Sidney UMC - Ash Wednesday - 02/26/2020 - Sermon - “Rule # 6!”

02/26/20 Sidney UMC – Ash Weds. Sermon

Sermon Title: “Rule # 6!”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

                                           

New Testament Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

          Friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome once again on this our Ash Wednesday. From today, Wednesday February 26, 2020 to Saturday April 11th, we are now in the 2020 season of Holy Lent. In some Christian Churches the season of Lent ends on Holy or Maundy Thursday, and in some traditions in ends on Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. In some Christian traditions, Good Friday, the day before Easter, and Easter Sunday itself are separated from the season of Lent. In some Christian Churches, the season of Lent is also celebrated on a calendar that has a different 40-day cycle.

          The season of Lent is not also strictly biblical, but Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days and nights, and during this time, he fasted and was tempted by Satan. In the Bible, we have many incidences of 40-days or years. We have Noah on the Ark for forty days and nights. We have the Jews in the wilderness for forty years, and so on and so forth. Forty, like seven, and other numbers, are very Biblical numbers.

          The early Christian Church, therefore, developed a season of spiritual preparation for us, before Christmas, called Advent, and the season of Lent leading up to Easter. Lent, like Advent is a season of spiritual preparation. As I said, Lent or Advent are not strictly Biblical seasons, as the Bible doesn’t command that we celebrate these seasons.

          These seasons developed however, and I believe they are good opportunities for us to grow closer to Christ. So, Advent and Lent, are about growing closer to Christ, among other things. Part of the reason for example, that we have Advent and Lent studies at this church, is to grow both individually and together in our faith in Christ.

           If you are looking at the calendar for the dates of the season of Lent, you might notice that there are more than 40-days between now and the Saturday (April 11^th) before Easter. There are 46-days in fact, but Sundays don’t count as part of our Lenten observance. Sundays are seen by some as “cheat days,” or days to take a break from our Lenten observance. So, there are 46-days in this holy season of Lent, but traditionally Sundays don’t count.

          In the season of Lent, some Christians have traditionally given up something that they enjoy, like chocolate, or sweets in general. During this season, people have also historically atoned for their sins, people have been prepared for Holy Baptism, and people have been prepared to join the church. Lent historically is a time to repent of our sins, to draw closer to God, to fast, to give up things, to give things away, and to model the life of Christ.

          Now I don’t think that the season of Lent is a time to hate ourselves, or to observe how awful we are, instead, it should be a season where we are humbled, where we grow in love, where we grow caring, where we grow generosity, and where we grow in faith in Christ.

          So, in this season, some might give up a food or a hobby they like, or something that they enjoy like the internet, or some might seek to give things away to model the sacrifice that Christ made for us. The point of Lent, as I said, is to grow closer to Christ.

          In our reading for this evening from Psalm 51:1-17, King David is asking God to forgive him, to cleanse him, and to blot out his transgressions and wrong doings. King David asks God for forgiveness, for a clean heart, and asks for God to help him live for him (Ps. 51:1-17, NRSV).

          The season of Lent is about repenting of our sins to God, which we all have, and drawing closer to Christ. If for you that is giving up something, giving away something, serving, loving, healing, or whatever it is, then you are observing the Lenten discipline. This season that is partially modelled on Jesus’ 40-days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness, is what we are called to observe for the next 40-days. We are called to humble ourselves and become more like Christ and to draw closer to him in this season of Lent.

          In our reading for tonight from 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, the Apostle Paul tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ. Paul tells us to be reconciled to God, as Christ who no sin, will on Good Friday die for our sins. Paul also says that as Christians and as people that sometimes we suffer for our faith. Paul lists various ways that Christian at this point have suffered. Yet none of our sufferings can compare to suffering of Christ on the cross. As a result, if we suffer, we know that Christ is with us. In this season of Lent if we give up, give away, sacrifice, fast, or cut back, we are doing so to model what Christ has done for us. We are doing this to draw closer to God. While our suffering is real, Christ is with us eternally if we but call upon him.

          In our gospel of Matthew reading for tonight once again, we hear about four different topics. We hear about giving money, praying, fasting, and storing up treasures on earth. First, Jesus tells us to not to try to look holy and righteous in front others or give money or alms so that everyone knows what you give. Be holy and give, but do so for God, for Jesus, not for an earthly reward or accolades from others (Mt. 6:1-6, NRSV).

          Jesus continues in Matthew 6:16-21, telling us not to be miserable when we fast. Whether we are fasting from food or something else, don’t look or act miserable just to try to show everyone how holy you are. Do it for God, to draw closer to Christ. Likewise, Jesus tells us not to store up treasures on earth, but rather store up treasures in heaven. Jesus ends this gospel reading with a verse from Matthew 6:21 that really says it all. Jesus says once again:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:21, NRSV).

          In our gospel lesson therefore, Jesus is giving us examples of how to be humble, giving, sacrificing, and being servants of others. These are the types of things that we are potentially invited into practicing in this our season of Lent.

          In fact, the ashes that we will receive soon tonight are symbols that we a followers of Christ, and that in this season of Lent we are journeying with him to the cross. As part of this journey may we be purified, humbled, made more loving, and become more like Christ.

          To better emphasize how we are invited to the take the focus off ourselves and put in on Christ in this season of Lent, I want to tell you this story. This story is called “Rule # 6,” which is where I got my sermon title for tonight.

          Here is how this story goes, as it says:

“That boss that just always has to be right, who doesn’t listen, who won’t accept another point of view. We’ve all experienced it. But ... truth is, when we look at ourselves, there are times when we act in ways we aren’t proud of. When we slip from the values and traits we hold dear. Stress does that. Passion does that. Remember rule number 6. I have seen reference to rule number 6 in several places, and it is one that really rings true for me”.

“Rule number 6: Two prime ministers were sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly an aide burst in, shouting and banging his fist on the desk. The host prime minister quietly said, “Peter, kindly remember Rule Number Six.” Peter was instantly restored to complete calm, apologized for the interruption, and left the room. The prime ministers resumed their discussion. Several minutes later, another aide rushed in, shouting and stamping. Again the host prime minister quietly said, “Marie, please remember Rule Number Six.” Marie calmed down immediately, apologized, and left the room”

“The visiting prime minister said “I’ve seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Tell me, what is this Rule Number Six?” The host prime minister said, “It’s really very simple. Rule Number Six is ‘Don’t take yourself so darn seriously.’” After a moment of pondering, the visiting prime minister inquired, “And what, may I ask, are the other rules?”
The host replied, “There aren’t any.” In a world of so much information, so many data points, so many lists and priorities, it is nice to only have to remember one rule” (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rule-6_b_6166638).

          Friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, this season of Holy Lent is about us drawing closer to Christ. Christ on Good Friday will lay down his life for us on the cross, to set us free from sin and guilt. Whatever we give up, give away, or do for others in this season of Lent, remember it is designed to draw us closer to him. It is to humble us, purify us, and to make us more like Jesus.

          I think one of the best ways we can do that is “Rule # 6,” to not take ourselves to darn seriously. The ashes that you will receive tonight are symbols of our need to repent of our sin, draw closer to Christ, and show the world we are living for Jesus. Friends, blessings and love as we begin this Lentin journey together. Amen.