Saturday, November 30, 2013

Freeville/Homer Ave. UMC's - 1st Sunday of Advent - 12/01/13 Sermon - “When will the savior arrive?”

Sunday 12/01/13 Freeville/Homer Ave UMC’s

Sermon Title: “When will the savior arrive?”

Old Testament Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 2:1-5
                                            
New Testament Scripture Lesson: Romans 13:11-14

Gospel Lesson: Mathew 24:36-44
                            

          Greetings and good morning on this the first Sunday of this Advent Season! This is the season in the Christian Calendar when we symbolically await the birth of Jesus Christ. While Jesus Christ was born over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, we still celebrate this miracle every year, as the savior is soon to be born. For Christians then, the birth of Jesus Christ represents a change in the very history of this world. It represents new life, new hope, and the reign of God.
          Before the birth of Jesus Christ however, for so long people had walked in darkness, for so long people had strayed from God. For so long, one prophet after the next prophet would call people to holiness, and many disregarded these prophets, or just listened for a little while. I like to think that after hundreds of years of trying to get humanity to walk in the ways of holiness, faithfulness, and justice that God finally realized what he had to do.
          You see, I think that God realized that He himself would have to come down to earth to show us something new, something different, and that He would have to teach us just what love truly is. That to really show us what love truly is, that He would be born, endure all that this world hurls upon us every day, and that He would die in love for us.
Yet in the times of the Old Testament in our Bibles, they didn’t have Jesus Christ yet. In this way, we have the Old Testament of our Bibles and the New Testament of our Bibles. One way that I like to think of the Old Testament and the New Testament, is the Old Testament being pre-Jesus Christ years, and the New Testament is post-Jesus Christ years. This is why we have long held older historical dates as being B.C. or “Before Christ,” and A.D. or “Anno Domini,” which is Latin for “In the year of the Lord.” So we could say in English, that this “is the year of the Lord, 2013.” Historically speaking then, we have the B.C. or the Before Christ, and the A.D. or post-Jesus Christ world, and parts of the Bible.
Interestingly enough, when I led a Bible study last Sunday afternoon, there was some discussion about what it must have been like to have lived in Old Testament times before Jesus Christ, and how this might have compared to living now in the post-Jesus Christ years. In fact, we could think that people in the B.C. or the Old Testament times, would have often said, “When will the savior arrive?”
          God’s people might have said way back then, “When will God deliver us.” “When will the Messiah come to set all of the brokenness of this world right,” the might say. In this way, we already have Jesus. We already have free salvation, but in the Old Testament days, they didn’t yet have Jesus Christ. While prophets like Isaiah, Nehemiah, and Ezekiel, back then were all well and good, the people must have said “when oh when will the true savior come?”
          This season of Advent for us then, is one of hope, one of anticipation, and one of great joy and love. For so many of us in our lives we have felt cut off, we have felt like we were wandering in the desert, and we have felt like that we were just drowning in our lives. Sometimes, we have felt hopeless.
          So while we are living in a post-Jesus Christ world today, many of us are still saying “When will the savior arrive?” For in our brokenness, we reach out for Jesus Christ, for his grace, his mercy, his love, his healing, and his Joy. Yet many of us are still saying “When will the savior arrive?”
          You see way back then, people were waiting for the messiah to arrive to set them free, and we have indeed been freed already. I am glad that we live in the post-Jesus Christ era, whereby we have been set free. Jesus did say however, that he was coming back again one day. So while the people of the Old Testament awaited the coming of Jesus Christ, in this Advent Season we not only await symbolically the birth of Jesus Christ, but also the return of Jesus Christ. This will be that “great getting up morning” when we all stand before the Lord and we all are held to account. In this season of Advent then, we ceremonially prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ, but we also await the return of Christ the King.
          In the scripture reading from this morning from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, the scripture said, “In the days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.” The prophet Isaiah was foretelling the coming of the birth of the holy one, the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Isaiah goes on to say, “For out of Zion shall go forth instruction. And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples.” The prophet Isaiah wrote these words about 700-800-years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
          Even Isaiah then and many people up until the birth of Jesus Christ, said, “When will the savior arrive?” “When will we be rescued from the wretchedness and the lowliness that are trapped in?” “When will we be saved and set free?”
          In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, Italy, or the Book of Romans, from this morning, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the church. In fact, he tells them to awake from their spiritual sleep. He says, “the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” The Apostle Paul goes on to say, let us live up-right, holy, and righteous lives in Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul says, put your full faith in Jesus Christ, for we have been saved, we have been restored, and we have been forgiven.
          When looking at the gospel reading from Saint Mathew from this morning, we pick up with Jesus telling his disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” You see Jesus was saying, that he would return to earth again one day. That no one would know this day or hour ahead of time. So Jesus the Christ tells us, “Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” Jesus then goes on to say further, “the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
          So you see in this season of Advent, we symbolically prepare our hearts, our minds, and our souls for the birth of the savior Jesus Christ, yet this is only symbolic. This is because, while we rejoice in awaiting the Lord’s birthday, and while this birthday party is called Christmas, we may still say, “When will the savior arrive.” When will he return to earth, to set everything right?
There is a story I want to share with you called “Have a Little Faith.” Here is how it goes: “Back a few years ago we had three cars, a company car, my wife’s car and a truck. I had a job where the company gave me a car every three years, to use for work. I had purchased a truck for my own personal use. It came in handy because I used to cut down trees and burn them in our wood stove. Well one day I hurt myself lifting a large piece, I had cut, into the back of the truck. That ended my tree cutting days. From that point on the truck just sat in our driveway. My wife decided that we didn’t need to pay extra for a truck that we weren’t using. So we put an ad in the paper and it ran its course with no one calling. Winter was setting in and my wife figured that it would sit in our driveway until the end of winter. Then maybe in the summer we’d try to sell it again. Now mind you, the truck was almost new.”
“My wife became concerned that we’d never get rid of it. I told her that she was putting too much faith in herself and not letting God work. She looked at me, with this funny look and said, “Why would God concern HIMSELF about our truck?”
“I told her that we were Gods’ children and that HE sees our every need and HE will provide, she just had to have a little faith.”
“The next day a snow storm hit. Her car had front wheel drive and she was getting ready to go to work. I had gotten up and made coffee for her and was watching the TV news about how bad the storm was going to be.”
“As Bobbie got ready for work she asked me to make a for-sale sign for the truck and she would stick it in the window of the truck. I did and when she was ready to leave she placed it in the window.”
“When she got into her car it wouldn’t start. Her good old reliable car was dead. No lights. Nothing.”
“I told her that the truck was full of gas and to take it. She didn’t want to but then again she had to get to work.”
“As she left I told her that her normal route was going to be a nightmare. I suggested an alternate route.”
“She started driving to work and the traffic backed-up. While sitting in traffic the man behind her started flashing his lights. She didn’t know what he wanted. But then again she thought something might be wrong with the truck. She pulled over and the man pulled in behind her. He got out of his car and asked her why she was selling the truck. She told him we didn’t need it anymore and just wanted to sell it. I had forgotten to put a phone number on the sign. He asked her for a phone number and said he’d call about it that night. True to his word he called. I talked to him and he told me his story about his recent accident, in his truck and how the insurance company told him if he found one of equal value they’d give him the money to buy it. He said his truck looked just like ours and he wanted it. We gave him the price we were asking and he said he’d call back tomorrow and have a check ready.”
“After the phone call I looked at Bobbie and said, “This is God working.” She said, “Ya, right. Why would God bother HIMSELF with something like this?”
“Then I told her something that made her think. I told her that after she left for work I went out to her car to see if there was anything I could do before leaving for work. I thought I’d try to start it and if needed get the battery charger out and hook it up. I figured that it could charge all day while we were at work. When I got in and turned the key it started with no problem. That’s God for you, always doing things for us without asking. What better a Father could we ask for.”
“Bobbie still had a little problem believing. She said the insurance company would have a problem with it and it wouldn’t sell. I just smiled at her and said, “Have a little faith.”
“The next morning at around 9 o’clock the man called. He said he had a check for the full amount we asked for. If we didn’t mind could we drive it over to his apartment and drop it off. Bobbie was worry that the check might be bad. I told him that wouldn’t be a problem. I added my wife’s concerns and he said he’d drive to the bank and have cash when we got there.”
“As he promised, he was there with cash in hand. I signed over the papers and thanked him and we drove off. I smiled all the way home knowing that God had done this to show Bobbie something about faith. No, we didn’t need the money. No, it was a lesson in letting go and letting God. I looked over at Bobbie and said, “God is Good.” She replied, “All the Time.”
“So, next time you’re having doubts. Stop trying to control things and let God work. What He’s done for me, HE’LL do for you.”

You see my brothers and sisters, in this season of Advent, we prepare for God to come down to earth, to take on flesh, and to save us from ourselves. We need only have faith, we need only to trust in Jesus. For His birth is coming soon, and so is His return. In bring this message to you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Freeville/Homer Ave. UMC's - Christ the King Sunday - 11/24/13 Sermon - “In pain he served and loved”

Sunday 11/24/13 Freeville/Homer Ave UMC’s

Sermon Title: “In pain he served and loved”

Old Testament Scripture Lesson: Jeremiah 23:1-6
                                            
New Testament Scripture Lesson: Colossians 1:11-20

Gospel Lesson: Luke 23:33-43
                            

          Good morning again my brothers and sisters and greetings in the name of the risen Christ, on this “Christ the King” Sunday. This is the Sunday in our calendar where our church and many other Christian Churches celebrate our Lord and king, Jesus Christ. In some Christian Churches, this day is a “feast day” of great celebration over Jesus Christ the King.
          How fitting that we have this Sunday in our calendar, in light of the Advent Season beginning next Sunday. For next Sunday we prepare for the birth of the savior, but today, we talk about the love and the service of the savior. On this Sunday, we also reflect upon Jesus’ crucifixion and what it means to us today. So before we begin to prepare for the birth of the savior starting next Sunday, let us focus on our loving and suffering king on this Sunday.
          With this in mind, the title of the message I am giving this morning, is called “In pain he served and loved.” You see as Jesus hung on that cross so long ago, “In pain he serve and loved.” In my short 32-years of life, I can think of countless times that people were in pain, that they were suffering, yet they still thought of others. Even amidst their pain, they said, “what can I do to help people?” This inner drive to serve and love all people, despite our pain, despite our own suffering, is something that Jesus Christ modeled time and time again. That even “in pain he served and loved.”
          I can think of people in this very church, that despite their own and own pain and suffering, they continually seek to serve and to love others. I have visited people who were ill and who were sick, yet there focus was not on themselves, but often was on others. This selflessness, this love for God’s children, is exactly what Jesus taught us. For this is why he came to this earth, to teach us how to better love each other, how to care for our neighbor, how to live upright before God almighty, and most importantly to die for the sins of all of humanity.
          Jesus also called people constantly to repentance. He challenged them to be holy and just, and he challenged them so much that those who soon opposed him had killed him. For Jesus scandalized there disbelief and he exposed their self-serving and un-loving ways. Imagine a world, if even for a day, we all lived for each other. Imagine if our sole concern was the wellbeing of our neighbor, to spread the love and truth of Jesus Christ. What a day that would be.
          You see in the early Christian Church, every member of the body, or the congregation was not only concerned with each other, but they were also concerned with the whole church. Not only this, but the early Christian Church (who lived in fear and persecution), was concerned with all people. The early church feed the poor, took care of sick, and the church grew like wild fire because people lived like Jesus lived. On this “Christ the King” Sunday, we should be encouraged to live like Jesus Christ. For not only did Jesus Christ change the world, he then encouraged us to change the world in his image.  
          In this morning’s scripture reading from the prophet Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah tells us, “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord!” Remember, that the prophets of old that God raised up in the Old Testament like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah, called people to holiness. They were called to protect God’s people, and they were called to push God’s people to be honest, to love others, and to be just. The prophet Jeremiah continued in this reading, how God will protect the devoted people of God, and how God will raise up shepherds over them. In fact, Jeremiah even said, prophesying about the coming of Jesus Christ, “The days are surely coming says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” You see soon, very soon the savior is coming, as prophet Jeremiah prophesized long before the birth of the savior, but today we focus on our suffering king.
          When looking at our reading from this morning, from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae or the Collisions, which was located in what is the modern day Middle Eastern Country of Turkey, the Apostle Paul encourages the church to be “strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power.”  In fact, the Apostle Paul tells the church in Colossae to “be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
          The Apostle Paul continues to tell the church in Colossae that people who have faith in Christ have save and rescued “from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his Son, in whom we have redemption , the forgiveness of sins.” The Apostle Paul then tells us that Christ is the head of the church, and that we have peace and salvation “through the blood of his cross.”
          In the gospel of Luke reading from this morning, Luke tells us of that day so long ago, that “Good Friday,” when Jesus gave it all up for us. For, “On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame.” Luke said, “When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” Yet my brothers and sisters, as Jesus Christ hung in pain, as he had already be scourged and whipped, as he barely recognizable as a man he was so beaten, as was in the greatest of pain he served and loved. For the gospel reading says next, “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do now know what they are doing.” Then they “cast lots to divide his clothing.” Then the leaders and the Roman soldiers that were present mocked and ridiculed him, and said if this so called savior is so great, then let him here and now, save himself.  Let him get down from that cross. Yet one of the criminals being convinced of Jesus Christ being the Messiah, said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” The Lord replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Even as he was ridiculed, scorned, mocked, and hung in pain, he served and loved the rightly condemned criminal on the cross next to him, who was repentant and had faith. You see this condemned criminal was saved, because his faith saved, nothing else. Even in the worst of conditions, Jesus loved that condemned criminal so much, that he saved him. You see “Christ the King,” as he hung on the cross in pain, “served and loved.” In the gospel of John 19:25-27 it also says, “Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.” We don’t know for certain, but we think that this beloved disciple could have been John. You see, in the gospel of John, it talks about how Jesus is on the cross, and as he hung in pain, he was concerned about his mother wellbeing. He was concerned about who would take care of his mother Mary, after he went home to be with the Father. You see, “In pain he served and loved” his mother, as he asked his beloved disciple, won’t you look after my mom when I depart from this earth to be with my Father.
          You see brothers and sisters, on this “Christ the King” Sunday, not only do we celebrate Christ the King, we see how that “In pain he served and loved.” Not only did he heal people, cure them, raise the dead, and change the world, but up until his last breathe, he served and loved all people. The savior of the world in the greatest of pain thought of nothing but you and me, as many of you in your pain and sickness have thought of and loved others. For when we suffer and when we still serve, we are re-visiting the cross of Jesus Christ.
           I would like to close this message this morning with a story called “the gift.” Here is how it goes: Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their military service, where they had been on holidays and vacations.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Brothers and sisters, there is tremendous blessing from God in making others happy, despite our own situations. You see we serve a savior that we remember on this “Christ the King” Sunday, who hung in pain for the sin and the evils of this world. Yet as he hung “in pain, he served and loved.” Let us this week, seek to be like “Christ the King,” and let us serve and love all people. In the name of our most blessed Savior, Jesus the Christ, Amen.
   
         


Saturday, November 16, 2013

Freeville/Homer Ave. UMC's - 11/17/13 Sermon - “Endurance in these times”

Sunday 11/17/13 Freeville/Homer Ave UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Endurance in these times”

Old Testament Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 12
                                            
New Testament Scripture Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:5-19
                             

          Good morning again my brothers and sisters and greetings in the name of the risen Christ, on this the twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost. That day that occurred so long ago that the Holy Spirit moved, and the Christian Church was born.
          Since this day of the feast of Pentecost almost 2,000 years ago, the Christian Church has been through many ups and downs. Early in our history, we were persecuted by the Roman Empire. Christians were slaughtered, fed to lions, and imprisoned. Time likes this were truly times of great endurance.
          During other times in our history, we were greatly persecuted as well, and for some in the present day, they feel as if the Christian identity that once defined our country and our communities has eroded. That the values and the beliefs that we once held near and dear to us have begun dissolving in a world of doing whatever makes you feel good. That to serve “the other” being anyone in need, is all well in good, as long as it doesn’t inconvenience you.
          Every week for the one seminary class that I have left for this semester, I have to write a journal entry. In fact, this week I wrote in my journal that I am really starting to understand what a calling to pastoral ministry really is. As in, what does it mean to be a pastor?  More specifically, what does it mean to be a pastor in times that are as uncertain as the present times?
          Here is what it means I think. Like the prophets of old, like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah, to name just a few, pastors are called to challenge people to live holy. We are called by God to call people to holiness. I can’t imagine what this country would be like if during all of the tumultuous times in our history, if we didn’t have people called by God, to call people to holiness. That in this era of such individualism and self-oriented living, that we are still called to call people to holiness.  That we all must serve, love, and call people to live for each other, and to be holy.
          For if we don’t have people today in the here and now calling people to be holy, and then who will do it? What will push back against this fallen world? What light in a dark place will there be, if not us? Or are we doomed to walk in darkness, which will only get darker and darker?
          Be of good cheer my brothers and sisters, for we have cause to have “Endurance in these times.” We have reason to believe that the promises of Jesus Christ and the gospel will prevail. For in Mathew 16:15-18 Jesus said, “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
          My brothers and sisters, when Jesus spoke these words to the Apostle Peter so long ago, he meant it. That the church of Jesus Christ will be here, until the day that Jesus returns. For if this was not true, how could we have gotten this far, and how could we have built these churches.
          You see this is what I know, no matter what happens to the church now or in the future, God will call men and women. God will raise up people in service, who are willing to sacrifice everything, to pick up the cross and call people to follow Jesus Christ. As I heard Rev. Billy Graham say last week though, the cross of Jesus Christ is offensive. The cross calls us to repentance, to holiness, and to realize that we need revival in this land that we need healing in the country, and to do this, we need to turn to Jesus Christ.
          We endure then in these times we are living in, as Dr. Billy Graham said, by the way of the cross. That through turning from darkness and through seeking holiness, we can endure to largest of storms.
          Yet our faith is not just an individual faith. No, our faith is lived out communally, as we are family knitted together by the grace and the love of almighty God. We endure not just through calling out to God as individuals, but by lifting people up as a community. We see a world that is very much in pain and in darkness, and we say, we will endure, we will overcome. We look not only to God for comfort, but we look to each other, in which the spirit of God lives, to bind us together.
          What will make the church strong in the future then? What will grow the church in the future? I believe that just having a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will not be enough in the future. What will grow the church is that it will be an extended family. That outside of this community, you might experience pain, suffering, and judgment, but in the family of Jesus Christ, you find love, acceptance, faith, and hope. This my brothers is how we endure in these times. We endure together. When one of us falls, we pick them up. When one of us is suffering, we go to them and help. For we are the living and breathing body of Jesus Christ here on earth, and we will continue seeking peace, love, joy, and togetherness, and Jesus has promised us that he will honor this, in our church.
          So let us not seek to endure in these tumultuous times in which we living alone, but instead let us endure together. Let us live as a family, and allow people to see this, and in doing so, they will seek to join our family, as we always have room for all people. This is the church that Jesus spoke of. This is to truly love one’s neighbor, and this is the gospel. Not only to accept and believe in Jesus Christ, but live out our faith, with love and peace, as a community, as a group of believers who seek to transform the world for Jesus Christ.
          Last night, my friend Allan and his son Ethan and I went to a powerful Christian worship service in Rochester, NY. At this service, the very popular Christian rock band, “Rend Collective Experiment” performed. This band came all the way from Belfast, Ireland. In one of their songs that they played called, “Build your kingdom here,” the lyrics say, “Build your kingdom here. Let the darkness fear. Show Your mighty hand. Heal our streets and land. Set Your church on fire. Win this nation back. Change the atmosphere. Build Your kingdom here. We pray.”
          I pray all the time my brothers and sisters for revival in this land, and I believe that revival is coming. Remember that God will call witnesses, like the prophets of old. He will call people and raise them up, to call people to holiness. He has been doing this for hundreds and hundreds of years.
          In the scripture reading this morning from the prophet Isaiah, it said about having faith in God, “I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw from the wells of Salvation.” This salvation that the prophet Isaiah speaks of was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is alive and well.
          In the Apostle Paul’s second letter to church in Thessalonica, or the Thessalonians, he tells them, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.” The Apostle Paul then goes on to tell the Church in Thessalonica, “For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ do their work quietly and earn their own living. Brothers and sisters do not be weary in doing what is right.”
          So as the Apostle Paul said the church in Thessalonica so many years ago and in this letter, and Jesus still says to us today, “endure in these times.” Do not become mere “business bodies,” do not become “idle,” but be alert, be aware, that the kingdom of Jesus Christ is alive and well, and realize that we still can draw strength from the spirit, and from each other.
          In the gospel reading from the gospel of Luke from this morning, Jesus was talking about how the beautiful temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed. He said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”  The gospel the said, “They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about take place?”
          Then Jesus said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!” Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.”
          Jesus then said, “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you: they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.”
          Jesus concludes by saying, “You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and the will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair on your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
          Jesus said, “By your endurance you will gain your souls.” Brothers and sisters, last week and for years, Dr. Billy Graham has said that non-believers rally against the cross of Jesus Christ. They are offended by it. Yet by the cross we are freed. Let us continue to love and cherish all people, as this is how we push back against the darkness of this world.
I would like close this morning with a story. This story is called, “The Bridge Keeper.” Here is how it goes: “There was once a bridge which spanned a large river. During most of the day the bridge sat with its length running up and down the river paralleled with the banks, allowing ships to pass thru freely on both sides of the bridge. But at certain times each day, a train would come along and the bridge would be turned sideways across the river, allowing a train to cross it.”
“A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river where he operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place as the train crossed. One evening as the switchman was waiting for the last train of the day to come; he looked off into the distance thru the dimming twilight and caught sight of the train lights. He stepped to the control and waited until the train was within a prescribed distance when he was to turn the bridge. He turned the bridge into position, but, to his horror, he found the locking control did not work. If the bridge was not securely in position it would wobble back and forth at the ends when the train came onto it, causing the train to jump the track and go crashing into the river. This would be a passenger train with many people aboard. He left the bridge turned across the river, and hurried across the bridge to the other side of the river where there was a lever switch he could hold to operate the lock manually. He would have to hold the lever back firmly as the train crossed. He could hear the rumble of the train now, and he took hold of the lever and leaned backward to apply his weight to it, locking the bridge. He kept applying the pressure to keep the mechanism locked. Many lives depended on this man’s strength.”
“Then, coming across the bridge from the direction of his control shack, he heard a sound that made his blood run cold. “Daddy, where are you?” His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him. His first impulse was to cry out to the child, “Run! Run!” But the train was too close; the tiny legs would never make it across the bridge in time. The man almost left his lever to run and snatch up his son and carry him to safety. But he realized that he could not get back to the lever. Either the people on the train or his little son must die. He took a moment to make his decision.”
“The train sped safely and swiftly on its way, and no one aboard was even aware of the tiny broken body thrown mercilessly into the river by the onrushing train. Nor were they aware of the pitiful figure of the sobbing man, still clinging tightly to the locking lever long after the train had passed. They did not see him walking home more slowly than he had ever walked: to tell his wife how their son had brutally died.”
“Now if you comprehend the emotions which went this man’s heart, you can begin to understand the feelings of our Father in Heaven when He sacrificed His Son to bridge the gap between us and eternal life. Can there be any wonder that He caused the earth to tremble and the skies to darken when His Son died? How does He feel when we speed along thru life without giving a thought to what was done for us thru Jesus Christ?”
Brothers and sisters, we are called to have “Endurance in these times.”  Jesus calls us to love, heal, and obey. Let us change the world for Him. Amen.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Freeville/Homer Ave. UMC's - 11/10/13 Sermon - “Children of the resurrection”

Sunday 11/10/13 Freeville/Homer Ave UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Children of the resurrection”

Old Testament Scripture Lesson: Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21
                                            
New Testament Scripture Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Gospel Lesson: Luke 20:27-38
                            

          Good morning my brothers and sisters, and welcome again in the name of the Risen Christ, on this the twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost.
This morning I want to talk a little bit about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This “resurrection” is the literal belief that Jesus was crucified, that he died, that he was laid in a tomb, and that three days after being dead, he physically and bodily rose back to life. A couple of definitions of resurrection that I found are, “The act of rising from the dead or returning to life, and “the state of one who has returned to life.”
From these any many other similar definitions, it is pretty clear that a resurrection means that someone was dead, and then they were alive again. So Jesus died, and then three days later, he came back to life. For many non-Christians and even for some Christians this idea of the resurrection is a hard one to grasp. People who don’t believe in the resurrection might say, “How could someone die, then come back to life three days later.” Further, they might say, “If Jesus was that beat up, and if he lost so much blood, how could he have come back to life?”
          So many people struggle with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is hard for them to imagine that someone could come back to life after three days of being dead, yet we would say that this is the greatest miracle of our Christian faith. You see Jesus brought people who were dead back to life, he made the lame walk, he made the blind see, he cleansed the lepers, he walked on water, he calmed the storm, he fed thousands, and he taught us a new way of living, being, and existing. Coming back from the dead then, this no problem for the Son of God.
          Since Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday then, this is the reason why we traditionally worship on Sunday morning. In this way, we can think of every Sunday as a “mini-Easter.” This is why so often I begin my sermons with something like “welcome in the name of the risen Christ,” because we believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus was physically dead, and physically rose back to life again. We believe further, that he is still alive, and that he is coming back one day!
By Christ conquering life and death itself then, he has given us hope, he has given us a future, and we therefore, are “Children of the resurrection.” By our faith in Christ, and by transforming the world in his love and image, we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, we carry the torch of the risen savior, and we truly then are the “Children of the resurrection.”
          I saw a video that commemorated Dr. Billy Graham’s 95th birthday this week, and Dr. Graham talked about the power of the cross of Jesus Christ. That by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we are freed, and that we all have been purchased by the very blood of Jesus. Dr. Graham talked about how he sees so much pain in the world today and how if people put there hope and faith in Jesus Christ, that they would be radically transformed from the inside out. This is what makes us Christians then, what makes us a people of hope, in a world that often has no hope. This is what makes us “Children of the resurrection.”
          Perhaps there are some who are sitting here this morning though, who have never encountered the risen Christ. You might be feeling like there is no hope in your life, you might be feeling like you are lost. Perhaps you feel like your life has no importance, no meaning, and that you are just lost. I am here to tell you on this morning brothers and sisters, that all you might feel now, and that all that weighs and drag you down can be removed, as we serve a Lord that breaks every chain and who frees us. Our hope, our trust, our future all rest in the name Jesus, the one who conquered the very grave itself. This love, this hope, this peace, is what Jesus so freely offers us every single moment of our lives.
In being “Children of the resurrection,” in being children of hope, we have some amongst us some who have served or continue to serve this country and our communities, because they believed or believe in freedom, liberty, hope, and love. We as part of the tradition of this country have believed in something greater than ourselves. On this morning then, we remember our men and women who have served, both past and present. Many of these men and women have and continue to serve in very tough conditions. Yet when our soldiers fought for independence as a nation, they were fighting for freedom and justice. In our Civil War, we fought to preserve our Union and to end the evils of slavery. When our soldiers arrived on shores of Normandy, France in the D-Day Invasion, to end Nazi oppression and to eventually liberate our brothers and sisters being slaughtered in Holocaust camps, we were pursuing freedom, justice, and hope.
You see while we sit here this morning in safety and peace, while we sit here this morning freely being able to accept or deny the free gift of salvation offered to us through Jesus Christ, our men and women that serve have and continue to serve in places that might not be safe, peaceful, or secure. In fact, as we all know some of them never come home, or only come home after going on to be with the Lord.
Tomorrow then, as American flags are raised and are saluted, let us remember that many have gone before us to secure freedom and our ability to worship the risen Christ here this morning. Perhaps if only in our minds then, tomorrow let the memories of those who are no longer with us will be “resurrected” in our minds. You see in being “Children of the resurrection,” Veteran’s Day offers us the possibility to resurrect in our minds our heroes that have gone before us.
While this is all true though, as Christians we are also part of a world-wide community that extends far beyond just the boarders of this country. We have Christian brothers and sisters in countries like Egypt who are being persecuted and murdered. As Christians, we must stand will all our Christian brothers and sisters who suffer. Further, we must defend all human life in general, as all life is precious. For we are all God’s children, and war is something we should never seek, yet sometimes it occurs to end tyranny and injustice.
For example, in 1950 when Communist North Korea invaded South Korea, our friend and ally South Korea asked us to come to their aide, and we did, under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur. We lost many soldiers securing this country however, and this country continues to be one of our closest allies. South Korea also houses the world’s largest church by membership. This church, the “Yoido Full Gospel Church,” which is in South Korea’s capital Seoul, has a million professing members.
When looking at the scripture readings from this morning, we are encouraged in the reading from Psalm 145 to realize that, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.” The Psalm goes on to say, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
In looking at the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica, or the Thessalonians, Paul said, “But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through beliefs in the truth.” In God, we can do all things. In God, we have faith, we have hope, and we have the resurrection. He chooses us all, but we must also choose him.
The Apostle Paul concluded this scripture from his second letter to the church in Thessalonica by saying, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.” God is faithful.
When viewing our reading from the gospel from Luke 20 from this morning, the reading said, “Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.” Notice that it said that Sadducees don’t believe in the resurrection.
The Sadducees continued on challenging Jesus and said, “Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died.”
Then the Sadducees said to Jesus, “In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For seven had married her.” So if Jesus resurrected the woman, whose wife would she be? Jesus then responds to the Sadducees and says, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.”
Then Jesus said, “Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and children of God, being children of the resurrection.” Jesus then concluded in this gospel reading by saying, “Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living: for to him all of them are alive.”
          While there are those who believe in the resurrection of the dead that will occur when Jesus returns one day, some also don’t believe in Jesus’ resurrection. Those who do though, like me, can be called, “Children of the resurrection.”
          I would like to close this morning with a Veteran’s Day poem. This poem is called, “The Final Inspection,” by author unknown. Here is how it goes: “The soldier stood and faced God, which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass. 'Step forward now, you soldier, how shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?' The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 'No, Lord, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who carry guns, can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I've been violent, because the world is awfully rough. But, I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got just too steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place,
among the people here. They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears. If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand. There was a silence all around the throne, where the saints had often trod. As the soldier waited quietly, for the judgment of his God. 'Step forward now, you soldier,
you've borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'
My brothers and sisters, we are and always will be the “Children of the resurrection,” because Jesus is and always will be on the throne of grace. He lives brothers and sisters! He is alive and well! Our ability to be able to worship Jesus has long been protected and defended by some of the finest children of God. Today, and tomorrow, let us seek to resurrect if only in our minds, those who have gone before us in service. For Jesus said in Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Brothers and sisters, we are “Children of the resurrection.” All glory and honor to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.


Saturday, November 2, 2013

Freeville/Homer Ave. UMC's - All Saints Sunday - 11/03/13 Sermon - “A sermon that changed the world”

Sunday 11/03/13 Freeville/Homer Ave UMC’s

Sermon Title: “A sermon that changed the world”

Old Testament Scripture Lesson: Psalm 149
                                            
New Testament Scripture Lesson: Ephesians 1:11-23

Gospel Lesson: Luke 6:20-31
                            

          Good morning my brothers and sisters, and greetings once again in the name of the risen Christ on this All Saints Sunday. While the actual day of All Saints Day was this past Friday November, 1st, many churches choose to celebrate this holiday on Sunday, like we are doing this morning. On this day of celebrating the holiday of All Saints, we take time to remember not only the past and the more present saints of this local church and local area that have gone on to be with the Lord, but we remember all those saints who have went before us.
          On this All Saints Day, we remember then, the Apostles of Jesus Christ, we remember all of the saints from all throughout history that have lived all over the world. We honor there sacrifice, there dedication, and there devotion to building the kingdom of God everywhere. We of course have also taken time the time this morning in worship to remember those specific saints from this local church and this local area. Imagine how churches all over the world are doing this very same on this morning. As I continue through this message then, and as we continue through worship this morning, and as we continue throughout our days and weeks, let us remember those saints who have gone on to glory before us.
          In remembering those saints who have gone before us, we must remember that we are all still here and now. The Lord still has plans for each and every one us, and he is still using us every day. God has gifted us all for the good work of building his kingdom, and we are still here on this earth then, because we are still in the mission field of Jesus Christ. So, while we remember those who have gone before us this morning, let this morning’s worship empower us to consider what is still in front of us. Let us consider that we serve the risen Christ, and let us remember that Lord is still using us in the here and the now. Let us consider that one day from pulpits like this, our names will be read to generations of believers that are yet to come.
One day, they will say your name and my name, and some will remember us, and some won’t. As time goes on in fact even less people will remember those who have gone before us. As time goes on, cemetery head stones fad, and people can easily forget someone who lived in it this area 200-years ago. Yet we will all be in glory. We all will be sitting at that heavenly banquet table of the Lord, and all the saints will be united. My brothers and sisters, this is why we remember, so that we know where we are from, and yet were we are going.
          In this way, we are all saints in training here this morning. We are those people that God has called to be saints, even though we have not yet gone to be with the Lord. What does this mean then?
          This means that our course in labor is not done. While the saints in heaven are with the Lord, they are no longer here to change to world here on earth. We all are still here though, and we all have the power of the Holy Spirit in us to change this church, this community, and the world. While God is the one that uses us, when we say “yes” to the Lord, we are empowered to do amazing things with God working through us.
          With this said, I want to share some inspiring quotes of what All Saints Day is. Here is one: "For centuries the church has confronted the human community with role models of greatness. We call them saints when what we really often mean to say is 'icon,' 'star,' 'hero,' ones so possessed by an internal vision of divine goodness that they give us a glimpse of the face of God in the center of the human. They give us a taste of the possibilities of greatness in ourselves." This is from Joan D. Chittister, in her book in A Passion for Life. Here is another All Saints Day quote: "I am reminded of the biblical use of the term saint in the book of Acts. That it applies to each of us. All who are attempting to imitate the Christ in their lives merit the title of 'saint.' Some do it more fully than others and are willing to let go of more to get the job done." This is from Matthew Fox, in his book Confessions. Here is one last All Saints Day quote: "All of the places of our lives are sanctuaries; some of them just happen to have steeples. And all of the people in our lives are saints; it is just that some of them have day jobs and most will never have feast days named for them."  This is from Robert Benson in his book in Between the Dreaming and the Coming True.
          When looking at our Psalm reading from this morning, the Psalmist encourages us to “Praise the Lord!” We are encouraged to praise God, to dance for God, and to be with God. As the people of God, we go on to glory together. We are united in Christ, and this unity defies all time and space.
          In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus or the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul said, “In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will.” When I read this, I am always lifted up by the Apostle Paul and by the Lord. I realize that this letter or epistles was written around the time of 62 AD. That this letter was written almost two-thousand years ago, and we will still have this same inheritance today. That the Apostle Paul was telling his brothers and sisters at the church in Ephesus, that we have an inheritance and a promise through Jesus the Christ. The Apostle Paul then continues on to say, “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reasons I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Being saint-like and living for God has always been our mission as Christians, and this is why we do what we do.
          This is why we seek “to make of disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of world,” not just to help lead people towards eternity with Jesus, but because its transforms the world. The saints that have went before us, like Mother Theresa and many others have made the world better amidst a world of pain and suffering. Our mission of changing hearts, minds, and living united in the work of Jesus Christ, is what being a saint is. It is what makes us children of light, children of hope, and as I will discuss next week, Children of the resurrection.
          So in this stewardship drive season then, what does all of this mean for us? Why are we encouraged to give, and give abundantly of our time, our talents, and of our resources? Here is why, while some talk about all of the bad that Christian Church has done historically, let me tell you a little bit of what the saints of Jesus Christ have done. Here is a list of just some:
This list in entitled, “Good things pioneered by the Church and committed Christians in modern society:”
• The Church is the largest single provider of healthcare in the world
• The Church is the largest single provider of education in the world
• The Church fathers successfully campaigned against infanticide in society
• The first orphanages were churches
• Churches pioneered the first homes for the elderly
• Churches pioneered the first homes for the disabled in society
• Almost all schools were church founded before the state took over
• 100 out of 110 US universities were church founded (inc. Yale, Princeton and Harvard)
• Churches were World Literacy pioneers
• Churches were pioneers of education for the deaf
• Churches fought for the first laws to protect children from abuse
• YMCA - caring for young people in society
• Salvation Army - pioneering radical care for the poor and disadvantaged in society
• Alcoholics (and Narcotics) Anonymous is connected to the church
• Churches have been pioneers of international child sponsorship
• Churches were largely founders of modern famine relief
• International Housing for the poor - Habitat for Humanity, connected to the church
• Leprosy Mission - caring for those no-one else wants, connected to the church
 • The Imagine no Malaria campaign, the United Methodist Church.
          People have said to me, “Paul why do you give so much to the church.” I have said, “Other than the Biblical commandment to do so, other than the love of Jesus Christ, other than the love of his church, this list is a good reason isn’t it?” This my brothers and sisters, is why we give to the church. We also give to the church, because historically we have cared for the people, and the problems of the world, much better than any government ever could.
          So some of you might be saying at this point, “pastor, the sermon title for this morning is a sermon that changed the world. So how does this sermon connect to that?” Well, when looking at the gospel of Luke reading from this morning, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and a crowd. In this time and place, Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
          You see as Christians, we get weary sometimes don’t we. Sometimes we feel tired, we feel rejected, and etc., yet we believe not only in the kingdom to come, but we have seen what we can do here on this earth to. This sermon that changed the world, this smaller version of “the Sermon on the mount,” from the gospel reading this morning, was one where Jesus said things that changed the world.  For Jesus said, that if you have everything and you do nothing for those who need, than “Woe to you” says the Lord. In this “sermon that changed the world,” Jesus is teaching us to give freely and abundantly, and then he is saying what will do about your obedience, your faithfulness, your giving? For the poor will be blessed, the hungry will be feed, the sad will laugh, because the saints here on earth have decided that the ways things are out there are no long acceptable. This is why my brothers and sisters, we are all saints in training, and in this “sermon that changed the world” Jesus was teaching us to be the saints that we have been called to be, since he walked this earth nearly 2,000 years ago.
          I would like to close this message with simple quote from Saint Augustine on being saintly. Here is the quote: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.  My brothers and sisters, today we remember those saints who have gone before us, but let us never forget we are saints in training. I bring this message to you in the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit, All glory to be to him who made us all, Amen.