Sidney UMC - First Sunday of Lent - 02/21/21 - Sermon - “The Time of Trial" ("The Journey to New Hope and New Life" Series: Part 1 of 7)

Sunday 02/21/21 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:                 “The Time of Trial”

       ("The Journey to New Hope and New Life"- Series: Part 1 of 7)

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10                                      

New Testament Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:9-15

          Friends, Brothers, and Sisters, welcome once again on this the First Sunday of this the season of Holy Lent. This 40-day season where we are invited to follow Christ to cross and walk the road with him to Good Friday.

          As I mentioned this past Wednesday on Ash Wednesday, the season of Lent and Ash Wednesday itself, are not strictly Biblical. In this sense, Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent are not requirements from the Bible, but rather they developed out of the worshipping life of the early Christian Church. Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is a day that we remember our mortality, our brokenness, our need to repent, and our need for Christ. This 40-day season of Lent, minus Sundays, is a season to journey with Christ towards the cross on calvary. To give a little bit of a better explanation of what the season of Lent it, here is what one source I read says about the season of Lent:

“Lent (Latin: Quadragesima, 'Fortieth') is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, the night before Easter Sunday. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, doing penance…, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial”.

“This season is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Oriental Orthodox, Reformed (including Presbyterian), and Roman Catholic Churches. Some Anabaptist and evangelical churches also observe Lent. The last week of Lent is Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday. Following the New Testament story, Jesus' crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, and at the beginning of the next week the joyful celebration of Easter Sunday recalls the Resurrection of Jesus Christ”.

“In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the account of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's journey into the desert for 40 days; this is known as one's Lenten sacrifice. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional or praying through a Lenten calendar, to draw themselves near to God…”

“Lent is traditionally described as lasting for 40 days, in commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry, during which he endured temptation by Satan. Depending on the Christian denomination and local custom, Lent ends either on the evening of Maundy Thursday, or at sundown on Holy Saturday, when the Easter Vigil is celebrated. Regardless, Lenten practices are properly maintained until the evening of Holy Saturday” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent).

          So, this is a season in the Christian Church designed to bring us all closer to Christ, as we walk with Christ. In this season of Lent then, what can you give, what can you give away, and what struggles do you have that can you surrender to Christ, so that you might be more like him?

          With this said, I really enjoy doing sermon series for Advent, leading up to Christmas, and Lent leading up to Easter. Since Advent and Lent are powerful and transformative seasons in the lives of so many Christians, having a theme that flows through each of these seasons can help us to grown more. With this said, my sermon series for the next 6 weeks of Lent, ending on Easter Sunday, is called “The Journey to New Hope and New Life”. In the season of Lent, we are invited to turn from sin and darkness, to give up, to give away, and to surrender God, as we journey with Christ to the cross on Good Friday.

          In some Christian traditions some people still flagellate or whip there backs the way that Jesus was whipped on Good Friday. In one place in the Philippians, a man literally gets nailed to cross every year, which is a great honor in this place, to show what Christ has done for us. I personally, do not think that we need to physically harm ourselves during Lent or on Good Friday, as Jesus has suffered on our behalf and for us.

          In this season of Lent, we are called to reflect on our lives, to look at ourselves in the mirror, and to see where need to draw closer to God. Perhaps you need to reconcile with a friend or family member? Maybe you have a habit that you need to give up? Whatever is keeping from getting closer to Christ, Lent is a good time tear the weeds out of our lives. We are called to repent, draw closer to God, and to walk with Christ to the cross.

          Some people give up things for Lent that they like, to grow closer to God. They are giving up and giving away, as Jesus gave up all for us. All of this being said, Ash Wednesday 2021, and this Lent 2021, are vastly different. Part of Lent 2020 certainly was the same, but we are in a global COVID-19 Pandemic. Perhaps the normal struggles, sufferings, and brokenness that we all have been through during these many months has been amplified due to the Pandemic. Maybe we have lost friends and family member due to COVID-19. Some of us have not seen some of our family in months. Some of us have not seen some fellow church members in months, some have been isolated, cut off, lonely, sad, laid off from work, struggling to pay their bills, dealing with relationship struggles, etc.

It is as if many of our normal struggles were at a 10 on the volume of the stereo, and COVID-19 turned them up to a 30 on the stereo. For many, the suffering and the struggles are louder and more real than in past Lenten Seasons.

          On the day that Jesus was crucified almost all of his followers abandoned him, he was mocked, spit on, tried, beaten, humiliated, and nailed to Roman Cross for the sins of the world. That feeling of being all alone, of having despair and pain, and maybe through this pandemic you can related to Good Friday and this season better than ever before. I know that I can.

          As a result, this sermon series that I am starting this morning, once again, is called, “The Journey to New Hope and New Life”. I am presenting this sermon series as a parallel. Every week I will present the scriptures and the story leading to Good Friday, and then Easter Sunday. The reason that this sermon series will be a parallel is I will be connecting our experiences through this pandemic, in addition to our normal struggles, with Jesus’ road to the cross on Good Friday. Jesus suffered and died for us, and many of us have suffered greatly during the pandemic. How can we compare and contrast the two?

          The first week of this sermon series on the first Sunday of the season of Lent is called, “The Time of Trial”. What I am basing this sermon title on, is Jesus’s forty-days of being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. As the gospel of Mark says of Jesus’s forty-days of temptation in the wilderness in 1:12-13 once again:

“¹² And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. ¹³ He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him” (Mk. 1:12-13, NRSV).

          So, again periods of 40-days or 40-years are pretty common in the Bible. Jesus was in the wilderness being tempted by Satan for 40-days and nights. In part, the early Christian Church developed the season of Lent to be modeled after Jesus’ 40-days in the wilderness. During his time in the wilderness, Jesus had really nothing but the power of God in him.

          For centuries, many Christian Churches have celebrated Lent and have incorporated Lenten practices and disciplines into the lives of there churches. I can imagine that some seasons of Lent were different that others. What was it like during Lent in the middle of the Civil War? What was Lent like during the American Revolution? What was Lent like during World War II? What was Lent like during the great influenza or Spanish Flu Pandemic from 1917-1920? Lastly, what is Lent 2021 like during the great Global Covid-19 Pandemic?

          Perhaps we have come to church during many seasons of Lent or come to church during the time of the season of Lent with heavy burdens. Maybe during a particular season of Lent, we had lost a loved one, had health or financial issues, or some other struggles that brought us to our knees in prayer. Your Lent 2021 might be challenging independent of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and if this is the case we suffer together.

          With this being said however, I think that it is undeniable that most of 2020 and thus far into 2021 has been quite different for many of us. Never in our lifetimes have we lived through a global pandemic. I never remember a time in my life where the entire country shut down. Maybe you remember such a time, but I do not. I never remember a time in my short life where over 500,000 Americans died from a virus. I never remember a time in my life that I could not visit people in the hospital or a nursing home. I never remember a time in my life that I was discouraged from going to public places, or that I was asked to wear a mask everywhere.

          Among the many things that have been taken from us during this pandemic, we can probably relate to some of the examples that I just gave. Perhaps you have lost and suffered in many other ways that I did not mention, as well. Possibly then we are entering into this season of Lent feeling and seeing things very differently than we ever have before. If this is the case for you, as it is for me, then maybe you can relate better to what it must have been like for Jesus to be tempted by the devil in the wilderness for 40-days and 40-nights.

          It is not that we are awful, it is that we are all broken and all-in need of God’s grace. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, but he never broke, he never gave in. I have to safe that during this pandemic where times I had tears, fear, worry, anxiety, and also great hope. Maybe you can say the same. Our reading for this morning from Psalm 25, once again, shows us our need for God’s grace.

          Through this time though, God has indeed been with us. God has been with us through the pain, the loss, the loneliness, and the fear. God was with Jesus too when he was in the wilderness for 40-days and 40-nights. Jesus went through a 40-day and 40-nights of trial, and we have been through the challenging time of this global pandemic. Not like Jesus in the wilderness, but we all have been through a “Time of Trial”. We all have struggled and suffered over these many months, and maybe we had have had other big struggles in addition to this pandemic. Next Sunday in this “The Journey to New Hope and New Life” sermon series I am going to dive more deeply into “The Suffering and The Anger” that some might have felt through this time of pandemic. Then I will be focusing on this pandemic ending, and the new live in Jesus on Easter.

In our scripture reading for this morning from 1 Peter 3:18-22 once again, Peter reminds us all that Christ suffered for us and for our sins. All of us, not just some, but all of us. Peter tells us that we have hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ that is coming on Easter morning (1 Pet. 3:18-22, NRSV).

In looking more closely at our gospel of Mark 1:9-15 reading for this morning, we begin once again with 1:9 that says:

“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. 1:9-11, NRSV).

          So, we are given in part for this morning, once again, one of the beautiful accounts of Jesus’ baptism. Then right after this, which is the focus of my sermon for this morning, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Jesus then undergoes a “Time of Trial,” being tempted by Satan for 40-days and 40-nights (Mk. 1:9-11, NRSV). From this part of this gospel reading once again, I compare our struggles and our hurts through this time of Global COVID-19 Pandemic.

          Our gospel of Mark reading then ends once again, with Jesus proclaiming the good news, and telling people repent, and believe the gospel (Mk. 1:14-15, NRSV). The season of Lent in part is about us repenting, is about us turning to God. I know that we have all been through a “Time of Trial” over these many months, but new life is coming. Much like resurrection is coming on Easter, this pandemic will end! This “Time of Trial” will end, for the light of Christ is at the end of the tunnel. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Ash Wednesday - 02/17/21 - Sermon - “Humble and Repentant"

02/17/21 Sidney UMC – Ash Weds. Sermon

Sermon Title: “Humble and Repentant”

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, I have been blessed to have been able to lead many Ash Wednesday services. Unfortunately, though, this is the first time that I have had an online only Ash Wednesday service, due to the Global COVID-19 Pandemic. This is also the first time that I have offered “Ashes to Go,” as these were offered at the church today from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Since I cannot impose Ash Wednesday Ashes on you tonight, except for the few of us here, this is why I offered “Ashes to Go” today. This is also the first Ash Wednesday service that I have had to impose Ashes with a face mask on, a rubber glove on, and Q-Tip to impose Ashes. Certainly, a vastly different Ash Wednesday than the previous ones I have had.

          Some Christian denominations do not celebrate Ash Wednesday or the 40-day season of Holy Lent that begins today. In the Bible there are many numbered periods of time, such as Jesus being in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights, and during this time, he fasted and was tempted by Satan. In the Bible, we also 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.

          This season of Holy Lent that starts today, is a 40-day season, which is actually 46-days, as we do not count Sundays, as this is the day the Christ rose form the dead. This season developed out the worshipping tradition of the church, and it is not Biblically required of us. Yet, since there are so many 40-day, 40-year, 7-day, etc. periods of time in the Bible, the early Christian Church developed this season or period of time leading to Good Friday, and then on to Easter Sunday.

          So, the 40-day season of Holy Lent that we are starting today, is a season that the church created, but it is designed to point us to Christ. The Sunday in the season of Holy Lent, called Palm or Passion Sunday developed as Christ entered Jerusalem that day on the back of a donkey, to the shouts of Hosanna! Since the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples occurred the Thursday of this same week, that many Christians now call “Holy Week,” many churches have developed over the centuries worship and practices for Maundy or Holy Thursday. Maundy or Holy Thursday is Thursday April 1^st this year, as this is a service where we will retell the story of the Last Supper, where Jesus gives us the sacrament of Holy Communion, where Jesus gives us the gift of foot washing, and where Jesus gives us the Mandate, or the “Mandatum,” or the “Maundy” to love each other. Good Friday of course is a service to remember Jesus’ trial, torture, and death on a cross for our sins. All of these services and rituals developed out of the worshipping tradition of the church.

          As I said once again, none of these services, these practices, or the season of Holy Lent itself are in the Bible, but once again they developed out of the worshipping tradition of the church. These services, this season of Holy Lent, and these practices were designed to inform our faith, to support the Bible, and to draw us closer to God in Jesus Christ.

          Over the centuries, the first day of this season of Holy Lent eventually became unique in that it involved ashes. In some country’s ashes are imposed on the forehead like we do here in America, and in some countries, ashes are sprinkled on people’s heads, or are imposed in some other way. The ashes offered this day do not give us magical powers and we are not required to receive them. These ashes are a merely a symbol for us and for the world, that we are followers of Jesus Christ. These ashes show us and the world, that we are repentant, that we need Jesus, and that we are entering into this season of Holy Lent to draw closer to our lord and savior Jesus Christ.

          Throughout the worshiping tradition of the Christian Church, it eventually became a tradition of the people of the church to give up or give away things in this holy season. For example, what do we have too much of that we can share with others? What in our life is a wall or a stronghold keeping us from God? For example, if you have anger problems, and if this keeps you from getting closer to Christ, then maybe you need to give up Anger. Some people give up things like Chocolate or something fun, not to torture themselves, but to remind us of who Jesus is and what he is going to do for us all on the cross on Good Friday. This 40-day season of Holy Lent then, is a season of repentance, of humility, of self-examination of our lives and our souls, and an opportunity to give up or give away. All of this is designed to draw us closer to Christ, and to remove the things in our life that keep us from being closer to him. So, on this Ash Wednesday, this first season of Holy Lent, I would challenge you, as I challenge myself to give up and give away those things you do not need, or those things that keep you from getting closer to God, through Jesus Christ. As I said, I also do not think that in this holy season that we need to torture ourselves or to hate ourselves, as this season is designed to bring us closer to Christ. I encourage us all to pray to fast, to read the Bible, to give, to abstain, and to draw closer to Christ.

          I also think that for many of us, this is the first Ash Wednesday in our lifetimes where what we have given up and what has been taken from us, as people, as a country, and as a world, has been so great. We know loss in a profound way through this Global Covid-19 Pandemic. We know the loss of loved ones, of getting sick, the loss of a job, the loss of income, the isolation, the fear, the anxiety, the thankfulness that we did not cancel our Netflix account, etc. If this 40-day season is about us walking the road to the cross with Christ, then maybe this is the first Ash Wednesday where we can really understand sacrificing, abstaining, and giving, as real and powerful spiritual disciples. We are called to do all of these things to draw us to Christ, and to show us, even in a small way what Jesus experienced and suffered for us. So maybe this Ash Wednesday is different, as we all have given up, abstained, sacrificed, and have lost so much through this time of pandemic.

          As a result of all of this, as my sermon title for tonight says, I come to worship this evening “Humble and Repentant”. We have all experienced and or seen a lot around this Global Covid-19 Pandemic, and some of us have even lost family and friends to this pandemic. We are always called to come to Ash Wednesday worship being repentant, reflective, and seeking God, but this year it seems that many of us might be extra “Humble and Repentant”. I know that I am.

          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 his 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). Maybe this year, this Ash Wednesday 2021, and this season of Holy Lent 2021, are ones where can relate to this scripture from Psalm 51 from tonight, even more.

          In our reading for tonight from 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, the Apostle Paul tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us to be reconciled to God, as Christ who had 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. During this pandemic however, I believe that many of us understand suffering even more than maybe we have in a while, or ever.

If we have suffered or are suffering, Christ who suffered for us, suffers with us. So, while our suffering is real, and has likely been even more during this pandemic, 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 we 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). For the only one we truly need to please is God.

          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, do not 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 and Repentant,” and how to be a servant of others. I pray that tonight on this our Ash Wednesday 2021, and during this season of Holy Lent 2021, and always that we might seek to be “Humble and Repentant,” through our God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A blessed Ash Wednesday and Holy Lent to you all! Amen.

Sidney UMC - Transfiguration Sunday/Valentine's Day/UM Scouting Sunday - 02/14/21 - Sermon - “Transfiguration and Valentine's Day!"

Sunday 02/14/21 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:       “Transfiguration and Valentine’s Day!”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 50:1-6                                       

New Testament Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Gospel Lesson: Mark 9:2-9

          Friends, brothers and sisters, welcome once again on this our Transfiguration Sunday, this our Valentine’s Day, and on this our UM Scouting Sunday. So, three things in one Sunday, that’s a lot!

          I think we all know what Valentine’s Day is. This day that we celebrate that special someone that we love or loved if they have passed on. This day that our special someone is honored, recognized, and we tell them how blessed we are to have them in our lives. For some, as I said, your special loved one has gone on to be with the Lord, but we can still remember them on this day, and the love that you shared. Valentine’s Day is about love, and flowers, and chocolates, and stuffed animals, and little candy hearts, and a cherub in diaper with a bow and arrow. So Happy Valentine’s Day!

          Every year in the United Methodist Church, we also have a special Sunday in the life of the church to honor Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. We used to have a separate Sunday for Cub/Boy scouts and Girl Scouts, but in recent years we now have just one large Scouting Sunday.

          Given this, I wanted to mention the fact that this is UM Scouting Sunday, but since we are in the middle of the global COVID-19 Pandemic, we are going to celebrate UM Scouting Sunday at a later date this year, when we can actually have scouts, parents of scouts, and scout leaders in the church for in-person worship. At this service, that will likely be in June, I will gear some of the worship towards honoring our scouts, there parents, and scout leaders. This said though, we are very proud at the Sidney UMC to host Scout Troop 99, and Scout Pack 34, which is now officially Troop 9934.

          Lastly, as I said, today is Transfiguration Sunday. This special Sunday in the life of the church that we celebrate Jesus on the mountain, miraculously changed. By changed, do I mean that Jesus put on a Halloween costume? By changed, do I mean that Jesus performed a magic trick? No and No. Today Jesus was miraculously transformed or transfigured on the mountain. He looked and appeared different. This miracle is also well documented in a few books of the New Testament.

          As our gospel of Mark reading for this morning says once again in Mark 9:2-4:

“² Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³ and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus” (Mk. 9:2-4, NRSV).

          So, Jesus’ clothes on this mountain turn miraculously white, and then suddenly Elijah and Moses are with Jesus talking to him. Elijah and Moses are lower and lesser than Christ in this scene, however. In doing some research on the transfiguration of Jesus, one source I read says:

“The transfiguration of Jesus is a story told in the New Testament when Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36) describe it, and the Second Epistle of Peter also refers to it (2 Peter 1:16–18). It has also been hypothesized that the first chapter of the Gospel of John alludes to it (John 1:14)”

“In these accounts, Jesus and three of his apostles, Peter, James, and John, go to a mountain (later referred to itself as the Mount of Transfiguration) to pray. On the mountain, Jesus begins to shine with bright rays of light. Then the prophets Moses and Elijah appear next to him and he speaks with them. Jesus is then called "Son" by a voice assumed to be God the Father, as in the Baptism of Jesus” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfiguration_of_Jesus).

          Quite an amazing miracle indeed, but what I wonder is this, why did Jesus lead Peter, James, and John up the mountain and perform this miracle? What was the purpose? What was Jesus trying to show, Peter, James, and John, and why was Moses and Elijah there? By the way, many scholars believe that Mountain of Transfiguration, is actually Mount Tabor, in Galilee.

          There are many theories that answer these questions, one of the sources I studied about the Transfiguration says this however:

“Christian theology assigns a great deal of significance to the transfiguration, based on multiple elements of the narrative. In Christian teachings, the Transfiguration is a pivotal moment, and the setting on the mountain is presented as the point where human nature meets God: the meeting place for the temporal and the eternal, with Jesus himself as the connecting point, acting as the bridge between heaven and earth” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfiguration_of_Jesus).

          When he was on earth, Jesus was fully man, and was fully God, and miracles like the Transfiguration show us the divinity of Jesus, along with the humanness of Jesus. For he was God and man.

          Again, Moses and Elijah the great prophets are also with Jesus on the mountain this morning. The first five books of the Old Testament or the Torah, are also called the five books of Moses. These books contain the creation story, the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, the Exodus from slavery in Egypt, and all of the Jewish Law, including the 10-Commandments. The great Moses had a small almost transfigured kind of experience in the Book of Exodus. It says in Exodus 34:29:

²⁹ Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God”                        (Ex. 34:29, NRSV).

          Moses in this scripture certainly was not transfigured like Jesus was this morning, but clearly was a mighty prophet of God. Being in God’s presence, the holiness of God almost seemed to “rub off” on Moses as his face shone, yet Christ Transfigured himself, as he was God on earth.

          In addition, Elijah was one of the greatest prophets in the old testament, as some thought Jesus was “Elijah” (Mt. 16:13-16, NRSV). The Old Testament Prophet Elijah performed many miracles, with God working through him. In fact, one source that I read about the Prophet Elijah say:

“God also performed many miracles through Elijah, including resurrection, bringing fire down from the sky, and entering Heaven alive "by fire" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah).

 

          Some consider the Prophet Elijah to be among, or to be the greatest of the Old Testament Prophets. Then of course, we again have great Old Testament Prophet Moses, who again, led God’s covenant people out of slavery in Egypt through the Red Sea, who is named as the author of the first five books of the Old Testament, and who is the one who carry the 10-Commandments or stone tablets down from Mount Sinai.

          Moses and Elijah were great prophets, leaders, and men of God from the Old Testament. Yet even the great Moses and Elijah pale in comparison to Jesus Christ. On this day, Moses, and Elijah converse with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration, as he is radiant, dazzling, and shining like the sun. I like to think that Elijah and Moses are learning from Jesus in this scene as they talk, as Jesus is far greater than they are. A really powerful image if you think about it.

          In our reading from Psalm 50:1-6 for this morning, once again, it says 50:1-2:

“¹ The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. ² Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth” (Ps. 50:1-2, NRSV).

          This God, who has created everything, who is in control of everything, who comes out of Zion or Jerusalem, was made fully manifest in Jesus Christ. Jesus, our savior, God in the flesh, is this morning talking to the great prophets Moses and Elijah.

          In our reading from 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 for this morning, it says once again:

“³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”                      (2 Cor. 4:3-6, NRSV).

          The Apostle Paul talks about seeing the light of the gospel and the glory of Christ. On this Transfiguration Sunday, Peter, James, John, as well as Moses and Elijah see this light, this glory, as Jesus is miraculous Transfigured or changed on the Mount of Transfiguration. Through this, Jesus is showing us all, his power, his authority, his majesty, his light, and most importantly his love.

          On this Valentine’s Day, this day to celebrate love, may we remember that God is the source of life, light, and love. Love comes from God, so if you love someone on this Valentine’s Day, and if love comes from God, then this is what makes Valentine’s Day so special. Love is simple and yet complex.

          In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, the Apostle Paul says:

“⁴ Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶ it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. ⁷ It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never ends”       (1 Cor. 13:4-8a, NRSV).

          The Apostle Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 13:13:

“¹³ And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13, NRSV).

          I hope on this Valentine’s Day that we see God’s love in others, and in our special someone, if we have one. I hope that we realize that on this Transfiguration Sunday, that Jesus was on the mountain this morning showing us the power and love of God. Be looking for, be expecting it.

          The Apostle Peter this morning, seemed to miss this, as our gospel of Mark reading says once again, starting from Mark 9:5:

“⁵ Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷ Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” ⁸ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus” (Mk. 9:5-9, NRSV). 

          The Apostle Peter got scared and was startled by Jesus’ Transfiguration this morning, and the fact that Jesus was speaking with Elijah and Moses. Peter did not know what to say, the gospel says, and James and John were terrified to. Then God the Father, listen to my son. Then boom, the Transfiguration ended.

          Jesus did what he did, or became Transfigured or miraculous changed this morning, to show Peter, James, and John, and us, the glory, majesty, power, and love of God. Jesus shows us that through him, we can come to God, be forgiven of our sins, and follow him, if we but turn from sin and darkness and believe in him.

Today is Valentine’s Day, the day of love in our culture. If God is love, and if love come from God, may we love or remember our special someone this day. May we also show the love of friendship or Agape love to all people. For this day Jesus shows us love on the Mount of Transfiguration, as Valentine’s Day is about love, and since it is UM Scouting Sunday, we love our scouts. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - 02/07/21 - Sermon - “Mother In-Laws!"

Sunday 02/07/21 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:       “Mother In-Laws!”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c                                

New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:29-39

          Hello friends, and welcome once again on this the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. Five Sundays after the wise men visited Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Next Sunday will be Transfiguration Sunday, where Jesus was beautifully changed and transfigured upon the mountain. Next Sunday is also Valentine’s Day and UMC Scout Sunday.

           This morning though, especially with everything that is going on in our country and our world, I decided to have a sermon that was little more fun and a little more lighthearted. For those of you that have had or maybe have COVID-19, or for those of you that have family and friends that have had or have COVID-19, maybe you need a good laugh. I don’t know about you, but I sure do! For those of you that might be out work because of this Pandemic, or feel isolated, or who have not seen family and friends in months, or are worried about our country or the world, I hope that we can all agree that a good laugh might be needed now more than ever!

          As a result of the desire to have a little fun and to be a little more lighthearted this morning, my sermon is called “Mother In-Laws!” Yes, once again, my sermon is called “Mother In-Laws!” As many of you are probably all to well aware, there is this stereotype and a theme among comedians and Hollywood movies about “Mother In-Laws”. In fact, I have seen and have heard comedians, shows, and movies, where the “Mother In-Law” was just no good. Any of you ever see or hear anything like this? “Mother In-Laws” are very stereotyped in our culture.

          Luckily for me, I have a great “Mother In-Law” named Carol, but I guess not everyone who has a “Mother In-Law” loves there “Mother In-Law”. As we are talking this morning, if you have or had a “Mother In-Law,” I would invite you to be thinking about your relationship that you have or had with your “Mother In-Law”. Hopefully, it is or was good. I have a good relationship with my “Mother In-Law” Carol, and she always brings me food to!

          So why am I talking about “Mother In-Laws” this morning, other than we need a good laugh? The answer is in the gospel of Mark reading for this morning, once again, Simon, or Simon Peter, or Peter’s “Mother In-Law” was sick (Mk. 1:29-30, NRSV). In this gospel version, it says:

“²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰ Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. ³¹ He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them”                                      (Mk. 1:29-31, NRSV).

         So, it is not just Simon or Peter that tells Jesus that his “Mother In-Law”  was sick or had a fever, so did Andrew. Since we have this stereotype or this cultural stigma on “Mother In-Laws,” I would assume that Peter loved his “Mother In-Law”, and that Andrew liked Peter’s “Mother In-Law” to, or maybe Peter would have just said to Jesus, “My “Mother In-Law” is fine Jesus, nothing to see here!”

          The story about Jesus healing Peter or Simon’s “Mother In-Law,” is recorded in the gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, but not found in the gospel of John. This being said, the gospel of Matthew says about the healing of Peter’s “Mother In-Law”:

¹⁴ When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; ¹⁵ he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him” (Mt. 8:14-15, NRSV).

          So, in the gospel of Matthew version of the miracle of Jesus healing Peter’s “Mother In-Law,” there is no request made of Jesus to heal Peter’s “Mother In-Law”. Instead, Jesus just does it.

          Let us look at the miracle of Jesus healing Peter’s “Mother In-Law” in the gospel of Luke. In the gospel of Luke, it says:

“³⁸ After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. ³⁹ Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them” (Lk. 4:38-39, NRSV).

            In this translation from the gospel of Luke, it says of those in the house, probably referencing Simon or Peter, Andrew, James, and John, that “they” asked Jesus about her. So, it would seem that in the gospel of Mark and the gospel of Luke that it is not only Peter or Simon that tells Jesus that his “Mother In-Law” was sick or had a high fever. In the gospel of Luke it says, “they,” so that could have been all four of the disciples, or just Peter and Andrew, like in our gospel of Mark reading for this morning. Again, the gospel of Matthew does not mention a request or an invitation for Jesus to heal Peter’s “Mother In-Law,” Jesus just does it. By the way, not in scripture, but according to church tradition, Peter’s “Mother In-Law” was called Joanna.

          So again, since our culture has this stigma and stereotype on “Mother In-Laws,” I thought that it would be fun to preach on the topic of “Mother In-Laws,” as this morning’s gospel reading involved the miracle of Jesus healing Peter’s “Mother In-Law”. I am sure for all of you that have or had a “Mother In-Law” you would tell Jesus if your “Mother In-Law” was sick or had a fever, right? Or wouldn’t you? Well, you get the joke!

          In all seriousness though, one source I researched for this sermon said this about Peter’s “Mother In-Law” this:

“Peter's wife’s mother was sick with fever. In the Talmud, fever is described as a fire.^[2]The original Greek implies that she was seriously ill.^[3] Those present mention her illness to Jesus. He walked over to her, took her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healing_the_mother_of_Peter%27s_wife).

          The Talmud is an ancient book of Jewish Law, used by many Jews even to this day. So, it is clear that Peter cared about his “Mother In-Law,” and Andrew, Peter’s brother, cares for her to. Since this is true, they are eager to have Jesus heal her. Would you be so eager however, to have Jesus heal your “Mother In-Law,” if you had or have one though?

          Further, where did this whole “Mother In-Law” stereotype and stigma in our culture come from? Well, I learned a lot from a source that I researched that says this:

“Humour and jokes about one's mother-in-law (the mother of one's spouse) are a mainstay of comedy. The humour is based on the premise that the average mother-in-law often considers her son-in-law to be unsuitable for her daughter (or daughter-in-law unsuitable for her son), and usually includes the stereotype that mothers-in-law are generally overbearing, obnoxious, or unattractive.^[1] This has commonly been referred to as the "battle."^{[citation needed]}”

“British comedians such as Les Dawson and Jim Davidson have often used them, and many television sitcoms have featured stereotypical mothers-in-laws”.

“There is evidence that this joke dates back to Roman times: Satire VI by Juvenal says that one cannot be happy while one's mother-in-law is still alive.^[1] Most of the mother-in-law jokes are easily translatable to other languages and are easily understandable in most European cultures” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother-in-law_joke). 

          For example, a movie with Jane Fonda came out in 2005 called “Monster-in-Law,” not “Mother In-Law,” but “Monster-in-Law”. This movie really shows the stigma or stereotype of “Mother In-Laws”.

          In our reading from Psalm 147:1-11, 20c for this morning, once again, it says in 147:1:

“Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting” (Ps. 147:1, NRSV).

          Praise the Lord, it is good to sing praises to God, and then the verse from Psalm 147 says God is gracious. With that said, how many of us think this highly of our “Mother In-Laws”? Anyone not feel this way?

          In our reading for this morning from 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 it says once again 9:16:

“¹⁶ If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!”                                     (1 Cor. 9:16, NRSV).

          The Apostle Paul tells us to preach the life-giving gospel of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and the forgiveness and salvation offered through him. Yet, I can imagine someone saying right now, “You know Pastor Paul my “Mother In-Law” used to preach to me all the time, but it wasn’t the gospel!”

          The Apostle Paul goes on to say in 9:22-23, once again:

“²² To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. ²³ I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings” (1 Cor. 9:22-23, NRSV)

          Now the Apostle Paul did this to win people to Jesus, and maybe our “Mother In-Law” does or did this, to win us over? Or maybe she told us what do and how to do it!

          In looking back at our gospel of Mark reading for this morning, it says once again:

“²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰ Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. ³¹ He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them” (Mk. 1:29-31, NRSV).

 

          Since we are hearing about the Apostle Simon or Peter’s “Mother In-Law” being sick and healed, I once again took this as an opportunity this morning to discuss “Mother In-Laws”. As I said earlier, would you tell Jesus that your “Mother In-Law” was sick with a high fever? Or would you just say, “Nothing to see here Jesus, she’s doing just fine!”

          While I have focused this morning on the specific part of our gospel of Mark reading on Jesus healing Peter’s “Mother In-Law,” the gospel goes on to say that Jesus healed many that were sick or possessed by demons. The “whole city” the gospel says gathered around the door where Jesus was, and he healed, loved, and ministered to many (Mk. 1:32-34, NRSV).

          Lastly, the gospel says that Jesus awoke the next day very early after healing Peter’s “Mother In-Law,” and prayed in a deserted place, Jesus and his disciples then went forth preaching the gospel all through Galilee. This including preaching in the synagogues, healing people, and casting out demons (Mk. 1:35-39, NRSV).

          With this said, to bring this sermon to a close, since this is the day that Jesus healed Peter’s “Mother In-Law” I want to tell you a “Mother In-Law” joke. This joke is called “Solomon Delivers Justice to Mother in Law”. Here is how the joke goes:

“Two women came before wise King Solomon, dragging between them a young man. 'This young man agreed to marry my daughter,' said one. 'No! He agreed to marry MY daughter,' said the other. And so, they haggled before the King, until he called for silence. 'Bring me my biggest sword,' said Solomon, 'and I shall hew the young man in half.  Each of you shall receive a half.' 'Sounds good to me,' said the first lady. But the other woman said, 'Oh Sire, do not spill innocent blood. Let the other woman's daughter marry him.' The wise king did not hesitate a moment. 'This man must marry the first lady's daughter,' he proclaimed. 'But she was willing to hew him in two!' exclaimed the king's court. 'Indeed,' said wise King Solomon. 'That shows she is the true mother-in-law.' (https://www.funny-jokes.com/mother-in-law-jokes.htm).

          So, this morning, Peter, and his brother Andrew, have a concern and care for Peter’s sick “Mother In-Law”. As a result, they ask Jesus to heal her, and Jesus does.

          If you have or had a “Mother In-Law,” I hope and pray that you have or had a care and love for her, but if you don’t or didn’t, well then, I guess you get the joke even more of my sermon title for this morning called “Mother In-Laws”. Amen.