Matthew 21:23-32

MATTHEW 21:23-32
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER
SEPTMEBER 25, 2005
A friend of mine tells about a member of his church – and how he learned a lesson about the difference between people “act religious” – and those who do Christian actions – whether they “act religious” or not.
“I disliked him, the moment I saw him” my friend confided about this particular person.
It may come as a shock to some of you to hear a pastor say that he dislikes someone in his church – but it happens from time to time. We are human too, you know.
Anyway – my friend described this person this way:
“He was loud, a braggart, probably a bully. In the first five minutes of conversation with him, you quickly learned that he had made a lot of money, through all sorts of business shenanigans. He liked running things and, no doubt, probably wanted also to run the church, and to run me as well. He only came to church when he felt like it. He had had conflicts with previous pastors, and everyone told me he would probably have conflicts with me. People said that he liked to make a big show of his financial success. And yet, people also said that he gave very little to the church. What he gave, he thought gave him a license to freely criticize the church and its pastor.”
My friend said he kept this person at arm’s length – always leery of what he was doing or what he was up to – and never trusting him.
Until he learned something about this man he never would have guessed.
While visiting in a nearby city, my friend was introduced to someone as the pastor of the church he was serving. The person said, “Isn’t that the church where (and gave the man my friend disliked) is a member?” My friend cautiously “Yes, he is a member of the church. He is a member, though not a particularly active member,” my friend added just to cover himself.
“I’ll always be indebted to him, me and a lot of people like me,” the man said.
“Indebted?” my friend asked.
“Yeah, he is the one who paid for my education. My education and a lot of people like me. I worked in one of his businesses after school when I was in high school. My senior year in high school, I got a note from him. He hardly ever spoke to me when I would run into him at work. The note said something like, ‘I want to help you with college. You get into the best college you can, and I will see you through.’ That was all. I got in a good college and he paid just about every cent of it. And I wasn’t the only one. I expect that he must have footed the bill for a couple of dozen young people in that town.”
My friend thought for a moment – letting this soak in.
“That’s hard to believe. I don’t think I have ever heard that of him,” my friend replied lamely.
“I bet you never will.” The man continued. “He asked us not to tell anybody about his generosity. He said he didn’t want everybody beating on his door asking for a handout. I think the real reason is that he is, deep down, a genuinely humble person. I do know for sure that he has sure done a lot of good in his own quiet way,” the man said.
The man then left – as did my friend. When my friend e-mailed me the story he commented:
“I don’t know about you, but I find such unrestrained generosity, coming from a person like this member of my church annoying. It is annoying when those people, those people who are not self-evidently good people, those people who are not well- formed church people, turn out to be such undeniably good people. This man – who does not act like a church person – is doing more for others than many of the people in my church who act so good are doing. He’s doing more than I am doing. What do you think God thinks about that?”
Good question.
What do you think God thinks about that?
Who is doing what God wants us to do – the man who is obnoxious – but helps others – or the person who sits in church – looks good – can talk all day about God – looks like the model Christian – but does not do what God calls us to do?
Who is truly living the Christian life — the man who is obnoxious – but helps others – or the person who sits in church – looks good – can talk all day about God – looks like the model Christian – but does not do what God calls us to do?
The answer is fairly simple – isn’t it?
Of course the man who does things to help others is doing what God wants us to do more than the one who may look like the model Christian but does not have actions.
A fairly simple answer to a question – and yet one that we may not want to hear.
I don’t know about you – but I don’t like hearing that someone who does not appear to be a Christian – maybe an obnoxious person who tries to “run the church” – or maybe even the neighbor who never darkens the door of the church – or maybe even the man or woman on the street who is drunk or high most of the time –
I don’t like hearing that they may be doing God’s will better than we are – better than I am.
You probably don’t like it, either.
You’re probably thinking:
“What do you mean – these people who try to push people around – or try to impress others – or who have never darkened the door of the church – or who truly don’t look like ‘religious folks’ – might be doing God’s will better than we are – — better than you are better than I am”?
Unfortunately, when we become offended by ideas like these – we are close to the attitude the Pharisees had.
You see — the Pharisees thought that their knowledge of God’s laws and their piety and their long robes and prayer shawls would impress God. They were the “good church people” of Jesus’ day. They thought that if they “looked the part” of a Godly person God would think they were Godly people – never mind the fact that they did not actually do anything God wanted them to do and always looked for ways around actually obeying God’s laws.
Surely – they thought — they were much better than – and God loved them much more than — this rabble – rouser named John or his cousin Jesus — who talked about God loving sinners – and even hung out with the worst sinners they could find. And when these sinners – these tax collectors – prostitutes – and all kinds of other ne’er do wells said they had found God – had found religion – and began acting in ways that showed God to others – well, the Pharisees held them in suspicion and would have nothing to do with them.
Surely God loved them – the Pharisees – better than “those people” – “the sinners” – and surely they would enter heaven before these repentant sinners ever would.
Don’t be so sure – Jesus says.
In our scripture passage for today, Jesus tells a story about a man with two sons.

– The father asked the first son to go to work in the vineyard, and the son said that he would — but he didn’t.

– The father asked the second son to go to work in the vineyard, and the second son said that he wouldn’t — but he did.

Remember Jesus was talking to the Pharisees here. The religious men — the best men of His day — men who prided themselves in doing what God wanted them to do – but, in fact, often failed to do what God wanted them to do. And the men who criticized Jesus for talking to and hanging out with people they considered sinners – people who may have blatantly acted the opposite of how God wanted them to act — but many of whom gave their lives to God and began doing what God wanted them to do.

So Jesus told them about two sons — one who said “No” but did “Yes” — and the other who said “Yes” but did “No”.

“Which of the two did the will of his father?” Jesus asked. If you were paying attention during the reading of the scripture you know the answer to that question. Even if you weren’t paying attention, you can probably figure it out.

When Jesus asked the religious men, they said that the better son was the one who said “No” but then did what the father asked. You parents probably agree that you would prefer that — the son or daughter who finally does what you asked. It isn’t perfect, but it is better than the son or daughter who never does what you ask.

Jesus told about these two sons to illustrate a point.

His point was that, in Israel, there were two kinds of people.

One group was sinners — tax collectors and prostitutes — lowlifes all. God was not happy about the way they lived. Tax collectors in that day cheated people – and you know what prostitutes did. But some of these tax collectors and sinners knew that they were in the wrong – and when John the Baptist and then Jesus came preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” his preaching touched their hearts and they repented. The tax collectors quit cheating and the prostitutes quit consorting. The tax collectors and prostitutes responded to John’s preaching because they knew they were in the wrong — knew that they needed to live differently — knew that they needed to repent and change the direction of their lives. So they did! They repented! They changed the direction of their lives.

The other group of people were the religious folks – the best of which were the priests and elders — scribes and Pharisees. They heard John the Baptist, too – but many of them, when they heard John say, “Repent!” — thought he was just talking to the tax collectors and prostitutes. My guess is that they were in John’s cheering section — thinking, “That’s the way to tell them, John! Say it again!”

But they did not think he – or later Jesus – was talking to them. And so they failed to repent. They failed to repent, because they didn’t think that they needed repentance. They thought of themselves as God’s faithful sons. They thought that they were doing everything that they needed to be doing. But they weren’t. They made a great show of religion, but their hearts were far from God. John called them a “brood of vipers” — Jesus called them hypocrites.

So Jesus told this story of the two sons to drive home the point that the tax collectors and sinners who repented were way ahead of the great religious men who failed to repent. He wanted them to see that just looking the part of the religious person – just giving “lip service” to God without really acting in God’s ways – was not impressing God at all.

Jesus told this story to let the great religious men know that they needed to repent just as the tax collectors and prostitutes and everyone else did.

Jesus told this story to let them know that – - if they did not repent and act in God’s ways – the tax collectors and prostitutes and other sinners who did repent would enter heaven – and they would not.

Now – let’s return to that question you might have had a few minutes ago:
“What do you mean – these people who try to push people around – or try to impress others – or who have never darkened the door of the church – or who truly don’t look like ‘religious folks’ – might be doing God’s will better than we are – — better than you are — better than I am”?
What I mean is this.
The actions speak louder.
If you think you have any special deal with God just because you come to church and sing and pray and listen for one hour a week – but don’t let it change who you are or how you live, you are sadly mistaken.
If you think you are better off than someone who is the worst sinner you can think of just because you come to church and sing and pray and listen for one hour a week – but don’t let it change who you are or how you live, you are sadly mistaken.
If you think that can afford to pass judgment on someone who may not act the part of a good church member – but has decided to follow Christ and has begun doing God’s will – you are wrong.
If we think we are better than others simply because we go to church – but fail to truly do what God calls us to do — we are no more obedient to God than the son who said would do what the father asked – but didn’t do it.
If we think others don’t stand a chance with God – or with us – because they originally turned God down – then saw how wrong they were and repented – - we are wrong.
The son who originally said “no” – but then did what the father asked – turned out to be obedient.
The son who originally said “yes” – but did not do what the father asked – turned out to be disobedient.
The actions speak louder.
The sinners who originally said “I don’t need God” – but ended up repenting and living in God’s ways – turned out to be obedient to God.
The religious leaders and religious people who acted like they were so good – who said they would do what God told them to do — but did not do God’s will – turned out to be disobedient.
And Jesus said the sinners who originally said “I don’t need God” – but ended up repenting and living in God’s ways will get into heaven before the religious people who acted like they were so good – who said they would do what God told them to do — but did not do God’s will.
The actions speak louder.
Who’s in first?
Who gets into God’s kingdom first?
The sinners who originally say “I don’t need God” – but end up repenting and living in God’s ways – — or the religious people who act like they are so good – who said they will do what God tells them to do — but do not do God’s will?
The answer is obvious – but threatening.
The actions speak louder.
It’s the people who actually do God’s will who enter the kingdom – not the ones who say they will do it but don’t.
It’s the sinners who know they need to repent and follow God who get into God’s kingdom – not the “good people” who think they have not need to repent.
The actions speak louder.
Maybe we need to be more like the sinners who repented than the “good people” who did not –
More like the son who said “No” but ended up doing what the father asked than the son who said “Yes” but never did it.
Yea – just acting like we are going to do God’s will – looking good and playing the part – isn’t enough.
We have to actually do it.
The actions speak louder.

Matthew 20:1-16

THANK GOD THAT
GOD IS GOD
(AND THAT WE ARE NOT)
Matthew 20:1-16
September 18, 2005

If I were to teach a class called Religion 101 the first lesson may be entitled:
God is God – And You Are Not
Maybe you’ve seen the CitiBank credit card commercial featuring a decent-looking guy sincerely “telling it like it is.” He tells the story of the family vacation, while scenes from that outing flick by on the screen. The family goes on a trip, stops at a souvenir tourist trap and the kids want a zillion pieces of plastic junk. The guy narrating sighs and states: “So I pay. I’m the Dad. It’s my job”
More vacation scenes flash across the screen. The family stops at a touristy restaurant. After everybody chows down, the guy again concludes:”So I pay. I’m the Dad. It’s my job.”
The concluding scenes go by with the family car breaking down and a mechanic coming out to fix it. Yet another sigh from the long-suffering father: “So I pay. I’m the Dad. It’s my job.”
It’s true — sometimes.
Sometimes we are in charge, it’s our responsibility, and the buck stops squarely in front of us. And although we may grump and grouse about those times, most of us kind of like knowing that we are in control of what is going on and what is coming up next.
In fact, we like it so much that we tend to try to take over the reigns of control when we are clearly no longer qualified to be running the show.
We try to act like we know what we are doing – when really we don’t.
We try to be in control of things we have no control over.
At times we try to be something we are not.
And usually we get in trouble when we do that.
You know – sometimes we even want to act like we are God – or worse than that sometimes we act like we can tell God what to do – or who to love and who not to – or what is right and what is wrong.
We are constantly tempted to — as I like to put it — “play God.”
Why do we so quickly forget that the most basic lesson in Religion 101 is this:
“God is God … and we are not.”
Maybe we need to have a basic conversation with ourselves every morning. I read not long ago of a minister who urged his congregation to revisit the conversation in John 1 between John the Baptist and the crowds when they asked him if he was the Messiah. John replied – emphatically – “I am not the Messiah”
Maybe every day we need to look in the mirror and tell ourselves – emphatically – “I am not the Messiah!” – or “I am not God”
“God is God – and I am not”
“God is God – and we are not”
Over the centuries, forgetting this fact has led to countless tragedies, large and small, personal, national and global.
- Adam and Eve thought they had godlike freedom … they did not.
- Saul thought he had godlike impunity … he did not.
- David thought he had godlike authority over who lives and dies …
he did not.
- The Israelites thought they had godlike exclusiveness … they did not.
- Peter thought he had godlike loyalty …he did not.
- Saul of Tarsus thought he had a godlike mission to wipe out Christians … he did not.
- The Romans thought they had godlike ruling power … they did not.
- The Europeans thought they alone had a godlike image … they did not.
- Americans thought they had a god-like manifest destiny … they did not.
- Hitler thought he had a godlike right to take over the world … he did not.
- Medical science sometimes thinks it can play god … it cannot.
- Cyberspace computer whiz kids sometimes think they have a godlike
grasp of our minds and souls … they do not.
God is God, and we are not.
What that means is that we have no right to decide who God will love – how God will act – what God will do.
He’s God. That’s His job.
Sometimes we might want to question what God does – or look at someone and say: “Certainly God could not love them!”
But – it’s not our job to tell God what to do – or who to love and who not to – or what is right and what is wrong.
He’s God. That’s His job.
Let me ask you a question:
What if you got to heaven and found out that God had decided to let EVERYBODY IN? How would you feel about that?
Republicans, Democrats, doctors and dope pushers, lawyers and lay-abouts, merchants and murderers, hookers and horse thieves.
EVERYBODY!
How would you feel?
Well, certainly that will never happen! you might think.
But – that’s our opinion.
God might have a different opinion.
Who God loves is God’s decision.
He’s God. That’s His job.

David Leinenger tells the story of some controversy that surrounded a September 11 service several years ago that they held in the town in Pennsylvania where he is pastor. It seems that they decided to have a community wide interfaith service to mark the 1 year anniversary of the tragedy in New York. Which was fine –- but not with everyone. David was quoted in the local paper as saying it would be open to all religious faiths – and that representatives from many religious faiths would take part in the service. Well, he began to get mail – one of which read:
Dear Pastor Leininger,
While visiting in Northwest Pennsylvania last summer (from my present home in Tampa), I read a newspaper article concerning your invitation to the Director of the Islamic Cultural Center in Jamestown to speak to your church members.
A week or so ago, once again visiting the area of my birth, I read of the Warren Area Ministerial Association’s plan to hold a Sept. 11th memorial service at the Library Theatre. In this article you are quoted as emphasizing that “It will not be just a Christian service. Instead, it will help people of all faiths to ‘reach to the depths of their souls and their own understandings of the God of the universe.’”
As a Christian who believes in the whole Bible as the truth of God, I strongly take issue with this position of yours. We Christians are to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and none other! As you must know, Jesus said (as quoted in John 14:6), “…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The woman trying to tell Leininger who God could and could not save. She may have been trying to tell God who He could and could not save.
But – you know — He’s God. That’s His job.
When we think of the number of times we try to “play God” or judge who God can and can not love – or tell God who He can and can not love – it’s scary!
You don’t think you try to “play God” or judge who God can and can not love – or tell God who He can and can not love?
Well, let me ask you this.
Do you choose who you will pay attention to and who you will not?
Do you choose who you will speak to and who you will not?
Do you choose who you will feel sorry for – help – and show God’s love to – and who you will not?
Isn’t that a form of trying to “play God” or judge who Go can and can not love – or tell God who He can and can not love?
Do you ever judge someone – saying: “We can’t waste our time reaching out to that person – they are a hopeless case!”
Isn’t that a form of trying to “play God” or judge who God can and can not love – or tell God who He can and can not love?
As a Church – do we treat everyone equally – showing God’s love to everybody equally?
If not, isn’t that a form of trying to “play God” or judge w God can and can not love – or tell God who He can and can not love?
Who God love and who God forgives and who God includes in His kingdom is God’s business – not ours.
He’s God. That’s His job.
But we “religious people” keep trying to “play God” or judge who God can and can not love – or tell God who He can and can not love. We keep trying to do God’s job for Him. And we don’t do a very good job of it.
Maybe that’s why – as we read the Gospels – we see Jesus having more trouble with and more controversy with “religious folks” than folks who were not very religious.
In the parable told in this week’s gospel text, Jesus provides a glimpse at the difference between God’s will and what we might want God’s will to be. The landowner’s generosity is bestowed on these last-hired laborers for a reason known only to him. He does not explain or apologize for the accounting system that lavishes the same wage on everyone hired, regardless of the amount of time logged on the job. The only response the landowner has to the disgruntled first-hired workers is “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?”
Is God not allowed to do what God chooses with what belongs to God?
God is God, and we are not.
He’s God. That’s His job.
Maybe we would not pay the last laborers hired as much as the first. But it’s not our job to question why the landlord decided to do it that way.
Maybe – if we were God – we would not love all people – regardless of who they were – what they had done – how they had lived their lives.
Maybe – if we were God – we would not forgive all people – regardless of who they were – what they had done – how they had lived their lives. We might say to someone: “I’ll never forgive you! You don’t deserve it”
Maybe – if we were God – we would not call upon our people to show our love to all people – - to feed the hungry regardless of why they are hungry – to help those in need regardless of why they are in need – to show love even to the most unloveable people.
But we are not God.
God is God – and we are not.
It’s not up to us to tell God who to love – who to forgive – who to show mercy to – and who not to love – who not to forgive – who not to show mercy to.
He’s God. That’s His job.
God is God – and we are not.
It is only up to us to live the Christian life in the best way we know – and show God’s love and mercy – God’s forgiveness – God’s compassion – to all people – whether we think they deserve it or not.
God is God – and we are not.
God has commanded us to reach out to all people with His love – welcome all into our fellowship – invite all into our fellowship – and show His love to all people – whether they are people we would normally reach out to or not.
God has chosen to show His love to those He has chosen to show His love to.
He’s God. That’s His job.
Our job is to follow – not lead. Our job is to show His love as He calls us to – not as we would want to do it.
God is God – and we are not.
You know what – I am glad that God is God – and that we are not.
If we were God – if people were God – if God judged us by the standards we set for others – we would all be in trouble. None of us would have a chance.
The truth is that we all have been in the position of the laborers who were hired last but got as much pay as everybody else.
The truth is that we all have been dependent on someone who showed us God’s love – even when we did not deserve it.
The truth is we all continue to depend on God’s gracious love for our salvation.
There’s a story of a man who lived a wild life – until he gave his life to God. He finally attended Seminary – and upon graduation was ready to begin his ministry. Being a Presbyterian, he had to be examined on the floor of Presbytery before he could accept the call to the first Church he would serve. While being examined, he talked about God’s love for sinners and how – in his ministry – he wanted to share God’s love with all people. Finally – someone asked him if he thought everyone would be saved.
He replied:
“I don’t know if God will save everyone. But I do know he saved me when everybody else had given up on me – and if he could do that, he could save just about anybody.”
Yea – I thank God that God is God – and we are not.
God has freely forgiven us.
It’s not up to us to judge who else God will love – or forgive – or show His grace and mercy to –
He’s God. That’s His job.
Our job is to follow Him and show His love – His compassion – His grace – His mercy – to the world – to all people.
No – it may not be that way we would do it if we were God.
That’s why I thank God that God is God – and we are not.
Amen.

Matthew 18:21-35

Matthew 18:21-35A Community of Reconciliation
September 11, 2005

Gladys Steer lived in Coventry, England. She died in 2,000 at the age of 98. She saw many changes in that beautiful city during her lifetime. She remembers summer evenings in the park sitting on the grass listening to the bands playing. She remembers when the park had gardeners and a park keeper and the road was a peaceful haven with all of the houses occupied by fairly well to do families. She remembers skating on the frozen waters of the lake in the winter.

But all that has changed.
The road is still quiet — but the population has changed. The houses have mostly been split up into flats and, being near to Coventry University, there are lots of students living in studio flats or single rooms.

A vast change in the city of Coventry – and Glady’s life – occurred after World War II broke out in 1939. Coventry was a major manufacturing center —so it was a natural target for the German Air Force and it’s bombs. Gladys remembered the raids for the rest of her life. Surely they were difficult to forget. The air raid sirens would sound and Gladys and her parents would descend into the cellar. One particular raid she remembered was on a Thursday in 1940. Gladys was shopping with her family when the air raid sirens sounded just after 5pm and Gladys, her mother in law, and her sister in law went to the public shelter because they could not get home. When the German bomb attack was over they got out of the shelter – and the city was ablaze – set on fire by the bombs. One German bombing raid in 1940 completely destroyed the beautiful St. Mark’s Cathedral. By the end of the war, only the tower and spire of the outer wall of the beautiful Cathedral survived.
The city was in ruins.
And Gladys Steer and the other residents of Coventry were left with questions:
How would they respond to such destruction?
How would they respond to an enemy who had completely destroyed their city – their Cathedral?

Indeed — how do we respond to an enemy – to someone who hurts us – to someone we feel owes us something?
Demand revenge?
Demand payment?
How do we respond?
How would you respond if you were a citizen of Coventry in 1940?
What would you pray for to happen to the Germans?
What would you wish for the Germans?
That they would be hurt and lose as much as you had?
Or something else?
You know what God wills for our response to be in cases such as this?
Reconciliation
Peace
Making peace with our enemies
Being reconciled to our enemies.
Being made one with the person who has offended us.
Putting aside grievances and what is right and working for what is healing.
You see – God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ.
God has forgiven us.
God has provided a way for there to be peace between Him and us.
If God demanded the payment for our sins that is the right thing – if God demanded justice for the sins we have committed against Him – we would be condemned.
But instead God made a way for peace – for reconciliation – for love – for our being made one with Him.
We have been reconciled to God.
Now God wants us to share His reconciling love with others.
God wants us to work for reconciliation with others.
But we do not like to do this.
If someone hurts us – we want to hurt them back.
If someone owes us something – we want to demand payment – preferably with interest.
This is not God’s way.
We are God’s forgiven people – - and because of that we must share the forgiveness we have received from God with others. Our willingness to forgive others is so essential for us as Christians that it is what should define who we are. Forgiveness is what creates our lives together as a body of forgiven sinners in the Church – and it should be what sustains our lives together as Christians as we share with each other the forgiveness we have from God.

Instead – we find ourselves wanting to quantify forgiveness.
How many times must we forgive?
Such was the nature of the question Peter asked. Peter probably thought he was being very generous in offering to forgive 7 times.
Jesus corrects him – however – saying 7 times is not enough – but 70 times as the NRSV has it – or 70 times 7 – or 490 times – as some translations give it.
But – does that mean we quit forgiving at number 70 – or even number 490 – and then at number 491 can get back at someone?
Do we count the number of times we have forgiven someone – -
“OK – that’s number 10 -
only 480 more to go -
I’ll get you yet!”
Is that forgiveness as Jesus would have it for us?
I don’t think so!
What – then – is Jesus saying here?
What Jesus is saying is that forgiveness is to be given freely – not counting the number of times. I believe Jesus is saying that forgiveness is to be unlimited.
So – as Christians – as God’s new community of the Church – we are to offer unlimited forgiveness to each other and to others.
Why should we do something as extravagent as that?
Well, the parable Jesus tells in our lesson for today helps us remember the reason for such extravagance. There are some pretty extravagant details to this parable – as extravagant as the grace of God.
A king calls in a servant who owes him 10,000 talents.
You probably don’t understand exactly how much 10,000 talents is.
Let me put it in more modern terms.

This servant owed the king the modern equivalent of $1,000,000.
Now do you begin to get the picture?
The servant owed a debt he could never repay – ever!
Imagine being $1,000,000 in debt!
But – just as the king is about to throw him and his family in jail and sell everything he has – he begs for mercy.
Remember – he owes $1,000,000!
So what does the king do?
Something extravagant.
Something unexpected.
He forgives the debt.
He forgives a $1,000,000 debt.
Imagine being in debt $1,000,000 – then having the debt forgiven.
You’d think the servant would be overjoyed – so ecstatic that he would be willing to forgive others the debts they owed him – especially the one who owed him the equivalent of about $20.
But – does he forgive this small debt after being forgiven such a large one?
No – instead he throws the man who owed him $20 in jail.
It is hard to believe that one forgiven so much could not forgive someone who owed him so little. The man was forgiven – but could not forgive.
But — isn’t that how we are so many times?

We are forgiven by God of so many sins – and yet we are unwilling to forgive others -even of little things.

God has forgiven us.
God has called us to forgive others.
God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ.
God has called us to be reconcilers – building communities of reconciliation and forgiveness.

God calls us to be a community of reconciliation –
Committed to forgiveness
God calls us to be a community of reconciliation –
Committed to working out the differences that will arise among us in a spirit of love and compassion – not retribution and “win at all costs”
God calls us to be a community of reconciliation –
committed to staying together – regardless of what happens – how we might feel about things – even very important issues –
God calls us to be a community of reconciliation –
agreeing that we can disagree in a way that does not hurt our love for each other or our commitment to each other
God calls us to be a community of reconciliation –
Committed to sharing God’s reconciling ways with each other – even when it goes against our human nature to do so

A Community Of Reconciliation
We need to be a community where the forgiveness and reconciliation God has so freely given to us is freely shared with each other.
A Community Of Reconciliation
We need to be a community where the forgiveness and reconciliation God has so freely given to us is freely shared with others.
A Community Of Reconciliation
We need to be a community where the forgiveness and reconciliation God has so freely given to us is freely shared with others – even those we may consider to be our enemies.
We are called to be a Community Of Reconciliation

I don’t know about you – but this is not easy for me.It is one thing to realize the love and forgiveness God has shared with me – and to forgive myself for things I know I have done wrong – but that God has already forgiven me for.
It is quite another thing for me share God’s love and forgiveness with my family and close friends – those who love me and would never hurt me – but can sometimes make me mad. But – it is still quite another thing for me to share God’s love and forgiveness with someone who seems to be intent on disagreeing with everything I do and making my life miserable. And – it is indeed another thing for me to share God’s love and forgiveness with someone who is an enemy – who may have tired to destroy me or kill me.

My human nature seems to scream out:
“No! I can’t do this!”

And yet Jesus still calls us.

Jesus still calls us to be a community of reconciliation.
Jesus still calls us to be people who pray for others.
Jesus still calls us to be people who work for reconciliation in the world.
Jesus still calls us to share His love with others – even our enemies.
Jesus still calls us to be a community of reconciliation.

I told you the story of Gladys Steer and the citizens of Coventry, England – and the choice they had to make after their town – their beautiful Cathedral – was destroyed be German Air Raids during World War II.
What were they going to do?
How were they going to respond to the devastation caused by the German?

They responded in an unbelievably strong – and yet loving way.
They responded by working for reconciliation.
They rebuilt their town.
They rebuilt their Cathedral.
The new St Michael’s Cathedral as built next to the remains of the old. The ruin of the older cathedral still remains hallowed ground – - a reminder of the destruction –but also a reminder of the strength God gives us to love others. A cross made of nails from the destroyed Cathedral was donated to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, which was destroyed by allied bomb attacks and is also kept as a ruin alongside a newer building.
The people of Ceventry had every right to demand that the Germans be punished for what they had done.
Instead, they chose to forgive – to work for reconciliation – to work for peace.
Instead of cursing their enemies who had tried to kill them they chose to pray for them.
Instead of harboring feelings vengence and hatred they chose to share love and forgiveness.
They chose to be a community of reconciliation.
We can choose to be that, also.
We can choose to share God’s reconciling love with each other.
We can choose to be a community of reconciliation –
Committed to forgiveness
We can choose to be a community of reconciliation –
Committed to working out the differences that will arise among us in a spirit of love and compassion – not retribution and “win at all costs”

We can choose to be to be a community of reconciliation –
Committed to staying together – regardless of what happens – how we might feel about things – even very important issues –
We can choose to be a community of reconciliation –
agreeing that we can disagree in a way that does not hurt our love for each other or our commitment to each other
We can choose to be a community of reconciliation –
Committed to sharing God’s reconciling ways with each other – even when it goes against our human nature to do so
We can choose to be a community of reconciliation –
Committed to share God’s love with – and pray for each other – and for others – even those who are our enemies.
We can choose to be a community of reconciliation.

Friends – today is a perfect day for us to make that choice!
Today is September 11
A day we all remember with sadness – horror – and yes even anger. All of which is justifiable.
Yes – our country was attacked on September 11 – the Twin Towers were in ruins – thousand died.
Yes – our government may have had to respond to the attack.
Terrorism must be stopped.
But how do we – as individual Christians – respond?
It’s our choice – but I want to suggest that – like the people of Coventry, England –we can respond by committing ourselves to being people who pray for – and work for – reconciliation.

I want to encourage us to be a community of reconciliation – sharing God’s forgiveness with each other – and with others – even those who may be our enemies.
Jesus calls us to be a community of believers who forgive each other as He has forgiven us – and to share His love and grace with the world.
Jesus calls us to pray for our enemies – and be reconciled to them.

Yea – it’s hard enough to pray for and be reconciled to those we disagree with every day – praying for and being reconciled to our enemies may seem impossible – but it is how God calls us to be.

Let’s be a community of reconciliation.
A community that prays for and works for peace between us and with all people.
Let’s pray for God to make us a community of reconciliation.
Committed to forgiveness
Let’s pray for God to make us a community of reconciliation –
Committed to working out the differences that will arise among us in a spirit of love and compassion – not retribution and “win at all costs”
Let’s pray for God to make us a community of reconciliation –
Committed to staying together – regardless of what happens – how we might feel about things – even very important issues –
Let’s pray for God to make us a community of reconciliation –
agreeing that we can disagree in a way that does not hurt our love for each other or our commitment to each other
Let’s pray for God to make us a community of reconciliation –
Committed to sharing God’s reconciling ways with each other – even when it goes against our human nature to do so
Let’s pray for God to make us a community of reconciliation –
Committed to share God’s love with – and pray for each other – and for others – even those who are our enemies.

Let’s pray for God to make us a community of reconciliation – even going so far as to pray for our enemies like Osama Bin Laden – the members of Al Quada – all plotting to harm us –
Pray that God will take away the hatred they have in their hearts – and the hatred we have in our hearts towards them.

Let’s pray to be a community of reconciliation.

Amen.

Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:35-41
Where Is God?
September 4, 2005

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
A very understandable question from the disciples.
They were in the middle of a storm on the Sea of Galilee – a sea some of them had fished many times, so they must have been used to the frequent storms on the sea – but this one must have been more terrible than most. It was so terrible that they thought they were going to die – and when they saw that Jesus was asleep it was almost more than they could stand!
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
A question many people may have had for God this week as Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in New Orleans and the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
“God, do You not care that we are perishing?”
A question many others may have had as they watched the news and heard reports of the devastation.
A question some of us may have had as we watched the news and saw the pictures of death, destruction, frustration, anger, and hopelessness.
“God, do You not care that they are perishing?”
Maybe another way to phrase that question is:
“God, where are You?”
“Where are You, God, when these people are hurting – dieing – angry – seeming to be without any sense of hope in their lives?”
Looking at the facts of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and it’s aftermath may bring these questions to mind.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
The death toll is definitely in the hundreds – but could very well reach into the thousands.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
Thousands of people displaced from their homes.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
The City of New Orleans termed a “disaster zone” as levees break and as much as 80 percent of the city is in standing water, up to 20 feet deep in some places.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
Thousands of people who for many reasons could not — or would not – evacuate the area left without homes – without food or drinkable water – without electricity – without means of communication or medical supplies. In New Orleans, some 30,000 people who remained in the city took shelter in the Superdome, but it was damaged by the storm and now those people have been evacuated to the Astrodome in Houston.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
Looters seem to rule the streets of New Orleans – taking advantage of the situation to take not only needed items like food, water, and needed supplies – which in some respects is understandable – but also taking televisions – micro wave ovens – and other items they can not even use – much less need – at this point.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
The gangs of people on the streets of New Orleans shooting at policemen trying to help and bring order – shooting at the police stations so that some police have to stay at the stations to defend them – shooting at the firemen who try to put out fires that are happening throughout the city.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
A situation so chaotic that doctors are calling reporters to report that they need assistance with the number of sick, injured, and dying they are having to see.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
A situation so devastating that the largest rescue and relief mission in the history of the United States is under way with all levels of government participating. Some say the relief is coming much too late, but it seems to be now coming.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
Veteran Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staffers who have surveyed the destruction are reporting some of the worst damage they have ever seen.
Where is God in the midst of all this?
Yes — the question many may be asking is:
Where is God?
Where is God in the midst of all this?
In the midst of all the destruction – all the devastation – all the chaos – all the scenes of hopelessness –
Where is God?
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
“God, do You not care that we are perishing?”
“God, do You not care that they are perishing?”
“God, where are You?”
Indeed –
Where is God?
Understandable questions in the midst of a situation that is almost impossible to understand.
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
When the disciples called out to Jesus – Jesus awoke — stilled the storm – and the disciples were awestruck by the power of Jesus – asking:
“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
But we did not see such a stilling of the storm with Hurricane Katrina – did we?
The residents of the Gulf Coast may have prayed for the storm to be diverted – but it wasn’t.
Which raises the question – why not?
Did God intend to use Hurricane Katrina in some way?
Was God behind the force of Hurricane Katrina in some way?
Did God even “send” Hurricane Katrina for some reason?
Maybe we wonder –if God can control the forces of nature – the wind and the seas and the waves – why did He not do it with Hurricane Katrina?
Maybe we wonder – if God is in control of the universe – why did He not control the forces of nature?
Maybe we wonder – if the power of God that was in Jesus could still the storm on the Sea of Galilee – could it have not stilled Hurricane Katrina?
I was asked the other day if I thought God “sent” Katrina – or if I thought God had somehow been at work in the devastating storm. I had to reply that I did not believe that God sent Hurricane Katrina – just a I do not believe God sent the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean last year or any other natural disaster.
I also do not believe that God was at work in Hurricane Katrina or any other natural disaster. I believe that the forces of nature sometimes act in ways that are horribly devastating – not because God tells them to do so or sends them – but simply because that is how they act at times.
The whole issue of the goodness of God and the evil and destruction in the world is a very difficult one. Scholars and theologians have struggled with it almost since we began thinking about such things – and there is no simple or easy to understand answer.
When tragedies occur – we want to be able to somehow make sense out of it all – to reason it out — to understand why.
We have a hard time saying “We don’t know”
But that is what I believe we have to say to the questions of why tragic things happen – or why God does not stop them.
We don’t know.
But – I believe there is an answer to the question of “where is God”?
I believe the disciples found an answer to their question:
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
I believe the survivors along the Gulf Coast can find an answer to their question:
“God, do You not care that we are perishing?”
I believe that we can find an answer to the question:
“God, do You not care that they are perishing?”
I believe we can find an answer to the question:
“God, where are You?”
Jesus awoke and stilled the storm – as if to say:
“Yes – I care!”
God will come to the survivors along the Gulf Coast through the aid that – even as we worship today – is finding it’s way to them.
Through the National Guardsmen restoring order to the area God is saying
“Yes – I care!”
Through the Red Cross workers and so many others from so many other organizations – including Presbyterian Disaster Assistance we are supporting though a special offering — that are giving food, shelter, medical attention, assistance with rebuilding, and so may other needed things – not to mention just a person saying:
“We are here for you”
God is saying
“Yes – I care!”
Does God care?
Yes!
Where is God?
In the lives of the people who are working to bring His love to those who are hurting.
If you are wondering where God is – just look around you.
God is in the people who are going to the Gulf Coast to bring His love to those in need.
God is in the people who are donating money and supplies to go to the Gulf Coast so His love can be shared with those who are in need.
God is in the people who knit afghans for those in need – whether the need be local or somewhere else.
God is in the people who give food and bags for distributing the food and coupons so food will not cost as much for those who come to the Reidsville Outreach Center.
God is in the people who volunteer their time for local agencies that show His love to those in need.
God is in anyone who is doing His will – reaching out to those in need – showing His love in any way they can.
That’s where God is.
Yes – natural disasters may make us pause – think – and wonder about God’s will in the midst of such things and if God cares about those affected by such things.
They may make us wonder where God is in the midst of them.
But the truth is God is there.
Through us and others who work to bring His love to these situations and so many others locally and around the world –
God is there!
That’s where God is!
AMEN