What Do We Owe The Past

Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)                   

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

 

I cannot thank everyone who has hand over the last couple of years in getting us to this point.  Pandemic or not --- we are ready to celebrate 200 years of making a kindom difference here in Indianapolis and around the world. 

Over the next year, we will be celebrating Meridian Street as we look back and start living the future.

This celebration terrace will be one of the lasting legacies of this anniversary --- as we create a space for us and the community to gather in prayer and contemplation.

I am also excited about the new history of Meridian Street that Andrea Neal and Jason Lantzer have written.  Early on David Evans, whose father Dan Evans, Sr, wrote the history of Meridian Street at 175 years, suggested that we need to have a new history written.

I appreciate the push he gave to the project and the wonderful writing that Andrea and Jason have done.  I have had the privilege or reading a draft of the book, and when it is published this fall you are going to want to get a copy.  Thank you Andrea, Jason and David!

If you do not know the history of Meridian Street, the story will not only inform you, it will inspire you.

It is not a perfect history --- we have had our times of turmoil --- but through it all, God has been present --- seeking to lead us toward God's perfect kindom.

The turmoil of today --- social division --- racial injustice --- LGBTQI inclusion --- are nothing new. 

Two World Wars, Spanish Flu, Vietnam, Civil Rights --- and that is just the last 100 years

          There is hope that we survived and thrived through them and can do so again

As I was preparing for this morning I was reminded of the Roman god Janus.

It is the images of Janus that jumps out at me ---

Janus is usually depicted as having two faces, he was the god of beginnings and endings, presiding over every entrance and departure, and every door and passageway because they look in two directions

Janus is looking to the future and back to the past.

And that is what we do when we mark time like a 200th anniversary.

We remember where we have been --- and beginning living in the future.

It is easy to reminisce about the wonderful ministries that have come out of Meridian Street Church.

We have had a glorious past and the influence that we have had on Indianapolis is significant.

Two ministries that continue in our city jump out.

We are founding members of Family Promise and the Interfaith Hospitality Network.  For the past quarter of a century we have helped house homeless families --- but that is not really what Family Promise is about.

          Family Promise is about helping families get back into their own homes

          And we have help countless numbers of families return to their own home

Even this past Friday we had volunteers helping organize a new apartment with the furnishings you donated for a family

The second that JUMPS out at me (and I could name many more) is Neighbor-link

Formally known as neighbor to neighbor; it began as a ministry of Meridian Street Church and today has numerous partners --- helping homeowners throughout the city keep their homes safe and secure. 

          Neighbor-link has an office up on the third floor that they operate out of. 

But we are not called to rest on the past.

God is still calling Meridian Street to be a leader and innovator in the city.

I picked this passage because the message in it is one we need to be reminded of.

Jesus has gathered with his disciples, way up in Northern Galilee and asks them a simple question --- Who do you think I am?

Who is Jesus?

And Peter says: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’

You are the one, Jesus, who is to usher in a new age --- the kindom of God

                    And we believe that as well don't we?

And Jesus response should be instructive for us:

"I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

We all know that Jesus is not talking about buildings here. 

          He is not saying, I am going to build a great edifice at 5500 N Meridian Street!

The word church in the Greek means the calling out of people to assemble together

In other words, Jesus is saying that we are a CALLED OUT PEOPLE

We are called to be different --- distinct from the world

We assemble --- we gather --- together for worship because God in Christ has called us out to be distinct from the world.

The church is the people who have heard the call to follow Christ, and that means gathering together (assembling) as a holy people

          We are called out from the world and set apart for a God's purpose

This, then, is church.

          Our prime concerns should be located in that single word.

So let me ask you:

          Does our worship reflect the Christ who calls us out?

          Are we living as a distinct, called-out people?

Or to put it another way, is Jesus first in our lives?

          Not our party affiliation

          Not our national allegiance

Is Jesus first?

          Remember in Christ we are all one!

Nadia Bolz-Weber:

"People don't leave Christianity because they stop believing in the teachings of Jesus.  People leave Christianity because they believe in the teachings of Jesus so much, they can't stomach being part of an institution that claims to be about that but clearly isn't."

Meridian Street --- has been and must continue to be --- built upon Jesus

The second part, Jesus says: “The gates of Hades will not prevail against it”

Jesus is saying nothing can hold back the church --- the assembly --- when the church is living as the distinctive, called out people of God.

NOTHING

          Not conflict

          Not even a pandemic

We are still the church!

Remember the passage from Philippians last week.

          "the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion"

          "I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters"

As we celebrate the past --- let us rejoice in the good work that Jesus has done among us --- and as we look to the future --- may we recognize what really matters and move forward with confidence and love.

While we gather to celebrate --- this is a challenging time for many

          Many feel broken

          Vulnerable

          Alone

          Afraid

Let us be the church by letting those who are hurting know that when God sees broken hearts – God’s heart is broken as well.

Let me close with this prayer from Richard Foster:

Let me enter your heart, O God. Let me see what breaks your heart. Let my heart be broken, too. Amen.”