Rev Bill’s Sermons

February 26, 2007

Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-15

Filed under: Deuteronomy, Luke — revbill @ 1:21 am

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Luke 4:1-15

Live With A Purpose

Part 1 of 2007 Hiopewell Lent series on A Purpose For Life


                Have you ever wondered about the purpose of your life –

                Wondered if there was a purpose to your living?

 

                Have you ever wondered – if there was a purpose to your life – then what was it?

                Wondered what your life is all about?

 

                Is there a purpose to your life – your existence – your being here?

                And if so – what is that purpose?

 

                Ever had those questions?

 

                Well – if you have ever considered such questions – you are not alone.  People have wondered these things ever since the beginning of time. 

 

Wondered about if there was purpose to their lives.   

Wondered if there was meaning to their lives.

                Struggled with their purpose and the meaning of their lives.

 

                We’re going to be looking at these questions of purpose and meaning – looking at what we might have been created for – what the purpose and meaning of our lives might be — for the next 6 weeks as we go through the Season of Lent.

 

                Lent – the 6 weeks before Holy Week and Easter — has historically been a time Christians have devoted themselves to reflection upon Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross – and our response to Christ and His claim upon our lives. 

 

                We are going to use the Season of Lent this year to look at what God might have us to have as a purpose in our lives – and how we can live in God’s purpose for our lives.

 

                We’re going to be doing this by studying Rick Warrren’s book The Purpose Driven Life on Wednesday nights – and looking at different aspects of these questions on Sunday mornings. As we look at these questions during this Season of Lent, it is our prayer that we will discover God’s purpose for our lives – which, of course, is the real purpose for our lives.

 

                We’re going to begin by looking at 2 passages of scripture – Deuteronomy 26:1-11 and Luke 4:1-15.  The Deuteronomy passage is basically a call to live with God’s purpose in mind – while the Luke passage is an illustration of how Jesus did this.

 

                Listen to God’s word.

 

                Read Scripture

 

                What is the purpose for our lives?

                What’s the purpose for living?

 

                People look for purpose and meaning in many places. 

               

Some look for it in money.

                They think they can find real purpose and meaning for their lives if they have a lot of money. 

Well – if money – making money – is the sole purpose of your life – you will end up disappointed.

 

                Ted Turner, the TV mogul and a multi millionaire, might be able to tell us about how money can not give purpose and meaning to life.  His father worked hard to be a millionaire.  All he wanted to do was be a millionaire.  That was his sole purpose in life.

                Well he made his million.

                And within the hour after his accountant told him he had a million dollars he took a pistol and shot himself.

                Why?

                He felt he did not have anything else to live for. 

                His purpose for living had been taken away from him – he felt he had no more purpose in life.

               

                Simply making money is not a satisfactory purpose or meaning for life.

 

                How about taking care of our material needs?

Some see the purpose and meaning of life in taking care of their physical needs — having the best clothes, house, cars, and whatever else might meet their perceived physical needs.

Again – that’s not a good purpose for life.   

It’s not a good thing to base your whole sense of meaning upon.     

There will always be something better – something newer – something faster — to have. 

You will never be satisfied.

 

Well then – how about power and control over others?

Some see power and control as things that bring meaning and purpose and fulfillment to life. 

But – again – this is not a good thing to base your whole sense of meaning and purpose upon.

It is said that Alexander the Great cried when – at 21 – he got control of a vast empire that included much of the known world at that time – because he had nothing else to live for. Gaining control of the known world had been his purpose – and when he accomplished that – he had no other reason to live.

 

Power hungry people always want more power.  There is never enough. 

 

How about fame?

Many people see being famous as a purpose for life.

They think if they are famous they will find purpose in life.

Again – not a good choice.

Fame will not last long – people will always ask “what have you done lately”? – and others will become more famous than you.

 

So — money, possessions, power, and fame are not things to find meaning and purpose for life in.

In fact, there is a problem with looking for meaning and purpose and fulfillment in life only in yourself – what you might want –

 

There is more to life than just self.

 

Life is not about us.

It’s not about what we want – what we desire – what pleases us.

 

Life is not about you.

Regardless of what society might try to tell you – regardless of what others might say – regardless of what you might think –

Life is not about you.

 

We will never find meaning and purpose for our lives by looking for it within ourselves – by looking at what we want – by looking at what we might think is good or meaningful.

You will never find meaning and purpose for your life by looking for it within yourself – by looking at what you want – by looking at what you might think is good or meaningful.

 

Our true meaning for life –

Our true purpose for life –

Your true meaning in life –

Your true purpose for life —

has to come from elsewhere – it has to come from God.

 

We learn our true meaning for life – our true purpose for life — who we were truly created to be and what we were truly created to do in the world – from God.

 

Our true purpose for living has to come from an understanding of God – God’s will for our lives – God’s intention for our lives.

Your true purpose for living has to come from an understanding of God – God’s will for your life – God’s intention for our life.

 

If any person ever understood His purpose in life – God’s intention for His life – it was Jesus.

 

Jesus understood God’s will for His life.

He understood God’s intention for His life.

He lived in God’s will for His life.

He lived out God’s intention for His life.

 

How did Jesus come to understand God’s will for His life – and live out God’s intention for His life?

 

One thing He did was spend time in prayer.

Before Jesus began His ministry He spent 40 days in the wilderness in prayer and reflection upon God’s will for His life.  And once He determined what God’s will for His life was – He stuck to it.

Satan tempted Him with food – finding meaning and purpose for His life in taking care of His physical needs – but He would have none of it.

Satan tempted Him with power – finding meaning and purpose for life in being powerful – but He would have none of that, either.

Satan then tempted Him with fame – finding meaning and purpose for life in performing feats that would dazzle the crowds and make Him famous. Again, Jesus would have none of that. 

 

In His time with God in prayer and reflection He had discovered His purpose – the purpose of His life – the meaning for His life – and He was not going to be distracted or drawn to something else – no matter how tempting it may have seemed.

 

Jesus knew God’s will for His life.

Jesus knew God’s purpose for His life.

Jesus knew God’s meaning for His life.

 

This gave Him a purpose and meaning for His life.

 

This gave Him a purpose for living – and He lived with a purpose.

 

Live with a purpose,.

Live with a purpose. 

 

Satan tried to pull Him away from that purpose all along – but He would not let it happen.

 

Several years ago Mel Gibson produced the movie “The Passion Of The Christ”. It was a very good movie – a realistic portrayal of how I understand the last hours of Christ’s life before the crucifixion must have been like.  In the opening scenes of the movie Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane – in great turmoil over what lay ahead of Him.  Satan is portrayed as tempting Him to abandon His mission – His purpose in life – and refuse the cross. But Satan could not pull Him away from His purpose – His reason for being in the world.

 

Jesus lived His life with a purpose – God’s purpose.

 

Live with a purpose.

Live with a purpose. 

 

Like Jesus, God has a plan – a purpose – for you.

Like Jesus, you have to spend time with God in prayer to discern what that purpose might be.

Then, like Jesus, you have to be committed to that purpose.

 

How do you discover the purpose God has for your life?

The first step is to commit your life to God – commit your life to Jesus – and His purpose for your life.  

What do you do with the fact that Jesus says:

“No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).

And “No kingdom … or city … or household that is divided against itself can keep standing.”

What do you do with the Jesus who declares: “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.”

In short, what do you do with the Jesus who says: “Get off the fence”!

The first step to discovering – and living in God’s purpose for your life – to truly live a life of purpose — – is to get off the fence! 

Frankly, I think it is hard for us to face a Jesus like that. We live in what I might call a “fence-walking world.” Ours is a world that has grown comfortable with partial commitments, hedged bets, and associate memberships. We want to feel part of the game, but we also like the safety of the stands. We like to crow about the heroism and victories of war and politics when it’s going well for our side, but distance ourselves from taking responsibility for the bad play and losses. We want good friendships and marriages, but we avoid facing the problems and sin that keep them from being great relationships. We want our kids to be spiritually vital but also on the traveling sports team on Sundays. We want a sane, healthy life, but also one packed with all the possessions and pace of “success.”  We want a life with God’s purpose – but also the trappings of money, possessions, power, and fame. 

I heard a story about a man named Homer who finally got up the nerve to propose to his girlfriend. . Dropping to one knee, he looked his beloved in the eye and said:

“Sue, I know I’m not wealthy like Tom. I recognize that I’m not handsome like Tom. I may not be as well-educated as Tom. But I love you, Sue.”

Well, Sue was obviously moved, and responded: “Why, I love you too, Homer. But tell me a little more about Tom!”

We do this fence-walking with God, too. We sing “Take my life and let it be … .” It is so much harder to get the “consecrated” part—to go “all in”, as the aficionados of the poker game Texas Hold ‘Em say.

It isn’t that we’re not interested in God. We’re just wary of full investment.

Wilbur Rees wrote: “I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please—not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don’t want enough of him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant worker. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of a womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I’d like to buy just $3 worth of God, please.”

But God is not interested in these partial investments and divided loyalties that produce such poor fruit. A religious leader can build quite a following by pretending otherwise. He can suggest that God is mainly interested in some fine-tuning of our personalities—that he’s content so long as we’re spending time and money on him on Sundays, even if we’re dallying with the others things that catch our interests the rest of the week.

Jesus wants us to live our lives with a purpose – His purpose.

Live with a purpose,.

Live with a purpose. 

That’s why Jesus said such crazy-sounding things at times.

To the Christians at Laodicea, Jesus says: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other” (Revelation 3:15)!

This is why Jesus described life with God in terms of leaving parents, getting out of safe boats, dropping nets, selling possessions, and denying self. In these statements, He is not really saying that there’s something intrinsically wrong with those things. Jesus isn’t against family or safety or possessions or self. He is simply calling the question of whether we’re going to define and pursue these values in the world’s way or His way.

He is asking: “Where are you putting your feet down?” “Who and what do you really love?” “Are you still trying to sit on the fence?”

Jesus does not want us to sit on the fence.

Jesus wants us to commit to Him – and live life with a purpose – His purpose.

Jesus wants us to get off the fence – to decide – to commit.

That’s not easy – but it’s necessary.

It’s the first step to living life with God’s purpose – the only real purpose there is to have. 

Live with a purpose,.

Live with a purpose. 

 

So – how about it?

 

As we begin this season of Lent – as we begin to look at God’s answers to the questions of purpose and meaning for our lives – you have to look at where you stand in relationship with Jesus.

 

Are you straddling the fence between the ways of the world and the ways of God?

Are you trying to find meaning and purpose in both?

 

It’s not going to work.

 

It’s time to climb down off the fence – and make a commitment.

 

It’s time to commit to the ways of God.

 

It was Jesus’ commitment to the ways of God that gave Him His focus for living His life in God’s purpose –   a focus that Satan could not pull Him away from.

 

It’s only through a commitment to the ways of God that we can get what we need to live our lives in God’s purpose – and have the focus for our lives that nothing can pull us away from.

 

God can give you a purpose for living – but you’re going to have to get off the fence – and make a commitment.

 

You’re going to have to live with a purpose –God’s purpose.

 

Live with a purpose,.

Live with a purpose.

 

As we go through the Season of Lent, we will be looking at different aspects of what this purpose for living God has given each of us might be. 

 

For now – there is the first step – getting off the fence – and making a commitment to God’s will and God’s purpose for your life. 

 

Take the first step.

If you’re trying to straddle the fence – it’s time to get off the fence.

If you’re trying to find your purpose for living in anything else but God and God’s will – it’s time to look only to God.

 

Money – possessions—power — fame are not things to find meaning and purpose in.

 

Only God can give you true purpose and meaning for life.

 

Only God can give you a purpose to live for.

 

Only God can help you

 

Live with a purpose,

Live with a purpose.

 

As we begin this Season of Lent –

As we begin this look at – and search for – God’s purpose for us and the purpose and meaning for our lives – I ask you –

 

God asks you –

 

If you are still on the fence – trying to find meaning and purpose for your life in anything else but God –

 

Get off the fence.

Make the commitment.

 

Live your life with a purpose – God’s purpose.

 

Live with a purpose,

Live with a purpose.

 

Amen.

 

 

February 19, 2007

Exodus 34:29-35, Luke 9:28-36

Filed under: Exodus, Luke — revbill @ 2:18 am

Exodus 34:29-35

Luke 9:28-36

February 18, 2007

Chosen To Be Changed

Part 8 of 8 part Hopewell sermon series on “Who  are we?”

Transfiguration Sunday

 For the past 7 weeks we have been focusing on different aspects of 2 questions that are important for us as individual Christians – and as a Church.

 The first question is:

Who are we?

Who are we as Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

Who are we?

And the second question is:

What are we supposed to be doing?

What are we supposed to be doing as Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church?  

Who are we?

What are we supposed to be doing?

Who are we as individual Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as individual Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church? 

We are concluding our look at answers to these questions today.

Remember that we noted that we can’t attempt to truly answer these questions by gathering our opinions of who we are as Christians – or who we are as a Church –

or what we should be doing as Christians – or what we should be doing as a Church. 

It’s not really our opinions that matter here – what matters is who God calls us to be – and what God calls us to be doing.

We have to start – not within ourselves – but with God.

So – here are the important questions for us to consider —

Who does God think we are – as individuals and as a Church –

and

What does God call us to be doing – as individuals and as a Church?

To really find answers to these questions we have to look to God – to God’s word – and see what God’s idea is.

 

We’ve been using the passage in 1 Peter 2:9 as a “springboard” — so to speak — to look at various aspects of who we are as God’s people – how we can be the Christians – the people – and the Church God has called us to be – and how we can do what God calls us to be doing.

 

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read: 

 

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

            As we have looked at this passage, we have seen that it gives us an answer to the questions:

 

Who are we?

and

What are we supposed to be doing?

 

Who are we?

 

We are God’s people – Peter writes –

 

What are we to be doing?

 

Peter writes that we have been chosen to declare the praises of God. 

 

Another way to put it is that we are:

 The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

 

That’s who we are – and what we are to be doing.

 

But – what does that mean?

 

It’s the specifics of what that might mean that we’ve been considering for the past 7 weeks.  

 

What does it means that we are:

The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

 

So far we have:

Looked at the first chapter of John – and seen that it means that we are chosen to walk in the light of God – the light of Christ – instead of the darkness of sin.

Looked at Luke’s version of the Baptism of Jesus – and seen that it means that we are chosen for ministry.

Looked at John 2:1-11 – the story of the miracle at the Cana wedding feast – and seen that it means that we are chosen to be the best. 

Looked at Nehemiah 8 – where the Law of God is read as it is placed in the rebuilt and rededicated Temple following the Babylonian captivity – and seen that it means that we are chosen to worship.

Looked at Jeremiah 12 – and seen that it means that we are chosen to be triumphant.

Looked at Luke’s version of the calling of Peter, James and John in Luke 5:1-11 – and seen that it means that we are chosen to be obedient. 

And looked at Jesus’ teachings in Luke 6 that call us to be different from others in the world – as well as make a difference for God’s glory in the world. 

 

Chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Chosen for ministry

Chosen to be the best

Chosen to worship

Chosen to be triumphant 

Chosen to be obedient

Chosen to be different – and make a difference

 

7 things that being the glorious people of God – chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — can mean for us.

I want to add one last thing to this list today.

As we look at 2 passages of scripture – Exodus 34:29-35 and Luke 9:28-38 – we will see that we are chosen to be changed.

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

Read Scripture

 

Psychiatrists tell us that it is a part of our nature to let things we are continually exposed to make a difference in how we live.  More times than not, we are not even aware of the differences these things are making in our lives.  It is usually someone who has known us a long time and observed us carefully who will point out to us that there is a difference in us. 

            An example of this is speech.

            After several years in a certain part of the country, we may begin to speak with an accent that is typical to others who live in that area — or we may use phrases that others in that area typically use.  Many who move to this area originally laugh at our accent or figures of speech that we may use — and yet — guess what?  Before long they may be talking with a little bit of a South Carolina accent — and using the same expressions they laughed at not long before. 

            Certain programs on TV — or even certain TV characters — can sometimes get into our patterns of behavior simply because we spend so much time watching.

            It is even suggested that married couples begin to look like each other as the years roll by. 

An exaggerated truth — yes — but the point behind it is obvious. 

 

            Today is Transfiguration Sunday – the day when the Church historically celebrates the event that happened to Jesus when He was transformed – changed in His appearance – before the eyes of Peter, James, and John – the story Luke relates in our Gospel Lesson for today.  

 

            In our Old Testament lesson for this Transfiguration Sunday Moses is changed after he spent time with God on Mount Sinai.

 

            Moses had been on Mount Sinai for 40 days receiving and learning the law from God, and  came back to the camp of the Israelites with a face shining with God’s glory – a face so radiant with God’s glory that he had to veil his face when he was not with God.  The glory of God rubbed off on him – so to speak — and those who saw him knew it and were afraid.

 

            Moses was changed by God – and the people could tell it!

 

            Moses literally shone with the glory of God as he came down from Mount Sinai.   He had spent time with God — time that had changed his life — his very appearance.  He had spent time with God — experienced God — and the people could obviously tell it.  The people could tell the difference the glory of God made in Moses’ life. 

           

Moses was changed by God – and the people could tell it!

 

            In our Gospel lesson from Luke Jesus — on the Mount of Transfiguration — was changed and reflected the glory of God in a powerful way — just as powerful as Moses had.  Peter — James — and John could certainly tell the difference in Jesus as He reflected the glory of God.

 

            Jesus was changed by spending time with God – and Peter, James and John could tell it. They could tell us how Jesus reflected the glory of God — and the difference it made.

 

            Later in his life Peter would write:

 

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Part of what that means is that we are chosen for ministry

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be the best

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to worship

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be triumphant 

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be obedient

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be different – and make a difference – in the world for Christ.

 

And part of what that means is that we are chosen to be changed.

 

            Eight days before the event of the Transfiguration Jesus had been talking with the disciples — asking them who men said that He was. 

He then asked them who they thought He was. 

Peter — in one of those rare moments of inspiration — proclaims:

 

“The Christ of God!”

            Jesus then began explaining what that meant — how He would have to go to Jerusalem — be crucified — yet rise again.

 

            Now — eight days later — Jesus took Peter — James — and John to a mountain with Him.  Jesus went to pray — to get strength for what lay ahead of Him –strength for the cross and all that it would entail.

            While in prayer, Jesus underwent a profound experience of God’s glory.  He was transfigured.  God’s glory came upon Him – - and Moses and Elijah ministered to Him.

            What a profound — glorious — and powerful moment this must have been for Jesus.

            And Peter — James — and John could tell the difference this experience made for Jesus. 

Peter was so moved that he wanted to stay at this beautiful — magnificent spot — and just bask in the glory he was seeing and experiencing.  He could tell the difference this event made for Christ — and for him, too.  He wanted to build tents for them all so they could just stay in this glorious event forever.   

            And to top it all off — they heard a voice from heaven saying that Jesus is God’s Son — His chosen one — and to listen to Him.

 

            Wow.

What a difference Moses’ experience of God on Mount Sinai made to him — a difference others could easily tell just by looking at him.

Wow.

What a difference Jesus’ experience on the Mount of Transfiguration made to Him — a difference the disciples could easily tell by looking at Him.

 

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Part of what that means is that we are chosen for ministry

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be the best

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to worship

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be triumphant 

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be obedient

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be different – and make a difference – in the world for Christ.

And part of what that means is that we are chosen to be changed.

 

We are chosen to be people who have a special, life changing relationship with God – show God to the world – and who people can tell have had our lives changed by God.

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

Jesus received strength from this glorious experience on the Mount of Transfiguration — and was ready to go and minister to the world.  Jesus did not keep His transfigured glory or stay on the mountaintop — but went back into the world to minister to the world.

 

He had needed strength for the upcoming cross and resurrection – and He had come to God — had experienced God in a powerful way — and now He was ready to go back into the world — taking with Him the strength this encounter with God had given Him — and even sharing something of the glory of God He had experienced as He ministered to others.

            Others could certainly tell the difference this experience made to Jesus – the change that came about Jesus because of this experience.

 

            Moses received strength from his glorious experience with God on Mount Sinai – and was ready to lead the people through the desert towards the land God had promised.

            Others could certainly tell the difference Moses’ experience with God on Mount Sinai made in his life. 

 

Jesus was changed.

Moses had an encounter with God – and was changed.

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

            In Arthur Miller’s play “All My Sons” one of the characters says to another:

“Chris, a man can’t be Jesus

in this world.”

            I strongly disagree with this – and here’s why.

 

            We can “be Jesus” in the world — and reflect the glory of God to the world — in just as powerful ways as did Moses — even in such a powerful way as did  Jesus.

We can be changed by Jesus — minister to the world in Jesus’ name – minister to the world with Jesus’ strength — and reflect Jesus’ glory.  We can show Jesus to the world in such a real way that others can tell the difference Jesus has made in our lives. 

 

            The question is – has Jesus changed us?

            The question is – has Jesus changed you?

 

            Can others look at you — the way you live — the things you do — the way you serve others — and tell that Jesus has made a difference in your life?

            Can others look at you — the way you live — the things you do — the way you serve others — and tell that you have been changed by Jesus?

 

            Do you let Jesus touch your life in a powerful way?

            Do you let Jesus change your life – in a way others can easily see — experience — and notice as you relate to them?

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

We are chosen to be changed. 

 

            This is pretty strong stuff — isn’t it?

 

            Maybe you’ve just tuned me out by now because you know you’ll never be able to live in such a way that people can easily and readily see Christ in you. 

            Maybe you don’t think you can ever be changed in this dramatic way.

            Maybe you don’t want to be changed in this dramatic way.

 

But here’s the truth – we are chosen – to be changed.

You are chosen – to be changed.

 

            Maybe — just maybe — some of you are intrigued by this concept of letting Christ change your life – make a difference in your life that others can readily see — a change that is so powerful that others can readily see Christ in you. 

 

            You may be intrigued by this idea – but you may be wondering

            How?

 

            Well — that’s a good question.

            How?

 

            How can we be changed by Christ in such a dramatic way? 

            How can you be changed by Christ is such a dramatic way?

 

            How can we reflect Jesus to the world in such a way that they can see the change Jesus has made in our lives — and even begin to see the change Jesus can make in their lives?

 

            The only way we can do it is if each of us — like Moses and Jesus – take time to experience the glory of God and let Him strengthen us for ministry in the world. 

            The only way you can do it is for you — like Moses and Jesus – to take time to experience the glory of God and let Him strengthen you for ministry in the world. 

            There are no shortcuts — no other way around it — you  must experience the glory of God for yourself — as did Moses on Sinai and Jesus on the Mount Transfiguration — so that you can reflect the glory of God to the world. You must let God change your life — so that others can tell the change God has made in your life. 

 

            Friends — God can change your life.

            God can change your life in a profound way.

            God can change your life in a way that others can see the change – and see that God can change their lives, also.

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

            You are chosen to be changed. 

           

We can be changed.

            You can be changed.

 

            God can change us.

            God can change you.

              

            I know this beyond the shadow of a doubt. I know God can change us – I know God can change you – because I’ve experienced God’s change in my life time and time again – and I’ve seen God change others – time and time again.

 

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Part of what that means is that we are chosen for ministry

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be the best

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to worship

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be triumphant 

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be obedient

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be different – and make a difference – in the world for Christ.

And part of what that means is that we are chosen to be changed.

 

One way God can change your life is through prayer — spending time with God every day — experiencing God’s glory every day — and knowing God is with you in a powerful way. 

            If you want God to touch you and change you, you are going to have to develop an active prayer life where you spend time — daily — in prayer with God.

            If God is going to change your life  in a profound way – a way that strengthens you to “be Jesus” to the world – it’s going to have to start with prayer.

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

 

Another way God can change your life is through your studying His s word – spending time every day letting God speak to you in His word – and striving to live by His word.

If you want God to touch you and change you, you are going to have to develop the habit of daily spending time in God’s word. .

            If God is going to change your life in a profound way – a way that strengthens you to “be Jesus” to the world – you’re going to have to spend time every day in His word.

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

 

            Worship is another time and place where God can profoundly change your life.

            Worship is a powerful — beautiful experience as you gather with fellow Christians — give praise to God – and open yourself up to God.

            If God is going to change your life in a profound way – a way that strengthens you to “be Jesus” to the world – you’re going to have to spend time with other Christians worshipping God.

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

 

            Fellowship with other Christians is another way God can profoundly change your life. The more you fellowship with other Christians the more you experience Christ in them — and share Christ that is in you with them.

            If God is going to change your life in a profound way – a way that strengthens you to “be Jesus” to the world – you’re going to have to spend time in fellowship with other Christians.

             

            We are chosen to be changed.

 

            Spend time with God.

            Spend time – daily — in prayer.

            Spend time – daily — in God’s word.

            Spend time in worship.

            Spend time in fellowship with other Christians.

           

These are some of the ways God uses to bless and strengthen you.  These are some of the things God uses to change you.

 

We are chosen to be changed.

           

            Spend time with God.

            Spend time in prayer.

            Spend time in God’s word. 

            It is the moments you spend in prayer and study of scripture that shape your life and fill you with God’s glory — a glory that can change you – just as it changed Moses.

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

            Spend time in worship.

            It is in worship that we praise God for all He has done for us — and this is where you can meet God in new ways and experience God’s glory in life changing ways.

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

            Spend time in fellowship.

            It is in times of fellowship that you experience God in a new way — a life changing way — by sharing His love with others and letting others share His love with you.

 

We are chosen to be changed.

We are chosen to be changed.

 

            The Season of Lent begins Wednesday.  This will be an excellent time for you to recommit yourself to the things that can open you up to God — so God can touch you and change your life.

 

We are all going to have an opportunity to spend some special time with God every day – and come together every week to share it as we have the study of the book The Purpose Driven Life.  

 

Let this season of Lent be a time of recommitment for you.

Let this season of Lent be a time of change for you. 

 

As we conclude this series of sermons on who we are and what we are to be doing, let’s look again at the questions that have been before us:  

 

Who are we – as Christians?

What are we to be doing – as Christians?

 

Who are we – as a Church?

What are we to be doing – as a Church?

 

We have seen that Peter writes:

 

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

            So who are we?

We are God’s chosen people.

What are we to be doing?

We are chosen to show the world the glories of Christ.

 

What does this mean?

 

We’ve seen that it means that we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

We’ve seen that it means that we are chosen for ministry

We’ve seen that it means that we are chosen to be the best

We’ve seen that it means that we are to worship

We’ve seen that it means that we are chosen to be triumphant 

We’ve seen that it means that we are chosen to be obedient

We’ve seen that it means that we are chosen to be different – and make a difference – in the world for Christ

And we’ve seen that it means that that we are chosen to be changed 

 

Walking in the light of Christ

Doing ministry.

Using the gifts God has given us to the best of our ability

Worshipping God.

Being triumphant

Being obedient to God

Letting God make a difference in our lives – and making a difference for God in the world.

Letting God change us for His glory

 

These are some of the things that being God’s people – chosen to show Christ to the world – means.

 

Let’s do it!

Let’s walk in the light of Christ

Let’s do ministry.

Let’s use the gifts God has given us to the best of our ability

Let’s worshipping God.

Let’s be triumphant

Let’s be obedient to God

Let’s let God make a difference in our lives – and make a difference for God in the world.

Let’s let God change us for His glory

 

Let’s be the glorious people of God – chosen to show the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

 

 

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

February 11, 2007

Luke 6:17-26

Filed under: Luke — revbill @ 9:03 pm

Luke 6:17-26

“Chosen To Make A Difference”

(Part 7 of Hopewell series on “Who Are We?”)

February 11, 2007

For the past 6 weeks we have been focusing on different aspects of 2 questions that are important for us as individual Christians – and as a Church.

The first is:

Who are we?

Who are we as Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

Who are we?

And the second is:

What are we supposed to be doing?

What are we supposed to be doing as Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church?

Who are we?

What are we supposed to be doing?

Who are we as individual Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as individual Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church?

We continue looking at answers to these questions today.

We’ve already noted that we can’t attempt to truly answer these questions by gathering our opinions of who we are as Christians – or who we are as a Church –

or what we should be doing as Christians – or what we should be doing as a Church.

It’s not really our opinions that matter here – what matters is who God calls us to be – and what God calls us to be doing.

We have to start – not within ourselves – but with God.

So – here are the important questions for us to consider —

Who does God think we are – as individuals and as a Church –

and

What does God call us to be doing – as individuals and as a Church?

To really find answers to these questions we have to look to God – to God’s word – and see what God’s idea is.

We’ve been using the passage in 1 Peter 2:9 as a “springboard” — so to speak — to look at various aspects of who we are as God’s people – how we can be the Christians – the people – and the Church God has called us to be – and how we can do what God calls us to be doing.

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read:

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

As we have looked at this passage, we have seen that it gives us an answer to the questions:

Who are we?

and

What are we supposed to be doing?

Who are we?

We are the glorious people of God – Peter writes –

What are we to be doing?

Peter writes that we have been chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So — we are:

The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

That’s who we are – and what we are to be doing.

But – what does that mean?

It’s the specifics of what that might mean that we’ve been considering for the past 5 weeks and will continue to consider for at least 2 more weeks.

What does it means that we are:

The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

So far we have:

Looked at the first chapter of John – and seen that it means that we are chosen to walk in the light of God – the light of Christ – instead of the darkness of sin.

Looked at Luke’s version of the Baptism of Jesus – and seen that it means that we are chosen for ministry.

Looked at John 2:1-11 – the story of the miracle at the Cana wedding feast – and seen that it means that we are chosen to be the best.

Looked at Nehemiah 8 – where the Law of God is read as it is placed in the rebuilt and rededicated Temple following the Babylonian captivity – and seen that it means that we are chosen to worship.

Looked at Jeremiah 12 – and seen that it means that we are chosen to be triumphant.

And looked at Luke’s version of the calling of Peter, James and John in Luke 5:1-11 – and seen that it means that we are chosen to be obedient.

Chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Chosen for ministry

Chosen to be the best

Chosen to worship

Chosen to be triumphant

Chosen to be obedient

Six things that being the glorious people of God – chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — can mean for us.

Today I want us to add another thing to this list as we consider Luke 6:17-26. As we look at this teaching of Jesus I believe we will see that we are chosen to be different in the world and chosen to make a difference in the world – for Christ.

We are chosen to be different.

We are chosen to make a difference.

Read Scripture

I’m going to tell you a story today.

It’s a story of a minister named Jim.

Jim was a minister of a large, rich church. Throughout his ministry his plan was that he was going to be a successful minister of a large church with lots of money.

His church was going to have lots of money.

His church members were going to have lots of money.

He was going to have lots of money.

And now – he was there!

He had made it!

Success!

His church had lots of money!

The members of his church had lots of money!

He had lots of money!

It was his dream come true job!

As an important minister of an important church, he also was important in his denomination. Sometimes he was asked to attend meetings in other places to represent the denomination. One such meeting took him to a small church in a poor neighborhood of a big city. He was not impressed with the meeting – the church – the neighborhood – or the other ministers in attendance. He told himself that if he ever got out of there – he would never return – and would complain to those who set up the meeting about their poor choice of location. There were so many nice places in that city – why was the meeting held where it was – he wondered – in a run down church in a run down part of the city?

The neighborhood where the meeting was held wasn’t very good – not like the rich neighborhoods in the city with the nice houses and nicely manicured yards.

The old church building the meeting was held in was not much better. Not like the nice new buildings other churches were so proud of.

You see — instead of moving to a better part of town as the community around it had gone down, this church had stayed put and reached out to those in it’s neighborhood. They had a soup kitchen and a clothes closet for those who needed them – they ministered to their community.

But Jim thought that this church had been left behind.

He thought it was a failure.

He thought it was a dieing church in a dieing neighborhood.

He thought it was a church no one would want to attend in a neighborhood no one ventured in to.

Jim thought the ministers at the conference looked a little shopworn too — a few old men trying to live on small salaries in a big-money town.

One of them talked about his son, who worked for a big software company. The son wasn’t very happy. He wanted to do something else with his life, but couldn’t find the courage to quit his high-paying job.

“Golden handcuffs,” the minister – father called it.

He said his son was imprisoned by his big paycheck — addicted to money and the things money could buy.

Jim was appalled at this attitude.

Sitting in those dingy surroundings, the son’s situation looked good by comparison.

Rich and miserable beats poor and miserable any day, Jim thought.

The ministers at the meeting were invited to spend the night working at the night shelter to see the ministry this church was doing. Jim turned down the invitation. He was much too busy – had brought his laptop computer so he could e-mail the office and work on his sermon – and also he refused to stay in such a dump. He had a room in a nice motel in the best part of town to spend the night in.

When Jim got to his nice hotel in the nice part of town, he breathed a sigh of relief. After a nice supper, he began to think about the day — and tried to work on his sermon from Luke 6 – the passage he was going to be preaching on that Sunday:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.”

Jim wasn’t too sure what that meant.

He would take rich over poor any day.

Surely Jesus meant something besides physically poor – - Jim thought – surely Jesus knew that being poor was nothing to be happy about – that being poor was certainly not a blessing.

But – what did it mean?

Jim wondered.

He was not quite sure – and fell asleep with an uneasy feeling he could not understand.

You can’t argue with success – can you?

he wondered

He fell asleep repeating this as if it were a mantra

You can’t argue with success

You can’t argue with success

You can’t argue with success

You can’t argue with success

That’s what Jim thought.

That was Jim’s perspective on life.

You can’t argue with success

Wealth may not be everything, but it certainly beat poverty.

Good food and good times would always be preferred by sane people.

So Jim thought.

Such was Jim’s perspective on life.

Such is the perspective many people have.

Maybe that’s your perspective, too.

You can’t argue with success

Or – can you?

Is Jesus “arguing with success” here in Luke 6?

Maybe so.

Is Jesus questioning common wisdom here?

I think so.

Is Jesus calling us – as His followers – to question common wisdom – to have a different perspective from others – to live differently from how others live?

Yea.

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read:

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

Chosen by God

To be a royal priesthood

God’s instruments

To do His work and speak out for Him

To tell others of the praises of God

Great words – and a great calling.

But – what do they mean?

Well —

Part of what they mean is that we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Part of what they mean is that we are chosen for ministry

Part of what they mean is that we are chosen to be the best.

Part of what they mean is that we are chosen to worship.

Part of what they mean is that we are chosen to be triumphant.

Part of what they mean is that we are chosen to be obedient

Part of what they mean is that we are chosen to be different.

Chosen to be different.

Most of the time we have a certain perspective about things – and we live out of that perspective.

That perspective marks our attitudes about life.

In my illustration Jim had the perspective that success and money and all the things that went along with it were the important things in life – and he could not see that the church, it’s members, and it’s minister who worked with the poor were doing anything worthwhile. He was even appalled as one of the ministers spoke of the “golden handcuffs” – the big paycheck of his son’s job that kept him from doing something else with his life.

That was his perspective.

Jesus has – and invites us to have – a different perspective.

He has chosen us – to be different.

We are chosen to be different.

In Jesus’ perspective success is not big money – big paychecks – big houses – or even big churches.

In fact, these things can be a hindrance to success as Jesus sees it.

From Jesus’ perspective, success is built around loving God —

From Jesus’ perspective, success is built around having a relationship with God –

From Jesus’ perspective, success is built around sharing God’s love with the world –

From Jesus’ perspective, success is built around working to bring God’s kingdom into the world –

From Jesus’ perspective, success is built around working for God’s will for peace – justice – love – and righteousness

And Jesus chooses us to live – not with the perspective of the world – but with His different perspective.

We are chosen to be different

You see — from Jesus’ different perspective — the church, it’s members, and it’s minister that Jim counted as a failure were really a success –

faithfully living out their calling to share God’s love with the world – beginning with their own neighborhood – -

faithfully working to bring God’s kingdom into the world – beginning with their own neighborhood –

faithfully working for God’s will for peace – justice – love and righteousness in the world – beginning with their own neighborhood.

They had a different perspective about life from Jim’s.

They were living differently from how Jim was living.

They chose to be different.

They knew they were chosen to be different.

Jesus calls us to have His perspective on life – to have His perspective on things – to have His different perspective on life. Jesus calls us to be different. Jesus chooses us to be different – to act differently – to see things differently – to be different.

But too many people don’t.

Too many times we don’t.

Honestly – too many times I don’t.

This new perspective – this different perspective – Jesus calls us to have is a struggle for far too many people – in fact I’m going to go so far as to say that it is a struggle for most people.

I know it is a struggle for me.

Too many times we find ourselves buying into the conventional wisdom – the world’s perspective — of success and what is right and wrong and before we know it we don’t even realize that it is not the perspective Jesus would have us have.

For example — we are bombarded with television ads that promote “the good life” and selfish indulgence of whatever our desires might be – and before long we believe that is the way to live.

Or — we see on television couples cheating on each other – and before long we lose the feeling that it’s wrong.

Too many times we let the world dictate how we live – or what we feel is right and what is wrong — instead of following Jesus’ teachings of how to live – and what is right – and what is wrong.

Too many times we lose sight of the fact that – as Peter writes – we are:

a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

We lose sight of the fact that we are we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

We lose sight of the fact that we are we are chosen for ministry

We lose sight of the fact that we are we are chosen to be the best.

We lose sight of the fact that we are we are chosen to worship.

We lose sight of the fact that we are we are chosen to be triumphant.

We lose sight of the fact that we are we are we are chosen to be obedient

We lose sight of the fact that we are chosen to be different – to live differently – to think differently – to act differently – from the way the world tells us to be – live – think – and act.

Jesus chooses us to be different.

Jesus chooses us to be different people.

Jesus chooses us to have a different perspective.

When Jesus chooses us we can no longer live with the perspective of the world where sex and drugs and violence have become common place – we are chosen to be different.

When Jesus chooses us we can no longer live with the perspective of the world where those who are poor are looked down on and treated as if they are less than human.

When Jesus chooses us we can no longer live with the perspective of the world where success is defined by how much money you have — or how big your house is — or what kind of job you have.

Jesus chooses us to have a new perspective – a different perspective.

Jesus chooses us to be different.

Jesus chooses us to be committed to different things than many in the world are committed to – things like:

having a relationship with God

sharing God’s love with the world

working to bring God’s kingdom into the world

working for God’s will for peace – justice – love – and righteousness in the world

Jesus chooses us to realize that we are:

a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

Jesus chooses us to realize that we are:

chosen to walk in the light of Christ

chosen for ministry

chosen to be the best

chosen to worship

chosen to be triumphant

chosen to be obedient

Jesus chooses us to realize that we are chosen to be different.

We are to try to see things the way God sees them – not as others see them.

We are to try to have respect for others – not lust after them or want to have power over them.

We are to try to reach out to others with God’s love – and help them see God’s will for their lives.

We are to try to try to make a difference in the world instead of just going along with the world.

We are chosen to be different.

But – we are also chosen to make a difference.

Our “Jesus perspective” should make us different from others – different in the way we think, the way we talk, the way we act. It should also give us a desire to make a difference in a world that is filled with a need for God.

We are chosen to be different.

We are also chosen to make a difference.

Chosen to be different.

Chosen to make a difference.

I’m not saying this is easy.

It’s hard.

We will be so different that we will stick out like a sore thumb.

But so did Jesus

We might get laughed at or scoffed at

But so was Jesus

People might call us fanatical.

They called Jesus fanatical also.

This is who Jesus calls us to be.

This is what Jesus calls us to do.

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

If we are going to be the Church God calls us to be –

If we are going to do the things God calls us to do –

We are going to have to live like we are glorious people – serving our glorious God.

We are going to have to live like we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ.

We are going to have to live like we are chosen – for ministry

We are going to have to live like we are chosen to be the best.

We are going to have to live like we are chosen – to worship.

We are going to have to live like we are chosen to be obedient.

And we are going to have to live like we are people who are chosen to be different – and chosen to make a difference.

Every day we have to think – act – talk – live – differently from others.

Every day we have to look for ways to make a difference – to share God’s love with all people.

Every day we have to show every person God sends our way the respect and the love God has for them.

Every day we have to show every person God sends our way the hope God can give them – and the change God can make in their lives.

But we can’t just share God and Jesus’ different perspective with those God sends our way – I believe we have to make an effort to go out of our way to find people to share God’s love – hope – and life changing possibilities with.

you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

We are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

We are chosen for ministry

We are chosen to be the best

We are chosen to worship.

We are chosen to be triumphant

We are chosen to be obedient

We are chosen to be different – and make a difference

I love the anonymous poem “I Shall Not Pass This Way Again”:

Through this toilsome world alas!
Once and only once I pass;
If a kindness I may show,
If a good deed I may do
For a suffering fellow man,
Let me do it while I can.
No delay, for it is plain
I shall not pass this way again!

Make this your motto – try to live it every day — and you will not only be different from others – but you will make a difference in the lives of others.

Chosen to be different – Chosen to make a difference.

Amen.

February 4, 2007

Luke 5:1-11

Filed under: Luke — revbill @ 9:06 pm

Luke 5:1-11

Chosen To Be Obedient

February 4, 2007

(Part 6 of  2007 series on “Who are we?”)

 

 For the past 5 weeks we have been focusing on different aspects of 2 questions that are important for us as individual Christians – and as a Church.

 

The first is:

 

Who are we?

Who are we as Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

 

Who are we?

 

And the second is:

 

What are we supposed to be doing?

What are we supposed to be doing as Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church?  

 

Who are we?

What are we supposed to be doing?

 

Who are we as individual Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as individual Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church? 

 

We continue looking at answers to these questions today.

 

We’ve already noted that we can’t attempt to truly answer these questions by gathering our opinions of who we are as Christians – or who we are as a Church –

or what we should be doing as Christians – or what we should be doing as a Church. 

It’s not really our opinions that matter here – what matters is what God calls us to be – and what God calls us to be doing.

 

We have to start – not within ourselves – but with God.

 

So – here are the important questions for us to consider —

 

Who does God think we are?

What does God call us to be doing – as individuals and as a Church?

 

 To really find answers to these questions we have to look to God – to God’s word – and see what God’s idea is.

 

We’ve been using the passage in 1 Peter 2:9 as a “springboard” — so to speak — to look at various aspects of who we are as God’s people – how we can be the Christians – the people – and the Church God has called us to be – and how we can do what God calls us to be doing.

 

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read: 

 

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

            As we have looked at this passage, we have seen that it gives us an answer to the questions:

 

Who are we?

and

What are we supposed to be doing?

 

Who are we?

 

We are the glorious people of God – Peter writes –

 

What are we to be doing?

 

Peter writes that we have been chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

So — we are:

 The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

 

That’s who we are – and what we are to be doing.

 

But – what does that mean?

 

It’s the specifics of what that might mean that we’ve been considering for the past 5 weeks and will continue to consider for at least 2 more weeks.

 

What does it means that we are:

The glorious people of God –

Chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

 

So far we have:

Looked at the first chapter of John – and seen that it means that we are chosen to walk in the light of God – the light of Christ – instead of the darkness of sin.

Looked at Luke’s version of the Baptism of Jesus – and seen that it means that we are chosen for ministry.

Looked at John 2:1-11 – the story of the miracle at the Cana wedding feast – and seen that it means that we are chosen to be the best. 

Looked at Nehemiah 8 – where the Law of God is read as it is placed in the rebuilt and rededicated Temple following the Babylonian captivity – and seen that it means we are chosen to worship.

And looked at Jeremiah 12 – and seen that it means we are chosen to be triumphant.

 

Chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Chosen for ministry

Chosen to be the best.

Chosen to worship.

Chosen to be triumphant. 

 

Five things that being the glorious people of God – chosen to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — can mean for us.

 

Today I want us to add a sixth thing to this list as we consider Luke’s version of the calling of Peter, James and John – Luke 5:1-11 – where I believe we will see that we are chosen to be obedient.

 

Read Scripture

 

I heard a story on NPR the other day about ice fishing in Minnesota.  This pricked my interest – for as some of you know – I enjoy fishing .

 

            There was a time in my life when there was hardly anything that I would have rather done than fishing. 

 

            I still enjoy it – and am already making plans to go fishing soon. 

 

I’ve bought plenty of lure in my day – and the trees around the lakes and ponds where I have fished still have many of them!  Some of them were “guaranteed” to catch by a “genetic breakthrough” that “makes fish want to bite — even if they’re not hungry”  – or so the TV ad says.  I really couldn’t see that it was that much better than any other lure — but it was fun to think that it was.

 

            Yea – I enjoy fishing.

 

           

I’ve fished in a lot of places – from many of the lakes in South Carolina when I was younger to many of the North Carolina lakes and ponds to the Atlantic ocean.  (I’m not too sure about deep – sea fishing, though).

 

But ice fishing in Minnesota?

That’s one I have never tried.

 

But –according to the story I heard on NPR — it is no longer done sitting on an iced over lake with your pole and your line down a hole you have cut in the ice – shivering and catching your death of cold – if not catching fish. Just like fishing boats have gone high tech – so have what they call “fishing shacks” – small structures they put on the iced over lake to live in while ice fishing.  Some are equipped with kitchens – beds – TVs with satellite dish – computer hook ups – generators to run all the electrical things – and of course heat.  The “fishing shack” business is booming! I’m not sure all these things help you catch fish – but at least they help keep you comfortable while you are trying. 

 

I might have to try ice fishing some day.

 

I do enjoy fishing – but you know – I’ve learned that “fishing for men’ is much more fulfilling than fishing for fish!   

 

In our scripture passage for today, Peter, James, John, and others were doing what I love to do — they were fishing.  For them, however, it wasn’t a recreational activity — it was their job — so you can probably imagine their discouragement that day when they came back from a night of fishing — but had caught no fish!  That would be like having a place of business but selling nothing.  It would have been very discouraging.  Too many nights like that and it would be disastrous!

 

            As they were washing their nets, probably complaining about the fact that they had not caught any fish, they noticed a crowd gathering along the shore.  Before long there were so many people that there wasn’t room to stand.  They had never seen so many people!

 

            A man they had never seen before came up to them and asked if He could use their boat.  They figured it would be OK — the fishing was so bad that they surely weren’t going to need it that day.  They got in their boat — and — with this stranger — put out into the lake.  As they got just a bit off shore, the stranger got them to stop — and began teaching the crowds that had gathered on shore.  Peter and his partners had nothing to do but sit in their boat and listen.

 

            What marvelous things they heard!

            What a marvelous message this man brought!

            They had never heard such words — or heard them taught with such love and grace — and such authority. 

            It was almost as if God Himself were sitting in their boat — teaching them. 

           

            He spoke about God’s love.

            He spoke about repenting of your sins and living in God’s ways. 

            He spoke about letting God change your life — and the life that God wants to bless you with.

 

            “The kingdom of God is among you!

Repent — and believe the gospel!”  He said.

 

            Who was He?

            Peter and his partners asked.

            Who can talk about God with such authority — and proclaim the kingdom of God with such authority?

           

            It was almost as if it was God Himself!

 

            Peter and his partners remembered stories of how the Messiah

would come and bring God’s kingdom into the world. 

           

            This couldn’t be the Messiah — could it?

           

            Or — could it?

           

            They were really not sure.

           

            After He finished talking to the crowds, the stranger looked at them — and told them to go out and let down their nets for a catch.

 

            Peter began to argue that they had tried all night and had no luck at all — but then He thought about these words he had just heard — and said —

 

            “If you say so …”

           

            He wasn’t sure — but it was worth a try.  

           

            Something told him that there was certainly something different about this man. 

           

            They went farther out — and lowered their nets.

           

            When they did — there were fish!

 

            Fish!

 

            And not just some — but enough to tear their nets!

 

            Fish!

 

            No one had caught this many fish before!

            It was unheard of!

 

            They signaled for their partners to come and help — and when they got there — they struggled to bring the nets in — and dumped so many fish into the boats that the boats began to sink.

           

            What a fish story that was!

           

            Peter sensed that something was very different about this man.

           

            No one could speak the things He spoke.

            No one could do the things He did.

            He must be the Messiah.

            He must be the Lord!

 

            And — He must get away from Peter — or Peter must get away from Him.

           

            Peter knew himself better than anyone else — or so he thought.

            Peter knew what kind of a person he was.

            Peter knew how wrong he had been all his life.

            Peter knew what a rough character he had been.

            Peter knew that he had no business being in the same boat with the Lord.

 

            “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”

 

Peter begged.

 

            But — this stranger — the Lord — said something very unusual — He said:

 

“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”

 

            What else could Peter do?

            When they got to the shore — Peter – James – and John left everything — even the remarkable catch of fish — and followed the Messiah. 

 

            They were no longer going to catch fish — but people.  They were going to tell everyone they saw about the marvelous truths Jesus — the Messiah — was saying — the marvelous things He was doing — and the marvelous ways He changed their lives.

           

            They probably did not understand everything that it meant to do so – but they were ready to try to fish — but now for people.

 

            Who are we?

            What are we to be doing?

 

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

            Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:9. 

 

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Part of what that means is that we are chosen for ministry

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be the best

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to worship

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be triumphant

And – part of what that means is that we are chosen to be obedient

 

Chosen To Be Obedient

Chosen To Be Obedient

 

The United States Marine Corps has the motto:

“We are looking for a few good men.”

 Today they add, “…and women.”

When Jesus started his ministry, he too was looking for a few good people who would follow Him – who would be obedient to Him – who would learn from Him – who would do His work in the world. 

When Jesus called the first disciples from the lakeshore, He chose them from the common, ordinary people of the day. These men were not exceptional. They were just like each one of us. But Jesus inspired them to see themselves in a new light, and to give themselves to new possibilities.

They heard Jesus speak and experienced a miraculous catch of fish – Peter begged Jesus to leave – he was too sinful to be around Jesus – but Jesus issued them a challenge:

leave your nets and to become my followers

stop fishing for fish – start fishing for people

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

We are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

We are chosen for ministry

We are chosen to be the best

We are chosen to worship          

We are chosen to be triumphant

We are chosen to be obedient

Jesus’ call to be obedient to Him can still be heard today. 

There are times that some of us do not respond because we do not know how, but more often than not, we don’t follow Him – we aren’t obedient to Him — because we don’t know why we should follow.  We are not sure why we should be obedient. Our failure to be obedient is not based on our failure to understand what it means to be called – or chosen – by God — but it is based on the fact that if we realize that if we respond it will mean sacrifice and hardship – and we wonder why we should do this.

Too many times, when we hear Jesus’ call to give up everything — that we are to deny ourselves, take up a cross and follow Him, instead of being obedient we ask

Why?

Why should I?

Why should I deprive myself, give up other things I might be enjoying — get involved in the things of Jesus – the things of Church – which might require of me more that I would like to give – and to do more that what I would like to do?

Well – we should get involved in the things of Jesus – the things of the Church – because we are chosen to do so.

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

We are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

We are chosen for ministry

We are chosen to be the best

We are chosen to worship          

We are chosen to be triumphant

We are chosen to be obedient

Chosen to be obedient.

If we are serious about following Jesus, we can’t ask

“What is in it for me?”

or

“What will I get out of it?”

The life Jesus calls us to live is not a life of selfish existence. The purpose for life is to give, not to receive. Over and over again, in different ways, Jesus reinforces this point of view. As he said,

“Whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a person, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a person give in return for his life?” (Mark 8:35-37).

If we become followers of Christ believing that we will be given peace of mind from all problems and cares, we are misguided. Jesus said very clearly that He came not to bring peace but to bring a sword. He calls us to join him in waging a war against the sins that exist in the world. His way of life is total warfare against all that is wrong, destructive, and perverse.

If we become followers of Christ believing that we will be given all the material things we will every need,  we are misguided. Bearing a cross does not mean ever-enlarging bank accounts and acquisitions. He clearly points this out when he was asked by James and John to sit on his right and left side in the kingdom. This was not granted by Jesus. Following him is not favoritism but sacrifice.

We are not chosen to have peace of mind – we are not chosen to be instantly successful – but

We are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

We are chosen for ministry

We are chosen to be the best

We are chosen to worship          

We are chosen to be triumphant

We are chosen to be obedient

 

Chosen To Be Obedient

 

But – why should we be obedient to the call of Christ to give up all and follow Him?

What good reason is there that would make us be willing to be obedient to Jesus – to accept a cross – to make sacrifices — or to walk the second mile?

One answer is that, in Jesus, we find absolute truth. No one else ever lived and taught about God in the same way Jesus did. His revelation is unique. Time and time again his love and forgiveness are profound. God does not love as humans love. God does not forgive as humans forgive. God does not give as humans give. God is consistently and constantly the source of all love, forgiveness, and giving.

Being obedient to Jesus means that we experience these truths each day. Jesus is not one thing at one moment and another the next moment. He is reliable. Fortunately for us, His ways are not our ways.

Jesus saw in the humble fishermen on the shore of the Sea of Galilee the  possibility of greatness. He chose them to follow Him – and chose them to be obedient to Him.  And they responded in obedience.

Jesus sees in us the ability to do great things for Him – and chooses us to be obedient to Him. 

Jesus sees in you the ability to do great things for Him – and chooses you to be obedient to Him. 

Do you respond in obedience?

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

You are one of the glorious people of God – chosen to show the world the glories of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

You are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

You are chosen for ministry

You are chosen to be the best

You are chosen to worship          

You are chosen to be triumphant

You are chosen to be obedient

Robert Schuller tells the story of a senior pastor of a large church who had a negative self-image. Discouraged, he went into the sanctuary alone, got down on his knees at the altar rail in humility, and prayed, “O God, I know I am nothing. I am just nothing.” Just then the assistant pastor stepped into the sanctuary and overheard the senior pastor’s prayer. So he came alongside, and kneeling, also prayed “O God, I am nothing. I am just nothing.” As this was going on, the janitor entered the sanctuary and, being profoundly moved by the prayers of the two ministers, knelt beside the assistant and joined in their prayer, saying, “O God, I also know I am nothing. I am just nothing.” The senior pastor then realized that he needed to humbly, obediently, follow God – even if he did not feel he was worthy or had the gifts to do so.  Obviously God had other ideas! 

Christ called the humble fishermen — and he calls us — because He knows that love and redeeming grace could produce greatness. 

Obediently follow Christ – and great things will come for Christ.

So – what might this obedience to Christ mean for us?

It can take on many forms – but all of them involve doing what Christ calls you to do. For Peter – James – and John it meant being available for Christ – listening to Christ – and obeying Christ.

It still means being available – listening – and obeying. 

Last year Sally and I heard Christ call us to move from a place where we had lived – worked – and ministered for 23 years – and by last June it was clear to us that Christ was calling us to come here.  After the call was confirmed by Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry and the congregation, we moved here.  I can’t say we “dropped everything” as Peter, James, and John did – we are still dealing with unpacking all the things we brought with us – but we made the move – believing that God would bless us. And you know what? He did. And still is.  And I am confident will continue to do so. 

When Christ calls, be obedient, and you will be blessed.  

Another thing being obedient to Christ can mean is being willing to take every opportunity you have to stand up for Christ and share Christ with others. I hope you have read or seen on television – or maybe on my blog – about how Tony Dungy – coach of the Indianapolis Colts – and Lovie Smith – coach of the Chicago Bears – the two coaches who will be facing each other on opposite sidelines as their teams compete in the Super Bowl this evening – have used the media attention they have received for the past few weeks as an opportunity to talk about their faith in Christ and what it has meant to them.  They have made a commitment to use their fame to talk about their faith.

Maybe you won’t ever have a moment of fame as large as Lovie Smith’s or Tony Dungy’s – but we all have numerous opportunities to talk about our faith in Christ.  When your moments come – don’t pass them by – be obedient to Christ – share Christ – and you will be blessed.

Another thing being obedient to Christ can mean is taking action to help someone. 

Almost 20 years ago the young people at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia – a church that at that time was not much larger than Hopewell – saw that there were people in Columbia who were hungry – and decided that they could help do something about that.  On Super Bowl Sunday they took up an offering and sent it to a local agency that was giving food to the hungry. From the youth at one church deciding to be obedient to Christ’s call to share with others has come the Souper Bowl of Caring offering that we will take up today – and that churches throughout the world will collect.  Our offering will go to the House of Hope Ministry that gives homeless people in Florence a place to stay and helps them get back on their feet.

That’s part of what it means to be obedient to the call of Christ.

The examples can go on and on – and are probably as different as each of us – for Christ calls us to be obedient and to use out particular gifts and abilities in every way we can to serve Him.

Be available for Christ.

Listen to Christ. 

Obey Christ.

We are chosen to be obedient to the call of Christ to give all – and follow.

God in Christ is still calling out to you:

“Follow me.”

May our response be like that of the Prophet Isaiah, who was in the Temple at Jerusalem when he heard the voice of the Lord say, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then Isaiah cried out, “Here am I! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

May our response be like that of Peter, James, and John – who obediently dropped everything and followed Jesus.

Who are we – and what are we to be doing?

 

you are a chosen people,  a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of Him  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

 

            Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:9. 

 

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Part of what that means is that we are chosen for ministry

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be the best

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to worship

Part of what that means is that we are chosen to be triumphant

And – part of what that means is that we are chosen to be obedient

 

Chosen to be obedient.

 

Amen.

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