Luke 18:9-14
“Above Average”
Today, Jesus shares another parable – this time, the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, with all those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt.” (Luke 18:9)
Often, when I read one of these stories, I think: which one of the people in the story does Jesus want me to be like; which one is doing the right thing and which one needs to change? And always, the unsettling part about his parables is that more often than not I am there, in the story. So today, my mind rewinds once again and I hear myself saying, “Boy, I’m sure glad I’m not that guy over there. His life’s a mess!”
It’s parables like this that easily make me uncomfortable and make me squirm because in them I see myself. Perhaps you do, too. Regardless though, there is a lesson here for all of us, even when we would rather not hear it. After all, who wants to be the one Jesus is talking about? And yet, we are.
We are average people who tend to see ourselves as better than average. Studies have shown that it is common for 90% of those in certain professions to rate themselves superior to their colleagues. Professor of psychology David Myers, found that most drivers — even those who have been hospitalized after accidents — believe themselves to be safer and more skilled than the average driver? “The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, or anything else,” notes humorist Dave Barry, “is that deep down inside, we all believe that we are above average drivers.” We do all live in Lake Wobegon, where all the children are above average. - Garrison Keillor)
Two people went to the temple to pray. One a pious, devout, religious person prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people — thieves, murderers, adulterers — or like this tax collector. I fast, I pray, I tithe all I have.
The tax collector could hardly even pray. He beat upon his chest crying, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Two people were in church on Sunday morning. One, a lifetime member of the church, the teacher of a Sunday school class, and member of the Church Council, prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like a lot of other people; my parents always brought me to church, made sure I was in Sunday School when I was young, and taught me right from wrong. I give the church as much as I can, I volunteer my time at the food pantry, I help tutor children at the elementary school when I can, and I hardly ever miss church.”
The other, there for the first time and seated clear in the back, muttered in an almost inaudible voice, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Both went home after church, one justified, the other not. One experienced God’s grace that day, one did not – not because one was bad and the other good or that they got what they deserved. In this story, what both received was "in spite of," not "because of."
There is a lesson here for all of us. If you see yourself somewhere in this story and as a result change your ways so you might become closer to God, that’s a good thing – but know that’s not the real lesson because the parable is not about us – it is about God. It is a picture of how God behaves, of what God does and who God is. God’s grace is given us in despite of who we are rather than because of who we are.
Two people were in church, wanting to be close to God, to be set right with God. But rather than focus on these two people and their actions, we should focus instead on the actions of God. It is not a matter of our acting more like one than the other. Instead, it is a matter of God’s always acting (at the worst time in our life) to bring us close to God.
Two people prayed in church. God came close to one and not the other. The one is justified, made right with God. The other goes home empty. Why? I don’t know, it’s a story about God, not us. But I suspect it has something to do with our reliance on our selves to do things, even become close to God. It’s been said, “When you trust God, you get God. But when you trust only yourself, you get … only yourself.” Perhaps God can only help those who cannot help themselves. Why? I don’t know. Maybe there is lesson in that as well.
The message is not “Okay, people, be humble.” The tax collector wasn’t being humble. He just did not know what to pray. He was down, his life was a mess, he was separated from God and he didn’t know what to do about it. Imagine being in his shoes. You come, not knowing whether or not you ought to be here. You have done things you shouldn’t have. Everyone around you looks so righteous, so close to God, so near to getting it right. But you feel far and distant from God. When it comes time for prayer, you don’t know what words to use. You’ve made mistakes. You’re down. You don’t know what to pray. But more than anything else, you want to be close to God.
The good news is, that’s when God meets us, justifies us, and blesses us.
Jesus said, “I’ve come to find the lost, and lift up the lonely. I’ve come to save the sinner.” Thank God, because when is that not us?!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
October 17, 2010
Luke 17:20-21, 18:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
“Like… Persistent Hope”
widow God
(c) 2010 Thom M. Shuman
like the hardheaded
mother
who thinks that
every child
on every team
should get to play
in every game,
you stand up for us;
like a
squirrel who races around
the yard,
diving into each
pile of leaves,
knowing another acorn
will be found,
you are tenacious
in finding that kernel
of goodness in each of us;
like the
4th grade girl
who faces down
the schoolyard bullies
trying to extort money
for smokes from
the 1st graders
on the playground,
you take our side
no matter what the odds;
like the
father
who pushes the drama coach
to envision his
wheelchair-riding daughter
as the perfect
Eliza Doolittle,
you are unwavering
in pushing us to
think outside the box;
like the
golden retriever
who starts out
with a wet nose
against the hand
hanging at the side of the bed
and ends up pulling the cover
off its owner
to start the morning walk,
you doggedly push
us down paths
we would rather
not take.
you' re a persistent cuss,
aren't you?
This poem tells us about God in the persistence of a mother, an older schoolmate, a father, and a dog. Likewise, so do today’s readings from the Bible. Both readings today were written probably within twenty years of one another, 2 Timothy in about 67 A.D. and Luke sometime between 60-90 A.D.. It is important for us to understand that at the time they were written, people were starting to feel discouraged. They had expected Jesus’ return soon. That was their greatest hope but it hadn’t happened. They were tired of waiting. They were tired of being persecuted as a small minority group in a great big empire. They were tired of their suffering. And they were tired of feeling anxious about when (or even if) their hope would be realized.
Today's passage from Luke is about not being discouraged in that waiting. Somehow, we've often read the story of the widow and the judge as a lesson to "nag" God with our repeated requests, or being persistent in offering up prayers so God will eventually give in and give us what we want. But that is not it at all. Rather, it is about not losing heart and instead, being persistent in our hope that is found in Jesus Christ.
Paul, in 2 Timothy (A.D. 67), writes, “continue in what you have learned (3:14)… in view of his appearing and his kingdom… be persistent in your belief… and patient in your teaching.” Paul, too, advises the church (and us) to be persistent in our hope for the future.
I think there is good news in Jesus' words. When the Pharisees asked, “When is the kingdom of God coming?” Jesus gives a rather mysterious answer that suggests the kingdom is both present and yet to be revealed. Jensen, in his Preaching Luke’s Gospel, says we should not be discouraged or lose heart as we live out this paradox. Rather we should look to the example of the woman in this story who did not lose heart.” Her persistence evoked a response even from an unrighteous judge. God IS righteous and WILL grant justice. Be persistent and stand firm in a faith that is strengthened through prayer! (Jensen)
I wonder if Jesus is saying, “Be like the widow.” Be persistent. Keep on looking for God’s kingdom of justice. It will happen. Keep on doing the right thing for its own sake. It is what we should do. Keep on living right, EVEN though justice doesn’t appear to be happening yet. It will. Being persistent worked for the widow; it will work for you.
The Reverend Andrew Prior writes, “To live like this is to live in faith. To live like this is to live righteously; it is doing what is right for no other reason than it is right. This is the paradox.” But what are we to do when our doing good and living right does not seem to make a difference in the world or our community or even our own family? What if it seems nothing has changed and God’s kingdom and justice are as far off as far can be? What then? Nothing is better than before. And yet... Jesus says, “be persistent; the kingdom WILL come. And, it IS here.”
There will be a time when we realize as we struggle and pray and choose to do the right thing - that something is touching us or lifting us or somehow holding us in this place. We are a part of more than our surroundings. It is then, at those times, we can actually sense the kingdom is right here, now, and we are a part of it.
Our prayer life can sustain us even in the worst of times, and keep us close to God: "You are going to trust the process," Barbara Brown Taylor writes, "regardless of what comes of it, because the process itself gives you life. The process keeps you engaged with what matters most to you, so you do not lose heart." Hold fast in your faith no matter what, and through everything, trust in God. Be persistent… as Taylor says, “not to get what you want, but rath
“Like… Persistent Hope”
widow God
(c) 2010 Thom M. Shuman
like the hardheaded
mother
who thinks that
every child
on every team
should get to play
in every game,
you stand up for us;
like a
squirrel who races around
the yard,
diving into each
pile of leaves,
knowing another acorn
will be found,
you are tenacious
in finding that kernel
of goodness in each of us;
like the
4th grade girl
who faces down
the schoolyard bullies
trying to extort money
for smokes from
the 1st graders
on the playground,
you take our side
no matter what the odds;
like the
father
who pushes the drama coach
to envision his
wheelchair-riding daughter
as the perfect
Eliza Doolittle,
you are unwavering
in pushing us to
think outside the box;
like the
golden retriever
who starts out
with a wet nose
against the hand
hanging at the side of the bed
and ends up pulling the cover
off its owner
to start the morning walk,
you doggedly push
us down paths
we would rather
not take.
you' re a persistent cuss,
aren't you?
This poem tells us about God in the persistence of a mother, an older schoolmate, a father, and a dog. Likewise, so do today’s readings from the Bible. Both readings today were written probably within twenty years of one another, 2 Timothy in about 67 A.D. and Luke sometime between 60-90 A.D.. It is important for us to understand that at the time they were written, people were starting to feel discouraged. They had expected Jesus’ return soon. That was their greatest hope but it hadn’t happened. They were tired of waiting. They were tired of being persecuted as a small minority group in a great big empire. They were tired of their suffering. And they were tired of feeling anxious about when (or even if) their hope would be realized.
Today's passage from Luke is about not being discouraged in that waiting. Somehow, we've often read the story of the widow and the judge as a lesson to "nag" God with our repeated requests, or being persistent in offering up prayers so God will eventually give in and give us what we want. But that is not it at all. Rather, it is about not losing heart and instead, being persistent in our hope that is found in Jesus Christ.
Paul, in 2 Timothy (A.D. 67), writes, “continue in what you have learned (3:14)… in view of his appearing and his kingdom… be persistent in your belief… and patient in your teaching.” Paul, too, advises the church (and us) to be persistent in our hope for the future.
I think there is good news in Jesus' words. When the Pharisees asked, “When is the kingdom of God coming?” Jesus gives a rather mysterious answer that suggests the kingdom is both present and yet to be revealed. Jensen, in his Preaching Luke’s Gospel, says we should not be discouraged or lose heart as we live out this paradox. Rather we should look to the example of the woman in this story who did not lose heart.” Her persistence evoked a response even from an unrighteous judge. God IS righteous and WILL grant justice. Be persistent and stand firm in a faith that is strengthened through prayer! (Jensen)
I wonder if Jesus is saying, “Be like the widow.” Be persistent. Keep on looking for God’s kingdom of justice. It will happen. Keep on doing the right thing for its own sake. It is what we should do. Keep on living right, EVEN though justice doesn’t appear to be happening yet. It will. Being persistent worked for the widow; it will work for you.
The Reverend Andrew Prior writes, “To live like this is to live in faith. To live like this is to live righteously; it is doing what is right for no other reason than it is right. This is the paradox.” But what are we to do when our doing good and living right does not seem to make a difference in the world or our community or even our own family? What if it seems nothing has changed and God’s kingdom and justice are as far off as far can be? What then? Nothing is better than before. And yet... Jesus says, “be persistent; the kingdom WILL come. And, it IS here.”
There will be a time when we realize as we struggle and pray and choose to do the right thing - that something is touching us or lifting us or somehow holding us in this place. We are a part of more than our surroundings. It is then, at those times, we can actually sense the kingdom is right here, now, and we are a part of it.
Our prayer life can sustain us even in the worst of times, and keep us close to God: "You are going to trust the process," Barbara Brown Taylor writes, "regardless of what comes of it, because the process itself gives you life. The process keeps you engaged with what matters most to you, so you do not lose heart." Hold fast in your faith no matter what, and through everything, trust in God. Be persistent… as Taylor says, “not to get what you want, but rath
Sunday, October 3, 2010
October 3, 2010
Luke 17: 5-10
"Doing What We Ought To Do"
Jesus has just warned his followers about stumbling blocks. He tells them to encourage the young ones among them... to rebuke those who do wrong... and to forgive those who do wrong and who say they are sorry... over and over and over again. And so, what is the apostles’ reaction? They say, "Increase our faith!" Not a bad response, is it? We probably would say the same thing if it were us being asked to forgive those who have hurt us… over and over and over again. A little extra faith might just be what we need.
But to this Jesus responded, "It isn't a matter of more... for the very little the apostles have is enough. It's more a matter of doing what is expected... doing what they are more than capable of... doing what they ought to do." In a real sense... it is a matter of "being"… of being exactly who they are… his followers.
You see, being a follower of Jesus is not easy. The apostles were finding that out. And many of us have found that out as well. Forgiving someone who has hurt me... no way! Turning the other cheek to someone who has already hit me once... you got to be kidding! Giving a new coat to someone who has already taken my best jacket... right! It would take a lot of something... perhaps something like faith... to be able do all of that. And some days it would take even more. But Jesus says his followers don't need more of anything. They have enough of what it takes. They have enough faith and everything else… because why? - Because they have received God’s own gift of faith to nourish and use. If God works through us, which I believe God does, it makes sense God would provide us with enough faith in the first place. God can do a lot with what we might see as only a little bit of faith. We should never underestimate what God and us can do.
If I had faith as small as a mustard seed, I might say, "Well, I have a little bit of faith. I can try a little thing." And so little things are done, like a smile or helping hand on the playground… or putting together a food basket for the shut in at Christmas time... or helping with a widow's higher than normal heating bill… or listening to someone who is hurting and just being there for them. What seems small is real1y quite large. Our "being" there for others is enough... doing what is already here, inside us... flowing from who we are in response to the needs of others. For in the end, isn't what matters being able to say, "We have done only what we ought to have done."
There is a difference between what we believe in and the act of believing. The act of believing requires trust... trust in God. Our being followers of Jesus the Christ enables God's doing through us. As followers of Jesus, living is a matter of "doing what we ought to do." It seems to me that Jesus is telling all his followers: "Forget the excuses... you don't need more faith... get on with doing what ought to be done. Be my disciples."
Likewise, Paul encourages Timothy... and us… "Re-kindle the gift of faith of God that is within you" (2 Timothy 1:6) and "live all of your lives seeing your cup as overflowing." That is the ‘kingdom living’ Paul has modeled, putting his feet and hands where his mouth is. Paul walked his talk. To have faith... to be faithful... means to live our life in accordance with our beliefs.
That’s hard for followers and leaders alike. We fall short… I fall short… because we are no different than everyone else. We strive, all of us, to be the best at what we do – whether it’s being a student, a pastor, a teacher, a farmer, a worker, a professional, a parent, or anything else. I want the church to be active and strong, its people growing spiritually, caring for one another and getting along, reaching out to others, becoming disciples of Jesus Christ… and when it’s not, I feel as a pastor, I have let God down. Yet Paul, like Jesus, gives those like me hope. He says, “Re-kindle the gift of faith God has given you,” which goes right along with Jesus’ words to his disciples to be who they were, because God had provided them with what was needed for the work to be done.
In a few moments, we will celebrate our faith. We will symbolically gather around the table where Jesus is host. Worldwide Communion Sunday is an affirmation of our faith. As you receive the gifts of the Lord’s table, as you affirm your faith today, I invite you to rededicate yourself as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Rededicate yourself to live your life in accordance with those beliefs and the grace you have received. A mustard seed's worth of faith is all we need for "doing what we ought to do."
"Doing What We Ought To Do"
Jesus has just warned his followers about stumbling blocks. He tells them to encourage the young ones among them... to rebuke those who do wrong... and to forgive those who do wrong and who say they are sorry... over and over and over again. And so, what is the apostles’ reaction? They say, "Increase our faith!" Not a bad response, is it? We probably would say the same thing if it were us being asked to forgive those who have hurt us… over and over and over again. A little extra faith might just be what we need.
But to this Jesus responded, "It isn't a matter of more... for the very little the apostles have is enough. It's more a matter of doing what is expected... doing what they are more than capable of... doing what they ought to do." In a real sense... it is a matter of "being"… of being exactly who they are… his followers.
You see, being a follower of Jesus is not easy. The apostles were finding that out. And many of us have found that out as well. Forgiving someone who has hurt me... no way! Turning the other cheek to someone who has already hit me once... you got to be kidding! Giving a new coat to someone who has already taken my best jacket... right! It would take a lot of something... perhaps something like faith... to be able do all of that. And some days it would take even more. But Jesus says his followers don't need more of anything. They have enough of what it takes. They have enough faith and everything else… because why? - Because they have received God’s own gift of faith to nourish and use. If God works through us, which I believe God does, it makes sense God would provide us with enough faith in the first place. God can do a lot with what we might see as only a little bit of faith. We should never underestimate what God and us can do.
If I had faith as small as a mustard seed, I might say, "Well, I have a little bit of faith. I can try a little thing." And so little things are done, like a smile or helping hand on the playground… or putting together a food basket for the shut in at Christmas time... or helping with a widow's higher than normal heating bill… or listening to someone who is hurting and just being there for them. What seems small is real1y quite large. Our "being" there for others is enough... doing what is already here, inside us... flowing from who we are in response to the needs of others. For in the end, isn't what matters being able to say, "We have done only what we ought to have done."
There is a difference between what we believe in and the act of believing. The act of believing requires trust... trust in God. Our being followers of Jesus the Christ enables God's doing through us. As followers of Jesus, living is a matter of "doing what we ought to do." It seems to me that Jesus is telling all his followers: "Forget the excuses... you don't need more faith... get on with doing what ought to be done. Be my disciples."
Likewise, Paul encourages Timothy... and us… "Re-kindle the gift of faith of God that is within you" (2 Timothy 1:6) and "live all of your lives seeing your cup as overflowing." That is the ‘kingdom living’ Paul has modeled, putting his feet and hands where his mouth is. Paul walked his talk. To have faith... to be faithful... means to live our life in accordance with our beliefs.
That’s hard for followers and leaders alike. We fall short… I fall short… because we are no different than everyone else. We strive, all of us, to be the best at what we do – whether it’s being a student, a pastor, a teacher, a farmer, a worker, a professional, a parent, or anything else. I want the church to be active and strong, its people growing spiritually, caring for one another and getting along, reaching out to others, becoming disciples of Jesus Christ… and when it’s not, I feel as a pastor, I have let God down. Yet Paul, like Jesus, gives those like me hope. He says, “Re-kindle the gift of faith God has given you,” which goes right along with Jesus’ words to his disciples to be who they were, because God had provided them with what was needed for the work to be done.
In a few moments, we will celebrate our faith. We will symbolically gather around the table where Jesus is host. Worldwide Communion Sunday is an affirmation of our faith. As you receive the gifts of the Lord’s table, as you affirm your faith today, I invite you to rededicate yourself as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Rededicate yourself to live your life in accordance with those beliefs and the grace you have received. A mustard seed's worth of faith is all we need for "doing what we ought to do."
September 19, 2010
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
My Joy
“My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick.” (Jer. 8:18) “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? (Jer. 8:20-22)
We know what Jeremiah is feeling, don’t we? There have been times we too have experienced grief or loss of joy; times we have been hurt or heartsick, days we have gone through disappointment or deep mourning. We know his pain even if when we hate to admit it.
The challenge of embracing Jeremiah is that his grief and sorrow runs counter to what we are to do when things go wrong. Ours is a culture of optimism – look on the bright side, accentuate the positive and search for the silver lining.
Instead of being optimistic, the prophet Jeremiah says, “Is there no balm in Gilead? There’s no bright side in his words. His message is a hard one to hear. It is a message God’s justice and great love for God’s people.
God grieves with Jeremiah. His grief is God’s grief, and his tears as well. God wants to be in relationship with us, and invites us to return to his way. “Is there no balm in Gilead?” asks the Lord — is there no healing to be found?
Fortunately, God reaches out to us in love, and promises never to let us go.
My Joy
“My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick.” (Jer. 8:18) “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? (Jer. 8:20-22)
We know what Jeremiah is feeling, don’t we? There have been times we too have experienced grief or loss of joy; times we have been hurt or heartsick, days we have gone through disappointment or deep mourning. We know his pain even if when we hate to admit it.
The challenge of embracing Jeremiah is that his grief and sorrow runs counter to what we are to do when things go wrong. Ours is a culture of optimism – look on the bright side, accentuate the positive and search for the silver lining.
Instead of being optimistic, the prophet Jeremiah says, “Is there no balm in Gilead? There’s no bright side in his words. His message is a hard one to hear. It is a message God’s justice and great love for God’s people.
God grieves with Jeremiah. His grief is God’s grief, and his tears as well. God wants to be in relationship with us, and invites us to return to his way. “Is there no balm in Gilead?” asks the Lord — is there no healing to be found?
Fortunately, God reaches out to us in love, and promises never to let us go.
September 12, 2010
Luke 15:1-10
“Meant To Be Together”
Kevin Evers, Communications Director of the Iowa Annual Conference, challenges us in this week’s Thursday Memo, with the question, “Who will teach the children?” and reminds us that Proverbs 9:8-12 instructs us of our responsibility to the children in the Church (and even those outside its walls).
Imagine your own life had not others took that responsibility seriously? Perhaps your connection with church would have been very different, or even nonexistent. This past Wednesday the new confirmation class began. These young people will learn about God and the church during their time of study and connecting with one another. Today, church school starts up again, and both young people and adults will learn new lessons. There will also be opportunities for group studies during the week. All ages will learn and grow – and that is good.
Several modern proverbs by Marian Wright Edelman, of the Children’s Defense Fund, help to remind us what we risk should we neglect ‘teaching the children.’ She says.
If we are not supporting a our children with attention, time, love, discipline, money and the teaching of values...
If we are spending more time worrying about our children’s clothes than about their character...
If we are spending more time on our children’s recreation than reading, or their dance steps than their discipline...
If we think it’s someone else’s responsibility to teach our children values, respect, good manners, work and health habits...
…then we are part of the problem rather than the solution.
Encourage all who teach this year…
The Pharisees and scribes were not encouraging at all when they grumbled about Jesus’ teaching, saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2) They couldn’t see the good his teaching others about God was – only that he was teaching the ‘wrong’ students. What business did Jesus have teaching THEM.
And he taught through parables. What’s with that! He told stories for God’s sake – stories about people like his listeners yet really God. And he told stories to anyone who would listen. He even told the children stories. His way of teaching was different, because the stories themselves became the teacher.
…and even take the time to teach someone yourself.
That is what Jesus did – seizing the opportunity to teach yet another lesson about God, he said: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” (Luke 15:4-6)
For those standing there, scratching their heads, Jesus told a second story much like the first – only this time it was a coin that was lost and then found. Yet in both stories, the ‘finding’ – the wholeness of community – was celebrated with friends and neighbors.
So, what is the lesson to be learned? Might it be that the community of God – made whole – should be important to us? If so, then it seems critical we participate in the building up of that community through our concern for one another, our listening to the needs of others, and teaching one another what we have learned about God.
The writer of Hebrews says, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another ... ” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
A new thing is about to begin. It is going to happen at the end of this service. We are going to take Sunday school outside the box – and we want you to be part of it!
[Give people directions as to what they are to do following the service.]
“Meant To Be Together”
Kevin Evers, Communications Director of the Iowa Annual Conference, challenges us in this week’s Thursday Memo, with the question, “Who will teach the children?” and reminds us that Proverbs 9:8-12 instructs us of our responsibility to the children in the Church (and even those outside its walls).
Imagine your own life had not others took that responsibility seriously? Perhaps your connection with church would have been very different, or even nonexistent. This past Wednesday the new confirmation class began. These young people will learn about God and the church during their time of study and connecting with one another. Today, church school starts up again, and both young people and adults will learn new lessons. There will also be opportunities for group studies during the week. All ages will learn and grow – and that is good.
Several modern proverbs by Marian Wright Edelman, of the Children’s Defense Fund, help to remind us what we risk should we neglect ‘teaching the children.’ She says.
If we are not supporting a our children with attention, time, love, discipline, money and the teaching of values...
If we are spending more time worrying about our children’s clothes than about their character...
If we are spending more time on our children’s recreation than reading, or their dance steps than their discipline...
If we think it’s someone else’s responsibility to teach our children values, respect, good manners, work and health habits...
…then we are part of the problem rather than the solution.
Encourage all who teach this year…
The Pharisees and scribes were not encouraging at all when they grumbled about Jesus’ teaching, saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2) They couldn’t see the good his teaching others about God was – only that he was teaching the ‘wrong’ students. What business did Jesus have teaching THEM.
And he taught through parables. What’s with that! He told stories for God’s sake – stories about people like his listeners yet really God. And he told stories to anyone who would listen. He even told the children stories. His way of teaching was different, because the stories themselves became the teacher.
…and even take the time to teach someone yourself.
That is what Jesus did – seizing the opportunity to teach yet another lesson about God, he said: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” (Luke 15:4-6)
For those standing there, scratching their heads, Jesus told a second story much like the first – only this time it was a coin that was lost and then found. Yet in both stories, the ‘finding’ – the wholeness of community – was celebrated with friends and neighbors.
So, what is the lesson to be learned? Might it be that the community of God – made whole – should be important to us? If so, then it seems critical we participate in the building up of that community through our concern for one another, our listening to the needs of others, and teaching one another what we have learned about God.
The writer of Hebrews says, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another ... ” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
A new thing is about to begin. It is going to happen at the end of this service. We are going to take Sunday school outside the box – and we want you to be part of it!
[Give people directions as to what they are to do following the service.]
September 5, 2010
Jeremiah 18:1-11; Luke 14:25-33
“Making Pottery”
God talks to Jeremiah and ‘reveals’ something that all of us should know about how God works. This revelation doesn’t come during a vision or a dream or some test of Jeremiah’s faith – as is often the case in the Bible. It comes instead from an ordinary, everyday kind of thing. God nudges Jeremiah a bit and lets him know he needs to go to the local pottery shop for this ‘revelation.’ So Jeremiah goes and spends the better part of the day watching closely how the potter makes his pottery. While he is there at the pottery, God ‘reveals’ or ‘shows him’ that this is how God works to shape and create the lives of God’s people – in much the same way the potter creates a pot.
The Message (Peterson’s paraphrase of the Bible) says that standing there, Jeremiah observed that: 4 Whenever the pot the potter was working on turned out badly (when it became spoiled – NRSV; or marred – NIV), as happens when working with clay, the potter would simply start over (the potter reworked it – NRSV; formed and shaping it – NIV) using the same clay to make another pot. [Now and then there would be something wrong with the pot he was molding from the clay with his hands. So he would rework the clay into another kind of pot as he saw fit. – NET]
In the next verses, Jeremiah goes on to say, “Then God's Message came to me: "Can't I do just as this potter does, people of Israel?" God's Decree! "Watch this potter. In the same way that this potter works his clay, I work on you, people of Israel. [‘O nation of Israel, can I not deal with you as this potter deals with the clay? In my hands, you, O nation of Israel, are just like the clay in this potter’s hand.’ – NET]
Jeremiah observes that the potter reworked flawed vessels into other vessels, “as seemed good to him” (v. 4), which was the lesson about God he was to draw from the potter. Just as the chosen people of Israel and Judah were originally fashioned into a nation by the Lord’s gracious shaping, so now, flawed by their own unrighteousness, they remain under the divine will to be reshaped, as seems good to the Lord, into another vessel.
The main part of this ‘revelation’ is concerned with the flexibility of the divine will. The God of the OT – and the God of today – is highly interactive with history, taking the initiative in human affairs as well as responding to human actions.
When the potter creates pottery on the wheel, the clay must first be kneaded and wedged to push out little pockets of air trapped in the clay before it is usable for throwing. Water is applied and the clay is centered on the wheel. Sometimes if off-center or with an air pocket present, the pot will wobble and eventually collapse. A potter, noticing a flaw in the piece, might modify or alter the form during the throwing process, or might even stop and start over again from the beginning. Sometimes in doing so, an even more beautiful or useful pot is made.
John Hanneman, in “Shaped By An Artist,”writes:
“God, the master craftsman, …has a vision of what he wants us to become, a purpose for our lives that is unique and significant for each of us. He has designed us to be his holy people. We are vessels that house something very special — the Spirit of God. We may be ordinary clay pots, but God is molding and shaping us for his use — and he uses everything in our lives to accomplish his purposes. God is the potter; we are the clay.
Being like a shapeless lump of clay in the potter's hand doesn't mean we are wholly at the mercy of the artist's hand. Any artist will tell you that despite their preconceived plans, most times the material they work with refuses to cooperate causing a change of plan or two along the way. And that is when the creative juices flow. I can remember an art professor telling me in the sculpture studio that the large chunk of limestone setting on the floor before me would reveal what it was to become. I should first get to know it from the outside to discover its potential and begin making plans. However I had to allow the material to determine the final and ‘true’ form of the sculpture inside the stone I was carving.
God is flexible, and like an artist and potter, always creating. God does not give up on us if we are found to be flawed or imperfect or make mistakes. Instead God takes our shortcomings and works to make us better all the time. Like the potter, God takes us in his hands and molds us into the very best people we can be. God wants to reshape us, not reject us. Isn’t it exciting what we might become in God’s hands!
“Making Pottery”
God talks to Jeremiah and ‘reveals’ something that all of us should know about how God works. This revelation doesn’t come during a vision or a dream or some test of Jeremiah’s faith – as is often the case in the Bible. It comes instead from an ordinary, everyday kind of thing. God nudges Jeremiah a bit and lets him know he needs to go to the local pottery shop for this ‘revelation.’ So Jeremiah goes and spends the better part of the day watching closely how the potter makes his pottery. While he is there at the pottery, God ‘reveals’ or ‘shows him’ that this is how God works to shape and create the lives of God’s people – in much the same way the potter creates a pot.
The Message (Peterson’s paraphrase of the Bible) says that standing there, Jeremiah observed that: 4 Whenever the pot the potter was working on turned out badly (when it became spoiled – NRSV; or marred – NIV), as happens when working with clay, the potter would simply start over (the potter reworked it – NRSV; formed and shaping it – NIV) using the same clay to make another pot. [Now and then there would be something wrong with the pot he was molding from the clay with his hands. So he would rework the clay into another kind of pot as he saw fit. – NET]
In the next verses, Jeremiah goes on to say, “Then God's Message came to me: "Can't I do just as this potter does, people of Israel?" God's Decree! "Watch this potter. In the same way that this potter works his clay, I work on you, people of Israel. [‘O nation of Israel, can I not deal with you as this potter deals with the clay? In my hands, you, O nation of Israel, are just like the clay in this potter’s hand.’ – NET]
Jeremiah observes that the potter reworked flawed vessels into other vessels, “as seemed good to him” (v. 4), which was the lesson about God he was to draw from the potter. Just as the chosen people of Israel and Judah were originally fashioned into a nation by the Lord’s gracious shaping, so now, flawed by their own unrighteousness, they remain under the divine will to be reshaped, as seems good to the Lord, into another vessel.
The main part of this ‘revelation’ is concerned with the flexibility of the divine will. The God of the OT – and the God of today – is highly interactive with history, taking the initiative in human affairs as well as responding to human actions.
When the potter creates pottery on the wheel, the clay must first be kneaded and wedged to push out little pockets of air trapped in the clay before it is usable for throwing. Water is applied and the clay is centered on the wheel. Sometimes if off-center or with an air pocket present, the pot will wobble and eventually collapse. A potter, noticing a flaw in the piece, might modify or alter the form during the throwing process, or might even stop and start over again from the beginning. Sometimes in doing so, an even more beautiful or useful pot is made.
John Hanneman, in “Shaped By An Artist,”writes:
“God, the master craftsman, …has a vision of what he wants us to become, a purpose for our lives that is unique and significant for each of us. He has designed us to be his holy people. We are vessels that house something very special — the Spirit of God. We may be ordinary clay pots, but God is molding and shaping us for his use — and he uses everything in our lives to accomplish his purposes. God is the potter; we are the clay.
Being like a shapeless lump of clay in the potter's hand doesn't mean we are wholly at the mercy of the artist's hand. Any artist will tell you that despite their preconceived plans, most times the material they work with refuses to cooperate causing a change of plan or two along the way. And that is when the creative juices flow. I can remember an art professor telling me in the sculpture studio that the large chunk of limestone setting on the floor before me would reveal what it was to become. I should first get to know it from the outside to discover its potential and begin making plans. However I had to allow the material to determine the final and ‘true’ form of the sculpture inside the stone I was carving.
God is flexible, and like an artist and potter, always creating. God does not give up on us if we are found to be flawed or imperfect or make mistakes. Instead God takes our shortcomings and works to make us better all the time. Like the potter, God takes us in his hands and molds us into the very best people we can be. God wants to reshape us, not reject us. Isn’t it exciting what we might become in God’s hands!
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