Sidney UMC - Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany - 01/31/21 - Sermon - “The Authority and Power of Jesus!"

                                     Sunday 01/31/21 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:       “The Authority and Power of Jesus!”

Old Testament Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15-20                                       

New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:21-28

          Welcome again, on this our Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany. Four Sundays after the three wise men or magi came to visit Jesus, bearing gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

           With this said, this morning I want to talk to you about “Authority and Power”. There have been at different times in all of our lives when we have had or have experienced “Authority and Power”. To be the President of the United States, for example, is a position of great “Authority and Power”. As parents, you can ground your kids or send them to their room, if they misbehave. We all have had and or have experienced “Authority and Power”.

          As we think about “Authority and Power,” I am sure that we can think of people in our lives or that we have studied that have used their “Authority and Power” well. We can also think of people that greatly abused their “Authority and Power”. I personally, have always admired those leaders that were self-sacrificing, and who did everything and anything for there people. These were and are the leaders that led by example, who were not afraid to get into the trenches with their people, and to get their hands dirty. I admire and respect those great military and political leaders that were front and center with the very people they had so much “Authority and Power” over.

          Then there are other leaders, like Adolf Hitler, who with his eminence “Authority and Power” murdered millions and caused so much destruction and harm. Leaders like Kim Jong-Un, the dictator of North Korea, who rules his people cruelly and with an iron fist. Some leaders abuse there “Authority and Power”.

          Some leaders, as I said though, have used their power and authority to improve the lives of their people, and to make the world better. These leaders are loved, revered, and people look up to them. Then there are the leaders as I said, that are feared and hated. These leaders have and do abuse their “Authority and Power” in so many ways. Would you friends, rather be loved or feared?

          One of the military oriented and war movies that I really like is a movie starring Mel Gibson, called “We Were Soldiers”. This movie came out in 2002. In this movie, Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, who ended up a retired a three start Lieutenant General by the way, led the first major battle of the Vietnam War (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Moore). In this movie, Mel Gibson plays Lt. Colonel Hal More. Lt. Colonel Hal Moore was part of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the United States Army. In the movie and the book “We Were Soldiers,” Lt Colonel Hal Moore led his soldiers in the week-long Battle of la Drang. His soldiers were grossly outnumbered, and he and his soldiers would become surrounded, pinned down, and low on supplies.

          In this movie, prior to going into battle, Lt. Colonel Hal Moore gave a speech to his soldiers, and in this speech, he talked about how among his soldiers of the 7^th Calvary that they had people of different religions and cultures. They people of different races, and yet he said, that they were all Americans. Lt. Colonel Hal Moore then said, that when they go into battle, “that he would be the first to step foot on the field, and the last to step off, and dead or alive we will all come home together”. Lt. Colonel Hal Moore, in the movie, did exactly as he said he would do, and he was with his men in the heat of the battle, the whole time. He was the first one on the ground, and the last one to leave. He was in charge, he had great “Authority and Power,” but his “Authority and Power” was used to lead, to serve, and to guide his men. These are the types of leaders that I respect, as they used and use their vast “Authority and Power” well.

Through this time of pandemic, I want to lead well. I want to use the “Authority and Power” that I have been given by God as a pastor, to serve, to connect, to feed, to encourage, to preach the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ, and to protect the people that I love and serve. The people that I serve, the people of this community are my top priority, and since I have been given “Authority and Power” from God, I want to use it well.

As far as the movie “We Were Soldier,” Lt. Colonel Hal Moore, again, played by Mel Gibson, reached the point of the movie where the battle was over. A reporter who went in with Lt. Colonel Hal Moore and his soldiers, ended up fighting, because Lt. Colonel Hal Moore and his soldier were surround and decimated so bad. When the battle had ended, this reporter, temporarily turned soldier, told Lt. Colonel Hal Moore, that he did not know how he was going to go home to the United States and tell the American people this story. The reporter, who saw so much horror, as the whole Vietnam War was on TV, felt broken and demoralized. When the reporter told Lt. Colonel Hal Moore that he did not know how he was going to write and tell this story, Lt. Colonel Hal Moore teared up and told the reporter, you have to tell this story. He said, you have to tell them how my troopers bravely fought and died. In the movie version of “We Were Soldiers,” you could see how emotional and upset Lt. Colonel Hal Moore was over his casualties of 499 soldiers, roughly half his forces. His 1,000 soldiers ended up fighting 2,500 well trained and determined North Vietnamese soldier. You could see the love and the care he had for his men. This is a leader, a leader who used his “Authority and Power” to serve, care, and lead.

          Beyond these types of leaders and role models though, who should we look to as the ultimate leader who exercised their “Authority and Power” the best? The answer is Jesus Christ. This morning in our gospel of Mark reading, the gospel says of Jesus once again:

“²¹ They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. ²² They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mk. 1:21-22, NRSV).

          This morning in the synagogue in Capernaum, which I saw what was left of it seven years ago when I was there, is where Jesus teaches with “Authority and Power” this morning. Jesus wows everyone, and they know that he is not any ordinary person.

          Before unpacking our gospel of Mark reading more though, I want to touch on our scripture readings for this morning from the Book of Deuteronomy and 1 Corinthians. In our reading from the Book of Deuteronomy once again, the scripture talks about God raising up a voice, a prophet. The scripture says once again:

“¹⁵ The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet” (Deut. 18:15, NRSV).

          God will raise up leaders with “Authority and Power” that are good, righteous, and honest leaders. We need more leaders like this. In fact, the scripture continues in 18:18 saying once again:

“¹⁸ I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. ¹⁹ Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable”                  (Deut. 18:18-19, NRSV). 

          Jesus was and is no mere prophet, but was God in the flesh, the savior of the world, but prophets and good leaders from God exercise “Authority and Power” in good, righteous, and just ways.

          In looking at our 1 Corinthians reading briefly once again for this morning, the Apostle Paul tells us in 8:1-13 once again:

“8 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ² Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; ³ but anyone who loves God is known by him” (1 Cor. 8:1-3, NRSV).

          Leaders that lead well with “Authority and Power”, are loving, they build people up, and they make people better. In fact, the Apostle Paul continues on saying in 8:6:

“⁶ yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist” (1 Cor. 8:6, NRSV).

                  The Apostle Paul is also talking about eating food sacrificed to idols in this scripture, but also good leadership and power, are through God and God alone.

          So, let us look once again at our gospel of Mark lesson for this morning, about the “Authority and Power” of Jesus. The gospel says once again:

²¹ They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. ²² They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mk. 1:21-22, NRSV).  

          Now of course there is more to this morning’s gospel reading, but Mark 1:21-22 is where I drew my sermon title and the idea of “Authority and Power” for this morning. While this is the focus of what I am preaching on, Jesus also performs an exorcism or drives an unclean spirit out of a man in the same synagogue that he was teaching in. Our gospel of Mark reading picks up once again in 1:23 saying:

“²³ Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, ²⁴ and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” ²⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” ²⁶ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him”          (Mk. 1:23-26, NRSV).  

          After this, it says of the people in the Jewish Synagogue in Capernaum once again, starting in Mark 1:27 that:

“²⁷ They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” ²⁸ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee” (Mk. 1:27-28, NRSV).

          Jesus is our Lord, Savior, God in the flesh, the second person of the Holy Trinity, but also the leader that used his “Authority and Power” in every way that was holy, just, righteous, loving, and caring. When we repent of our sins, accept, and follow Christ, and are filled with the Holy Spirit, we become a new creation. We then walk with Christ and continue to become more like him throughout our lives.

          When it comes to my leadership then, and the “Authority and Power” that God has given me, I want to lead like Jesus. I want to love, care, convict, and serve like Jesus. I want to use the “Authority and Power” that God has given me to continue to lead like Jesus, so that many come to know him, so that many are changed, and so that many change Sidney and the world.

          Friends, brothers and sisters, its no secret that we are continuing to live through this horrible COVID-19 Pandemic, but during this time, I pray that God softens our hearts. I pray that God humbles us, that God convicts us, so that we may grow in love, generosity, caring, service, and hope. If we allow God to mold us and shape up, especially through this time of pandemic, then we can use the “Authority and Power” that God has given us, even better! I do not know about you, but I want to use the “Authority and Power” that God has given me, to lead like Jesus. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Third Sunday after the Epiphany - 01/24/21 - Sermon - “The Biggest Biblical Story Of Repentance!"

Sunday 01/24/21 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:       “The Biggest Biblical Story of Repentance!”

Old Testament Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5, 10                                    

New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:14-20

          Brothers and sisters, friends, welcome once again on this the Third Sunday after the Epiphany. Three Sundays now, since the Three Wise Men or Magi visited Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and brought Jesus gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. We will remain in this season after the Epiphany, until Transfiguration Sunday, on Sunday February 14^th. Sunday February 14^th is also UMC Scouting Sunday, and as it turns out, is also Valentine’s Day.

          As so many of us know all to well, our country and the world has been living under the horrible reality of this COVID-19 Pandemic. This Pandemic has taken so much from us all, from our world, our country, our state, our county, and even our church. In addition to this terrible Pandemic, we also have continued social unrest, social division, and a deeply divided country. We still have many people out of work, people sick with the virus, and people wondering when we will reach a new, safer, and more prosperous day.

          Given all of this, I do not believe that this COVID-19 pandemic is God punishing the world or our country. This virus has happened, I believe, because of us. I also believe that most of the suffering in the world is because of us. Since we have free-will do good or to do bad, we can create a real mess of things if we want to.

          The reality my friends is that we are all sinners. All of us fall short of the glory of God, and we all need to repent and turn to Christ. Did any of us individually cause our current COVID-19 Pandemic? No, but we can respond to it. We can continue to wear masks, be as safe as we can, and continue to make good choices.

          All of this being said though, we are not perfect people, as we are all broken, and we are all sinners. We all need God’s grace, and we all need the forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ. I have been forgiven through the life-giving blood of Jesus Christ, and so can you be, if you but repent of your sin and darkness, and believe in Jesus.

          It is interesting that I had chosen weeks ago, to preach this morning on our Old Testament Book of Jonah reading. In this reading from 3:1-5, 10 we have literally, as my sermon title says, “The Biggest Biblical Story of Repentance”. Nowhere else in the entirety of the Bible, do we have a bigger story of an entire group of people repenting of their sin and their darkness, than in the Old Testament Book of Jonah. Also, yes, Jonah, is the guy who got swallowed by a fish for three days and three nights (Jon. 1:17b, NRSV). Yes, that Jonah!

          The context of this repentance is that of the ancient city of Nineveh, which is in present day Northern Iraq. Nineveh was part of Mesopotamia, and the Assyrian Empire.  From one source that I read, the city of Nineveh in the time of Jonah had about 120,000 residents (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/biggest-city-through-history/nineveh/). All of the people, from the king on down repented to God of their sin and darkness.

          Now again, I do not think that this global COVID-19 Pandemic is God’s wrath on humanity, but it has given me cause to look at myself, and those areas of my life where I need to grow closer to Christ, and to continue to repent of my sin and darkness. God called Jonah to Nineveh because the whole city was not living for God and needed to repent. I am a sinner saved by grace, and through this pandemic, I want to get even closer to Christ. I want to continue to repent, so that I might continually become more like him.

          Before getting into the scriptures for this morning though, I want to give you a little more history on the ancient city of Nineveh. According to a source that I researched:

The city of Nineveh, the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, was destroyed in 612 B.C. The fall of that great city was not a matter of chance, but rather a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Nineveh was established by Nimrod, "the mighty hunter" (Gen. 10:8-10). It served as the capitol of the Assyrian Empire for many years (https://www.padfield.com/1996/destruction-of-nineveh.html).

     So, while on this day, the whole city of Nineveh repents of there sins to God, this repentance will not last. Ultimately, this city of about 120,000 people will be destroyed in 612 BC by the Assyrian Empire. Today though, Nineveh and its King, King Sargon repents to God. The prophecy of the destruction of the city of Nineveh comes from Book of Nahum. In the Book of Nahum, the source I researched said:

“The prophet Nahum predicted the destruction of Nineveh in the book that bears his name. The following items were to be a part of the destruction of that great city:”

1.    An "overflowing flood" would "make an utter end of its place" (Nah. 1:8)

2.    Nineveh would be destroyed while her inhabitants were "drunken like drunkards" (Nah. 1:10)

3.    Nineveh would be unprotected because "fire shall devour the bars of your gates" (Nah. 3:13)

4.    Nineveh would never recover, for their "injury has no healing" (Nah. 3:19)

5.    The downfall of Nineveh would come with remarkable ease, like figs falling when the tree is shaken (Nah. 3:12) (https://www.padfield.com/1996/destruction-of-nineveh.html)

Today though, the city of Nineveh as safe, as all the 120,000 people repented and turned to God. Eventually this will change, but today they repented. So, lets looks once again at what our reading from the Book of Jonah says from this morning. Once again it says:

“3 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, ² “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” ³ So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. ⁴ Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” ⁵ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. ¹⁰ When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it” (Jon. 3:1-5, 10, NRSV).

 

          So, “The Biggest Biblical Story Of Repentance” happened in the Book of Jonah, in the city of Nineveh. Today, about 120,000 people heed the words of Jonah, the guy that got swallowed by a giant fish for three days. Today is a good day, as a whole city repents and turns to God.

          In our reading from this morning from Book of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul tells us once again:

“For the present form of this world is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:31b, NRSV).

          God is always moving and is always present. It is never the wrong time to turn to God. It is never the wrong time to repent to God of our sins and draw closer to Christ through him.

          As I said in my invitation to worship video this past Wednesday, I do not believe that God has caused this horrible COVID-19 Pandemic. I also do not believe that God has caused the social and political divisions and upheavals in this country and this word. So, should we all be like the people of the city of Nineveh this morning then? Should we all get in sackcloth and ask God to remove this terrible COVID-19 Pandemic? Well, again, I do not think that God caused this terrible COVID-19 Pandemic, as I think it is our own human fault. As a result, this time of pandemic has given me cause to repent. I am not repenting of my own sin more and more, because I think that the COVID-19 Pandemic will just go away, but instead this pandemic has shown me anew how fragile and broken this world is. How fragile and frail I am, and all of you are.

          You see, its easy for us to get comfortable, to live in our little bubbles, and pandemics and upheavals then come. Even though I do not believe God caused these things, they have given me cause to turn to God, and to continue to repent of my own sin and brokenness. This pandemic and these upheavals make me want to be better, to be holier, and to be more like Jesus.

          Today I repent as the people of Nineveh did. I repent not because God or a prophet has said Sidney will be destroyed if we do not, rather I repent because I want to be more like Jesus. Maybe this pandemic and the many social and political upheavals will reveal to us anew our own brokenness. May we use these troubling times then to repent, to draw closer to Christ, and to ask God to make us more holy and righteous. May we also repent, so that God can make us more holy and more righteous, so that God can use us to be salt and light to a broken world. May God use us as his ambassadors on earth and may God use us to transform Sidney and the world for Jesus Christ. The closer we draw to Christ, the more we become like Christ. So, like the people of Nineveh, I am continuing to repent and draw closer to God, so that he may use me even more. I pray that God uses me and uses you to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, to love others, and to transform Sidney and the world.

          In looking very quickly at our gospel of Mark reading for this morning, Jesus calls some of his 12-disciples. Jesus hand picks and calls these men, to repent, follow him, and live and love he does. Jesus calls us to turn from sin and darkness, and to draw closer to him. When we do this, we are changed, we are transformed, and God uses us to transform the world.

          In looking at the text again from our Gospel of Mark reading for this morning, once again, it says:

          “¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God,¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news” (Mk. 1:14-15, NRSV).

          Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist has been arrested, as he was seen as a threat to the social and political order, as Jesus will be seen the same way. As Jesus goes around preaching and living his ministry, he tells people that the Kingdom of God is coming near. Jesus tells all people to repent of there sins and believe the good news of his gospel.

          In the process of Jesus preaching for people to repent, that the kingdom of God is coming near, and to believe the gospel, Jesus then calls Simon Peter and Andrew to follow him this morning. Once again, the gospel reading for this morning concludes saying:

^“16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” ¹⁸ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹ As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. ²⁰ Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him” (Mk. 1:16-20, NRSV).

 

          Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Jesus calls them and us, to repent of our sins, to turn our hearts over to him, and then to follow him. For the kingdom of God is drawing near, so may we repent and follow Christ.

          As I have said throughout this sermon, I do not think that this COVID-19 Pandemic and the many social and political upheavals that have happened in this country and this world have been caused by God. Yet, Jesus calls us, as God called Jonah to tell the people of the ancient city of Nineveh to repent. May we use these challenging times that we are all living through to repent and draw closer to Christ. May our scripture reading from the Book of Jonah for this morning about “The Biggest Biblical Story of Repentance,” give us cause to repent. Not repent because God is going to destroy us, or because God caused the COVID-19 Pandemic or all of the other things plaguing this country and the world, but so that we can draw closer to Christ. May God make us holier, purer, and more righteous. In turning to God, and in God working in us and through us, God can use us even more to transform Sidney and the world. This my friends, is how I am relating to “The Biggest Biblical Story of Repentance” from this morning. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Second Sunday after the Epiphany/Human Relations Day - 01/17/21 - Sermon - “What Would You Say To Jesus?"

Sunday 01/17/21 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:       “What Would You Say To Jesus?”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18                                         

New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Gospel Lesson: John 1:43-51

          Brothers and sisters, friends, welcome once again on this the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, and this our Human Relations Day. Two Sundays after we celebrated the visit of the Wise Men or magi, who brought to Jesus gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. We will be in this season after the Epiphany, until Transfiguration Sunday, on Sunday February 14^th.

          I have posted on the Sidney UMC Facebook Page, and have e-mailed a link out regarding Human Relations Day, but I will also explain it again briefly this morning. Human Relations Day is one of six official giving Sundays in the life of the United Methodist Church. When church services are in person, generally we put giving envelopes in your church bulletins, but since we are online only until further notice, I am letting you know about this United Methodist Church giving Sunday, online. You could also send funds to the church and mark them Human Relations Day to if you want, and we will make sure they are then forwarded on to the people that need them.

According to www.umc.org, it says this about Human Relations Day:

“Across the United Methodist connection we come together to help bridge the gap between church and community by participating in an offering set aside for Human Relations Day. For more than half a century, United Methodists have observed this churchwide special Sunday in recognition of the message Jesus demonstrated during his life: all of God’s children are important”.

“One of the wonderful aspects of The United Methodist Church is that we can do so much more together than we ever could do on our own. On Human Relations Day, we join other UMC congregations in a special offering to support neighborhood ministries through Community Developers, community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services and work with at-risk youth through the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs”.

“In recognizing Human Relations Day, we are called to make an impact in communities where people struggle because they don’t have the tools or resources to reach their God-given potential.  Our gifts are part of building beloved community through faith-based volunteer programs, community developers and programs that work with at-risk teens” (https://www.umc.org/en/content/human-relations-day-sunday-ministry-article).

          So again, I have e-mailed a link out for you to give to Human Relations Day, I have posted a link on our Sidney United Methodist Church Facebook page, and you can also send funds to the church at 12 Liberty Street here in Sidney. Just mark them for Human Relations Day, and once again, we will make sure that these funds are passed on to those that need them.

          This being said, in our gospel lesson from the gospel of John for this morning, we once again have the story of Jesus calling Philip to follow him. Philip’s friend Nathanael then soon after becomes convinced that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the Savior of the World (Jn. 1:43-51, NRSV).

          For these reasons, this is why my sermon for this morning is called, “What Would You Say To Jesus?” For example, I have had people tell me at various times of my life, “Paul you need to come with me! I need to show you something!” I think that many of us have had people at one time or another let us know that there was something or someone that we just had to see. Maybe there was something extraordinary happening on the news on television, or someone wanted you to meet someone, or perhaps you were summoned or asked to follow someone for different reasons. We all have been asked to follow and see, or to follow and to meet someone new.

          We all have reasons that we ask people to follow us, and various reasons that we chose to follow others. I remember as a kid many times saying, “Mom, you need to come and see this!” Generally, my mom came and saw whatever I asked her to see. So, being asked to follow someone is not completely foreign for most of us, yet what if the person asking you to follow them is someone you have never met? Let me ask this again, what if the person asking you to follow them is someone you have never met? I mean it is one thing if a family member or a friend says as Jesus said to Philip this morning, “Follow Me,” but what if a stranger did that to you?

          As I said, I am sure we have had family and friends say, “Hey you need to come and see this!” or, “hey you need to come and meet this person!” What though, would make you follow a complete stranger? I would think that there would need to be something very compelling about the person. Bear in mind to that right before our gospel reading picks up for this morning that Jesus had called Andrew and Peter to follow him (Jn. 1:35-42, NRSV).

          So again, what would make you follow a complete stranger? Some people might do this if it was a police officer that they had never met, but Jesus this morning was a complete stranger, and not in a uniform. This complete stranger just walks up to you and says, “Follow Me”.

The other question that will really bake your noodle, as the term goes though, is why does Jesus chose the 12-disciples that he chose? Why does Jesus walk right up to Philip this morning, and say “Follow Me”? I mean Jesus could have picked any twelve, but Philip was one of them.

          My guess is, is that Jesus saw something very special in Philip, which is why Jesus said to him this morning, “Follow Me”. Jesus had many followers during his life, but only twelve handpicked disciples. Philip was one of those twelve, and even Nathaniel in our gospel of John reading for this morning is not one of those twelve. So, clearly Jesus saw something in Philip, but also clearly Philip saw something in Jesus. I mean Philip could have told Jesus, “No thanks,” “Or maybe some other time,” but he didn’t. Philip just followed this complete stranger, named Jesus. Clearly Jesus, as I said, saw something great in Philip’s eyes, and Philip clearly knew that Jesus was someone special.

I mean what would it be like to meet Jesus face to face? I can imagine that Philip knew immediately that this Jesus was something special. I mean, was it what Philip saw in Jesus’ eyes? Was it the way that Jesus carried himself? Was it Jesus’ presence, his manner of being, or perhaps all of the above and more?

          When I think of Jesus calling Philip this morning, our scripture from Psalm 139 really connects to this for me. Psalm 139:1-4 says once again:

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me. ² You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. ³ You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely”                  (Ps. 139:1-4, NRSV).

          God knows us and every little thing about us, and yet He freely choses us. Jesus knew everything about Philip this morning, and yet asked him to be one of his 12-disciples. While Jesus called his 12-disciples, he also calls all of us. He knows everything little thing about us, both good and bad, and he wants us to follow him. As my sermon title says for this morning then, “What Would You Say To Jesus?” Would you follow him, or not?

          With this said, lets look more closely at our gospel of John reading for this morning. It says, once again:

“⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter” (Jn. 1:43-44, NRSV).

 

          So just like that Jesus said follow me, and Philip did. In Philip now following Jesus though, he went and quickly told his friend Nathanael. The gospel of John reading then continues once again saying:

“⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” ⁴⁶ Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” ⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” ⁴⁸ Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” ⁴⁹ Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” ⁵⁰ Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” ⁵¹ And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (Jn. 1:45-51, NRSV).

 

          Jesus, who was raised in Nazareth, also called Jesus of Nazareth, is the savior of the world. At first, Nathanael balks at the idea that a savior could come from Nazareth, as Nazareth was not a wealthy or a top town. Yet, as soon as Nathanael saw Jesus, he knew, just and as Philip knew. Pretty impressive for meeting a stranger, wouldn’t you say?

          The question for us to consider once again then, is “What Would You Say To Jesus?” If Jesus approached you, and said, “Follow Me,” would you do so? Further, if you said yes to Jesus, would you want to be more like this Jesus?

          In a time of global pandemic, will you say yes to Jesus? Will you say yes to loving and caring for others? Will you say yes to caring for your neighbor? Will you say yes to allowing Jesus Christ to transform you through the power of the Holy Spirit? Will you say yes to a life lived for God and for serving others? I don’t know about you friends, but today and every day, I say yes to Jesus. “What Would You Say To Jesus?” Amen.

Sidney UMC - Baptism of the Lord Sunday - 01/10/21 - Sermon - “Why Baptism Matters"

Sunday 01/10/21 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:       “Why Baptism Matters”

Old Testament Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5                                          

New Testament Scripture: Acts 19:1-7

Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:4-11

          Friends, brothers, and sisters, once again, it is good to be back from some much-needed time off!

          When Melissa and I took some time off for our “Staycation,” we were all very much still in the 12-day season of Christmas. The 12-day season of Christmas officially ended on January 6^th, or this past Wednesday, however. This is why we are invited to undecorate the sanctuary and the church after the church service today, as we are no longer in the season of Christmas.

          Instead, we are now in the season after Epiphany of the Lord. The 12-day Christmas Season ends each year on January 6^th, which is the celebrated day of the visit of the Wise Men or Magi, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As a result, this Sunday is the First Sunday after the Epiphany, or the visit of the Wise Men. This Sunday is also “Baptism of the Lord” Sunday, as this is the Sunday in the life of the church that we celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan river, by his cousin John the Baptist. So, to recap, on Christmas Day, Jesus is born, then some years we then discuss Jesus being 12-years old at the temple during the Passover, and then boom he is getting baptized! To put it another way, we go from Jesus’ birth on Christmas, to him being 30-years old and getting baptized today. They grow up so quick do not they!

          Since it is “Baptism of the Lord” Sunday though, our gospel lesson from the gospel of Mark for this morning, is about the Jesus’ baptism. Not only does Jesus get baptized this day, but it is also a good Sunday in many churches to discuss baptism. What is baptism? Why do we get baptized? Further as my sermon title for this morning says, I want to discuss “Why Baptism Matters”.

          In getting into this topic of Jesus’ baptism, and “Why Baptism Matters,” I first want to define what “Baptism” is in the Christian context. By the way, how many of us here have been baptized? Here is a good definition of Christian Baptism from the Encyclopedia Britannica online:

“Baptism, a sacrament of admission to Christianity. The forms and rituals of the various Christian churches vary, but baptism almost invariably involves the use of water and the Trinitarian invocation, “I baptize you: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The candidate may be wholly or partly immersed in water, the water may be poured over the head, or a few drops may be sprinkled or placed on the head” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/baptism).

 

          In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives us the “Great Commission” in 28:19-20:

 

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:19-20, NRSV).

 

          So, baptism is the official entry point into the universal worldwide Christian Church, and Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew to make disciples or converts and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, every baptism I have ever seen in person, or performed, has also been in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is because this what Jesus commanded us to do.

          There are other scriptures though that speak of baptism a little differently. In fact, in our gospel of Mark lesson for this morning, once again, John the Baptist says in 1:7-8:

“The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸ I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mk. 1:7-8, NRSV).

          As a result of this and other scriptures, Christian traditions, such as the Salvation Army and the Quakers have no water baptism. They would argue that if you accept Christ, and you are then filled with the Holy Spirit, you have had a spirit baptism. The vast majority of the Christians the world over though, use water to baptize. Some traditions even use oil to “Christen” or anoint the child or person being baptized, as well.

          Let me offer you yet another definition of baptism. Here it is:

“Baptism (from the Greek noun βάπτισμα baptisma) is a Christian rite of admission and adoption, almost invariably with the use of water, into Christianity. It may be performed by sprinkling or pouring water on the head, or by immersing in water either partially or completely. The synoptic gospels recount that John the Baptist baptised Jesus. Baptism is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. Baptism according to the Trinitarian formula, which is done in most mainstream Christian denominations, is seen as being a basis for Christian ecumenism, the concept of unity amongst Christians. Baptism is also called christening, although some reserve the word "christening" for the baptism of infants. It has also given its name to the Baptist churches and denominations” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism#:~:text=Baptism%20(from%20the%20Greek%20noun,water%20either%20partially%20or%20completely).

          So, based upon the definitions of baptism that I have offered, it usually involves water, and it is the entry point into Christianity. Does this mean then that if you have faith in Christ, but were never baptized that you do not have salvation? No of course not, as the criminal on the cross next to Christ believed in him and was never baptized. Anyone can repent and know Christ, or as we say in the United Methodist Church, make a profession of faith, but how do you become part of the church? I do not just mean this Sidney United Methodist, or the United Methodist Church in general. I mean, how do you become part of the universal Christian Church to world over? The answer is baptism. Most Christian Churches and traditions, whether they baptize babies, adults, and whether they sprinkle, pour, or immerse, baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We do this again, as this was Jesus, command of us in the gospel of Matthew.

          Once again, you can know Christ, you can have salvation without baptism, but Jesus told us to get baptized. When are baptized we received God’s grace through the Holy Spirit, we cleansed of the stain of sin, and we are a new creation in Christ. Beyond this, we are then part of the universal Christian Church.

          Imagine for moment that someone gave you a brand-new car. How many people here would like to be given a brand-new car? I would think most of us would. Yet, imagine if you had the brand-new car, the free gift, and but you had no driver’s license. You have the free gift, that is similar to salvation in Christ, but you aren’t going to use or express that free gift. Further, while have the free gift, we can’t really call you a driver or a motorist, because you have no driver’s license. Wouldn’t it make sense then for you to get your license? This way, you can take your free-gift and become a driver like millions of others. In the same way, faith in Christ is a free gift offered to us, like a new car, but baptism is like the driver’s license. Baptism is the universal entry point into the Christian Church. It is what makes us a driver, it is what takes our free-gift, and makes us officially part of the massive group called the Christian Church.

          Baptism is also the power of God through the Holy Spirit. Baptism is regeneration from the stain of sin and human brokenness, it is the Holy Spirit filling us, and us making a covenant to love the person being baptized.

          In the United Methodist Church, we have two categories for members. We have baptized members, and we have professing members. A baptized member has received the sacrament of baptism and the sacramental grace of baptism, but perhaps has not yet professed their faith. This only happens with babies and small children. When I baptized adults, they profess their faith in Christ prior to their baptism.

          In churches like various Baptist Churches, the person being baptized first professes their faith in Christ, and then is baptized. In this way, these two are connected, and yet are different. Baptism is us dying to ourselves, putting on Christ, being regenerated, being cleansed from the stain of sin, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and becoming part of the universal 2,000-year faith. Yet, to receive Christ as our savior, this is something we consciously do through our hearts. This is why then in the United Methodist Church; we have baptized and professing members. When someone gets confirmed in the United Methodist Church, or in many churches, they are professing and confirming their faith in Christ. They believe that God was present at their baptism, that the Holy Spirit moved, and they are now publicly accepting Jesus Christ for themselves.

          Our Baptist brothers and sisters, and other denominations ask someone who is of the age to accept and profess Christ, and then be baptized by immersion. There is continued debate over whether to sprinkle, pour, or immerse. I am not saying that there is a perfect way to do it, but I do like immersion the best, as this was the way that Christ was baptized.

          All this being said, we can baptize babies or small children, bring them into the universal Christian Church, and then they can profess their faith in Christ at there confirmation, or you can profess your faith publicly, and then be baptized by immersion. Or as I jokingly call it, “the dunk tank”! I had a seminary professor say about baptism that “you can drive your car into your garage or back it into your garage. What really matters he said, is that the car gets in the garage”. By this he meant that we have faith in Christ, and we are baptized.

          In the United Methodist Church then, we do baptize babies and small children, but some parents chose to wait until there children are older, and this is ok. Hopefully though, you understand more about baptism now, and “Why Baptism Matters”. Baptism really should not be optional for followers of Christ, as Jesus told us to get baptized. Why would receive the free-car, but not drive it? Why would we have faith, but not become part of the community faith that we believe in?

          With this said, I want to quickly touch on our reading from Acts 19:1-7 again, and then our gospel reading from Mark for this morning. In our reading for this morning from Acts 19:1-7, once again, it says:

“19 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. ² He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴ Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— ⁷ altogether there were about twelve of them” (Acts 19:1-7, NRSV).

          So, Acts 19:1-7 affirms then that you can be a believer in Christ and not yet baptized. These folks in this scripture reading were baptized by John the Baptist but did not receive Christian baptism. As a result, they were believers, but were then baptized in the name of the “Lord Jesus”. It appears also that they were baptized by the Holy Spirit.

          Faith in Christ is essential, and “Baptism Matters,” but as you can see from our Acts 17 scripture once again, there are different perspectives on baptism. Most Churches however, including the United Methodist Church, baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as Jesus commanded us to in the gospel of Matthew.

          So, let us look once again at our gospel of Mark reading for this morning on the baptism of Jesus. Once again it says:

“⁴ John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶ Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸ I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” ⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Mk. 1:4-11, NRSV).

 

          In this scene of Christ’s baptism, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are all present. The Father speaks, the Son in baptized, and The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove. All three persons of the one triune God are all present together. For those Christians that are Baptists, they take their names in part because of the John the Baptist, and the way that he baptized Jesus. Also, Baptists used to be called “Anabaptists” by their critics, which means “Re-Baptizer,” as the person who baptized as an infant was re-baptized as an adult.

          While there are many different perspectives on what baptism is, and why it is significant, “Baptism Matters”. It is the universal entry point into the worldwide church, and it is the way that we cleansed, regenerated, and filled with the Holy Spirit. If you have never been baptized, but believe in Christ, I would encourage you to get baptized. Whether in this church, at Guilford Lake, the Susquehanna River down the street, or in a baptismal/dunk tank, this is how we the drive the free car that we have been given. This is how we become officially part of the faith that we profess. Friends, this is “Why Baptism Matters”. Amen.