Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
“The Seed”
The author of Hebrews, whether it is Paul or someone else, is writing toward the end of the first century to a group of Jewish-Christians who are “backsliding” so to speak in their faith. The writer offers the advantage of the New Testament Revelation by the Son over Old Testament Revelation by the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-4); the power of the New Covenant over the Old; and, the authority of the priesthood of Christ after the order of Melchisedech over the Levitical priesthood after the order of Aaron (5:1-10:18).
Hebrews is also clear about Jesus’ strong credentials – having been called Son by God’s self and receiving God’s personal endorsement. However for me, the key phrase in today’s reading is found in verse 8 when the author writes, “he (Jesus) became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” In other words, we might say, “Jesus is the seed of eternal salvation – of life no longer bound by this world but life, as God intended, fulfilled. Jesus was appointed for this, he was designated by God to be the ‘seed’ for us all. And by his submission and obedience, we are able to grow to “new life”
In the gospel story today, six days before Jesus was going to die, he tells his disciples Andrew and Phillip, that he is to be ‘glorified.” He is in Jerusalem. There are thousands of people in the city for the celebration of Passover. And it is time for his standing and relationship with God will be made known. It’s time to hear, “this is my Son” once again. Earlier Jesus had gone into the Jordan to be baptized by John and to be called “my Son” by a voice from above. Then, much later, he went up a mountain and that same voice from heaven could be heard saying once again, “my Son,” as he stood in the dazzling light with Moses and Elijah. Jesus is to be claimed and lifted up yet again as God’s Son, not only figuratively but also literally. It was once again time to do what his Father required – and time to fulfill what God has promised. This is the one thing on his mind. He seems oblivious to those who gather around him, coming from all over to “see” him.
In verse 24 we hear what I think may be the most important part of today’s text – when Jesus tells Andrew and Phillip what is going to happen and why he must do what he is about to do. Jesus says, “Very truly, I tell you, unless a seed falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” He is to be the seed.
We could leave it there, but there has to be more to understanding what Jesus is saying than to simply believe he is talking about his dying for us. He IS talking about that - what will be required of him - true, but he is also providing a clue into what may be required of us, his followers. In that light then, let’s look carefully at what Jesus says in verse 24.
“…unless a seed…” We have already said Jesus is the seed. But what if he is calling us to be the seed – what might that mean for us? Keep in mind a seed doesn’t originate from a packet of seeds, does it? It has to come from somewhere - like the fruit of a plant, right? Perhaps Jesus is suggesting his followers originate from him. They are what they are, because of him. They are what they are, for him. But unless they become a seed themselves, they cannot really follow.
“…unless a seed falls into the earth…,” Unless we do what a seed is suppose to do, we cannot really follow. A seed is meant to be planted in the soil, in the earth. That is where it is suppose to be, in the dirt. It doesn’t belong in a jar, or strung on a necklace, or glued into a mosaic. When the time is right, it belongs in the ground, covered with dirt and hidden from the sun so that it can germinate. A seed needs to lie dormant for a while; it needs to die.
“…unless a seed falls into the earth and dies,” Unless we die to ourselves we cannot really be transformed. When the seed “dies,” something happens - it begins to “live” in a different way. The seedling starts to sprout. It changes and transforms into something else. It grows from that small seed into a much larger plant – perhaps into a knee-high bean plant, or a head-high sunflower, or even a magnificent tree taller than a two-story house.
“…unless a seed falls into the earth and dies,” it remains just a single seed;” Unless we allow ourselves to be transformed we will stay pretty much stay the same as we are. There will be no change, no growth, and eventually, no life. There will be no future for us at all, only our unrealized potential. We will remain alone, disconnected from the past that once was and disengaged from a future that never will be. And then for us, sadly, the circle will be broken.
“but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” But if we do, watch out! If we become that seed, if we fall into the earth as we are meant to do, if we die to ourselves as we should, if our focus is no longer on “saving the seed” but instead upon the fruit, there will be a harvest beyond all imagination. From one tiny sunflower seed will produce a tall flowering plant producing about a thousand seeds per flower cluster. And from one small pink bean will grow a bushy plant producing dozens of string bean pods. What does God have in mind for all “the seeds” gathered here today? What are we yet to become?
We can easily forget the purpose of our life is to glorify God – not by going to church but by living a life pleasing to God. A martyr of the early Church, St. Irenaeus, wrote: "God is glorified when people are fully alive: but for a person to be fully alive is to see God." We believe Jesus was God revealed in man. Maybe what Irenaeus meant by our “seeing God” is our allowing Jesus to be central in our life, opening ourselves to the Father’s will, and preparing ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus says eternal life is not about keeping but about losing, not about following but about being where Jesus is. And most importantly, he says our salvation is about serving him and in so doing, serving the Father. That is what is important, isn’t it? Serving God; and by God’s grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, being “the seed” God has created us all to be.
Let us pray.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
March 22, 2009 Message
John 3:14-21; Ephesians 2:1-10
Saved For What?
“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” –John 3:14-15
Jesus makes reference to a story found in Numbers 21:4-9 that Nicodemus would have known - the story of the Israelites… whom God had already saved and delivered out of the land of Egypt… being impatient with both Moses and God. They complained, “We should have gotten to the Promised Land by now. We’re tired of eating and drinking God’s manna and miraculous water. It’s boring. We want something else.” They whined to Moses, “This is what we have been saved for - to die out here in the wilderness? Ask God, do something!” So God gave them snakes… lots of snakes. That must have been a shock!
When asking, “Saved for what?” snakes weren’t even a possibility. Now the Israelites, terrified they were all going to die from snake bites, went to Moses and said, “Ah, um… we’re sorry about what we said. Ask God to get rid of the snakes, please!” Well, God didn’t get rid of the snakes, but he did have Moses make a bronze “snake on a stick” so that those bitten could look up to it and live.
There are two ways poisonous snake bites might kill a person… they stop your heart from beating or they stop your respiratory system from breathing. The heart dies when it stops beating and life ends. Likewise, in sin, we no longer have a heart of God - compassion for others – and we are dead. Or we stop breathing and the breath of God – the Holy Spirit – is no longer there… and we die. That’s what happened to the Israelites in the wilderness, who forgot they were a covenant people; it happened to the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, who became preoccupied with the law and forgot what it meant to be God’s people; and it can happen to us as well, when our God is too small. Today’s gospel lesson helps to expand our understanding of God.
Here Jesus tells Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews, God is a god of grace – of second chances and new life. Who lifts up a “snake on a stick” and “the Son of Man” on a cross to save God’s people? God does this Jesus says, “so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” We look to Jesus and we live, we don’t and we die. This is God’s great gift to God’s people - a new heart and new breath– if only we look up to Jesus, the Son of Man (the Christ), raised up on a cross to take away our sin. Jesus saved us from the death of sin - from the darkness that overwhelms us. But, saved for what?
Hear how John Maynard, Minister of the Uniting Church in Bunyip, Australia has paraphrased John 3:16:
"God loved His world so much that He sent His beloved to be with us.
This He did so that all could entrust their very lives, souls and bodies to Him
- not for death, but for life!
For God did not send Him to us to consign us to eternal damnation,
but so that through Him
God's world (and we)
may be restored to health and wholeness for all eternity."
We are saved for life. We are saved for living the life we were created to live – totally and completely in relationship with God. God doesn’t want us to perish. God doesn’t want us to die. God wants our heartbeat and breath to be compassionate and Spirit filled. God wants for us the life that was always intended. Lent is a time for God’s people to look up, to turn back to God, to repent, and to begin living. So asking
The apostle Paul adds more to our understanding of ourselves and God when he writes in the second chapter of Ephesians, “You were dead through the trespasses and sins… we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.” In other words, we are all sinners. Then he writes, “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” God is merciful, abundantly so. God loves us, a great deal Paul says. And all of this even though, when it comes to sin, we are in way over our heads. He says God’s loving grace is found in the Spirit, even now at work in the wayward and the lost (something John Wesley called prevenient grace) – inching them ever closer to God.
This is what saves us – or gives us life - Paul says, “when we are dead.” This is what lifts us up from the pit. God’s grace in Jesus Christ saves us – and God’s grace, working in us through the Holy Spirit, makes us holy. Paul is clear it is God’s doing, writing:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
It IS God’s grace that saves us, that’s true, but saved for what? To go to heaven when we die? To be with God forever when this life is over? But there is more to it than that! Jesus himself said by God’s loving grace we are given eternal life – a life complete, restored to wholeness. Life as God intended for us is now possible. This is what we are saved for – for life as God intended. And what is the life we are saved for?
Paul writes, “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” It is a way of life that includes good works. We are saved by faith for good works. Not only does God want us to have faith, but God intends for us to do good works as well. And it’s a gift - all of it! That’s the best part.
And the really neat part about this life we have all been saved for is that these good works come about through us, not from us. God has already planned them – they’re just waiting to be done through you. God wants to do good works through us all. That’s what we are saved for. When we allow that to happen (this good works stuff), life becomes more complete or eternal; and we find we don’t have to wait to enter the kingdom and be in God. This is what God has intended all along and what we are saved for – to live in God and in the light.
Is it possible for us to have good works and not faith? Yes. Is it possible for us to have faith and not good works? No. So, can there ever be faith without works? Our God loves us very much and has planned both for us. How can we receive one and not the other?
John 3:21 says, “those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” Let us pray…
Saved For What?
“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” –John 3:14-15
Jesus makes reference to a story found in Numbers 21:4-9 that Nicodemus would have known - the story of the Israelites… whom God had already saved and delivered out of the land of Egypt… being impatient with both Moses and God. They complained, “We should have gotten to the Promised Land by now. We’re tired of eating and drinking God’s manna and miraculous water. It’s boring. We want something else.” They whined to Moses, “This is what we have been saved for - to die out here in the wilderness? Ask God, do something!” So God gave them snakes… lots of snakes. That must have been a shock!
When asking, “Saved for what?” snakes weren’t even a possibility. Now the Israelites, terrified they were all going to die from snake bites, went to Moses and said, “Ah, um… we’re sorry about what we said. Ask God to get rid of the snakes, please!” Well, God didn’t get rid of the snakes, but he did have Moses make a bronze “snake on a stick” so that those bitten could look up to it and live.
There are two ways poisonous snake bites might kill a person… they stop your heart from beating or they stop your respiratory system from breathing. The heart dies when it stops beating and life ends. Likewise, in sin, we no longer have a heart of God - compassion for others – and we are dead. Or we stop breathing and the breath of God – the Holy Spirit – is no longer there… and we die. That’s what happened to the Israelites in the wilderness, who forgot they were a covenant people; it happened to the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, who became preoccupied with the law and forgot what it meant to be God’s people; and it can happen to us as well, when our God is too small. Today’s gospel lesson helps to expand our understanding of God.
Here Jesus tells Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews, God is a god of grace – of second chances and new life. Who lifts up a “snake on a stick” and “the Son of Man” on a cross to save God’s people? God does this Jesus says, “so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” We look to Jesus and we live, we don’t and we die. This is God’s great gift to God’s people - a new heart and new breath– if only we look up to Jesus, the Son of Man (the Christ), raised up on a cross to take away our sin. Jesus saved us from the death of sin - from the darkness that overwhelms us. But, saved for what?
Hear how John Maynard, Minister of the Uniting Church in Bunyip, Australia has paraphrased John 3:16:
"God loved His world so much that He sent His beloved to be with us.
This He did so that all could entrust their very lives, souls and bodies to Him
- not for death, but for life!
For God did not send Him to us to consign us to eternal damnation,
but so that through Him
God's world (and we)
may be restored to health and wholeness for all eternity."
We are saved for life. We are saved for living the life we were created to live – totally and completely in relationship with God. God doesn’t want us to perish. God doesn’t want us to die. God wants our heartbeat and breath to be compassionate and Spirit filled. God wants for us the life that was always intended. Lent is a time for God’s people to look up, to turn back to God, to repent, and to begin living. So asking
The apostle Paul adds more to our understanding of ourselves and God when he writes in the second chapter of Ephesians, “You were dead through the trespasses and sins… we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.” In other words, we are all sinners. Then he writes, “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” God is merciful, abundantly so. God loves us, a great deal Paul says. And all of this even though, when it comes to sin, we are in way over our heads. He says God’s loving grace is found in the Spirit, even now at work in the wayward and the lost (something John Wesley called prevenient grace) – inching them ever closer to God.
This is what saves us – or gives us life - Paul says, “when we are dead.” This is what lifts us up from the pit. God’s grace in Jesus Christ saves us – and God’s grace, working in us through the Holy Spirit, makes us holy. Paul is clear it is God’s doing, writing:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
It IS God’s grace that saves us, that’s true, but saved for what? To go to heaven when we die? To be with God forever when this life is over? But there is more to it than that! Jesus himself said by God’s loving grace we are given eternal life – a life complete, restored to wholeness. Life as God intended for us is now possible. This is what we are saved for – for life as God intended. And what is the life we are saved for?
Paul writes, “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” It is a way of life that includes good works. We are saved by faith for good works. Not only does God want us to have faith, but God intends for us to do good works as well. And it’s a gift - all of it! That’s the best part.
And the really neat part about this life we have all been saved for is that these good works come about through us, not from us. God has already planned them – they’re just waiting to be done through you. God wants to do good works through us all. That’s what we are saved for. When we allow that to happen (this good works stuff), life becomes more complete or eternal; and we find we don’t have to wait to enter the kingdom and be in God. This is what God has intended all along and what we are saved for – to live in God and in the light.
Is it possible for us to have good works and not faith? Yes. Is it possible for us to have faith and not good works? No. So, can there ever be faith without works? Our God loves us very much and has planned both for us. How can we receive one and not the other?
John 3:21 says, “those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” Let us pray…
Sunday, March 15, 2009
March 15, 2009 Message
1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
“God’s Fools”
“For the message about the cross is foolishness…” -1 Corinthians 1:18 In other words this stuff about the one who is going to save us going through all he did during Holy week and then ending up on a cross – dying for us – is silly; there’s no common sense in it at all; it’s ridiculous.
And yet “the message of the cross” that Paul is talking about is just that. It’s a message of a suffering servant, not a victorious leader throwing out the oppressors – of a victim of “all that is wrong” rather than a conqueror. The people expected someone like king David, someone like George Washington or Dwight Eisenhower. The cross was for fools.
Paul says it was neither the “sign” the Jews were looking for or a “smart thing” in the minds of the Greeks (Gentiles). The Jews were looking for someone carrying a gun and willing to use it. As the movie version of the rock opera Jesus Christ Super Star showed, they wanted someone to stand up to the Romans and restore the glory of Israel again.
In fact this “dumb cross” may even be a ”stumbling block” to them. It may very well have gotten in the way of either of them believing in the beginning that Jesus was the messiah. And it’s still a stumbling block to many today who look for rational answers to things. It just doesn’t make sense that he should die on a cross. It’s not a smart thing to do. How could that make any difference? What’s the point?
God’s wisdom and power is beyond us – it is so much wiser and stronger than we could ever comprehend or imagine. It requires us to ask ourselves some important questions – questions like: “Jesus Christ, who do I think you are?” And to think about the whys of it all when declaring in our search: “I don’t know why I love you.”
I think once again the message of the cross is Trust – or Faith – in God to fulfill God’s promise (resurrection or new life). It’s not up to us to come up with solutions that make the most sense or even answers that are winners. Jesus didn’t just tell us the answer to our questions or problems, he showed us the answer – complete trust in his Father, our Father, to fulfill God’s promise.
No longer would God be worshipped in the Temple (and all that entailed) but in a “new temple” – the body of Christ. That’s us here, wanting to be in relationship with God and with one another, loving God and one another. Being the church. Living the message.
United Methodist Bishop and author William Willimon has said, “One of the dangers of being in church as often as I am is that it all starts to make sense.” He went on to say, “It’s then I find myself believing all sorts of things in church that I wouldn’t let anyone put over on me in the real world.” His statement seems a little strange, until you think about what he’s saying. And he’s right on, isn’t he? He’s saying a lot of the things people in the church just “believe” wouldn’t stand a chance with people on the outside. He’s talking about the same sorts of things Paul refers to as “foolishness.”
There are definitely some things heard in church that may seem rather foolish to some – maybe even some of us on the “inside” - things like: “Blessed are the meek…” “Love your enemies.” “Go, sell all you have and give your money to the poor.” Be honest now, who’s going to sell everything they have and give the money to the poor? Try being meek tomorrow when you’re dealing with other people and see how far you get. It may be fine for church, but in the real world the meek are taken advantage of, right? And what about the peacemakers or the merciful?
Paul says, when you hear the gospel not with Sunday-morning ears but with Monday-morning ears, it can sound foolish indeed. Fifteenth century theologian Erasmus noted, “foolishness is the eternal human plight.” By the world’s standards of what works, and who is greatest, and what is practical, the Christian faith and what Christians believe can look foolish indeed. To those outside the church we might easily be “God’s fools.”
In this third week of Lent, as the church makes its way with its Lord to the cross, we pause long enough to think about it all – especially what the world at that time was expecting in a savior. Perhaps we’re expecting the same - a savior to take charge of things on our terms. Then the parade comes, and we find that we are standing in the wrong place to get a good view. And maybe we’re even looking in the wrong direction. The smart ones, the ones in the know, who have made sense of it all – they don’t get it either, just like the story goes. This is a messiah who does not make sense – unless you’re one of “God’s fools.”
Only a few see him. They are in the right place to see things in the proper perspective. Along with the poor, the maimed, the blind, the lame, the prisoners and the poor old crazed men like Paul, these “fools” see things as they really are. To them, the messiah isn’t about making sense, but rather about making a difference in their lives.
And yet, for the smart ones among us, we know better. We know that if we work hard, achieve, get advanced degrees or get ahead, adjust to the way things are, and act sensibly, we shall be in the know.
I guess it all depends on how we look at this cross thing – whether we’re fools or not.
Let us pray.
“God’s Fools”
“For the message about the cross is foolishness…” -1 Corinthians 1:18 In other words this stuff about the one who is going to save us going through all he did during Holy week and then ending up on a cross – dying for us – is silly; there’s no common sense in it at all; it’s ridiculous.
And yet “the message of the cross” that Paul is talking about is just that. It’s a message of a suffering servant, not a victorious leader throwing out the oppressors – of a victim of “all that is wrong” rather than a conqueror. The people expected someone like king David, someone like George Washington or Dwight Eisenhower. The cross was for fools.
Paul says it was neither the “sign” the Jews were looking for or a “smart thing” in the minds of the Greeks (Gentiles). The Jews were looking for someone carrying a gun and willing to use it. As the movie version of the rock opera Jesus Christ Super Star showed, they wanted someone to stand up to the Romans and restore the glory of Israel again.
In fact this “dumb cross” may even be a ”stumbling block” to them. It may very well have gotten in the way of either of them believing in the beginning that Jesus was the messiah. And it’s still a stumbling block to many today who look for rational answers to things. It just doesn’t make sense that he should die on a cross. It’s not a smart thing to do. How could that make any difference? What’s the point?
God’s wisdom and power is beyond us – it is so much wiser and stronger than we could ever comprehend or imagine. It requires us to ask ourselves some important questions – questions like: “Jesus Christ, who do I think you are?” And to think about the whys of it all when declaring in our search: “I don’t know why I love you.”
I think once again the message of the cross is Trust – or Faith – in God to fulfill God’s promise (resurrection or new life). It’s not up to us to come up with solutions that make the most sense or even answers that are winners. Jesus didn’t just tell us the answer to our questions or problems, he showed us the answer – complete trust in his Father, our Father, to fulfill God’s promise.
No longer would God be worshipped in the Temple (and all that entailed) but in a “new temple” – the body of Christ. That’s us here, wanting to be in relationship with God and with one another, loving God and one another. Being the church. Living the message.
United Methodist Bishop and author William Willimon has said, “One of the dangers of being in church as often as I am is that it all starts to make sense.” He went on to say, “It’s then I find myself believing all sorts of things in church that I wouldn’t let anyone put over on me in the real world.” His statement seems a little strange, until you think about what he’s saying. And he’s right on, isn’t he? He’s saying a lot of the things people in the church just “believe” wouldn’t stand a chance with people on the outside. He’s talking about the same sorts of things Paul refers to as “foolishness.”
There are definitely some things heard in church that may seem rather foolish to some – maybe even some of us on the “inside” - things like: “Blessed are the meek…” “Love your enemies.” “Go, sell all you have and give your money to the poor.” Be honest now, who’s going to sell everything they have and give the money to the poor? Try being meek tomorrow when you’re dealing with other people and see how far you get. It may be fine for church, but in the real world the meek are taken advantage of, right? And what about the peacemakers or the merciful?
Paul says, when you hear the gospel not with Sunday-morning ears but with Monday-morning ears, it can sound foolish indeed. Fifteenth century theologian Erasmus noted, “foolishness is the eternal human plight.” By the world’s standards of what works, and who is greatest, and what is practical, the Christian faith and what Christians believe can look foolish indeed. To those outside the church we might easily be “God’s fools.”
In this third week of Lent, as the church makes its way with its Lord to the cross, we pause long enough to think about it all – especially what the world at that time was expecting in a savior. Perhaps we’re expecting the same - a savior to take charge of things on our terms. Then the parade comes, and we find that we are standing in the wrong place to get a good view. And maybe we’re even looking in the wrong direction. The smart ones, the ones in the know, who have made sense of it all – they don’t get it either, just like the story goes. This is a messiah who does not make sense – unless you’re one of “God’s fools.”
Only a few see him. They are in the right place to see things in the proper perspective. Along with the poor, the maimed, the blind, the lame, the prisoners and the poor old crazed men like Paul, these “fools” see things as they really are. To them, the messiah isn’t about making sense, but rather about making a difference in their lives.
And yet, for the smart ones among us, we know better. We know that if we work hard, achieve, get advanced degrees or get ahead, adjust to the way things are, and act sensibly, we shall be in the know.
I guess it all depends on how we look at this cross thing – whether we’re fools or not.
Let us pray.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
March 8, 2009 Message
Mark 8: 31-38
"Taking Up Their Cross?"
In Mark 8:34 Jesus tells not only his disciples but also the crowd around him, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” We don’t know how many in the crowd did so, but we do know eleven of his disciples did just that, even though it may have taken awhile before they completely comprehended what he was saying.
How many times have we read or heard those words, and thought about their meaning for us? Jesus comes right out and says it’s going to cost, doesn’t he? And he breaks it down into three parts: the cost of denying ourselves, the cost of taking up our cross, and the cost of following. Jesus tells those who perhaps were thinking, “This isn’t going to be so hard.” that in fact, it may very well be. There is a price to pay.
This past week I had to consider the cost of doing something – not nearly as important as following Jesus – but something I really wanted to do just the same. It was not something I could do anytime, either I would do it now or I wouldn’t. A week before, a friend told me Susan Werner was going to be in Cedar Rapids on the 20th - I was ready to go right then! But first there are things to consider, things like my calendar, the time involved, and the price of the tickets. If there is already a commitment to do something else, or it’s too far away, or it doesn’t fit into the budget – it just doesn’t happen, right? Luckily for me, there was nothing else planned, Cedar Rapids was not that far, and unless the tickets were four times as much as before, I could afford going. And the best part, Althea was okay with our going. So I called and bought the tickets. There is a cost for hearing Susan Werner’s music in person, I understand that and am willing to pay it.
Jesus wants everyone to know there is a cost in following him. 1) God is to be first, not you or us - and especially not me - but God; 2) Complete trust in God is the cross we all must bear; and 3) Walking in Jesus’ footsteps of love and compassion is the path that is to be followed. Not only is there commitment on our part but also expectation.
Jesus is clear. To be his disciples… to enter the Kingdom of God… this life we live, devoted to ourselves, must first die on a cross, not of wood but of trust, the same trust that was Jesus’ and Abraham’s and that allowed God’s promises to be kept.
It is tough… to deny ourselves - to allow this self which is so important, around which everything revolves, to “die”… to no longer be so important, no question about it! It’s not easy. When you’ve been in the drivers seat all these years, it is not easy to sit in the back. And yet that is what we are called to do. It is not that we have to become less important, but rather that we recognize God’s importance. No longer is it a matter of judgment that sets us apart from others, but rather of God’s grace that unites us in our being made worthy.
All of this is made easier by the fact that when we begin to “deny ourselves”… some awesome things happen. Putting God first allows us to see in a small way what God sees and to experience part of what God has promised. Our dying to self requires placing our complete trust in God, of living by faith. That is the cross all of us must bear if we are to follow Christ.
It is a cross not made of wood. It IS NOT the suffering that is inflicted on us by others. It IS NOT something that happens to us because we are human and live in a rotten world. It IS NOT the bad things that happen to us… or the good things we must do for those we love. The cross IS placing our trust in God today, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. Jesus said, “My burden is light, my yoke is easy.” This cross brings peace, God’s peace. And when carried, allows us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
Only after putting God first in our lives and then trusting God for today and tomorrow can we follow Jesus’ example of love and compassion. Only then can we be obedient to God and live out the life to which all are called. Our path may not be a physical death as was Christ’s… but it will no doubt involve for us far more than simply performing acts of kindness toward other people… or putting up with difficult situations. Jesus will be present in everything we do and everything we do will be as if Jesus were here himself, leading the way. And that would be a good thing!
I would want that for myself and I would want it for you as well. However there is a cost – a real cost, though a “doable” one. Life doesn’t have to be about me. I don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen tomorrow. I don’t have to continue going my way.
Sure following Christ will mean denial of self so that I can live for God and for others – but it can be done. My reason for doing something doesn’t have to be about me. Instead I can ask myself, “How does this serve God?” Jesus said: "Those who save their life (for themselves) will lose it, those who lose their life (or give it away) for Christ's sake, and for the sake of the good news, will save it."
Lent is a time for repentance, for facing the ways we are broken and have gotten it all wrong. It is a time to trust God’s promise. Well known author, teacher, and former Episcopal priest, Barbara Brown Taylor* calls us "to live reverently, deliberately, and fully awake in the meantime.” “That,” she says, “is what it means to live in the promise, where the wait itself is as rich as its end… (and) as real as the million stars overhead"
Might that then be our cross – to renew and keep alive our trust in God. Trust that when we follow Christ, it isn’t our lives we are giving away - for God's sake and for God’s purpose, rather it is gaining a new life that can be ours in Christ?
Keep in mind that Jesus was talking to his disciples and the others there that day. This was essentially the church before it knew it was the church. He wasn’t talking to just one person, but to all of them - the “church to be.” And he gave them sound advice. “If your focus is on you, and what’s best for you,” he says, “get rid of it. Focus instead on God and following me.” He says, “Trust God to keep promises. Trust God to make things happen. Trust God to be with you. That is my cross and it is your cross as well.” So follow me. Be alive. Focus on the mission God has called you to.
Jesus is pretty clear as to what it means to be his followers. He says deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him. Put God first, trust God, and do God’s will. That should be easy… or not. Let us pray…
"Taking Up Their Cross?"
In Mark 8:34 Jesus tells not only his disciples but also the crowd around him, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” We don’t know how many in the crowd did so, but we do know eleven of his disciples did just that, even though it may have taken awhile before they completely comprehended what he was saying.
How many times have we read or heard those words, and thought about their meaning for us? Jesus comes right out and says it’s going to cost, doesn’t he? And he breaks it down into three parts: the cost of denying ourselves, the cost of taking up our cross, and the cost of following. Jesus tells those who perhaps were thinking, “This isn’t going to be so hard.” that in fact, it may very well be. There is a price to pay.
This past week I had to consider the cost of doing something – not nearly as important as following Jesus – but something I really wanted to do just the same. It was not something I could do anytime, either I would do it now or I wouldn’t. A week before, a friend told me Susan Werner was going to be in Cedar Rapids on the 20th - I was ready to go right then! But first there are things to consider, things like my calendar, the time involved, and the price of the tickets. If there is already a commitment to do something else, or it’s too far away, or it doesn’t fit into the budget – it just doesn’t happen, right? Luckily for me, there was nothing else planned, Cedar Rapids was not that far, and unless the tickets were four times as much as before, I could afford going. And the best part, Althea was okay with our going. So I called and bought the tickets. There is a cost for hearing Susan Werner’s music in person, I understand that and am willing to pay it.
Jesus wants everyone to know there is a cost in following him. 1) God is to be first, not you or us - and especially not me - but God; 2) Complete trust in God is the cross we all must bear; and 3) Walking in Jesus’ footsteps of love and compassion is the path that is to be followed. Not only is there commitment on our part but also expectation.
Jesus is clear. To be his disciples… to enter the Kingdom of God… this life we live, devoted to ourselves, must first die on a cross, not of wood but of trust, the same trust that was Jesus’ and Abraham’s and that allowed God’s promises to be kept.
It is tough… to deny ourselves - to allow this self which is so important, around which everything revolves, to “die”… to no longer be so important, no question about it! It’s not easy. When you’ve been in the drivers seat all these years, it is not easy to sit in the back. And yet that is what we are called to do. It is not that we have to become less important, but rather that we recognize God’s importance. No longer is it a matter of judgment that sets us apart from others, but rather of God’s grace that unites us in our being made worthy.
All of this is made easier by the fact that when we begin to “deny ourselves”… some awesome things happen. Putting God first allows us to see in a small way what God sees and to experience part of what God has promised. Our dying to self requires placing our complete trust in God, of living by faith. That is the cross all of us must bear if we are to follow Christ.
It is a cross not made of wood. It IS NOT the suffering that is inflicted on us by others. It IS NOT something that happens to us because we are human and live in a rotten world. It IS NOT the bad things that happen to us… or the good things we must do for those we love. The cross IS placing our trust in God today, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. Jesus said, “My burden is light, my yoke is easy.” This cross brings peace, God’s peace. And when carried, allows us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
Only after putting God first in our lives and then trusting God for today and tomorrow can we follow Jesus’ example of love and compassion. Only then can we be obedient to God and live out the life to which all are called. Our path may not be a physical death as was Christ’s… but it will no doubt involve for us far more than simply performing acts of kindness toward other people… or putting up with difficult situations. Jesus will be present in everything we do and everything we do will be as if Jesus were here himself, leading the way. And that would be a good thing!
I would want that for myself and I would want it for you as well. However there is a cost – a real cost, though a “doable” one. Life doesn’t have to be about me. I don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen tomorrow. I don’t have to continue going my way.
Sure following Christ will mean denial of self so that I can live for God and for others – but it can be done. My reason for doing something doesn’t have to be about me. Instead I can ask myself, “How does this serve God?” Jesus said: "Those who save their life (for themselves) will lose it, those who lose their life (or give it away) for Christ's sake, and for the sake of the good news, will save it."
Lent is a time for repentance, for facing the ways we are broken and have gotten it all wrong. It is a time to trust God’s promise. Well known author, teacher, and former Episcopal priest, Barbara Brown Taylor* calls us "to live reverently, deliberately, and fully awake in the meantime.” “That,” she says, “is what it means to live in the promise, where the wait itself is as rich as its end… (and) as real as the million stars overhead"
Might that then be our cross – to renew and keep alive our trust in God. Trust that when we follow Christ, it isn’t our lives we are giving away - for God's sake and for God’s purpose, rather it is gaining a new life that can be ours in Christ?
Keep in mind that Jesus was talking to his disciples and the others there that day. This was essentially the church before it knew it was the church. He wasn’t talking to just one person, but to all of them - the “church to be.” And he gave them sound advice. “If your focus is on you, and what’s best for you,” he says, “get rid of it. Focus instead on God and following me.” He says, “Trust God to keep promises. Trust God to make things happen. Trust God to be with you. That is my cross and it is your cross as well.” So follow me. Be alive. Focus on the mission God has called you to.
Jesus is pretty clear as to what it means to be his followers. He says deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him. Put God first, trust God, and do God’s will. That should be easy… or not. Let us pray…
Sunday, March 1, 2009
March 1, 2009 Message
1 Peter 3:13-22; Mark 1:9-15
“Do Good”
1. The Road by Bob Schadle
The road ahead gets easy at first
It gets harder as we go on,
It started out down hill all the way,
Now all the easy is gone.
As we grow older we find that out,
That things aren’t the same as before,
But we have to believe there’s a good road ahead,
And its just behind the door.
The door to heaven is what I mean,
It’s there for us all the time.
All we have to do is open it up
And share his blood and wine.
Be thankful that there’s a door to go in,
That will forgive us all our sins.
That door is Jesus Christ our Lord
And he wants us all to come in.
There are many curves on that road ahead
And some are hard to make
Let Jesus help you on this road
And his blessing you will take.
Yes, there’s a road all laid out for us
It’s up to us which one we take
It can be easy or it can be hard
The decision is ours to make,
Yes the decision is ours to make.
It’s true, isn’t it – the road we’re on can become more difficult than when we started out. Things are often easier at first, and then they get harder as we go along. That can be especially true of the things that matter to us – things like school, our jobs, and relationships, and marriage, and being a parent and being a son or daughter. Things do get harder as we go along, even following Christ and doing all the things that requires.
It must have been easy for Peter, James and John to go off to become “fishers of men,” because they didn’t seem to hesitate when Jesus said, “Come, follow me.” After all, they left their boats and families behind without even a word to follow the stranger from Nazareth. Maybe they heard something in his voice or saw something in his eyes that made them go, so easily. And last week, on the mountain with Jesus – when Moses and Elijah showed up – all they had to do was to open their eyes, although I suppose looking at the dazzling, bright light of Jesus might have strained the eyes a bit – it was relatively an easy thing, what they were doing. Compared with what they would face later, it was all pretty easy, wouldn’t you say? But as time went by, there were definitely some up hill climbs for those who first followed Jesus – when things definitely became harder. And that’s how it is with us as well.
Peter knew all this first hand, because after Jesus death and resurrection, as he and the other disciples, alone with Paul, went all over the place spreading the good news of Jesus Christ – they were persecuted. It wasn’t so easy any more. And that what he relates in 1 Peter 3. Peter knew that suffering for doing right is something we may all have to experience. Don’t be surprised if it happens. It’s part of life. But Peter also says something else. He says in verses 13-14, don’t be afraid of suffering when doing good: “13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.” What you do should always glorify the Lord. We are blessed in doing good, even if it does bring about suffering for us. And what if we should suffer? John Wesley assures us there is no harm in that!
It can be easy or it can be hard, but our decision must always be –always - to do good!
And yet, although that may be our decision, we can’t count on our always doing good. For we often fall short and fail to do what we know we should. But we can count on Jesus the Christ to save us and to look out for us – even in our suffering. All we have to do is call on him, the “Keeper of the Key.”
2. The Keeper of the Key by Bob Schadle
He’s the keeper of the key to heaven,
He’s the one who lets us in,
He’s the one we can count on,
To forgive us all our sins.
I’m glad he is my Savior
And that he looks out for me,
He’s the one we can count on,
He’s the keeper of the key.
I know each time I call for him
That he is always there,
He is there for all of us
Because you know he cares.
You can see the way he cares for you,
The things he does for thee
So give yourself to Jesus,
He’s the keeper of the key
No one can let you in but him,
He’s the one who has the key
All you have to do is believe in him
He’s there for you and me.
Maybe he’ll open the door for us,
Maybe he’ll let us in
But there’s a first step we have to take,
It’s there and always has been.
He’s the keeper of the key.
Jesus does care for you, for all of us and for all God’s creation. Isn’t that why we are all here today – because we know he does care for us? He has been there for you all along hasn’t he, in the rough times, the times you have struggled, when it was all up hill, when the sky was falling in? He was there lifting you up all the time -giving you just enough strength when all your strength was gone? When no one loved you, he did? When you suffered most, he was there giving hope even when things seemed hopeless. You’ve known his love, even in the midst of the hatred of this world. God in Jesus Christ is there for all of us, offering the blessing of God’s peace if only we would open our hearts to God’s love.
In Mark 1:14, Jesus says, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” The time and place to believe is here and now. Lent is about a change of location for all of us. There is an old story about the man who sent a floral arrangement to celebrate the launch of a good friend's new business. When the man got to the grand opening celebration, he was shocked to find his flower basket with a card that read, "Rest in Peace." Rather upset, he called the flower shop to complain about the mix-up. The florist said, "Hey, don't be upset - somewhere in town today, somebody was buried under a sign that said, 'Good luck in your new location.'"
That new, most important location to which Lent brings us… is the forgiveness and mercy of God. It is not good luck that God gives us; it is grace and peace. It is not freedom form suffering that we find here, but freedom from the spiritual bonds that destroy us. Here, in this place, we are reminded of God's unconditional love; and it is here in this new location we find forgiveness and a peaceful place to rest.
So believe the good news of Jesus Christ now! He’s here! Feel his presence? Go ahead, open your hearts and let God come in!
3. Open Your Heart by Bob Schadle
Here we are again,
Sharing our hopes with him,
Seeing friends and neighbors across the way.
I know he’s always here,
The reason is all so clear,
His love for us is with us now every day.
So open your hearts to him,
And he will always come in,
To give us his blessing and peace that we need so every day.
Forgiveness is what he brings,
That’s why the angels sing
He gives us hope to get us through the trying days.
So pray to our God above,
And give him all of your love,
So every night and day, give him all your praise.
I feel his presence here,
That’s why there is nothing to fear,
So fill your hearts with love for our Savior above.
So open your hearts to him,
And he will always come in,
To give us his blessing and peace that we need so every day.
“Do Good”
1. The Road by Bob Schadle
The road ahead gets easy at first
It gets harder as we go on,
It started out down hill all the way,
Now all the easy is gone.
As we grow older we find that out,
That things aren’t the same as before,
But we have to believe there’s a good road ahead,
And its just behind the door.
The door to heaven is what I mean,
It’s there for us all the time.
All we have to do is open it up
And share his blood and wine.
Be thankful that there’s a door to go in,
That will forgive us all our sins.
That door is Jesus Christ our Lord
And he wants us all to come in.
There are many curves on that road ahead
And some are hard to make
Let Jesus help you on this road
And his blessing you will take.
Yes, there’s a road all laid out for us
It’s up to us which one we take
It can be easy or it can be hard
The decision is ours to make,
Yes the decision is ours to make.
It’s true, isn’t it – the road we’re on can become more difficult than when we started out. Things are often easier at first, and then they get harder as we go along. That can be especially true of the things that matter to us – things like school, our jobs, and relationships, and marriage, and being a parent and being a son or daughter. Things do get harder as we go along, even following Christ and doing all the things that requires.
It must have been easy for Peter, James and John to go off to become “fishers of men,” because they didn’t seem to hesitate when Jesus said, “Come, follow me.” After all, they left their boats and families behind without even a word to follow the stranger from Nazareth. Maybe they heard something in his voice or saw something in his eyes that made them go, so easily. And last week, on the mountain with Jesus – when Moses and Elijah showed up – all they had to do was to open their eyes, although I suppose looking at the dazzling, bright light of Jesus might have strained the eyes a bit – it was relatively an easy thing, what they were doing. Compared with what they would face later, it was all pretty easy, wouldn’t you say? But as time went by, there were definitely some up hill climbs for those who first followed Jesus – when things definitely became harder. And that’s how it is with us as well.
Peter knew all this first hand, because after Jesus death and resurrection, as he and the other disciples, alone with Paul, went all over the place spreading the good news of Jesus Christ – they were persecuted. It wasn’t so easy any more. And that what he relates in 1 Peter 3. Peter knew that suffering for doing right is something we may all have to experience. Don’t be surprised if it happens. It’s part of life. But Peter also says something else. He says in verses 13-14, don’t be afraid of suffering when doing good: “13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.” What you do should always glorify the Lord. We are blessed in doing good, even if it does bring about suffering for us. And what if we should suffer? John Wesley assures us there is no harm in that!
It can be easy or it can be hard, but our decision must always be –always - to do good!
And yet, although that may be our decision, we can’t count on our always doing good. For we often fall short and fail to do what we know we should. But we can count on Jesus the Christ to save us and to look out for us – even in our suffering. All we have to do is call on him, the “Keeper of the Key.”
2. The Keeper of the Key by Bob Schadle
He’s the keeper of the key to heaven,
He’s the one who lets us in,
He’s the one we can count on,
To forgive us all our sins.
I’m glad he is my Savior
And that he looks out for me,
He’s the one we can count on,
He’s the keeper of the key.
I know each time I call for him
That he is always there,
He is there for all of us
Because you know he cares.
You can see the way he cares for you,
The things he does for thee
So give yourself to Jesus,
He’s the keeper of the key
No one can let you in but him,
He’s the one who has the key
All you have to do is believe in him
He’s there for you and me.
Maybe he’ll open the door for us,
Maybe he’ll let us in
But there’s a first step we have to take,
It’s there and always has been.
He’s the keeper of the key.
Jesus does care for you, for all of us and for all God’s creation. Isn’t that why we are all here today – because we know he does care for us? He has been there for you all along hasn’t he, in the rough times, the times you have struggled, when it was all up hill, when the sky was falling in? He was there lifting you up all the time -giving you just enough strength when all your strength was gone? When no one loved you, he did? When you suffered most, he was there giving hope even when things seemed hopeless. You’ve known his love, even in the midst of the hatred of this world. God in Jesus Christ is there for all of us, offering the blessing of God’s peace if only we would open our hearts to God’s love.
In Mark 1:14, Jesus says, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” The time and place to believe is here and now. Lent is about a change of location for all of us. There is an old story about the man who sent a floral arrangement to celebrate the launch of a good friend's new business. When the man got to the grand opening celebration, he was shocked to find his flower basket with a card that read, "Rest in Peace." Rather upset, he called the flower shop to complain about the mix-up. The florist said, "Hey, don't be upset - somewhere in town today, somebody was buried under a sign that said, 'Good luck in your new location.'"
That new, most important location to which Lent brings us… is the forgiveness and mercy of God. It is not good luck that God gives us; it is grace and peace. It is not freedom form suffering that we find here, but freedom from the spiritual bonds that destroy us. Here, in this place, we are reminded of God's unconditional love; and it is here in this new location we find forgiveness and a peaceful place to rest.
So believe the good news of Jesus Christ now! He’s here! Feel his presence? Go ahead, open your hearts and let God come in!
3. Open Your Heart by Bob Schadle
Here we are again,
Sharing our hopes with him,
Seeing friends and neighbors across the way.
I know he’s always here,
The reason is all so clear,
His love for us is with us now every day.
So open your hearts to him,
And he will always come in,
To give us his blessing and peace that we need so every day.
Forgiveness is what he brings,
That’s why the angels sing
He gives us hope to get us through the trying days.
So pray to our God above,
And give him all of your love,
So every night and day, give him all your praise.
I feel his presence here,
That’s why there is nothing to fear,
So fill your hearts with love for our Savior above.
So open your hearts to him,
And he will always come in,
To give us his blessing and peace that we need so every day.
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