Sidney UMC - UMC Scouting Sunday/6th Sunday after the Epiphany - 02/12/23 - Sermon - “Solid Food!”

Sunday 02/12/23 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title: “Solid Food!”                                       

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 119:1-8                                    

New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 5:21-37

          So, I remember one day when I was in high school, a fellow classmate of mine came into the cafeteria during our shared school lunch period. I honestly can’t remember which classmate he was, as I did not really know him that well.

          What was weird about this particular day though, was that I saw some students crowding around him and laughing, while the student I am talking about never opened his mouth. I then noticed as I looked at this student more closely that he had metal on his teeth. Not like the metal that some have had who have worn braces, but this metal looked a little different. I was about 20-30 feet away, but I just had to be nosy and see what was going on. So, I went up to see my fellow classmate, let’s call him “Matt,” because I honestly can’t remember his name. Well as I approached, I noticed that the other students were still laughing and joking with “Matt,” yet as I said, his teeth were not moving. His head and his arms were moving, but not his teeth!

          So, I said hello to everyone, then I asked “Matt” what’s going on? He then said, with what looked like some wiring of sorts on his teeth this, “I got hurt and broke my jaw in three places”. At this point my other classmates laughed. Why did they laugh? Well, my classmates and myself could not really understand what “Matt” was saying very well. Most of the kids, including myself we not being mean, this was just sort of a new novelty that weren’t used to.

          I then asked “Matt,” “I’m sorry man, can you say that again?” So “Matt” said again, “I got hurt and broke my jaw in three places”. To make sure that I had down what “Matt” said, I said, “So you got hurt and broke your jaw in three places?” He said, “Yes”. Of course, my classmates are giggling because his voice sounds weird his mouth all wired shut.

          So, me being me, the first question that I thought of and asked was this, “Well Matt how do eat with your jaw wired shut?” He said, “With a straw”. Apparently “Matt” would suck his food up through a straw, but it had to be pureed in a blender, so it could get through his teeth. There were some small gaps in his wired teeth for the liquid to get through, but nothing big could get into his mouth. So, then I asked “Matt,” “so, are you just eating milkshakes?” Matt then said, “No I eat a lot of normal stuff, I just puree it in the blender first”. He did say though that some things pureed in the blender are just not the same. So, I then asked “Matt” what did you have for dinner last night. He said, “I had a steak, a baked potato, and green beans”. I then asked, “you threw all that in your blender, pureed it, and drank it?” He said “yes?” I then asked, “Well how was it?” He said, “nothing like eating it for real”.

          For the next month or two, “Matt” ate through a straw everyday at lunch time in my high school cafeteria. At school, he mostly had a milkshake or some kind of fruit and vegetable smoothy. After about a week though, I could tell he hated having his mouth wired shut, and also not being able to eat solid food. When “Matt” finally got his jaw unwired, he was so happy to eat solid food again. Anyone here ever have to be on an all-liquid diet? For most people I know, they did not enjoy not being able to eat solid foods.

          Imagine even further, if for the rest of your life here on earth, all you ate was a liquid diet? No longer can you eat anything solid, just liquids, as long as you are on this earth. We know that there is enough nutrition in many liquid diets that they will keep alive, and that they can give you all the basics you need. Yet, are we happy though with just the basics, just the baseline, or do we want to grow beyond just drinking milk, to eating “Solid Food”! Every parent that is nursing a baby or feeding a baby with baby formula has to make that decision of when to start feeding the baby food that is beyond just liquid. Going from milk to “Solid Food!” is an important thing. I cannot imagine we would want to be on a liquid diet our whole earthly life, as God wants to be on a diet that includes “Solid Food!”

          This morning, the Apostle Paul in his letter or epistle to the church in Corinth or the Corinthians is talking about going from spiritual milk to “Solid Food!” In the same way that my classmate was miserable just being on just a liquid diet, with his jaw wired shut, we generally, want solid foods. I mean I don’t know anyone who goes to a barbeque just for the lemonade! I don’t many people who go the best burger joint in the area just to get a soda!

          Yes, in this life we are called to grow and to develop. It is a great joy then to have this annual UMC Scouting Sunday, as scouts are called to grow and develop. In a similar way that a new Christian starts their faith journey as a “Baby Christian,” a new scout is starting their new journey in scouting much in the same way. Our reading from 1 Corinthians this morning tells us that as we grow in faith and as we grow closer to Christ, that we go from “Baby Christians” drinking spiritual food, to hopefully eating the solid food of a mature faith in Jesus Christ. When a person joins scouting, they are new to scouting. Maybe they are like a baby drinking milk, but then they advance, they grow, they learn. This is similar to the progress of the Christian life, and it is also in many ways the progression of scouting.

          This is why I have said so many times that values of the church are very similar to the values of scouting. This is also why on Scouting Sunday it is so important to me to communicate how our Christian faith connects with the mission, vision, and values of scouting.

          As some of also know, our United Methodist Church bishops and leaders decided as of this year, 2023, local United Methodist Churches would no longer be Chartered Organizations for the Boy Scouts of America, or BSA. We still love Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, but because of all of the realities of lawsuits and liabilities we can no longer be the Chartered Organization of BSA units. We still proudly host Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, we are still excited to have you under our roof, because we believe in you, your leaders, your parents, your families, and in what you are you doing. Scouts and scout leaders, you have the support of me and of this congregation. We still are proudly able to host Girl Scouts, as well, which are an important part of scouting, as well.

          In our reading from Psalm 119:1-8 for this morning we hear, once again in, 119:1-5:

¹ Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
² Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart,
³ who also do no wrong but walk in his ways. ⁴ You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. ⁵ O that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes! (Psalm 119:1-5, NRSV). 

          Being blameless, loving God, being like Jesus, being reverent. Sounds like a Christian and a scout to me.

          In digging in a little more into our reading from this morning 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, it says starting in 3:1, once again:

3 And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people but rather as fleshly, as infants in Christ. ² I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, ³ for you are still fleshly. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not fleshly and behaving according to human inclinations?                                               (1 Cor. 3:1-3, NRSV).

          Becoming more like Jesus, more humble, more loving, more caring, serving more, becoming more generous, praying, reading scripture, and etc., this is how as Christians we go from milk to “Solid Food!” Some of us in fact, might even hearts that might be wired up, like the jaw of my classmate in high school. It this is the case, how can our hearts ever go from spiritual milk, to solid spiritual food? Salvation, eternity, is free for taking through Jesus Christ. We repent of our sin and our brokenness, and we make him the Lord of our lives. As we walk with him and as we grow in him, we go from milk to solid food. Growing a new scout into an Eagle Scout, no doubt has parallels to the Christian walk with Jesus Christ. You see the Apostle Paul goes on in our reading from 1 Corinthians for this morning once again, telling us to follow God, to follow Christ. We are to humble ourselves, work hard, and be all that God has called us to be.

          According to the BSA Scout Law, there are 12 points a scout tries to live up every day, even though sometimes we might fail. As Christians, we are to be like Jesus Christ every day, even though somedays we fall short. We keep striving, we keep reaching, we keep praying, and keep moving forward. We when do this, we go from milk to “Solid Food!” What are the 12 points of the BSA Scout Law? Well let me read them to you:

TRUSTWORTHY. Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you.

LOYAL. Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.

HELPFUL. Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.

FRIENDLY. Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.

COURTEOUS. Be polite to everyone and always use good manners.

KIND. Treat others as you want to be treated. Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.

OBEDIENT. Follow the rules of your family, school, and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.

CHEERFUL. Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. Try to help others be happy.

THRIFTY. Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.

BRAVE. Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.

CLEAN. Keep your body and mind fit. Help keep your home and community clean.

REVERENT. Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others (https://www.scouting.org/about/faq/question10/).

          Many of us know that BSA and also the Girl Scouts are not specifically Christian organizations, and yet, so much of what these organizations teach and believe line up so strongly with the Bible and what Jesus teaches in the gospels. For this reason, churches have long partnered with BSA and Girl Scouts, because we share so much in common. It is also true that most Eagle Scouts and Girl Scouts who earn the “Gold Award,” are not usually on America’s Most Wanted list. (https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/highest-awards.html).

          Does this mean scouts, Eagle Scouts, Gold Award recipients in Girl Scouts are better than other people. No, but it does mean that they spent a lot of time making themselves and others better. If we want to grow closer to Christ and to grow in faith as Christians, then we must try to live it out every day. Scouts must also live and grow, and as we all do, and in doing so, we will go from milk to “Solid Food!” Unless you want to be on a liquid diet for the rest of your life!

          In looking briefly at our gospel of Matthew 5:21-37 reading for this morning, once again, Jesus challenges us. Jesus challenges us to control our anger, to not be judgmental, to reconcile ourselves to each other, and to love one another. Jesus talks to us about our relationships, how we should strive to strengthen them. We have all made mistakes, sometimes relationships have failed, and yet we continue to strive to go from milk to “Solid Food!”

          Jesus certainly doesn’t pull any punches in this gospel of Matthew lesson, and some might even say he is even a little harsh. Jesus is challenging us to continue to strive after him, and continue to try to be and do better every day. Jesus talks about some sensitive subjects in this gospel of Matthew lesson. Nevertheless, we serve a living God of love and forgiveness. May we continue to move forward, moving from milk to “Solid Food!”

          Jesus then concludes our gospel of Matthew lesson talking to us about oaths, what we swear to, and how we act. You see friends, as Christians, we don’t have it all figured out, but we serve the one who has it all figured out. As scouts you don’t have to know everything, but you are continuing to learn and grow. The founder of the Methodist Movement, John Wesley said that we “Are going on to perfection”. We becoming every day all that God has called us to be in Jesus Christ. So, scouts, brothers and sisters in Christ, keep moving forward, and keep going from milk to “Solid Food!” Amen.

Sidney UMC - 5th Sunday after the Epiphany - 02/05/23 - Sermon - “Be Salt and Light!”

                              Sunday 02/05/23 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “Be Salt and Light!”                                          

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 112:1-10                                     

New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 5:13-20

          One of my favorite ministries through the Sidney United Methodist Church is our weekly Ecumenical Church Men’s Lunch. On some weeks we get seven or sometimes thirteen people. We say grace before we eat, we talk, we fellowship, and we try to solve the world’s problems. It is always a little awkward though, as some get their food before others, so we often say grace for those that have their food, knowing that the other’s food is on the way.

          Then there are the seasonings. “Can you pass the pepper please, one asks?” “Can you pass the salt please, another asks?” Or if it is Matthew Robinson and I at Roma’s here in Sidney, we ask, “can we get the mozzarella cheese shaker please”! Matthew and I like putting that mozzarella on our pizza!

          Other than saying that I like our weekly Ecumenical Men’s Lunch ministry, and that we like seasonings on our food, today in our gospel of Matthew reading Jesus talks about being “Salt and Light!” Jesus challenges us to be like “Salt and Light!” From the outside looking in, I can see where this could look a little odd. Jesus Christ, our lord, wants us to be like a table top seasoning and the thing we turn on at night to see. Strange, don’t you think?

          Well, why then would Jesus command us to be “Salt and Light?” I remember Melissa’s Uncle Bobby and Aunt Judy telling Melissa and I that years ago they went to a church in Florida called “The Salty Church”. Given this, being “salty,” as our church greeting says this morning, must be important.

          In our reading for this morning from Psalm 112:1-10, once again, we are told in Psalm 112:4:

⁴ They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous (Ps. 112:4, NRSV).

          The “they” in this verse are the people that follow and love God. These people are like a light in the darkness. We also hear in Psalm 112:8-9, once again:

⁸ Their hearts are steady; they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. ⁹ They have distributed freely; they have given to the poor;             (Ps. 112:8-9, NRSV).

          The people of God shine light into darkness, there hearts are steady, and they serve and love freely.

In our reading from 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, the Apostle Paul tells us all to preach Christ, and him crucified for us and our sins. The Apostle Paul tells us to trust in the power of God, and to speak God’s wisdom. May we seek the Spirit of God, or the Holy Spirit, and may we be open to God’s love and calling. When we do this, we are connected to Christ, and we are living like Christ. In fact, the Apostle Paul ends this reading from 1 Corinthians 2:16 telling us in 16b, once again:

But we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16b, NRSV).

In all we do, and in all we are, we are called to love God, seek God, and to have the mind of Christ. Well with this said, what are some ways that we can live our lives to achieve these goals. This morning, Jesus tells us in our Matthew 5:13-20 reading, once again, “Be Salt and Light”. As Melissa’s aunt and uncle used to attend a church in Florida called, “The Salty Church,” let’s dive more into what Jesus meant about being “Salt and Light”.

According to my still favorite bible commentary, which is a book that helps to better explain the scriptures, called “The Africa Bible Commentary,” it says this about people being like salt in the gospel of Matthew:

“salt, which purifies, preserves, and enhances the flavour of food. They will influence society and make the earth a better more wholesome place. Salt that has ceased to be salty has lost these qualities and is as useful and refuse (5:13). Ordinarily sodium chloride - common salt – does not lose its saltiness”             (Africa Bible Commentary, pg. 1145-1146).

          So, salt purifies, preserves, and enhances the flavor of food, and in a similar way, like salt does this for food, we are called to make the world better. What long confused me, before I understood what more Jesus was saying here, is how can salt lose its saltiness. I mean if you put table salt in water, the water is still very salty. Until I did the research, I did not understand how salt could become less salty. Anyone else confused by Jesus telling us that salt can lose its saltiness? I mean can water not be wet? Can the sun not be bright when it is exposed in the sky? Etc.?

          So how then, according to Jesus in our gospel of Matthew 5:13-20 reading for this morning, can salt lose its saltiness? I also hope we can understand the connection here to our faith in Christ. If we are not careful, our faith can become common, unexciting, and bland. This being said though, how can salt stop being salty?

          Let me pick back up from my Bible Commentary to better explain what Jesus meant about salt losing its saltiness. Jesus says salt can lose its saltiness, because:

“the salt used in first-century Palestine could. It was similar to the Cibwa salt produced in the villages in the Mpika District of Zambia. This salt was made by burning a special kind of grass that grew in the Lwitikila salt pans, filtering water through the ashes and then leaving the compound in the sun to evaporate. If the resulting ball of salt was exposed to rain, the salt could be leached out at the ball would lose its saltiness and become worthless” (Africa Bible Commentary, pg. 1146).

          So, the salt that Jesus is referencing in Matthew 5:13-20 for this morning is not ordinary table salt. The salt Jesus is referencing is different, and it can lose its saltiness. So if Jesus is telling us to be “Salt and Light,” and to not lose our “saltiness,” Jesus is telling us to stay salty.

          Once again this means as disciples of Jesus Christ, like salt, if we lose our saltiness, we become, according to my Bible Commentary:

“disciples who refuse to live lives that are true to their calling. They will have no influence and will become unserviceable, worse that useless”                             (Africa Bible Commentary, pg. 1146).

          Harsh I thought. In the same way that salt purifies, preserves, and enhances our food, we will not live our faith out like we could if lose the saltiness of our faith in Christ. We do not want to become lukewarm, common, or unsalted. This is why Melissa’s aunt and uncle’s church in Florida that they used to attend was called “The Salty Church,” as we as Christians are called to stay “salty” in our faith in Christ.

          Once again, this is why Jesus tells us this morning Matthew 5:13:

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot (Mt. 5:13, NRSV).

 

          Jesus is telling us to be salty, and may we be a salty church! As far as the other part of what Jesus is teaching this morning, Jesus is telling us to be salt, but Jesus is also telling us to be light. In fact, picking up Matthew 5:14, Jesus tells us, once again:

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:14-16, NRSV).

 

          Shine the light of your faith and your love for Christ, so that whole world sees it. Do not hide or dim your light, instead put it on display for the world. Whatever God has called you to do in the church or in the world, this pastor is here to walk along side of you, and to help you to get where God is leading you. Stay salty, and stay bright with light.

          According to my Bible Commentary it says this about light:

“Jesus’ disciples are also to be like light (5:14a). They would have been familiar with this image, for both Israel the nation and Jerusalem its capital were considered ‘a light for the Gentiles’’ (Isa. 42:6). Jesus, however, declared himself to be the ‘light of the world’ (John 9:5). The light that come from disciples is not their own, but shines through them on account of their remaining in the true light, Jesus there Lord. They need to be connected with him that same way as a light bulb needs to connected to a generating plant if it is to give light”                                              (Africa Bible Commentary, pg. 1146).

          Be “salty” like Jesus, and shine the love, truth, and life of Jesus. Shine your light of Christ brightly, and remember that our light of Christ shines the brightest when we stay connected to Christ.

          I guess on some level, I still see it as an odd combination, “salt and light,” but we are to remove darkness and to make thing better and brighter. Light removes darkness and salt make food taste better. Us being salty makes the world better.

          After Jesus telling us to be like “salt and light,” Jesus continues on in Matthew 5:17-20. Picking up in Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, once again:

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:17-20, NRSV).

          Jesus shifts from talking about us being salt and light, and then talks about his mission here on earth, and how we are called to be part of this mission. Jesus also tells us that everything that is in Old Testament, the law, the rules, and the prophecies will be fulfilled in him. All the prophecies of old in the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible will and have come to fruition in Jesus Christ. Jesus did not come to destroy the law of Moses; he did not come to destroy the sabbath. Instead, Jesus is Lord of the sabbath, and he is the fulfilment of God’s plan here on earth.

          Part of the way that we can live this out in our lives and in the world, is by being “Salt and Light!” So, friends, shine the light of Christ brightly. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! Also, stay salty and don’t lose your saltiness. We are called by Christ to “Be Salt and Light!” Amen.

Sidney UMC - 4th Sunday after the Epiphany - 01/29/23 - Sermon - “Why The Sermon On The Mount Matters!”

Sunday 01/29/23 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “Why The Sermon On The Mount Matters!”               

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 15                                       

New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 5:1-12

          As Christians we are called live and love like Jesus Christ. We are called to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, to share the gospel with others, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Many of us do this in various ways in our everyday lives.

          Sometimes though, it can be hard for those who are struggling and or suffering. The promises of God through Jesus Christ are the same for us all if we turn to Christ, but some of our life circumstances differ from others. Sometimes for some, it is easier to be the giver or the caretaker than to be the receiver. Many of us love helping others, but we might not like receiving help from others. This reality is how it has always been in the world, and the Christian community is tasked with loving and caring for each other. This is what we do, as followers of Jesus Christ.

          This morning, we have the famed “Sermon of the Mount,” in our gospel of Matthew reading. Some people also refer to this at the “Beatitudes.” The “Beatitudes” is a fancy way of describing saying of Jesus. As in, Jesus said these things, these “blessed(s)” are the “Beatitudes.” Some experts think that Jesus gave his “Sermon on the Mount” near the Sea of Galilee on a hill, and some might argue that he gave this sermon somewhere else. Maybe a mountain or somewhere else. There is a large agreement that Jesus was in an elevated area though, as this sermon is often known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” There also a version of this in the gospel of Luke, often called the “Sermon on the Plain.” In the gospel of Luke version, often called, once again, “The Sermon on the Plain,” which differs a little from the “Sermon on the Mount,” it is commonly believed that Jesus was preaching on a flat surface not an elevated service. This why in the gospel of Luke it is called the “Sermon on the Plain.”

          The Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain both give some of Jesus’ core teachings and challenges for us to be more like him. This is reflected in our Psalm 15 reading for this morning, as Psalm 15:1-2, which says once again:

O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? ² Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right and speak the truth from their heart; (Ps. 15:1-2, NRSV).

          It is interesting that that Psalmist asks this morning “who may dwell on your holy hill,” as Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount or the Beatitudes this morning on a hill or an elevated place. Who can dwell on the holy hill, and how should we strive to live? Well, this my friends is what the Sermon on the Mount and Beatitudes are all about. Jesus this morning, beyond just love God and love your neighbor is giving us further instructions for how to live, and this, as my sermon title is called, is “Why the Sermon On The Mount Matters!”

          If Jesus is the ultimate form of love, as he was God in flesh, then the ultimate act of love was Jesus dying on the cross for us. In fact, in our reading for this morning form 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, it says starting 1:1 once again:

¹⁸ For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18, NRSV).

          The message of the cross is love, forgiveness, hope, repentance, and mercy. This is why the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:23-25 this, once again: 

²³ but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength                                   (1 Cor. 1:23-25, NRSV).

          Jesus, fully God, fully human, came for each and everyone of us. Jesus did not come just for some, but for us all. In fact, the Apostle Paul reaffirms this reality, picking up in 1 Corinthians 1:28, saying once again:

 ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. ³⁰ In contrast, God is why you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹ in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Cor. 28-31, NRSV).

          So, Jesus, our Lord, the lover of our souls, just what did he preach on the mount this morning? What are these “Beatitudes,” and “Why Does the Sermon on the Mount Matter?” Let’s take a look once again at Matthew 5:1-12. Starting in 5:1 it says, once again:

5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ² And he began to speak and taught them, saying: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:1-3, NRSV). 

          According to one of my favorite bible commentaries, the Africa Bible Commentary it says this of being “poor in spirit”:

“The term poor in spirit has its roots in material poverty. Someone who is poor has no influence, power or prestige. Then, as now, they were often taken advantage of exploited” (Africa Bible Commentary, pg. 1144).

            To those who are “poor in spirit” all over the world, Jesus says this morning that he loves you, that you are chosen by him, and that you are blessed. Jesus then continues picking back in in 5:4, once again:

⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Mt. 5:4, NRSV).

          Many people are mourning throughout the world. These could be people we know, or we could be these people. Struggling with a loss, grieving, mourning. Jesus says, in these times, I am with you, turn to me.

⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Mt. 5:4, NRSV).

          Jesus then tells us in Matthew 5:5:

⁵ “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Mt. 5:5, NRSV).

          According the Africa Bible Commentary:

“Meekness is the ability to control one’s power and use it for the benefit of others. It is the opposite of arrogant, selfish assertiveness and uncontrolled emotions. The meek do get angry, but at the right time, and not because of wounded pride” (Africa Bible Commentary, pg. 1144).

          The meek are those serve others and not themselves. The meek are those who seek to make the world better, and not get just what they can for themselves.

          Jesus then tells us in Matthew 5:6:

⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Mt. 5:6, NRSV).

          According the same bible commentary I have been citing throughout this sermon, it says of this beatitude:

“Hungering and thirsting for righteousness is a safe appetite, for God will always fill those with this hunger and thirst (5:6). This beatitude challenges is to eagerly seek righteousness, to seek God and his righteous instruction in much the same way that the very hungry or thirsty seek something to eat or drink” (Africa Bible Commentary, pg. 1144).

          The rest of Jesus’ “Beatitudes” I think are more self-explanatory than some that I just reviewed. For example, Jesus says in 5:7-9:

⁷ “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Mt. 5:7-9, NRSV).

          Jesus challenges us to be merciful, and he says in doing so, God will show us mercy. Be pure of heart, or sincere in your love and kindness, and you will see God, Jesus says. Seek to make peace and not war, and Jesus says, peacemakers will be called children of God.

          In the last two “Beatitudes” Jesus instructs us about being persecuted and oppressed for your faith. Jesus tells us to conclude our Matthew 5:1-12 reading for this morning, his last two “Beatitudes”. Picking up on Matthew 5:10, Jesus says once again:

¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:10, NRSV).

          Jesus is telling us that if we try to live righteous and holy lives, that magnify Christ, some will persecute us for this. Jesus however, says we will be given the kingdom of heaven. We should never grow weary in doing what is right and in living and loving like Jesus. Even if the world comes against us, Jesus is our hope, and he is the hope of the world.

          Lastly, Jesus concludes our reading with Matthew 5:11-12 saying, once again:

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Mt. 5:11-12, NRSV).

          Who here this morning loves Jesus? Unfortunately, some people in this world will not like the fact that we love and follow Jesus. We are called to love and forgive them anyway. Jesus has given us the blue print for salvation and eternity, the path of sanctification, and way that we are to live on this earth.

          When we seek to like holy and righteous lives, when we seek to live and love like Jesus Christ, some people will try to tear us down. Continue though to live and love like Jesus, for he and his gospel are the hope of the world. Part of his gospel is the “Sermon on the Mount,” or the “Beatitudes,” and since Jesus is truth and love itself, this is “Why The Sermon On The Mount Matters!”

    Further friends, any of these categories of people that suffer, are persecuted, are

 belittled, ignored, harmed, etc., Jesus is inviting this morning to love and care for them.

 May we love and reach out to the poor in spirit, to those who mourn, to the meek, to

 those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, to the merciful, to the pure in heart, to the

 peacemakers, to the persecuted, and to those who are attacked because of their

 righteousness. The Sermon on the Mount then is not just how we should act ourselves,

 but it also how we should love and lift up others, so that we all my grow closer to Christ

 and each other. Once again, this is “Why The Sermon On The Mount Matters!” Amen. 

Sidney UMC - 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany - 01/22/23 - Sermon - “Repent, For The Kingdom Of Heaven Has Come Near!”

Sunday 01/22/23 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:                                                                                          “Repent, For The Kingdom Of Heaven Has Come Near!”

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-4                                      

New Testament Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 4:12-23

          For those of you who heard about Melissa and I trying to travel to Chicago this past Christmas day afternoon, you may have heard that we never made it to Chicago. We did make it however, to our connection flight at BWI or Baltimore Washington International Airport, but that was as far we got. Originally our connection flight from BWI to Chicago O-Hare International Air Port was supposed to leave at 9:00 PM, bringing us to Chicago for 10:50 PM. At that point we would just get our bags, and we would meet my dad outside. We would then drive to rural Northern Illinois where I am from, and be there for a week.

          Well, we flew on Southwest Airlines. I am sure that many of you heard that something like 15,000-17,000 Southwest Airlines flights were canceled between Christmas time and New Year’s. Not only this, Melissa and I got see humanity, as it were, in its fullest and rawist form.

          I remember a dear friend, and a retired United Methodist Pastor, who has since passed on to glory, that liked to sit on a park bench in the warmer months. I asked Pastor Bob Pinto, did you do this to see nature, get fresh air, and to talk to God? He said that he did all of these things, but his other motive was to watch the people. I said, “Well why do you want to watch the people?” He said that, “he wanted to see what they would do and how they acted.” I then said to Pastor Bob, “Well why would you want to do that?” He said, “Because when you sit on a park bench and watch people, sometimes you can see the real person that we sometimes hide from much of the world.” Then said, “well why would you want to do that?” He said, “because we are called to repent of sin and darkness, come to Jesus Christ, and to live like Jesus.” He said by sitting on the park bench he could get a better idea of how his community was doing with what Jesus calls to us all in Matthew 4:17 that says:

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mt. 4:17b, NRSV).

          I tell you all this, because as I told a few people in this church, things got a little dicey when Melissa and I were in the Baltimore Washington International Air Port on Christmas Day night. I mean, we were delayed getting there, and our departure time to Chicago was now about 11:45 PM, not 9:00 PM. We got through security and had our carry-on bags full of Christmas gifts for my family in Illinois. So, Melissa and I got some dinner, and they had a Burger King in the terminal. I hadn’t had a Whopper in years. So, Melissa and I got dinner, and I had my Whopper!

          She asked me if was stressed about the flight to Chicago being delayed, and I said, “Melissa were are sitting here in Baltimore, we have some time off, and I have you and a Whopper.” As a point of interest, Melissa was much more exciting than the Whopper! At this point though, we had made it through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and I was happy to be with her and having dinner, flight delay or no flight delay. Was I thrilled that our flight to Chicago at this point was delayed, no, but I realized I was with Melissa, we had some time off, God was good, and yes, I had a Whopper.

          Where I connect this experience with the late and great Pastor Bob Pinto sitting on the park bench periodically, was at 1:00 am. Our flight to Chicago was now delayed until about 1:50 am. It would eventually be cancelled at about 2:15 am, early on Monday morning December 26th. At 1:00 am though, Melissa and I, and the thousands of stranded and or delayed passengers were over tired, stressed, and awaiting what they were hoping was good news about there flights. What was interesting for me though, was at about 1:00 am, I just started watching people in the airplane terminal at BWI. I wasn’t starring at them, but I was watching their behaviors and interactions, as the late and great Pastor Bob Pinto did on the park bench.

          What was I looking for? Well, nothing in particular, I guess, I just wanted to see how the people acted. Once again, we were all over tired and stressed, and I started observing people, yes at 1:00 am in the BWI Airport. Did I take notes? No, I am no that cool, but I observed various things. Some people were just mean and nasty to each other and to the Southwest Airlines staff. By the way, Southwest refunded our tickets, gave us extra frequent flier points for the future, and even gave us some monetary reimbursements. We are grateful for that. So, some people were being just mean, selfish, and nasty. Yet some other people, even in their depleted and stressed-out state had a consideration for others around them. Some had a consideration for the disabled, the elderly, for Chicago Cubs fans, etc. Even in this stressful moment, some were kind and loving, while others where mean, selfish, and angry. Some were indifferent, and some shouted at the airline staff and demanded things. Amazing how people act when there really in a moment of tension and or distress. Sometimes that is really when you know who someone is.

          After our flight got canceled at 2:15 am, when then left the terminal of the BWI Airport and went back to the ticket counter. There were hundreds of people, and probably 1,000 people or more. Melissa and I were even on the news in the Baltimore Washington area at about 5:30 am in the morning, which we didn’t even know about until the next day. We waited in line for about 4-4.5 hours before we got to the ticket counter. By the time we got to the ticket counter it probably felt like the Israelites getting to the promised land after 40-years of wandering in the wilderness. Unfortunately, we had no mana from heaven or quail. When we got to the ticket counter, we couldn’t believe that we actually got to the ticket counter! What we then realized though, was that there were hundreds of more people in line behind us. Melissa and I figured they were all probably in line hours more.

          Interestingly, at about 3:30 am, some passengers were really getting angry and agitated, as the preferred customers were able to go right to the front of the line. Well, some of the other passengers weren’t having that in massive line of people. Some of these angry passengers were shouting in anger. Melissa and I were worried that was going to be riot or people storming the ticket counters of Southwest Airlines at BWI. Right then, a woman, out of the blue, began singing “O Holy Night.” Her voice soared, and she sang like a singer on Broadway. The whole room, hundreds and hundreds of people just calmed down. It was definitely a God moment.

          When Melissa and I got to the ticket counter for Southwest Airlines at about 6:30 am, we were told that there were no flights to Chicago until Wednesday, as it was early Monday morning December 26th. Luckily, we were able to catch a flight back to Albany on Monday December 26th, even though that was delayed 3-3.5 hours. We were blessed and lucky, as some people were stranded at BWI for another 2-4 days. We did not get to spend Christmas with some of my family in Northern Illinois, but I could see where God was present through the whole experience!

          What also rang true, from the late and great Pastor Bob Pinto watching people on the park bench, or me watching people in the BWI airplane terminal at 1:00 am, was that Jesus was right this morning, when he said in Matthew in 4:17 once again:

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mt. 4:17b, NRSV).

          This morning once again, this is what Jesus tells his disciples and us. Or to put it another way, Jesus is asking us this, “how do we want to live?” What kind of people do we want to be? Believe me when I tell you that after Melissa and I had our little airport adventure, I believe more than ever that sin and evil are alive and well in this world. Yet, the love and hope of Jesus Christ is also alive and well in the world. We get to choose. Do we turn away from our sin and our darkness, as we all have some, or do we grow more cruel, angry, and wicked? Jesus instructs us to turn from our sin and darkness, and to put our trust in him as our Lord and Savior. When we turn from sin and darkness and put our trust in Jesus we are forgiven and we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. We offered salvation and eternity, but we can also build God’s kingdom here on earth, in anticipation for the fulfilment God’s coming kingdom when Christ returns.

          What is it like to repent of our sin and come to Christ? When I think about this, I think of what the prophet Isaiah said for this morning in the prophecy of the coming of Christ. In fact, Isaiah says in 9:2 once again:

²The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined (Isa. 9:2, NRSV). 

          Jesus tells us to turn to him and to live. To be the person in the airport or the park that is showing love and kindness, and not anger and cruelty. Turn from sin and darkness, for Jesus Christ is light and the hope of the world.

          To live for Christ, also means that we should strive to live and love each other. How are we to live then as the Church of Jesus Christ? Well in our 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 reading for this morning, it starts in 1:10 saying, once again:

¹⁰ Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose (1 Cor. 1:10, NRSV).

 

          There are many things that divide people and Christians in this day in age. Some of these divisions are even occurring in the United Methodist Church. As we move through these uncertain times, may we be in agreement in our love for Jesus Christ. May we be in agreement in our hope in Jesus, and the love we show each other through Jesus Christ.

          In looking at our gospel of Matthew reading for this morning, where I got my sermon title, let’s hear the word once again. Where the gospel of Matthew lesson for this morning picks up once again, is with Jesus hearing that his cousin John the Baptist was arrested. This is where the gospel of Matthew picks up for this morning, once again, starting in Matthew 4:12:

¹² Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³ He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴ so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ¹⁵ “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles—¹⁶ the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned” (Mt. 4:12-16, NRSV).

          Jesus of course is fulfilling the prophecy from the prophet Isaiah listed in our Isaiah 9:1-4 reading for this morning. Jesus is coming to the land, and bringing light, life, and love, as the Prophet Isaiah predicted centuries before.

          Where my sermon title comes in for this morning, is in Jesus fulfilling this prophecy from the Prophet Isaiah, Jesus then calls his disciples, the crowds, and us to repentance. Picking back up in Matthew 4:17 it says, once again:

¹⁷ From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mt: 4:17, NRSV).

          Jesus is calling us all to turn from sin and darkness, and to put our faith and our trust in him as our Lord and Savior. Knowing Jesus, and being changed by Jesus may have prevented me from being mean and cruel in the airport. For I knew that Jesus called me to be kind and loving. Every day we must repent and draw closer to Christ.

          Our gospel lesson then ends once again with Jesus calling his first disciples, along the sea of Galilee. I was there 9-years ago, and there was a McDonald’s right where we were. It really messed with what I learned growing up in Sunday School! The gospel continues picking up in Matthew 4:18

¹⁸ As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. ¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹ As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. ²² Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him            (Mt. 4:18-22, NRSV). 

          When I was at the Sea of Galilee 9-years ago with my seminary group, we went out in a boat and cast a net in the Sea of Galilee. We caught no fish, but it was powerful to do what those first disciples were doing. It was also strange to look back from the boat and see a McDonalds. I told the churches that I was serving at the time that I now envisioned Jesus walking with Ronald McDonald telling the fisherman to drop their nets and follow him.

          After calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Jesus, the gospel concludes for this morning with Matthew 4:23, saying once again:

 ²³ Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

          To be a Christian, to be a follower of Jesus Christ, is to live and to love like Jesus. Sometimes we fail to do this, and sometimes we do this well. Everyday is an opportunity to repent and turn to Christ. For as Jesus tells this morning:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mt: 4:17b, NRSV).

 

          Friends, turn to Christ and live. Amen.