It’s a holiday weekend! Churches across these great United States of America will be giving the 2nd and 3rd string a shot at making the roster while the 1st string takes a much needed and well deserved break.
Why? Well, it’s a holiday weekend. It will probably be a “low” Sunday (in attendance, maybe in spirit too, who knows?). We wouldn’t want the starters to waste their time and energy on a Sunday when we just don’t expect many people. We want to get more bang for the buck. Let’s rest the 1st string this weekend while folks are at the lake, camping, taking a short vacation to Beaver Dam, IN or just using the opportunity to catch up on house work/yard work/rest/whatever.
Of course, the 2nd and 3rd string folks have been anxiously awaiting their opportunity to step on the field. They have been sitting in the sanctuary, week after week, thinking to themselves, “I could preach circles around this dude/dudette.” And, following the service, those with a bone to pick with the starter will pull the 2nd/3rd stringer aside and say, “Wow! That was great! Much better than the regular. We need to find ways to get you out on the playing field more often.”
In some ways, we all understand the logic. We’ve all been there on those Sunday’s where half the congregation is somewhere else. We’ve experienced the disappointment of preparing what we believe to be an excellent service of worship and trying our hardest to create a sense of energy/hope/joy in a mostly empty space. So, we join in on the practice of using a holiday weekend as an opportunity to take a break. Or if we do plan worship, write a sermon, whatever…we might not give it 100%.
However, shouldn’t we consistently put out best foot forward?
Maybe we should look at holiday weekends as an opportunity to reach out to folks who normally are not able to attend our weekend services? On a holiday weekend, there is a unique opportunity to intentionally reach out to those who, on a normal weekend would be working. Maybe the factory, office, store, restaurant, warehouse, whatever will be closed and for the first time in 3 months a person has a Sunday morning “free”.
Maybe we should try harder to create a contagious desire to attend our weekend services before heading out to the beach, the holiday sale, or the thriving metropolis of Claypool, IN? What if we created something so amazing for the holiday weekend that people would desire to adjust their weekend plans in order to not miss out?
So, to all you first stringers still leading in worship this Sunday, give your best effort!
To all you second and third stringers leading in worship this Sunday, knock their socks off!
Then, after worship, let’s make plans to meet at The Bee Hive Restaurant, grab a quick bite to eat and some bait (try not to confuse the two) before spending the rest of the day fishing!
This message was shared on August 30,2015 at Centerville UMC in Centerville, IN.
The passage of Scripture we heard from the Gospel according to Mark addresses a heart issue. In this exchange, Jesus is essentially asking, “where is your heart?”
In this passage, the religious types were consumed with legalistic rules and regulations. They ask Jesus, “Why didn’t your disciples was their hands?”
Jesus’ response would get their attention as he quotes the prophet Isaiah, “You honor God with your lips, but your hearts are far from God. You are more concerned with man-made religious rules than you are with the commands of God. You are more concerned with these supposedly religious rules that, in and of themselves are not necessarily bad, than you are with the far superior ways of God.”
When we encounter these religious folks who are consumed with “churchy rules”, we should probably pause for some inward reflection.
Where are our hearts? Are we more concerned with pursuing and filling our hearts with the ways of God or with keeping up religious appearances? Are we just putting on a show? Listen, throughout the years, I’ve encountered numerous Christians who have participated in church and Bible study all their lives, yet are still convinced that there were only two of every animal on the ark. They have accepted the nursery rhyme and Sunday school version of the story. They have never read Genesis 7! Yet, they boast and brag about being in this Bible study, that Sunday school class, and how busy they are with “churchy things” and they are just consuming what is being spoon-fed to them without asking deep questions and exploring for themselves. What we were taught in Sunday school isn’t the whole story…it’s not the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And, today, we still teach the partially true version! Amen! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Again, where are our hearts?
So, the religious folks of Jesus’ day were consumed with legalistic rules and regulations that appear to be good, but failed to capture the heart and the essence of the way of Jesus. They preferred to point out the shortcomings of others rather than examine their own hearts and relationship with God. They were merely concerned with looking good, with looking holier than their neighbors.
The reality is, we too can be like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. We are all too quick to point out the shortcomings of others while glossing over our own hearts and failures. You see, when we point out others shortcomings we, at least for a time, feel better about ourselves and somehow morally and religiously superior to “those people.”
So, we find ourselves consumed with pointing out that…
Well, at least I’m not like “those people”
At least I don’t have as much debt as her
At least I’m not as vain and self-centered as him
At least I don’t waste as much time on TV & online games as her
At least I’m not as overweight as that lazy glutton
At least my children aren’t as unruly as hers
At least my lawn looks better than the pastors. Doesn’t he know how to use a rake? I’m pretty sure we provided him with a weed eater. Maybe he doesn’t know how to use it. I mean, the grass is as tall as the trees in the neighbor’s yard.
Have you seen their kids, do they own a comb?
I don’t think the pastor used hand sanitizer before he touched the communion bread. I mean, that’s just gross! Sure, we’re all going to go up there and touch it, but seriously, just use the hand sanitizer, pastor.
And, not only that, he starts his sentences with conjunctions and ends them with stranded prepositions. Sure, the Oxford Dictionary Myth Debunkers, a Harvard linguist and other modern-day grammar experts have proven that these supposed grammar rules are ill-informed and inaccurate, but it just sounds so normal and unprofessional. He must have graduated from Ball State.
Another thing, why would his wife allow him to leave the house with his shirt untucked? He just doesn’t look, act, or talk like a pastor should look, act, and talk.
When we point out the shortcomings of others, it momentarily takes the spotlight off us and reflects it onto others. Jesus is saying to us, much like he said to the religious folks of his day, “Enough!”
Many of the legalistic religious rules we have today were handed down from generation to generation (much like the version of Noah’s Ark we teach our children).
This week, I sought the help of my online friends and acquaintances via Facebook and came up with some of the “rules” we church folk sometimes communicate.
You Can’t Be a Christian and…
drink, smoke, chew or go with girls who do
dance- because everyone knows dancing leads to sex
play cards- because everyone knows cards leads to gambling
Vote Democrat/Green/Republican
Be depressed or sick- If you are sick or depressed, there must be some unconfessed sin in your life. And, you don’t need professional help…just pray!
Be rich Jesus told the rich young ruler to give it all away
Be poor God wants to bless you, to cause you to prosper, to be happy
Wear skinny jeans or be immodest women should be silent, submissive, and wear head coverings
Root for the Patriots (now, I’m pretty sure that one is true)
Run in the church Listen, I’ve seen the dirty looks people give children in just about every church I’ve ever set foot in. Let kids be kids! The way we treat young people today will greatly impact their desire to stick around as they age.
Drink Starbucks
Drink coffee in the sanctuary Is that radical hospitality? In every church with carpet, this one included, there are stains on the carpet from communion juice. So, where do we draw the line? Is it okay to use grape juice for communion? Is it okay for a mother to give her infant a bottle?
Be on Facebook
Forget to give Bishop Mike some Cheetos every now and then (from a former DS)
Listen to secular music or read secular books (remember the book burnings and album burnings/meltings I suppose)
Go to restaurants that serve alcohol- Which brings up another one…we shouldn’t work on the Sabbath. But, we’ll gladly go out to eat every Sunday, causing someone else to have to work on the Sabbath
Watch R-rated movies- But, what about the Passion of the Christ?
Some of us have been taught these things and have also taught these things and more…like no instruments in the church, no tattoos, no piercings, no casual dress (wear your Sunday best…what if jeans and a t-shirt are my Sunday best? Did you know, there was a time when suits and ties were not allowed in the church because they were seen as divisive between the haves and the have-nots? And, our founding father, John Wesley encouraged pastors and church members to wear plain clothes as to not draw attention to themselves.)
Not all of these are necessarily bad, but these religious rules and regulations fail to capture the heart and essence of Jesus.
Jesus proclaims to his followers that we just might have missed the point. It’s not about that junk. It’s about our hearts!
In Mark 7:18-20, Jesus says, “Don’t you understand either? Don’t you know that nothing from the outside that enters a person has the power to contaminate? That’s because it doesn’t enter into the heart but into the stomach, and it goes out into the sewer.” By saying this, Jesus declared that no food could contaminate a person in God’s sight. “It’s what comes out of a person that contaminates someone in God’s sight,”
Maybe if we were more consumed with getting our hearts right with Jesus, we would be less concerned with man-made legalistic regulations. Maybe we’d be more concerned with following the way of Jesus and less concerned with imposing our legalistic rules and regulations on others.
Getting Our Hearts Right with God?
Daily prayer– We’re going to help you! In the back, there is a prayer calendar for the month of September. This is for focused prayer concerning our church. As you pray for our church, community, and world, spend time praying that God would help you get your heart right with Jesus.
Regular Bible study and devotions
Get involved in healthy Christian community. Not all Christian small groups are healthy. If all you do when getting together with your Christian friends is talk negatively, complain about the church, the pastor, the music, the kids, this person or that person, gossip, belittle and judge others, and so on, that’s not healthy Christian community. That’s just a gathering of the grumpy Gus’ and the negative Nancy’s. So, pursue healthy Christian community where you are encouraged, challenged, nourished, and held accountable.
Give sacrificially of your time, talents and treasures
Make time for regular worship– where your heart is connecting with God, both personally and communally with the church
Make a commitment to grow, give, and go together!
If we are consumed with having our hearts right with God, maybe our understanding of what it means to be a Christian will be transformed and become more Biblical and Christ-like and less focused on man-made legalistic rules, regulations, and unrealistic expectations.
Maybe our “You Can’t Be a Christian and….list would actually reflect that heart and essence of Jesus?
You Can’t Be a Christian and…
Exclude people (for any reason- race, religion, age, political affiliations, socioeconomic level, sexual identity or preferences because God loves all and is for all)
Hate anyone for any reason – remember, it is Jesus who calls us to pray for and love even our enemies! So, we can’t fail to love our enemies
Ignore the poor
Be a jerk (pray for me, I’m really working on this one!)
Be perfect (too often, we impose unrealistic expectations on ourselves and others – I don’t care what your momma told you, you are not and you never were perfect! Look at your neighbor, “You aren’t perfect…but God loves you!” Look at your pastor, “You aren’t perfect…but God loves you!”)
Overlook the oppressed – the least, the last, the marginalized, those on the fringes
Love money above all else (or anything other than God – that’s idolatry – money or possessions are a big one – look at your bank statement – any idols?)
Not want to try your best to love God and our neighbors (again, we aren’t perfect, but we need to try)
Judge others, gossip, slander, complain, argue- I know these things are fun, but they are not what Jesus was about!
Disrupt the unity of the church, which is often caused by gossip, slander, arguing and complaining- it causes us, often for selfish reasons, to hold onto what “is” and stand in the way of the movement of the Holy Spirit through the mission, vision, and values of the church
Be selfish, arrogant, proud, or rude
Not desire to share Jesus with all
Reject Jesus
Not take Jesus’ teaching seriously
So, where are our hearts today? What steps will we take to get our hearts right with Jesus? Will we make a commitment to grow, give and go together? Will our hearts and lives better reflect the heart and life of Jesus?
Prayer- God of Power and Might, “create in us clean hearts and place within us a new and steadfast spirit.” Amen.
This message was shared at Centerville UMC in Centerville, IN on August 16, 2015.
Unity among the body of believers is an important theme we find throughout the New Testament. Paul addressed unity in many of his New Testament letters. Jesus talked about unity as well.
John 17:20-23 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Jesus proclaims his desire that we would be one…why? So that the world will believe! Our unity is crucial to our witness as a church.
In 1991, the Irish band U2 released the album Achtung Baby. That album contained the song “One”, which would go on to be one of their greatest hits. I believe the song has a message for us this morning.
Ephesians 4:1-6 “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.”
What unites us? One body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.
Greg Garrett, “We Get to Carry Each Other: The Gospel According to U2”- “Our lives are for and with one another. We need one another to be who we are called to be. And not only are we called to carry one another – we are permitted to. It is a grace and a mercy for us as well as for those who need our help.”
There are times when the church has been the most loving, peaceful, joy-filled, kind, hospitable, encouraging, self-less…a place where we do the work of Philippians 2:12-15 together “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.”
Yet, we also know there are times when the church can be the opposite of what it truly should be. There are times when we come to the church looking for peace, comfort, hope, encouragement, and what we find is a cold shoulder, tense interactions, and judgmental looks and words. Again, our unity plays a crucial role in our witness. Why would non-believers want to have anything to do with folks who are always bickering, complaining, gossiping, fighting, and judging one another?
Unity doesn’t necessarily mean we have to agree about every single thing. Unity means that we come together, as different and unique as we are, in Christ. Jesus Christ as Lord is the uniting force among all believers.
So, gathered here are many people with different views on political, moral, and social issues. Yet, we find unity in Jesus Christ as Lord. As a church, we might have differences of opinion, but we unite around Christ and our call to “go and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” And so, because we are united in Jesus Christ, the church should be united…we should make God’s joy complete, united by the same love, not being selfish or conceited, but humble, considering others as better than ourselves, not looking to our own interests, but to the interests of others
Now, look at your neighbor and say, “You’re awesome!” Now, look at your neighbor and say, “But, you aren’t perfect.” Now, look at your pastor and say, “Eh, you’re okay.” Now, look at your pastor and say, “You definitely aren’t perfect.” Now, look at your neighbor and say, “However, we’re all in this together!” We are on a journey of faith together…with Jesus Christ as Lord as our uniting force.
This summer, our family spent a lot of time at the softball diamond. It was a blast! Recently, Emily and I found ourselves asking, “What if the church could be like softball?” At the softball diamond, we all came from different backgrounds…but we all rallied together around one cause…the team! We all encouraged the girls. We all cheered for the girls. We celebrated their wins. We comforted them in their losses. We got angry at the umps together! We didn’t always agree with the coaches decisions, but we supported and encouraged the coaches. We shared conversations and there was a genuine sense of concern for one another. We heard each other’s stories (the guy who met his wife after a fight and is terrified of her). Our kids not on the team played together and entertained us. It was at the softball diamond we experienced a true sense of community. We looked forward to going to the games and interacting with the softball crew. What if the church could be like softball?
What if the church was a place where we rally around Jesus…where we look forward to going, where we encourage one another, cheer for one another, celebrate together, comfort one another, share our stories and share a common story as God’s people uniquely gathered in this time and place? What if the church was a place where we could come together in” all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain unity”? What if the church were to unite together in order to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, without murmuring or arguing, that we might shine like stars in the world?” What if the church was like softball?
The Scriptures are rich with text on unity because God is fully aware of how much we need one another. As we walk on this journey of faith together, life can, at times, give us more than we can handle on our own. That’s why we need each other. That’s why, as the unique body of believers gathered together in this time and place, we need to stand united. There are things we will face on this earth that will seem too much to bear…and the only way we’ll survive is with the help, comfort, care, concern, support, encouragement, and love of our fellow believers.
This summer, we are going through a worship series called “Love is a Mix Tape”. Each week, we use Scripture and songs to explore various topics. We’ve used the music of Bob Marley, Mumford & Sons, Johnny Cash, and Coldplay. A little later this morning, we’ll hear a powerful song by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors.
Last week, we talked about forgiveness and the importance of seeking, receiving and then extending forgiveness. This morning, we will be focusing on the relationship between love and obedience.
In this morning’s passage of Scripture, Jesus begins by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
Now, in order to better understand this, we need know what Jesus had been talking about prior to this statement. Just before this passage, Jesus had made it known that he would be betrayed by one of his disciples, he commanded his followers to love and humbly serve on another, and then predicts Peter’s denial.
This is a lot of heavy stuff Jesus just dropped on his disciples. Can you imagine the weight of that conversation? These disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus and now He says, “Well, I’m out. One of you will betray me. Peter, you’ll deny me.” Ouch! It would be stressful and cause fear and anxiety. And, it’s in this context that Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
In the midst of our stressful, fearful, anxious, troubling moments – those moments where life punches right between our eyes – Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
Let me ask you to think about something this morning…What troubles your heart? I’m not talking about your heart being troubled because Meijer was out of Ben & Jerry’s “Tonight Dough” ice cream. I’m not talking about your heart being troubled because the Cubs and Reds split their series last week. I’m not talking about your heart being troubled because your dad bought a Harley on Wednesday and you’re still riding a Schwinn. I’m not talking about your heart being troubled because you didn’t get that “whatever” you so desperately wanted. What troubles your heart?
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”, and then provides reasons to place our hope and trust in him.
Jesus calls us to stubbornly trust God. When our hearts are troubled, that is when we need to stubbornly trust God. William Barclay writes, ““There comes a time when we have to believe where we cannot prove and to accept where we cannot understand. If, in the darkest hour, we believe that somehow there is a purpose in life and that that purpose is love, even the unbearable becomes bearable and even in the darkness there is a glimmer of light.” When we stubbornly trust God, the unbearable becomes bearable; we can see that glimmer of light in the darkness.
Jesus proclaims that he is the Way. He is our guide. He leads us. Therefore, we are called to follow His example. Jesus was kind, compassionate, loving, and a grace-filled, hope-filled presence among the overlooked and the outcasts, the marginalized, the most notorious of sinners. He had very little tolerance for the legalistic religious types who perverted the ways of God to their own benefit and to oppress the least among them. So, Jesus is the Way. He is our guide.
Jesus proclaims he is the Truth. Jesus didn’t say, “I’ve taught you the truth.” He said, “I am the truth.” If we want to know what is true, we look to Jesus. “You shall know the truth (Jesus) and the truth (Jesus) shall set you free.”
Jesus proclaims that he is the Life. If we want to find true life, it is found in Jesus. What is the meaning of life? Jesus!
Jesus then proclaims that no one comes to God except through Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. The way, the truth, and the life of Jesus can be summed up in one word: love! If we are followers of the way, the truth, and the life, we are called to love.
Let us hear these words of hope from John 14:15-21: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you. I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
We trust Jesus because we love Jesus. Our love for Jesus should naturally lead us to obedience. If we love Jesus, we will obey. The Holy Spirit is given as the guiding force that gives us the strength, the courage, the ability, and the desire to obey the way, the truth, and the life. It is by loving and obeying Jesus that we find life! Obedience is the evidence of our love.
Let me ask you again, what troubles your heart?
Hungry children? (33% of children in Wayne County live in poverty – Pal-Item. That 33% too high)
Addiction
Crime/Violence
Broken relationships
The fact that many of the most marginalized, the most hurting, the most broken and desperate in our world are overlooked, abused, mistreated
That people do not know the way, the truth and the life? People need Jesus!
Demographic studies report that nearly 80% of the folks in a 5-mile radius of our church don’t participate in a faith community. Many are open to Jesus, but they are turned off by the church. What’s that mean? The harvest is plentiful? Hopefully the workers won’t be few!
If we truly love Jesus, if we truly desire to obey Jesus, we have a responsibility to share Jesus with our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and complete strangers. We have to get out of our comfort zones, get out of our building, and share the love of Christ with the world around us. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples” not “sit around and hope someone shows up!”
We have the greatest hope in the world. We’re being selfish and unfaithful if we hold onto it for ourselves.
As Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors “Live Forever” plays, I’d like you to think of those you know who desperately need the way, the truth, and the life. Who do you know who desperately needs Jesus and His church? Pray for them.
Don’t just think about it. Don’t just pray about it. Do something. Share your faith. Invite someone to church. Jesus said “go and make disciples.” Well, what are we waiting for?
Tuesdays with Morris 