, most of life is in the smaller things…the chance meetings, the routine places, those times when we do a good deed it seems so ordinary to us that it is not worth mentioning.

Finally, one thing we should NOT hear in this story is the idea of God as a Cosmic Scorekeeper… with a data base that tallies up the number of our good deeds. We should also NOT rummage through our memories and conscience trying to figure out the last time we did a good deed so we can score ourselves and decide whether we are sheep or goats. I really do not think that Jesus was trying to scare us about the Final Judgment either. I believe He was trying to get our attention, perhaps in a dramatic way, and to remind us that God really does want us to love our neighbor as ourselves. He wants us to keep working at it… to not excuse ourselves…to not assume that someone else will do it…and to not act as if it doesn’t matter. It does matter!

That may be the reason that Jesus used such dramatic language. To those on the right, who have unknowingly served Him through good deeds to others, he says, "Come, inherit the kingdom." To those on His left, who have unknowingly ignored Him by ignoring the needs of others, he says, "Depart into the eternal fire."

Depart and come are very strong words, but rather than get all caught up in them, the best words to remember from this story are these: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these, who are members of my family, you did it to me." AMEN

"On Saying Thank You" - October 16, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

The Sermon:
How many of you were taught, as a child, to say "Please" and "Thank you"? I suspect that all of us were taught those phrases or something very similar. We were being taught the most simple and basic courtesy… Please and thank you. I am equally sure that as we grew, there were times we were told to say ‘thank you’ when we really did not mean it. As adults, there are times when we say "thank you" with the same feeling as when we say, "good morning" to someone we pass on the street or at the post office. It has become a phrase that society sort of expects but that has nor real depth to it. It’s almost mechanical.

Guess what… A recent study was released after a ten yr. period and over 200,000 managers and employees were interviewed regarding saying "thank you". The results are interesting to say the least. When people are thanked for what they do, they are more productive and motivated. Of course, this translates into more profits, so CEO’s and managers are utilizing these phrases such as: "Your contirbution is important" and "I’m truly grateful" and "Thank you for your attention to detail".

Presenting it like this makes it sound like nothing more than a good business pratice. The researchers say it still works, if it sounds sincere. An added benefit is that the more often we say it, the more we become aware of when real thanks should be given. So, even if we start out saying "Thank you" simply because it is societal convention and is expected, after a period of time, we actually begin to realize that we truly are thankful!

Now, in the letter writing conventions of Paul’s time, it was common to include an expression of thanksgiving in the opening section of the letter. Paul did this in all his letters except one, the letter to the Galatians. We can only surmise that he must have been really distressed about the problems in that church and could not think of anything to give thanks about. Which indicates that Paul was not giving thanks out of simple courtesy or routine… he truly believed it was warranted.

In the letter to the Thessolonian church, Paul not only gives thanks at the beginning of the letter, he also thanks to God again for them about halfway through the 2nd chapter, and again in the third chapter. At least part of the reason he was so thankful for them is that he and Silas had founded the church… then they were run out of town by a mob. So, in those hostile surroundings, the church they had started continued to grow in their faith and witness. Paul says, "And you became imitators of us and the Lord and in spite of persecution, you received the Word with joy… inspired by the Holy Spirit, and you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

We need to notice that Paul’s expressions of thanks are addressed, not directly to the Thessalonians, but to God on their behalf. Paul continues, "We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father, your work of faith and labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Paul is not simply thankful that the Thessalonians are nice people. He is much more specific. He says he is thankful for their "work of faith, their labor of love and their steadfastness of hope." In essence, he is saying: They are living their lives according to the precepts of Christianity! Their Faith is grounded in the salvation presented by Jesus, and is translated into what they do, how they act toward one another, the way in which they face the troubles of life, and their attitude about how things will come out in the end. In other words, Christianity permeates all they say and do!

So when Paul thanks them for what they have done and for their attitude, he is at the same time encouraging them to continue on that course of thought and action. He wants them to keep on living their Faith wholeheartedly. I think Paul also benefits from his giving thanks to God for them, because he recognizes the ways in which God is blessing his work, as a servant. He is joyful… and thankful, joyful people are usually happier people.

Think about this for a moment. You know when you go to a restaurant or a stor of some sort. You may say thank you to the waiter or to the person at the check out counter… but it is really a courtesy "thank you", you really have no bond with that person as a person. They are more anonymous, someone who is waiting on you, more of a ‘something’ instead of a someone. However, when we sincerely thank someone, looking them in the eye, we acknowledge that they are a person, someone of value. Not only do they get a self-esteem boost, but we are better for it as well.

Paul’s practice of thanking God for those among whom he worked was not just a habit, it was a genuine expression of gratitude. It encouraged the people in the churches and it made Paul a better person.

We, too, can help our church and make it more vital by thanking God for the faith, hope and love of our fellow worshipers, and by thanking them directly as well ! So let’s do that, right now…turn to someone next to you or across the aisle and say "THANK YOU" for being here today…thank you for your faith and love. After all, we really do have a lot to be thankful for.

AMEN.

"Sorry, I'm Too Busy" - October 9, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

The Sermon:
I want you to think back to a time when you were in school or college. Were you ever late with some homework or a term paper? Did you try to come up with an excuse or a reason for not having your work completed on time? I read about one young boy who had failed to do his term paper on time and gave the following excuse: "I got mugged on the way to school. I offered the mugger my watch, my money and my gold necklace, but all he wanted was my term paper." Certainly more elaborate than, "My dog ate it."

We have all made excuses for not doing something! As adults, we sometimes make excuses for not attending a professional seminar or someone’s anniversary party or a funeral or a wedding…or any number of gatherings that may interfere with something else we would rather do. We are continually confronted with opportunities to either say "YES" or "NO".

This brings us to today’s parable. A king was having a banquet for his son, who was preparing to marry. No expense was spared, his oxen and fattened cattle were butchered and everything was ready. He sent out his servants to those who were invited, to tell them to come now, but they refused. One went to his field, another to his business and some even mistreated the servants and killed them. The king was enraged…he sent his army and destroyed the murderers and burned the city.

Then, the king told his servants, "Those I invited did not deserve to come. Go into the street corners and invite anyone you find." So, the servants obeyed the king and went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

I know you probably recognize this story, but what you may not know is that something very similar actually happened. A Ms. Kathleen Gooley was all set for her wedding. A non-refundable deposit of $4,000 dollars had been given to the caterer. Then she learned that the groom had changed his mind…he was a no show. She decided, that since everything was already paid for, she would contact the local homeless shelters, and the drug and alcohol rehab centers and the salvation army center and invite all of them.

She wanted someone to enjoy the banquet.

The meaning of this parable is that the so-called righteous people of that time rejected Jesus as the Christ. So what does God do?…He gave an open invitation into His kingdom to all who would come, righteous and unrighteous alike.

What really touched a nerve with me, personally, is the excuses that were used by those who refused the invitation. They did not refuse the invite because they were mean or wicked…they were absorbed by the activities of their daily lives…all of which they deemed more important than the call of Christ. This begs the question, "Are we so absorbed with living our lives that we miss the call of Christ? " How often does our day to day conversations revolve around the weather, new cars, price of gas, clothes, furniture or sports or restaurants? These are all really trivial when compared to discussion about human destiny or our claims as Christians. Most people are uncomfortable talking about such things and when serious sickness comes or the dark shadow of death is near, they are tongue-tied, because they are only used to talking about mundane things.

Many times in life, we find ourselves allowing "worldliness", that is, material affairs to take precedent over our relationship with Christ. We find ourselves constantly exploring the path of material goods and wealth, looking for the happiness and joy that we all want, not leaving time to seek out God and embrace His promises. However, God’s plans are not defeated. The Banquet is still held for those who want to learn the ways of true Joy! The heritage of the Jews was extended to the Gentiles !

Of course, our number one excuse for not attending "Gods Banquet" is that we don’t have enough time. It makes me think of the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland when she said, "It takes all the running you can do just to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you have to run twice as fast." We get so caught up in a hectic lifestyle… so busy doing things…that we don’t have time for God’s Banquet!

At some point in life, we have to decide what really matters most and make certain that the important things get done. We can sit sown and make a list of the things we deem important…and it can be a long list: family, job, self-improvement, service in the community, relaxation time, etc. However, our first priority should be time with God. If you are too busy to listen for God, then you are too busy…If you are too busy to help out in God’s kingdom, then you are too busy!We must all remember that there will come a time when our relationship with God is the only thing that will matter.

I’ll end with this anecdote: A mental hospital had a unique way of determining if some of its patients were ready to be returned to society. They would bring the patient into a room that had a sink overflowing water and the faucet was still running with water. They would hand the patient a mop and ask them to clean up the mess. If the patient turned off the faucet before starting to mop, they would be released. If the patient started mopping first, more treatment was needed.

You and I need to stop mopping long enough to see if the faucet is still running! We need to center our lives on God and God’s purposes, and we will discover that life truly is a feast. We all have been invited to His feast…let’s RSVP with a strong "YES".

AMEN

"We Are Tenants" - October 2, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

The Sermon:
Jesus is in his final week of life. He has just told a parable about two sons, which I spoke about last week. It was directed at the religious leaders. Today’s parable of the Wicked Tenants is also directed at the religious leaders.

My personal opinion is that Jesus was intentionally increasing the intensity of his ministry in an attempt to remove any doubts people had about his mission and message. He turned the burner on the stove up to high and brought his ministry to a rolling boil! His message was clear!

Let’s go through this together…Who is God in this story? (Landlord)…ok, now, what does the vineyard represent? (God’s kingdom) Who were the tenants representing? (Israel…the religious leaders). Who were the servants? (God’s prophets) Finally, who is the ‘heir’ to the vineyard? (Jesus)

One more thing we need to do is understand what the responsibilities of Tenants were… in fact, let’s talk about what a Tenant is. A Tenant, in those days, was a person or family that farmed a landowner’s property. They had to raise a crop and give the landowner a share of what was produced. In today’s world, it’s like a landowner leasing their property to someone and being paid a fee. After the Civil War, sharecroppers did essentially the same thing. The key factor in this story, however, is that a crop MUST be produced. What do you think the crop is? I want you to think about as I go through the story.

God is like a landlord who has leased his vineyard-his kingdom- to Israel as laborers. The time has come for God to demand His share of the fruit from the workers. The fruit being faith in Him and His promises…repentance of sins and trust in His messengers. He wants His vineyard to produce wine that leaves the boundaries of the kingdom walls and fills the whole world with the goodness of His love and Word!

The problem is that the laborers did not produce a crop…and they ignored His warnings of eviction and murdered His servants, the prophets whom He had sent to represent His interests. Not only that, they murder the Heir, His son. This is called “foreshadowing”, that is, revealing what is yet to come.

Jesus basically says, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The time was at hand when the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. Israel had been an unfaithful tenant…it was time for new tenants!

You want to know how I understand this parable? It is really a parable about STEWARDSHIP. Think about it. It’s about managing God’s stuff on God’s behalf. There are two aspects of stewardship:

1. the first is what we have been entrusted with
2. the second is what in the world are we supposed to do with it.

As tenants, each of us has been entrusted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ AND our personal, worldly goods. Both come from God and both are to be used in service to God. The Gospel is the message that, despite humankind’s universal rebellion against God’s will, God still desires a reconciled relationship with us. Reconciliation has been made possible through the sacrificial death of His Son on a cross. Because of that, the entire world is invited to enter the vineyard and labor under God’s Love!

We not only have been blessed by God’s message but we are also been made dispensers of God’s message. We also need to recognize that everything from the clothes on or backs to the money in our wallet or purse to the roof over our head belongs to God and are on loan to us from God. We will take none of it with us into the next life. As Psalm 24 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” We are simply leasing or renting for a period of time.

There is more in the parable than just knowing we are blessed and knowing who the owner is. In order to be a FAITHFUL steward, we have to DO something with the Gospel and with our worldly goods ! We have to be sure that we treat the vineyard in such away that brings blessing to the whole world.

With that in mind, I am going to ask a few questions for all of us to ponder. I do not want this to sound accusatory, but I do want it to be something you give thoughtful consideration to and maybe even be challenged a little bit.

1. When was the last time you invited someone to church with you?
2. How long has it been since you last read Scripture with your children, then talked with them about it?
3. Have you matured in your Faith enough to pray for others?
4. How about helping in the ministry of this church?
5. If you were called upon in a gathering, could you talk about your Faith?
6. Do you feel that you have produced a “crop” for the Lord?

We can ask the same questions about the church, collectively. Are we producing a crop? What do we have to show for the vineyard we are in? What kind of tenants have we been? You know, we have been entrusted with a lot, it’s time for all of us to be good stewards.

AMEN

"Intrinsic Value" - September 25, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: Matthew 21: 23-32

The Sermon:
I remember an incident that happened in 1969. I was a college Freshman and I was living in the dormitory with a roommate. His name was Steve and he was an 18 yr. old Freshman… I was 22. I had just gotten out of the Army only 5 days before entering college. I had been back from Viet-Nam only a few months. We had nothing in common…except that we were both Freshman.

He was a "follower"…in fact, he followed me everywhere I went. I was more of a "leave-me-aloner"…I was still trying to adjust to society. One day, as we were walking to town from the college, we came upon an elderly man, about______’s age. He was reaching in the trunk of his car and pulling out a jack that he could barely lift. His wife was standing on the sidewalk. I looked down and saw that he had a flat tire. We had walked about 4 or 5 steps past his car and I stopped and told Steve that we should help that man change his tire. Steve did not want to help. I went to the man and said, "sir, let me do that for you." He gave me the jack and tire tool…I changed his tire. When I was finished, he offered me some money. He had several dollar bills in his hand. Steve started to reach for the money. I stopped him. . I said, "no thank you, although I do appreciate the offer.

As we walked away, Steve said, "You’re crazy, man. We could have had some extra money. Why didn’t you take it?" I said, "Steve, sometimes in life you do things just because it’s the right thing to do."

Here it is, 42 years later, and I am using an incident that happened to me as an illustration in a sermon. The Lord works in mysterious ways in our lives!

The point of this illustration is similar to the one Jesus was making in today’s Scripture passage. One son is asked to go to the vineyard to work…the son says he will go and do as his father asks. Anyone observing would say that the son made the correct choice, and would assume that the son will do what he says.

Another son, when given the same instruction says "no, I will not go." His refusal to do what his father asks would certainly seem to be the wrong response. From the beginning of the story, one son would clearly be labeled in the right and the other in the wrong.

As we all know, however, appearances are often deceiving. What is said today and what happens tomorrow are often contradictory. The son who appears to be right, because of what he says, actually does what is wrong. He fails to go to the vineyard. The son, whose initial refusal makes him seem in the wrong, in the end, does what is right.

So, the act of doing what is right speaks much more loudly than mere words. Jesus tells the chief priests and elders that they exemplify the behavior of the son who said "Yes" but did not do as he said he would. As spiritual leaders, they have all the appearances of righteousness. They say the right things and even act in strict conformity to the Law, but they ridicule tax collectors and prostitutes and all those labeled as outcasts in society.

Yet, it is those very people, those looked down upon by decent society, who are open to the Lord’s call. They are the ones who have the courage to place their faith in Jesus. Those who appear to be "wrong" , in the end do what is right. They are not looking for status in society, or compliments or the best seat in the house. They are simply following the Lord and listening to his words because it is the right thing to do.! In this story, Jesus tells us that it is these people who will enter eternal life before any who perceive themselves to be righteous.

We live in a world where status, name, achievement and perception of ’good and righteousness’ are greatly rewarded. We are told over and over again that we need to finish first and in the process make certain that what we say and do appears to be correct, positive and profitable. We don’t want people to perceive in us anything that is not perfectly acceptable with the contemporary mindset. To hold unpopular views or to stand up for one’s convictions in the face of opposition is not the image we have been trained to portray… yet, it is often the right thing to do. It is of intrinsic value, that is, doing what is right, simply because it is right…without expecting any reward.

Humility is essential when doing things that are intrinsically right. John the Baptist was humble enough to "decrease" as he knew Jesus would "increase"…Jesus was humble enough to wash His disciples’ feet, giving them an example of how they were to become Servant Leaders. Humble enough to perform the duties of a slave, yet confident enough to be obedient to God. Jesus was humble enough to be obedient unto death on a Cross.

We, like the son in the parable and Jesus, must do what is right BECAUSE it is right! Most of the time we want a reward or a compliment or some benefit. Now I recognize that we all need some positive feedback to nourish us and keep us going, but that must not be the reason we do what we do. I know it is not always easy to "do the right thing", but we must realize that the Christian life is not always easy. Doing what is right may cause us problems, even with our friends or co-workers or those with whom we share a pew.

Actually, to be a follower of Jesus, we have no right to expect in better treatment than He received. We should not be concerned about status, or perks of a position or even individual accomplishment. We can only do that which is right…BECAUSE it is right and be satisfied with that.

AMEN

"Spiritual Fatigue" - September 18, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: Luke: 17:1-10

The Sermon:
How many of you feel like you could use some extra energy in the mornings when you wake up? I know I have felt that way many times. Have you tried any of these energy drinks? Red Bull or five hour energy? They make a lot of claims about how they can boot your energy level: improve performance…improve concentration and reaction speed…stimulates metabolism. After a study by Men’s Fitness magazine, it was determined that the effects are more psychological than physical.

However, there is a real appeal to the thought that drinking one of these drinks can turn you from a tired wimp into a stampeding dynamo. I thought back to my childhood and remember the forerunner of these modern energy drinks…something that would give you instant strength and endurance. Anyone know what I’m thinking about? That’s right…Popeye and his spinach ! I must confess that I actually tried that…eating spinach. It was difficult to swallow…then and now.

The fact remains that we all wish we could just have something to give us instant energy. In today’s lesson, when the disciples cry out to Jesus to, “Increase our faith!” it sounds just like our request for an instant energy boost.

In verses 1-4, Jesus tells the disciples that they have a deep responsibility to not, “cause one of these little ones to stumble” in sin. Not only that, he tells them that when someone wrongs them, they are to forgive them even 7 times a day. After hearing these two admonitions, they immediately cry to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

The persistence and energy it takes to guard oneself and others from doing something wrong and forgiving a repeat offender is daunting, at the very least. I think the disciples were suffering from spiritual fatigue. Spiritually speaking, the demands of discipleship can cause even the strongest among us to sometimes feel tired and worn out. We seem to have no energy left to do the things we know need to be done.

The old name for this condition was “burnout”...but I don’t like that word…it sounds too final. I prefer the term, “compassion fatigue”. It applies to dedicated church workers, people involved in caring for the home-bound, hospice and others. It begins with physical exhaustion…then emotional and mental…then spiritual exhaustion. It comes from always being in “output” mode…caring for and nurturing others without taking time to re-charge your spiritual batteries. There is always something to be done and someone to do it for!

It is during these times of spiritual fatigue that we join with the disciples in wanting an energy filled “shot of faith”. AND, we try to get that quick fix in various ways. Sometimes we read the newest “spiritual” book… we may go to the current seminar by a dynamic speaker…we may attend a spiritual retreat…all attempts at regaining that spiritual high that we once had. We think that all we need is more faith and some more energy and some new ideas and we’ll do a lot better and be back on track as a Disciple. The problem is when that “new book…seminar…retreat high” wears off, we feel more fatigued than ever.

Jesus provides the answer to the request for more Faith when he tells the disciples and us to , “simply embrace the faith you have”…even if it is only a little bit! Now Jesus used the metaphor of the mustard seed to symbolize the kind of faith his followers should embrace. A mustard seed is very tiny…but when planted and steadily nurtured in the right conditions, over time it grows…matures…and finally blossoms! In the same way, true faith is the result of the long, patient discipline of discipleship. It starts small, grows gradually, steadily and intentionally.

So…the truth is, there is NO faith filled Red Bull or quick energy drink. There are no short-cuts to healthy, mature Faith. There is Mustard seed faith, and that is enough, in fact it is more than enough… if you nurture it in good conditions and allow it to grow. Faith is NOT about our ability to do a certain job…it is about God’s ability to do the job through us… and we know from Scripture that “with God, all things are possible.”

Because Faith is about God’s ability more than ours. It also means that God gets the credit. Jesus goes on to say that we should NOT think that our approach to ministry, no matter what we do, is going to provide us with the recognition that we think we deserve. God is looking for servants who do the simple stuff, “what they ought to have done” without seeking the ego rush of a reward.

"Remember" - September 11, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21 and Matthew 18:21-35

Romans 12:17-21
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventyseven times.

23 "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

The Sermon:
Today is the tenth anniversary of 9/11. I confess to you this morning that I am not up to the task of giving you words that will address the horror and legacy of 9/11 in any way that is fully consoling. As we all struggle to find images and stories that might reveal the depth of our emotions, I ask all of you to go back in time to that infamous day and try to remember where you were… what you were doing…and how you were feeling as that event unfolded. Later in this service, you will have an opportunity, if you so desire, to let your feelings be known.

I have asked a few people to begin this portion of the service with their own personal remembrances and then I will call upon those who would like to share their story of that day. I hope you all understand that this place we are in is a ‘sanctuary’. One definition of sanctuary is , “a safe place, a refuge, and a place of immunity.” So you are free to speak your true feelings… there will be no condemnations or judgments.

[Jack and other members of the congregation shared their personal remembrances of 9/11]

"Make it Real" - September 4, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: 1^st John 3:16-24

One of things I like about the New Testament is that it contains a lot of practical ideas and advice. Perhaps because Jesus had human beings he called disciples always with him, and that forced him to speak in everyday terms about everyday problems. Sometimes even loving Christians disagree…they quarrel…they hold grudges, some even leave the church and go some where else.

I think it is still true today that the behavior of Christians makes Christianity to the outside world, either repulsive or attractive. It’s all up to how professing Christians act and react. It has nothing to do with whether or not Christians are perfect, we know we are not. There will always be quarrels and differences of opinion on how to do something or even what to do. There will always be disappointments with pastors and Councils and committees that lead to hurt feelings, hurt pride and mistakes. As Christians, we are supposed to be able to resolve these conflicts as no other organization does. That is, resolve things in Love and MAKE IT REAL!

Pastors spend a fair amount of time in the pulpit talking about how, as Christians, we are to love our enemies, when in actuality we need to learn how to love people right here in this building…and in our families. We have a human tendency to hang onto petty hurts and grudges…we refuse to forgive and love each other, instead we say, or think things like this: “Look, she is the one who said that about me. Let her come and apologize,” or “We may go to the same church, but that doesn’t mean I have to sit in the same pew with them,” or “It will be a cold day in July before I talk to them again.”

As C.S. Lewis once said, “That’s all well and good, I suppose…if you don’t mind living in Hell.” When people have the attitude like this, church and Christianity and the whole practice of religion, at least for them, is not the JOYFUL experience it ought to be. I think they miss the full dimension of belonging to God’s family.

I remember reading a book by Doug Rushkoff entitled, FAST COMPANY. In it he says: “Groups need to identify what they do best… and the next thing they should do is start doing what you do until you do it incredibly well.” The passage of Scripture makes it very clear that, as Christians, we are to become incredibly competent at loving one another! The sacrificial love of Jesus is more than simply a nice idea or a noble concept. It is, in fact, a pattern of behavior that is supposed to be displayed by all Christians…not only with words but with action. The critical question in vs. 17 is, “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help them.”

The short answer is: it doesn’t. God’s love lives in those who see a need and respond with help. Let’s not talk about love…let’s not sing about love…let’s put love into action and MAKE IT REAL.

Why do so many Christians find it so difficult to live their lives according to the model Jesus gave us? Many people find it much easier and simpler to define our religious duty in terms of making offerings rather than the complicated and challenging Work of feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, caring for the sick and visiting the imprisoned.

I think part of the key to fulfilling our Christian mandate is to realize that LOVE emanates from God…NOT from human beings. “We love because God first loved us”. If we succeed in this goal of loving one another, the credit actually belongs to God…not to us. Any love that we show is a sign and a signal that God’s love is working through us. In an ironic way, it lets us off the hook when someone says, “How can you possibly love that person?” We can always say, “Hey, don’t blame me…blame God…he made me do it.”

Our world is in desperate need of churches that put love into action and MAKES IT REAL. Let us continue being one of those churches until we do it incredibly and awesomely well! AMEN.

"Good Infection" - June 12, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: Acts 2: 1-21

The Sermon:
Today’s message will be brief. The title of this sermon is actually part of a passage from the book MERE CHRISTIANITY , by C. S. Lewis. I will read the passage a little later. You have just heard the story of Pentecost, as written in the Book of Acts. One can rightly say that what happened that day, when the Holy Spirit filled the disciples, is that the Spirit enabled them to become more like Jesus. That is to say, more like Jesus in His passion for the world, in His intention to please God and in commitment to the Gospel message.

In the book, Mere Christianity, that I mentioned a moment ago, C. S. Lewis connects the activity of the Holy Spirit with becoming more like Jesus. Here are his words: If we let God have His way, we can come to share in the life of Christ. If we share in this kind of life, we also shall be children of God. We shall love the father as He does and the Holy Ghost shall arise in us. Jesus came to this world and became a man in order to spread to other people the kind of life He has, by what I call "good infection". Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else."

Now, the idea of becoming a little Christ needs some explanation. I am not implying that we are attempting to become miniature saviors of the world. Also, I am not suggesting that Jesus was more or less like us, only a little better. Following Jesus is NOT synonymous with being Jesus.

The "little Christ" term does mean that we take Jesus as the primary model for our character, morality and spirituality. It does mean that we let the Holy Spirit fill us so we become more like Jesus in His faithfulness to God, the father, and in His compassion for others. In that sense, the transforming power of the Holy Spirit can make us more Christ-like.

Remember in the Gospel of John when Phillip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father." Jesus responded by saying, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." In other words, what you see in me resembles what is in the Father. That same principle is true for those of us who call ourselves Christian. People should be able to look at any sincere Christian and see a small-scale representation of who Jesus is. Of course, that is not always the case, but that is the goal of the Christian life… to be like Jesus.

One way people learn what Christianity is about is by observing Christians. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Let’s all do our best to make a good picture. Remember that we are to be "infected" by the Holy Spirit and hopefully it is highly contagious.

AMEN.

"Up, Up and Away?" - June 5, 2011 Sermon

 

Scripture: Acts 1: 1-14

The Sermon:
Today we celebrate Ascension Sunday…Ascension Day was actually last Thursday… On Ascension Day, the disciples are standing there watching as Jesus does a disappearing act that David Blaine or Criss Angel would be envious of. Jesus goes, Up, Up and Away, disappearing into the clouds. Was He abandoning them? Leaving them to their own devices?

The Ascension must have been a spectacular sight to see ! Equally amazing, to me at least, is the unlikely group with whom He left the Mission. None of these men had grown up as religious leaders…they were fishermen and tax collectors. They had continually misunderstood the parables He told. They fell asleep on the job. In His last days, they had denied they even knew Him. Humanly speaking, those disciples were not the best choice to advance the Good News. That is, until the last 40 days Jesus was on Earth. During that time He opened their eyes to the meaning of Scriptures. The Ascension was, in a sense, the HINGE of their Apostolic mission. It took place between the Resurrection and Pentecost ! It told the Disciples that Jesus’ mission was now THEIR mission. Far from feeling abandoned, they felt empowered. They followed His instructions to “stay in Jerusalem” and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Ascension Sunday is a time for us to reflect on how WE partner with Jesus in our life and Faith. Do we have a sense of personal mission? Do we feel empowered as we should? Do we see the Gospel as “church work” or as a vocation?

A few things come to mind. One thing is , It is our choice to say YES, to the Call of Christ. Just like the disciples, we can find plenty of reasons, excuses for NOT answering the call to serve. Some I have heard over the years, and used myself are: I haven’t been a Christian long enough…I’m not trained well enough…I haven’t been to seminary…I don’t have enough time because of my job and family… I’m not good enough. Guess what…imperfect people are part of God’s primary plan, not His back-up plan, to share the Gospel. We all have felt or currently feel, inadequate… the power of the Holy Spirit makes us more than adequate and empowers us to accomplish whatever God puts before us.

As post Pentecost Christians, we have been given the same Spirit the disciples received… that means our imitations are no longer a problem. Nor are they an excuse.

Whatever our mission is, we are not alone in it… we are in partnership with God’s Spirit. Knowing this, we pray with a purpose and join with God in doing His mission.

Another thing, Jesus was not going to let the disciples be content to stay in Israel and do their mission there. He told them they would go out to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. They were to be witnesses to more than just their own natural sphere of influence. We all have a circle of influence: family, friends, co-workers, etc. They are all, for the most part, in our comfort zone. We have to allow the Spirit to guide us out of our areas of comfort in order to fulfill Christ’s call upon our lives.

(Personal testimony)

Ascension Day is the perfect time to take a look at our own personal spheres of influence and ask ourselves this question: Am I advancing my calling or am I staring into the sky as did the disciples, musing over Jesus going Up, Up and Away, and doing nothing more than fantasizing about His return.??

Amen.

"Freedom in Christ" - May 29, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: 1^st Corinthians 11: 24

The Sermon:
Tomorrow is Memorial Day, and it is supposed to be a day when we remember all the brave men and women who have served our nation in times of war…and those who trained and prepared themselves to give the ultimate sacrifice if necessary…those who no longer walk this earth with us … those who died for our Freedom!

I read an article written about a man named Brian Rooney, who has spent thousands of dollars and thousands of hours cataloguing all the memorials, in the 50 states, to those who died in wars. He has found over 8,600...some are simple statues while others are very large and grand, like the Viet-Nam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.. When asked why he wanted to do this, he replied, "My mission is to bring humanity to everyone of them." He was fulfilling a promise he made to a dying soldier in Viet-Nam. The soldier’s dying words were , "Remember me."

I would like all of us to remember those who have served. Let us begin with our family members and friends. Instead of lighting candles this year, I would like to have those who want to say something about a loved one or friend, to please stand, Curtis will bring you the microphone. You may simply say their name or you may say more, whatever is on your heart. I want to do this in an orderly fashion, so I will begin with the back rows. If you wish to speak, please stand, all of you in the back rows, then pass the microphone to the next person after you finish. I will ask the next row to stand when everyone in the previous row is finished. Thank you.

So, would all those who want to speak in the back row please stand up.

This brings us to today’s Scripture: "Do this in remembrance of me." I believe that Jesus Christ gave the most to free humankind. He gave his life up on a cross so that we might be free from Sin. This is the greatest sacrifice ever made for humankind. The Son of God was arrested, beaten, mocked and thrashed. They spit on him, pressed a thorny crown on his head till blood oozed out, then they nailed his hands and feet to a cross. A soldier pierced his side with a spear. As his life blood spilled out from those wounds, what does He do? He prays for them saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." He did all that… for you and for me. What did he ask in return? He simply asks for us to remember Him.

We are to remember his body, broken on a cross, when we break bread… not only at the Lord’s Supper, but anytime we share a meal… we are to remember His blood shed on a Cross, when we drink from the cup. I believe that whenever we are sharing a meal, it is "Memorial Day" for the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

I want to ask you to remember three things in your life: 1) Remember Jesus and His sacrifice 2) Remember that you are a sinner, and Jesus died for you 3) Remember to put your whole trust in our Lord It is not always easy, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can do it ! If you do these three things, you will experience the most exhilarating freedom you have ever felt…Freedom In Christ.

Amen.

"Heart Health" - May 22, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: John 14: 1-14

The Sermon:
If you are concerned about having heart trouble later in life…then you need to hear this. Mayo Clinic researchers have determined that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. This 20 year study tracked the breakfast habits of 2,100 people, beginning in adolescence. The goal was to determine the positive or negative effects of having or skipping breakfast.

What they discovered is somewhat frightening. Those who had a habit of skipping breakfast showed significantly higher levels of heart wrenching health statistics. Their waistlines were larger, their cholesterol was higher and their insulin levels were out of balance. Bottom line: their hearts were sick!

The Mayo Clinic is not the only one who is concerned about heart trouble…So is Jesus. In today’s Gospel text, Jesus gives us a clear command: "Let not your hearts be troubled." Of course, Jesus was not talking about cholesterol or insulin levels…He was talking about a different kind of heart trouble. He is talking about worry, fear, anxiety and stress. The kind of heart trouble that gives rise to a loss of hope, a lack of faith. Fear of uncertainty and panic attacks. I’m certain that most of us, if not all of us, has experienced a lack of peace at certain points in our lives. And it is clear that heart trouble, whether physical, emotional or spiritual is a major threat to our well-being as followers of Christ.

Thanks to the Mayo Clinic, we know that a bowl of cheerios will help our arteries. But what about our hearts of Faith, our worries and anxieties? Those gnawing fears that cause us to gnaw our fingernails. I ask you, honestly, is it even possible, as a follower of Christ, in this messed up world, to heed His command and have an untroubled heart?

According to Jesus, having an untroubled heart comes down to what we are FEEDING our heart. Just as what we feed our physical bodies affects our hearts, so too, what we feed on Spiritually affects our heart of Faith. Jesus gives us the key: Listen to vs. 1 again: "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." He is telling us that the key to "heart health" is to believe in and feast on Him. What our hearts need to stay healthy is regular nourishment from Christ and an active life of following Christ.

At first glance, it seems too simple, but it’s true. Far too many people have spiritual heart problems because their lives do not involve regular consumption of Christ and no real exercise of their faith in Christ. As a result, they are unable to withstand the anxieties of life that arrive on a daily basis. People are starving for a sense of direction that comes only from Christ and His Word.

We too often skip the Spiritual meal in favor of an earthly meal for our solutions. So what do we need to do? We need to be connected to His Word and His promises that are found in Scripture. We need to believe in the power of His presence. In vs. 18, Christ makes a promise: "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." We need to believe that whole-heartedly!

Once your heart of Faith is fed regularly with Christ, you need to make sure that it is also exercised regularly, stretched and put to the test in a lifestyle of seeking Christ. In vs. 12, Christ says, "whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these he will do."

According to the Center for Disease Control, 785,000 people suffer their first heart attack each year. Heart disease is the number one health issue…it’s the number one killer…better start your day with a nice breakfast. If the Mayo Clinic (and Mom) was right about breakfast… surely Christ is right about this. Start feeding your spiritual heart!

Amen.

"Test Drive" - May 15, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: Psalm 23

The Sermon:
I have been researching new and almost new cars recently. In the process of that adventure, I came across some of the ways in which cars are tested by the manufacturer. I was somewhat surprised that a lot of testing goes on in Death Valley, CA. The cars are put to extreme tests, more extreme than they will probably ever be driven in by a consumer. The hottest recorded temperature in the U.S., 134 degrees, was in Death Valley. Parts of Death Valley are 212 feet below sea level.

In August of last year, engineers from the automaker, Kia, put 3 of their models through a series of grueling tests. They started and stopped the car frequently…they let it sit, idling for long periods of time…they had the cars tow a 7,000 lb. load up and down some steep hills around Death Valley… they would park the car, roll up the windows and let it sit in direct sun for a long period of time, then they would time how long it took for the air conditioner to cool the interior of the car. There were many other tests done, and even though the cars will most likely never be driven in similar conditions, the car maker deliberately overtaxed them to ensure that their customers won’t have problems in normal conditions of driving. It is their way of taking the "scary or fear " out of driving in difficult weather conditions.

Psalm 23 also talks about going through a valley of Death. It is one of the best known passages of Scripture in the Bible. While it is appropriately used at funerals, if we only think of it as a funeral text, we may miss the fact that it is really about LIVING!

In the ancient world, shepherds were herders and tenders of sheep, much the same as today. However, back then "shepherd" was also a metaphor for King, and the role that Kings were to play in tending to their subjects: caring for their needs, providing for them and protecting them. So, for someone in that culture to say, "The Lord is my shepherd" it meant that the Lord is my King…and my King takes care of me. The person was saying, "I will live under God’s rule", and the rest of the Psalm describes the good things that come to that person who claims God as their King.

So, because the Lord is a good shepherd and I am a member of His flock, I shall not be in want…of anything. I will have what I need. Lying down in green pastures, being led beside still waters, and fearing no evil are poetic ways of saying the Shepherd/King provides what I need to stay alive.

While most of us remember vs. 4 as, say it with me, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death…". the actual Hebrew may also mean simply, …"a place of deep darkness." The NRSV translates it as, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley." I really like that understanding because then the Psalm becomes a statement of God shepherding us in the difficult and troubled times we go through in life.

The Psalm concludes with, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my LIFE." Why? Because the Lord is my Shepherd!

This can be described as a Psalm of Confidence, because that is the way Faith functions for us. We have nothing in the way of empirical proof that God will be with us in the dark places of life. What we do have is the testimony of Scripture and of those who have gone before us, that God has been there before and knows the way through the dark places. Now, the depth of the darkness may sometimes shake our confidence, our Faith tells us that God does not leave us alone in those dark valleys.

The Book of Psalms, in general, is about confidence that God is with us…no matter what. Most of the Psalms recount all sorts of human troubles, fears and despair…but guess what, at the end, they keep returning to our confidence in God, just like a needle on a compass always returns to point north.

I urge you to read Psalm 139. It provides evidence that God has TEST-DRIVEN the darkest valleys ahead of us. Here is an excerpt: ( Read vss. 7-12) That is a testimony of someone who has been in a dark valley and that person invites us to believe that our experience in the valley will be similar…if we trust in God. Let me be clear, confidence in God does not change the facts about the world or our life, but it does guide us to different conclusions about those facts. Here is an example of what I mean. Two people can look at the same facts and come to two different conclusions. One might look at the "dark valleys" in life and conclude, "There is no God. If there were He would never let us go through such troubles." Another person who looks at those dark valleys and conclude, "It is so comforting that God has gone through them first, so I can trust Him to shepherd me through them. Same facts, but different interpretation. You give some people lemons and they have a sour mouth, others make lemonade!

Kia car makers have plenty of photographic and video evidence of their Test Drive in Death Valley. We, however, have no photos of God with us in the dark valleys. We have only the testimony of others who have been there before us. Psalm 23 is one such testimony: Say this with me, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

AMEN.

"Walk to Emmaus" - May 8, 2011 Sermon

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Scripture: Luke 24: 13-35

The Sermon:
Most of us are familiar with the Emmaus Road story in Luke. Two disciples of Jesus are walking the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, talking about all the things that happened over the last few days. That is something we do, isn’t it? When something really shocking happens, we want to talk with someone about it… we try to process all the "who-what-where-why and how" questions that arise in our minds. If I were not a preacher, I would bet that everyone in this sanctuary who was at least 16yrs old in November of 1963 (Nov. 22nd to be exact) knows where they were and what they were doing on that day.

Cleopas and another unnamed disciple were doing just that… talking about all the shocking things that took place that week. I’m sure it was a heart-breaking experience for them…The Master they had revered, loved and followed suffered a cruel death by crucifixion … their hopes were dashed, their dream was over. Even the reports that Jesus’ tomb was empty did not make them feel any better, it only confused them. Their entire world had come a part. Their thoughts and feelings were summed up in vs.21, "…but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel." By using the past tense…"we HAD hoped…", they were saying that ,"We don’t expect it now, but once we did. We had this thing called hope, but now it’s gone."

Have you ever lost "HOPE"? Once hope is lost, it is very difficult to recover. Some people don’t even want to hope for fear of being let down again. (Personal story by Pastor Jack about his dad and the promise of a new bike)

As they made their way along the road, a stranger began to walk beside them. Now we know that this is going to be the greatest walk they have ever been on, but they were …"kept from recognizing Him." What was Jesus’ purpose in not letting them see who He was? Perhaps it was so that they would be in the same position as we are today…2 thousand years later.

Visual appearances of Jesus ceased at His Ascension. And, like the two on the Road, we have to make do with other people’s testimony that Jesus has indeed risen from the grave. Just like those disciples, we don’t know quite what to make of it. Did it really happen? How did it happen? Somewhere on our "Emmaus" journey, we have to make up our minds as to what we believe!

When Jesus asks them what they are discussing, they begin to pour out their sad story. Jesus, being a loving and compassionate Lord, did not embarrass them by reminding them of what he had already told them about …"unless a seed dies, it abides alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit." Jesus knew the frailty of strained nerves and confused minds and so he did not suddenly reveal himself and overwhelm them. He slowly and gently revealed himself through Scripture.

The way He dealt with the situation is a good lesson for all of us who are in a position to help those who have lost hope. The 1st thing they need is companionship. Just being present. They need a good listening ear not a stream of advice ! The last thing they need is a "pep" talk and being told to "snap out of it." Remember, they have just gone through a heart-breaking experience.

I am sure we have all heard exciting testimonies of what Jesus has done in the past, but what about the present? The past is history. Here is my question: Is Jesus a present reality in your life? Do we always recognize Jesus when he is beside us? There are a lot of distractions in our lives: work, routine, being tired, ill health, family, etc. These things can grind us down so that we begin to do things mechanically, without real feeling or desire or joy. The world seems hazy from the dust of the earthly road we travel. We lose sight of the glory and strength of His presence with us. However, He is still there! The "unseen" stranger walking with us, listening to us and, if we listen carefully, revealing himself to us just as he did those two disciples. He began with Moses and the prophets he explained what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

That must have been the greatest Old Testament class lesson, ever ! The problem, however, for the disciples was how to make sense of the Cross. Jesus helped them by showing them that the Cross was a creative act of God…using it to reconcile the world to Himself. Turning the Cross of shame and suffering into the Cross of Redemption for all who would repent and have Faith.

When Jesus intrudes into our lives it is for the purpose of blessing us. The problem we have is our response, because sometimes the things he reveals in us are uncomfortable, especially when He invades the private areas of our lives and encroaches in our conscience!

That 2 hour journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus must have seemed like five minutes. They were so wrapped up in the conversation with Jesus, even though they still did not recognize him. As they approached the village, Jesus acted as if he were going to continue on further, but they urged him to stay with them…they wanted to hear more. Jesus is like that…he did not try to force them to let him stay, he waited for an invitation to come in. He is still that way with us… he wants to be invited to be in your life.

You know, God gave to all the world the greatest and yet most perilous gift in the world…that is, the gift of free will. We can use it to invite Christ into our hearts or to let him keep on going. Remember in Revelation 3:19-20 Jesus says, "Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

In the Emmaus story, we are told that Jesus acted as if he was going on farther. It was a test to see if the disciples had more appetite for the things of God. They did! They urged Jesus strongly to stay with us. That is precisely the sort of invitation Jess cannot resist. He went in to stay with them and in the breaking of the bread, "Their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Immediately they went to tell the others what had happened… it is true, He is risen indeed.

AMEN

"Faith-Quake" - May 1, 2011 Sermon

 

Scripture: Acts 2:14, 22-32 and John 20: 19-31

The Sermon:
There is a story about a Presbyterian minister who explained that he was a Presbyterian "by earthquake." His Grandparents, who were Baptists, moved from Iowa to California many years ago. When they had settled into their home, a Presbyterian pastor came by to visit them and invited them to come to the Presbyterian Church. "I’m a Baptist," replied my grandmother, "it will take an act of God to get me to change." About that time an earthquake shook the home. It lasted for about 30 seconds. Pictures fell from the walls, books and other things fell from the shelves. Being from Iowa, Grandma wasn’t sure what it was, but when it was all over, she told the pastor, "I’ll join!"

Wouldn’t it be great if faith were that easy today? Did you ever wish that God would give you some unmistakable sign… not necessarily an earthquake… but something that would indicate He is interested in your life? Some comedian once said, "God, just give me some sign that you exist. Nothing spectacular, perhaps a million dollars in a Swiss bank account would be a nice gesture."

Actually, that probably would not even work. God would have to do something very dramatic before we would believe it was a miracle! As human beings, we have become very good at explaining EVERYTHING! And when we can’t find a rational reason for something… then we call it an accident; a chance happening.

FAITH IS NOT EASY! I don’t think God ever meant for it to be. It is part of the struggle we go through in order to fit our souls for Heaven!

It had been a tough couple of weeks for the disciples. Everything had happened so fast… too fast! Once moment the crowds were welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem, then only a few days later He was arrested! Shortly after His arrest, he died on a cross! It was understandable that the disciples were in shock. They did not know what to do next. They were afraid because they thought that what happened to Jesus might also happen to them.

Then, early that Sunday morning, Mary found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Peter and another disciple ran to the tomb and discovered that Jesus’ body was not there. Even more dramatically, Mary told them that she had seen and spoken to the risen Christ! HE IS ALIVE!

That evening the disciples were meeting behind closed and locked doors. They had no idea of what all this meant or what was going to happen next. Then, right in the midst of all their confusion, Jesus came and stood among them.

His first words to his disciples were, "Peace be with you." They were afraid at first, but he showed them his hands and side and they rejoiced. Mary had told them the truth, JESUS WAS ALIVE! They could see him with their own eyes. How wonderful it must have been for them! Then Jesus gave them a commission! He said, "AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO I SEND YOU!" The disciples now became Apostles. No longer were they simply learning what Jesus taught, now they had the responsibility to carry the message of salvation all over the world. They were to become His voice, his hands and his legs… as they continued the ministry of Jesus.

Then Jesus did a very significant thing. He breathed upon them and said, "RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT!" It is important because John, the writer of the Gospel, wanted his readers to know that Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into the disciples, in the same way God breathed life into Adam, the first human.

For some reason, Thomas was not there that first Easter evening. He had not seen the risen Lord as the others had. They said, "THOMAS WE HAVE SEEN THE RISEN LORD!" Thomas, however, was not convinced. Their story just seemed to good to be true. He wanted proof! He said, "Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands, and put my fingers in the nail marks, and my hands in his side, I will not believe."

I guess you could say that Thomas was a realist. He had been hurt and disappointed. He had expected so much from Jesus, and to watch him die on a cross like a common thief… well that was just too much for Thomas to bear. He had his hopes about Jesus shattered once, and now he was going to be careful… He didn’t want to set himself up for another letdown.

How about us? Have you ever had moments of doubt, like Thomas? If you haven’t, you are very exceptional! Do you remember the name Dave Dravecky? Several years ago he was a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. His career was cut short when he lost his arm to cancer. It was a tough time for him and his family. During that time he received many letters from fans and most were very encouraging. He had already publicly professed his faith in God. One day he got a letter that said, "If there is a God who loves you, why did He allow you to lose your arm? I have lived for 41 years and I have yet to see any piece of evidence that there is anything real about any religious belief. Religion is nothing but a crutch used by weaklings who can’t face reality and the church is nothing but a bunch of hypocrites who care nothing for one another, and whose faith is nothing more than a bunch of empty phrases they spout off to impress others."

Well, that is a pretty strong indictment! How would you respond to such a letter? You know, there are a lot of people who have experienced tragedy in their lives and think God has deserted them. Dave Draveky faced many of the same doubts, but his faith made all the difference. HE SHARES HIS FAITH WITH OTHERS! He says, "Anytime we come to God it is an act of faith." When we knock on heaven’s door, no matter how hard or how long, how angrily or how stubbornly, we are saying by our very presence at the door, that WE BELIEVE GOD IS THERE!! We believe that God has an influence on what goes on down here.

People have always struggled with their doubts. The early Christians had just as much trouble believing as we do. Sometimes the periods of doubt lead us to a greater understanding of Faith.

So, about a week after Jesus had appeared to the Apostles, He came to them again, and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus said to him, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out and put your hand in my side." DO NOT DOUBT BUT BELIEVE! Then Thomas made one of the greatest confessions recorded in the Bible. He said, "MY LORD AND MY GOD!" From that day on, Thomas would be risking his life proclaiming the Gospel he once doubted.

JESUS TOLD THE APOSTLES, HOWEVER, THAT THERE IS A BETTER WAY OF COMING TO FAITH. IT IS HEARING AND BELIEVING!

He is saying that, from now on, faith would not be transmitted through earthquakes or bank deposits nor even by a personal visit from the resurrected Christ! FAITH WOULD COME BY ONE PERSON SHARING WITH ANOTHER WHAT THE GOSPEL HAS MEANT IN HIS OR HER LIFE!!!

"Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have faith." From that moment on people would depend on the witness of the previous generation and the personal testimony of those whose lives have been transformed by the power of the indwelling Spirit. Jesus’ words were spoken not only for the disciples but also for us. We are invited to hear the Gospel message and believe.

AMEN.

"Watershed Words" - April 24, 2011 Easter Sermon

 

Scripture: John 20: 1-18

The Sermon:
Today we gather to celebrate the most exciting and joyful news on earth.. .JESUS THE CHRIST LIVES. Here begins the wonderful triumph of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It was Christ's resurrection that rAnsformed a small group of seemingly dispirited and frightened disciples into the valiant hand who was ready to dare anything, suffer anything, endure anything in order to spread the Good News. Indeed, without this Gallant Group of Gospellers, there probably would not have beon the Great Shout of the Good News. The Resurrection set into motion a mighty force that has affected, in some way or another, the whole world, and has changed the face of humanity.

The Eastern Orthodox Church tends to gather around the manger, feeling that the Incarnation is the central theme of Christianity... We in the Western World linger around the Cross on Calvary, finding in Christ's sacrifice for us, our chief inspiration. But...if we look more closely at the New Testament itself....we find that it keeps exulting first of all..MOST OF ALL. AND LAST OF ALL THE EMPTY GRAVE... We find in that empty tomb, the proof of Jesus victory... and that God really is in charge... and that sin and death, as tough as they are ..are beaten!

It is a memorable fact that the first person to see the risen Christ was a woman. It wasn't just a woman on a morning stroll... it was Mary Magdalene... a woman whom Jesus had led back from a life of shame. Speaking about her, He once said, "She loved much because she had been forgiven much." And she loved and reverenced Christ who had saved her. She loved him with her whole soul and being. It was like her to come early to the tomb. It may have even been her who organized the group of women who had come to anoint the body of Jesus with spices. But on their journey of faithfulness, they found a surprise. It seems to me that faithfulness has a way of finding surprises! When you go faithfully on with your duty, whatever it may be, eveen during times of darkness, during deep disappointment, facing seeming defeat... when you continue doing what ever you can do in devotion to Christ, you meet with the unexpected.

Something beyond your own power and intelligence happens. You find new strength, and a comforted heart; you become aware of someone helping you to bear your burdens, someone walking along beside you, you find a path through the maze of obstacles... all of these surprises have been encountered along the road of faith-fullness.

These women had risen early and gone out to the garden while it was still dark. When they arrived at the tomb, they discovered that the stone guarding the entrance had been rolled away. Now for the real shocker... The tomb was not only open... but it was also empty! Mary quickly ran to tell Simon Peter, who was with another disciple. You have to wonder how Peter was feeling. I have a soft spot in my heart for Peter. He must have really been down in the dumps... Jesus was dead! A man whom Peter had travelled with for three years more or less... Whom Peter had watched perform many miracles, A man who had called him the Rock. A man whom Peter had denied... not once, not twice, but three times. It reminds me of a movie I saw about a boxer and his manager/friend who went around having boxing matches... finally the friend thinks he cannot beat this one opponent so he bets against him... naturally he loses.

Apparently Peter had managed to find his nerve again. Unlike Judas, he would not allow himself to be exiled from Jesus. In spite of his dreadful failure of that night, he was still Christ's man, and he would yet prove it. I think there is a lesson here for all of us. Sure Peter had made a mistake, he used poor judgement... who hasn't. We have to remember that the past is the past no matter how much we have mishandled it. It will not return again... what we need to do is focus on the present and the future and how we can use them for Christ's glory!

He is risen! These three words form the greatest watershed of history. Everything that has flowed from them --THE CREATION OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH... THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE OF THE LIVING CHRIST.... ALL THE GREAT SOCIAL FORCES THAT WERE LOOSED AS A RESULT OF THE RESURRECTION ALL THESE THINGS BEAR WITNESS TO THE REALITY AND TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE RESURRECTION.

The women were amazed! I should think so. Their minds were stunned by the evidence! Whose wouldn't be!!! Much is made in our time of the fact that the "idea of a bodily resurrection" is not congenial to the modern mind. Well, if we examine ourselves closely, it seems clear to me that "THE MODERN MIND" should not be considered the final judge of truth; And even when we find truth, we cannot always be sure that our HUMAN MIND will be happy and congenial with what it finds.

The Resurrection has proved credible to millions upon millions of people who have been told the news, "HE IS RISEN" That belief does not rest totally on the record contained in the four Gospels. Equally convincing, from a historical standpoint, is the Christian church and its unending testimony to the indwelling Christ. A MAN, LOOKING FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE TREMENDOUS WONDER OF THE GRAND CANYON REMARKED, "something amazing must have happened here! It was obvious that the canyon did not come about because someone drug a stick in the ground. Something on the grand scale of the Grand Canyon demands an adequate explanation.

As we read the stories of the Disciples and the creation of the Church and how it has been handed down for two thousand years... We are forced to say "SOMETHING AMAZING MUST HAVE HAPPENED HERE!" The only adequate "SOMETHING" is the resurrection of Jesus!

Peter expressed it very well at Pentecost when he said" "It was not possible for Him to be held by death." And then there is the impressive amount of evidence of all subsequent Christian experience...
"IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME; AND THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH, I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD!"

I say again those watershed words: HE IS RISEN!

AMEN.

"Two Teachers" - April 17, 2011 (Palm Sunday) Sermon

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Sermon:
I remember seeing a list of “The Greatest Educator’s …ever.” Who do you suppose was at the top? No, it was not Jesus. First: Socrates second: Plato 3rd: Aristotle. Jesus came in 4th. I beg to differ.

Socrates is considered the “patron saint” of teaching, because his methods provide the basis for the model we still use today. He believed that in order to learn, you had to first acknowledge what you don’t know. He also believed that teachers could learn from their pupils… that good teaching is really the product of an open-minded learner. Socrates would ask questions to drawn knowledge out of learners by getting them to think, instead of ramming information into their minds through lecturing.

Jesus arrives a little over 400 years later and there are some parallels between Socrates and Jesus.

• Like Socrates, Jesus believed he was getting his message from “a greater source.”
• Like Socrates, Jesus was a master of teaching by asking questions.
• Like Socrates, Jesus did not leave behind his own writings, but his words and stories were recorded by others.
• Like Socrates, Jesus made those in power angry, by embarrassing them with his teachings.
• Like Socrates, Jesus was condemned to death by those same powerful people he made angry.

Yes, Jesus was a great ethical teacher, but his ultimate object lesson is revealed in His life, death and resurrection. His return to Jerusalem to "drink his cup of hemlock" was part of the lesson. Without the resurrection, the Gospel isn’t really GOOD NEWS, it is simply good advice.

So, what clues does the Isaiah text this morning give us about the teaching mission of Jesus? Our text describes the teacher as, "one with the tongue of a teacher." The servant has been commissioned to teach so he will “know how to sustain the weary with a word.”(vs. 4) Jesus knew how to sustain the weary with a word…do we? Jesus reached out to those who were constantly weary from simply trying to survive. His Word was one of hope and pointed to the coming kingdom of God, where everything would be set right and peace would reign.

Jesus was also a student: Everyday he would receive instruction, through prayer, from God. Instruction about his mission, his life and his death. This instruction would sustain him in times of difficulty and stress. He would receive strength from God’s spirit. His final teaching lesson would come only a few days after his entry into Jerusalem on that day we call Palm Sunday. The lesson of “obedience” as recorded in Matthew: Not my will but thy will be done.

Jesus did not try to escape from his mission

He did not hide his face from insult or spitting

He did not resist, but surrendered willingly

He set his face, like flint, towards God who would vindicate him.

In going to the cross, Jesus demonstrated the ultimate object lesson about God’s sacrificial love for humanity. His whole life had prepared him for this. He was a great student and a great teacher. We need to be great students, too… so we can grow into being great teachers.

As Jesus was sent by God, so he sends us.. As he was taught by God, so he teaches us. In Matthew 28, Jesus tells us, in essence, to go into the world and become teachers.

So who is the greatest teacher of all time? A very good case could be made for Socrates or Plato… as for me, I vote for Jesus! AMEN

"In His Time" - April 10, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: John 11:1-45

The Sermon:

Doctor’s offices are busier now than they have ever been. Sometimes it feels like an assembly line production. I heard a story about a man who walked into a doctor’s office and the receptionist asked him what he had, and he replied “shingles”. She took down his name, address and medical ins. Information and told him to have a seat. 15 minutes later, a nurse’s aid came out and asked what he had, he said “shingles.” She measured his height, weight and had him fill out a medical history form, took him to the examining room and told him to wait. 15 minutes later a nurse came in and asked what he had, he said “shingles.” She took his blood pressure, listened to his heart, then asked him to take off his shirt and wait for the doctor. 15 minutes later, the doctor came in and asked what he had, he said shingles. The doctor asked “where” and he replied outside on the truck, where do you want them unloaded?

Seriously, though, most of us have great admiration for our doctors. However, the number one complaint, according to the AMA, is the amount of time spent in the waiting room, or waiting in general. It is very frustrating to be feeling sick…and then have to wait for treatment.

Jesus was teaching one day when word came that Lazarus was extremely ill. You remember that Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, were close friends of Jesus. Jesus had spent time in their home, having a meal with them. Certainly, Jesus would go immediately to his sick friend. Since he had healed many other people, Martha and Mary were sure he would heal his sick friend. But what did he do? He did not leave at once, instead he waited two days… and he was not very far away. He could have been there in a short period of time, but he intentionally stayed where he was. It made no sense to Martha and Mary.

Try to put yourself, mentally and emotionally, in their place. How would you feel if you went to the emergency room and had to wait 48 hours for the doctor to arrive? You would most probably be outraged ! I want you all to read that passage again and look for clues that something amazing is about to happen. Jesus says that, “this sickness will not end in death. It is for God’s glory.” When Jesus finally arrives, Lazarus is already dead and in the tomb. This story from the Gospel of John is more than a story about a family in crisis. I believe it is really about the crisis of a world that lives in sin and death. The real purpose of this story is to reveal Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life !.

Some believe that Jesus delayed going to Lazarus because of the danger of going into Judea… on his previous visit the Jews tried to stone him. The disciples brought this to his attention in vs.8. I do not share that view. Time and again, Scriptures tell us that He faced grave perils and the threat of death with little or no concern. He was not worried about his death or the death of Lazarus… his only concern was doing the Father’s will!

The fact is, that in reality, he did not delay in helping his friends. He tells his disciples in vs. 14 that Lazarus is dead. Jesus knew that Lazarus was already dead when he received the message that he was “ill.” Remember now, he arrived two days after he got Martha and Mary’s message that Lazarus was very ill, but when he arrives he finds that Lazarus had been in the tomb for 4 days.

There has been a lot of speculation about what Jesus was doing for those two days. This is the Christ who said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do my will, but to do my Father’s will.” The first thing he wanted to do was be absolutely sure he was understanding God’s will rightly. I’m sure his first human instinct was to rush to his friend’s aid… but he also knew that he had more than Lazarus to save, he had a whole world to save. I have no doubts that during those two days, Jesus did what he always did…he was praying to the Father… just like in the garden of Gethsemane. Praying for God’s will to be revealed to him.

Once Jesus was sure that he was following God’s will, I believe that he began to fervently pray for Lazarus. A lot of prayer…sweating blood prayer…. The reason I think this is because Jesus offered no prayer at the tomb… he simply said, “roll the stone away.” In vs. 41, Jesus says, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.”

Jesus knew that God had heard him and he counted on it with absolute conviction.
THAT is what Christ means by Faith. Hopefully in this Lazarus story, we can see a symbol and a proof of the spiritual powers that Christ can use on our behalf.

"5 Blind Mice" - April 3, 2011 Sermon

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Scripture: John 9:1-41

I remember reading a story about a man who visited a school for the bling one day. After being there for awhile, he remarked, "It must be terrible to go through life without your eyes." One of the students quickly responded, "It's not half so bad as having two good eyes but still not being able to see!" The point was well made! There is more than one kind of blindness. Perhaps none is more tragic than that which affects "the eyes of the heart!"

This morning's lesson identifies several forms of blindness, only one ofi which is physical. And that one, of course, was the problem affecting the beggar who was ordered brought to the Temple. The writer of John, in verse one, says he was a man "blind from birth." As a person blind from birth, he had never seen the faces of friends, he had never seen the soft beauty of flowers, not once did he ever see the smiles upon children's faces. I recall a class I had in high school when the teacher asked a couple of students to stand up, pretend they were talking to someone who was born blind and describe the color green to them. It was an impossible task to accomplish. If you are born blind, your whole understanding and concept of the world around you is fashioned from sound, smell, taste and touch! So the color green is a meaningful concept only to those who have seen it.

Another type of blindness in this story is theological. Popular understanding in Jesus' day decreed that suffering was the result of sin. you remember how Job's associates accused him of being a sinner? They were sure no one would be so terribly afflicted unless God was punishing them for some unspeakable sin. Their God was a God of Judgment, not mercy! In fact in Exodus it says that God remembers, "the iniquity of parents to the third and fourth generation" of their children. That could be why genealogy is so popular... Everyone wants to know what it was that their great grandparents did to cause them to suffer so much! In some ways that point of view has credibility today. Babies are born deformed and afflicted because of conscious decisions of one or both of the parents. Some examples are babies addicted to heroine or cocaine, babies born with AIDS because one of the parents was an intravenous drug user.

The disciples certainly believed that children could inherit sin and guilt from their parents, because when they were confronted with the beggar at the Temple door, they asked Jesus, "who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" What they had missed, was the compassionate nature of God that Jesus had been trying so hard, through his repeated references to God as Father, to get them to understand. Jesus had labored very hard to teach them about mercy and grace, and how God wanted only good for His children, whether they deserved it or not. So the disciples, at least at this point, were theologically blind.

Another type of blindness is Prejudicial blindness. This is found in the neighbors and worshipers who had seen the beggar at the Temple door every day for many years. They were unwilling to concede that he could ever change. Even after he was touched by Christ, and his eyes were opened, "It is not him but someone like him." They were unwilling to alter their opinion, once it had been formed.

Another blindness is Emotional blindness. This reflects the attitude of the parents. You recall how they responded to his healing. The man himself gave credit where credit was due. Jesus had opened his eyes, and he proclaimed to all who would listen, "He is a prophet!" But the Pharisees, who wanted to discredit Jesus, challenged the man's parents to offer an explanation for what had happened. Now most moms and dads would have been laughing or crying for joy. Not this mom and dad! Instead, they were nervously counting "the cost of discipleship." How much did they stand to lose by being honest? They knew the Sabbath laws, and that Jesus had broken them. They knew their son's standing in the religious community was in jeopardy because of his praise of Christ. They also knew that they would be cut off from their friends and the synagogue if they defended Jesus. So what did they do? They took the cowards way out!! they said "We do not know how it is that he now sees nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age. He will speak for himself." They were short-sighted in their self-centered-ness. They could only see as far as their own interests, their own security. How tragic it is, "Having two good eyes but still not being able to see."

The last blindness I want to talk about is Spiritual blindness. This is evident in the Pharisees. Jesus had become a threat to them. He was saying things that they had not said and doing things they could not do, and many people were listening to him. Jesus even caused problems among themselves. Verse 16 says, "And they were divided." The Pharisees were convinced that Jesus had to be silenced. It was the Sabbath when Jesus healed the blind man, and that was the ammunition they needed. You see, the legalists were more concerned with religious rules and regulations, than with love. They were looking for a public stone to throw at the Rabbi from Nazareth and they found it. "Jesus is not from God," they said, "for he does not observe the Sabbath."

The Pharisees were so bound by their adherence to the Law that the pain and disability of a blind beggar at the Temple door was ignored. Ritual took precedence over compassion! They were spiritually blind!

How easy it is for us to look at other persons and not see them in their true light. How easy it is for us to misjudge others because of external issues like age, race, economic status, gender, political affiliation, or even something as superficial as the clothes they wear! The Pharisees looked at the Messiah and saw Him as a threat instead of a blessing. The neighbors at the Temple looked at the man who had been healed and said, "It is not him, but it is someone like him." Having eyes, they did not see.

You know, it is easy for each of us to become blind to the truth about ourselves, unless we allow Christ to "Open our eyes that we may see." Only then can try transformation take place. JESUS DOES THAT FOR US, EVEN AS HE DID FOR THE BLIND BEGGAR! He opens our eyes that we may see others as children of God, and that we may see ourselves, not only as we are, but as we may yet become, in Christ!

What Jesus did for the beggar, he can do for us! He can open the eyes of our hearts that we may no longer stumble in the world's darkness, but at last may truly see why we are here!

The song Amazing Grace sums it up best:

"I ONCE WAS LOST BUT NOW AM FOUND, WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE!"

AMEN.

"Dynamic Duo" - March 27, 2011 SBUMC Sermon

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I found this story that reinforces the need for all of us to become more familiar with the Bible. I have asked two of our members to help me by reading certain Scripture. A bride asked the cake decorator to inscribe the words from I John 4:18 on the wedding cake, and the words are… Unfortunately, the cake decorator was not familiar with the Bible and instead wrote the words from the Gospel of John 4:18 on the cake…

So, I urge all of you to study the Holy Scriptures. How many of you remember the campaign that featured this phrase, "Just say no." ? And what was it mostly about? That's right, drugs and alcohol, etc. It's a great sound bite and sounds so simple. It fits our attention spans very well. The problem is that just saying no has not been a real and effective answer to those issues. At best it is a tiny first step.

Saying "No" is a negative response, and I believe that it is more difficult to move forward in life on negative energy than it is on positive energy. In order for people to be able to say no to drugs and crime and no to injustice and bigotry and no to destroying the environment and other issues, I believe there needs to be a positive energy force to get people moving.

Concern and compassion are good things, but they are not enough, from the church or anyone else. I believe the church need to offer a resounding YES in order to empower people to be able to say NO. The church needs to offer the YES from the strongest and everlasting source there is: the love of Christ and the wonder-working power of the Holy Spirit. There is no greater Dynamic Duo for anyone looking to move forward into a new life… a new way of living.

The encounter Jesus had with the "woman at the well" in Samaria makes me think of the missionizing spirit that we need in today's world. Jesus drove the religious establishment crazy because of many of the things he did. This story is a prime example. Here he is talking to a woman, in public, a Samaritan whom Jews considered unclean and she was of questionable moral character. That's 3 strikes against Jesus, as far as the Jews were concerned.

Jesus has a conversation with her, some scholars see some "playfulness" in this encounter. Not only does He tell her all about her life, he goes on to reveal to her who he really is…the Truth of his identity. He then entrusts her to proclaim to her entire village the Good News of his coming.

As Jesus talks with her, he addresses her as woman…the Greek word used here, gune, doesn't simply mean 'woman'…it is like saying "special lady". It is a term of endearment, in fact it is the same word he used to address his mother at the wedding in Cana and on the Cross. So, here we have a woman who is basically the village outcaste, does not really associate with the other women in the village, has been married 5 times and is currently living with a man in an unwed state. And Jesus calls her "special lady." AMAZING. She is considered the first evangelist, as she told her whole village about him…she is also the first person Jesus revealed himself to as the Messiah. He offered her living water… and he offers it to all of us.

The church needs to resurrect that missionary spirit that Jesus entrusted to that Samaritan woman. In the postmodern world of the 21st century, we need to find new modes of expression which may involve new roles for the church. Satellites and micro chips intimately bind together cultures, peoples and economic systems like never before. I read something by Frederick Buechner, pastor and theologian. He compares the world to a gigantic spider web: If you touch it anywhere, you set the whole thing trembling. As we move around this world, as we act with kindness or with indifference or hostility toward the people we meet, we are setting a great spider web a trembling. The life that we touch, for good or ill, will touch another life, and that in turn another… until who knows when the trembling will stop or in what far place and time our touch will be felt. Our lives are linked…no man or woman is an island. (The Hungering Dark).

Living in the web of interconnectedness should break down the artificial barriers of class, race, nation, gender, etc. All these things separate us from one another. Part of opening the church to new ways of expression and new roles lies in its ability to recognize the face of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in new and myriad forms. We must understand that the Christian church is going to look different in an Asian culture or African or Samaritan. Please do not leave here today frightened by this next statement, but the Christian church may also need to step outside its safe, comfortable, cultural cocoon we find ourselves in, especially in America.

A lot of studies have been done and survey's taken, and they all conclude that younger people…those people we do NOT see in our churches today, generally speaking, are Spiritual seekers… they are religious. They may be just "outside our doors, panting for that "Living Water"…but they need it to be poured out to them in different containers, ones that they can grasp !

The church needs to find new ways to introduce the Dynamic Duo: the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

AMEN