Genesis 29:15-28

Genesis 29:15-30

Dare To Be Different!

July 27, 2008

This summer we are spending some time looking at stories from the book of Genesis that make up a valuable part of our faith tradition. These are stories of folks like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph – folks who were called by God and touched by God in certain ways – and – while they were not perfect – were used by God to bring His will and His love into the world.

As we look at these stories I believe we are discovering that God is at work in our lives and in our world – and that God can use us – as imperfect as we may be – to do His work and will in the world – if we will let Him use us.

We have looked at Noah — and how he was obedient to God – even when it was costly and messy to be obedient – and discovered a blessing for himself and his family – and all people – because of his obedience to God.

We have seen the story of Abraham – and seen how God – many times –

calls us to do new things –

calls us do away with things we may be comfortable with —

calls us to do things we have never done before

or –

calls us to do old things in new and different ways –

and – even though we may not know exactly what will happen when we try doing new things as individuals or as a Church –

or we may not know exactly what will happen when we try – as individuals or a Church — doing old things in new ways –

we need to step out in faith and follow God.

We’ve also seen in Abraham’s story that God keeps His wonderful promises – when we trust in Him – and how at times we have to have faith in God and God’s will for our lives.

We’ve seen as we’ve looked at Jacob – Abraham’s grandson how God does not call us or choose us because of what we have done – but because of who God is – and we’ve seen how with God we might be able to run from God’s love – but can not hide.

Today we’re looking at Jacob again – and seeing how he dared to let God change him – make a difference in his life – and how he changed to be a person who made a difference in the lives of others.

Listen to God’s word in Geneses 29:15-30:

Read Scripture

The trickster is tricked!

So might the headline read if this were a story in The Florence Morning News.

Jacob – the one who had tricked his older brother Esau out of his birthright and blessing –

Jacob – the one who had deceived his dying father Isaac into blessing him instead of Esau –

Jacob – the ultimate trickster – is now tricked.

We smile when we read the passage – don’t we?

7 years of labor to marry his love –

then –

a dark night –

a veiled bride –

a shared bed –

then – in the light of morning –

Surprise!

Surprise, indeed!

The trickster is tricked.

The tables are turned.

We may think: “Turn about is fair play!”

It may be hard for us to feel sorry for Jacob.

We may feel he is only getting what he deserves.

We may feel he is only reaping what he has sown.

Maybe you think that’s the message of this passage.

You reap what you sow!

Maybe you think that God may forgive – but that we still have to pay for past actions.

While all this is true – it is also much too easy. Something else is going on here. Something below the surface. Something that may be more important than the first conclusions we easily jump to.

The answers to what else is going on here may be in the character of Jacob in this lesson.

Look at Jacob.

How is he acting?

Is he acting in the same old self-seeking, self-centered, self-serving –

I’m going to get my way even if I have to cheat you to get it – way he has acted in previous passages?

No.

Something is different about Jacob here.

What is it?

He’s letting himself be tricked.

He’s letting himself be taken advantage of.

He’s not just taking what he wants – he’s working for what he wants – and even working double the agreed upon deal.

The Jacob we have known from previous lessons may have just taken Rachel without even consulting Laban – or maybe tricked Laban into giving him Rachel without doing any work – especially after the way Laban tricked him.

But – he doesn’t!

He complies with Laban’s rules – even when Laban changed the rules in mid-stream.

This is not the Jacob we have seen in the past!

This is different!

This is new!

Jacob is different!

He’s not the “same old Jacob” we’ve seen before!

He’s different!

Why?

What has made the difference in Jacob’s life?

Is it love?

Yes.

Oh – so he’s different because of his love for Rachel.

We’ve seen love for a woman change many a man.

But – Jacob’s love for Rachel is only part of the difference.

The difference is love – but to understand that love we have to go back to its source.

Back to last weeks lesson.

Back to God – who made himself known to the desperate fugitive Jacob.

God – who made his love known to Jacob.

God – who changed Jacob’s life!

This encounter with the love of God changed Jacob.

He is different.

He travels on to Haran – but it is a changed man who arrives there.

He’s a man who is no longer pre-occupied with himself – with what he wants – with what’s good for him – but is now concerned with others – with doing for others – serving others –

he is a completely different person with a completely different attitude.

He has been changed by God!

Now – instead of behaving in old – selfish ways – he dares to be different – to be loving – to be caring – even if it means others may take advantage of him – he dares to be different.

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

Jacob loves!

He sacrifices!

He cares!

He dares to be different.

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

So – there is much more going on here than just the trickster being tricked.

Much more.

This is not just a story of having to pay for past actions –

It is a story of the life-changing, difference-making love of God. This is a story of the love of God that can change us and make us different people. This is a story of God’s love that can change our lives and give us a new way to live. This is a story of how God can change us – and how we can

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

We don’t need to laugh too much at Jacob – the old trickster getting his due from Laban – as we need to look at the change – the difference – in Jacob’s life – and see how we can have such a change – such a difference – in ours.

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

God’s will was for Jacob to be a different person – one that was not self-centered but God-centered – centered upon God’s will and the good of others. God’s will was for Jacob to be a different person – one willing to do for others – even if it made very little sense – even when it may have meant being taken advantage of. God’s will was for Jacob to be loving – even if it meant risking looking like a fool.

God’s will was for Jacob to dare to be loving – to dare to be caring – to dare to be different –

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

And this is God’s will for us, too!

Loving.

Caring.

Different.

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

God’s will for our lives is not done if we worry only about ourselves – or what’s good for us – or what we want. God’s will for us is for us to be different from all of this.

God’s will is for us to make a difference in the world as we use our gifts and abilities to show God’s love to all people. Sometimes others will take advantage of us – as Laban did Jacob – but that’s OK -

God’s will is for us to be loving –

be caring –

be different!

God’s will is for us to

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

Jacob dared to be different.

Jesus dared to be different.

The Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ – is that we can be different people – we can let God make a difference in our lives — as Jacob let God make a difference in his life — then — like Jacob began to make a difference in the lives of others because God had mae a difference in his life — we can be people who are committed to make a difference in the lives of others — making a difference in our world — our families — our community — our church — because God has make a difference in our lives.

In other words, we dare to let God make a difference in our lives — then we dare to be different people because of the difference God has made in our lives – and make a difference in the lives of others.

Once God makes a difference in our lives — as He did in the life of Jacob — we can begin — as did Jacob — to

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

Being different.

Letting God make a difference.

Making a difference in the lives of others because God has made a difference in your life.

That’s God’s call to us as individuals – and as a Church.

As a Church we can dare to be different.

As a Church we can dare to do different things.

As a Church we can’t let our past hold us back – but strive into God’s future for us as we do things differently – showing God’s love in new ways.

As a Church we can dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

In a few minutes we are going to honor someone who let God make a difference in her life – then shared God’s love in ways that made a difference in the lives of those she touched.

The marker we will dedicate today is in honor of Lydia Gregg – a lady who truly let God’s love make a difference in her live – and made a diofference in the lives of others by sharing God’s love with them.

That’s the kind of folks God wants us to be.

Folks who dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different!

The poet Ann Weems wrote a poem entitled “Our Lord Is Called Hope.” She writes:

Our Lord was a Lord who turned

things upside down and inside out

a man who dined with sinners

a man who befriended prostitutes and tax collectors

a man who was called heretic

a man who broke the Sabbath rules

a man who changed water into wine.

And he bids us o follow Him

to turn things upside down and inside out

to go where the hurting is

to change water into wine

to change who we are into the Kingdom of God.

Weems. Searching for Shalom p.66

Go into the world.

Follow Christ.

Turn things upside down and inside out.

Go where the hurting is.

Change who we are into the people of God.

Jacob experienced God’s love – and he dared to be different.

Our calling is to experience God’s love — then

Dare to be loving

Dare to be caring

Dare to be different.

We are to follow Christ and make a difference with His love in the world.

We are to:

Dare to be different!

Dare to be different! Amen.

Genesis 28:10-19

Genesis 28:10-19

You Can Run – But You Can’t Hide

July 20, 2008

This summer we are spending some time looking at stories from the book of Genesis that make up a valuable part of our faith tradition. These are stories of folks like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph – folks who were called by God and touched by God in certain ways – and – while they were not perfect – were used by God to bring His will and His love into the world.

As we continue to look at these stories I believe we will discover that God is at work in our lives and in our world – and that God can use us – as imperfect as we may be – to do His work and will in the world – if we will let Him use us.

6 weeks ago we looked at the story of Noah in Genesis 6-8 – and saw how he was obedient to God – even when it was costly and messy to be obedient – and discovered a blessing for himself and his family – and all people – because of his obedience to God.

5 weeks ago we began the story of Abraham as we looked at Genesis 12:1-9 – and saw how God – many times –

calls us to do new things –

calls us do away with things we may be comfortable with —

calls us to do things we have never done before

or –

calls us to do old things in new and different ways –

and – even though we may not know exactly what will happen when we try doing new things as individuals or as a Church –

or we may not know exactly what will happen when we try – as individuals or a Church — doing old things in new ways –

we need to step out in faith and follow God.

4 weeks ago we continued to story of Abraham by looking at 2 passages in Abraham’s life and journey with God – Genesis 18:1-5 – where we saw how God gave Abraham an unbelieveable promise and vision for his future – and Genesis 21:1-7 – where we saw that God kept that wonderful promise He made.

3 weeks ago we concluded our look at Abraham by seeing how Abraham’s faith in God was tested – and how Abraham passed the test – as we looked at how God called on him to give up that promise and vision for the future God had given him when God called him to sacrifice Isaac. As we looked at this passage we saw how we have to have faith in God – and have to be willing to give up everything for following God’s will.

Last week we began looking at one of Abraham’s grandsons – the son of Isaac – the man Jacob – and as we looked at his birth in Genesis 25:19-34 – we saw that God chooses us – not because of what we deserve – but because of who God is – and that we are saved by God’s grace – and can share God’s saving, gracious love with the world.

We are continuing our look at Jacob today as we see how God was with him – even when he felt alone and desperate. As we look at the story of “Jacob’s Ladder” in Genesis 28:10-19 we are going to see that God is always with us – regardless of how desperate and alone we may feel – and loves us and stands ready to forgive and use us at all times of our lives.

Listen to God’s word in Genesis 28:10-19:

Read Scripture

Have you ever had one of those times when it seemed that everything is going against you –

that no one cares for you – and you feel desperate and alone –

but – suddenly - in the midst of that desperation and loneliness – something happens –

somehow you experience God in a new way - in such a way that it becomes clear to you that God is with you –

and suddenly – you no longer feel so alone - but feel a part of a community – a community that includes none other than God – God’s self?

Ever had an experience like that?

Possibly so.

Many of us can tell stories of times God has come to us – shown us His presence – His love – His care – just when it may have seemed to us that no one cared.

I have had several experiences of times like that.

I remember one time in my ministry when it just seemed that nothing was working right – and I felt very alone.

At that time both churches I served were in a 5 church youth group – and I went with a group of young people to a camp in Tennessee. The first night there I felt frustrated and very alone. As the opening worship service ended, a contemporary version of “Amazing Grace” was playing and the leader for the week was asking the campers to pray for their time at the camp.

Well, I started crying – feeling very alone. But – as I started crying – I felt a hand on my shoulder. One of the young people I had brought up there had their hand on me. The next thing I knew, all the young people I had met had their hands on me and were crying.

I had begun that night feeling alone – angry – and frustrated.

By the end of the service that night I knew that I was not alone – I had young people and adults praying for me – and – beyond that – God was with me.

I will never forget that night – and that feeling.

I learned that – no matter how desperate and alone I felt – God was with me.

Maybe you have gone through similar experiences – and have discovered God with you in the midst of them.

You know — if Jacob could be here today – what a story he could tell!

A story of loneliness.

A story desperation.

A story of feeling that no one cared –

but – in the midst of the loneliness and desperation – his was a story of God -

a story of God revealing God’s self to him –

a story of God’s love – care and promise –

just when he needed it the most.

Look at Jacob in our lesson for today.

He is a fugitive.

A loner.

He has just completed cheating Esau out of his birthright by tricking his father Isaac into blessing him – and now Esau is wanting to kill him.

He is running for his life.

Certainly he feels alone and scared.

He must feel desperate.

Indeed – he may feel that there is no one to care for him – and that especially God doesn’t care for him.

How could God care for a person such as he has turned out to be?

Yes – he had received the blessing from Isaac – but – was it true?

Will God really bless him – after all that he has done?

Indeed – as he travels toward Haran – we can imagine he feels alone – - uncared for – - guilty — desperate.

But – he can’t run 24 hours a day — can he?

No — he must stop and rest at night.

He stops at a place and rests his head upon one of the rocks.

But – his sleep is interrupted.

In his loneliness – his desperation – his running away from Esau and all he knows –

there isGod.

God come to him.

He dreams of a ladder connecting heaven and earth.

He is not alone.

His world is not simply a place of loneliness and despair – it is also a place of God – a place of God’s presence – a place of God’s promises.

God makes Himself known to Jacob.

God renews the promises he has made to Abraham.

Jacob may have been able to run from Esau – but he was not able to hide from God’s love – God’s care – God’s promises – God’s presence.

He awakens from his dream – and realizes that God was there all along – he just had not realized it.

In his despair – in his loneliness – in his feelings that no one cared – Jacob discovered God’s presence and God’s care.

He was not alone at all.

He was not uncared for at all.

God was with him all along – and he had not realized it.

He moves on in his life with a new perspective – the perspective that God was with him – caring for him – loving him – renewing promises with him – at all times of his life.

Yes – he could run –

but he couldn’t hide from God.

He learned a truth that night –

You can run –but you can’t hide.

You can run –but you can’t hide.

That’s Jacob’s story.

How about you?

How have you experienced God’s love – God’s grace – God’s presence in the midst of loneliness and despair?

How have you experienced God’s presence – especially at the very time you did not realize it?

Maybe in the midst of grief over a friend or loved one who has died.

Maybe in the midst of despair and guilt over something you have done – or something you may feel you should have done but haven’t.

Maybe in the midst of a debilitating illness – whether yours or someone you love.

Or – maybe one of those times when it seems everyone is against you.

But – in the midst of that grief – or that despair – or that guilt –

or that illness – or that loneliness – God in some way makes Himself known to you – letting you know that you are loved and cared for – letting you know that there is no place or no condition that is separated from His love – letting you know that you can run – but you can’t hide – from His love.

You can run –but you can’t hide.

You can run –but you can’t hide.

It doesn’t matter how deep you pain is.

It doesn’t matter how desperate or how alone you feel.

You are not removed from God’s love and care.

There seemed to be no way God would care for Jacob – the lonely, guilty fugitive. God doesn’t love folk like Him - does He?

Yes1

God still loved him – still called him – still cared for him – still made promises to him.

God was still with him.

Wherever he went – whatever he did – whatever happened – there was God.

Indeed – he could run – but he couldn’t hide from God’s love – and neither can you – and neither can I.

You can run –but you can’t hide.

You can run –but you can’t hide.

You can’t hide from God’s love – God’s care – God’s presence.

God is always there loving you – caring for you.

It is important to remember jut how guilty Jacob was. He had done wrong. He had cheated his brother and lied to his dying father. And yet – God was still with him.

We may be able to understand God’s love and care when things happen to us that we are not responsible for – death – illness even those times people go against us for reasons that are not our fault. At the times we have done nothing to deserve the desperate feelings and loneliness it may be easy for us to understand and experience God.

But what about those times when we deserve to feel desperate – guilty – and alone?

What about those times when our actions have brought us to this lonely – desperate place?

Does God still care then?

Does God still love us?

Yes.

Regardless of how far away we may have wandered from being God’s people – God cares.

Regardless of what we may have done – how guilty we may feel – how much we may want to run and hide from God – regardless of how far down that road to hell we may have gone

You can run –but you can’t hide.

You can run –but you can’t hide.

God is there.

God still loves you.

God still cares for you.

God still saves you.

A friend once gave me a wise saying they got a great deal of peace and reassurance from. They suggested to me that I look at it every time I feel alone and unloved — regardless of why.

The saying is anonymous — but wise and true. I have lost the slip of paper I was given with the saying on it – but I remember the saying.

The saying states:

“These feelings — strong as they may be,

are not telling me the truth about myself.

The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now,

is that I am a chosen child of God —

precious in God’s eyes, called the Beloved from

all eternity, and held safe in an everlasting embrace.”

Regardless of how Jacob felt — the truth was that he was still loved by God.

Regardless of how you may feel at times — that truth is that you are still loved by God.

When you feel alone — desperate — that no one cares – you may not know why you feel that way — but God knows — and – God wants you to know that He is with you!

If it is because of the death of a friend or loved one — God is with you!

If it is because of guilt over things you have done or things you feel you should have done but didn’t — God is with you!

Is it because of illness — whether yours or someone you love – God is with you!

If it is that everyone is against you for whatever reason – God is with you!

God is with you – loving you – calling you – ready to make promises and keep promises to you.

If the feelings of despair and loneliness are brought on by things you had nothing to do with – God is with you.

If – like Jacob – they are brought on by your actions – God is with you.

Jacob’s life was changed by his experience of God. He still made mistakes – but began trying to live in God’s ways. He experienced God’s loving presence in the midst of his despair – it made a difference in his life – and he quit trying to run from God but began living in God’s loving ways. He saw that he could run – but he could not hide from God’s love.

You can run –but you can’t hide.

You can run –but you can’t hide.

Whenever you feel lonely and desperate – whatever your reasons are – know that God is with you – you can claim God’s promises – you can live in God’s love – you are not alone!

You can run –but you can’t hide.

You can run –but you can’t hide.

Amen.

Genesis 25:19-34

Genesis 25:19-34

Called By Grace!

July 13, 2008

This summer we are spending some time looking at stories from the book of Genesis that make up a valuable part of our faith tradition. These are stories of folks like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph – folks who were called by God and touched by God in certain ways – and – while they were not perfect – were used by God to bring His will and His love into the world.

As we continue to look at these stories I believe we will discover that God is at work in our lives and in our world – and that God can use us – as imperfect as we may be – to do His work and will in the world – if we will let Him use us.

5 weeks ago we looked at the story of Noah in Genesis 6-8 – and saw how he was obedient to God – even when it was costly and messy to be obedient – and discovered a blessing for himself and his family – and all people – because of his obedience to God.

4 weeks ago we began the story of Abraham as we looked at Genesis 12:1-9 – and saw how God – many times –

calls us to do new things –

calls us do away with things we may be comfortable with —

calls us to do things we have never done before

or –

calls us to do old things in new and different ways –

and – even though we may not know exactly what will happen when we try doing new things as individuals or as a Church –

or we may not know exactly what will happen when we try – as individuals or a Church — doing old things in new ways –

we need to step out in faith and follow God.

3 weeks ago we continued to story of Abraham by looking at 2 passages in Abraham’s life and journey with God – Genesis 18:1-5 – where we saw how God gave Abraham an unbeliveable promise and vision for his future – and Genesis 21:1-7 – where we saw that God kept that wonderful promise He made.

2 weeks ago we concluded our look at Abraham by seeing how Abraham’s faith in God was tested – and how Abraham passed the test – as we looked at how God called on him to give up that promise and vision for the future God had given him when God called him to sacrifice Isaac. As we looked at this passage we saw how we have to have faith in God – and have to be willing to give up everything for following God’s will.

Today we are going to begin looking at one of Abraham’s grandsons – the son of Isaac – the man Jacob. As we look at Jacob – particularly today as we look at his birth – we are going to see that God chooses us – not because of what we deserve – but because of who God is – and that we are saved by God’s grace – and can share God’s saving, gracious love with the world.

Listen to God’s word in Genesis 25:19-34:

Read Scripture

Have you ever wondered why God calls who God calls?

Have you ever wondered why God loves all people – even those who don’t seem to “fit” – or “deserve” – God’s love?

How odd!

How odd of God to choose that person.

We might say that – if it were left up to us, we certainly would have never chosen that particular person to love – to call our own.

We like to make judgments about who God loves – who God calls – who God’s love and grace are extended to – don’t we?

Oh – certainly that person over there would never be loved or chosen by God.

Just look at the type of person they are!

Just look at how they’ve lived!

And when people change – when people say they’ve experienced God’s love and want to give their lives to God – we may wonder just what it is they are really up to –

We know how they’ve lived -

Surely God can’t love and forgive someone like them — why should we?

Why – we’ve tried to live in God’s ways all our lives – there is no way this person is going to come along and receive God’s love and grace – not after all they’ve done – not after how they’ve lived!

Ever had those kind of thoughts?

Maybe so.

It is a common way of thinking — isn’t it?

Thinking we know who God loves and who God doesn’t.

Thinking we know who God calls and who God doesn’t.

And yet –

God continues to surprise us – doesn’t He?

He continues to choose those we would have never thought He would choose.

He continues to love those we would have never thought He would love.

He continues to make His people those we would have never thought would be His!

How odd!

Indeed – God’s love and grace extends to those we would have never imagined.

Look at Jacob.

No one would have guessed that Jacob was going to be blessed by God in a special way.

First of all – he was the youngest – the second-born of the twins. Everyone knows its the first born who gets the inheritance – the birthright.

Surely Esau will be the one to carry on the promise God made to his grandfather Abraham – the promise of descendants and blessing.

Surely Esau – the firstborn – will carry on God’s promises.

And another thing – Jacob was much too conniving – much to tricky – much too dishonest to receive blessings from God.

There was no way Jacob was going to be blessed by God.

There was no way Jacob was going to be chosen to carry on the promise God gave to Abraham.

And yet –

What is that God says?

The older shall serve the younger?

No – God – that’s not the way it’s done!

You can’t choose Jacob – he’s not the oldest – he’s not “your kind of person.”

There must be some mistake.

And yet – what happens?

God – in His grace and love – calls Jacob.

God – in His grace and love – acts in a way that is completely against how we would expect God to act.

God – in His grace and love – blesses young, conniving, sneaky, Jacob – not older, more stable Esau.

Jacob is called by God – not because of his place in the family or even because of who he is or what he has done – but almost despite all these things.

Jacob is called because of God’s grace – God’s grace that extends to all people – no matter who they are or what they have done.

Jacob is called by God’s grace.

So are you.

So am I.

We are called – not because of who we are or what we have done – but because of who God is — and what God has done – and what God continues to do.

We are called by God’s grace!

We are

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

It is indeed odd –

it is indeed strange –

it indeed does not make sense –

but that’s how God’s love is!

We are all

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

God is free to love who God chooses — – free to choose whom His will - free to call whoever He will.

We are all

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

So – before we start questioning why God has chosen someone – maybe we should consider why God has chosen us!

Maybe we are not as perfect as we would like to think!

No – even though our sins may be different from others – they are still sins.

We aren’t perfect.

We haven’t done a thing to deserve God’s love – God’s grace – God’s call.

It is given to us – jut because of who God is!

We are all

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

A minister candidate was coming into a Presbytery in Alambama and was being questioned on the floor of a Presbytery meeting about his beliefs about God. The other ministers in this Alabama Presbytery wanted to insure that no one came into their hallowed ground that did not believe the right things.

One of the older ministers stood and asked him:

“Young man — I see from your statement you have provided for us that you believe that God calls all people into service. Now — surely you’re not saying that God calls all people — are you? Don’t you mean that God saves those who love God?”

The young candidate looked at the older minister and replied —

“I guess what I mean is that if God can save and call me to service — He can certainly save and call anyone else.”

Indeed — we are all

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

Now — we have to be careful at this point.

Even though we are called by God — loved by God — cared for by God — and forgiven by God purely and simply because of His grace and not because of anything we have done to deserve God’s love — acceptance — care — and forgiveness —

we can’t just take God’s love – acceptance – care – forgiveness – and call for granted.

You see — even though God’s love – acceptance – care – forgiveness – and call are for all people — we must respond to it.

We must respond to God’s love.

We must respond to God’s grace.

We can not think that it is ours without working to claim it and live in it.

Maybe that was Esau’s problem.

Maybe he just took it for granted that – sense he was the oldest – he would inherit the promise – the blessings God had bestowed upon his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac. Maybe he thought it was his – and he didn’t have to claim it and live in it – and let it change his life.

Maybe he was so confident that God loved – cared for – and called him that he actually traded away God’s call. Maybe God’s love and call was not important to him – or at least not as important as the things of the world – a bowl of stew – physical needs.

We may believe that Jacob cheated Esau out of his birthright – but actually it seems that Esau cheated himself.

He cheated himself out of God’s love – out of God’s grace –

God’s call to be God’s person – that call that was there for him just as it was there for Jacob – by not claiming it – by not taking it seriously.

Yes – we are called by grace – by a gracious – loving – caring – forgiving God – but we have to respond to that love – that care – that grace – that forgiveness. We have to respond to God.

When we don’t – we are only cheating ourselves.

Yes – we are saved by God’s grace – but it is up to us to respond to God’s grace!

We are

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

It is up to us to respond – to not let anything else matter as much to us as does God’s claim on our lives and call to us – and share that claim and call and love with the world.

Instead of questioning why God has loved and called others – we can celebrate that God has called and loved us – and others!

As sinful as we are – God has called us – not because of who we are – but because of who God is!

Celebrate your call by God’s grace!

Claim your call by God’s grace!

Let God know how excited you are that He has chosen you!

How?

How do we live as a person called by God’s grace?

By being God’s people!

By living in God’s ways!

By giving up our old ways of sins and beginning to live in Gods new ways of grace.

By sharing God’s love and grace with others.

We are all

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

Not because of anything we have done – but because of who God is!

Let that change your life!

Live in a new way because of God’s love for you!

Love and accept others – because God has loved and accepted you!

Show God’s love to others because He has shown His love to you!

Get excited about your call by God and the new life God gives to you!

Live as if you realize that we are all called by God’s grace.

Live as if you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you are

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

and you know that God’s gracious call is the most important thing that can or will ever happen to you!

God is a powerful – loving – caring – accepting – calling God who calls us to love – care for – and accept others in a powerful way. Instead of judging others – we can love them. Instead of choosing who we will reach out to with God’s love – we can reach out to all – as God has done.

We are all

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

We can be accepting – loving – caring people – we can be a church that reaches out to others and shows God’s love to all – because we are accepted – loved – and cared for by God.

We can be a church that is so excited about God’s love and gracious call that others see our excitement and want to be a part of it.

Several years ago the “Gasoline Alley” comic strip in our local North Carolina newspaper had the characters Slim and Clovia in the audiance at what was a take-off on the Jerry Springer show.

The audiance was chanting — “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!”

Clovia looked at Slim and said —

“would’t it be great if folks got this excited in church?”

Yes — indeed it would!

It’s exciting that we are

Called by grace.

Called by grace.

Let it excite you — and share that excitement with the world. Amen.

2 Chronicles 7:12-22

God Bless America

2 Chronicles 7:12-22

July 6, 2008

Communion

God, bless America.

Land that I love.

Stand beside her – and guide her

Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains

To the parries

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, my home sweet home.

This song – written almost 100 years ago by Irving Berlin and famously sung by Kate Smith – is still a favorite of many people – including myself.

The song stirs up emotions of love and patriotism – as well as emotions of religion and feelings of longing for God to bless this great country of ours.

I love this country.

I love America.

I know that I am not alone here today in these feelings – for I know that all of us gathered here today love our country – and long for God to bless us – to bless our country.

We love America.

We pray for God to bless America – the land that we love.

God bless America

God bless America

With July 4^th – the day we celebrate our independence as Americans – on Friday – many of us may have spent some time this weekend thinking about our country – and our desire for God to bless our country.

The song says, “God bless America, land that I love…” And I’m convinced that God has blessed America. But – - you know — the Bible teaches that to whom much is given, much is expected. If this is so, then God must expect a lot from America – and must expect a lot from us as Americans.

Let’s think for a moment about America’s past.

Let’s go even further back that 1776 – when America was born with the signing of the Declaration of Independence – even further back that 1770 when a Church named Hopewell Presbyterian was formed in this community.

Let’s go back to 1620 – when a group of Christians, who called themselves Pilgrims, made their way from England across the Atlantic Ocean to the shores of this land. They had received permission to settle in the northern part of the region known as Virginia to establish a colony and erect a church that they hoped would be free and independent of the Church of England. But late fall winds battered their little boat, pushing them northward. And when they finally sighted land it was at a place we now call Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The date was Nov. 21. They didn’t want to land there because it was a cold and forbidding wilderness — so they debated for a while. “Should we try to get to Virginia, or just go ahead & settle here?” Finally, they decided that their little boat would probably not make it to Virginia. So they came ashore at a place that we know as Plymouth Rock. But before they did, they wrote what is known today as “The Mayflower Compact.” It began with these words:

“In the name of God…, we whose names are underwritten… Having undertaken, for the glory of God, & advancement of the Christian faith…, a voyage to plant a first colony in the northern part of Virginia, do… solemnly & mutually in the presence of God, & one of another, covenant, & combine ourselves together…”

Did you catch those words?

“We have come here in the name of God.”

“We have come here to glorify God.”

“We have come here to advance the Christian faith.”

They were saying, “We are unashamedly Christians, & we search for a place where we can worship God the way we feel the Bible teaches us to worship Him.”

The earliest foundations of this new land were spiritual foundations. We are a nation built upon faith in God – and commitment to God.

That’s our past – our history.

But – is it our present?

Are you proud to be an American?

I am. You probably are also. Like me, you probably still get chills when you sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” Maybe you arte like me and still get tears in your eyes when you say the Pledge of Allegiance. I love this country, and I’m proud to be an American.
You probably are also.

There are so many things you can do in this and that you can’t do anywhere else in all the world.

Did you hear about the Lieutenant, the Private, & the beautiful young lady who were all sitting in the same compartment of a train? They didn’t know each other, and since Lieutenants don’t talk to Privates and Privates don’t talk to Lieutenants, they traveled in an awkward silence. They came to a tunnel and suddenly their compartment was engulfed in darkness, a darkness punctuated by 2 unmistakable sounds — the sound of a passionate kiss — followed by a loud slap.
When they came back into daylight, the Lieutenant had a very red mark on the side of his face, was thinking, “That lucky Private. He kissed the beautiful girl, and she tried to slap him. But instead of slapping him, she slapped me.” The young lady was thinking, “The Lieutenant must have tried to kiss me, but by mistake he kissed the Private and the Private hit him.” The Private sat there thinking, “Only in America can you kiss the back of your hand, slug a Lieutenant and get away with it.”

There are many wonderful things about our country that we could mention this morning.

But – I must admit – as proud as I am to be an American — I’m concerned about America.

Listen to this warning found in 2 Chronicles 7:19-22. God is speaking to Solomon and to the people of Israel and says:

19 “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 21 And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 22 People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.’

The Bible is very clearly about this — if we love God and obey Him, then He will bless us. But this passage teaches that if we forsake God, if we serve other gods and worship them, then God will remove His blessings. That’s what happened to Israel. And I think that’s what happening to America today.

Did you hear about the New York City elementary school teacher who was fired from her job? It was not because she was immoral, not because she abused the children, not because she used vulgar language, but because when one of her students died tragically, grieving classmates asked the teacher, “What happens when we die?”

She answered, “I think she’s gone to heaven. But if you want to talk about this, I’ll be glad to meet with you after school is over.” Twenty-nine of the kids met with her after school, and she told them about her faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. She told them she believed in heaven and that their classmate was with God now and happy for all eternity. Then she prayed with the students. But one of the kids in her class who had not stayed after school was upset with what she had done and went to the administrators. The teacher was fired immediately and told to clean out her desk. Before crying students she cleaned out her desk the next day and went out into the world of unemployment.

We have slid a long ways down that slippery slope from where we started, haven’t we? And if we don’t stop that slide, we’ll lose everything that God has given to us.

Now listen folks, if you believe that our politicians are primarily responsible for the moral decline of this country, you need to think again. We didn’t start down that slippery slope recently – it has been going on for awhile. When our government said, “You can’t pray in school,” many of us stood by and watched with folded arms. When we were told that we could no longer read the Bible or honor God in school, we stood by and didn’t say a word. When abortion was legalized we didn’t do anything. It’s our fault. It’s the fault of so many Christians who have not said a thing as our country has turned away from God. America is a great country. I believe that at her worst she is still better than any other country at its best. I love America, but America needs to repent.

God bless America.

God bless America.

We’re the most materially blessed people in all the world. In fact, if you’re at the poverty level in this country, you’re in the top 5% of the wealthy people of the world. God has blessed America – but what will happen if we do not bless and glorify and serve God?

What does God expect of us – as Christian Americans?

We have already said that God expects a lot.
What will America be in the future?

What does God really of us – as Christian Americans?

Listen to what Micah 6:8 says:

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Those are three pretty good things, don’t you think?

We need to take note of them.

First of all he says “to act justly,” which means to do what is right.

God expects us – as Christian Americans — to do what is right — to do the right thing even though the wrong thing is the easiest and maybe the most pleasant or even most popular thing to do. It means to take care of the poor and the elderly, to minister to the sick and protect them – and to tell the truth.

God bless America

God bless America

God bless America

God bless America

Secondly, Micah says “to love mercy.”

That means to extend mercy & forgiveness to others. We have received it ourselves. We all know that we’re the recipients of God’s mercy. We have been forgiven by Him. We have done nothing to earn our salvation. God has saved us by His grace & by His mercy. Because of this, we are to share what we have received. We give back to the community — to the world – to the Church — the mercy, grace and forgiveness that God has given to us. In other words, we develop a deep compassion for those in need.

God bless America

God bless America

Thirdly, Micah says “to walk humbly” with the Lord. Now that may be the most difficult of all because the natural tendency is to be proud and arrogant and overconfident. The Bible says that God mocks the proud but He gives grace to the humble.

With this year of Presidential elections I believe we have a challenge to listen to what the candidates say – and decide which one seems to be thinking about acting justly – loving mercy – and walking humbly with God. We won’t find one that is doing these things perfectly – but we have to prayerfully consider which one is closest to what we feel is the way God would have us to – and respect the decisions of those who may feel another candidate will do a better job.

God bless America

God bless America

America – this great land that we love — needs to change.

A change will happen next January in the White House – but – friends – we need more than just a change in the White House – we need a change in your house – and a change in my house. and my house.

That is what will bring about the change in America.

God bless America

God bless America

When we get our act together –

when we begin to act justly – love mercy – and walk humbly with God –

when we get back on track again and put God at the center of our lives — then America will change will become the country that God has always wanted America to be.

God bless America

God bless America

I love this country – and I know that you do too.

I love the freedoms that we enjoy – and I know that you do too.

I am so appreciative of the price that has been paid for my freedom –and I know that you are too.

God bless America

God bless America

Let’s do our part to pray for God’s blessings upon our great land – and live lives where we act justly – love mercy – and walk humbly with God.

Let’s do what we can – so that God will indeed bless America.

Indeed –

God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, my home sweet home.

Amen.