Sidney UMC - 2nd Sunday in Lent - 03/08/2020 - Sermon - “NicoDerm vs. Nicodemus”

Sunday 03/08/20 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:          “NicoDerm vs. Nicodemus”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 121

                                           

New Testament Scripture: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

                                                   

Gospel Lesson: John 3:1-17

          Friends, welcome once again on this our Second Sunday in this the Season of Holy Lent. This 40-day season of giving up, of giving away, of fasting, of praying, and of growing closer to Christ and each other. In observing the season of Lent, we model Jesus’ 40-days in the wilderness of fasting and being tempted by the devil. May this season of Lent bring us closer to Christ, closer to each other, and may we become more like Christ.

          For this season of Lent, for example, I have been continually gathering unneeded things, old clothes, etc., to give away. This means that we will have some more things at the Church Rummage Sale this year April! I am observing the season of Lent in this way to be more like Christ and to draw closer to Christ. When we realize what we don’t need, and when we focus more on Christ and on more each other, our faith grows stronger.

          Now you might have noticed that I have a little bit of an odd sermon title for this morning. If you haven’t seen it in the bulletin yet, my sermon title for this morning is called “NicoDerm vs. Nicodemus.”

          For those of us that might not know, NicoDerm is a gum on the market used to help people quit smoking. Nicodemus was a Jewish Pharisee from our gospel of John reading for this morning. Nicodemus came to Jesus this morning wanting to know about Jesus and to draw closer to God. So, NicoDerm, once again, is a gum that you chew to quite smoking, and Nicodemus was a Jewish Pharisee.

          So, why would Pastor Paul compare a gum that you chew to quit smoking with a Jewish Pharisee that came to Jesus trying to understand faith and salvation more? Well, I have the answer for you!

          Comedian Jeff Foxworthy, speaking of Nicodemus had this joke, and I can’t remember where he said it exactly. He said this though:

“If you think that Nicodemus is a gum that chew to quit smoking, then you might not know your Bible” (Jeff Foxworthy).

          So once again, the great Rev. Foxworthy said:

“If you think that Nicodemus is a gum that chew to quit smoking, then you might not know your Bible” (Jeff Foxworthy).

          I decided to make this my sermon title for this morning for two reasons. Number one, because it’s funny. Number two, hopefully like me, after hearing this joke, you will never forget the Bible character Nicodemus ever again in your life!

          In our gospel lesson for this morning, Nicodemus, not NicoDerm, comes to Jesus at night (Jn. 3:1-2, NRSV). Nicodemus, once again, a Jewish Pharisee and leader, tells Jesus that many know that he is clearly from God. They know this because of the many signs and wonders that Jesus has done. Jesus responds to Nicodemus saying these things to Jesus, by telling him in John 3:3:

“Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above” (Jn. 3:3, NRSV).

          Nicodemus takes Jesus so literally here, that Nicodemus thinks that Jesus is saying that he must literally and physically be reborn, like a newborn baby is. Jesus says not being reborn like that, but instead you must be:

“be born of water and Spirit” (Jn. 3:5b, NRSV).

          Or to put it another way, you need to be baptized, accept Jesus as Lord, and be filled with God’s Spirit. So emphatic about this, Jesus says that without this, no one can enter the kingdom of God.

          Jesus tells us the flesh is the flesh and Spirt is the Spirit. Our flesh will die, but not our spirit. At this, Nicodemus is confused, and Jesus challenges us to really consider and to understand what he is saying to Nicodemus. Jesus tells Nicodemus to believe, as he and many others have seen and have heard him, and now believe.

          Jesus tells Nicodemus that he descended from heaven, and he will be ascended back into heaven. Jesus further says that anyone who believes in him will have eternal life (Jn. 3:1-15, NRSV)

          From here we have the famed two versus of scripture that end our gospel of John reading for this morning. These versus are John 3:16-17, that says once again:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (Jn. 3:16-17, NRSV).

          What Jesus was telling Nicodemus, not NicoDerm, is that he, Jesus, is the key to salvation. He is the sacrifice for sin, and the hope of the world. We can’t earn it, we can’t buy it, because it’s free from Jesus. Jesus is saying that when you encounter him spiritually, and are filled with the Holy Spirit, you are changed forever.

          Some Christians identify as “Born Again Christians.” The reason they do, is that like in this story for this morning about Jesus and Nicodemus, these Christians would say that they have been spiritually reborn. They have encountered Christ, they have repented of their sins, they have put their trust in Jesus, and they have felt God’s love and grace. This experience has changed them, and they believe in and follow Jesus. They want others to know Christ, so that those people can know the love that they have found. Spiritual rebirth, and for free. As John says in John 3:16:

“everyone who believes in him” (Jn. 3:16b, NRSV).

          Not some, all people, are offered this free gift of God’s love, hope, peace, mercy, and salvation, through Jesus Christ. Grace and love that we don’t deserve, that we can’t earn, but is offered to us freely. Jesus is telling Nicodemus to open his heart to God, to him, and to new life.

          When our scripture readings for Sunday mornings are assembled months in advance, you have probably heard me say that the church assembles them thematically. This means that all our scripture readings for church on any given Sunday, can be connected in one or more ways.

          This morning, Jesus tells Nicodemus that he needs to be born again, to believe in him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and that this glory comes from heaven.

          It is very interesting to me therefore, that our reading from Psalm 121 for this morning begins by saying:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2, NRSV).

          We look up to God, hope in God, and draw strength from God. God is with us, for us, and knows us inside and out. This Psalm tells us to open our hearts to God, Jesus is telling Nicodemus to be reborn in God’s Spirit, and to open his heart to God’s grace.

          The Apostle Paul reaffirms what Jesus is telling Nicodemus in our gospel of John reading for this morning. Jesus is telling Nicodemus to not stay in the flesh, but to be born again. The Apostle Paul once again this morning says in Romans 4:1-5 regarding Abraham:         

“What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness” (Rom. 4:1-5, NRSV).

          So, it’s about faith, rebirth, coming to Christ, and newness of life. The Apostle Paul concludes for this morning once again in Romans 4:13-17, saying”

^“For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist”                              (Rom. 4:13-17, NRSV).

          This morning, Jesus was telling Nicodemus, not NicoDerm, that he needed to have faith, to be born anew, to trust in Jesus, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Nicodemus did seem to really understand this.

          Do we get it? Do we understanding needing to be born of water and spirit? Do we understand needing to be reborn? Do we understand needing to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Do we realize how much God loves us? Do we know that He is always here for us, and that he will never abandon us?

          Friends, its about faith and trust in God, and this is what Jesus was telling Nicodemus, not NicoDerm this morning. Amen.

Sidney UMC - 1st Sunday in Lent - 03/01/2020 - Sermon - “From Eden to Today”

Sunday 03/01/20 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:        “From Eden to Today”

Old Testament Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

                                           

New Testament Scripture: Romans 5:12-19

                                                   

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 4:1-11

          Welcome once again on this our First Sunday in the season Lent. This 40-day season of reflection, of giving up, of giving away, of self-denial, of prayer, and of fasting, designed to draw us closer to Christ. During this 40-days season leading us to Easter, may we draw closer to Christ, and seek to live like and to imitate Christ more.

          In our gospel lesson for this morning from the gospel of Matthew, Jesus fasted for 40-days and nights and was tempted by the devil in the wilderness (Mt. 4:1-11, NRSV). Jesus was tempted with food, as he was very hungry, was tempted with fame, riches, and power, and was tempted to save his own life.

          In Luke 9:23 Jesus tells us:

“Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Lk. 9:23, NRSV).

          It is true to say, as I said at our Ash Wednesday service, that the season of Lent, like the season of Advent, leading up to Christmas, is a creation of the Christian Church. We are not required by Holy Scripture to celebrate the season of Lent or Advent, but these seasons developed in the early worshipping tradition of the church. We also developed different colored paraments on our pulpits and altars, as we began to orient ourselves not to the secular calendar, but to the Christian calendar.

          So, it is true to say that we do not have to celebrate the season Lent, but many Christian Churches have done so for centuries, because we feel celebrating Lent helps us to grow in our faith in Christ.

          In modelling Jesus fasting for 40-days and nights in the wilderness in our gospel of Matthew reading for this morning, we are invited into a 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday. This period is actually 46-days, as Sundays generally don’t count, as this is the Lord’s Day. We are invited to sacrifice, to cut back, to be more generous, to give up, to give away, and to move closer to Christ.

          Melissa has challenged me for a handful of months now to get rid of clothes that I don’t wear much. I am one of those people that still has a pair of pants from over 10-years ago. Or I was, up until recently!

          A way that we can live and be more like Christ in this season of Lent is to give away things we don’t need. I own much less clothes than I used to, and our church Rummage Sale will be more blessed for it! Some people in this holy season give up a food, or something that they find enjoyable. If doing this though makes you miserable and angry, is that bringing you closer to Christ? No, probably not.

          One year for the season of Lent, I gave up coffee, and that lasted about a day. It was terrible day. This year though, I am committed to giving away more things. Some of us have boxes, closets, and or clothing with the tags still on it. Some of you might have shirt that you bought at AMES 30-years ago that you never wore. Observing a Lenten discipline then is how we feel God is leading us to grow in our faith and love. I have friends that have given up Facebook for Lent. They have done this, because they want to sacrifice something that they love, as Jesus sacrificed everything for them. I know some people who have given up sweets for Lent. Not because they must, but because they want to draw closer to Christ and to be more like Christ.

          The spiritual practice of fasting from food or something else isn’t designed to make us miserable. Instead it is designed to show us that God is our source of life before anything else. These spiritual disciplines draw us closer to Christ, as we are removing the barriers between us and God.

          I have colleague who is a United Methodist Pastor. This person has done full weeklong fasts. During these fasts, this pastor each nothing all day, and at night, he will eat some, or drink something nutritious. The pastor is doing this, so that he will be more focused on God.

          A member of our church told me last week, that one challenge they saw for the 40-day season of Lent, is to find things around your house or your apartment that you don’t need and maybe don’t even want. Grab one thing each day and put them in a bag or a box. At the end of the season of Lent, give those forty things away to someone who needs them.

          Every year since I became a pastor 8-years ago, I have also offered Advent and Lent studies. Since we have these seasons in the life of the church, why not get together and grow in our faith and in our relationships with each other. So, once again, the paraments, the seasons, the robes, and the tradition, was created to point us to Christ.

          With all of this said, my sermon title for this morning called, “From Eden to today,” takes us from our reading from the Book of Genesis to our gospel lesson from the gospel of Matthew, for this morning.

          In our reading from Book of Genesis once again, we have a few verses from chapter 2, and some versus from chapter 3. From chapter two, we hear that God created man, or Adam in the garden. God tells Adam that he can eat freely of every tree, except:

“the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:16, NRSV).

          Eating of this tree will cause death, God says. Many of us know that the Book of Genesis says that while Adam slept, God took one of his ribs and made a companion for him named Eve.

          A serpent, which is the devil, enters the garden, and tells Eve, that if she eats from “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” that she won’t die. The serpent, the devil says, it will only open your eyes, and it will make you wise. So, Eve takes of some of this fruit. Notice it doesn’t say apple, as it could have something else, like a fig for example. Eve eats some of and offers some to Adam, and he eats. I will point out that Adam eats voluntarily, for those men who blame the fall of humanity on Eve or women. Not true men!

          So, they eat, and their eyes are opened, and Adam and Eve see each other’s nakedness. In good Garden of Eden fashion, they created loincloths for themselves out of sown together fig leaves. I guess this new reality for Adam and Eve would certainly be hard to hide from God (Gen. 2:15-17; 3:1-7, NRSV)!

          God then expels Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. We call this the fall of humanity. From that point, we will experience sin, suffering, pain, heat, cold, and struggle. We are therefore, in a fallen and a sinful world. We are not bad or terrible, we are just prone sometimes to do bad or terrible things. If you don’t believe me, just turn on the news tonight.

          God demands that we must be without sin. How can we do this though? I, Pastor Paul, despite trying my best, despite seeking Christ, cannot be fully without sin. I think I have less sin than I did 10-years ago, but I am not fully without sin. I have a problem then, as God wants people that are sinless. It is impossible for me on my own to accomplish this.

          This my friends, is why God planned before time itself to send his only son into the world to die for us. Why didn’t God send Jesus sooner? There are various debates on this. What happened to people eternally before Jesus? There are various debates on this. As I jokingly tell people, “I am in sales not management!”

          God sent his son into the world to bleed and die on a cross to cover our sins. We are incapable of being sinless, so God’s son blotted out our sins for us. All we have to do is repent and accept Christ as our savior and follow him. Otherwise, how can we perfect in the presence of God? Only though Christ can we be found sinless and righteous before a sinless and righteous God.

          So, to put this another way, Adam and Eve failed, but Jesus did not. Jesus was only person who ever walked the face of this earth free from sin. As a result, Jesus is the only one who meets the qualifications to be an all sufficient Lord and Savior, who is truly worry of our praise.

          In looking at our reading for this morning once again from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome or the Romans, Paul discusses Adam and Eve’s failure in the Garden of Eden. Once again Paul says:

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Rom. 5:12-19, NRSV).

          Paul says that sin came into the world, as Adam failed. Since then we have lived a broken and a suffering world. Jesus came however, to offer us new life, hope, light, love, and forgiveness.

          For me knowing that I am forgiven, loved, and restored through Jesus Christ, makes me in the season of Lent and always, want to be better. I think if we are honest, we can all say that we still have sin our lives. Salvation, heaven, is a free gift through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. On this earth though, I want to continue to become more and more like Christ, so that God might use me even more to transform Sidney and the world. What was that old US Army motto, “Be all you can be?”

          I don’t just want salvation therefore; I also want to be more like Jesus. In this season of Lent, I want further to uproot and remove, with God’s help the sin in my life. This is what this season is all about. This is how we got “from Eden to today”.

          What is amazing to me about Jesus, isn’t just that he was fully God and fully human on earth, isn’t just that he was sinless, isn’t just that he died for our sins, but that he became like us. Adam and Eve chose to be condemned, and so did Jesus. Yet Jesus wanted us to know that God loved us so much that he was willing to get into the trenches with us. Jesus was willing to experience heat, temptation, suffering, and unimaginable pain, just to tell us, that he gets it. He understands our suffering, and even suffered with us and for us.

          In our gospel lesson for this morning once again, Jesus has been baptized by his cousin John the Baptist. After this baptism, Jesus then goes into what I like to call to “basic training”. Jesus is tempted as further preparation for his three-year public ministry here on earth. What does he go through for this 40-day period of time? Probably much less than we will go through if we give up chocolate for Lent.

          Once again, our gospel of Matthew reading for this morning says:

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
    and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” (Mt. 4:1-11, NRSV).

          Where Adam failed in the Garden of Eden, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, passed every test with flying colors. Jesus fasts, goes toe to toe with the devil, and Jesus wins.  

          I invited all of us to observe Holy Lent with me, as we walk to cross of Christ together. May we give up, give, away, pray, fast, love, hope, and care, to grow closer to and to become more like Christ. This is how we to get “From Eden to Today.” Amen.

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

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

Sermon Title: “Rule # 6!”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

                                           

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

          Here is how this story goes, as it says:

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

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

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

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

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

Sidney UMC - Transfiguration Sunday - 02/23/2020 - Sermon - “Mountain Top Experiences!”

Sunday 02/23/20 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:        “Mountain Top Experiences!”

Old Testament Scripture: Exodus 24:12-18

                                           

New Testament Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21

                                                   

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 17:1-9

          Friends, welcome again on this our Transfiguration Sunday. This Sunday in the life of the church where we celebrate Jesus going up a mountain and being transformed or transfigured in dazzling white in front of Peter, James and John (Mt. 17:1-2, NRSV). Or to put it another way, on this day, Jesus is literally visually different in front of Peter, James and John. In these moments of the transfiguration, these three disciples experience Jesus in a way that they had never experienced Him before.

          On this mountain, Peter, James and John experienced something miraculous and amazing. We might call this experience a “Mountain Top Experience!” When I think of a “Mountain Top Experience,” I think of those moments in our lives that are amazing and life changing. Those moments where we felt invincible, felt victorious, felt loved, and felt God’s presence. Those moments were everything seemed perfect and our worries and problems seemed miles and miles away.

          We all have had many “Mountain Top Experiences!” For me, I think of graduating from High School and other graduations. I think of the day that Melissa and I moved into our first apartment and then house. I think about our wedding day, the day when I said “I do” to soon, and then said it again for a second time, later in the service.

          There have been various moments and days in my life that were amazing moments. Moments that I wish never ended. Moments were everything was perfect, and I was at peace with myself, with God, and with the world. As I am talking, I would encourage you to think about some of your “Mountain Top Experiences!” Try to remember how you felt in that moment, on that day. It was incredible wasn’t it?

          What’s it like to win the Super Bowl and hold up that Heisman Trophy, as confetti flies everywhere and the crowd cheers? What did it feel like to hold your newborn baby for the first time? What did it feel like to hold your newborn grand-child or great grand-child for the first time? What did it feel like the day some of you retired? What did it feel like that moment you went on the best vacation ever? What was it like when you prayed and prayed for someone who was sick, and they got better? What was it like when God showed up when you least expected Him to?

          Friends, our lives are filled with so many moments and experiences, and thankfully some of these moments and experiences are “Mountain Top Experiences.” We also have times though that we might be in the deepest valleys, as often we are not on the mountain top in our lives. Often in our lives we are somewhere on the mountain itself, just not on the top. Where are you at today? Are you in the valley, are you somewhere on the mountain, or are you on the mountain top today?

          In my life, as I said, I have had some amazing “Mountain Top Experiences” with God. These experiences help me to pursue my call to ministry. As the pastor of this church, I hope and pray that you have had and will continue to have “Mountain top Experiences” with God through Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

          I remember two years ago for example, in 2018 at our Upper New York Annual Conference, I was ordained into the United Methodist Church. I had started my seminary studies and my ministry candidacy in 2010, so it had been 8-years of work, preparation, prayer, sacrifice, discernment, and study. As I knelt at the altar rail on June 2, 2018, our bishop, Bishop Mark Webb put his hands on my shoulders. In doing so he spoke Biblical words over me and called upon the Holy Spirit to fill me and to guide me. He then took my red clergy stole that my mom Susan made for me, and he put it around my neck. A clergy stole is supposed to represent a yoke that would go on a plow horse. The bishop took this red stole, and as he put it around my neck, he looked my right in the eyes and said, “Paul, you are yoked to Christ for life, and life eternal!” I honestly wish that day had never ended. What a “Mountain Top Experience!”

          The next day, Sunday, I came to both churches that I was serving at the time. They were very excited that I was now ordained in the church. Within no time though, I came back down from the mountain top. I realized that a new title and red stole, while they were great, they didn’t change anything about the ministry that I was and am still called to. I was still Paul, ministry was still what is was, and I needed to get back to work. So, I headed down from the mountain top.  This morning, on this our Transfiguration Sunday, we are very much talking about mountain tops.

In fact, in our reading for this morning from the Book of Exodus once again, we have Moses going up the mountain, more specifically, Mount Sinai. (Ex. 24:12-13, NRSV). Moses is going up the mountain, so that God can give him the 10-Commandments and the religious laws that the people of Israel should all live by. Moses will receive the actual stone tablets from God, with the 10-Commandments.

The scripture says that when Moses went up the mountain, that a cloud covered the mountain, and that “The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai” for six days. On the seventh day, God called to Moses out of that cloud. Moses then entered the cloud on the mountain top for 40-days and 40-nights. Moses tells us that the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a “devouring fire” (Ex. 24:12-18, NRSV). Moses had an amazing “Mountain Top Experience” and no doubt it changed him forever, like many of our own “Mountain Top Experiences”.

          Moses then of course comes down from Mount Sinai with the tablets that contain the 10-Commandments. I can imagine that for Moses, as I said, that being up there on Mount Sinai for all that time and seeing and experiencing the glory of God, must have been amazing. Not only did Moses know the 10-Commandments, he physically carried them down the mountain. I can imagine that for Moses this was the ultimate “Mountain Top Experience!”

Also, when any of us are physically on a mountain top, we are closer to heaven. What would it be like to climb the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest? To climb that great mountain and stand at its peak? Some men and women have made climbing Mount Everest a life goal.

          In a way, Moses climbing Mount Sinai in our Book of Exodus reading for this morning, is like Jesus leading Peter, James and John up a mountain this morning. Peter in fact, from his second letter from this morning, tells us again what happened with Jesus on this mountain. This is what Peter says once again from our reading from 2 Peter for this morning:

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet. 1:16-21, NRSV).

          Peter says in our reading from 2 Peter for this morning once again, that what happened on this day wasn’t just a myth. Peter said that they were physically there on that mountain, and that they saw Jesus transfigured right in front of them. Peter also said that they heard God the father speaking, and that they all witnessed all of this on “the holy mountain”.

          On this day of a “Mountain Top Experience,” we hear once again what it says in the gospel of Matthew reading for this morning, about Jesus’s transfiguration. Once again, the gospel of Matthew reading for this morning says:

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead” (Mt. 17:1-19, NRSV).

          When Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the 10-Commandments in our Book of Exodus for this morning, he communed with God. He saw the power, the presence, and the majesty of God. This morning on this our Transfiguration Sunday, Peter, James and John see Jesus Transfigured or changed. Specifically, Jesus’ face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. I wonder what it must have been like to see that. How did it feel? How would it change you forever?

          Not only this, in this Transfiguration experience, Moses and the great prophet Elijah from the Old Testament appear with Jesus. They are talking with Jesus. Yet Moses is lesser that Jesus, as is the great prophet Elijah. In our Book of Exodus reading, Moses goes up Mount Sinai to commune with God and receive the 10-Commandments, but on the mount of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah are communing with Jesus. Jesus, God in the flesh, the fulfillment of the Old Testament Law, of the Old Testament prophecies, is the God in the flesh that Moses and Elijah are speaking to this morning.

          In this moment of Peter, James and John witnessing this scene of transfiguration, Peter asks Jesus if it’s good that they are present and witnessing this scene. Peter seems nervous and unsure of himself. Further, Peter then asks Jesus if he should make a tent or a dwelling place for Him, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Maybe Peter thought that they would be there for awhile and would need a place to relax and sleep.

          At this point of Peter asking these things, a bright cloud then overshadows Peter, James and John, and God the Father tells these three disciples of obey Jesus. In hearing and seeing these things, these three disciples fell to the ground in fear. Peter sure got a good answer from God!

As these three disciples are on the ground cowering in fear, Jesus then touches them, and tells them to get up and to not be afraid. At this point the three disciples look up and see nothing but Jesus, who is now back to normal. So just like that, Jesus is back to normal and no longer transfigured, and Moses and Elijah are gone. As soon as this experience started it seemed, in then ended just as quickly.

          So, this “Mountain Top Experience” ends, and the three disciples go back down the mountain. This amazing life changing “Mountain Top Experience,” just ends. So, the disciples go from being on the top of the mountain, and then back down to regular normal life. On the way back down the mount of transfiguration, Jesus then tells these three disciples to keep secret what they had seen and heard, until He is raised from the dead after his crucifixion. Jesus wanted to wait until he was ready for his crucifixion, and then the story of the mount of transfiguration could be told.

          In all three of our scripture readings for this morning, we hear about “Mountain Top Experiences”. All of us in our lives have had “Mountain Top Experiences!” It is my hope and my prayer that this morning and in general, that you remember the joy, the love, the excitement, the hope, and the peace of your own “Mountain Top Experiences”! Happy Transfiguration Sunday! Amen.