"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.