Could We Start Again Please!

Galatians 6:15-16    (The Voice)

Let me be clear: circumcision won’t save you—uncircumcision won’t either for that matter—for both amount to nothing. God’s new creation is what counts, and it counts for everything. May peace and mercy come to all of you who live by this rule and to the Israel of God.

I don't know about you . . .

But I would love to have the opportunity to go back and correct some of the mistakes that I have made along the way.

·         Start that job interview over

·         start the relationship over

·         start the sermon over

Remember the movie Groundhog Day --- in which a weatherman named Phil (played by Bill Murray) gets to repeat the day over and over again until he is finally able to create the start of a healthy relationship with Rita his producer.

While it would be nice to be able to fix the past

the sad reality is --- we can't --- there is no do over machine --- you can't be transported back in time and redo what you did in a new way

Now I have been accused of many things in my life, but I would like to make something very clear

          I AM A TRADITIONALIST!

I really am! ---- at least about those things that I want to be traditional about!

My hunch is ---- if we are honest --- we all are to some extent

traditionalist about the thing we want to be traditional about

·         Tradition was, women and children ate in the kitchen --- with thanksgiving coming up --- who is planning on keeping that tradition?

·         Tradition was, women did not speak in church --- there are probably some of you who long for that tradition

·         Tradition was, women wore hats and gloves to church, and men wore suits and ties ---- I don't see too many traditionalists this morning

·         Tradition was, women sat on one side of the church and men sat on the other ---- should we get up and move? Cause I don't see many people keeping that tradition either

·         Tradition was, the only thing you did on Sunday was read the bible and spend the day at church with your family ---- no shopping, no sports ---- no stores would be open ---- There are many Sundays when I could go for that tradition --- but I know the Bears are on at noon so . . .

          We pick our traditions

                   What are some of the things I am traditional about?

·         I can't stand it when Hollywood decides to "remake" one of the classic movies

For some reason, Hollywood has loved to ruin classic Christmas films

          Grinch

          Miracle on 34th Street

About ten years ago, a movie from the 70's was remade.  It doesn't have the energy or the dynamic power of the original

The original movie probably influenced me and my decision to go into the ministry more than I want to admit.

And if you think about that statement it probably explains a good deal about me.

The movie that I am talking about is Andrew Lloyd Webber's rather loose interpretation of the passion of Jesus called JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

I want to play a short clip from this movie.

In this scene, Jesus has just been tried by Pilate and Peter has just denied knowing Jesus.

The Romans are preparing to execute him and the disciples are wondering that same question that you and I often seem to ask

          Can't we start over --- especially now that we know what we know?

VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqvXquqTwoU)

What a powerful song that tells of our longing to go back and start again ---- but we can't and neither could Mary Magdalene or Peter or Judas or any of the other disciples. 

Soon they were watching with horror as Jesus was executed as a common criminal.

The interesting thing about all the Gospel accounts is that all of the writers tell us that the Disciples were CONVINCED that the story of Jesus ended right there.

The men and women who had been following him on his ministry couldn't see past today.

And they longed for a do-over.

          Can't we start again???

But, ultimately, we have come to understand that the story of Jesus didn't end there.

After Good Friday comes Easter.

And as Disciples of Jesus, as followers of his, Jesus says to us that if we are truly willing to commit ourselves to his way he will do something amazing.

While we can't go back --- we can move forward with confidence not allowing the failures of the past to define us.

Because the amazing thing that Jesus does is he transforms us by his unconditional love.

In our scripture last week Jesus promises us:

          "See, I am making all things new."

Isaiah, the great prophet of the Hebrew Bible pointed out:

Isaiah 43:19   (CEV)

I am creating something new.
    There it is! Do you see it?
I have put roads in deserts,
    streams in thirsty lands.

Paul in 2 Corinthians tells us too:

2 Corinthians 5:17   (NLT)

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And our Scripture this morning also says the same thing:

Galatians 6:15   (NLT)

It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.

The good news of the Gospel is that while we may not be able to go back and have a do-over ---- we can start from here unburdened by the mistakes of the past.

We can be NEW

We can be whole and full of God's love.

There is a powerful story that is told about a Palestinian Priest by the name of Elias Chacour. 

I had the opportunity to meet with Father Chacour on one of my trips to Israel.

The story takes place on a Palm Sunday service at his church in Ibillin Israel (in the Galilee)  -

One of the unique features of his congregation is that it is filled with people who are at odds with each other.

Father Chacour realized that there was, in reality, no peace among his people.

At the end of the service, he made a startling decision.

He walked down the center aisle and at the back of the church locked the only two doors to the church and took the key.

He told the people both that he loved them and that he was saddened to find them so filled with hatred and bitterness for one another.

Then, in the midst of stunned silence, he announced that only one person could work the miracle of reconciliation in their village: Jesus Christ.

Then he told his congregation this --- he said:

"So on Christ's behalf, I say this to you.  The doors of the church are locked. Either you kill each other right here in your hatred, and then I will celebrate your funerals ... or you use this opportunity to be reconciled together before I open the doors of the church. If that reconciliation happens, Christ will truly become your Lord."

Ten minutes passed, and no one said a word. The people sat in silence, locked inside their church.

Finally, one man stood up.

His name was Abu Muhib, a villager serving as an Israeli policeman, who was in his uniform.

He stretched out his arms and said,

"I ask forgiveness of everybody here, and I forgive everybody. And I ask God to forgive me my sins."

He and Chacour then embraced, with tears streaming down Abu Muhib's cheeks.

Within minutes, everyone in the church was crying, laughing, embracing and sharing Christ's love and peace.

Elias Chacour then announced that

"this is our resurrection! We are a community that has risen from the dead, and we have new life. I propose that we don't wait until Easter to celebrate the Resurrection. I will unlock the doors, and then let us go from home to home all over the village and sing the resurrection hymn to everyone!"

This is the day

          This is the day that the Lord has made ---- the Psalmist declared

Let us make this a day of new beginnings for us as well.

A day of hope,

          a day filled with unconditional love,

                   a day filled with finding the possibilities God has planted in our lives

Robert Benton's Academy Award-winning film Places in the Heart is the story of a young woman, widowed within the first few minutes of the film, struggling against principalities and powers of evil incarnate in everyday life of central Texas during the 1930s.

Forces work to take away the only thing her husband has left her and her two small children --- a small farm in Texas.

Lynchings, brutality, infidelity, racism, greed, duplicity all of these are woven into the lives of those who make up the tapestry of Benton's story.

The film ends with a communion service.

At first the camera shows you a few of the good folk in town.

Next, some of the not-so-good.

Then the banker and others who conspired to take away her farm.

The camera continues to move with the cups of wine.

There is the faithful black farmhand who helped bring in the crop so the widow might pay her mortgage; next to him, the blind boarder.

The plate passes to the children, then to their mother.

She is seated next to her dead husband.

As you are trying to take this in, the plate moves to the young man who shot and killed her husband.

They commune, and each responds: "the peace of God."

All are gathered at table, to share the bread and cup of salvation.

Suddenly this is more than Sunday morning; this is the kingdom, eternity captured in time

This is not a human point of view.

The camera has given us a look at life, the way Jesus said God looks at it.

God has done something to enable everyone to come home.

God lets us start over again.

We can't re-do the past --- we can only go into the future as new creations in Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17   (NLT)

anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Tikkun Olam

Revelation 21:1-6    (NRSV)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

There is a town in Southwest, Ohio --- it is a pretty small town ---- named for Jeremiah Morrow, one of Ohio’s early governors.

I imagine most of the town's residents probably wish his name had been something like Jeremiah Smith.

As you can imagine, the town's name can provide for some confusion ---- especially when someone wanted to get to Morrow tomorrow

Bob Gibson, realized the possibilities and a funny song was born. 

It was recorded by Gibson and a number of other people --- including The Kingston Trio and my favorite by far is . . .

                   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEilPR1PXko

I love that version!

But as the song points out ---- getting to tomorrow can sometimes be a difficult proposition!

That's always been true!

Especially when we turn tomorrow into a day when all of the problems of today are solved.

But as Annie reminds us --- Tomorrow is ALWAYS a day away!

When we look at "tomorrow" in the Bible, tomorrow --- the future ---- the time that has not yet arrived --- tomorrow is the assurance that the present is never the end of the story.

It reminds us that the darkness of today will not survive into tomorrow.

One of the prophet Jeremiah's favorite phrases was "the days are surely coming . . ."

Jeremiah was proclaiming this during the dark and dismal days of Israel's history.

For the Israelite's at that time --- the future (along with the present) looked pretty bleak!

But by reminding the people of TOMORROW --- Jeremiah and the prophets were able to encourage Israel to keep their faith alive.

The future --- tomorrow is also very important for us as Christians.

For us it means something like this:

When you embrace the way of Christ, you enter the kingdom of God, which is already here in some ways. But you also inherit the hope of the kingdom to come, where God’s love and power will have full sway, where all wrongs will be righted and where there will be neither sorrow nor suffering anymore.

If you listened closely to our reading today from Revelation --- you heard this same idea

The author says: (Revelation 21:1-4 The Message)

I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.

I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.

I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.”

I can't tell you how many times I have said to people:

          "Don't lose hope --- tomorrow will be a better day"

or we say things like

Quoting Paul in Romans"

"Nothing can separate us from the love of God"

 or

“Tomorrow — some distant tomorrow — you will see your loved one again.”

“Tomorrow there will be war no more.”

“Tomorrow all violence will cease, and people will live peaceably with their neighbors.”

And so on.

But that tomorrow is shrouded in mystery

And when we offer consolation or encouragement with words like those --- even though it is the basis of our confidence --- it seems so far off that it might seem like wishful thinking.

I am fascinated with the history of World War II

During those early dark days England was unprepared to defend itself against the German onslaught.

Night after night German planes bombed London.

          Parents sent their children into the countryside hoping to keep them safe

          London was under constant threat and fear

The British air-force --- which was no match to the German Luftwaffe, in personal or equipment --- did their best to defend their island nation.  But the reality is, many did not survive.

One of the most popular songs in England during that time was “The White Cliffs of Dover,” which proclaimed,

“There’ll be joy and laughter

And peace ever after,

Tomorrow

when the world is free ... Tomorrow

Just you wait and see.”

The mood of that song sounds a great deal like our reading from Revelation.

The tomorrow that they proclaimed was not an eternal one

It was a tomorrow within the lifetime of that generation.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, is not about "Heaven" but is best understood as envisioning a this-world someday.

At the beginning of the 20th century it was a time of great hope and optimism.

Many believed that our world was making progress toward becoming a more just society.

They believed that being a disciple of Jesus was more than just saving souls but also required that they had to tackle the social problems of their day

·         poverty

·         warfare

·         human injustice

They saw themselves establishing a new social order

          A social order build on peace, justice and well-being

Unfortunately, two World Wars, The Great Depression and the Holocaust put a damper on the optimism and hope of so many!

We began to realize that WHEN the Kingdom of God arrives it will because GOD has acted to make it so and not by our own doing.

And while they did not usher in the Kingdom of God as they had anticipated --- the Social Gospel Movement created some important and significant changes in our world.

Many of their ideals wound up in the New Deal legislation of the 1930's and I imagine most people who are getting a Social Security check is pretty thankful for that.

But it also helped us to recognize that we (as Christians) have a responsibility not only for one's soul but also for their whole being.

While we cannot expect to establish the Kingdom of God (that has to be God's doing).

We must recognize that we have a responsibly to care for God's world and people --- even if it is only temporary.

After Hurricane Katrina, Ridge Church along with church work teams from all over America traveled to New Orleans to help rebuild the homes of people who didn't have enough insurance or other income to rebuild on their own.

It has been slow work, and our youth were down there this summer, 8 years after the hurricane.

But wait! Aren't at least some of those homes being rebuilt in areas that are likely to flood again in a major storm?

What’s the point of rebuilding there?

The point, of course, is that that is where people are.

Some have little option but to stay on property they already own.

We can’t predict their future, but in the meantime, they have to have a place to live, so the church moves to help them where they are.

Even if a storm takes their restored homes next year, the work of God’s people hasn’t been for naught.

In Judaism there is a wonderful phrase for this concept --- it is called tikkun olam and it literally means "repairing the world".

The expression tikkun olam is used in the Mishnah to indicate that a practice should be followed not because it is required by Biblical law, but because it helps avoid social disharmony.

Tikkun olam isn't just about good works or advocacy.

It's about engaging in social justice while also meeting people’s spiritual needs.

We cannot repair the world just by securing economic well-being and equal rights for everyone; we also need to assist people in finding God.

The kingdom of God is the ultimate tomorrow.

It’s the goal of history and the reward of the faithful.

Its coming is up to God.

But between today and that tomorrow are the nearer tomorrows.

We who follow Jesus have the duty to make sure that the doors of justice and society’s benefits are open for all for those tomorrows and that the Discipleship Path to spiritual fulfillment is well marked.

And we shouldn't wait for tomorrow to get started.

Because we can get there from here.

Disciples Path : Come and See

October 27

A DISCIPLES PATH

Come and See

John 1:35-49   (NRSV)

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

One of the dirtiest words in the Christian lingo among mainline Christians and non-Christians is the word EVANGELISM.

That word tends to create all kinds of images in our minds

          First Baptist Church of Hammond

                   Knocking on your door

                   Bus ministry

          People handing out tracts

          More concerned about what you believe than how you live

But what does the word really mean?

          According to the dictionary the word means

                   "the preaching or promulgation of the gospel"

Gospel of course means "good news"

So evangelism is sharing the good news

It is neither a positive nor a negative word in itself --- it all depends on how it is done!

Most of us have experienced what we would classify as negative evangelism --- however, if we ask ourselves how did we end up at Ridge Church? --- the reality is we came because of positive evangelism

So what does positive evangelism look like?

Let's take a deeper look at our scripture this morning and see if Jesus doesn't model a better way of doing evangelism for us.

Our scripture comes from the opening scene in the gospel of John.

In it we meet two disciples of John the Baptist.

They had been with him in the wilderness for some time.

They hear John the Baptist say:

          “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”

When they heard their master say this they decided to see what John was talking about so they began following Jesus.

Jesus turns to them and asks them:

          “What are you looking for?”

And then he offers the invitation:

          "Come and see"

We are told that they remained with Jesus for a day and then the gospel story tell us that why they came across Simon Peter (Andrew his brother was one of the two who had encountered Jesus) they told Peter

          “We have found the Messiah”

The next day they went to the Galilee and came across Nathanial and Philip said to him:

“We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Notice that Philip followed Jesus lesson in how to evangelize --- COME AND SEE

Please note

          There is no coercing or manipulation

                   No ---- "Do you know where you are going if you die tonight"

          No pressure

          No hard sell

         

          COME AND SEE was the invitation

Come and see the one whom you will eventually understand is the answer to all the searching that you are already doing.

Later in John's gospel we find a similar story

Jesus has just met a Samaritan woman sitting beside Jacob's well

The story begins with a simple conversation about Jesus being thirsty and needing a drink of water.

By the time the story ends, this woman has discovered that Jesus is "Living Water" and runs off to tell everyone that she can find.

If you go home this afternoon and pay attention to the way that Jesus engages with people --- I think that you will discover that there was a pattern to the way Jesus reached out.

It seems to have a very consistent pattern that includes:

·         conversation rather than confrontation

·         invitation rather than invasion

·         an adventure rather than an argument

·         a meeting of the hearts rather than a making of a point

·         personal discovery rather than vigorous debate

This style of evangelism is centered on loving people and giving them life rather than the negative images of evangelism that saturate our consciousness

The question really isn't should we evangelize ---

Charles Wesley said:

"We cannot expect the wanderers from God to seek us.  It is our part to go and seek them."

The question is HOW, --- how do we share our love of Jesus with others?

It begins with friendship

          It can't be manipulative

                   It must be centered in loving, caring friendships

You can't share Jesus until you really get to know somebody

We need to learn to LISTEN

          We don't really need to tell about Jesus

                   We need to find out what people are looking for

                             Remember --- that is what Jesus did to Andrew

                                      He asked him "What are you looking for?"

          Listen as they share their story

Know your story

          Know and understand how and why Jesus makes a difference in your life

                   Can you articulate that in a simple and concise way?

Offer an Invitation

          What is the invitation that Jesus offers?

                   COME AND SEE

          What do we offer them to come and see?

                   That is going to depend on the individual and their circumstances

                   It might be something such as:

                             Worship

                             Bible Study

                             Fun event

                             WWE Dinner

                             Youth Group

                   Or it may be something totally different

Trust God

One of the hallmarks of our Methodist tradition is the concept of Prevenient Grace

We believe God is already at work in their lives whether they know it or not

God helps us in this process --- we don't do it all

But what is the most important ingredient in evangelism?

          PASSION

What are you passionate about?

          Duke Basketball??

What does it take for us to become passionate for Jesus?

They key is knowing our story and how God intersects that story    

One Step at a Time

October 20

One Step at a Time

2 Corinthians 8:7-15

2 Corinthians 8:7-15    (NRSV)

Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written,

“The one who had much did not have too much,
    and the one who had little did not have too little.”

The buzz word for the last couple of weeks has been economics.

The looming question was --- if Congress had not passed a budget bill of some variety would our (and the world's) economy collapse.

But it posses and interesting question that nobody seemed really to answer.

Just what is "economics?"

We love to talk about the economy --- but my hunch is most of us really don't understand it --- other than watching whether or not the price of gas is going up or down.

A few years ago, there was a New York Times best selling book that seemed to challenge our thinking about the whole idea of economics and how financial and social capitol actually move in our culture.

The book, if you are familiar with it is: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Looks at the Hidden Side of Everything.

The rogue economist is Steven Levitt who, along with partner Stephen Dubner, looks at the real nature of economics as a web of interconnected relationships.

Their premise?

“If morality represents how we’d like the world to work, then economics represents how it actually does work.”

I think why I was attracted by the book, was instead of doing what most economist do --- which is look a the numbers and make statements or predictions --- Levitt asks WHY?

He believes that at the center of economics is the concept of incentives.

He writes:

“Economics is, at root, the study of incentives: how people get what they want, or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing . . .  An incentive is a bullet, a lever, a key: an often tiny object with astonishing power to change a situation.”

If the incentive is great enough, with enough of a payoff in the end, people will go to great lengths to achieve it.

In a world where conventional economic wisdom is all about acquiring enough money and things to live comfortably and secure, Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church offers a completely different way of thinking economically and spiritually.

Let's take a quick look at what Corinth was like in the first century.

Corinth was a cosmopolitan culture where the economy, status and religion were all based on competition between individuals and groups (sounds a lot like today).

The basic incentive that drove people was the desire for “excellence,” or one-upping others in any pursuit.

Much of 1 Corinthians is devoted to Paul’s arguments against this kind of thinking in the church.

Paul says that instead of climbing over one another to be the best or most worthy, we should move toward equality and unity in things like worship (1 Corinthians 11) and in the use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12).

My hunch is the people of Corinth felt pretty beat up by Paul's first letter and it created some hard feelings in the church toward Paul and, in particular, about the collection that Paul was asking for from all the Gentile churches to support the work of the Jerusalem church among the poor and needy (1 Corinthians 16:1-4).

It wasn’t that the Corinthians were unwilling.

          They simply lacked incentive.

Without an incentive to take up the offering, other than a perceived obligation, the Corinthians were falling behind.

A year earlier they had been all for it, but since their relationships with Paul had apparently been strained, they had become less enthusiastic about giving to his cause (2 Corinthians 8:10-12).

Clearly, they needed a different kind of incentive in order to finish what they started.

We run into the same dilemma every year

Every fall there are letters written, newsletter articles posted and sermons from me soliciting your support through estimates of giving for the coming year.

And as we try to plan our annual campaign, one of the things that quickly becomes apparent is that there are hundreds of campaigns out there.

One of the most offensive to me (because it is theologically WRONG) is the one that says:

          Give and you will prosper financially

or       Give $1000 and God will grant you new wealth.

The bible is full of talk about blessings --- even blessings that are in response to faithful giving.

          But the scriptures never promise a shopping spree.

Another approach is to encourage you to support the budget.        

          To give your fair share . . .

As I said a couple weeks ago --- we don't GIVE to raise money for the church or to support the budget.

          That's not why you bring an offering each week

We have even been known to use guilt to try and get you to give.

I bet some of you have heard some of these lines over the years (I hope not here!!!)

          "If you don't raise your giving we may have to close the church doors"

          "We may have to let staff go"

          "We may not have Sunday school material for our children"

Guilt doesn't work too well!

I even read about a church that tried a lottery approach

          Probably appropriate in this day and age with our love of gambling

What the campaign said was: Bring your offering in a sealed envelope.

Once the offering was collected --- all the envelopes were placed in a big drum, like the ones used for bingo

The pastor spins the drum and pulls out an envelope

The name is read and the winning person gets double his or her money back

CRAZY!

Or there was the weight loss challenge.

Some members of a congregation challenged the Sr Pastor to lose some weight

          They pledged money for every pound that he lost

It was kind of a win -- win situation

          The Sr Pastor wins by losing some weight

          The congregation wins by getting some money

Silly --- maybe even amusing --- but sad at the same time

Why do we give to the church?

          Why do you give?

If not to raise money for the church ---- WHY?

As I said a few weeks ago

          Giving is essential to Discipleship

                   One cannot be a disciple of Jesus and not be generous

So let's take a quick look at Paul's approach.

What Paul realized was that the church at Corinth needed a crash course in faith-onomics, or better yet, grace-onomics.

Paul starts where they are.

He knows what motivates these Corinthians, ---- what incentive will work.

What he had chided them about in the first letter, he now uses to bolster his argument in the second:

If the Corinthians want to demonstrate “excellence,” here is the perfect chance to do so (8:7).

The Macedonian churches (particularly those at Thessalonica and Philippi) had already given sacrificially and enthusiastically to this offering, even though they were dealing with their own poor economic conditions (8:1-6).

Despite their own poverty, these people gave “beyond their means” and begged for the privilege of doing more.

The poor Macedonians have outdone themselves, writes Paul to the wealthy Corinthians.

          So, it’s your call.

          What are you going to do in response?

Paul not only encourages the Corinthians to follow the example of the Macedonians in their giving, but even more so the example of Christ, who “became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (v. 9).

All that they have, materially and spiritually, is the result of the grace of God and that grace is, in fact, a form of wealth in itself.

God has poured himself out for them in Jesus Christ — how can they not do the same for others?

Understand that Paul is not talking actual drachma amounts here, like a corporation that offers matching gifts to charity.

He’s talking about attitude and motivation, urging the Corinthians to give out of the abundance of what they have, not focusing on what they don’t have (v. 12).

Balance, fairness and reciprocity are the economics of God, where all share together in the model of Christ in whose eyes all of us are equal (v. 13).

It’s not about tossing God our leftovers, but about seeking the higher value of excellence in our stewardship,

living our lives with open hands as well as open hearts, rather than begrudging our giving.

Paul’s basic economic theory, very different from that of Levitt and Dubner, is that everything belongs to God in the first place, but God has seen fit to share it with us — even to the point of sharing God’s own self in Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:21b-23).

Even if we don’t have a penny to our names, we are rich because of God’s grace toward us.

          It’s thinking that runs counter to just about every economic theory.

So why do we give?

Let me offer to us some reasons why we give

WE GIVE IN ORDER TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE

We give to express gratitude and joy for the gift of life.

WE GIVE IN ORDER TO BE INVOLVED

The gift says something of what I am about.

It proclaims that I want to be involved in what my church is doing.

A mature Christian is one who wants to be involved and who wants to make a contribution

WE GIVE IN ORDER TO GROW

We don't give to make the church bigger.

We give in order to facilitate our own steady growth as disciples of Jesus --- and to make sure that others can join us on this Discipleship Path

A good gift is one that has a positive effect on the spiritual life of the giver!

We give not to get, but because we have received.

We love because we have been loved.

Our incentive to give of our time, our talents, and our treasure in God’s service has nothing to do with what we’ll get in return.

Instead it has everything to do with what God has already done for us.

A DISCIPLES PATH: Servanthood

October 13

A DISCIPLES PATH

Servanthood

Ephesians 4:1-16  

Ephesians 4:1-16

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said,

“When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.”

(When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

When you join any United Methodist Church, you promise to support the church with your:     Prayers

          Presence

          Gifts

          Service

          Witness

But as a follower of Jesus --- you promise to become an active participant in Jesus' ministry of service to the world.

One of the hallmarks of the Reformation is the affirmation of the Priesthood of all believers. 

          In other words, all followers of Jesus are ministers.

In the United Methodist Discipline (our rulebook) it declares:

"all Christians are called through their baptism to this ministry of servanthood in the world to the glory of God."

Whoever you are

          clergy person --- staff person --- layperson

          man --- woman

          young --- old

          skilled in the bible  --- or one whom the bible is new

ALL are called! --- And that includes YOU!

One of the mistakes that we --- as ordained ministers make --- is in implying that calling is only something we get.

          EVERYBODY IS CALLED

                   Every call is different

The task of the church is pretty simple in regards to this ---- we are here to help you discover your call, understand your spiritual gifts and help you find your place in service --- and then to support you in using them!

But what are these things that I am calling spiritual gifts?

Our scripture this morning reminds us that as followers of Jesus we are all given spiritual gifts

·         these are not something that we earn

·         God gives this to us and expects us to use them

·         You could say that God pre-wired us to use our natural talents, our personality, our passions, and the gifts we have been given to become a part of God's transformation of the world through God's love

Remember, the purpose of the church is to "make Disciple of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."  THAT IS OUR MISSION.

YOU have been called to be a part of that mission.

Paul, as he was writing to the church at Corinth was trying to help them understand their spiritual gifts.

He tells them: (1 Corinthians 12 selected The Message)

What I want to talk about now is the various ways God’s Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. . . .

God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!

Every follower of Jesus ---- Every Christian is gifted by God.

One of the best ways to find out what your spiritual gifts are is to take a spiritual gifts inventory.

A simple one can be found at www.ministrymatters.com/spiritualgifts

          It is free and easy

Once we figure out what our gifts are, then we can figure out what God wants us to do with them.

And by that I don't mean that we are to volunteer.

God doesn't want volunteers

God wants us servants.

And there is a big difference between being a volunteer and being a servant

·         being a volunteer describes a particular activity that is not at the center of your identity ---- but being a servant describes something about you as a follower of Jesus

·         A volunteer gives of time and talent when it is convenient or when it fits into one's schedule ---- a disciple of Jesus understands that they are a servant ALWAYS

·         A volunteer serves based on their interests or values ---- a disciple is guided by the Jesus' kingdom values.

Can one be a disciple of Jesus and not be a servant?

          The author of James says NO (James 2:14-17)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

Faith without action is no faith

Being a Christian is not just about BELIEVING certain things --- being a Christian is about a way of life.

On May 16, 2006 an auction was held at Christie's in London.

Up for auction was an old violin

People were in awe when the price for the violin went past $1 million, and then $2 million

When the gavel finally came down ---- the violin sold for $3.5 million, the highest price ever paid for a musical instrument.

The violin was one that was hand made by Antonio Stradivari --- without a doubt the greatest maker of violins ever.

George Eliot, the pen name of 19th century British novelist Mary Anne Evans wrote a poem simply titled: Stradivarius.

In the poem, a young, undisciplined painter named Naldo mocks Stradivari's hard work, telling him that he could have fame and wealth with a lot less labor.

Antonio replies that any musician who holds one of his violins will be grateful that Stradivari lived, made violins, and made them the best that he could.

Antonio says that God gives the musicians their skill, but that he gives them the instruments to play: "God choosing me to help him."

Naldo is shocked by the idea that God might need Stradivarius' help.

Antonio replies:

Not God Himself can make man's best

Without best men to help him . . .

. . . He could not make

Antonio Stradivari's violins

Without Antonio

Stradivarius understood how God works in the world

God works in the world through us!

The churches job is to help you figure out what God has gifted you with ---

          but not to stop there

                   to help you put those gifts into action

So that with the help of the Holy Spirit you can help in the transformation of the world

Slow Down

October 6

A DISCIPLES PATH

Slow Down!!

Genesis 37:5-12   (The Message)

Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said, “Listen to this dream I had. We were all out in the field gathering bundles of wheat. All of a sudden my bundle stood straight up and your bundles circled around it and bowed down to mine.”

His brothers said, “So! You’re going to rule us? You’re going to boss us around?” And they hated him more than ever because of his dreams and the way he talked.

He had another dream and told this one also to his brothers: “I dreamed another dream—the sun and moon and eleven stars bowed down to me!”

When he told it to his father and brothers, his father reprimanded him: “What’s with all this dreaming? Am I and your mother and your brothers all supposed to bow down to you?” Now his brothers were really jealous; but his father brooded over the whole business.

As many of you know --- three years ago ---- I got tired of always watching Nancy run marathon after marathon.

And on my 50th birthday I announced to all of you in worship that I was setting a goal of completing a marathon before my 51st birthday.

I didn't make it --- I actually completed my first marathon 2 weeks after my 51st birthday.

Since my 50th birthday I have completed 2 marathons and 5 half marathons with a sixth in two weeks.

As many of you know --- Last year when I ran the Chicago marathon Nancy and I finished hand in hand together --- it is a highlight of my life!

This past May, Nancy and I ran the Indy Mini together and the day of the race just happened to be our 27th anniversary

We had been training together and I had it in my head how awesome it would be for us to finish together.

We started out pretty good, but at about mile three I had to stop and smell some flowers and I never saw Nancy again.

          She finished with her fastest ever half marathon 1:53 minutes

          I struggled across the finish line some 18 minutes behind her

Again we trained together every day for our next race

          And as we would train Nancy would say to me

                   "We are running the same pace, we should run together"

We were up in Wine Country Michigan at the end of August and Nancy said to me before the race began --- "If I am running too fast let me know"

We started out at a pretty good pace, but at around the second mile I said to her we were running too fast --- she kind of looked at me and kept on going.

I finished in just under 2:05 minutes --- but a good 6 minutes behind Nancy

As much as I wanted to keep up with her --- I couldn't and she was not willing to slow down and run with me

I think I have done the same to you

          I have been running faster than you can keep up

          Some of you pointed that out to me this week

                   And the surprising news ---- I actually listened

So I want to slow down this morning

Try to regroup

Explain why I am preaching this series

One that I believe may be one of the most important that I have shared with you

Almost three years ago we were invited as a church to participate in the Fruitful Congregations Journey.

12 Lay People committed to be a part of a process in which they would meet once a month with a coach and then meet a second time each month with the pastors.

Over the two years we met we read a number of books and prepared to bring in a group of consultants who would evaluate what we were doing and the things that we might improve on.

Last spring we had the consultants come and give us their recommendations.

The recommended 5 areas that we work on.

1.       COMMUNICATION

They suggested that we improve our website

That the Trustees create a task force to look at signage issues

That we develop better lines of communication among the staff and the congregation

We are well on our way to achieving this goal

·         Website

New website is in development and should be up soon

·         Signage

As far as I know the Trustees have not acted on this recommendation yet

·         Communication

We are trying to do a better job communicating.

          Staff Meeting weekly

          I meet with most of the staff individually each week

2.       CLEAR, SHARED MISSION AND VISION

Do you know what the mission of Ridge Church is?

to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world

Do you know what our vision is?

          Offer hope, unconditional love and meaning for life

I try to make sure I life those up in every worship service and we seek to make sure every ministry we engage in is in line with those values

3.       STEWARDSHIP

You have been hearing about our Grow One Step stewardship campaign and in the spring of next year we will be conducting a capital campaign to fix the roof and pay off our debt.

The one area that they challenged us in as regards stewardship is they felt we had too many fund raisers.  That has not changed.

4.       CREATE AN INTENTIONAL PLAN TO DEVELOP, TRAIN, AND DEPLOY STAFF & LEADERS

This is the one area that we have not at all tackled.  The Fruitful Team will be taking this up at their meeting next month.

5.       DEVELOP AN INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP PATH

The goal is to develop a clear and articulated path to help people who come to RUMC grow into a committed follower of Jesus.  This process with be one that persons of all ages and levels of spiritual maturity will have the opportunity to connect, move and grow along this path into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

This path, will seek to help persons grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ by sharing hope, loving unconditionally and helping one another recognize that we all have gifts to share on our journey.  We will encourage persons to:

·         Develop a transformational relationship with Jesus

·         Participate in passionate worship and relevant Bible study

·         Connect with the community for support, prayer and accountability

·         Sent out to serve others in the community or world

This is what this sermon series has been about.

I am convinced that if we take the five promises we make when we join the church, we will be well on our way to helping all of us grow as disciples.

This is not saying that we are not good disciples already --- the point is we can become better disciples and more intentional in helping others to grow in a love relationship with Jesus.

So for the past three weeks we have looked at the first three promised that we made when we joined the church.

We promised to support the church with our prayers

We promised to support the church with our presence

We promised to support the church with our gifts

But the ultimate question is what is the outcome that we are looking for?

Well clearly, the hope is that you will get intentional in your relationship with Jesus.

That means that we have to become more intentional in our prayer life

Become more intentional in our participation in our spiritual growth

          attend church regularly

          participate in some type of small group

Grow in your generosity.

But more than that, that we will become more aware of those around us who are new on the Discipleship Path and that we will intentionally help them find their way