Micah 6:6-8, 1 Corinthians 13

Micah 6:6-8

1 Corinthians 13

“A Ministry Of Love”

April 15, 2012

First sermon at Edgewood Presbyterian

About three weeks ago Sally and I began moving some of our things that we had in the cabin on my brother in law and sister’s farm in Fort Mill SC where we had been living since last November up to the manse here in Sanford. On one of our first trips up we noticed the sign in front of the Church that read:

New Life – 4/8

New Leader 4/15

Of course the “New Life – 4/8” referred to Easter – and the “New Leader – 4/15” refers to today being my first day here at Edgewood.

Today is truly a day for celebrations.  

            As Christians this year we are continuing to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the event of Easter that – this year – we celebrated on 4/8. And now here at Edgewood there seem to be some celebrations going on today – on 4/15.        

            Sally and I are celebrating today that the long ordeal of looking for the Church God had in store for us is over – as is the long ordeal of packing and moving. The movers have made their and now Sally and I are busy unpacking boxes.  Or I should say Sally is busy unpacking – I seem to be busy staying out of her way!

            I get the feeling that you — the members of Edgewood – are celebrating today.  Sally and I deeply appreciate all the visits, gifts and food that have come our way since we moved in – and last night’s “Meet, Greet, and Eat” was fun and a true blessing for us. 

            I also get the feeling the members of the PNC may be celebrating today.    Royce – Jody – Lee – Tricia – and Shannon have done a great job and been faithful to their tasks — and I hope you will feel they were attentive to their task and prayerful – and that God has blessed their work.

            Yes – today is a day for celebration for us all. 

            God is beginning a new chapter in the life of Edgewood — and in Sally’s life and mine. It’s a new ministry – a new work – a new thing for us to do as together we step out in faith and believe that God is with us – blessing us as we go.

            A day for celebration indeed!

            But you might want to know exactly what it is you are celebrating today.

            What are this new minister and wife going to be like?

            What are they going to do?

            Well –- while I can’t make promises and talk a lot about specifics – I do want to lay out for you something of a dream I have.  I call it a vision for the ministry Sally and I want to have with you – and a vision for the ministry we all can share with each other – with the community — and with the world.

            I call it a ministry of love.

            If I could look into the future and see the day that Sally and I are no longer with you – and believe me Sally has made me promise that there will be no more moves for a long time so hopefully this will be years into the future – but if I could look at the point in time when we are no longer here – and if I could look for a word that you might use to describe the ministry we had here – I would want the word to be love. I would want people to say “the time Bill and Sally Hayes were at Edgewood  was a time when the church had a ministry of love.”

            I want us to have a ministry that is based on God’s love – a ministry that is a celebration of the love God has for each of us and the love of God we all can share with each other – as well as with the community – and the world.

            Now — what exactly is this ministry of love going to look like?

            We don’t know yet – do we?

            While we don’t know the specifics, I want to give some basic things that can help us establish this ministry of love I believe God is calling us to – some things that are going to be important – that I believe are going to be basic for us.

            The first thing is our individual faith in God.

            The requirements for love Paul lays out in 1 Corinthians 13 are not easy.

            It takes faith. 

            It takes a deep and abiding faith in God to be able to have the love in our lives that we need for this ministry of love I feel god is calling us to have.

            That means that each of us – each of you – are going to have to have a deep and abiding faith in God for this ministry of love to work. Your daily devotional and prayer time will need to be a priority for you.

            As you pray every day I ask you to pray for several things:

            Pray that God will show you the girts for ministry you have and how you can use your gifts in the Church – the community – and the world.

            Pray that God will give you a vision of His will for Edgewood and.

            Pray for each member here at Edgewood.

            Pray for the Session.

            Pray for Sally and me.

            While you pray, know that Sally and I are praying for you also.

            To have a ministry of love  — a ministry that celebrates the love God has for   us – the love God calls us to share with each other – and the love God calls us to share with the world — each of us will have to have a deep and abiding individual faith in God. 

            Second – we are going to have to have a sense of the importance of worship.

Worship is going to have to be our focal point in our life together as God’s people. The experience of worship is the time that we come together and celebrate God’s love and give praise to God for the wonderful ways that God has blessed us.  We give praise to God in our hymns — our prayers — our attentiveness to God’s word.  Whatever else we do as a Church — worship has got to be the vital link between us and God – - and the vital link that ties us together as God’s people.  Worship is the undergirding strength of our ministry — it’s what will make it possible for us to have a ministry of love.

            So – a deep and abiding individual faith in God – and a deep and abiding sense of the importance of worship – are two things we will need for this ministry of love.

            A third thing we will need is a commitment to studying God’s Word.

Bible study will have to be an important element of who we are and what we do. We are all going to have to be committed to studying God’s Word individually – and as a Church we will need times to come together to open God’s Word for corporate study so we can hear what God has to say to us.

So – so far we have three things I think we need for  this ministry of love I invision us having – a fourth thing I believe is needed is a sense of the importance of fellowship. The times we gather together to share a meal with each other are times we also share God’s love with each other.  These can be times of joy and can increase the bond of love we feel for each other as well as the love we have for others and for God.             

Then — we are going to have to have a sense of the importance of outreach and missions – and finding specific ways to reach out to others with the love of God.  

To have a ministry of love  — a ministry that celebrates God’s love for us – the love God calls us to share with each other – and the love God calls us to share with the world — each of us will have to have a deep and abiding individual faith in God – a deep and abiding sense of  the importance of worship – a deep and abiding sense of the importance of studying God’s Word individually and together as a Church – a deep and abiding sense of the importance of fellowship — and a deep and abiding sense of the importance of outreach and missions.

This might seem like a tall order – it might seem to be dreaming a bit too much – but I believe and have faith that if we will do what we can to have this deep and abiding faith in God –deep and abiding sense the importance of worship – deep and abiding sense of the importance of studying God’s word – deep and abiding sense of the importance of fellowship — and deep and abiding sense of the importance of outreach and missions – God will bless us with a ministry of love.

Here are a few specific things about how Sally and I want this ministry to be as we begin this ministry together with you.

We want to get to know you – to count you not only as members of the congregation but as friends.

We want you to call us by our first names – and we will work at learning yours and calling you by yours.

We want to be accessible to you.  You know where we will live. Come over when you can. 

You have my e-mail address.  Some of you have already started to use it.  I hope all of you will. The same with my face book account.

When we get local cell phones we’ll let you know the numbers.

We want to be your minister and wife – but we also want to be your friends.

I want to make visitation in your homes a vital part of my ministry.

Sally and I also want to make being involved in the community and in your lives a vital part of the ministry and friendship we will share together. Let us know how we can do that – and invite us to be a part of the community and your lives. 

So – today celebrate – and today we begin.

Next  Sunday I’ll start a series of sermons where I will look at what God might be calling us as Edgewood Presbyterian Church to be and do as we look at one of the first statements in our denomination’s Book of Order – what is called The Six Great Ends Of The Church – but for today – for now – it is important to celebrate.  

Celebrate – because God is beginning a new chapter in our lives – a new ministry – a new thing as together we step out in faith and believe that God is with us – blessing us as we go.

As we focus on a ministry of love – a ministry based on the love God has for us – calls on us to share with each other – and calls on us to share with the world – we will be blessed.

As we focus on our individual commitment to our faith in God – the importance of worship – the importance of studying God’s word – the importance of fellowship – and the importance of reaching out into the community and the world with God’s love – - God will bless us – and I believe we will have

A ministry of love.

Amen.  

Micah 5:2-5(a), Luke 1:39-55

Micah 5:2-5(a)

Luke 1:39-55

“What Are You Sao Happy About?”

December 20, 2009

Advent 4

Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot…
But the Grinch, who lived just North of Who-ville, did not!

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn’t screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

I could continue – but I am sure most of you know that these lines begin the

classic tale “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”  by Theodore Geisel – also known as  Dr. Seuss. Along with “Rudlolf  The Red Nosed Reindeer”, “Frosty the Snowman”, and “The Little Drummer Boy”, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” was one of my favorite animated Christmas TV specials as a child. I’d watch it every year – and would sing along with the fact that Mr. Grinch was certainly “A mean one…” I’m sure that if I began singing about how mean Mr. Grinch was most of you would join in.  That particular song from “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” has become as familiar as Silent Night or Joy To The World.

You remember the story — high above a small town where people joyfully celebrate Christmas lived a creature known as the Grinch. He couldn’t understand what all the noise and singing and feasting and giving of presents was all about. Even after he sneaked into Who-ville dressed as St. Nick and stole all the presents from the Whos, he was dumbfounded to find that they still sang and celebrated. By the end of the story the Grinch experienced a sort of conversion – but Dr. Seuss still leaves a question unanswered:

Why is everybody so happy about Christmas?

Indeed – what are we so happy about?

Has this question ever crossed your mind?

You ever find yourself surrounded by people full of holiday cheer, but you don’t feel much like celebrating?

Ever had everybody around you smiling and laughing, but you just can’t get happy?

Ever felt that everyone is so carefree while your mind is full of worry, stress and pain?

There may be times you’re on the Grinch’s side – wondering why everybody else is so happy.  Or you may have the sentiments of Ebenezer Scrooge:

“Christmas?

Bah! Humbug!”

Why is everybody so happy at Christmas?

Indeed – what are we so happy about?

I must admit at times I slip into a “funk” and get pretty stressed out this time of year.  Sally can confirm that there are times I can be as grouchy as the Grinch or as hum-buggish as old Ebenezer.

I have developed a plan to help me restore my joy when I begin feeling “Grinchish”, however.  When I catch myself feeling that way, I like to reread the story of a young girl in the Bible who had a lot of reasons to be a Grinch at Christmas. She was a member of the poorest class of her people having no political power or rights. She was young and female in a culture that treated women as little more than property. She’s was an unwed mother, which was often an automatic death sentence in her community. Her fiancée was seriously considering calling the marriage off, which would mean she would never find a husband who would have her. Christmas was coming — in fact the very first Christmas was coming – and in spite of all she had to be worried and sad about, the Bible tells us that she was so happy she sang a song.

Wow — who was this glad girl and why was she singing?

Why was she so happy?

As we look at her song this morning, my prayer is that the song of this young girl named Mary will put a song in our hearts too.

As we see what she was so happy about, maybe we can discover what we have to be so happy about.

As you see what she was so happy about, maybe you can see what you have to be happy about – at Christmas – and all the time!

So – what was Mary so happy about?
Let me suggest 4 things Mary mentions in her song that can set your heart

singing this Christmas – 4 things that can give you joy – and help you remember what you have to be so happy about.

1. 1. Mary let God make her happy.

Listen to how Mary begins her song of joy:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (vs. 46)

What makes you happy? There may be more than a million answers to that question.

Some say money can make you happy – others that they are happy but have no money.

Some say that marriage can make you happy – others that divorce can make you happy.

Some say that a new house or car or boat can make you happy – others get stressed out over how to pay for all these “new things”.

Some say that family can make you happy – others say that their families drive them crazy.

Some say that belonging to a Church will make you happy – others declare that they will never step foot into a Church again.

So — what – or who — would you say makes you happy?
Mary’s song makes it clear the reason she’s singing is because God makes

her happy.

“My soul rejoices in God my Savior”
Mary knows God personally. God — she says – is her Savior. Her relationship

with God is real and personal.

Mary feels joyful in her relationship with God. That word literally means to jump up and down for joy. Think of a child, so happy they literally leap for joy. This is how Mary describes her relationship with God. This young woman sings because God makes her happy.
Who or what could make you that happy?

Millions of people think they know the answer to this question, but I fear they are mistaken. Watch “Wheel of Fortune” or “The Price is Right” and you will see people jump for joy over a new car, or a new house or a fabulous vacation for two to Cancun Mexico. Watch sports fans and the players scream and shout when their team wins a biog game. It’s not hard to be happy when things go good.
But Mary was happy even though she didn’t have much money — she sang for joy even when it seemed she was numbered among the losers in life. She found her joy in the Lord — and it was a joy that couldn’t be shaken nor taken by anyone or anything else.

This joy is the reason Mary could sing.

This joy is available to you too.

This is the joy that does not depend on your bank account or what’s in your garage. It is a joy that flows even through tears and suffering. It is the joy Jesus Himself promises to anyone who will hear His Word and believe it .
This is what Mary was so happy about – and it’s what you can be so happy about also.

One wise man put it this way:
“Happiness of heart can no more be attained without God than light and sunshine can be had without the sun. On every side, in every part of the universe men and women are seeking happiness and cannot find it because they do not seek it from God.”

There is not much that I like to make guarantees about or that I consider “a sure bet” – but here is one thing “you can take to the bank” as they say:

unless you find your happiness in God, you will never truly be happy.

Who is this girl and why is she singing?

She is Mary, mother of Jesus who finds her happiness in God. Her song calls you to find your happiness in God, too.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

Mary’s Song also describes another reason you can be happy:

1. 2. Because God has a special part for you to play in His plan.

Listen to how Mary sings about it:

“for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him”  (vs. 48-50)

Two of the most amazing discoveries you will ever make in life come when you realize:

1) God is working out His plan for this world, and

2) God has chosen a special part for you to play in accomplishing His plan.

That’s pretty amazing – isn’t it?

Mary’s song celebrates the part God has for her to play in His plan for the

world. The angel Gabriel had already told her that she will be privileged to be the mother of God’s Messiah. God gives her a very important part to play in His plan and it excites her that she can do this for Him.

In spite of the challenges and problems the part Mary plays in God’s plan may have been for her, Mary was glad to be chosen for this special part to play in God’s plan. She sees beyond her own struggle and pain to God’s power, mercy, and holiness. Mary sings for joy that God is so great that He not only notices a poor nobody like her but actually invites her to be a part of His plan to save the world.

So — Have you discovered your part to play in God’s plan?

The author John Powell writes:

I have a sign in the mirror of my room I see it every morning in my groggy condition, when I first wake up: WHAT HAVE YOU GOT GOING TODAY, GOD? I’D LIKE TO BE A PART OF IT. THANKS FOR LOVING ME.
I have to find my place in God’s plans, rather than make my own little plans and then ask God to support them: “Come on, God, give me an A in this course. Come on, God, do this for me.” Instead, I pray, “What have you got going today, God? You love this world. You loved this world into life. You created this world. We’re all yours. What’s my part in the drama? What part do you want me to play? I will play any part you say. Want me to be a success? I’ll be a success for you. Want me to be a failure? I’ll fail for you. Whatever you want.”

This is the recipe for joy and happiness:

find your part to play in God’s plan.

In spite of the mess people make out of this sad, sinful world, God is still working out His incredible, glorious plan to change the world. Just like Mary He had a part for Mary t play in that plan, He has a part for you to play in His plan —  but also like Mary, you have to say “Yes” to God’s plan in your life.

Will it cost you?

Probably.

But then anything you do that makes a real difference is costly, isn’t it?

The question is — do you just want to pass away time — or do you want your life to count for something?

Yea – who is this girl and why is she singing?

She is Mary, mother of Jesus, a woman who gladly plays her part in God’s plan. Her song calls you and I to find our part in His plan and play it, too.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

She’s so happy because she’s playing a part in God’s plan.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

You can be so happy in playing a part in God’s plan.

But Mary’s song is not done. She goes on to sing about God’s plans to instigate a revolution

1. 3. God turns the world upside down.

Listen to Mary’s song about God’s revolution:

^51” He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.”

So many misunderstand Christmas because they misunderstand what God did when He sent His Son to earth. Jesus was not born to make us nicer people, or to somehow help us learn how to play nice with one another.

Jesus came to bring in God’s kingdom in a fallen world.

Jesus came to turn everything on its head, and show us reality is not defined by human reasoning, but by God’s standards- which are very different from our own.

Mary recognized this revolutionary way of thinking in these verses.

“He has shown strength with His arm — He has bared His arm”.

The image is God baring His muscle to use His power.

What is He doing?

He’s putting down the proud and lifting up the humble.

God pulls down and lays low those sitting on a throne of pride.

God lifts up those who humble themselves.

No matter how high the proud sit, they are headed for a tumble — no matter how low the humble stoop, they are destined for higher ground.

God turns the world of the proud and the humble upside down.
Mary is celebrating God’s power to change the status quo.

People like to think that selfishness and pride are what it takes to get to the top — but God says that is just a detour to the bottom. The real way to climb higher is to humble yourself before God.

People like to think that the self- satisfied and self-sufficient  are those who have it made in life; but God says it is those who hunger and thirst for righteousness that will find real satisfaction in life.

The world says the happiest people are those who serve and satisfy themselves, but God says these are the real failures. The truly successful people in life, God says, are those who are humble enough to be used by God.

Mary celebrates the fact that God’s power can put this upside down world right-side up again. It is strange to think that the road to joy is open only if you are humble, but that’s what Mary is telling us.

Only when you step off the throne and fall at the feet of Jesus will you ever find true joy.

Only when you are starving for the Bread of Life will your soul truly find satisfaction.

Are you bowed at the feet of Jesus this morning?

Are you hungry and thirsty to know Him more?

If so, you’ll find true happiness.  If not, you won’t.

Who is this girl and why is she singing?

She’s Mary, mother of Jesus, glad that God is turning this world upside down. Her song calls you and me to let God turn our world upside down too.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

She’s so happy  because she’s playing a part in God’s plan.

She’s so happy because she is letting God turn her life upside down.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

You can be so happy in playing a part in God’s plan.

You can be so happy by letting God turn your life upside down.

Finally, Mary’s song celebrates the fact of God’s faithfulness
4. God always keep His promises

Listen to Mary’s words:

“He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.” (vs. 54-55)

It was the day after Christmas at a church when the pastor noticed  that the baby Jesus was missing from the manger scene set up inside the church. He hurried outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant Jesus. He walked up to the boy and asked: “Where did you get your passenger?” The little boy replied, “I got him from the church.” “And why did you take him out of the church?” the minister asked. The boy explained: “Well, a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas I would give him a ride around the block in it.”

Kids know the importance of keeping your promises, even if we adults sometimes forget.
Christmas is the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Mary believed in the God who keeps His promises. Her song proclaims that God will not forget His mercy.

God will not forget His people.

God will not forget His promise.

You know – a promise from God is a wonderful thing!

The Bible is full of God’s promises to you and me:

promises of His love,

promises of eternal, abundant life through Christ,

promises that He will never leave nor forsake you,

promises that He cares about you, no matter who you are.

Do you believe God keeps His promises?
Who is this girl, and why is she singing?

She’s Mary, mother of Jesus, a woman who testifies that God always keeps

His promises.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

She’s so happy  because she’s playing a part in God’s plan.

She’s so happy because she is letting God turn her life upside down.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

You can be so happy in playing a part in God’s plan.

You can be so happy by letting God turn your life upside down.

You can be so happy by claiming God’s promises for your life.

Who are you, and what do you have to sing about this morning?

What are you so happy about?

I know you have your share of troubles and heartaches. Many of us are stressed out and anxious during the holiday. It would be so easy for you and I to live at the top of Mt Crumpet with the Grinch instead down in Who-ville with all those noisy, singing Whos.

But still there is this song, sung by this young girl who had her own plate loaded down with trouble and uncertainty, and yet she could sing.

She sang because God had made her heart happy;

She sang because she knew she had a special part to play in God’s plan.

She sang because God was turning her world upside down.

She sang because God always keeps His promises.

This Christmas, why not let God put a song in your heart?

Why not let God give you something to be truly happy about?

Why not let Jesus make you truly happy?

Why not discover your special part in God’s plan – and act on it?

Why not let God turn your life upside down?

Why not claim God’s promises for your life?

If you find your self in a “Grinchy” mood, why not remember what you have to be so happy about – and celebrate?

Indeed – discover in Jesus what you have to be so happy about!

Amen.