Exodus 1:8-2:10

Exodus 1:8-2:10
God Has Big Plans
August 24, 2008

This summer we have spent 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 looked at these stories I believe we have discovered 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 looked at 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 we might be able to run from God’s love – but can not hide – and how we can dare to let God change us – make a difference in our lives — –and how God is always with us – even in the midst of our problems and troubles.

As we looked at Joseph we saw how God gives us dreams – and how we need to dare to dream and follow the dreams God gives us and we saw last week how we can treat folks who mistreat us.
Today we are going to conclude out look at genesis by actually looking at Exodus 1:8 – 2:10 – the story of the birth of Moses – and we will see how God had big plans for His people – and has big plans for us.
Listen to God’s word in Exodus 1:8 – 2:10:
Moses is one of the most fascinating men in history. I’m sure that many of you remember — as I do — watching Cecil B. Demille’s movie, “The Ten Commandments” when you were younger. Who can forget scenes such as Charleston Heston – playing the part of Moses – holding up his hand and parting the Red Sea – or standing atop Mi. Sinai with the stone tablets of the 10 Commandments in his hands as the lightning flashes around him?
A new generation has come to know about Moses through the animated film a few years ago “The Prince of Egypt.” Even the animated version of Moses’ life made an impact on folks – particularly young folks. I remember taking a group of young people to see the movie and – as it showed Moses parting the sea and the people walking across – one of the young people looked up at me and said – with wonder amazement:
“Now that’s something you don’t see every day!”
Indeed — Moses’ life is an interesting story – filled with things you don’t see every day — but it is much more than that. As we take a closer look at events in his life, there are many lessons to be learned – not the least of which is that God has big plans for God’s people. God placed a special call on Moses’ life. God had big plans for Moses, — just as God had big plans for Noah – Abraham – Jacob – and Joseph.
We need to realize that God has big plans for us as a Church – and big plans for each of us individually as His followers.
God used Moses in a great way — and wants to use us as a Church – and you as an individual — in a great way. It appears that Moses always had a sense of God’s call on his life, but it took him some time to determine exactly how he was to fulfill it. The lesson Moses eventually learned is that a person becomes most effective in life when he or she decides to do God’s will God’s way. As we look at how Moses came to discover God’s will, it will help us discover that God has a plan for us as a Church – and you as an individual.
Let’s take a closer look at Moses.
I see 2 major themes that illustrate God’s plan for Moses – and the plan God may have for us:
1. Moses’ entire life lead up to God’s call
As we look at the life of Moses we can see how God prepared him from the very beginning. As we follow the story we can see God’s hand in it along the way:
When Moses was born, the Hebrew people were slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh, the leader of Egypt, felt threatened by the growing number of Hebrew children, so he ordered that all newborn males be put to death. Moses’ mother couldn’t bear to turn him over to the Egyptian authorities, so she hid his birth as long as she could. Finally, in a desperate attempt to spare his life, she placed him in a basket and put him in the Nile River, hoping and praying that somehow, someway, God would protect him and guide him to safety. Well, God answered her prayer; Moses was discovered in the Nile by the Pharaoh’s daughter – who took him and raised him as her own.
God had big plans for Moses.
Even though he was born a Hebrew slave, God worked it out that Moses would be raised in the house of Pharaoh and educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians.
God had big plans for Moses.
At an early age Moses had the desire to rescue his people from the torment of their Egyptian captors. One day he witnessed a Hebrew man being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he killed the Egyptian. Moses then fled to the country and live in the land of Midian. It may have appeared that his dream to save the Hebrew people had gone up in smoke – but God was not finished with him.
God had big plans for Moses.
For the next 40 years Moses tended flocks belonging to his father-in-law. It would appear to a casual observer that Moses had been forgotten by God—that he had failed and had become nothing more than a “could-have-been.” But God didn’t forget about Moses and he didn’t forget about the plight of his people. During this time, there were some important changes taking place in Moses’ personal life—this 40 years as sheep-herder was a time of character building. God was waiting for the day when he could use Moses in a great way – and that’s exactly what God did.
God had big plans for Moses.
Just as God had big plans for Noah – and used him in a great way –
Just as God had big plans for Abraham – and used him in a great way –
Just as God had big plans for Jacob – and used him in a great way –
Just as God had big plans for Joseph – and used him in a great way –
God had big plans for Moses.
Plans to use him in a great way.
In the same way, God has big plans for us as members of Hopewell Presbyterian – plans to use us in a great way.
God wants to use us in a great way. There is a reason that we as the congregation Hopewell Presbyterian are here in this place – in this community – at this time. God wants to use us in a great way in this community and at this time.
God has big plans.
In the very same way, God has a big plan for you — a plan to use you in a great way.
God has big plans.
God can use the events of your life as points of preparation for the plan He has given you. There is a reason you were born into the family into which you were born; there is a reason you grew up in the geographic area you in which you grew up; there is a reason you are alive in this generation. All the events of your life—both good and bad — are part of the process of preparation for the great things He has planned for you to do.
God has big plans.
Maybe you feel that your life to this point has been a total failure.
Maybe you had a dream for what you could accomplish, and right now it appears that you have fallen desperately short of the mark. Maybe you have made some mistakes and have made a complete mess of everything, and it’s caused you to believe that your only choice is to give up and quit. Maybe something painful happened in your childhood or in your past, something that causes you to wonder, “Why me? Why did I have to do through this?”
The truth is that God can use the events of your entire life—even the mistakes — even the things that are beyond your control—to design your life in such a way that it will bring Hm glory. Right now, today, you are being trained for God’s purpose. God is using this time to prepare you for the work He has called you to do. Remember: Even our worst experiences become part of the process of preparation. God has big plans for you, and your entire life has been leading you toward his plan for your life.
Just as God had a big plan for Noah – and even when it semed that no rain was in sight Noah obeyed God – and His plan cam true.
Just as God had a big plan for Abraham – and even though it seemed God’s promise of being the father of many nations would never come true – Abraham remained faithful – and God’s plan came true.
Just as God had big plans for Jacob – and – even though it seemed the plans would never come true as he escaped his bother – who wanted to kill him – God’s plan eventually came true.
Just as God had big plans for Joseph – and even though it looked like these plans would never come true as Joseph was sold into salvery – then thrown in jail – God’s plan did indeed come true.
God has big plans for us as a Church – and you as an individual.
God has big plans!
The second thing I believe we can discover about God’s plan is…
2. God will wait until you’re ready to be used.
Have you ever noticed there is a difference in the way professional football teams and professional baseball teams prepare their rookies? Most NFL teams will sign a hot-shot rookie—a quarterback for example—to a multi-million dollar contract and expect to get their money’s worth the first season. It rarely happens. It happened last year when the rookie Adrian Peterson made a great impact as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings — but that was a rare occurrence. Most football fans are familiar with names such as Heath Shuller, Brian Bosworth, and Ryan Leif. These are all players who excelled in college football and were highly touted as rookies, but simply were not ready for the challenges of playing professional football. Major League Baseball , on the other hand, uses a completely different strategy. It is not uncommon for a baseball team to sign a rookie to a high-priced contract, and send him to play Double A ball in a town like Birmingham or Omaha. For example, Sammy Sosa and Mark Magwire both began their career in the minor leagues; each was brought up to the major leagues when he was ready. In fact, Sosa bounced from the majors to the minors a couple of times before settling in at Chicago.
God’s method is more like the baseball model than the football. God will not ask you to do more that you are able to do. God will not use you until He has put you through a time of preparation – much as Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses went through.
God has big plans – and is preparing you – and us as a Church – for great things!
God has big plans!
God will us the events in your life – to prepare you for the work He has called you to do – the big plans – the great things – He is planning for you.
God will us the things we experience as a Church to prepare us for the work He has called you to do .
God has big plans!
Big plans for how to use you – big plans for how to use us as a Church.
Noah – Abraham – Jacob – Joseph – Moses – and so many others in the Bible and throughout history – let God prepare them for the great things He had in mind for them to be doing. Let God prepare you – then let God prepare us a a Church – for the big plans – the great things – He is planning for you – and for us.
God indeed has big plans!
Amen.

Exodus 24:12-18, Matthew 17:1-9

Exodus 24:12-18

Matthew 17:1-9

February 3, 2008

Transfiguration of Lord (also Super Bowl Sunday)

Super Sunday!

Read Scripture

You may not have taken the time to look at your newspaper before coming to Church this morning or turned on your TV this morning or turned on your radio while driving here this morning – so I’m going to help you out by telling you about a couple of things that are happening this week.

A couple of super things, no less.

One is occurring in Phoenix, Arizona in just a few hours.

It’s the Super Bowl!

That’s the annual National Football League championship game.

Maybe you’ve heard about it.

Can you tell me what teams are playing?

Yea – it’s the New England Patriots and the American Football Conference vs. the New York Giants of the National Football Conference.

The 42^nd edition of the Super Bowl!

Can you tell me records of the 2 teams this year?

You may have heard that the Patriots are 18-0 – or you may have heard that they are undefeated even if you don’t know they’ve played 18 games so far this year. You may not know that the Giants are 12-6 – with one of those 6 defeats coming at the hands of the Patriots – 38-35.

So – who are the quarterbacks that will be playing in a few hours?

You may be able to name them both – it will be Tom Brady for the Patriots going for his ^4th Super Bowl victory in as many appearances — and Eli Manning in his first Super Bowl appearance. Eli’s brother, Peyton, won it last year when he quarterbacked the Indianapolis Colts over the Chicago Bears.

It seems that everywhere you go the Super Bowl is being talked about. .

Being the football fan that I am – and growing up with my Dad being a big football fan also – I can remember some to the more notable games – with Bart Starr leading the Green Bay Packers to victory in the first 2 Super Bowls – and “Broadway Joe” Namath delivering on his promise that the New York Jets from what most folks considered “the weaker” AFL would beat Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts from the “stronger” NFL in Super Bowl 3.

The Super Bowl has become a cultural phenomenon!

The sale of big screen TV s – this year with High Def capability – spikes this weekend.

Of course, the Super Bowl has really become a media event. The commercials are many times more memorable than the games. Just ask the folks at Annheiser – Bush if the money they spent on commercials with croaking frogs, Clydesdale horses, and – last year – mud covered dogs was money well spent – they’ll tell you!

Ok – so today is Super Bowl Sunday – or – as many have called it – Super Sunday!

That’s the first super thing that you might be in your papers this morning.

The other will occur in a few days,.

Tuesday of this week is what has been termed “Super Tuesday” – when millions of Americans will go to the polls in primaries throughout the country to vote for their choice of the person to be the presidential candidate for either the Democratic or Republican parties. A great number of delegates will be at stake in each party — and with essentially a 2 person race now on each side – Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama for Democrats and John McCain and Mitt Romney for the Republicans – although Mike Huckabee still has a chance in the Republican primaries – there is the potential that one of these on each side can really be a front runner by Wednesday morning. You can tell the political campaign is heating up as you watch the candidates go after each other in the debates!

So – Super Sunday with the Super Bowl!

Super Tuesday with the political primaries on Tuesday! ‘

American football and American politics — two things that grab our attention this week!

They are headline news!

But – there is another super thing we are celebrating today.

You mean you don’t know – you haven’t heard?

Today is Transfiguration Sunday!

You mean you’ve forgotten?

Some of you have blank looks on your faces – like “What’s transfiguration?”,

Transfiguration Sunday – when we celebrate the event that occurred before Jesus began his journey to Jerusalem to face His death on the cross.

Transfiguration Sunday – when the disciples had the supernatural experience of seeing Jesus in all His glory – seeing Him as He really was – seeing Him as the Son of God – and hearing God tell them that He is well pleased with Jesus.

The Transfiguration.

A supernatural event.

Transfiguration Sunday.

A Super Sunday.

Can you imagine what the Transfiguration must have been like for Peter – James – and John – the disciples who witnessed it?

For almost 3 years they had followed Jesus – heard Him teach – seen Him work miracles. They may have begun to entertain the idea that Jesus was the long – awaited Messiah. But – then Jesus began talking about leaving them – about dieing and rising again. Peter had tried to tell Jesus that that would never happen – only to have Jesus rebuke him.

Peter – James – and John must have wondered what was really going on – and who Jesus really was.

It did not take long for them to see who Jesus really was!

The next week Jesus takes them on a hike.

A hike up a high mountain.

We can imagine that they follow Jesus up the steep mountain trail until their knees ache and their backs hurt and they are breathing in short gasps.

If it were me it would not take very much of a hike for these things to happen!

As they reach the summit, they pause to fill their lungs with air, and gaze around at the awesome beauty that surrounds them on four sides.

Then — they see something else.

Suddenly Jesus — their Lord — is “transfigured” before them.

The word Matthew uses is metamorphosis – or total change. The face of their beloved teacher shines like the sun, and his garments have become dazzling white. Beside him appear two visitors — none other than Moses and Elijah, the greatest prophets of Israel. A bright cloud overshadows all three of them – it’s the shekinah of the book of Exodus, the same glowing cloud that Moses entered on Mount Sinai. The — from out of this cloud there thunders a voice: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”

It is a vision of power, and surely an impressive experience for those disciples.

Peter – James – and John had an experience with Christ – an experience where they saw Christ as He really was – and their lives were changed.

A super day.

Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Tuesday.

The Transfiguration.

A Super Sunday!

But – what makes this Transfiguration such a super event – for us?

What makes it super for us is that it reminds us that God still comes to us – and we can still experience God as He is – be blessed by a vision of God – and be strengthened for who God calls us to be.

Yes – it is a Super Sunday!

Peter – James – and John truly had a “mountaintop experience” – and their lives were truly changed.

Many of us have had “mountaintop experiences” at times in our lives — times when we have felt so strong and so emotionally charged that we have felt that nothing that could stop us from doing what we set our minds to do.

These can be exhilarating experiences – even life changing experiences.

One man who truly had a “mountaintop experience” was Sir Edmund Hillary – who died a few weeks ago. He is remembered for as being the adventurer who, in 1953, was the first to stand atop the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Most people are inclined to imagine Hillary and his guide ascending the summit as a lonely duo, but in fact that was anything but the case. The first ascent of Everest was more like a military campaign than a feat of individual courage. The New York Times account of his death recalls that the expedition included “a dozen climbers, 35 guides and 350 porters carrying 18 tons of food and equipment. But – he is remembered as the one who ascended Everest. This experience changed his life as he was knighted and hailed as a conquering hero. He almost became something of a super hero.

A super day.

Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Tuesday.

The Transfiguration.

A Super Sunday!

The things is – we all can have “mountaintop experiences” like Peter – James – and John – like Edmund Hillary.

We all can have times when God comes to us – we see God for who God really is – and our lives are changed.

We all can have super days – super moments – super Sundays — or Mondays – or Tuesdays — or Wednesdays — or Thursdays — or Fridays — or Saturdays – super days when God comes to us and empowers us to be His people.

The problem, however, for many of us is that we do not notice God.

We can go through our lives – day in and day out – and everything seems to run together and nothing seems special. We can become so caught up in the every day that we fail to see the special days – the super days – the special events – the super events – where God can come to us – make Himself known to us – touch our lives and make a difference.

We can become so caught up in the ordinary that we fail to see the extraordinary.

We can become so caught up in the sub par that we fail to see the super.

We can become so caught up in our agendas that we fail to see God.

Rusty Schweickart was an astronaut who flew the lunar module for the Apollo 9 mission. Like d many of his fellow astronauts, his life was changed by the experience of looking down at the Earth from outer space. Here’s what he said about it:
“Up there you go around every hour and a half; time after time, after time, and you wake up in the morning over the mid-East, and over North Africa. You look out of your window as you’re eating breakfast — and there’s the whole Mediterranean area, and Greece and Rome, and the Sinai and Israel. And you realize that what you’re seeing in one glance was the whole history of [humanity] for centuries; the cradle of civilization. You go across the Atlantic Ocean, back across North Africa. You do it again and again. You identify with Houston, and then with Los Angeles, and Phoenix and New Orleans. The next thing you know, you are starting to identify with North Africa. You look forward to it. You anticipate it. And the whole process of what you identify with begins to shift. When you go around it every hour and a half, you begin to recognize that your identity is with that whole thing. And that makes a very powerful change inside of you. As you look down you can’t imagine how many borders and boundaries you cross — again and again. And you can’t even see them. Still, you know there are thousands of people fighting over some imaginary lines down there that you can’t even see, and you wish you could say, ‘Look at that! Look at that! What’s important?’ “

Indeed — what’s important?

Is it the many duties, the chores and errands and assignments that fill our days with low-level noise?

Or is it those “big-picture” kinds of moments, the rich intervals of stillness and of calm — the times of “being still and knowing that the Lord is God,” of sensing the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts?

What’s important?

It is – truly – those times when God comes us – blesses us with a vision of who He is and who we are – and calls us do great things for Him.

These are the truly important – truly special – and indeed truly super times of our lives!

But – we have to recognize them for what they are and not try to “explain them away” or try to make them less that what they really are.

We are pretty good at coming up with all kinds of explanations for things and all kinds of reasons for things that leave God out of the picture – and when we do – we miss the real reason behind things and the real super nature of things.

When Sally and I lived along the North Carolina / Virginia border about once a winter we would get an ice storm. The temperature would around freezing — not quite cold enough for snow, and not quite warm enough for the rain to keep from freezing. The precipitation that fell would hit the slightly colder tree branches and the surface of roads, instantly transforming them into a coating of ice. Soon we would have a vision of gleaming, shimmering crystal out our windows – the tree between the Manse and the Church covered with crystals of ice – the sun glistening on the branches and on the Church steeple. Every part of every tree — every branch – every twig — would glow with the sun. It would seem that the artists at Waterford Crystal had crafted a huge, crystal sculpture of unbelievable intricacy and placed it out our window for us to enjoy. If our power lines had not snapped we could cut on the TV and hear the newscasters talk about the falling rain and freezing temperatures that had painted this beautiful picture out our window. And we could believe them. Or – we could believe that it was God.

The times that seem the most normal and have the most natural explanations can be the times when God comes us – blesses us with a vision of who He is and who we are – and calls us do great things for Him. These can truly be the super times of our lives – if we will let them be.

But – we have to see them for what they are – and not for what they can be explained as being. We have to see them as times when God is coming to us – blessing us with the vision of who He is and who we can be in His name – and what we can do for Him.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday.

Some of you may know it is also Souper Bowl Sunday – a day when churches from many denominations around the world work together to do something about poverty in their own areas.

It all started when Brad Smith, now a Presbyterian minister, was a student intern at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC in the 1980’s. Brad got this crazy notion – or I believe the truth is that God gave Brad this crazy notion — that his Church’s youth group could do something about ending poverty in their area.

Imagine that! Kids from a Church not much larger than Hopewell doing something to help fight poverty!

It was a crazy notion – but a God given crazy notion!

Brad decided that they would ask everyone at church on Super Bowl Sunday to give $1.00 that would go to a local food bank. Before long members of their youth group were telling members of other church’s youth groups – and the next year several more churches joined in – until by 1997 one million dollars was raised by churches of many different denominations – and last year more than 14,000 churches and organizations raised over 8 million dollars that was given to local organizations that helped those in need.

Now that’s super!

And it all came about because God gave Brad Smith the crazy idea – but the super idea – that he and his young people could actually do something!

We’re going to take part in this Souper Bowl of Caring today. As you leave the Church this morning the young people are going to be standing at the doors with bowls. Be sure to make a contribution as you leave.

Our offering this year is not going to help the needy is our area – but it is going to another dream – another vision – another idea that some may say is crazy but I think is super!

Dylan Bryant is going on a Mission Trip this spring from his school – The King’s Academy – to Los Angeles to work in the inner city area. He will be telling folks in the LA Inner City about Christ.

Imagine that!

A teenager from little Hopewell Presbyterian in Florence, SC thinking he can go out to Los Angeles and make a difference from Christ!

Some may call it crazy.

I call it super.

God comes us – blesses us with a vision of who He is and who we are – and calls us to do great things for Him. These can truly be the super times of our lives – if we will let them be.

But – we have to see them for what they are – and not for what they can be explained as being. We have to see them as times when God is coming to us – blessing us with the vision of who He is and who we can be in His name – and what we can do for Him.

It’s these times – these visions – these ideas – that are important to God – and should be important to us.

It’s these times – these visions – these ideas – that can change our lives and change the world as God works through us – His super people!

The Super Bowl?

It’s fun – it’s entertaining – I’ll probably watch at least part of it tonight.

Super Tuesday – it’s important as many people help decide who our next President will be.

The Transfiguration?

It’s important because it help us remember that God gives us visions of who He is and who we can be for His glory and with His love.

And that – my friends – is truly super!

Amen

17

Exodus 34:29-35, Luke 9:28-36

Exodus 34:29-35

Luke 9:28-36

February 18, 2007

Chosen To Be Changed

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

Transfiguration Sunday

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

 The first question is:

Who are we?

Who are we as Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

Who are we?

And the second question is:

What are we supposed to be doing?

What are we supposed to be doing as Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church?  

Who are we?

What are we supposed to be doing?

Who are we as individual Christians?

What are we supposed to be doing as individual Christians?

Who are we as a Church?

What are we supposed to be doing as a Church? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and

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

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

 

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

 

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read: 

 

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

 

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

 

Who are we?

and

What are we supposed to be doing?

 

Who are we?

 

We are God’s people – Peter writes –

 

What are we to be doing?

 

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

 

Another way to put it is that we are:

 The glorious people of God –

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

 

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

 

But – what does that mean?

 

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

 

What does it means that we are:

The glorious people of God –

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

 

So far we have:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Chosen to walk in the light of Christ

Chosen for ministry

Chosen to be the best

Chosen to worship

Chosen to be triumphant 

Chosen to be obedient

Chosen to be different – and make a difference

 

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

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

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

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

Read Scripture

 

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

            An example of this is speech.

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

           

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

 

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

 

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

 

            Later in his life Peter would write:

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

He then asked them who they thought He was. 

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

 

“The Christ of God!”

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

            Wow.

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

Wow.

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

Jesus was changed.

Moses had an encounter with God – and was changed.

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

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

“Chris, a man can’t be Jesus

in this world.”

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

 

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

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

 

            The question is – has Jesus changed us?

            The question is – has Jesus changed you?

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

We are chosen to be changed. 

 

            This is pretty strong stuff — isn’t it?

 

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

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

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

 

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

You are chosen – to be changed.

 

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

 

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

            How?

 

            Well — that’s a good question.

            How?

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

            Friends — God can change your life.

            God can change your life in a profound way.

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

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

            You are chosen to be changed. 

           

We can be changed.

            You can be changed.

 

            God can change us.

            God can change you.

              

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

 

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

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

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

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

 

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

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

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

 

            We are chosen to be changed.

 

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

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

             

            We are chosen to be changed.

 

            Spend time with God.

            Spend time – daily — in prayer.

            Spend time – daily — in God’s word.

            Spend time in worship.

            Spend time in fellowship with other Christians.

           

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

 

We are chosen to be changed.

           

            Spend time with God.

            Spend time in prayer.

            Spend time in God’s word. 

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

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

            Spend time in worship.

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

 

We are chosen to be changed.

 

            Spend time in fellowship.

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

 

We are chosen to be changed.

We are chosen to be changed.

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

Who are we – as Christians?

What are we to be doing – as Christians?

 

Who are we – as a Church?

What are we to be doing – as a Church?

 

We have seen that Peter writes:

 

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

 

            So who are we?

We are God’s chosen people.

What are we to be doing?

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

 

What does this mean?

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Walking in the light of Christ

Doing ministry.

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

Worshipping God.

Being triumphant

Being obedient to God

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

Letting God change us for His glory

 

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

 

Let’s do it!

Let’s walk in the light of Christ

Let’s do ministry.

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

Let’s worshipping God.

Let’s be triumphant

Let’s be obedient to God

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

Let’s let God change us for His glory

 

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

 

 

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

Exodus 20:1-17, John 2:13-22

Exodus 20:1-17

John 2:13-22

“Get Right With God”

Lent 3  March 20, 2006

 

We are now 3 weeks into the Lenten season —

            3 weeks into our journey with Christ and His disciples as they journey to Jerusalem — where Jesus will die on the cross for our sins.

            As we journey with Jesus and the disciples during this Lenten season, we see the commitment Jesus made to His mission to die for our sins.

            It is our prayer that we will also get a new vision for being the people God calls us to be — people who are more committed to Him and to His work in our lives and in the world.

            The passages we have before us today are – from the Old Testament – the 10 Commandments as we have them in Exodus 20 – and – from the Gospel of John – the story of how Jesus cleansed the temple in Jerusalem.

            These passages may not seem to be similar, but as we look at them we might find some similarities – and a call to journey with Jesus and find that the road to commitment leads us to becoming people whose hearts and minds are right with God.  

            Listen to God’s word.

           

READ BOTH PASSAGES

 

Simeon had been a livestock dealer in the temple all his life, and his father before him, and his before him, and his before him — his family had been livestock dealers in the temple for hundreds of years.  He always got to the temple early to claim his spot.  People looked for him there.  They knew him and trusted him.  His cattle and sheep always met the requirements specified in the law for sacrifice. 

            Now he could only watch in dismay as his livestock scattered into the city. 

            He was ruined. 

            Why?

            How had it happened?

            Who was this crazy Galilean, anyway?

            It was then that Simeon saw one of the followers of that crazy Galilean — the one they called Thomas — sitting alone, and shaking his head dejectedly.  Simeon ran over to him and said:

            “Hey — you — don’t  you realize what you people have cost me?”

            “I know.  I know.” said Thomas.  

            “I’ll send Judas over tomorrow to see if we can cover your losses.”

            “What was this all about?” demanded Simeon.

            “I don’t know” replied Thomas.

            “Something set Him off — I’m not sure what.  It’s just that He feels so deeply…”

            “Yea, right.  That’s obvious,” said Simeon.

            “He seemed to think we were committing a crime or something.  Doesn’t He know how the temple operates?  We provide a service for the people — we sell the animals they need to sacrifice.  Without us, no one could sacrifice.  And if they couldn’t sacrifice, they couldn’t obey God.  It’s as simple as that.  So, don’t we deserve to be paid for our services?  Isn’t the workman worthy of his wages?”

            “Sure you are.” replied Thomas. 

            “Don’t take it personally.  I don’t think it was directed at you.”

            “Then what was it all about?  Is He an atheist or something?  Doesn’t He understand the law — that sacrifice is what God commands?”

            “Yes, yes, He knows that.  And no, He’s not an atheist.  Far from it.  If anything, He believes too much.”

            “Then what’s the problem?”

            Thomas pondered this a moment —

            “I don’t know.  It’s strange.  It’s as if He wants people to have a right relationship with God — to live in a right relationship with God — to let the commandments change their lives.  Maybe He’s telling us to get right with God.”

            “Well — I don’t know — all I know is that He sure turned my life upside down.”  Simeon mumbles as he walks off.

 

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

 

            We are 3 weeks into our season of Lent — that time in the Church year that is meant for thinking about the death of Christ — what it means for us — and what response we make.  It is a time for reflection upon our relationship with Christ — our relationship with God.  It is a time for us to recommit our lives to God and to Christ — to go in His ways.

 

            It is a time for us to

 

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

 

            Both our Old Testament and Gospel texts for today have that as their theme.  They are both calling us to have a right relationship with God and others.  They are both calling on us to

 

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

 

            So — what about our Old Testament text?

            How should we view and consider the 10 Commandments?

            As laws written in stone by God — who will strike us down if we attempt to break them?

As 10 laws meant to do away with any fun we might have — or think about having — handed down to us by a God who is a killjoy – - continually spouting forth a litany of “Thou shalts” and “Thou shalt nots”? 

            As 10 laws that restrict what we do — handed down to us by a God who is only interested in limiting our actions?

            Or — as 10 rules to closely follow – - to keep track of our obedience to – - and to take great pride in our ability to follow – - while at the same time looking down on those we do not feel keep the Commandments as well as we think we do?

            Both ways of interpreting the 10 Commandments are fairly prevalent – - as rules that restrict us or rules that cause us great pride when we feel we follow them better than others.

            But – - wait a minute.

            Are there other options for interpreting the 10 Commandments – - and other options for visualizing God?

            Surely there must be.

            Let’s take another look at God giving the 10 Commandments to the Israelites and see if we can come up with another way to interpret them — and another way to visualize God.

            God had just freed the people of Israel from slavery.  Through Moses God had worked miracles and mighty deeds that made clear God’s will for freedom for God’s people. 

            I remember several years ago we took the young people to see the movie “Prince of Egypt” – and they were all in awe of the scene of salvation for the Israelites as God parted the Red Sea and the Israelites crossed into freedom

One of them was so impressed he looked up and announced:

            “Now that’s something you don’t see every day!”

            Indeed, salvation is not something you see every day.

            It is not commonplace.

So — what do the Israelites do in response to their freedom?

            They had been freed by God – but now what?

            Should their freedom by the very special occurrence of God’s salvation change how they live?

            Are they to live any differently because they have been freed from slavery by God?

            Certainly.

            The glorious fact that they had been freed from slavery by the power of God acting in a way that is so marvelous and out – of – the – ordinary was to be the deciding factor in how they lived. They were to live differently from others — because God had blessed them with their freedom. 

            But – - how were they to live differently?

            At Mt. Sinai they found out.

             In the fire and the smoke and the quaking of that holy mountain they found out how God wanted them to live.

            They had been freed from slavery by their freeing – -  life-giving God — and now they were to have undivided loyalty to God – - a loyalty that would not allow them to try to manipulate God by carving idols — or to take God’s Holy name lightly – - and that would require them to take a Sabbath day of rest out of every 7 days to remember and worship God. 

            But — because God had freed them – - they were also to live in a special relationship with others — honoring their parents — refraining from murder, adultery, stealing, lying and coveting — or doing anything else that might keep them from living in this special relationship with God and others. 

            The 10 Commandments were indeed commandments – - but they were not Commandments that restricted what the people could and could not do as much as it freed them to live in a right relationship with God  — to honor and respect and worship God and to treat others with love and honor and respect. 

 

            The 10 Commandments are commandments to live in a right relationship with God and others. 

                        They are commandments to

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

           They are commandments to live in a right relationship with God and others — and that even show us how to do that.  They are commandments that show us how to put God first in our lives — and because God is first in our lives, we live in ways that respect and honor God — ways that do not try to manipulate God or take His Holy Name lightly — ways that take time for God and that take time to worship and remember Him.

            They are also commandments for a special relationship with others — a relationship that honors all people and shows honor and respect by not killing, committing adultery — stealing — lying — or coveting.

            They are commandments for special and right relationships with God and others. 

            They are commandments to:

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

 

It is as if they are saying:  

GET RIGHT RIGHT WITH GOD!

                                                                             DO IT NOW!

                                                                             GOD WILL SHOW YOU HOW!

 

            GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

            GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

 

            Jesus said the same things — and as He walked through the temple that day He seemed to be incensed at the fact that the people were putting more emphasis on the law and the sacrifice than they were on their own personal relationship with God. 

            As He turned the tables over and drove the money changers out — it is as if He were saying that this was not right — that living in God’s ways — letting God make a difference in your life — letting the ways of God make a difference in how you lived your life — was the only right way to live. 

            It’s as if He were saying:

 

                                                                             GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

                                                                             DO IT NOW!

                                                                             GOD WILL SHOW YOU HOW!

 

            GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

            GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

 

            That’s still the message.

            That was God’s message to the people of Israel in the 10 Commandments and so many other times in the Old Testament — as well as Jesus’ message throughout His ministry.

 

                                                                       

            GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

            GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

                                                 

                                                    GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

                                                                     DO IT NOW!

                                                  GOD WILL SHOW YOU HOW!

 

            That’s still God’s message to us today.

            That’s still God’s message to you today.

            That’s still Jesus’ message to us.

            That’s still Jesus’ message to you.

                                                                       

                                                                        GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

                                                                      GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

                                                                       

                                                GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

                                                          DO IT NOW!

                                   GOD WILL SHOW YOU HOW!

 

            The season of Lent compels us to look at our own relationship with Christ — how we are living our lives — and how Christ has called us to live our lives. 

            So — how about it?

            Are you “right with God?” 

            Are you living your life in a right relationship with God?

            Are the things of God — the things the 10 Commandments speak of — vital and important for your life?

            Like the Israelites freed from slavery in Egypt in a powerful action by God — an action you indeed don’t see every day — you have been freed from slavery to sin through the death of Christ on the cross -  – another gloriously powerful action — another action you certainly don’t see and experience every day — but this gloriously powerful action must change your life. 

 

            You must live in new ways. 

            You must live in a new and right relationship with God and others. 

            Do you?

            Do you?

            Do you live a life that shows an undivided loyalty to God – - a loyalty that will not allow you to try to manipulate God’s will to your will  — or to take God’s Holy name lightly – - a loyalty that requires you to take a day out of every 7 days to remember and worship God?

 

GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

                  GET RIGHT WITH GOD!               

 

            Not only must you live in a right relationship with God — but also it is also necessary to live in a right relationship with others.

                        Do you?

                        Do you?

            Do you live in a right relationship with others — a relationship that honors all people and shows honor and respect by not killing, committing adultery — stealing — lying — or coveting — or doing anything else that keeps you from truly living in a right relationship with others?

            Think about it.

            Think about your relationship with God and others.

            If they are not the “right” relationships God would have them be — let God make them “right.”

           

            Will Willimon  — former Chaplain at Duke University and Dean of Duke Chapel – now a Bishop in the Methodist Church – tells of a dream he once had that he was walking up to the beautiful Duke Chapel and heard quite a commotion.  When he got closer he observed that the beautiful $200 each hymn books – the $2,000 Pulpit Bible  — the hand embroidered paraments and the immense Communion Table was all laying outside the chapel – all broken and crumpled.

As he rushed to see what was going on, he saw Jesus leave the chapel in a fit of anger – proclaiming that people were more important than things – and the chapel had needed to be cleaned out to make more room for Him.

 

            How would Jesus judge us as a Church?

            Would He say that we had our priorities in the right places – or that we needed to do some “cleaning” to make more room for Him?

            How would Jesus judge you as a Christian?

            Would He say you had your priorities in the right places – or that you needed some “cleaning” to make room for Him?

 

            Would Jesus’ message to us be that we were “right” with Him – that our relationships with Him and others were what they should be?

            Would Jesus’ message to you be that you are  “right” with Him – that your relationships with Him and others were what they should be?

           

Do you live in a right relationship with God – a relationship based on an undivided loyalty to God – - a loyalty that will not allow you to try to manipulate God’s will to your will  — or to take God’s Holy name lightly – - a loyalty that requires you to take a day out of every 7 days to remember and worship God?

            Do you live in a right relationship with others — a relationship that puts honors all people and shows honor and respect by not killing, committing adultery — stealing — lying — or coveting — or doing anything else that keeps you from truly living in a right relationship with others?

            Think about it.

            Think about your relationship with God and others.

            If they are not the “right” relationships God would have them be — let God make them “right.”

            As we go through this season of Lent – and journey with Jesus towards greater commitment to Him – one thing we must remember is:

 

                                                      GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

                                                                      DO IT NOW!

                                                 GOD WILL SHOW YOU HOW!

           

                           GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

                        GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

 

AMEN

 

 

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46

EXODUS 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20PHILIPPIANS 3:4(B)-14
MATTHEW 21:33-46COMMUNION
OCTOBER 2, 2005
“THE POWER OF LOVE”

READ SCRIPTURE

In his novel The Brothers Karamazov the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky relates a moving story of a Russian village and the daily lives of those who live there.
In one moving scene a woman goes to talk with a holy man about her problems with faith. “What if I’ve been believing all my life, and when I come to die there is nothing but Burdocks growing over my grave? … How can I prove it? How can I convince myself?”
The holy man answer thinks – then responds:
“By the experience of active love.
Insofar as you advance in active love, you will grow surer of the reality of God and of the immortality of the soul.”
The power of active love.
That is what our faith is all about – the power of God’s active love in our lives – and the power of God’s call to each of us to have active love for all people.
The power of active love.
The 10 Commandments we heard again moments ago have become “hot potatoes” lately – with groups forming to bring them back into the public life – and other groups against such public show of religion. From courthouses in Alabama to Washington state there are battles over the public display of the 10 Commandments.
What should we make of – and how should we consider – the 10 Commandments?
As laws written in stone by God — who will strike us down if we attempt to break them?
As 10 laws meant to do away with any fun we might have — or think about having — handed down to us by a God who is a killjoy – - continually spouting forth a litany of “Thou shalts” and “Thou shalt nots”?
As 10 laws that restrict what we do — handed down to us by a God who is only interested in limiting our actions?
Or — as 10 rules to closely follow – - to keep track of our obedience to – - and to take great pride in our ability to follow – - while at the same time looking down on those we do not feel keep the Commandments as well as we think we do?
Or – as a litmus test for political candidates – be for our side on the issue of the public display of the 10 Commandments – or we will not vote for you.
All these ways of interpreting the 10 Commandments are fairly prevalent – - as rules that restrict us or rules that cause us great pride when we feel we follow them better than others or as political litmus tests.
But – - wait a minute.
Are there other options for interpretting the 10 Commandments – - and other options for visualizing God?
Surely there must be.
Let’s take another look at God giving the 10 Commandments to the Israelites and see if we can come up with another way to interpret them — and another way to visualize God.
God had just freed the people of Israel from slavery. Through Moses God had worked miracles and mighty deeds that made clear God’s will for freedom for God’s people.
They had been freed by God – but now what?
Should their freedom change how they live?
Are they to live any differently because they have been freed from slavery by God?
Certainly.
The glorious fact that they had been freed from slavery by the power of God was to be the deciding factor in how they lived. They were to live differently from others — because God had blessed them with their freedom.
But – - how were they to live differently?
At Mt. Siani they found out.
In the fire and the smoke and the quaking of that holy mountain they found out how God wanted them to live.
They had been freed from slavery by their freeing – - life-giving God — and now they were to have undivided loyalty to God – - a loyalty that would not allow them to try to manipulate God by carving idols — or to take God’s Holy name lightly – - and that would require them to take a Sabbath day of rest out of every 7 days to remember and worship God.
But — because God had freed them – - they were also to live in a special relationship with others — honoring their parents — refraining from murder, adultery, stealing, lieing and coveting — or doing anything else that might keep them from living in this special relationship with God and others.
The 10 Commandments were indeed commandments – - but they were not Commandments that restricted what the people could and could not do as much as it freed them to love – - to love God and to love others — to honor and respect and worship God and to treat others with love and honor and respect.
The 10 Commandments are commandments to love God and to love others.
They are not commandments to restrict us or make us feel proud — they are instead commandments to love.
We are commanded to love.
We can feel the power of God’s love in our lives – and share God’s love with others in powerful, active ways.
The 10 Commandments are all about the power of God’s love.
Jesus understood what the 10 Commandments were all about.
When he confronted the Jewish leaders who for centuries had thought that they were better than all others — and who used the Commandments as a measuring stick to see how much better they were than others — he made it plain that just having the Commandments — just being in the vineyard — is not enough for the Kingdom of God.
Unless you let the Commandments lead you to be open to God — loving and respecting God and loving and respecting all people — you are not living in the ways God calls you to live — no matter how good a person you are
if you do not let God lead you to love for Him and others — you are not living in the ways of God.
If you do not realize the power of God’s love – let the power of God’s love change your life – and share the power of God’s love with others – you are not living in God ‘s ways.
Living in God’s ways is not so much about strict obediance as much as it is about the power of love.
The tenants in Jesus’ parable thought they had it made there in the vineyard — so much so they did not care about the landlord servants or his son. They didn’t let the power of having the vineyard change them and their attitudes towards the landlord.
Having the love of God — having salvation — should change us – the powerful love of God should change us — and it should bring about a change in our attitudes — in our devotion to God – - in the love we have and share with others.
That’s the power of God’ s love
It can change who we are
It can change how we relate to God and others
That’s what the 10 Commandments are all about – the power of love
Paul finally understood this.
He thought his life was perfect until he met Jesus — and saw just how imperfect he was. Then he began striving to live in love – the power of love — love for God – and love for others.
He finally discovered that his life was not meant to be spent feeling superior to others — but loving others.
Those 10 Commandments he had taken such great pride in were actually commandments to love God — and to love others.
He finally experienced – and committed himself to sharing – the power of God’s love.
I can experience and share God’s active, powerful love with the world
So can you
We can experience and share God’s active, powerful love with others.
This is not easy.
Paul understood how difficult it was — and yet he let God strengthen him as he strove to share God’s love with others.
It is only when we let God’s love take root in us that we can truly love others.
Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God with all your heart — soul — mind — and strength — and to love others as yourself.
There is an ancient monastic saying which is printed on your bulletin cover for today:

We have thrown down a light burden, which is the reprehending of our own selves, and we have chosen instead to bear a heavy burden, by justifying our own selves and condemning others.

When we choose to follow the power of God’s great love – sharing His love with each other and others – God strengthens us to live by the power of His love.
When we choose to try to justify ourselves – feel superior to others – and judge others instead of loving them as God does and as God calls on us to do – we are weakened by our own feelings of hatred and jealousy.
So – the question for us is:
How much do we love?
How much do we love God?
How much do we love others?
Do we let the active, life changing love of God work in your lives?
Do our actions show God’s active, life changing love to others?
The real question, though, is for you:
How much do you love?
How much do you love God?
How much do you love others?
Do you let the active, life changing love of God work in your life?
Do your actions show God’s active, life changing love to others?
Friends – as you partake of the Sacrament in a few moments, learn once again what it means to love.
As you partake of the bread and cup, remember the love of God – let that love touch you in a new way – and commit yourself to sharing the active, powerful love of God with others.
Learn again what it means to be open to God in your life and to be open to others.
Learn again what it means to be loved by a gracious God — who can lead us to love Him and the world.
Use this time in this place – - around this table with these people — to reflect on how well you show a love for God and others in your life — and use this Sacrament to strengthen your love for God and for the world.
Learn to not take up the burden of feeling superior to others or judging others – but to take on the actions of love and joy and peace.
Learn again to let God’s love move in you and change your life.
Learn again the power of God’s active love and how to share that with others.
Learn again the power of love.
AMEN