1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 3:24-37 “A Season of Waiting, A Season of Hope”
What would people say if asked this weekend, “What time of year is it?” Would they say, “Fall." "Winter.“ Or would they say, “Thanksgiving, the time of year to be thankful.” Or, “It’s Christmas, the time to shop and all the stuff that goes with the season.” Would anyone say it is Advent? It seems more and more we rush right by Thanksgiving and hurdle over Advent on the way to Christmas, with hardly a pause to give thanks, to settle in after a large dinner and enjoy the day before jumping right into Christmas. After all, we can be thankful anytime. And why have a season where the whole point is waiting? That’s no fun! But still, this is Advent – and this is the season of waiting.
Walmart Shopping Death By Robert D. Mcfadden & Angela Macropoulos New York Times, 11 28/08
The throng of Wal-Mart shoppers had been building all night, filling sidewalks and stretching across a vast parking lot at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, N.Y. At 3:30 a.m., the Nassau County police had to be called in for crowd control, and an officer with a bullhorn pleaded for order.
Tension grew as the 5 a.m. opening neared. Someone taped up a crude poster: “Blitz Line Starts Here.”
By 4:55, with no police officers in sight, the crowd of more than 2,000 had become a rabble, and could be held back no longer. Fists banged and shoulders pressed on the sliding-glass double doors, which bowed in with the weight of the assault. Six to 10 workers inside tried to push back, but it was hopeless.
Suddenly, witnesses and the police said, the doors shattered, and the shrieking mob surged through in a blind rush for holiday bargains. One 34 year old worker, was thrown back onto the black linoleum tiles and trampled in the stampede that streamed over and around him. Others who had stood alongside this man trying to hold the doors were also hurled back and run over, witnesses said.
Some workers who saw what was happening fought their way through the surge to get to the man, but he had been fatally injured, the police said. Emergency workers tried to revive the temporary worker hired for the holiday season, at the scene, but he was pronounced dead an hour later at Franklin Hospital Medical Center in Valley Stream.
Four other people, including a 28-year-old woman who was described as eight months pregnant, were treated at the hospital for minor injuries.
Maybe now is a good time for Advent for all of us.
Paul writes to the church at Corinth, telling them he is thankful for them – and their discipleship as they wait for the revealing of Jesus Christ. God has strengthened them through their sharing of the good news. They are blessed (v. 7), but (as he says later), they tend to dwell on the excitement of the present rather than looking forward to “the revealing of ... Christ,” Jesus coming again. God is “faithful” (v. 9): he will not abandon what he has begun – the time will come. The early church was an Advent people, who were about waiting for the coming of their Lord once again.
And in Mark Jesus answers his disciples question about the coming of the Son of Man when the Temple is destroyed – when will it be? Basically what Jesus says is: when what you have counted on all this time crumbles, when things appear to be the darkest, and everything is falling in on you, the Son of Man will come from heaven and draw his people to him.
Jesus tells Peter, James, John and Andrew, “You’re going to have days like this, all of you. You’ll know, just like when you see a fig tree sprout leaves you know summer can’t be far away. And when it happens, and it will, I will be there with you.” Then he adds, you aren’t going to know when all this is going to happen. Only God knows that. Wait, it will happen. Don’t give up hope. Watch, the Son of God IS coming.
Perhaps like the Advent people of the Exile, who expressed their frustration after years and years uprooted from their “promised land,” we long for God to come into our lives in a tangible way. We want signs of some sort or another. Where is the manna? Where is the pillar of cloud or fire? Where are the plagues? We want God to shake things up a bit, let us know God’s still around.
And like the people of the exile, we are sort of tired of waiting. Maybe we have even given up on God. Concerning our prayers, maybe it’s even like James Brenneman, president of Goshen College, writes: “We have felt nothing, seen nothing, sensed nothing for a long time.” So, what’s the point of “keeping in touch” any more? Brenneman says when you reach the point of “throwing in the towel” or the unhappiness is too heavy to bear and you beg God do something – you have entered Advent.
When all you have is hope – you have entered Advent. And you wait. You wait until “the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” You wait for God to do something because there is nothing you or anyone else can do.
Advent is a season of hope, but it does not begin there. The season begins with hopelessness. This is the context in which the people of God are truly ready to hear a message of grace and new beginnings. When all other options are closed, when we have exhausted our personal resources, and when we have found all our idols wanting, we are ready to receive the newness only the Lord can create. We are ready to receive Jesus as our hope.
Churches even avoid singing Christmas carols during Advent and change the paraments to Purple, a color of remorse (or repentance), as reminders that we are broken people, all of us - to be molded anew by the Master’s hands from what we have become into what we are to become. Both act to remind us to resist “the powers" of commercialism and materialism that can get in the way of their watchfulness for the coming of the Son of Man.
Advent is not so much ABOUT Christ coming, or WHEN Christ comes again, or HOW it’s all going to happen. There is no literal timetable or calendar that one can mark step by step. We are all, Jesus says, like servants whose master has gone on a journey. We have no idea when he is coming back. The only thing we do know about the timing is that when we think we know then for certain it will not be then.
In truth, the Son of Man is always at the door.
Advent is about the fact that Christ has come, and will come, time and time again, as God with us, our Savior. Advent happens every time we come to the Lord’s Table. The Advent of God happens every time we repent, turn form our sins, and seek God’s forgiveness. It is a season when God becomes our Savior - even when we wait in hope.
Advent is about waiting and about watching - waiting by not knowing when, watching by living as Jesus lived, loving as Jesus loved. And Advent is about hope.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
November 23, 2008 Message
Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 (Ezekiel 34:11-24)
Does Matthew's judgment story — this stark account of the second coming of Christ — cause you to think about what really matters in life and in the season ahead? Is it in some ways unsettling? I imagine for some, it is. I know it is for me.
Perhaps it would help us better understand the gospel if we also look at Ezekiel 34:11-24. Here, Ezekiel writes: “The Lord God says, ‘As shepherds seek out their flocks, I will search for my sheep. I will seek them out. I will rescue them. I will bring them into their own land. I will feed them with good pasture. I will give them rest. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but I will put an end to the fat and the strong. I will deal justly with them.’”
Ezekiel informs us of the unconditional love of God. It tells about a shepherd involved in a search-and-rescue mission, for the purpose of restoration, rather than punishment. Once found, his sheep will be given what is needed for wholeness and peace. However, Ezekiel also points out that it is important how the sheep treat one another. How we live with one another within the community of faith is important to God and God’s justice.
Just as Ezekiel spells out what is God’s to do, Matthew teaches what is ours to do on God's behalf if we truly believe that Christ is among us.
We are to live as if Christ is in other people, even the stranger we may have reason to fear; or the prisoner who may have done some awful things; or the sick we'd rather overlook because their lifestyle may have contributed to their illness; or the hungry who should have been able to take care of themselves. If we cannot imagine Christ in those who are the “least of these,” and in those God has placed before us, how in the world can we respond to Christ in the world?
Not only does it require our imagination to find Christ in others, it is also necessary for us to resist the tendency to be apathetic, that twisting of imagination that gives us, in the words of Fred Craddock, "the ability to look at a starving child . . . with a swollen stomach and say, 'Well, it's not my kid.' To look at a recent widow . . . and say, 'It's not my mom.' Or to see an old man sitting alone in the park and say, 'Well . . . that's not my dad.' It is that ability to look out upon everything God made and say, I don't care."
Craddock moves us out of our comfort zone. And we think: "I'm a good person, and I do care." But how does that hold up to Matthew 25 and the Son of Man who comes in glory? "When was it that we saw you, Lord?" we ask, dumbfounded. The thing to note about this question is that it is asked by both the righteous, who are unaware of the good they have done, and by the not so good, who are unaware that they've done anything wrong. And this is the heart of the matter. The human imagination, battered and torn by our fears and limitations, comes from a God who asks us to see our selves and our world in a new way. How we choose to return this remarkable gift to God is entirely up to us.
What is it God wants? The decisive factor for the separation of the sheep from the goats was a simple yardstick for righteousness easily found in Micah 6:8, which says: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Both the sheep and the goats were judged by their responses to those around them who were extremely poor, strangers, prisoners, or suffering from illness. Although we do not believe in salvation through works of righteousness, it does seem to follow that God is very concerned about our responses to the countless needs around us. In what ways then can we, as a church and as individuals, respond more faithfully to the cries of those who are poor, strangers, prisoners, or suffering from illness.
Who are the least of these? In Jesus' day, the marginalized were easily definable: they were those who were hungry, who needed clothing, who were imprisoned, and those who were outsides, even in their own families. If you were asked today to define the “least” in our society or in this community, who would they be? And what is it they might need? Perhaps we could take a moment, right now, to open ourselves to what those needs might be.
[30 seconds of silence]
In Ezekiel, Christ our Lord and King is a shepherd intent on gathering sheep that have been scattered, healing them, taking them home, and restoring them to their own pastures. In Ephesians, we find Christ our Lord and King, the crucified, ruling over all thrones and powers and dominions. And in Matthew, Christ our Lord and King is a judge proclaiming that truly serving the “least of these” is what is required for inheriting the Father’s kingdom.
In each case, the world's usual expectations are turned upside down. This King goes looking for “his sheep” rather than their coming to him. This King achieves his position by what God has done rather than through something he has done. For this King, the degree of God's blessing is based upon what has been done to bless the “forgotten” of the world rather than on signs of worldly success.
The implications for us then are huge. If citizens of a kingdom are to "look like" their king - if disciples are to look land live like their master – we will find ourselves actually “going out looking” for the lost (reaching out to others), recognizing God’s part in our being where we are at, and becoming a blessing to the “forgotten” of the world and this community. And when we do, we will become inheritors of God's kingdom ourselves. Then again, should we not, Jesus says we might expect something else, not necessarily to our liking.
So - what's going on in the life of our church that looks like a shepherd going out after all the scattered sheep, healing them, and bringing them home? Where do you see Jesus being exalted? And where do you see the “least of these” being cared for in a way that folks aren’t even aware they've done it?
It is in those kinds of things Jesus is exalted as King today, the places the gospels are proclaimed, and as Paul says - the signs to be seen, the good news to give thanks for, and the source of our praise.
Look. Listen. Feel this power at work around you. And rejoice in our King!
Does Matthew's judgment story — this stark account of the second coming of Christ — cause you to think about what really matters in life and in the season ahead? Is it in some ways unsettling? I imagine for some, it is. I know it is for me.
Perhaps it would help us better understand the gospel if we also look at Ezekiel 34:11-24. Here, Ezekiel writes: “The Lord God says, ‘As shepherds seek out their flocks, I will search for my sheep. I will seek them out. I will rescue them. I will bring them into their own land. I will feed them with good pasture. I will give them rest. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but I will put an end to the fat and the strong. I will deal justly with them.’”
Ezekiel informs us of the unconditional love of God. It tells about a shepherd involved in a search-and-rescue mission, for the purpose of restoration, rather than punishment. Once found, his sheep will be given what is needed for wholeness and peace. However, Ezekiel also points out that it is important how the sheep treat one another. How we live with one another within the community of faith is important to God and God’s justice.
Just as Ezekiel spells out what is God’s to do, Matthew teaches what is ours to do on God's behalf if we truly believe that Christ is among us.
We are to live as if Christ is in other people, even the stranger we may have reason to fear; or the prisoner who may have done some awful things; or the sick we'd rather overlook because their lifestyle may have contributed to their illness; or the hungry who should have been able to take care of themselves. If we cannot imagine Christ in those who are the “least of these,” and in those God has placed before us, how in the world can we respond to Christ in the world?
Not only does it require our imagination to find Christ in others, it is also necessary for us to resist the tendency to be apathetic, that twisting of imagination that gives us, in the words of Fred Craddock, "the ability to look at a starving child . . . with a swollen stomach and say, 'Well, it's not my kid.' To look at a recent widow . . . and say, 'It's not my mom.' Or to see an old man sitting alone in the park and say, 'Well . . . that's not my dad.' It is that ability to look out upon everything God made and say, I don't care."
Craddock moves us out of our comfort zone. And we think: "I'm a good person, and I do care." But how does that hold up to Matthew 25 and the Son of Man who comes in glory? "When was it that we saw you, Lord?" we ask, dumbfounded. The thing to note about this question is that it is asked by both the righteous, who are unaware of the good they have done, and by the not so good, who are unaware that they've done anything wrong. And this is the heart of the matter. The human imagination, battered and torn by our fears and limitations, comes from a God who asks us to see our selves and our world in a new way. How we choose to return this remarkable gift to God is entirely up to us.
What is it God wants? The decisive factor for the separation of the sheep from the goats was a simple yardstick for righteousness easily found in Micah 6:8, which says: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Both the sheep and the goats were judged by their responses to those around them who were extremely poor, strangers, prisoners, or suffering from illness. Although we do not believe in salvation through works of righteousness, it does seem to follow that God is very concerned about our responses to the countless needs around us. In what ways then can we, as a church and as individuals, respond more faithfully to the cries of those who are poor, strangers, prisoners, or suffering from illness.
Who are the least of these? In Jesus' day, the marginalized were easily definable: they were those who were hungry, who needed clothing, who were imprisoned, and those who were outsides, even in their own families. If you were asked today to define the “least” in our society or in this community, who would they be? And what is it they might need? Perhaps we could take a moment, right now, to open ourselves to what those needs might be.
[30 seconds of silence]
In Ezekiel, Christ our Lord and King is a shepherd intent on gathering sheep that have been scattered, healing them, taking them home, and restoring them to their own pastures. In Ephesians, we find Christ our Lord and King, the crucified, ruling over all thrones and powers and dominions. And in Matthew, Christ our Lord and King is a judge proclaiming that truly serving the “least of these” is what is required for inheriting the Father’s kingdom.
In each case, the world's usual expectations are turned upside down. This King goes looking for “his sheep” rather than their coming to him. This King achieves his position by what God has done rather than through something he has done. For this King, the degree of God's blessing is based upon what has been done to bless the “forgotten” of the world rather than on signs of worldly success.
The implications for us then are huge. If citizens of a kingdom are to "look like" their king - if disciples are to look land live like their master – we will find ourselves actually “going out looking” for the lost (reaching out to others), recognizing God’s part in our being where we are at, and becoming a blessing to the “forgotten” of the world and this community. And when we do, we will become inheritors of God's kingdom ourselves. Then again, should we not, Jesus says we might expect something else, not necessarily to our liking.
So - what's going on in the life of our church that looks like a shepherd going out after all the scattered sheep, healing them, and bringing them home? Where do you see Jesus being exalted? And where do you see the “least of these” being cared for in a way that folks aren’t even aware they've done it?
It is in those kinds of things Jesus is exalted as King today, the places the gospels are proclaimed, and as Paul says - the signs to be seen, the good news to give thanks for, and the source of our praise.
Look. Listen. Feel this power at work around you. And rejoice in our King!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
November 16, 2008 Message
Sorry, there is no manuscript for today's message which was given "off the cuff" as we concluded our special study of the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. Special thanks to Bob, Don, April, and Sally who each gave a personal witness to the fruits of the Spirit.
Bulletin Handout Today
THE FIVE PRACTICES OF FRUITFUL CONGREGATIONS
“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” –Romans 1:7
WHAT IS RADICAL HOSPITALITY?
It is the hospitality of Christ - to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they might find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ. We are called to pray, plan, prepare, and work toward the purpose of helping others receive what we have received in Christ.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Did you practice Christ-centered hospitality in church today?
2. Is hospitality your responsibility or someone else’s?
3. What might you do in the way of hospitality next Sunday?
Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. I will lift up my hands and call on Your name. —Psalm 63:1,4
WHAT IS PASSIONATE WORSHIP?
It is a means of grace through which we can grow spiritually by connecting with God. It includes prayer, praise, song, the reading and interpretation of scripture and most essentially, our response. Passionate worship is essential to the life of the Church, and is necessary to Christian fellowship and spiritual growth.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Did you feel connected with God in today’s worship?
2. What were your expectations concerning worship?
3. How will you contribute to the worship experience of others?
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”–Acts 2:42
WHAT IS INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT?
It describes the practice of congregations that view the ministries of Christian education and formation, small group work, and Bible study as absolutely critical to their mission. Christian disciples work to develop their faith and grow in Christ-likeness through study and learning together.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Has your faith grown this past week because of something intention you have done?
2. Did you participate in a study/small group this week?
3. What might you do to intentionally grow you faith?
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.”–Matthew 25:40
WHAT IS RISK-TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE?
It includes the projects, the efforts, and work people do to make a positive difference in the lives of others for the purposes of Christ. It is work that stretches people, causing them to do something for the good of others that they would never have considered doing if it were not for their relationship with Christ and a desire to serve him.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Does our church provide opportunities for mission/service?
2. Did you serve others for Christ this past week?
3. How might you serve others through this church?
“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.” –2 Corinthians 9:11
WHAT IS EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY?
It emphasizes mission, purpose, and life-changing results. Giving generously reprioritizes lives and strengthens faith. Instead of giving God the leftovers at the end of the month tithing puts God first by saying, “God really is Lord of our lives, and we do not give into society’s expectations, our possessions, or our appetites.”
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Does our church encourage proportional giving and tithing as a means to strengthen faith?
2. Do you tithe (give 10% of income) or give proportionally?
3. How might your giving reflect God’s gifts to you?
Bulletin Handout Today
THE FIVE PRACTICES OF FRUITFUL CONGREGATIONS
“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” –Romans 1:7
WHAT IS RADICAL HOSPITALITY?
It is the hospitality of Christ - to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they might find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ. We are called to pray, plan, prepare, and work toward the purpose of helping others receive what we have received in Christ.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Did you practice Christ-centered hospitality in church today?
2. Is hospitality your responsibility or someone else’s?
3. What might you do in the way of hospitality next Sunday?
Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. I will lift up my hands and call on Your name. —Psalm 63:1,4
WHAT IS PASSIONATE WORSHIP?
It is a means of grace through which we can grow spiritually by connecting with God. It includes prayer, praise, song, the reading and interpretation of scripture and most essentially, our response. Passionate worship is essential to the life of the Church, and is necessary to Christian fellowship and spiritual growth.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Did you feel connected with God in today’s worship?
2. What were your expectations concerning worship?
3. How will you contribute to the worship experience of others?
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”–Acts 2:42
WHAT IS INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT?
It describes the practice of congregations that view the ministries of Christian education and formation, small group work, and Bible study as absolutely critical to their mission. Christian disciples work to develop their faith and grow in Christ-likeness through study and learning together.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Has your faith grown this past week because of something intention you have done?
2. Did you participate in a study/small group this week?
3. What might you do to intentionally grow you faith?
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.”–Matthew 25:40
WHAT IS RISK-TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE?
It includes the projects, the efforts, and work people do to make a positive difference in the lives of others for the purposes of Christ. It is work that stretches people, causing them to do something for the good of others that they would never have considered doing if it were not for their relationship with Christ and a desire to serve him.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Does our church provide opportunities for mission/service?
2. Did you serve others for Christ this past week?
3. How might you serve others through this church?
“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.” –2 Corinthians 9:11
WHAT IS EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY?
It emphasizes mission, purpose, and life-changing results. Giving generously reprioritizes lives and strengthens faith. Instead of giving God the leftovers at the end of the month tithing puts God first by saying, “God really is Lord of our lives, and we do not give into society’s expectations, our possessions, or our appetites.”
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Does our church encourage proportional giving and tithing as a means to strengthen faith?
2. Do you tithe (give 10% of income) or give proportionally?
3. How might your giving reflect God’s gifts to you?
Saturday, November 8, 2008
November 9, 2008 Message
Exodus 35:5; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Luke 12:15-21
“Extravagant Generosity”
When was the last time you got excited about 'Church Giving'? If you are honest, your answer might very well be, “Never!” – unless we count the times someone has asked us to give more. We get excited then don’t we? But I mean excited in a good sort of way - feeling positive about our giving, about our generosity. Throughout the history of the church, from the First century to today, Christians everywhere have discovered this one truth – that generosity enlarges the soul, realigns priorities, connects people to the Body of Christ, and strengthens congregations to fulfill Christ’s ministries.
Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice extravagant generosity. People give generously to their church because they genuinely want to make a positive difference for Christ through the work of the church. They seek a higher purpose. They give because they love God and want to grow in love of neighbor. They give in response to the Spirit’s urging. They give joyously, generously, and consistently – and when they do, they feel good about themselves and what they have done. And because of all this, the ministries of the church are enriched and strengthened.
Generous congregations thrive with the joy of abundance rather than starve with the fear of scarcity.
There is a story about a children’s Sunday school class. The teacher was talking to them about the needs of a missionary the church was supporting and how they could help. She said, “Why don’t we give the missionary a million dollars?” And the class all cheered except for one little girl who thought it a lot to give.
Then the teacher said, “That’s a lot of money, I suppose, maybe we could give the missionary a hundred thousand dollars?” And again everyone cheered except for the little girl who again thought it a lot to give.
“How about a thousand dollars?” she asked. Again they all cheered except for the little girl. Then she said, “Well, what if we each gave the missionary one dollar?”
And a little boy who had been cheering all this time said, “No way!” When the teacher asked why not, he said, “Because I have a dollar!”
Extravagant Generosity is giving up “our dollar” or even more when we have it to give.
Generosity enlarges the soul and realigns priorities.. In the middle of a crowd someone yelled to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share… “ But Jesus’ response wasn’t about sharing or about being fair, it was about selfishness and self-centeredness. Jesus said, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). Then he told a parable.
Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice extravagant generosity. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are rich beyond measure, aren’t we? So, what kind of giving suits us? And what does it mean for our generosity to be extravagant?
There is a story about Oprah Winfrey that could be true, although it is not. It seems Oprah was on her way to the studio one day to tape her TV program when a street beggar, quite boldly, approached her for help. He was hungry and asked for money for a hot meal. Oprah after hearing his request reached in her purse and then handed him a hundred dollar bill.
One of Oprah’s assistants was stunned at her generosity and said to her, “Wouldn’t ten dollars have met the beggar’s need. Why give him a hundred dollars?”
Oprah responded with the kind of conviction and certainty that characterized her accomplishments: “A ten dollar bill would have met his need, but a hundred dollars meets my giving.”
Extravagant giving suits who we are – followers of Jesus Christ – because it mirrors and mimics that of our Lord.
Generosity connects people to the Body of Christ. And as the Body of Christ we are able to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. Yet as much as we want to be part of that body, we somehow keep falling short. Being generous is hard. It’s our money right? Bishop Schnase says the one part of our lives that is the hardest to give over to the lordship of Jesus Christ is the financial part. As followers of Jesus we must ask whether we have allowed our wallets to be baptized along with the rest of us.
Giving reflects the nature of God. God’s treasure is love – for us. And that love is given generously to all creation. That is God’s nature. Jesus says to us, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Those words emphasize not only that how we spend our money reveals what sort of people we already are, but also what sort of people we become. Martin Luther, who sparked the Protestant Reformation, said “every Christian needs to experience three conversions: a conversion of the heart, a conversion of the mind, and a conversion of the purse.” Luther understood that unless we commit ourselves, including our money – to God, without reservation—unless we make Extravagant Generosity part of our spiritual formation—we will fall short.
Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice extravagant generosity. In our study of the five fruitful practices, we are invited to practice living in an extravagantly generous way not because the church wants to be the object of our generosity but because it will change us. If we put our treasure—even our money—into our faith, our hearts will follow it there. The church’s task is to be a starting place for our doing just that. We are people who are on the same team, encouraging this faith developing skill in all of us.
Generosity strengthens congregations to fulfill Christ’s ministries. When those in the church practice Extravagant Generosity, the church radiates the resurrection life in this world; it reveals to the world that the kingdom of God has come into the present, and that this world, with all of its need, matters to God. In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes of the church at Macedonia, “…they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means,” (2 Cor. 8:4) and “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.” (2 Cor. 8:15)
Our giving, as Christian disciples, is a response to God’s call to make a difference in the world. Growing in the grace of giving is part of the Christian journey of faith, a response Christian disciples offer to God’s call to make a difference in the world.
Allan R. Bevere, First United Methodist Church, Cambridge, Ohio tells of a man he knew who practiced Extravagant Generosity in his life. The man was a mechanic who had saved and worked hard so he could buy a brand new car.
This man had a neighbor, an elderly widow, who drove a car that had seen its better days. Every time her car had a problem, the man would fix it for her free of charge because her income was fixed and was quite low. Sometimes he would accept a little for the cost of the parts because she insisted.
One Saturday, working once again on her car, he realized he was able to deal with her car and its problems, including the possibility of stalling by the side of the road, a lot better than she was so he drove his new car over to her house, and insisted she trade her car for his.
That’s the kind of generosity that should characterize all followers of Jesus Christ and suit who we are as the children of a loving and generous God, made in God’s image. Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice extravagant generosity.
Partial source: “Children of God Practice Extravagant Generosity” by Allan R. Bevere, First UMC, Cambridge, Ohio
“Extravagant Generosity”
When was the last time you got excited about 'Church Giving'? If you are honest, your answer might very well be, “Never!” – unless we count the times someone has asked us to give more. We get excited then don’t we? But I mean excited in a good sort of way - feeling positive about our giving, about our generosity. Throughout the history of the church, from the First century to today, Christians everywhere have discovered this one truth – that generosity enlarges the soul, realigns priorities, connects people to the Body of Christ, and strengthens congregations to fulfill Christ’s ministries.
Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice extravagant generosity. People give generously to their church because they genuinely want to make a positive difference for Christ through the work of the church. They seek a higher purpose. They give because they love God and want to grow in love of neighbor. They give in response to the Spirit’s urging. They give joyously, generously, and consistently – and when they do, they feel good about themselves and what they have done. And because of all this, the ministries of the church are enriched and strengthened.
Generous congregations thrive with the joy of abundance rather than starve with the fear of scarcity.
There is a story about a children’s Sunday school class. The teacher was talking to them about the needs of a missionary the church was supporting and how they could help. She said, “Why don’t we give the missionary a million dollars?” And the class all cheered except for one little girl who thought it a lot to give.
Then the teacher said, “That’s a lot of money, I suppose, maybe we could give the missionary a hundred thousand dollars?” And again everyone cheered except for the little girl who again thought it a lot to give.
“How about a thousand dollars?” she asked. Again they all cheered except for the little girl. Then she said, “Well, what if we each gave the missionary one dollar?”
And a little boy who had been cheering all this time said, “No way!” When the teacher asked why not, he said, “Because I have a dollar!”
Extravagant Generosity is giving up “our dollar” or even more when we have it to give.
Generosity enlarges the soul and realigns priorities.. In the middle of a crowd someone yelled to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share… “ But Jesus’ response wasn’t about sharing or about being fair, it was about selfishness and self-centeredness. Jesus said, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). Then he told a parable.
Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice extravagant generosity. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are rich beyond measure, aren’t we? So, what kind of giving suits us? And what does it mean for our generosity to be extravagant?
There is a story about Oprah Winfrey that could be true, although it is not. It seems Oprah was on her way to the studio one day to tape her TV program when a street beggar, quite boldly, approached her for help. He was hungry and asked for money for a hot meal. Oprah after hearing his request reached in her purse and then handed him a hundred dollar bill.
One of Oprah’s assistants was stunned at her generosity and said to her, “Wouldn’t ten dollars have met the beggar’s need. Why give him a hundred dollars?”
Oprah responded with the kind of conviction and certainty that characterized her accomplishments: “A ten dollar bill would have met his need, but a hundred dollars meets my giving.”
Extravagant giving suits who we are – followers of Jesus Christ – because it mirrors and mimics that of our Lord.
Generosity connects people to the Body of Christ. And as the Body of Christ we are able to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. Yet as much as we want to be part of that body, we somehow keep falling short. Being generous is hard. It’s our money right? Bishop Schnase says the one part of our lives that is the hardest to give over to the lordship of Jesus Christ is the financial part. As followers of Jesus we must ask whether we have allowed our wallets to be baptized along with the rest of us.
Giving reflects the nature of God. God’s treasure is love – for us. And that love is given generously to all creation. That is God’s nature. Jesus says to us, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Those words emphasize not only that how we spend our money reveals what sort of people we already are, but also what sort of people we become. Martin Luther, who sparked the Protestant Reformation, said “every Christian needs to experience three conversions: a conversion of the heart, a conversion of the mind, and a conversion of the purse.” Luther understood that unless we commit ourselves, including our money – to God, without reservation—unless we make Extravagant Generosity part of our spiritual formation—we will fall short.
Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice extravagant generosity. In our study of the five fruitful practices, we are invited to practice living in an extravagantly generous way not because the church wants to be the object of our generosity but because it will change us. If we put our treasure—even our money—into our faith, our hearts will follow it there. The church’s task is to be a starting place for our doing just that. We are people who are on the same team, encouraging this faith developing skill in all of us.
Generosity strengthens congregations to fulfill Christ’s ministries. When those in the church practice Extravagant Generosity, the church radiates the resurrection life in this world; it reveals to the world that the kingdom of God has come into the present, and that this world, with all of its need, matters to God. In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes of the church at Macedonia, “…they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means,” (2 Cor. 8:4) and “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.” (2 Cor. 8:15)
Our giving, as Christian disciples, is a response to God’s call to make a difference in the world. Growing in the grace of giving is part of the Christian journey of faith, a response Christian disciples offer to God’s call to make a difference in the world.
Allan R. Bevere, First United Methodist Church, Cambridge, Ohio tells of a man he knew who practiced Extravagant Generosity in his life. The man was a mechanic who had saved and worked hard so he could buy a brand new car.
This man had a neighbor, an elderly widow, who drove a car that had seen its better days. Every time her car had a problem, the man would fix it for her free of charge because her income was fixed and was quite low. Sometimes he would accept a little for the cost of the parts because she insisted.
One Saturday, working once again on her car, he realized he was able to deal with her car and its problems, including the possibility of stalling by the side of the road, a lot better than she was so he drove his new car over to her house, and insisted she trade her car for his.
That’s the kind of generosity that should characterize all followers of Jesus Christ and suit who we are as the children of a loving and generous God, made in God’s image. Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice extravagant generosity.
Partial source: “Children of God Practice Extravagant Generosity” by Allan R. Bevere, First UMC, Cambridge, Ohio
Sunday, November 2, 2008
November 2, 2008 Message
Matthew 5:13; 25:40-4
"Risk-Taking Mission and Service"
One of John Wesley’s most famous sermons is “Almost Christians,” which he gave to the professors at Oxford University. In that sermon he talked about how many wonderful people there are in the world—people (just like us) who are trying to do the right thing but whose lives may not have been fully captured by Jesus Christ. So, what does a church look like that is filled with people who have been fully captured by Jesus Christ? And what kind of things is a church like that involved in that would make a difference?
So often ‘church talk’ is about accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and the promise of eternal life it provides. Then, that’s it. It’s as if we just sit back and wait, either until Jesus comes again or until we die. Now don’t get me wrong, our salvation is important, and eternal life is a good thing, but Jesus calls us to more. He calls us to work to bring about the kingdom of God now. Think about what Jesus said: “The kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). It’s something happening in the present tense – it is near and happening now. Those captured and transformed by Jesus have the responsibility to be involved in bringing about the kingdom of God now, not only for themselves but for others as well. It is up to us to do what God requires of us all: “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8), and to do it now, not later.
Risk-taking mission and service is about meeting people where they are, helping them, and then together discovering what God will do in our lives. It is doing the right thing because God would have us do it. Isn’t that what Scripture tells us? “Just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40) “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers.” (Jam. 1:22) “If I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:2) As the body of Christ we are called to continue Jesus’ mission to “bring good news to the poor… to proclaim release of the captives… to let the oppressed go free….” (Luke 4: 18-19)
Congregations involved in risk-taking mission and service are different from other congregations. They do not ask how much a program costs; they ask how many people it will reach. They don’t talk about their seating capacity; they talk about their sending capacity. For them, it’s a matter of how many people they can send out to be involved and engaged in changing other peoples’ lives in the name of Jesus Christ. Such congregations are concerned with what is yet to be done WITH the people in need.
Our texts from Matthew are tough ones today. Jesus tells us, his followers, “be salt of the earth.” He says we have a responsibility – God’s work is ours to do. A lot of times we would rather not have that responsibility. We would rather not be salt. Being ‘salt’ that improves or changes people’s lives can be difficult. Being involved in risk-taking mission and service takes us out of our comfort zones. It is easier not to get involved.
Because, as we practice risk-taking mission and service, God’s Spirit changes us, changes others, and changes our churches. In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about those over here and those over there – the sheep and the goats; he says to be over here, we are to clothe and feed and give drink and visit and comfort. It almost sounds like what we do gets us over here. And yet we know what Jesus has done is what presents us worthy before God. It is what Jesus has done that makes us so we can be over here.
Think about it, in Jesus’ story the people declared righteous don’t even know that they are righteous? “Lord, when did we care for you?” they ask. Doesn’t that tell us it’s not a matter of having a “to do” list of what must be done to be “good.” Rather, Jesus’ Spirit works to make them “good” so they can help wherever there is a need.
We are told that the righteous will inherit the kingdom of God. Does that mean we don’t earn the kingdom of God? It does! An inheritance is a gift, dependant upon the giver and given because of the recipients relationship to the giver. The kingdom of God is a gift given by God to us, because of a relationship with God. And our reaching out to serve others—of taking risks and being ‘salty,’ so lives can be transformed—has everything to do with our view of that gift and God’s grace.
If we think of God’s grace as something we earn, it is easy for us to be critical of other people and think their circumstance is their own doing. But when we understand God’s grace is a gift to us, given through Jesus Christ—then we realize how fine the line is between those of us who have what we need and those of us who do not. Seeing God’s grace as a gift opens us to reaching out in service and love to everyone in need.
Risk is relative. It is not the same for everyone. For some, it might be going out and buying things to be given to those in need. For others, it might be taking a meal to a shut-in; or going to Cedar Rapids to prepare a meal for relief workers or the homeless; or going out of state or even outside the United States to minister to others. Risk is relative and changes over time.
There are times we are faced with things that seem way too big – that go beyond risk. There doesn’t seem to be anything we can do. Yet, what we do in the name of Jesus Christ matters – doesn’t it? God calls us to do what we can. No matter how large the problem or what part of it we choose to address, what we do matters.
Being afraid of doing the wrong thing can keep us from doing anything. We don’t want to do the wrong thing and make it worse, so we do nothing. Yet when things are done in the name of Jesus Christ and with the inspiration of Jesus Christ, God redeems that work. If you feel a nudge to reach out to others, by all means do it, God will use it.
We have promised to support this church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our witness, and our service. This pledge includes the service we do for the purposes of Christ in the community as representatives of the congregation. As you look around in this community – as part of this church – where is our service needed and what are we being called to do that will not only serve others but will also build up the body of Christ?
Service projects become an entry point into the life of Christ. God uses them as a means to shape faith and to bind people into the body of Christ. Have you been nudged this week? Have you seen something on the TV news that has caused a lump in your throat or read about an injustice in the newspaper that has upset you a little bit? That’s God saying, “Hey, maybe you can help with this. Maybe you need to get involved.”
Someone has said that when Jesus Christ comes into our heart, he brings all of humanity’s needs with him. Is God nudging you? How are you going to join with those who are seeking to make the kingdom of God a reality today – and make it so, in Christ’s name. Amen
Sources:
"Claiming the Yet-To-Be in the Now", by Dan Jackson, New Covenant UMC, The Villages, FL
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Robert Schnase, Abingdon Press, 2007
"Risk-Taking Mission and Service"
One of John Wesley’s most famous sermons is “Almost Christians,” which he gave to the professors at Oxford University. In that sermon he talked about how many wonderful people there are in the world—people (just like us) who are trying to do the right thing but whose lives may not have been fully captured by Jesus Christ. So, what does a church look like that is filled with people who have been fully captured by Jesus Christ? And what kind of things is a church like that involved in that would make a difference?
So often ‘church talk’ is about accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and the promise of eternal life it provides. Then, that’s it. It’s as if we just sit back and wait, either until Jesus comes again or until we die. Now don’t get me wrong, our salvation is important, and eternal life is a good thing, but Jesus calls us to more. He calls us to work to bring about the kingdom of God now. Think about what Jesus said: “The kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). It’s something happening in the present tense – it is near and happening now. Those captured and transformed by Jesus have the responsibility to be involved in bringing about the kingdom of God now, not only for themselves but for others as well. It is up to us to do what God requires of us all: “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8), and to do it now, not later.
Risk-taking mission and service is about meeting people where they are, helping them, and then together discovering what God will do in our lives. It is doing the right thing because God would have us do it. Isn’t that what Scripture tells us? “Just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40) “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers.” (Jam. 1:22) “If I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:2) As the body of Christ we are called to continue Jesus’ mission to “bring good news to the poor… to proclaim release of the captives… to let the oppressed go free….” (Luke 4: 18-19)
Congregations involved in risk-taking mission and service are different from other congregations. They do not ask how much a program costs; they ask how many people it will reach. They don’t talk about their seating capacity; they talk about their sending capacity. For them, it’s a matter of how many people they can send out to be involved and engaged in changing other peoples’ lives in the name of Jesus Christ. Such congregations are concerned with what is yet to be done WITH the people in need.
Our texts from Matthew are tough ones today. Jesus tells us, his followers, “be salt of the earth.” He says we have a responsibility – God’s work is ours to do. A lot of times we would rather not have that responsibility. We would rather not be salt. Being ‘salt’ that improves or changes people’s lives can be difficult. Being involved in risk-taking mission and service takes us out of our comfort zones. It is easier not to get involved.
Because, as we practice risk-taking mission and service, God’s Spirit changes us, changes others, and changes our churches. In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about those over here and those over there – the sheep and the goats; he says to be over here, we are to clothe and feed and give drink and visit and comfort. It almost sounds like what we do gets us over here. And yet we know what Jesus has done is what presents us worthy before God. It is what Jesus has done that makes us so we can be over here.
Think about it, in Jesus’ story the people declared righteous don’t even know that they are righteous? “Lord, when did we care for you?” they ask. Doesn’t that tell us it’s not a matter of having a “to do” list of what must be done to be “good.” Rather, Jesus’ Spirit works to make them “good” so they can help wherever there is a need.
We are told that the righteous will inherit the kingdom of God. Does that mean we don’t earn the kingdom of God? It does! An inheritance is a gift, dependant upon the giver and given because of the recipients relationship to the giver. The kingdom of God is a gift given by God to us, because of a relationship with God. And our reaching out to serve others—of taking risks and being ‘salty,’ so lives can be transformed—has everything to do with our view of that gift and God’s grace.
If we think of God’s grace as something we earn, it is easy for us to be critical of other people and think their circumstance is their own doing. But when we understand God’s grace is a gift to us, given through Jesus Christ—then we realize how fine the line is between those of us who have what we need and those of us who do not. Seeing God’s grace as a gift opens us to reaching out in service and love to everyone in need.
Risk is relative. It is not the same for everyone. For some, it might be going out and buying things to be given to those in need. For others, it might be taking a meal to a shut-in; or going to Cedar Rapids to prepare a meal for relief workers or the homeless; or going out of state or even outside the United States to minister to others. Risk is relative and changes over time.
There are times we are faced with things that seem way too big – that go beyond risk. There doesn’t seem to be anything we can do. Yet, what we do in the name of Jesus Christ matters – doesn’t it? God calls us to do what we can. No matter how large the problem or what part of it we choose to address, what we do matters.
Being afraid of doing the wrong thing can keep us from doing anything. We don’t want to do the wrong thing and make it worse, so we do nothing. Yet when things are done in the name of Jesus Christ and with the inspiration of Jesus Christ, God redeems that work. If you feel a nudge to reach out to others, by all means do it, God will use it.
We have promised to support this church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our witness, and our service. This pledge includes the service we do for the purposes of Christ in the community as representatives of the congregation. As you look around in this community – as part of this church – where is our service needed and what are we being called to do that will not only serve others but will also build up the body of Christ?
Service projects become an entry point into the life of Christ. God uses them as a means to shape faith and to bind people into the body of Christ. Have you been nudged this week? Have you seen something on the TV news that has caused a lump in your throat or read about an injustice in the newspaper that has upset you a little bit? That’s God saying, “Hey, maybe you can help with this. Maybe you need to get involved.”
Someone has said that when Jesus Christ comes into our heart, he brings all of humanity’s needs with him. Is God nudging you? How are you going to join with those who are seeking to make the kingdom of God a reality today – and make it so, in Christ’s name. Amen
Sources:
"Claiming the Yet-To-Be in the Now", by Dan Jackson, New Covenant UMC, The Villages, FL
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Robert Schnase, Abingdon Press, 2007
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