Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - First Sunday of Advent - 12/03/17 Sermon - “The Hope of the promised Messiah" ("The Hope of Christmas" Series - Part 1 of 5)

Sunday 12/03/17 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “The Hope of the promised Messiah”

(“The Hope of Christmas” Series – Part 1 of 5)

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

                                            

New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Gospel Lesson: Mark 13:24-37

          Happy First Sunday of Advent my sisters and brothers! In this being our first Sunday of this Advent Season, I thought that I would review for us all, just what Advent is. Further, why do we have a season of the church liturgical calendar called Advent, anyway?

          Well here is some explanation or review of what Advent is, as it says:

“Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming". The term "Advent" is also used in Eastern Orthodoxy for the 40-day Nativity Fast, which has practices different from those in the west”.

“Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used to refer to the Second Coming of Christ. For Christians, the season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from three different perspectives. "Since the time of Bernard of Clairvaux (d.1153) Christians have spoken of the three comings of Christ: in the flesh in Bethlehem, in our hearts daily, and in glory at the end of time." The season offers the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert for his Second Coming.”

“Advent is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (sometimes known as Advent Sunday), the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew's Day (30 November), in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, the Western Rite of the Orthodox Church, and in the Anglican, Lutheran, Moravian, Presbyterian and Methodist calendars. In the Ambrosian Rite and the Mozarabic Rite of the Catholic Church, Advent begins on the sixth Sunday before Christmas, the Sunday after St. Martin's Day (11 November)”.

“Practices associated with Advent include keeping an Advent calendar, lighting an Advent wreath, praying an Advent daily devotional, lighting a Christingle, as well as other ways of preparing for Christmas, such as setting up Christmas decorations, a custom that is sometimes done liturgically, through a hanging of the greens ceremony” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent).

          In many churches therefore, today is the first day of our church calendar year. As the church year begins with Advent, and ends with Christ the King Sunday.

          The season of Advent and Lent, are not biblical seasons, in the sense that they are clearly laid out in the Bible. They did develop out of church tradition however, and for millions and millions of Christians, these seasons prove to be a good time of spiritual and otherwise preparation for Christmas, and with Lent, Easter.

          In the definition of Advent that I just read for us all, one part says again:

“Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used to refer to the Second Coming of Christ. For Christians, the season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from three different perspectives. "Since the time of Bernard of Clairvaux (d.1153) Christians have spoken of the three comings of Christ: in the flesh in Bethlehem, in our hearts daily, and in glory at the end of time." The season offers the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert for his Second Coming” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent).

          So historically speaking, the season of Advent was about three different anticipated comings of Jesus Christ. The first and the most obvious one, is of course the birth of Jesus Christ. This is the nativity or the manger scene that many of us know all too well. The second coming of Christ, is us asking Christ into our hearts and our lives anew each and every day. The third coming of Christ, is the return to earth of Jesus Christ. This is the “Second Coming” of Christ, or Christ’s “Triumphant Return”.

          We can see this reality in our gospel of Mark reading for this morning, as we are given an Apocalyptic or Eschatological gospel reading. This is to say, a gospel reading that speaks of the end of times, and the return of Jesus Christ to earth. This is exactly what the scripture reading from the Gospel of Mark is saying this morning. Someone might ask, “Why would we have a gospel reading about Christ’s return or Second Coming to earth, in a season where we are supposed to preparing to remember his birth?” The answer to this is historically speaking, the season of Advent has been about the birth of Christ, spiritually inviting Christ into our hearts daily, and the “Second Coming” of Christ to earth. This is why we are given this reading from the gospel of Mark for this morning.

          Before jumping into our gospel of Mark reading for this morning however, I want to mention the Apostle Paul’s reading from his first letter to the church in Corinth, or the Corinthians. In this portion of his epistle or letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul is discussing faith in Christ, as one of the ideas of Advent is continually inviting Jesus Christ into our hearts. This is what it says once again:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.

^“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:3-9, NRSV).

          So with Advent being about the birth of Christ, our spiritual renewals in Christ, and the “Second Coming” of Christ, in this scripture the Apostle Paul covers two of these. Specifically, the Apostle Paul is talking about being filled and renewed by Christ, and he also discussed Christ’s “Second Coming”. The Apostle Paul refers to this as:

“the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:8b, NRSV).

          During my first Advent Season as a pastor in 2012, I was really confused as to why our gospel reading on the First Sunday of Advent was on the “Second Coming” or Christ. As such, I just wanted to explain this, in case you have ever been confused by that.

          With of all this said, the season of Advent is supposed to be a season of anticipation, of joy, love, and of hope. In our country and in our world, I am sure that since our last Advent Season, that losing hope could potentially be more likely than gaining hope for some of us.

          This is a season where among other things, we are awaiting the birth of Christ. Sometimes in our own lives we are waiting and we are hoping for many things. Maybe we awaiting Santa Claus eagerly on Christmas Eve. I like to see movies that portray the 1950’s, where children are gazing into the showcase window of the department store. The children look at the train set, and all the other wonders. Perhaps for them, the hope and joy they feel, is hoping that one of those items will be under their Christmas tree on Christmas morning. This is supposed to be a season of excitement, joy, wonder, and hope.

          Yet on that first Advent, that first Christmas, many were hoping for a better tomorrow. For many people, there faith in Jesus isn’t just about going to heaven one day, it isn’t just about being forgiven. It is also about the hope that we have in Christ, and that through Christ we can have a better tomorrow. We hope a better world for our children, and our children’s children.

          For me, “The Hope of Christmas,” is Jesus Christ. As a result, this is the sermon series that I will be preaching through Christmas Eve.

          This morning my sermon title is called, “The hope of the promised Messiah”. I don’t know about you, but if were living in captivity and under great oppression like the Jews were under Roman rule in the times of Jesus’ birth, well I might be pining for a savior to. The coming of the Messiah isn’t merely about the person of Christ, it is also about what it represents to us. The idea that we can believe that through this coming child, this Jesus, we can have and build a better world. This is why I have hope in Christ in the season of Advent, Christmas, and in general.

          In looking at our reading from the gospel of Mark for this morning it is rather Apocalyptic, Eschatological, and discusses the return or “Second Coming” of Jesus Christ. In fact, the subtitle over this section of Mark 13 in your pew bible is entitled: “The Coming of the Son of Man”. This scripture begins with:

“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened,
    and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven (Mk. 13:24-27, NRSV).

          On this first Sunday of Advent, we are given a narrative on the return or “Second Coming” of Jesus Christ. I have heard some Christians that are having a bad day, or a bad week say something like, “Well if Jesus came back right now, that would be just ok with me”!

          Jesus then compares this to a fig tree and says:

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away     (Mk. 13:28-31, NRSV).

          So in this first Sunday of Advent, we don’t hear about the coming birth of Jesus Christ. Instead we hear about his “Second Coming” to earth.

          The gospel reading for this morning then ends with this:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake”

(Mk. 13:32-37, NRSV)

          Not a very “Christmassy” scripture if you ask me, but a reminder. This reminder historically speak, is that we have a savior named Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come.

          I hope and pray that in the busyness that is this season, you may find anew the joy, wonder, and the hope that is Jesus Christ. Amen.

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - United Methodist Student Sunday/Christ the King Sunday - 11/26/17 Sermon - “Living the Mission"

Sunday 11/26/17 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Living the Mission”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 100

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25:31-46

          Welcome again, my friends, my sisters and brothers in Christ, on this our United Methodist Student Sunday, and on this our Christ the King or Reign of Christ Sunday.

          The United Methodist Church has six special giving Sundays every year, and the special giving Sunday that we have today goes to help United Methodist Students with college and or seminary school scholarships. This way, students that might otherwise not be able to go to school, or who can be assisted in going to school, can much more easily do this with the help of your financial gifts. This special gift therefore, helps United Methodist Students to achieve their dreams, and to fulfill the callings that God has placed on their lives. If you are interested in giving to this special giving Sunday, please mark the funds “United Methodist Student Sunday”. You can write this on an envelope, or on the memo line of your check.

          With this all said, this Sunday is also Christ the King, or Reign of Christ Sunday. As you might have guessed, this is a special Sunday where we look at Jesus Christ, our belief that he is our King, and the mission that he has called all of us to. In scripture, among the many other titles that Jesus is given, he is called the “King of Kings”.

          From the research that I have done, this special Christ the King or Reign of Christ Sunday, is newer in life of many of our churches. Let me read to you a little bit of the history about where this Sunday came from. This is what it says:

“The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, commonly referred to as the Feast of Christ the King, is a relatively recent addition to the Western liturgical calendar, having been instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI for the Roman Catholic Church. In 1970 its Roman Catholic observance was moved to the final Sunday of Ordinary Time. Therefore, the earliest date on which it can occur is 20 November and the latest is 26 November. Traditional Catholics observe it on its original date, the last Sunday of October. The Anglican, Lutheran, and many other Protestant churches adopted it along with the Revised Common Lectionary, occasionally referring to it as Christ the King Sunday. It is also observed on the same computed date as the final Sunday of the ecclesiastical year, the Sunday before the First Sunday of Advent, by Western rite parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.[1] Roman Catholics adhering to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite as permitted under the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum use the General Roman Calendar of 1960, and as such continue to observe the Solemnity on its original date of the final Sunday of October.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_Christ_the_King).

I know that some of that was probably pretty wordy, but in essence, this Sunday was created to celebrate and worship our King, Jesus Christ. Our savior, the “King of Kings,” and the “Lord of Lords”.

          For a short part of our history therefore, we have celebrated Christ the King or the Reign of Christ Sunday, the Sunday before Advent comes. We are then raising up all that Jesus is on this Sunday, as next Sunday we will begin preparing ourselves for Jesus’ coming birth in the Advent and then Christmas seasons.

          One of the questions to consider this morning, is the question of: is Jesus Christ truly the savior of the world, and the Lord of the Universe? Are these claims important and central to the Christian faith? For me, they are very central.

          From my perspective, not only is the belief believe biblical, not only has it been the common belief for the majority of Christians for nearly 2,000 years, but it has real power to it. In claiming that Jesus is Lord, is King, we then have a savior that is powerful and mighty. Due to this, I feel spiritually strengthened do to the work that God has called me to do every day. These beliefs give me drive and purpose.

          Statements or themes of Jesus Christ being King or Lord, are spread all throughout the bible. In fact, in the Apostle Paul’s epistle or letter to the church in Ephesus, or the Ephesians reading for this mornings, he begins by saying in 1:15-17:

“I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,” (Eph. 1:15-17, NRSV)

The Apostle Paul then finishes this reading from his letter to the Ephesians, by saying in 1:21-23:

“far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all”                      (Eph. 1:21-23, NRSV).

          Well, it seems pretty clear to me, that the Apostle Paul is saying that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world, and the Lord of the universe. These are high and significant theological claims.

          So do I believe these claims? I do. I have given you my reasons for doing so, but one reason that I haven’t given you more fully yet, is that I believe for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.

          As I have said many times, the mission of the United Methodist Church, is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world”. My own understanding of this mission, is that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring people to repent of their sins, and have a relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship in which the person knows that they are forgiven, and that Jesus is there Lord and Savior. A relationship that then calls us to go out into the world and live like Jesus lived, being filled with the Holy Spirit.

          So what can such beliefs in a conversion in Christ do for us, and for the world?

          Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta believed in this power, even though there were times that she struggled and had her doubts. Yet the faith that she had, enabled her to change the world. This is why when I come to church, especially on Christ the King Sunday, I want to hear about the risen Lord and Savior, named Jesus Christ. I want to know that he died for me, that through him I can truly be forgiven, and that through him and through the power of the Holy Spirit, God can use me, even me, to “transform the world”.

          All of this means my sisters and brothers, that the gospel of Jesus Christ is real, powerful, and the hope of the world.

          Our gospel lesson this morning, is Jesus giving us another parable or story. This parable or story is often call “The parable of the sheep and the goats”. Jesus begins this parable by saying in a very apocalyptic or eschatological way:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;” (Mt. 25:31-34, NRSV).

So again this week, we have imagery of the second coming, or the return to earth of Jesus Christ. While much of this Sunday is theologically, biblically, and spiritually about who Jesus is, what Jesus says next is where I got the title of my sermon for this morning. This was also the scripture that the Christian agency that I worked with in Nicaragua had on all of their building. Jesus says next:

“ for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Mt. 25:35-40, NRSV).

Jesus, the one whom on this Christ the King Sunday, in whom I am claiming is my Lord and savior, and in whom I am claiming is Lord of the universe, is asking us to live like he lived. You see, because I believe in Jesus so strongly, in response to this faith, I can do nothing else but live out the mission of our church. Jesus says that if you give the thirsty a drink, if you welcomed a stranger, if you clothed the naked, if you cared for the sick, if you visited those who are in prison, then you have really done all of these things for Jesus himself (Mt. 25:35-40, NRSV). If we claim that Jesus Christ is a King, if we claim that he is our Lord and Savior, and the King of the universe, are we living every day like we believe that? Faith means very little, if we do nothing with it.

In the rest of this gospel parable, Jesus tells the folks that did none of these things, that they will not be rewarded. Am I claiming that we go to heaven one day through good works? I am not. I believe that we get our salvation through faith in Christ. If though, we are Christians, and if we have strong beliefs about Jesus, can people see those lived out in our daily lives? Or as one of my friends said once, “If we were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict us?”

Since I believe so strongly in Jesus, I don’t feel then that I get to pick and choose what works for me. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor, no matter who or what they are. Jesus tells us that all people are welcomed into this fellowship called the church. Jesus tells us to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, and etc. If we truly believe that Jesus Christ is the sovereign savior the world, and the Lord of the universe, would there be enough evidence to convict us as one of his followers and disciples?

My Christian faith therefore, is more than just theology, more than just doctrinal beliefs. By this I mean, I embrace the whole gospel, not just salvation in Christ, not just the Lordship of Jesus Christ, but also the mission that Christ has given to us, who are the church.

This Christ the King Sunday isn’t just to celebrate who Jesus is theologically and spiritually, but it is also about what he has called us and the church to do in the world. This world is suffering, and is broken, and I believe that when we have strong faith in Jesus Christ, that he can use us to do amazing things in this community and this world.

So on this Christ the King Sunday, this is who I say Christ the King is, and this is what I believe that he has called me and everyone to do. Christ our King calls us to follow him and build his kingdom on earth, as we await the kingdom to come. Amen.

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - 24th Sunday after Pentecost - 11/19/17 Sermon - “When they say, "There is peace and security"

Sunday 11/19/17 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “When they say, “There is peace and security”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 123

                                            

New Testament Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25:14-30

          My friends, my sisters and brothers in Christ, welcome once again on this our Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.

          This morning, on this Stewardship or Pledge Sunday, I am tasked with discussing stewardship, giving, and sacrifice. I remember growing up in various churches, sometimes hearing the preacher quote scriptures like Genesis 14:19-20. What does Genesis 14:19-20 say? It says this, speaking of Abram, who would then be called Abraham:

“He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything” (Gen. 14:19-20).

          I have heard preachers at churches that my family attended, or in general, whether on stewardship or pledge Sundays, or other Sundays, hammer home scriptures like this. Sometimes to me, it sounded like extortion! It was like pay me now, or else! When I used to do “Walk to Emmaus” spiritual retreat weekends, the cost for the weekend about $65 dollars per person. We would have a sermon given to raise money for the weekend, which we jokingly called “The Sermon on the Amount”. Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t like talking about money.

          If we read the various scriptures on giving in both the Old and New Testaments though, we will read that God is asking us to give one-tenth of all that we have to him. We hear pastors and priests say often to us from 2 Corinthians 9:7b:

“for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7b, NRSV).

          Yet I have read in various places that the average American gives about 2-3% of their income to the church that they belong to.

          Why is this happening? Well, I have some very good thoughts on this? Do you want to hear what they are?

          Let me start by asking all of you this question: for those of you that have kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, if it was an emergency, how many of you by a show of hands would freely give 10-percent of everything you had to them? For those who had their hands up, I ask you this question: why would you do that? You are not obligated under any law to give your children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren 10-percent of what you have. In fact, you are not obligated under law to leave any inheritance to your children, if you do not want to. Nor are you obligated under any civil law to give to your church.

          Therefore, I could stand here this morning and tell you all to give your children 10-percent of everything you have today after church. If I asked you all to do that, which I am not literally doing, how many of you, by a show of hands, would honestly go home and do that? How many of you would give 10-percent of everything you had to your children though, if you believed in what they needed the 10-percent for? They were going to school. They were getting married. They were buying a house. They were raising money for charity, and etc. The point is, we give when we believe in what we are giving to.

          If one of your children had a terrible disease, and the money that you have could be used to save their life, would you spend it? All of it? You are not required by law to do so, but you might because you love your child, and believe in the healing that they need.

           Giving, my brothers and sisters, I believe, is between us and God. I don’t know much anyone in this church gives, and I don’t ever want to know, because it is between you and God. As I said though, I have heard preacher’s pound home to church congregations that they must give 10-percent of everything that they have to the church.

Imagine if one of your children came into your house today and just demanded that you give them 10-percent of your money, how many of you would say “tough luck kid?” Yet if your child really needed it, and you believed in what they needed it for, wouldn’t you be much more likely to give it them?

          On some level, this is the problem that I believe we are facing in many churches in the United States. We do also have folks that have hairline budgets, and they simply just don’t have a free 10-percent. Giving though, isn’t just about money, it is also our time, our service, and using our gifts and graces to glorify God, through his son Jesus Christ. God doesn’t need our money, but we give, hopefully, because we believe in what we are giving to. I give to our relief organization, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, or UMCOR, because I believe in what it does and what it represents. If someone told me however, that I had to give to UMCOR, I would probably say, “You can’t make me!” You see how this works?

          Further, I can be very stubborn sometimes. If a pastor for example gets up to preach with a $2,000 dollar suit on, and then demands that I give him 10-percent of my pay, well good luck with that! Yet there were times that I had pastors in my life that were passionate about Jesus Christ and his gospel. Pastors that served, loved, visited, and truly cared for and the people. I have been in churches where the pastor and the people were there for me, that loved me, and because of this, I gave freely. I didn’t give freely because I was told to do so. Instead, I gave freely, because I believed in the pastor, that they loved me and my family, that they loved Jesus, that the church loved me and my family, and that they were making a difference in the world. I was a cheerful giver.

          In addition to all of this, we are also living in era where we have some churches that are shrinking, or that are literally on the brink of closure. People have asked me, “Pastor Paul, what if no one gives to the churches that you are serving”? I usually say to them, “Then they will close.” They then they often say, “Aren’t you worried about that?” My answer used to be yes, but not anymore.

          You see, the mission of the United Methodist Church, is “To make disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world”. Do I give to support the two local churches that I serve? I do. I don’t give just to give though. I give because believe in my churches, I believe in all of you, and I believe in our mission. All of these reasons is why a church this day in age, I believe, is growing and is not declining. People don’t just want to be part of an institution, and they don’t just want to be told to give. People want to believe in what they participating in, and giving to. This is exactly the reason that so money of us hate paying taxes.

          If you look at many of the scriptures on giving in the Old and New Testament, often the giving was done out of gratitude and love. Did everyone always feel this way, no probably not, but on this Stewardship or Pledge Sunday, as you are considering your giving to this church, I would ask you to do two things. One, pray, and discern what God would have you do. Two, I would ask that you believe in this church, in the people in it, that you would believe that your pastor loves you, loves your family, and prays for you. I hope and pray that you know that you have a pastor and a church that are here for you, and we have a mission that is helping to change this community and this world. I give, because I believe in what we are doing, and I hope that you do to. We also have good coffee to.

          Last Sunday, we were given lectionary readings that were apocalyptic, or “Eschatological” in nature. Once again, the word, “Eschatology,” is the study of the “last things,” or the second coming of Christ, or heaven and hell, or the final judgment, and etc.

          In our reading from the Apostle Paul’s first epistle or letter to the church in Thessalonica, or the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul continues on writing with apocalyptic, or “Eschatological” themes about the second coming of Jesus Christ to earth.

          In this scripture, the Apostle Paul writes in 5:3a:

“When they say, “There is peace and security” (1 Thess. 5:3a, NRSV).

          This of course, is where I got my sermon title for this morning. So, whether you are reading this scripture as Eschatology, as concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ to earth, or if you are reading it some other way, it seems obvious to me that the Apostle Paul is telling us to put our trust in God.

          In your pew bibles, this is all subtitled in 1 Thessalonians 5 under the subtitle: “The coming of the Lord”. The Apostle Paul begins this reading by saying:

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!”

(1 Thess. 5:1-3, NRSV).

          Now if we believe that the Apostle Paul is asserting Eschatological themes here, meaning that he is talking about the return to earth of Jesus Christ, then it is pretty clearly stated. It is also stating that the return of Christ will happen suddenly, and perhaps when we don’t expect if. If any pastor ever tells you that they know the day or the time of Christ’s return, run out of that church. Scripture tells us that no one will know the day or the hour, except that Father in heaven.

The apostle Paul then encourages us to stay spiritually awake, to be ready, to be vigilant, to be prepared, and to trust in Jesus.

The Apostle Paul ends this reading, by telling us”

 ^“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11, NRSV).

This final verse of this reading, to me, is about the nature of the church. That we are supposed to love, encourage, build up, and serve each other, and the world. In believing in our church, in our mission, and in putting our trust in Jesus Christ, the church will be strong. When this happens, the church then becomes funded, because of our faith, not because we are forced to give. The church is strong when our faith in the mission is strong.

I gave a sermon once that was a quote from the Rev. Billy Graham. The sermon title was called “A U-Haul behind a hearse”. Billy Graham famously said, that he never saw “A U-Haul behind a hearse”. This means that all of the things that we accumulate on this earth, cannot come with us to heaven, to glory.

The reality is, is that years from now, most people will never know that we even existed. Yet our faith, our love, and what we do here on this earth will echo in eternity with Jesus Christ. Most of us will be nameless to history, but faithful to God for eternity. As United Methodists, we don’t just believe in Jesus, and just have pot luck dinners, which are important. We also live our faith. We help cure diseases, provide clean drinking water, feed the hungry, serve the least of these, and etc.

My brothers and sisters, I truly believe that this church can one day be a full time pastorate again. I believe that this church can continue to grow and rise. I believe that this church can continue living into our mission in new and a powerful ways, and because of this, I am asking you to believe strongly in what we are doing here. That we are glorifying God, bringing people to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, watching them be filled with Holy Spirit, equipping them, and them sending them out into the community and the world, to serve, love, heal, and transform.

In briefly mentioning our gospel of Matthew reading for this morning, we have a pro-banking parable or story from Jesus. In this story, one servants is given 5-talents, which is a sum of money. One servant is given two-talents, and the final servant is giving one talent. The servant with 5-talents doubles the money, as does the servant with two talents. The servant with one talent though, buried it in the ground, and the money did not grow like the other servants grew the money that they were given. This servant or slave that buried the one talent, was thrown out into the darkness, were “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Mt. 25:30b, NRSV).

In this parable, God is asking us to serve him, asking us to use the gifts that he has given us. We have all been given different gifts, and in different amounts, but it up us to decide what do with them.

You see my sisters and brothers, there is only one thing that we can give God that God does not already have. That one thing, is our obedience and our love. We have to choose to say yes to God, to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit.

I don’t know about you, but I like to say yes, when I believe that my pastor is the real deal, that my church is the real deal, that I am loved by my pastor and my church, and when my church is actively pursuing its mission in transforming the world. That’s the kind of church that I want to give to. That’s the kind of church that I want to support. As one of my seminary professor’s book titles says, that’s a “Church worth getting up for”.

Sisters and brothers, on this day, I am asking you to believe anew, believe in what God has called you and this church to. Believe that the Holy Spirit can continue to lead us to brighter and brighter tomorrow. Amen.

         

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Veterans Day Sunday/23rd Sunday after Pentecost - 11/12/17 Sermon - “Planning ahead!"

Sunday 11/12/17 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Planning ahead!”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 78:1-7

                                            

New Testament Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25:1-13

          My friends, my sisters and brothers in Christ, welcome once again on this our Veterans Day Sunday worship, and this the 23^rd Sunday after Pentecost.

          As most of us probably know, yesterday was Veterans Day. To me, it is important to honor the men and women who have served in the military, as police officers, fire fighters, EMT’s, and etc., not because we are glorifying war or violence, but rather because we honoring all of those men and women who have taken up the mantle to serve, protect, and to care for the innocent.

          Today, we honor those men and women who have bravely served with valor, honor, distinction, and with great love.

          For many who have served, part of what might have made their service time more effective, was there training and preparation. Many of us have heard the famous Boy Scouts of America’s motto, “Be Prepared!” (http://usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsoathlaw.asp).

          When I was a kid, my dad in Illinois would often take a full week off of work every summer. Since he was a construction worker, and since the summer was their peak season, taking a whole week off over the summer was no small thing. Many times during this week off, my dad, my brothers, my grandfather, myself, and other extended family members, would go on a weeklong fishing trip. We often would drive somewhere up in Canada, as my dad is a diehard fisher. How diehard? Well he has various things hanging up in his house with the idea on them that he would “rather be fishing”. One year in fact, dad got an electric singing Large Mouth Bass for Christmas, and in general therefore, he has always been a diehard fisher.

          Dad is also a prepared fisher. In fact, he would begin the planning for these week long fishing trips weeks in advance. He had lists, and even sometimes charts. He would count the spools of fishing line, make sure the poles and tackle boxes were ready. Dad would also pack various snacks, and virtually every detail was taken care off. We would often leave for these fishing trips at about 2:00 am – 3:00 am, and Dad had everything planned down to the smallest detail. Did a monkey wrench or two always end up getting thrown in somewhere? It sure did, but when it came to our family fishing trips, my dad was prepared.

          My sermon title for this morning, likewise is called “Planning ahead!,” or as the Boy Scouts of America say, “Be prepared!” Now what I have learned in my short life, is that you can never truly be prepared for everything, but planning and preparing is often a good thing.

          A friend of mine who is a pastor about hour from here told me once, “Paul, in ministry you can either prepare or repair”. What this pastor meant, was that while things will happen, and problems will arise, it is always best to prepare and plan ahead.

          To connect this to what I will specifically want to talk about this morning, I want to introduce a big fancy seminary word to you. This word is called “Eschatology”. Once again, the word is called “Eschatology”. You might be thinking, “Well what does that mean”? Well, like with any term that ends with suffix “ology,” “ology” means the study of. Examples of this are biology, geology, zoology, and etc. The prefix, “Escha” in “Eschatology” translates to the “last things,” or “last” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_eschatology).

          As one source says of Christian Eschatology, or the Christian study of the “last things,” it says this:

“Christian eschatology is the study concerned with the ultimate destiny of the individual soul and the entire created order, based primarily upon biblical texts within the Old and New Testament. Christian eschatology looks to study and discuss matters such as death and the afterlife, Heaven and Hell, the Second Coming of Jesus, the resurrection of the dead, the Rapture, the Tribulation, Millennialism, the end of the world, the Last Judgment, and the New Heaven and New Earth in the world to come” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_eschatology).

          I give you this fancy seminary word of “Eschatology,” or the study of the “last things” this morning, because in this morning’s readings we hear “Eschatological” themes. We hear themes about the end of days, about the second coming of Christ.

          For example, in the Apostle Paul’s first letter or epistle to the church in Thessalonica, or the Thessalonians for this morning, he says in 4:16-17 speaking of Jesus Christ:

^“For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thess. 4:16-17, NRSV).

          If you are looking at this text in a literal way, then it is of course speaking about the second coming of Christ, or the return to earth of Jesus Christ. Some Christians might refer to this as the “rapture,” or they might have some other idea about what this scripture is trying to say about Christ’s triumphant return.

          We can also see these Eschatological claims in the historic creeds of the Christian Church, like the Nicene Creed and the Apostle’s Creed. The Nicene Creed for example, ends with the words:

“We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.”

The Apostle’s Creed ends for example, with the words:

“The resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen”

So in scripture, in historical creeds of the church, and in many writings, there are many claims about the end of days, Armageddon, heaven, the return of Christ, and etc.

Where this is all leading me to this morning, is our gospel of Matthew reading. In this reading, as Jesus so often did, he communicated his ideas, truths, and teachings, through a story or also called a parable.

The parable we are given for this morning, is commonly known as the parable of the ten bridesmaids, which by the way if you ask me, is a lot of bridesmaids!

In this parable Jesus is comparing this story to the kingdom of heaven, as he says:

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this…” (Mt. 25:1a, NRSV).

Jesus then says in this parable:

“Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Mt. 25:1b-13, NRSV).

When I first read this scripture for this morning, I thought of the importance of “Planning ahead”. I thought of the Boy Scout Motto of “Be prepared!”

I also thought, well is Jesus just speaking in genera herel, or is he saying that he is the bridegroom in this story or parable? Is Jesus saying that he will return to earth at any time? If this is true, do we need to “plan ahead” or “be prepared” to meet him when he does come? Or is Jesus just speaking in general? If Jesus is in fact making an Eschatological claim about his second coming though, and if he is saying that he will return at some point, then he is saying in this story that some will be prepared for him, and some will not. Jesus is saying therefore, that having faith in him matters, and is needed. Don’t wait, is what Jesus is saying. He is saying, repent of your sins, accept and love him as your Lord and Savior, as he will return at any point.

In fact, once again the last verse of this scripture says:

“Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Mt. 25:1b-13, NRSV).

So is Jesus simply telling bridesmaids to be prepared for the bridegroom, or is he using this analogy to tell us to be ready for when he returns to this earth in glory?

The reason then, that we have the field of study called “Eschatology” or the study of the end of days, or the “last things,” is because these ideas are all throughout scripture. They are in our historic Christian Creeds, and in numerous other places.

So what do you believe then? Do you believe that Jesus Christ after rising from dead and ascending into heaven to sit at the right hand of God, will then return to this earth one day in glory? Do you believe that the Book or Revolution is talking about the Roman Emperor Nero, or do you believe that it is talking about a literal set of events that will occur, whereby Christ’s second coming or return to earth will happen?

What is unavoidable, is the fact that these ideas, teachings, and claims are made all throughout scripture. The real question is, what do we believe?

I think that all of us can agree that it can be a good thing to “Be prepared,” or to “Plan ahead,” but do we believe that Christ will one day return to this earth in final victory?

If you don’t, that is fine, but the scriptures, the historic creeds of the church, and many other writings and teachings would seem to come together around the belief that Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, will return one day in glory.

In the gospel of Matthew 24:44 Jesus says:

^“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour” (Mt. 24:44, NRSV).

Hymn number 701 in our United Methodist Hymnal is called “When We All Get to Heaven”.

In the Hymn number 369 in our United Methodist Hymnal, called “Blessed Assurance,” it says in verse two:

“visions of rapture now burst on my sight; angels descending bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love”.

Have the vast majority of Christians believed from day one in the second coming of Jesus Christ? Yes, most of them have. Do I? Yes, I do. What do you believe? I now close this message with the ancient words that were often said after a sermon or homily, at the end of the service, or at some other time in the service, “Come Lord Jesus”. Amen.