Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost - 09/27/15 Sermon - “call for the elders of the church, and the elders should pray over them"

Sunday 09/27/15 Freeville/Homer Ave UMC’s

Sermon Title: “call for the elders of the church, and the elders

should pray over them”

                            

Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 124

                                            

New Testament Scripture:  James 5:13-20

Gospel Lesson: Mark 9:38-50

          Brothers and sisters, friends, welcome once again on this the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Eighteen Sundays after that day that the Holy Spirit moved like a mighty wind, like a mighty fire in and through the disciples of Jesus Christ. On this day the Christian Church was born, and the disciples and the early Christians went forth preaching the gospel, and changing the world. Today we continue that mission of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and making a world of love, of peace, and of justice.

          With this said, this morning I want to talk about healing. For many of us at some point in our lives we have needed healing. This healing could have been a small healing, from a cut perhaps. Maybe we needed a bandage, so that this cut could heal. Maybe we needed surgery at some point, maybe we got into a car accident, or maybe we suffered from cancer? Maybe we have suffered from emotional hurts, whether they be from the loss of a loved one, or from our own sufferings.

          All of us, need or have needed healing at some point. At different points we all have hurt, and have all needed healing. Generally, we never wish to be hurt, and therefore, we might not desire healing right now. Yet, when we are hurting, healing becomes something that we very much desire.

          What is the source of healing though, I wonder? I mean if we get a cut, where does the healing come from? We might know the biology behind a cut or a body part healing, but what of the spiritual aspect of healing? For if God is the source of life, light, and love, which I believe that God is, then healing is of God. Love is of God, light is of God, and healing is of God. Life includes healing, and God can heal anyone, at any time. Do we truly believe that though? Do we truly believe that healing and life comes from God? Or do we believe that healing and life comes from somewhere else?

          In our reading from Psalm 124 from this morning, it says in 124:8, “Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8, CEB). Do we believe that our help, our health, our future, and all that we have is truly “in the name of the LORD” (Psalm 124:8b, CEB)?

          All of this, leads me to the scripture that I am largely preaching on this morning. This scripture is from our reading from the Book of James 5:13-20. In this reading, James tells us about what we should do about our sufferings and our illnesses, in the context of the church.

          In James 5:13, it says, “If any of you are suffering, they should pray. If any of you are happy, they should sing” (James 5:13, CEB). The next verse then says, “If any of you are sick, they should call for the elders of the church, and the elders should pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14, CEB).

          Brothers and sisters, we are or have hurt. We all are or have suffered. The Book of James tells us to pray, to anoint with oil, and to pray over those who suffer. As your pastor, I believe in the power of God, I believe the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and I believe in the Bible. I also believe in prayer, and as a result, after our congregational response this morning, I am going to invite all those who want it, to come forward for prayer and anointing. So that we may call upon the God of the Universe for healing and restoration, as God can do all things.

          The Book of James then says in 5:15, “Prayer that comes from faith will heal the sick, for the Lord will restore them to health. And if they have sinned, they will be forgiven” (James 5:15, CEB). Brothers and sisters, if we believe that God can do all things, which I do, then we need to pray. Sometimes we also need to be anointed, and “call for the elders of the church, and the elders should pray over them” (James 5:14b, CEB).

          As Christians we should be a praying people, and when one suffers, we all suffer. When one rejoices, we all rejoice. This is the power of the living God working in us and through us. As God’s children we are all connected, and are called by Jesus Christ to love and care for each other.

          Beyond this, the Book of James reading from this morning then says, “For this reason confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is power in what it can achieve” (James 5:16, CEB). Let me say that again, “The prayer of the righteous is power in what it can achieve” (James 5:16, CEB).  

          The Book of James then goes on to give an example of this. It says in 5:17-18, “Elijah was a person just like us. When he earnestly prayed that it wouldn’t rain, no rain feel for three and half years. He prayed again, God sent rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:17-18, CEB).

          The Book of James reading then ends this morning, by saying “My brothers and sisters, if any of you wander from the truth and someone turns back the wanderer, recognize that whoever brings the sinner back from the wrong path will save them from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins” (James 5:19-20, CEB).

          You might have noticed that James said, “My brothers and sisters,” as I often address you this way, as Christians have addressed each other this way, all the way back to the early Christian Church (James 5:19a, CEB).

          Trusting God then, and believing that God can do all things, brings us peace. When we trust God, and when we believe in God’s power, we allow God to take our stress and our concerns from us. We “lay our burdens down.”

Yet I have found, that sometimes God heals our bodies and our hearts, and sometimes God gives us spiritual peace. Yet God is always faithful. God does not always show up when we demand God shows up. Instead, God show up in His time, not ours. This morning though, could be God’s time for you, and it could be God’s time for me. Every day for us, could be this reality. This is why we must always be in prayer, both individually and together.

          As I said then, after our congregational response this morning, I will be offering prayer, anointing with oil, and God’s love. While I call upon God, I myself can heal no one. I myself have no power. Yet we will continue to call upon our great God, that we might be healed.

          In our Gospel of Mark reading from this morning, Jesus encourages us to have great faith, and to avoid sin (Mark 9:42-48, CEB). Jesus speaks metaphorically, going as far to say that “if your hand causes you to fall into sin chop it off” (Mark 9:43a, CEB). Jesus uses a couple of other examples as well, to show us the significance of turning from sin, and trusting God.

          The Gospel reading then ends with Jesus making the comparison about people being salt and light. Jesus says, “Salt is good; but if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? Maintain salt among yourselves and keep peace with each other” (Mark 9:50, CEB). Keeping focused on God then, keeps us connected, keeps us “salty” (Mark 9:50b, CEB). We should strive for this in our prayer lives to.

          So we all are or have suffered. We all are or have been sick, or have been in pain. I would ask this morning then, that we all take time to pray to God, and to pray for others, today or this week. To pray for our own health if we need it. To believe that God can heal, and to trust God.

With this said, I would like to close this sermon with a great story on healing called “A Tumor Healed.” The source of this story is from Time magazine, April 10, 1995. Volume 145, No 15. Here is how it goes:

“Elisabeth Jernigan is the beloved daughter of Betsy and Lennie Jernigan of North Carolina, USA. When she was just months old Elisabeth’s parents noticed her right eyelid weaken, then droop and the pupil become fixed. Her grandfather, a Harvard University trained surgeon was worried, and advised her parents to take Elisabeth to an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist sent them to a pediatrician and the pediatrician to a neurologist. Elisabeth was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Exploratory surgery removed part of the tumour from the nerve that controls the right eye, but it was too dangerous to try and take it all. Then the pathology report came back with the worst news of all. Elisabeth had an extremely rare malignant meningioma which had killed everyone who had ever had it. The prognosis was for continued growth of the tumour, paralysis and certain death.”

“Elisabeth’s parents, Betsy and Leonard started praying, their friends prayed, their church prayed. They prayed that Elisabeth might be healed, but also for the ability to accept her death if healing was not God’s will. Elisabeth’s surgeon grandfather didn’t have the faith to pray for healing, but he did pray for wisdom in selecting doctors, and the ability to get through the inevitable suffering.”

“Elisabeth’s condition deteriorated as expected. Fluid began accumulating on her brain, with the doctors repeatedly relieving it with a large needle. Elisabeth grew lethargic and nauseated. It was agreed that there be further surgery, to insert shunts that would drain the fluid.”

“Prior to the surgery the family gathered around Elisabeth while the priest from her grandparents church anointed Elisabeth with oil and prayed for her healing.  It was now the night before the scheduled surgery. A doctor arrived in Elisabeth’s room and removed so much thick, infected fluid from her brain that he asked that the operation be postponed for a couple of days. But 12 hours later when he returned he was baffled to find there was virtually no more fluid.”

“When the surgery went ahead the doctor’s decided to make a last ditch effort to remove the rest of the tumour. They would remove the section of nerve the cancer had invaded. This would leave Elisabeth blind in her right eye but would give her a slim hope of survival.  But when they went into Elisabeth’s brain they couldn’t find the lesion. They removed the nerve section as planned, but when the pathology tests on it came back they reported there were no cancer cells. Regular cat scans since then have revealed no evidence of a tumour.”

“Doctors describe what happened as “spontaneous resolution.” Elisabeth’s family call it a Miracle. In June 1995 Elisabeth turned 13. Elisabeth’s father Lennie, says “In the years ahead if you happen to see a young girl walking down the street with her right eye permanently closed, please don’t think that some tragedy has befallen her and extend your sympathy. Instead have cheerful thoughts, knowing that the Holy Spirit dwells in her, and our God is powerful, benevolent and magnificent.”

          Healing, brothers and sisters. We have a God that heals, and a Savior that saves. The type of healing that God gives us, will be of His choosing, and on His schedule. Yet we are called to pray to the God of the Universe for those who suffer. We are called to have great compassion, and to reach out to God like an innocent child.

May we pray to God for own healings, and may we pray to God for others. May we trust God, and if we need healing, may we come together in prayer and love. If you need healing at the service’s end this morning, then let us call upon the Lord of Life together. For God is healing. God is light, love, and life. Amen.

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost - 09/20/15 Sermon - “Politics in the pulpit"

Sunday 09/20/15 Freeville/Homer Ave UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Politics in the pulpit”

                            

Old Testament Lesson: Proverbs 31:10-31

                                            

New Testament Scripture: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Gospel Lesson: Mark 9:30-37

          Brothers and sisters, friends, welcome once again on this the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. Seventeen Sundays after we celebrated that day that the Holy Spirit moved like a mighty wind. On that day so long ago, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they went forth preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. They went forth changing and transforming the world. Today, nearly two-thousand years later, we continue that mission that the disciples and the early Christians began on Pentecost. We continue the mission of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we continue the mission of changing and transforming the world around us.

          This morning though, I am going to talk about “Politics in the Pulpit.” Since I was asked to give this sermon, I am deviating from what would have been week three of my series from the Book of Proverbs. So since the title of today’s sermon is “Politics in the Pulpit,” I have decided to connect this sermon, in part, to our reading from the Book of James, from this morning.

          Before I get into the scripture from the Book of James, and the heart of this sermon though, I want to talk about what this sermon is not. I also want to lay the foundation for my beliefs. This sermon is also not a politicized argument by me, of why one set of political beliefs are better than the other.

Do many of us have strong political leanings and opinions? Sure, many of us do. This sermon for me however, is a model of what I believe is the way that the church should engage politics. Yet this model is not the same model for all churches, but it is more of a general model for me, in approaching this topic. It is also important to remember to, that all pastors are different.

          So with that, one of my favorite historical figures is the Irish Statesman, Sir Edmund Burke. Sir Edmund Burke had some great quotes that many of us have heard, such as, “Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it,” and “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” In the way of religion, Sir Edmund Burke said, “politics and the pulpit are terms that have little agreement. No sound ought to be heard in the church but the healing voice of Christian charity.”

          You see, we live in my opinion, in one of the most politically polarized environments that we have ever had in the history of this country. While there are politics in the church, and while the church speaks out over social issues, and some political issues, imagine if our church looked as politically polarized as our culture? Imagine what that reality would do us as a church? Imagine how we could begin to fight and squabble with each other, all the time? Imagine how in doing that, we could lose Jesus Christ in the process?

In President George Washington’s Farewell Address, he discussed political parties. This is what President Washington said, “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion” (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp). George Washington, the first present of our country, warned in his farewell address, to not form political parties. He said, they would destroy us. Luckily he was wrong right!

          Some churches however, are quite political. Some churches have always been somewhat political, but in this present era, we seem to have more churches in my opinion, that are very political. Some churches in the present era formally endorse a candidate for president. Some churches identify as being on the far right politically, or the far left politically. Yet if we are trying to build a church for everyone, how can we do that when everyone is not welcomed? How can we do that when only some are welcomed, based upon in this case, there politics?

          Now as I said, we have some politics in the church, and we will always will. What I am proposing however, is that if the church becomes highly embroiled in politics, we could very well pay a high price for it. Some churches in this category, have lost a lot of church members, and sometimes fighting and arguing has ensued. Yet our mission as a United Methodist Church is to first foremost, “To Make disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world.” This means that as a church, we need to be focused on Jesus Christ.

          Instead of the culture changing the church then, the church is charged with changing the culture. We as the church should create a model for how we as Christians, and all people, can live together, while having political differences. For in this church we have some Democrats and some Republicans, some people with other party affiliations, or some with none, yet we all love each other, don’t we.

          Well in modeling this sermon for this morning, in part, from our reading from the Book of James, let’s look at that scripture. The reading begins by saying, “Are any of you wise and understanding? Show that your actions are good with a humble lifestyle that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13, CEB). It is hard to do this though, when we are completely politically divided, and are fighting.

          The Book of James goes on to say, “However, if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, then stop bragging and living in ways that deny the truth” (James 3:14, CEB). Politics my brothers and sisters, can destroy us.

          The Book of James then says, “This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is from the earth, natural and demonic. Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and everything that it is evil” (James 3:15-16, CEB).

          The Book of James reading then says, “What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine. Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts” (James 3:17-18, CEB). So we are called to justice, but how do we accomplish that justice? How political, do we make the church? Can politics destroy the church?

          Now the next verses from this Book of James reading are somewhat piercing for me. They say, “What is the source of conflict among you? What is the source of your disputes? Don’t they come from your cravings that are at war in your own lives? You long for something you don’t have, so you commit murder. You are jealous for something you can’t get, so you struggle and fight” (James 4:1-2b, CEB).

          The Book of James reading then says, “You don’t have because you don’t ask. You ask and don’t have because you ask with evil intentions, to waste it on your own cravings” (James 4:2c-3, CEB).

          The Book of James reading then concludes by saying, “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you” (James 4:7-8a, CEB).

          So brothers and sisters, “Politics in the Pulpit.” How do we handle such things? How do we address social, economic, and political issues, without talking about them? Well, I think we do need to talk about them, but I also think that we need to be careful that our own agendas, that own ambitions, and that our own desires don’t take over the church. While the church is about Jesus Christ, and while the church is called to change the world, while it’s called to do justice, many of us are called by God to do this differently.

          Many of us are concerned about issues like the economy, the lack of high paying jobs, the cost of college education, high taxes, terrorist groups like ISIS, our national defense, and etc. and etc. Where we disagree though, is over how to address these particular issues and problems. When the church then takes a strong stand one side, they can in effect isolate those good and loving people, who see things differently.

          If we truly have a church that loves and accepts all people, that means we have to love and accept people with different beliefs. Otherwise, we will have a church that is “Hijacked.”

          In the book “Hijacked: Responding to the Partisan Church Divide,” written by Rev. Mike Slaughter, and Rev. Charles E. Gutenson, this issue of politically polarized churches is discussed. In this book the authors say this about the church, “As followers of Jesus we are not to define nor are we to divide ourselves according to the ideologies and platforms of Caesar. The two extremes of rigid conservative and relativistic liberalism can destroy Christ’s mission in the world though his church” (Hijacked, 31).  

          The authors of this book then say this about “Politics in the Pulpit.” They say, “Unity in Christ will not mean an end to differences. The Democrats and Republicans in our pews will still disagree over the issues and people governing our nation. But if our common mission as disciples takes precedence over our partisan political views, we can live and work for good peaceable together in Jesus’ name” (Hijacked, 108).

          In the Gospel of Mark reading from this morning, Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me isn’t actually welcoming me but rather the one who sent me” (Mark 9:37, CEB). Jesus didn’t say Republican children, or Democrat children. Instead, he just said children. We have to love all people, while still having our differences.

          So with this said, I am going to be really political for a minute and talk about Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders. Recently, Bernie Sanders, who is a senator from the State of Vermont, and a presidential candidate, went to speak at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Now for those of you that don’t know, Liberty University is an extremely conservative and evangelical Christian University. Yet they asked the democratic-socialist, Bernie Sanders to speak there. When I first heard this, I was perplexed that Liberty University would ask Bernie Sanders to come speak to the University, as Mr. Sanders has vastly different political views than much of the University. To me, it would be the equivalency of Hillary Clinton being asked to speak at an NRA event.

          So I watched Bernie Sander’s speech at Liberty University. Bernie Sanders, a Jew, a democratic-socialist, quoted the Book of Amos, and the Gospel of Matthew. He then passionately talked about how Christians and all people should treat each other. He talked about our moral and ethical responsibilities to one another. After he was done, one of the leaders of Liberty University then offered to pray for him, his family, and his campaign. Now I am quite confident that much of that university will not plan on voting for Mr. Sanders. Yet common ground was found. People heard him, and received him. A conversation was had.

          Further, I don’t believe that it is always bad when politics invade the pulpit. Examples of this, where when women were pushing for the right to vote in the early 1900’s, or when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. pushed for civil rights for African Americans. Is “Politics in the Pulpit,” always wrong then? No, I don’t think so? Yet I think that the church should follow God’s leading around “Politics in the Pulpit.” We need to be very careful about “Politics in the Pulpit.”

          I would like to close this morning with a comparison. Specifically, I want to talk about the faiths of two specific American presidents. While I am doing this, I would ask that you try to look at these two men as people, not as a Republican or a Democrat.

          The first president that I want to talk about is President Jimmy Carter. Jimmy Carter, I would argue is probably one of the most devote Christian Presidents that we ever had. Did and do everyone agree with his politics and his social views? No, some differ. Can we argue though, that President Jimmy Carter isn’t a devout follower of Jesus Christ? Can we deny all he has done with Habitat for Humanity, for peace in the Middle East, and in general? We might not think that he was a great president, but do we honestly doubt his faith?

          The next president that I want to talk about is President Ronald Reagan. A president who was vastly different than President Jimmy Carter. Yet Ronald Reagan often talked about his faith. We have scores of speeches, whether video or text, where Ronald Reagan talks about his faith in God. Now in the same way, you might not think that Ronald Reagan was a great president. You might not have liked Ronald Reagan’s politics, but can you say that he didn’t believe in Jesus Christ? That he didn’t have faith in God?

          I give these two examples of United States presidents, to make this point, there are Christians on all sides of the political map. We might debate with them, and ask them how on earth they could hold the social view that they do? Yet, can we deny that there are Christians on all sides of the political map?

          I believe that if a church is moved by the Holy Spirit to so, they can get political, as it has worked in the past. It worked to end slavery, it worked to get women the right to vote, it worked to get civil rights, but I still think that “Politics in the Pulpit” is something that we should take very seriously.

          What I try to do then, is constantly look at the mission of the United Methodist Church, which again says, “To Make disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world.” First and foremost then, I think we need to make sure that we are focusing on Jesus Christ. If politics then coincide with Jesus Christ, then that can work, but may the God Lord help us if our churches ever become politically divided, divisive, and “Hijacked.” “Politics in the Pulpit” is something then that we should always consider through a lens of Jesus Christ. The one who died for everyone, with no exceptions. Amen.

         

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost - 09/13/15 Sermon - “Wisdom shouts in the street" The "Wisdom" series, Part 2 of 2”

Sunday 09/13/15 Freeville/Homer Ave UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Wisdom shouts in the street”

(The “Wisdom” series: Part 2 of 2)                     

                                 

Old Testament Lesson: Proverbs 1:20-33

                                            

New Testament Scripture: James 3:1-12

Gospel Lesson: Mark 8:27-38

          My friends, my sisters and brothers, welcome once again on this the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost nearly two-thousand years ago, the disciples were sitting in that upper room, when suddenly, the Holy Spirit moved like a mighty wind, like a mighty fire. On this day, the disciples and the early Christians finally had the courage to go forth preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and transforming the world. On this day, the Christian Church was officially born.

          This morning however, I am doing the second part of my preaching series, called the “Wisdom” series. Specifically, last week I preached out of the Book of Proverbs, which I will also be preaching out of this morning. The Book of Proverbs has long been known as a book of “Wisdom.” The word “Proverb” itself, means “a short wise saying,” or a “comparison” (Africa Bible Commentary).

I would encourage us all to take a few moments today or this week, to open up the Book of Proverbs. So that we may read of the great human and Godly wisdom that it contains. Since the Book of Proverbs is a book of “Wisdom” then, I have called this preaching series the “Wisdom” series.

          In the first week of this two part preaching series, I last week, isolated a part of the verse from Proverbs 21:1, which says “A good reputation is better than much wealth” (Prov. 22:1a, CEB). The reality then, is that as a church, our welcoming nature, our love, and our reputation, are worth far more than the wealth that the church has. For I have seen in my short life, fully attended churches, that are doing great work in the community and the world, with very little money. I have also seen massive churches, with massive endowments, and massive assets, yet with congregations that are dwindling down to nothing.

          Now I personally am a fan of a full church that is doing great work in the community and the world, which also has a massive endowment and massive assets. The overarching point from last Sunday though, is that who we are, how we live, how treat each other, and how represent Jesus Christ, makes up a great part of what our reputations are as individuals, as a church, and in general. While we seem to have a world that is run in many places by greed and corruption, money cannot always buy a reputation. We must strive to live the reality that “A good reputation is better than much wealth” (Prov. 22:1a, CEB). 

          Well I don’t know about you, but when I read the Book of Proverbs, I certainly read a book of great “Wisdom,” but when I read it, I also read where I am lacking to. For to me, the Book of Proverbs is a book of great “Wisdom,” but it is also sometimes a book of great conviction for me. As sometimes I read the Book of Proverbs and say to myself, “Yep, I need to work on that one. Oh, there is another one! I need to work on that one to.”

          I think though, that we should try to read the Book or Proverbs with hope and encouragement, not shame and guilt. I don’t believe that we serve a God of shame and guilt, but rather that we serve a God of love and forgiveness. A God who desperately wants to know us. Who desperately wants to be in relationship with us. A God who pursues us, and a God who never lets us go. It would seem that sometimes in fact, that God’s truths are all around us. That even in the streets themselves, we can find where God is present.

          With this said, the second and last part of this two part preaching series on the Book of Proverbs, is called “Wisdom shouts in the street” (Prov. 1:20a, CEB). This scripture is taken from the first part of verse 1, from the reading from Proverbs 1, from this morning. Now as we are thinking about the title of this sermon, “Wisdom shouts in the street,” let’s first talk about what this scripture is not (Prov. 1:20a, CEB).

          For example, for those of you who work in Ithaca, and have been present for the glory and the wonder that is “Slope Day,” you might know what I mean here. “Slope Day” is a longtime college tradition, and during it, you might have very well heard some shouting in the street. I would argue though, that the shouting that you heard in the street, was likely not wisdom. In fact, based upon how much fermented hops was in the individual or individuals that were shouting in the street, you might have something that was quite contrary to wisdom.

          Now, for those who live in Cortland, and have experienced the glory and wonder of “Cortaca Jug,” you may have also heard shouting in the street. Was it “Wisdom” you heard though? Or were the mumbled words heard by you, representative of drinking too much Budweiser? Further, when SUNY Cortland wins a football game against Ithaca College, I could never figure out why the reaction of some, not all, is to trash the streets of Cortland? I mean, didn’t they win the game? “Wisdom shouts in the street” (Prov. 1:20a, CEB).

          I can also say that majority of NFL or sports tailgate parties that I have ever attended or have seen, have not fulfilled the meaning of the Book of Proverbs verse “Wisdom shouts in the street,” from this morning(Prov. 1:20a, CEB).

          The author of the Book of Proverbs itself, which could have been in part, King David’s son Solomon, is attempting to convey to us human and Godly “Wisdom.” The Book of Proverbs is sometimes also titled “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,” as the book is introduced as such (Africa Bible Commentary). Now King David’s son King Solomon, also rebuilt the great temple in Jerusalem, that we often call King Solomon’s Temple.

          So what does the author or authors mean then, when they wrote “Wisdom shouts in the street” (Prov. 1:20a, CEB)? Well first and foremost, this author is making a short wise statement, or a comparison. You see, historically speaking, people would preach or convey ideas of wisdom in the streets, or on street corners. Maybe this is where we get the phrase, “get off of your soap box,” as people would stand on such things to be better seen and heard when speaking.

          Well, the portion of the verse from Proverbs 1:20a that I chose as a sermon title for this morning, ends with these words, “in the public square she raises her voice” (Prov. 1:20b, CEB). It would seem then, that the author of at least this portion of the Book of Proverbs, identifies a wise person, as being a woman. I can’t say that I am shocked about this. Also, “public squares” have long been places of preaching, speaking, and sharing ideas and “Wisdom” (Prov. 1:20b, CEB).

          The Book of Proverbs continues to say, “Above the noisy crowd, she calls out. At the entrances of the city gates, she has her say: How long will you clueless people love your naiveté, mockers hold their mocking dear, and fools hate knowledge?” (Prov. 1:21-22, CEB). The author is saying, God has sent messengers, with “Wisdom,” and knowledge. Why do you ignore them, the author says? Why do you not listen, the author says?

          The scripture then continues on to say, “You should respond when I correct you. I’ll reveal my words to you. I invited you, but you rejected me; I stretched out my hand to you, but you paid no attention” (Prov. 1:23-24, CEB). God says, I am right here, calling to you. “I stretched out my hand to you” (Prov. 1:24b, CEB).

          The scripture then says, “You ignored all my advice, and you didn’t want me to correct you. So I’ll laugh at your disaster; I’ll make fun of you when dread comes over you, when terror hits you like a hurricane, and your disaster comes in like a tornado, when distress and oppression overcome you” (Prov. 1:25-27, CEB).  

          It would seem then, that “Wisdom” has a limit to her patience. Now this particular wisdom is often seen as the voice of wise people, in this case a woman. It is very probable that God is working through these particular wise persons. Yet as humans, we all have our limitations don’t we? We all have limits to how far we can be pushed. The woman here who represents “Wisdom” is no different.

          The scripture then says, “Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will seek me, but won’t find me because they hated knowledge and didn’t choose the fear of the LORD” (Prov. 1:28-29, CEB). In this way then, do we need to wake up to the “Wisdom” of God, and to the people that God has put in our path? If we die without knowing God, is it then too late for us? I personally would say yes it is.

          The scripture then says, “They didn’t want my advice; they rejected all my corrections. They will eat from the fruit of their way, and they’ll be full of their own schemes.” (Prov. 1:30-31, CEB). Do we continue to ignore and run from God?

          The scripture then ends by saying, “The immature will die because they turn away; smugness will destroy fools. Those who obey me will dwell securely, untroubled by the dread of harm” (Prov. 1:32-33, CEB).

          Now some of us might find the final verses of this reading from the Book of Proverbs from this morning, to be harsh, or very hard to comprehend. Yet haven’t we our whole lives been given advice and wisdom from our parents and others? How many of us when we were young didn’t take that advice, because we thought that we knew better? How many of us also paid a dear price for not heading the advice of the wise people in our lives? How many of us can honestly say that our lives have been much better after knowing God, and after having faith in Jesus Christ?

          So, how does all of this connect to Jesus Christ then? Well this morning in the Gospel of Mark reading, we have that famous scene where Jesus Christ is asking his disciples individually, “who do people say I am?” (Mark 8:27c, CEB). The responses are this, “They told him, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others one of the prophets” (Mark 8:28, CEB).

          The Jesus asked, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am? Peter answered, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29, CEB). Jesus then tells the disciples and the early followers, that he will soon be tortured and crucified (Mark 8:31, CEB). Jesus then said to all present, “All who want to come after me must say not to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34b, CEB).

          Now these words aren’t recorded in any of the gospels, but when I was preparing this morning’s message from the Book of Proverbs reading, I liked to think that Jesus said, “I have spoken to you on the streets. I have spoken to you in the public squares, at the city gates, and in massive crowds. Did you hear me? Or do you ignore me and my message? Do you ignore the truth, the salvation, and the “Wisdom” that I am offering?”

          This morning friends, brothers and sisters, “Wisdom shouts in the street” (Prov. 1:20a, CEB). Do we hear the shouts, or do we just ignore them, and walk on by? Do hear Jesus, and do we trust him and follow him?

          Friends, brothers and sisters, I would like to share a story with you about having a relationship with Jesus Christ. The story is called “An Empty Chair,” and the source of this story is unknown. Here is how the story goes: “A man’s daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The priest assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. “I guess you were expecting me,” he said. “No, who are you?” “I’m the new associate at your local church,” the pastor replied. “When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up.” “Oh yeah, the chair,” said the bedridden man. “Would you mind closing the door?” Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.”

“I’ve never told anyone this, not even my daughter,” said the man. “But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head.” “I abandoned any attempt at prayer,” the old man continued, “until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, ‘Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here’s what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It’s not spooky because he promised, ‘I’ll be with you always.’ Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you’re doing with me right now.”

“So, I tried it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.”

“The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her daddy had died that afternoon. “Did he seem to die in peace?” he asked.”

“Yes, when I left the house around two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange. In fact, beyond strange-kinda weird. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed.”

Friends, sisters and brothers, “Wisdom shouts in the street” (Prov. 1:20a, CEB). The power of God and his Son Jesus Christ, can transform us all, if we listen, and if we believe. Do we hear the “Wisdom”? Do we hear the call of Jesus Christ? May we all come to Jesus, and live. Amen.  

 

         

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost - 09/06/15 Sermon - “A good reputation is better than much wealth" The "Wisdom" series, Part 1 of 2”

Sunday 09/06/15 Freeville/Homer Ave UMC’s

Sermon Title: “A good reputation is better than much wealth”

(The “Wisdom” series: Part 1 of 2)                     

                                 

Old Testament Lesson: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

                                            

New Testament Scripture: James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17

Gospel Lesson: Mark 7:24-37

          Friends, brothers and sisters, welcome once again on this the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. On the day of the Pentecost, the Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way, and the early church was born. Here we are, nearly two-thousand years later, trying to figure out this thing called faith. He we are, nearly two-thousand years later, trying to be more like Jesus Christ.

          This morning though, I want to talk about reputations. You know, what people think of me, what people think of you, and what people think of us. Our reputations are significant.  In fact, in the Book of Proverbs reading from this morning, it says in 22:1 that, “A good reputation is better than much wealth” (Prov. 22:1a, CEB).

Historically speaking, part of what made many people want to join the early Christian Church, was the reputation of the church. You see, most people in the time period of the early Christian Church had never encountered Christianity before. They didn’t even know what a Christian was. Further, maybe they had never even heard of Jesus Christ, or didn’t know why the church even existed in the first place. Yet many people in the time period of the early Christian Church, watched and studied the Christians from a distance. Some from the early church members would also come and preach the saving message of Jesus Christ, to those who had never heard it before. After doing this, some of these listeners became Christians and joined the church, but many held back for a while. These people just watched, and studied, and tried to understand. Who are these Christians, they said? Why are they here, they said? What do they want, they said?

          The reality though is this, many people in the early Christian Church, and even today, became or become part of the church not just because they were told the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of them joined, because they saw a model of love, kindness, and caring that was so powerful, that they were attracted to it, like metal to a magnet.

For even when Jesus Christ walked the earth, people didn’t just follow him because of his words alone, but he also had a presence about him. There was something different about him. He created a group of followers that modeled love, caring, and kindness, unlike anything the people around them had ever seen before. Since this was true, the church grew.

          Since Jesus Christ had the power to love, heal, and forgive, many came to follow him. Then after Christ was crucified and resurrected, many came to join the Christian Church, because that love, that power, and that grace from God was still at work. This love, this power, and this grace from God, is still at work in us here today to. So people historically and even today, that heard that the Christian Church was loving, caring, and grace filled, might have joined because of this. “A good reputation is better than much wealth” (Prov. 22:1a, CEB).  

          Beyond just our words then sisters and brothers, what we do matters. When we as Christians go outside of this building, people see who and what we are. Sometimes as believers then, we need wisdom from God, and from each other, to be all that Jesus Christ has called us to be.

          In this way, I am starting a two-week sermon series this morning called the “Wisdom” series. I am calling it the “Wisdom” series, because I will be preaching out of the Book of Proverbs, this week and next week. The Book of Proverbs is a book of wisdom.

          This week, which is the first of the two parts of this series, is taken from Proverbs 22:1, that I said a couple of minutes ago, “A good reputation is better than much wealth” (Prov. 22:1a, CEB). Meaning that who we are as Christians, and who we are as people, is what makes our reputation. Now granted, the only one that we really need to please is God. Yet the Christian Church grows in part through our love, kindness, caring, and yes our reputations.

If a church has a good pastor for example, and if that pastor really loves the people, then that pastor will have a reputation as such. Due to this, some people might then want to visit a Sunday morning service, to hear this pastor, as the pastor has a good reputation. “Were heard that she really loves the people,” they may say.

          Now once again, the church should not grow and be built, merely on the reputation of the church. It should be grown on Jesus Christ. We are human though, aren’t we? In this way, for many of us, before we get into all the “churchy” stuff of being part of a church, when we visit for the first time, we say to ourselves, “who are these people?” “Is this a place for me?”

          As some of you might know, the Freeville United Methodist Church recently bought four new beautiful road signs that are affixed at all four roads leading into Freeville. At the bottom of these very beautiful signs, it says, “All Welcome.” Now being the nerd that I am, and wondering how “All Welcome” on a church sign can affect a church’s reputation, I looked up the definition of the word “Welcome.” I found the following definitions from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. These are the definitions: 1. to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality, and 2. to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of. It isn’t always easy sometimes to be this welcoming is it?

          When looking at the reading from the Book of James from this morning, James talks about two persons coming into worship or a meeting. James says, “One has a gold rings and fine clothes, while the other is poor, dressed in filthy rags” (James 2:2b, CEB). James then challenges us with the question, of who should be more welcomed? The rich person, or the poor person? James then encourages us in verse 8, to “Love you neighbor as yourself,” as he was quoting his brother, Jesus Christ (James 2:8b, CEB).

          To me then, while I believe that Jesus Christ was God on earth, while I believe in scripture, and things like the Holy Trinity, I realize that church at the heart of it, grows because of relationships. It grows in part because of the love and the reputation that we have. I have seen churches before that are massive in size, and could have buildings that are worth millions of dollars. These churches might have massive endowment funds. They might have enough money to sustain the church for years, yet the congregation is so small. Sisters and brothers, “A good reputation is better than much wealth” (Prov. 22:1b, CEB).

          Well before jumping into the scripture for this morning from the Book of Proverbs more, I want to talk a little bit about our Gospel of Mark reading for this morning. In this reading, Jesus heals a child that was “possessed by an unclean spirit,” and then helped a deaf man to hear (Mark 7:24-37, CEB). In the last verse of this gospel reading the crowd reacted to Jesus’ healing of the deaf man (Mark 7:37, CEB). This crowd then said of Jesus Christ, “He does everything well! He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who can’t speak” (Mark 7:37, CEB). So Jesus had and has a good reputation. “A good reputation is better than much wealth” (Prov. 22:1a, CEB).

          Now friends, if we have a savior that has this sort of power, and I believe that we do. If we have a savior that has overcome this world, and has overcome sin and death, which I believe we do, then the joy and the love that we radiate from ourselves, is what people often first see.

           I remember when Melissa and I were attending the Moravia/Locke United Methodist Church, we had a guest preacher come in one Sunday. This preacher in their sermon wanted to know why people joined or attended that church. He then asked people to raise their hands if they joined the church, because the sermons were good. When he did this, about 5-10% of the people raised their hands. He then asked if people joined for the music or the beauty of the building, and again he got about 5-10% of people raising their hands. Then he asked a few other questions, and got just a couple of hands for each one of those questions.

          The last question that he asked though, was this, “How many of you joined or attend this church because one or more people from this church loved you, ministered to you, and made you feel welcomed here?” With that about 70-80% of the hands in the sanctuary were raised. The pastor just smiled, and calmly invited everyone to look around at the raised hands. People were in amazement, that so many hands were raised for that question. He then said, “Friends, this is the power of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and this what makes the church so great and so strong.”

          You see, we can do all of the Christian rituals perfect. I can stand in just the right spot on Sunday morning. I can say just the right things, but the Christian faith has always grown, first and foremost, through grace, love, and hope. When we offer all people grace, love, and hope, then all of the sudden Jesus Christ becomes even more desirable. If we have been so changed by the love of Jesus Christ ourselves, then people will say, “then maybe I can be changed to?”

          Admittedly though, we do have some days that we just don’t want to be good and loving, don’t we. We have days that we are tired, grouchy, and irritable. We all do, and we aren’t perfect, but we do serve a perfect God. When we come together though and do our best to extend grace, love, and hope to all people, watch what will happen in the church. I know, because I have seen it over and over.

          So this morning the Book of Proverbs says, “A good reputation is better than much wealth” (Prov. 22:1a, CEB). The Book or Proverbs reading then continues on to say, “high esteem is better than silver and gold” (Prov. 2:1b, CEB). The next verse then says, “The rich and the poor have this is common: the LORD made them both” (Prov. 22:2, CEB). This Christian Church then, should be a place that all people feel what the Merriam-Webster dictionary defined as being “Welcome.” While it is hard sometimes, when this happens, the church and the whole community will transformed.

          The Book of Proverbs reading then continues on to say, “Those who sow injustice will harvest evil; the rod of their fury will come to an end” (Prov. 22:8, CEB). This verse then, is the opposite of welcome, the opposite of extending grace, love, and hope.

          Yet the next verse says, “Happy are generous people, because they give some of their food to the poor” (Prov. 2:9, CEB). You see there are people in our communities that are contemplating coming to this church, and a massive part of their decision will be us. I heard a preacher say once, “that we as believers, might be the only Bible that someone else ever sees or reads.” Following Jesus Christ then, isn’t always easy, but there is nothing better.

          The scripture from the Book of Proverbs for this morning, ends with 22:22-23, that says, “Don’t steal from the poor, because they are poor. Don’t oppress the needy in the gate. The LORD will take up their case and press the life out of those who oppress them” (Prov. 22:22-23m CEB).

          Friends, brothers and sisters, sometimes I fail to be all that Jesus Christ has called me to be. What I try to do though, every day, and every Sunday, is to extend grace, love, and hope, to all people. For this is what Jesus Christ did, and the last time that I checked, it changed the world.

I want to share with you a story about compassion, called “Lunch With God,” submitted by Kathy Pinto. Here is how it goes: “There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer, and he started his journey.”

“When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.”

“As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave but before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”

“Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, “Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?” She replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” But before her son responded, she added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

“Too often we under estimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!”

Friends, brothers and sisters, “A good reputation is better than much wealth” (Prov. 22:1a, CEB). For God created the universe, this world, us, and everything, with a purpose. God sent his son Jesus Christ to earth with a purpose. God fills us with his Holy Spirit, for a purpose. Jesus called his disciples and followers to build his church for a purpose. Our purpose as individuals then, and our purpose as a church then, is to extend grace, love, and hope to all people. To “make disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world.” Brothers and sisters, there are some people in our communities that are hurting, that desperately need grace, love, and hope. Let us seek to be all the Jesus Christ has called to be. Amen.