Sunday 11/18/12 RWJ/Pottersville UMC
Sermon: “Do we build His kingdom or our kingdom?”
Scripture Lesson: Hebrews
10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25
Gospel Lesson: Mark 13:1-8
Good morning
brothers and sisters! I greet you in the name our risen Lord and savior Jesus
Christ! I hope and pray that you have all had a blessed week and I am happy to
be worshiping with you here this morning!
This morning I
want to talk about building. More specifically, I want to talk about building houses,
futures, and kingdoms. I have heard many people say in my young life, that “every
man’s home is his castle.” We are people that build for the future, grow nest eggs,
and plan. Yet for me, recent events have shown me more clearly than ever, that
our kingdoms are fragile. That the things we build here on earth are not
forever. That one day our homes will no longer be standing, whether decades or
centuries from now. That one day every structure that is in this town might be
rebuilt, and the old structures will be no longer. In fact, many old buildings
that you might remember from your lifetime are longer here. One day all of this
may no longer be here. God’s kingdom though, is internal. Our worlds, our
personal kingdoms, are so fragile.
I was over
joyed to hear that the Cleveland family in Baker’s Mills whose house burned
down recently, had just over $6,000 dollars raised for them last weekend. I was
proud when our church raised money for UMCOR for the relief effort for hurricane
Sandy. Many of you still want to do even more for the Cleveland family, and
others. We realize, I think that our treasure is not on earth, but rather that our
treasure is in building the kingdom of God.
As many of you
know one of Johnsburg’s long time matriarchs, Jean Reed passed away two days
ago. Many of you know Jean, and many of you have at least heard of her. When I
completing this sermon last night, I reflected upon Jean, and the short time I
had known her. I always enjoyed my visits with Jean, and found Jean’s faith in
God to be as strong as anyone I have ever seen. I have also been told that
before she fell ill that she was devoted to the church, to God, and to the
community. Sometimes I think, that time can go by quickly. Days can turn into
months, and months can turn into years. We are all fragile, and we are all
mortal. Our lives are quick, and fast. My grandmother always says that “life is
like a roll of toilet paper. As you get older, it gets smaller and goes faster.”
I think of the times and days I have spent in my life worrying or stressed
about different things. I realize more and more in light of recent events, that
sometimes I am guilty of building my kingdom, and neglecting God’s kingdom.
That people everywhere don’t know Jesus, and the lifesaving message of His
gospel. That I have missed opportunities to change lives for Jesus Christ.
In the
scripture reading this morning from Hebrews it says speaking of Jesus Christ, “For
by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
The scripture goes on to say, once again speaking of Jesus, “we have confidence
to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he
opened for us.” The scripture further goes on to talk about how we must
encourage one another, how we must gather together, and that we must love each
other. Life is short brothers and sisters, and there is a big world out there
with hurting people. When we build our kingdoms, we neglect God’s kingdom, and
God’s plan. You see God’s kingdom then isn’t just belief in Him it’s how we
build it here on earth. This kingdom is found in his people. We are the bricks
and the mortar. Private faith then, I think, isn’t enough.
I know so many
people who are alone, whether they are with people, or are not with people. Did
you hear what I just said there? I know some people are alone whom are with
others? They are so because, they are consumed by their own personal kingdoms. We
so often build our own kingdoms, and create our own security. Yet in a second,
we could lose our home, our jobs, and etc. In whom do we trust? Do we build
large palaces for ourselves, and think that God cannot find us in them? Do we
think we are better without God? So many of us are content to build our own
kingdoms, and not build God’s kingdom. So many desire more money, a bigger
house, a bigger retirement, a better this, and a better that. We are often building
our kingdoms on sand, and all too often we build our kingdoms like a house of cards.
The kingdom looks good, but it is far more fragile than we want to admit it is.
Really, I think, we all just want to trust God more.
In the gospel
reading this morning, Jesus said speaking of Jewish temple of the high priests,
“No one stone will be left here upon another: all will be thrown down.” Jesus
then explained that apostles need to beware of false prophets who declare they
are Him, but are frauds. Historically, we think that Jesus died in year 33AD,
as He was 33-years old. The temple Jesus spoke of was destroyed was destroyed in
70AD in a war between Jerusalem and the Roman Empire. The temple was destroyed
then, as Jesus said it was. In a literal sense, then, what Jesus said was true.
This man made kingdom or palace was no more.
When we bring
people into relationship with Jesus Christ, when we serve the poor, and when we
love all people, we grow not just the church, but the community that is the
community of Jesus Christ. When we all go onto to glory one day, our houses
will not go with us, our money will not go, but Lord willing all us will be
there with each other. In the end then, all we will have is God and each other.
Our kingdoms, our strongholds, will be like a 4th of July firework.
Bright and big, and then gone forever. God’s kingdom, Jesus Christ’s kingdom,
is the only kingdom that is eternal. Where do you build?
Imagine a
world, where we knew that our church, that our brothers and sisters were those
who truly cared for us. That we didn’t need to fear as much about retirement,
or healthcare, the future, and etc., because we really had a community of
caring. Imagine how much less stressful life would be. Imagine if we worked
more together as Christians, versus always stressing out about our own
kingdoms.
I like to close with a story called “Sunday’s
Stranger.” Here is the story: The parking lot filled rapidly on Sunday morning
as members of the large church congregation filed into church. As usually
happens in a church that size, each member had developed a certain comfort zone
- a block of space within those four church walls that became theirs after the
second or third sitting. It was as much a part of their church experience as
the recliner was to the television at home. Some of the older members had been
sitting in the same row on the same side for several decades. A team of oxen
could not have moved them to the opposite side of the church. One morning a
stranger stood at the edge of the parking lot near a dumpster. As families
parked cars and piled out, they noticed him rummaging through the trash. "Oh
no! I don't believe it," whispered a lady to her husband. "That's all
we need - a bunch of homeless people milling around here." One
worried little girl tugged on her dad's sleeve. "But Daddy..." Daddy
was busy sizing up the bearded stranger, whose baggy, outdated trousers and
faded flannel shirt had dusted too many park benches. "Don't stare at him,
honey," he whispered, and hurried her inside. Soft music filled the
high-ceilinged sanctuary as churchgoers settled into their usual spots. The
choir sang an opening chorus, "In His presence there is comfort...in His
presence there is peace...". Sunlight suddenly flooded the center
aisle. The double doors swung open and the homeless man, sloppy and stooped,
headed toward the front. "Oh no, it's him!" somebody muttered. "What
does he think he's doing, anyway?" snapped an incredulous usher. The
stranger set his bag full of dumpster treasures on the very first pew, which
had been upholstered in an expensive soft teal fabric just three months ago. The
music stopped. And before anyone had a chance to react, he ambled up the
stairs and stood behind the fine, hand-crafted oak podium, where he faced a
wide-eyed congregation. The disheveled stranger spoke haltingly at first, in a
low, clear voice. Unbuttoning and removing his top layer of clothing, he
described Jesus, and the love He has for all people. "Jesus possesses
a sensitivity and love that far surpasses what any of us deserves." Stepping
out of the baggy old trousers, the stranger went on to describe a forgiveness
that is available to each and every one of us...without strings attached. Unconditionally
He loves us. Unconditionally He gave his very life for us. Unconditionally
and forever, we can have the peace and assurance that no matter who we are,
where we've come from, or how badly we may have mistreated others or ourselves,
there is hope. In Jesus, there is always hope. "You see, my
friends, it is never too late to change," the man continued. "He is
the Author of change, and the Provider of forgiveness. He came to bring new
meaning to 'life'." Men and women squirmed as reality hit them like
an electrical current. The stranger tugged at his knotted gray beard, and
removed it. "I'm here to tell you that we are loved with a love far
beyond human understanding, a love that enables us to accept and love others in
return." Then tenderly he added, "Let's pray together." That
wise pastor - under the guise of a homeless "nobody" - did not preach
a sermon that day, but every person left with plenty to think about.
Brothers and sisters, do we build our
kingdoms, or do we build His kingdom? As we go into this Thanksgiving week, let
us remember what the Lord has done for us. Let us remember the many blessings
that we have, and that to God and God alone is the glory. For He has saved us
all, His kingdom is forever, and would should seek to build it. Amen.
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