Matthew 4:12-22

Matthew 4:12-22

The Search Is Over

January 27, 2008

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When I was a student at Columbia Theological Seminary one of the first courses that was required of incoming first year students – after they passed Greek – as what we called P – 111. It was course 111 in the Pastoral area of studies – thus the name P-111.  The course was designed to help incoming students look at their interests, personality, and other areas of themselves so they could identify their strengths for ministry and the areas they may need to strengthen to be an effective minister.  This was the course we were introduced to psychological ideas such as Erickson’s Maturity Cycle and helpful tools such as the Myers Briggs Personality Inventory.  All these helped us understand ourselves better – our personality – our strengths and weaknesses – why we reacted to certain things the way we did and how we could react in a more positive way – why we related to people the way we did and how we might relate to people better. 

Some of my classmates hated the course! They did not want to look at themselves – and did not want to understand why they related to others like they did or change they way they related to others. I, on the other hand, loved the course. I loved studying the maturity cycle and trying to figure out “what made me tick” – and I especially loved trying to figure out “what made others tick”.  I was so enthralled with the ideas that – a couple of years later when I was still studying these things while taking a summer of Clinical Pastoral Education when Sally and I  got married — I tried share with them with her.  My method may not have been the best, however – one night after we had had a long “discussion” as I liked to call them – - some might call them arguments – I looked at her and said – in what I thought was a very loving tone of voice but she remembers it otherwise:

“You know – we are not in the stage of our relationship we need to be in!”

Let me give you some advice – while it may be good to discuss the “stage of your relationship” with your spouse – don’t try it after an argument – or a discussion – or whatever you call it. Her reaction was not what I expected – and lead to much further discussion – which I feel the entire dormitory we were living in may have heard!  I learned quickly that while I can analyze people and situations, it is sometimes wise to pick the times I share my analysis – and sometimes wise to just keep it to myself altogether!

Anyway – the professor who lead the small group I was in for P 111 looked at me one day and said:

“Bill – you are a seeker – a searcher.

I knew he was right.  I was always seeking – searching for new ways to do things, new ways to understand things, new information.  I was – and to some  extent still am – a seeker. 

A lot of folks are that way –

Some are always looking for a new way to do something – always bragging about how they have found the “best thing” – but when you see them later they have found something else. 

Seekers

Searchers

People with very little commitment to anything but searching – who go from one idea or philosophy or way of doing something to the next without sticking to anything for long. While being open to new ideas and new ways of doing things is important and even necessary for healthy living – continually searching – seeking – without truly committing to one thing is not a good thing.

I remember reading about a book about us North Americans entitled A Nation of Seekers. In many ways, that’s who we are as a country. We are a nation on the move. All of us are looking for something. Some make drastic changes readily – and are intense seekers. Others are on a more restrained journey. But to some extent many of us are seekers.

Seekers.

Searchers.

Seeking answers to many of life’s questions – answers to help us make sense out of life. A number of years ago, on public television, the distinguished scholar, Houston Smith, did a survey of the world’s great religions.  He called it “The Long Search.”  He concluded that many people were religious seekers – searchers – looking for answers for life in religion – and trying many different religions to find the answers. You may remember back in the 1970’s some church folks put bumper stickers on their cars that said in large letters: “I FOUND IT.” The implication was that they had been looking for something, and now they had at last found it.  If you asked them, they might say the “it” that they had found was Jesus. My Dad threatened to put a bumper sticker on our car that read: “I NEVER LOST IT!”

This sense of being on a journey – or searching – or seeking – is a major characteristic for many people. Many feel that the important thing is to be on a journey — it is not important to ever arrive at a destination. In fact, for many people, anyone who stands up and proclaims, “I found it” is regarded as someone who detoured from the path too soon. The search is better than the destination.

A friend tells me that one week at Duke University they had a local businessman who gave a lecture to about 200 students entitled, “My Five Years with a Zen Master.” Two hundred students sat there in rapt attention for two hours, taking notes and nodding in agreement as he talked about the joys of studying Zen Buddhism. Two nights later, a graduate student gave a talk called, “My Semester in a Benedictine Monastery.” Again, about 200 students were in attendance, in rapt attention for over an hour — and they were the same students!

We are a nation of searchers.

Although intellectual curiosity is good, and though the Christian gospels all depict Jesus as inviting people to be on a journey, this image of our long search, our groping for God, is not at all what Christianity is all.  It is not what Jesus was all about as the Bible tells it. The Bible is not so much a long record of our search for God; but it is  the amazing account of the extraordinary lengths to which God but will go to search for us.

Our seeking God is not so much the issue in the Bible.  The issue is God’s seeking us.

God is searching for us

You will notice this in the accounts of Christmas.

Hardly anyone in all the stories of Christmas was looking for God. They weren’t searching for something more meaningful in their lives. They were not looking for some way to find deeper significance. True, old Elizabeth and Zechariah are portrayed as those who are awaiting the fulfillment of the promise of God to Israel. But Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, what were they looking for? I suspect most of them, probably because they were people on the bottom, poor people, were simply trying to get by in life. They were searching for their daily bread, nothing more. The magi, the wise men, were on a search, following the star, looking for the king. But they are portrayed as those who did not know where to look. In their search, they naively go and ask King Herod where this new “king” can be found.

In our Gospel passage before us today Matthew begins to describe Jesus’ ministry.  He writes that:   

“people who have sat in darkness have seen a great light.”

That’s probably a good way to characterize our search. We are those who search, but our search is little more than a groping about in the darkness.

Seekers in the darkness

Searchers in the darkness

Do you think Andrew and Peter – James and John – were seeking – searching for – Jesus when He called them? That’s not how Matthew tells it. They were going about their daily business – fishing – not looking for God or for Jesus – just trying to make a living – but what happens? Jesus seeks for them. Jesus searches for them. Jesus finds them – and calls them to follow.

They have not sought for Jesus as much as Jesus has sought for them. They have not found Jesus as much as Jesus has found them. It’s that way in many stories of the Gospels. Many people seem to do almost anything to avoid Jesus — but Jesus is intrusive, resourceful, and relentless in reaching out people. That’s the way the Bible tells it.

Remember the time that he met a little man named Zacchaeus?  Zacchaeus climbed up the sycamore tree in order to get a glimpse of the celebrity walking by. But then the celebrity stopped and said: “Zacchaeus, I’m going to come to your house for dinner.”  Well Zacchaeus climbed down from the tree – and Jesus climbed into Zaccahaeus’ life.

Jesus told stories about a shepherd who goes and beats the bushes, goes to great lengths, just to find merely one lost sheep. He said the kingdom of God was like a woman who rips her house apart, searching from top to bottom until she finds her one lost coin.

Seeking

Searching

Jesus is constantly seeking and searching.  God is constantly seeking and searching. The main requirement to get found by God, according to Jesus, is to be lost. Jesus is the Savior who just loves to seek and to save the lost.

Seeking

Searching

Now – I realize that this may go against the grain of why you think that you are here.  You might think that you are here because you are searching for something. Maybe your life is rich and rewarding in many ways. But in other ways, there is flatness about things, sometimes an emptiness. So you come to church, hoping that something will be said or sung that will help you in your search.

Well—that is not the way the Bible tells it.

According to scripture, you are here because you have been sought, called, summoned. You are here because God has reached in, grabbed you and put you here.

God is seeking

God is searching

It is not so much that you are seeking and searching for God – but God who is seeking and searching – for you!  And when you hear stories about the long search — God’s long search for you –  it should condition you to pay attention.

Notice those little coincidences in your life, those strange happenings, and those thoughts, that you find you have difficulty putting into the context of other thoughts. Perhaps all of this is part of God’s continuing attempts draw you to Him.

We have a tendency to be “in the dark” many times.  We have a propensity to look in all the wrong places, to want all the wrong things. God could not leave us to our own devices – but God comes to us — God calls to us.

Just like Jesus came to and called Peter — Andrew – James — John – Jesus comes to us and calls us as we are going about our daily lives. Christianity is not so much a religion of discovery as it is a religion of calling. It is God calling us that makes our relationship with God possible. There is seeking and searching – but not us seeking and searching for God – but God seeking and searching for us.  So keep looking over your shoulder as you go through life. Keep being attentive to the strange little things, the odd, glorious things that happen to you.

Friends – your search for God – and God’s long search for you – can be over. You may not have found God – but God has found you. God knows you.  God calls you. God wants you to follow Him. 

The question is – are you ready for the search to be over?

Are you ready to give up trying everything but God – trying every way to live but God’s ways – trying every way to find contentment and fulfillment in life but God’s ways to find thee things?

Are you ready to give up on your search for God – and let God be successful in His search for you?

Do you want to keep searching for God – for life – for meaning –  on your terms – even though you’ll never find it – or are you ready to let God find you on His terms – and give you life – meaning – and purpose?

Friends – the beautiful fact is that God is searching for you.  God wants to give you life – salvation – meaning – and purpose.  You’ll never find these things if you search for them on your own – no matter how long you try. Doesn’t it just make sense to quit searching for something you’ll never find – and let God find you?

God is searching for you. You can stop – you can let God find you – and God’s search for you – and your search for life and meaning and purpose – can be over.

God is searching for you.

Let God find you – and your search – and God’s – will be over.

Amen

 

    

John 1:29-42

John 1:29-42

“Let It Shine”

January 20, 2008

Read Scripture

 

This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,

let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
      Won’t let Satan blow it out , I’m gonna let it shine.
      Won’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine,

                         let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
               Hide it under a bushel

               NO!  I’m gonna let it shine.
              Hide it under a bushel

              NO!  I’m gonna let it shine,

                       Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

            This is one of my favorite “children’s songs” or spirituals.  It’s easy to remember — and fun to sing.   It’s just one of those “fun songs” that I enjoy! 

            I was surprised when I was on the internet the other day and just happened to “goggle” “This Little Light Of Mine” to see that there are several videos of Bruce Springsteen singing “This Little Light of Mine” in concert.  Of course, it goes a little bit faster than the version I was used to singing!

        “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”  That comes from the Sermon on the Mount, where in Matthew 5:14-15 Jesus said:

“You are the light of the world.

A city built on a hill cannot be hid.

No one after lighting a lamp

puts it under the bushel basket,

but on the lampstand,

and it gives light to all in the house” (Matthew 5:14-15).

      So we sing, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

      I can remember singing that song as a child. It was fin to sing and fun  to do the motions — it was fun to shout no! — and not get into trouble for it. Even as a child, I had some idea what “I’m gonna let it shine” meant.  I understood that I was pledging to let my light shine for Jesus.  I wasn’t sure how I could do that –– or even if I could do that –– but I knew it was a promise –– and I wanted to keep the promise!

      “I’m gonna let it shine.” 

      Are you letting your little light shine for Jesus? 

      John the Baptist let his light shine for Jesus – and others learned about Jesus and came to believe in Jesus because of it.

      Andrew let his light shine for Jesus, too.

      Are you letting your light shine for Jesus?

      There are a lot of you in this congregation are letting their lights shine.  Some have public and very visible roles — like George and Glen – but many of you shine your lights in quieter ways.  Some of you teach Sunday school or sing in the choir.  Some of you serve as ushers. Some of you serve as Elders – and some serve on committees.  Some of you invite friends and neighbors to come to church with them.  Some of you give generously to support the work of the Church or the missions we support.  Some of you just have a kind word and a smile for everyone they meet.  Some of you do several of these things –– and then again some of you do many of these things. 

      Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

      I have heard it said that in most churches twenty percent of the people do eighty percent of the work.  That is probably true. When it comes to letting their light shine for Jesus, some people are like a thousand-watt light bulb.  They shine their light so brightly that they light many different corners.  Their work brightens all our lives.  But — I have to wonder what it would be like if we could have thirty percent of the people involved like that –– or forty percent –– or fifty percent – or – dare I say it — a hundred percent.  After all, every Christian ought to be letting his or her light shine for Jesus in some way. 

      John the Baptist let his light shine.  God had not called John to be one of Jesus’ disciples, but he had  called John to point others to Jesus. 

      That’s what we see John doing in our Gospel lesson today. 

      To understand what John was doing, we need to know a little about him. 

      John was a prophet –– the first prophet Israel had known for 400 years.  People flocked after him.  Instead of setting up a tent at the edge of a city, John went to the desert to preach –– and people came by the thousands to hear him.  He had many disciples.  He was like a religious rock star. But one day John was standing with two of his disciples when he saw Jesus walking by.  John said to his two disciples,

      “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” ––

      at which John’s two disciples left him –– and began to follow Jesus.

      John was letting his little light shine –– and it cost him!  In this case, it cost him two disciples.  We don’t get any indication that John was disappointed at their leaving or that he was jealous of Jesus.  Whenever we hear about John, he is telling everyone how wonderful Jesus is.  John knew that God had sent him to prepare the way for Jesus, and he was happy to do that.

      John the Baptist let his light shine! 

      Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

      Two of John’s disciples left him and began to follow Jesus.  One of the disciples was Andrew, and we don’t even know the other disciple’s name.  We don’t know much about Andrew either.  Andrew is one of Jesus’ disciples who mostly stands in the background–  but quiet Andrew did one thing that turned out well.  He went to get his brother, Simon Peter, and said, “We have found the Messiah!”  He brought Peter to Jesus, and Peter became the leader of Jesus’ disciples. 

      Andrew let his light shine! 

      Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

      You see — that’s the way it works.

      One Christian lets their light shine, and that light changes another person’s life.  Then that person lets his their light shine, and that light changes someone else’s life. 

      It’s kind of  like throwing a stone in a lake and watching the ripples.  How far do the ripples go?  How many lives do they touch?  It is not possible to say.  God can keep the ripples going for a very long time.

      I am reminded of Mordecai Ham. 

      Mordecai was an evangelist.  In 1934, he conducted a revival meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.  One of the people who came forward was a tall, gangly boy who had just turned sixteen.  I don’t know how many other people came forward.  I don’t know whether Mordecai felt that he had conducted a successful revival.  He may have not remembered that sixteen year old boy very long.  But that boy was Billy Graham, who took the light that Mordecai Ham had given him and held it aloft for everyone to see. 

      Modecai Ham let his light shine.

      Billy Graham let his light shine.

      Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

      How well do you let your light shine?

      When we let our light shine, how far does it shine? 

      How much good does it do? 

      Does it change lives? 

      Does it help people? 

      Only God knows!  But God is faithful.  If we go through life letting our light shine for Jesus, we can be sure that God will make something of it.  We won’t know the full effects during our lifetime.  But just wait until we get to heaven.  I believe that God will reveal to us wonders that we never imagined.  I believe that God will show us that our lives really counted for something –– if we let our lights shine.

      A few years ago the Christian music artist wrote and recorded a song entitled “Thank You For Giving To The Lord”.   The setting for the song was a dream in which someone was in heaven and all kinds of people were coming to them and thanking them for what they had done for Jesus in their lives.  People who the person in the dream had never even met were coming up to them and saying:

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

I am a life that was changed.

Thank you for giving to the Lord

I am so glad you gave.

      That’s what happens when we give to the Lord.

      I believe that’s what happens when we let our light shine for Jesus.

       Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

      John the Baptist let his light shine and many people – including some of his disciples – discovered and followed Jesus.

      Andrew let his light shine and Peter – and I am sure many others – followed Jesus.

      Mordecai Ham let his light shine and many – including Billy Graham – followed Jesus.

      Billy Graham let his light shine and countless people have come to know about Jesus.

      Let your light shine!

      There is no telling what the effect will be if you let your light shine for Christ!

      Let your light shine!

       Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

      John the Baptist – Andrew – Mordecai Ham – - Billy Graham – and thousands of others throughout the centuries have let their light shine for Christ – and others lives have been changed. 

How do we let our light shine for Christ?

            Do we do this by going out and telling others about what God has done for us – and can do for them?

            Of course — that is one way.

            But it’s not the only way!

            In fact — unless we back up what we say about Christ with actions — what we say will lose it’s desired effect.

            By our words — and our actions — we need to tell the world that we know that Christ has come — that we know that Christ has changed our lives — and that we know that Christ can change the world.

            By our words and actions we can let our lights shine!

You see –  Andrew was so excited to tell others about Christ that he could hardly wait to tell Peter. 

He could hardly wait to let his light sine!

             Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

Like Andrew — you have exciting news to tell!

            Let your light shine!

Let your words and your actions proclaim the presence of Christ in your life — and in our world. Let Christ change your life — have a life-changing relationship with Christ — then proclaim the life-changing — world-changing — power of Christ in all you say — and in all you do.

Let the light of Christ shine through you!

            Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

      Now — you may be wondering —

      What words — and what actions — do I use?

            Well, you use words that leave no doubt that your life has been changed by Christ — and the lives of others can be changed by Christ, also. 

Words that tell of salvation through Christ — of forgiveness of sins — the things you have experienced in Christ — but don’t limit it to salvation of our souls. 

            You also need words of love and caring — words of compassion — words that not only communicate repentance and salvation — but words that communicate to those in need the Christ has come — your life has been changed — you have been given new life and new hope — and their lives can be changed — and they can have new life and new hope, also.

You use words that let the light and love of Christ shine through you.

            Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

            You can tell about Christ in your words — but you can also tell about Christ in your actions.

            You can let the light of Christ shine through your words – but you can also let the light of Christ shine through your actions.

            Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

            Let your life be changed by Christ — have a life-changing relationship with Christ — and then act in ways that leave no doubt in others minds that their lives can be changed, also. 

            Have actions that show the love, compassion, and caring of Christ to those in need — and everyone is in need in some way — whether that need be spiritual, emotional, or physical. 

            Let Christ change — and make a difference in — your life — then have actions that show to the world — to everyone you come into contact with — that Christ has come — that your life has been changed — and theirs can, too. In fact, the Church — the community — the world can be changed — because Christ has come!

            Let the love of Christ shine through you!

            Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

            The world — the community — everyone you meet every day — need desperately to hear and see that Christ has come. Everyone — regardless of their station in life or the level of their needs — need to hear and see that Christ has come.

      So what – specifically — do you have to do to let your light shine? 

      That depends on what God calls you to do and gives you the gifts to do. 

      God calls and gives gifts to some of us to be preachers–– and others to be Sunday school teachers –– and others to be organists or pianists or choir leaders or choir members –– and others to lead the Church from the Session – and others to work with youth – and others to help with the finances of the Church — and so many more things that are vital to how this Church and it’s ministry is conducted.  But, most of all, God calls us to be Christians –– people who try to live as Jesus would have us live.  That, in itself, can be a powerful witness.  Philip Yancey, the Christian author, asks:

“What would happen in the national consensus

if these nine words came to mind

when you said the word, ‘Christian’:

love, joy peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?”

       Those are the nine things that the Apostle Paul listed as the fruits of the Spirit in his letter to the Galatian church (Galatians 5:22-23):

“Love, joy peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?”

      Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

      Not all of us are called to be preachers. 

      Not all of us are called to be Sunday school teachers. 

      Not all of us are called to be choir members.

      But all of us –– all of us ––are called to bear the fruits of the Spirit. 

      What could God do with your life if the people who know you best would think of you as a person filled with:

“Love, joy peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?”

      What could God do with your life if you were to shine to light of Christ into the world!

      What could God do with this Church if 10 – 30 – 50 – or 100% of us were willing to let the light of Christ shine through us?

      What could God do in the community – and in the world – if we meant it when we sang:

       This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,

                                                            let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

      And really meant it?

      I’m calling on each of us today to do some soul-searching. 

      God wants to make something out of your life. 

      God does not want you to live a life of drudgery. 

      God does not want you to go through life just putting one foot in front of the other. 

      God wants you live a joyful, productive life.

      God wants you to be a light shining in the darkness –– helping others who are trying to find their way.       God wants you to know that it is important that you are alive – that you are letting the light of Christ shine though you.  God wants to have a wonderful tour set up for you in heaven filled with each person yiou have touched for Him.

      So what can you do? 

      You can let your light shine!

     The first thing is to pray –– asking God to reveal what he has in mind for your life. 

      The second thing is to listen –– to hear God when he speaks. 

      And then, when God shows you something that needs doing, do it. 

      When God shows you someone who needs helping, help them. 

      When God shows you a problem, start looking for a solution. 

      With God’s help, you will be astonished at what you can do  –– if you just let your light shine.

      Like John the Baptist.

      Like Andrew.

      Like Mordecai Ham.

      Like Billy Graham.

      Like so many others have done.

      Let the light of Christ shine through you.

      Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

      Indeed:

 

This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,

                                                            let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.  Amen.

 

 

           

Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:13-17

Called To Please God

January 13, 2007

Baptism Of The Lord

Read Scripture

In her book of poems Searching For Shalom the poet Ann Weems has a poem entitled “New Shoots”. Weems writes:

Born in the light of the bright morning star,

we are new.

Not patched, not mended … but new

like a newborn …

like the morning …

The guilt-blotched yesterdays are gone;

the soul stains are no more!

There is no looking back;

there are no regrets.

In our newness, we are free.

In the power of God’s continuing creation,

we are:

new shoots from the root of Jesse,

new branches from the one true Vine,

new songs breaking through the world’s deafness.

This then is a new day.

New shoots, new branches,

new songs, new day …

Bathed in the promise of God’s New Creation,

we begin.

Ann Weems. “New Shoots” Searching for Shalom, p. 56

Today is one of the days in the Church year when we celebrate the newness God gives us in Christ. Today is the day of The Baptism of the Lord — the day when the church has historically reflected upon the baptism of Christ – what that might have meant for Him – and what Baptism might mean for us.

Baptism is one of the 2 sacraments of the Presbyterian Church – Communion being the other – and we celebrate Baptism when an unbaptised adult joins the church or when parents present their child to be brought into the family of God.

But — what does baptism really mean?

In her poem “New Shoots” Ann Weems seems to understand baptism as an opportunity to somehow become a new person — to somehow become something or someone that you are have not been in the past.

It seems that Baptism may be an opportunity for us to live a life that is pleasing to God.

We are called to please God.

Called to please God.

But — what does Baptism have to do with this?

What does Baptism really mean?

Is it merely an initiation rite into the church — sprinkling water over someone’s head or immersing someone in water — whichever method is used — and saying some words and praying some prayers — so that they will remember the day and the promises they have made or so the parents will remember the day and their promises?

Is it merely words — merely promises — with no requirement of response or responsibility on our part?

Is that what Baptism is all about?

Was the Holy Spirit and the voice of God at Jesus’ baptism only to help him remember that day — but not a call to respond to God?

I don’t think so!

Surely the Sacrament of Baptism – the presence of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God at Jesus’ baptism – are more than just ways to help us remember God’s love and grace in our lives — but not let God’s love and grace change our lives.

There has got to be something more to it than that.

Surely Baptism means more than that!

Here’s what I believe – I believe that Baptism reminds us that we are called to please God – and it is a call to us to live lives that are pleasing to God. It’s a call – and an opportunity for response.

We are called to please God.

Called to please God.

So — what does baptism really mean?

What really happens at baptism?

Today’s Gospel lesson gives us an opportunity to consider Jesus’ baptism — and even reconsider ours.

Maybe we should ask:

What really happened at Jesus’ baptism?

How did Jesus understand His baptism?

Looking at how Jesus may have understood His baptism may help us understand what His baptism may have meant for Him — and what ours can mean for us.

Here is Jesus — born of Mary in a miraculous way – now grown into an adult – probably in His early 30’s. The gospels are relatively quiet about what happened to Jesus as He grew — there is the story of the trip to the temple at the age of 12 — but beyond that — nothing is mentioned. But now He is an adult. He is ready to assume His place in the world.

But — what place is that?

Will He be a carpenter all His life?

No – He must have felt that there was more in store for Him than that.

But — what?

Maybe He is not quite sure.

Surely Mary had told Him about how special He is.

Surely He has divine yearnings within His soul.

But — what does it all mean?

So – maybe He comes to John — a cousin who was also born in a miraculous way — and is baptized.

And maybe He gets some answers to His questions.

The heavens are opened.

The Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove.

And God says:

“This is my Son, whom I love.

With Him I am well pleased.”

I love the way Eugene Peterson translates it in The Message:

“This is my son.

Chosen and marked by my love.

Delight of my life.”

Now — surely all this meant something to Jesus — but what?

I want to make a suggestion here.

Could it be that — for Jesus — His baptism was the beginning of His ministry — the beginning of His understanding of who He is and what He is to do — and the beginning of God’s strength for doing God’s will?

Could it be that baptism was a time for Jesus to realize God’s amazing love — and respond to it?

Could it be that at His baptism Jesus finally realized what it meant that He was chosen by God –

Chosen and marked by God’s love

The delight of God’s life?

“This is my son.

Chosen and marked by my love.

Delight of my life.” Peterson has God saying at the Baptism of Jesus.

What powerful words!

What a powerful – energizing – idea!

“This is my son.

Chosen and marked by my love.

Delight of my life.”

At Jesus’ baptism, I like to think that God acted in a powerful way – that God let Jesus know of His choice of Him as His son – and of God’s delight in Him

– and God called Jesus into and energized Jesus for a powerful ministry. This was the beginning of a 3 – year journey of healing, teaching, and working miracles that ended on the cross — but continued at the resurrection — and by the work of the Holy Spirit — still continues today.

At His baptism Jesus was reminded of who He was – God’s delight – God’s chosen – God’s very Son –

At His baptism Jesus was reminded that He was called to please God – and He was given the strength and ability to live a life that pleased God.

Jesus was called to please God.

So are we.

We are called to please God.

We are called to please God.

At His baptism Jesus was called by God — reminded of who He was and what He was to do — and He began doing it.

Jesus realized that He was chosen by God – called to please God — reminded of God’s plan for His life — and responded to it.

He realized the amazing fact that He was Chosen and marked by God’s love — the delight of God’s life.

He realized God’s amazing love — and responded in commitment.

He realized that He was chosen by God – and responded with a sense of commitment to God’s plan for Him.

He realized that He was chosen.

Chosen by God – called by God.

Maybe that’s what baptism was all about for Him.

When Jesus came to John – John at first did not want to baptize Him. It’s somewhat humorous that John refused to baptize some of the Scribes and Pharisees because he did not think they were religious enough – and then at first refused to baptize Jesus because Jesus was too religious!

Jesus answered John’s objections with a strange statement:

“It is proper for us to do this

to fulfill all righteousness”.

What does that mean?

While we can’t really be sure – one thing it might mean is that Jesus wanted to fulfill God righteous plan and righteous will for His life – which at that point meant that He be baptized and give God to opportunity to proclaim Him as His son – who was called to please Him.

Jesus’ baptism might have been one of the times when He realized that He was called by God – empowered by God – and called to please God.

Come to think of it — is this not what baptism is all about for us, also?

Whether it be an infant or believer baptism, baptism is a sign and seal — a reminder — of who we are and what we are to do as God’s people. It is a reminder of God’s amazing love for us — and a call to respond to God’s love by letting it change our lives and make us new people.

Baptism is a powerful reminder that we are called – and strengthened – to please God.

It’s a reminder that we are

Called To Please God

Called To Please God

Baptism is a reminder to us that we are chosen and marked by God’s love – that we are the delight of God’s life.

Just as God said to Jesus:

“You are my son.

Chosen and marked by my love.

Delight of my life.”

God says to us:

“You are my child,

My son – my daughter —

Chosen and marked by my love.

Delight of my life.”

Baptism is the sign and seal of God’s love for us – and is a time to remember that we are chosen – marked – loved – and delighted in by God.

It is a time when we can be reminded that we are

Called To Please God

Called To Please God

At baptism, God reminds us that we are God’s people — created by God — called by God — loved by God – and delighted in by God –

We are reminded that we are chosen by God.

What a marvelous truth this is – that we are chosen — created — called — loved – and delighted in by God –

Regardless of who we are –

what we have done in the past –

how we have lived –

what our circumstances might be –

the marvelous truth is that we are chosen — created — called — loved – and delighted in by God!

We are

Called To Please God

Called To Please God

What an act of gracious love God shows – as He chooses us to be His people – and chooses us to live lives that are pleasing to Him!

God is saying to us:

“You are my child,

My son – my daughter —

Chosen and marked by my love.

Delight of my life”

We are

Called To Please God

Called To Please God

But – that choosing – that creating – that calling – that loving – and that delighting carries with it responsibility – and a call to respond.

Jesus responded by taking the strength God gave Him to do God’s work in the world.

How do we respond?

How do you respond?

Jesus knew that He was created — called — and loved for a purpose — that purpose being to live a life that was pleasing to God.

So are we.

We are created — called — and loved for a purpose — that purpose being to live a life that is pleasing to God..

“You are my child,

My son – my daughter —

Chosen and marked by my love.

Delight of my life.”

Baptism reminds us of who we are – children of God – chosen — created — called — loved – and delighted in by God –

and that we are not free to find our identity in anything else but God. We are God’s people – God’s children — and are to live in His ways — loving God and loving others — showing our love for God and the love of God as we reach out into the world doing God’s work.

We are chosen by God – to be the children He delights in – and to do His will in the world.

We are

Called To Please God

Called To Please God

So — what does that mean?

It means that we can repent of our past — be changed — be different — live differently – and look into the future God that has in store for us.

It means that we can no longer be the same or act the same way.

It means to:

Respond.

Repent.

Be different.

Be changed.

Be new.

Be a new person.

It means to discover and respond to God’s love — and let it change who we are.

It means that you are called to live a life that is pleasing to God – called to please God – and that God strengthens you to live this life that is pleasing to Him if you will:

Respond.

Repent.

Be different.

Be changed.

Be new.

We are

Called To Please God

Called To Please God

You are

Called To Please God

Called To Please God

Respond.

Repent.

Be different.

Be changed.

Be new.

Be a new person.

Friends — maybe your baptism was years ago.

Maybe it was so long ago you have forgotten the promises you made as you were baptized. Some of you even renewed your baptism vows when you joined this church. But maybe you haven’t thought about them in a long time.

Maybe – like me – you do not remember your baptism because you were baptized as an infant — and your parents made promises to raise you in ways so you could later on decide to repent and follow Christ.

Well – maybe you have done this – and maybe you haven’t – and even if you have it has lost its importance for you.

Maybe you are not baptized.

Whatever — on this day when we celebrate Jesus’ baptism — this day we celebrate God saying to Jesus:

“You are my son.

Chosen and marked by my love.

Delight of my life.”

let God speak to you – let God tell you:

“You are my child,

My son – my daughter —

Chosen and marked by my love.

Delight of my life.”

– then –

Respond.

Repent

Be changed

Be new

Live differently

Let yourself be changed by God

Let God call you again into repentance — into forgiveness — and into ministry – into a life that is pleasing to God.

Let God remind you again of who you are and what you are to be doing in the world.

Let’s let this Baptism of the Lord day be a time of renewal and recommitment for all of us – a time of a renewed commitment to God who loves — guides — and protects us — God who blesses us and calls us — just as Jesus was called and blessed.

Baptism is indeed more than just a way to remember an event.

It is a call that comes to us again and again.

A call to repent — to live differently — to be different — to be God’s people — to love lives pleasing to God.

Celebrate and live out the ministry God has called you to be doing in the world. Celebrate and live out this calling to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Indeed — as Ann Weems writes —

This then is a new day.

New shoots, new braches,

new songs, new day …

Bathed in the promise of God’s New Creation,

we begin. Amen.

Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Isaiah 60:1-6

Matthew 2:1-12

A Different Way Home?

January 6, 2008

Officer Ordain / Install

Communion

Read Scriptures

            Our Christmas and New Years celebrations are certainly over by now.   

            All the hubbub has probably settled down somewhat.

            You have probably finished undecorating your tress — your house may be beginning to look the same again —

            The Church looks pretty much “back to normal” –  the Chrismon tree and Chrismons have been packed away – the poinsettias are being taken to their respective homes – the Advent wreath has been packed away with a note made to buy more candles for next year – the ones we used this year have burned down.   

            Maybe you’re feeling a little “burned down” or “burned out” yourself. 

            Maybe you’re feeling like there was so much rush — and then it was over before you had time to enjoy it. 

            These are not uncommon feelings.

            In some ways we all feel “down” after Christmas.

            And New Years?

            So  many promises made — so  many hopes for a new beginning and a better year – - things are going to be different this year — but even now – just 6 days into   into the year — you may wonder if they actually will be better.  Maybe all you see now is the same old routine — no change — no real difference.

            It can be depressing.

            Even in the church – we may feel that Advent and Christmas are glorious times and glorious celebrations — but now what?

            Do we go back to the same old routine?

            What else is there for us to do?

            Is there really something new or different for us?

            O sure – we have ordained a new Elder and installed a new class of service on the Session – but we’ve done all this before.

            Will it really mean anything new and different for us now?

            Will God lead us to new challenges and new things as His Church here at Hopewell?    

            And — if there is something new and different — if we do embark on new challenges — can we rise to meet them — or will we fall?

            To us — in the midst of our questions and uncertainty — the prophet Isaiah has some startling words —

Arise!

Shine!

Your light has come!

A new day has dawned!

A new day has dawned!

            Look!

            Look at what God has done!

            Through Christ — God has come into our world — our world and our lives of confusion, darkness, despair, and routine — even our church and our wonder if anything will ever be new and exciting or if we can rise to the challenges that are before us — –

             God has come — and given us light!

Arise!

Shine!

Your light has come!

A new day has dawned!

A new day has dawned!

            What is God’s message for us on this day as we gather together for the first time this year for worship — as we have gather around God’s table and celebrated the Sacrament – a we have ordained a new Elder and installed Elders to a new class of service?    

            It is the message in our Old Testament lesson for today — the words of God through His prophet Isaiah –

Arise!

Shine!

Your light has come!

A new day has dawned!

A new day has dawned!

            In our Gospel lesson for today, Matthew tells us that the wise men – magi as the New International Version of the Bible calls them — saw the child — had an experience with Christ — and then went home “by another road” as the NRSV puts it.  Other translations say they went home “another way.”   

            Friends — here is the great truth and the message of God for us on this  day – the great truth is that every time we worship Christ — particularly as we celebrate the Sacrament of Communion – and I believe particularly as we ordain and install leaders for our Church — we have the opportunity to go home another way. 

            Now — what do I mean — “go home another way”?

            Some of you have several routes you can take to get to your homes.

            Maybe you think I mean you can take one route to get to Church — and another to get home. 

            Maybe you think I mean you can pass the road to your home – go out  to eat in town — then turn around and return home. 

That would be “going home another way” — wouldn’t it?

            O — come on.

            Surely you know me better than to think that’s what I’m talking about.

            What I’m talking about is this —

            Sure — we have to go home to the same jobs and same responsibilities and same relationships — but — we have the opportunity to go home another way — to go home differently – dare I say to go home different people — because our lives have been changed by our experience with Christ.

Arise!

Shine!

Your light has come!

A new day has dawned!

A new day has dawned!

This is an opportunity for us to see that the light of God has come into our lives through Christ — and let Christ change our lives — so that we can indeed be changed people — changed families — a changed community – yes – even a changed Church.

            This is an opportunity for us to become new people — different people — and create a different Church — a different family — a different community — a different world. 

            Christ can change us and we can be more committed people — more committed families — a more committed Church.

            We can be people — we can be families — we can be a community — we can be a church — who shows the light of Christ to the world.

            As a church, we can use this experience of ordaining and installing Elders and partaking of the Sacrament of Communion as a new beginning – seeking ways to  reflect the light of Christ by the way we worship — fellowship — study — pray — work — and committing  our resources for God and His work.

            We can reflect the light of Christ in the way we reach out to all people with the good news that Christ has come into our lives.

            We can be changed.  We can go home a different way.  We can go home a changed Church. 

Arise!

Shine!

Your light has come!

A new day has dawned!

A new day has dawned!

            As we celebrate this new year — as we celebrate our new Elder and our new class of the Session – as we celebrate the Sacrament of Communion — use this time to celebrate – to commit – and to be changed.   

            Celebrate the light of God that has come into our world — our lives — our families — our community — our Church.

            Commit to living as true disciples of Christ.   

            Hear God’s words to us:

Arise!

Shine!

Your light has come!

A new day has dawned!

A new day has dawned!

            Like Magi in Matthew’s story — follow the light to Christ —

            and let the light of Christ change the world —

            let the light of Christ change your life —

            let the light of Christ change your family –

            let the light of Christ change this community —

            let the light of Christ change this Church – 

            let the light of Christ change you and everything around you.

            Let the light of Christ change you — so you can go home another way — a changed way –  a different way — a new way – a changed person — a different person — a new person — so that we can be a changed Church — a different Church — a new Church!  

            Come — as Isaiah writes — let us

Arise!

Shine!

Your light has come!

A new day has dawned!

A new day has dawned!

Amen.