Isaiah 50:4-9(a), Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 21:1-11

Isaiah 50:4-9(A)

Philippians 2:5-11

Matthew 21:1-11

 “Jesus Means We Can Think Differently”

Part 4 of 2008 Lent series: “Jesus Means We Can See Things Differently”

Passion / Palm Sunday

March 16, 2008

            We have made it through the Season of Lent!   

            Today is what we call Passion / Palm Sunday – that special day when we celebrate Jesus coming into Jerusalem with all the palms and parade – riding in on the donkey to the shouts of “Hosanna!”

            But – while we celebrate His coming in Jerusalem and join in the shouts opf “Hosanna” — we also know why Jesus has come to Jerusalem.

            We know that the cries of “Hosanna” will be replaced by cries of “Crucify Him!” – we know that  Jesus will be crucified – we know that He will die – for our sins. We know that the grand celebration of Palm Sunday will be quickly replaced by the passion of the events of Holy Week – but we also know that there will be a  much grander celebration at Easter!

            We’ve used the season of Lent this year to focus on what the life – death – and resurrection of Jesus can mean for us.

            Five weeks ago we looked at one of the most fundamental things that Jesus means to us as we looked Genesis 2: 15-17, 25-3:7, Romans 5:12-18, and  Matthew 4:1-11. – and saw how Jesus means we are given another chance.  

            Four weeks ago we looked at Genesis 12:1-4 (a) and John 3:1-17 – and saw how Jesus means that we can change.

            Two weeks ago we are looked at John 9:1-12 and 24-41 – and saw how Jesus means that we can see things differently.  

            Last week we looked at John 11:1-7, 17-43 – and we will saw how Jesus means that we can have a new life.

            Today – on this Passion / Palm Sunday – we are going to look at 3 passages –  Isaiah 50:4-9(A), Philippians 2:5-11, and Matthew 21:1-11 – and try to imagine what Jesus might have been thinking as He was riding into Jerusalem – towards the cross and all it meant for Him – and discover how Jesus means we can think differently.

Listen to God’s word.

Read Scriptures

I am going to ask you to imagine something with me for a few moments today.

Imagine with me that you live in the village of Bethphage — some 11 miles from Jerusalem – during the time of Jesus.

            You live a fairly normal life – not too bad and not too good either. 

            One day you are shocked to see some men outside your door untying your donkey.  You ask them what they think they are doing — and they give what you think to be the strangest answer you had heard in a long time.

“The Lord has need of it.”

“O!” maybe you think to yourself.

            “The Lord has need of it.

Well — that’s OK then.”

            But — then you start thinking —

            “The Lord?”

            “What Lord?”

            “Whose Lord?”

            “Who are they talking about?”

            As you begin to protest – are gone – with your donkey.

            Well – you decide to follow them.

            You want to see who this “Lord” is they are talking about.

            But – you also want to keep an eye on your donkey.

            You follow them to the outskirts of town — and find a group of people standing around this one man. The man they stood around welcomes the ones who have your donkey —         and then they make Him sit on your donkey.  They begin walking towards Jerusalem — and you follow – keeping an eye on this man – and your donkey .

            The closer you get to Jerusalem – - the more of a crowd this entourage attracts.

            People begin shouting:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

            Well — now your curiosity is really up.

            Who is this man?

            You ask one of the crowd — and they respond:

“He’s Jesus of Nazareth.

But we know he’s the Messiah.”

            Jesus!

            Yea — you’ve heard of Him!  

            You decide to follow Him into Jerusalem — and see what was going to happen next. If nothing else, you need to keep an eye on your donkey.

The parade enters Jerusalem  – and a great crowd by this time is shouting:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

            But – you can see that not everyone is happy.

            The Pharisees are not happy at all.

            They want the people silenced.

            They seem to be willing to go to any length to rid themselves of this Jesus.

            And all you can do is wonder just who this Jesus is — just who this man is who is riding your donkey — attracting so much devotion from some — and so much hatred from others. 

            What’s going to happen next?

            You’re not sure — but you know that something of major proportions was about to happen.

            Well — we all know what was about to happen — don’t we?

            Even though the owner of the donkey may not have been too sure of who was riding his donkey — we know.

            We know that it was Jesus — the Son of God — the Messiah — that entered Jerusalem that day — and we know what happened. He was not coming to Jerusalem to be praised — even though that happened.    

            He was coming for something completely different.

            Something far away from the praise of the crowd.

            But — something that occurred — just the same.

            The people were ready to make Jesus their King.

            Maybe He’s the one who will save them from Roman rule.  Many are probably ready for Jesus to give the word — and they will fight the Romans — and follow Him to victory.

            To them — Jesus is the Messiah — the Savior — the King.

            And — of course – - they are right.

            He is all these things.

            But — He is not the kind of Messiah — Savior — or King the people were expecting. Before the week is over, His crown will be one of thorns — His throne — a cross.  A different kind of King than the people were expecting — He indeed was thinking some deep thoughts.  As He rode humbly into Jerusalem on a humble donkey — He indeed had something on His mind — but what?

            What we He thinking?

            Paul gives us an interesting — moving — and compelling interpretation of what was on Jesus’ mind — an interesting — moving — and compelling picture of what He calls “the mind of Christ.”

Paul writes that:

Christ was in the form of God and yet did not exploit His position

but gave of Himself becoming like us in every way

humbling Himself — even to death on the cross.

            That’s what He was thinking!

            As He entered Jerusalem — even as the crowds praised Him — it was not the praise of the crowd that was on His mind.  His mind was turned to giving of Himself — giving of His Heavenly glory — and dying — dying on the cross — for us — for all people. 

            Can you imagine it?  

            Can you imagine someone who has all the power in the world — but willingly giving it up?

            Can you imagine someone who is God — but willingly becomes a slave — and willingly dies on a cross?

            It is almost impossible to imagine such love — such a mind for giving of oneself for others.

            What must Jesus have thought as He rode into Jerusalem — hearing the praises of the crowd — and yet knowing what He was going into Jerusalem to do?

            What was on His mind?

            Well maybe He thought:

            “Yes — I am a King –

but not as you understand power.

I am more powerful than any of you can imagine —

and yet I am not going to show my power as you

might expect.

I am coming to die — not rule in power.”

            What courageous love it took to ride into Jerusalem that day —

to give of Himself and die for us — for all people.

            What love it took to give of Himself and die.

            But — you know — we can imagine what the owner of the donkey may have thought — and can look at what Jesus might have been thinking —

            But — is this only a day for us to think about what Jesus did — what Jesus may have had on His mind as He rode into Jerusalem — what He may have had on His mind as He died for us — as He gave Himself for us?

            Or — is there a way we can take Palm Sunday out of history and find something there for our lives today?

            Paul writes that we are to have the same mind as Christ.

Let the same mind be in you

hat was in Christ Jesus

he writes – - or — as Eugene Peterson translates it in The Message:

Think of yourselves

the way Christ thought of Himself

            What does this mean – but that we are called to have the mind of Christ — to think of ourselves as Christ thought of Himself — to be thinking the same things Jesus was thinking – thinking of giving of ourselves — just as Christ gave of Himself?

            As we move into Holy Week, we need to examine our lives — our thoughts — our attitudes.  We need to  examine what we are thinking  – and see if we have the same thoughts — the same attitudes — the same mind that Christ had.

            You see – one thing that Jesus can mean for us is:

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

What was He thinking?

What was Jesus thinking?

            Jesus was thinking of giving of Himself for the world.

            Jesus was thinking of giving — of serving

            Is that what we are thinking?

            Is that what you are thinking?

            Do you think of giving of yourself for Christ — for others?

            Jesus’ whole life was built around service — giving of Himself — making a sacrifice for the good of others.

            Is ours?

            Is yours?

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Is giving of ourselves for the work of God and Christ in the world our main purpose in life?

            Is giving of yourself for the work of God and Christ in the world your main purpose in life?

 

            Is this our prevailing attitude — the main objective of life for us?

            Is this your prevailing attitude — your main objective in life?

            This was Jesus’ purpose in life.

            Is it ours?

            Is it yours?

            This is what Jesus was thinking.

            Is it what we are thinking?

            Is this what you are thinking?

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Mohandes Gandhi once said:

            “Freely accepted servanthood is the greatest force

            the world has ever known.”

            One of the hardest things for us to do is to give of ourselves — to sacrifice ourselves — to commit ourselves to God’s work and to give our all for it — to give of ourselves for the work of God in the world. 

It is hard for us to accept service — sacrifice — and giving.   

            We would much rather have things our way than doing things God’s way.  We make up excuses for not doing anything that requires us to give of ourselves — of our time — to go out of our way to take part in God’s work in the world.  We don’t want to make sacrifices — whether it’s sacrificing our time — or giving of something we have — or sacrificing a part of ourselves for God and for others.

            Too many times we think of ways others can serve us – or nit pick the ways others do not serve us – instead of thinking of ways we can serve others.

            And the church suffers —

            and the work of God in the world suffers —

            and we suffer.

            But — as followers of Christ — we can be different.

            We can think different things.

            You can be different.

            You can think different things.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            We can have what Paul called that “mind of Christ.”

            We can — as Peterson translates it —

            “Think of ourselves as Christ thought of Himself”

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            We can have the mind of Christ.

            We can think the things Christ thought.

            We can let what was on His mind be what is on our mind.\

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            You can have the mind of Christ.

            You can think the things Christ thought.

            You can let what was on His mind be on your mind.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we are to be different – - and we can be different.

            Jesus means we are to think differently – and we can think differently.

We are to have different things on our minds – and we can have different things on our minds.

Jesus means you are to be different — and you can be different.

            You are to think differently – and you can think differently.

            You are to have different things on your mind – and you can have different things on your mind.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            We can be people who give — who serve – and are willing to make personal sacrifices to benefit others.

            We can be a Church filled with active members – doing things that need to be done instead of looking to “somebody else” whoever that may be – to do it.

            You can be a person who gives — who serves — who is willing to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others.

            You can be a Church member that does things that need to be done instead of looking to “somebody else” whoever that may be – to do it.

            We can all look for what needs to be done – and ways we all can pitch in and do it!

            We can all be active in helping others — as a church and as individuals.  We can look for things that need to be done and ways to do it.

We can all be on the lookout for specific things we can do as individuals and as a Church to reach out to our community and the world with the love of God.

            We can be different.

            We can have the mind of Christ.

We can think as Jesus thought.

We can have a mind to serve others.

             Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            So – here are some questions to consider:

            Are you different?

            Do you live differently?

            Do you act differently?

            Do you think differently?

            Do you think as Jesus thought?

            Do you have the mind of Christ?

            Commitment — giving — sacrifice — should be our distinguishing characteristics as Christians. 

These should be the mark that Christ puts upon you.

These should be the things you think about.

Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

 

 

            Are these your characteristics?

            Are these the things you think about?

            This is attitude of Christ.

            This is the mind of Christ.

            This is what Jesus was thinking.

            Is it our attitude?

            Is it our mind?

            Is it what we are thinking?

            Is it your attitude?

            Is it your mind?

            Is it what you are thinking?

            On this Passion Sunday as we begin Holy Week, remember what Jesus did for you.

            Commit yourself to a life of serving others — a life of giving of yourself for God’s work in the world and supporting it with all you have –  a life of seeing needs and meeting them.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            Jesus means we can think differently.

            God wants to bless you with the mind of Christ.

            Let Him.

            God wants to bless you so you can think as Jesus thought.

            Let Him.

            Let the same mind be in you

that was in Christ Jesus

            Let what Jesus was thinking – the humility — the service — the love of Christ — be what you are thinking. Amen

Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 21:1-11

Philippians 2:5-11

Matthew 21:1-11

Live Out Your Mission

April 1, 2007

Palm Sunday

Part 6 of Hopewell 2007 Purpose Driven Life series

Is there a purpose to life?

Does life have purpose and meaning?

If so – what is it?

What is the purpose of life?

Why are we here?

More specifically – what is the purpose of my life?

Why am I here?

Is there something that can give meaning to my life?

Am I here for a purpose?

Did God have a purpose in putting me here?

Questions of purpose and meaning have haunted people since the beginning of time.

As Christians, we can say

“Yes –life has a purpose –

Yes –life has meaning.”

We can say:

“Yes – my life has a purpose –

Yes – my life has meaning.”

“Yes – God has put me here for a purpose .”

Lent – the 6 weeks before Holy Week and Easter — has historically been a time Christians have devoted themselves to reflection upon Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross – and our response to Christ and His claim upon our lives. We have been using the Season of Lent to look at what God’s purpose for us might be –

what God might have us to have as a purpose in our lives –

and how we can live in God’s purpose for our lives.

We have been using Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life to help us discover God’s purpose and meaning for our lives – studying the book itself on Wednesday nights and looking at some of the themes of the book on Sundays. We’ve done this in hopes that we could discover God’s meaning and God’s purpose for our lives.

So – what is the purpose for our lives?

Five weeks ago we looked at how we can not find true purpose for our lives in

money

possessions

power

fame

or anything else people might use to find purpose or meaning for their lives when they focus on themselves.

Always keep in mind the illustration The Purpose Driven Life about Rick Warren’s getting lost in the mountains and going into a store to ask directions. When he explained where he was trying to go, the people in the store replied “O – you can’t get there from here – you have to go back to the bottom of the mountain – go around the mountain – then get on the road that will take you there.”

The point is that we will never find meaning and purpose for our lives by looking for it within ourselves – what we want – what we might think is good or meaningful. Only when we look to God for meaning and purpose for life – only when we look to God for His meaning and His purpose for our lives – can we discover the true meaning and true purpose for our lives.

In The Purpose Driven Life Warren outlines 5 purposes for life that God has created us for:

1. Pleasing God

2. Loving others who believe in God

3. Becoming like Christ

4. Serving others with the gifts God has given us

5. Being on a mission for God

4 weeks ago we looked at the first of these — pleasing God – - and saw how we were created to live lives that are pleasing to God – and living lives that are pleasing to God has to be a purpose for our lives.

3 weeks ago we looked at how we can love – and have fellowship with – those who believe in God – particularly in the church – and specifically in this Church. Loving those who love God – specifically loving members of this Church and using the abilities God gives us for His work in and through this Church — has to be a purpose for our lives.

2 weeks ago we looked at the third purpose Warren suggests – becoming like Christ – and saw how we can be rooted in Christ and become like Christ.

Last week we looked at the fourth purpose Warren suggests – serving God and others.

Today – on this Palm Sunday – as we begin Holy Week – I want us to look at the last purpose Warren suggests – being on a mission for God.

If we are going to be the people God has called us to be – we are going to have to be people on a mission for God – people sharing in God’s mission to establish God’ s will for salvation, peace, love, justice and righteousness in the world.

If you are going to be the person God created you to be, you are going to have to be on a mission for God – sharing in God’s mission to establish God’ s will for salvation, peace, love, justice and righteousness in the world.

Listen to God’s word as we look Paul’s call to us to have the Mind of Christ – Philippians 2:5-11 – and Matthew’s version of the Palm Sunday story – Matthew 21:1-11. As we hear these passages, I believe we will hear a call to Live Out Your Mission.

Live Out Your Mission.

Read Scripture

1. Pleasing God

2. Loving others who believe in God

3. Becoming like Christ

4. Serving others with the gifts God has given us

These are the 4 of the 5 purposes Rick Warren says God ha created us for.

The 5th is:

Being on a mission for God

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

You see – God is on a mission in the world.

God’s mission is for the whole world to come to know His saving love – His will for peace in the world – His will for love in the world – His will for justice and righteousness in the world.

That is God’s mission.

And friends — we have a part to play in that mission.

You have a part to play in that mission.

You were created to be a part of God’s mission in the world.

Your purpose in the world is to be a part of God’s mission in the world.

You are to be a person on a mission.

You are to be mission – minded.

You are to keep your mission of being a part of God’s plan for the whole world to come to know His saving love – His will for peace in the world – His will for love in the world – His will for justice and righteousness in the world – in your mind at all times.

You are a person on a mission – on God’s mission.

You were created for it – you have special gifts for it – you have a special role in it.

You are on a mission – God’s mission.

You were created for it – you have special gifts for it – you have a special role in it.

If you are going to be the person God created you to be, you are going to have to be on a mission for God – sharing in God’s mission to establish God’ s will for salvation, peace, love, justice and righteousness in the world. You were created for it – you have special gifts for it – you have a special role in it. To truly be the person God has called you to be, you are going to have to use the particular gifts and abilities that God has blessed you with to do His work – His mission – in the world.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

One of the illustrations Warren gives in The Purpose Driven Life is an imaginary scene in heaven where God is asking what we did with the abilities He gave us. Warren calls this our “final exam” – the moment we stand before God and have to answer for how we used the gifts and abilities God gave us. Warren encourages us to use them for God’s work and will – to be about God’s mission – in the world.

I wholeheartedly agree with that. When you stand before the throne and Jesus examines your life, you will not be graded on your religious jargon. You will not be graded on church membership. You will not be graded on the number of Christian CD’s in your car, or the number of Christian books on your shelf, or the number of spiritual life conferences you’ve attended. You will be graded according to how well you used the gifts God gave you to be about His mission of love, healing, and salvation in the world.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

Jesus was a man on a mission.

He expects us to be on His mission also.

As He entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday – He was on a mission. A mission to establish a way for God’s will for salvation – peace – love – justice – and righteousness to become reality.

He was a man on a mission.

Sometimes I wish I could have been there that first Palm Sunday. I like to imagine that the sky must have been blue – the sun bright that spring morning. Jerusalem must have been abuzz with excitement.

People were flocking to Jerusalem — pilgrims coming to observe the Feast of the Passover in the Holy City — even in the great Temple itself. And one who was coming to Jerusalem was causing quite a stir.

Jesus of Nazareth was coming into the city.

People were following Him — waving their palm branches — even shouting that He was the Messiah coming to save the people.

“Hosanna!”

they shouted —

“save us!”

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blesses is He who comes

In the name of the Lord!”

Indeed — quite a stir was being caused by His entrance into the City. And He was definitely a man on a mission – but maybe not on the mission the people were expecting. They might have thought His mission was to come and take over the government and become King. What a marvelous thing that would be! A Jew – a “Son of David” – ruling again – and not the despised Romans.

That was the mission the crowds may have wanted Jesus to have.

But His mission was different.

Look again at Jesus.

Did Jesus look like a King?

He was riding a donkey.

Kings don’t ride donkeys — do they?

He looked more like a servant.

More like a humble servant than a mighty King.

More like someone who was destined to be humble and to serve — not powerful and be served.

He seems to understand life as a chance to give of Himself.

He seemed to have a different mission in mind.

A much different one.

And when the cries of “Hosanna” later change to “Crucify!” later in the week — well — He just didn’t look much like a King — did He?

What might Jesus have been thinking as He rode into Jerusalem that day?

We can’t be sure – but I’d like to think that He was focused on His mission – His mission to make God’s will for salvation a reality – even if it meant dieing on the cross. He was going to live out His mission – even to the point of death.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

The Apostle Paul writes about what might have been on Jesus’ mind as He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

In Philippians 2:8 Paul writes about the attitude of Christ:

he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross

Jesus focused on what He could do to fulfill His mission in the world. That’s what Paul calls “the attitude of Christ” – focusing on what He could do to show God’s will for love and salvation to the world – and what He could do top make it a reality.

Paul calls on us to have this mission on our minds, also.

He calls on us to have what He calls “the attitude of Christ”.

Listen to what Paul writes in Philippians 2:5-8:

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

If you are going to be the person God created you to be, you are going to have to be on a mission for God – sharing in God’s mission to establish God’ s will for salvation, peace, love, justice and righteousness in the world. You were created for it – you have special gifts for it – you have a special role in it. To truly be the person God has called you to be, you are going to have to use the particular gifts and abilities that God has blessed you with to do His work – His mission – in the world.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

If you are going to be the person God created you to be, you are going to have to be on a mission for God – sharing in God’s mission to establish God’ s will for salvation, peace, love, justice and righteousness in the world.

What does it take to live out this mission that God created you for?

I’m going to suggest that it takes 4 things.

We’ve already seen the first thing it takes – it takes what Paul calls “the attitude of Christ” – the attitude of giving of ourselves for others – the attitude of doing what you can to show God’s will and love to others.

That “attitude of Christ” is an attitude of giving of yourself for others – and going out of your way to use the gifts and abilities God has given you for His glory and for the benefit of others.

A great college basketball coach was asked why his team was so good. He responded:

“We have a motto on our team, and the motto is this: ‘Good people do for themselves; great people do for others.’ “

Good people do for themselves; great people do for others.

The “attitude of Christ” is an attitude of giving of yourself for others – and going out of your way to use the gifts and abilities God has given you for His glory and for the benefit of others.

Rick Warren stresses in his book The Purpose Driven Life that our attitudes control our actions. To be about the work of Christ, the mission of God in the world, we have to have “the attitude of Christ”.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

The first thing this takes having the attitude of Christ.

Secondly – I believe this means having the heart of a servant.

The heart of a servant.

A heart that cares about others.

A heart that hurts when others are hurting.

A heart that loves God and loves your neighbor as much as you love yourself.

A heart that motivates you to reach out in love to those Jesus loved – those others may not love.

The heart of a servant.

But you know – something has to happen to your hearts for you to have the heart of a servant. In fact, Jesus said “Out of the hearts of men come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lies, slander.” The only thing that will do something about this human heart, is a transplant. If there were a way you could receive a new heart, a heart that would naturally love God and love your neighbor as much as you love yourself, then you would perhaps have a chance to have the heart of a servant.

But how can you have a transplant?

Did you know that the Bible actually says that you can have a transplant, that God will be involved in giving it to you?

In the Book of Ezekiel there’s an interesting verse. It says this:

“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I’ll put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

There you are. You can have a transplant. God can remove your stony, selfish heart and give us a heart of a servant — a heart that beats when people are in trouble, a heart that cares when a man falls in the ditch.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

It takes having the attitude of Christ.

It takes having the heart of a servant.

The third thing it takes is having ears to hear the cries of those around you who are in need. We live in a world where there is so much need. Some have physical needs – others have spiritual needs. But they are needs nevertheless. Learn to listen – and you will hear them. If you hear them, and have the attitude of Christ, and have the heart of a servant, you will realize that your mission is to bring God’s love to them.

Millard Fuller was on his way to becoming a self-made millionaire before he was 30 years old. But devotion to work was threatening his health and his marriage. He needed a vacation. So, Fuller visited a church community near Americus, Georgia, called Koinonia Farm. Clarence Jordan, the leader of Koinonia Farms, convinced Fuller that the poor people living in nearby dilapidated shacks could improve themselves with a little support. “These people don’t need charity,” he told Fuller. “They need a way to help themselves.”

Fuller agreed. He began what today is a worldwide organization whose goal is the elimination of inadequate housing as a witness to the gospel. He called it Habitat for Humanity and says that it runs on what he calls, “the theology of the hammer.” The group raises money and recruits volunteers to renovate and build homes, which are sold at cost. Mortgages are interest free. Buyers invest work time in their own and neighbors’ homes – “sweat equity” is what they call it.

Fuller had the attitude of Christ – the heart of a servant – and ears to hear the cries of those in need – and did something to further the mission of God in the world. He was living out his mission in the world.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

It takes having the attitude of Christ – the heart of a servant – ears to hear the cries of those around you in need.

Fourthly – it takes having hands that you are willing to use to do God’s will in the world.

Not hands that you are content to just sit on and do nothing when there is so much to be done to further God’s mission in the world.

Not hands that you are willing to use to just applaud the work that others are doing while you actually sit and do nothing.

It takes your having hands that are willing to get involved – and do what needs to be done – for God’s glory and the benefit of others.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

It will take

Having the mind of Christ

Having the heart of a servant

Having ears to hear the cries of those around you who are in need

Having hands willing to do God’s work in the world

The mind – the heart – the ears – the hands – that are committed to being about God’s mission in the world.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

Let your mind – your heart – your ears – your hands be committed to being about God’s mission in the world.

If you are going to be the person God created you to be, you are going to have to be on a mission for God – sharing in God’s mission to establish God’ s will for salvation, peace, love, justice and righteousness in the world. You were created for it – you have special gifts for it – you have a special role in it. To truly be the person God has called you to be, you are going to have to use the particular gifts and abilities that God has blessed you with to do His work – His mission – in the world.

Use your mind – your heart – your ears – your hands – everything you have – to fulfill that mission.

One of the more pointed – and one of my favorite – contemporary Christian songs is by the band Casting Crowns and is entitled: If We Are His Body. The chorus gives a strong message:

But if we are the body
why aren’t His arms reaching
why aren’t His hands healing
why aren’t His words teaching

And if we are the body
why aren’t His feet going
why is His love not showing them there is a way
there is a way

Let your mind – your heart – your ears – your hands – everything you have – become like Christ – and use them to fulfill the mission that God has given you.

Live Out Your Mission

Live Out Your Mission

There are indeed 5 steps to discovering your purpose in life. It involves:

1. Pleasing God

2. Loving others who believe in God

3. Becoming like Christ

4. Serving others with the gifts God has given us

5. Being on a mission for God

As you strive to please God –

love others who believe in God –

become like Christ –

serve others with the gifts God has given you –

and be a part of God’s mission by using all God has given you to establish God’ s will for salvation, peace, love, justice and righteousness in the world –

you will discover your true purpose in life.

Amen.

Isaiah 50:4-9(A), Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 11:1-11

Isaiah 50:4-9(A)

Philippians 2:5-11

Mark 11:1-11

“What Was He Thinking?”

Passion / Palm Sunday

April 12, 2006

We have made our way to Jerusalem.

Today is what we call Passion / Palm Sunday – that special day when we celebrate Jesus coming into Jerusalem with all the palms and parade – riding in on the donkey to the shouts of “Hosanna!”

But we know why Jesus has come to Jerusalem.

We know the purpose of this journey He has taken – this journey we have followed Him on.

The cries of “Hosanna” will be replaced by cries of “Crucify Him!” – and Jesus will be crucified. He will die – for our sins.

The grand celebration of Palm Sunday is quickly replaced by the passion of the events of Holy Week – but a much grander celebration at Easter is coming, also.

So – we have reached Jerusalem – but we still have a lot to think about as we move through this Holy Week – and we pray that our commitment will continue to be made stronger as we follow Christ all the way to the cross.

Our scripture passages for today give us glimpses of Jesus’ commitment to what it means to follow God’s will. As we see Jesus’ commitment, may our commitment be made stronger.

Listen to God’s word.

READ ALL 3 PASSAGES

My name is Ezekial — but you can call me Zeke.

I live in the village of Bethphage — some 11 miles from Jerusalem.

You don’t remember my name — but you remember my donkey.

It was my donkey Jesus used to enter Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday.

What a shock it was when some of Jesus’ disciples appeared

outside my door — untying my donkey. I asked them what they were doing — and they gave what I thought was the strangest answer I had heard in a long time.

“The Lord has need of it.”

“O!” I thought to myself.

“The Lord has need of it.

Well — that’s OK then.”

But — then I got to thinking —

“The Lord?”

“What Lord?”

“Whose Lord?”

“Who are they talking about?”

I began to protest — but before I could — they were gone.

“O well” I thought.

“That little donkey isn’t worth much, anyway”

But then I decided to follow them.

I wanted to see who this “Lord” was they were talking about.

I followed them to the outskirts of town — and found a group of people standing around this one man.

The man they stood around welcomed the ones who had my donkey — and then they made Him sit on my donkey.

They began walking towards Jerusalem — and I followed.

The closer they got to Jerusalem – - the more of a crowd this entourage attracted.

People began shouting:

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven”

Now my curiosity was really up.

Who was this man?

I asked one of the crowd — and they said

“He’s Jesus of Nazareth.

But we know he’s the Messiah.”

Jesus!

Yes — I’ve heard of Him!

I decide that I should follow Him into Jerusalem — and see what was going to happen next.

The parade entered Jerusalem — and a great crowd shouted:

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven”

But — I could see that not everyone was happy.

The Pharisees were not happy at all.

They wanted the people silenced.

They seemed to be willing to go to any length to rid themselves of this Jesus.

And all I could do was wonder just who this Jesus was — just who this man was who was riding my donkey — attracting so much devotion from some — and so much hatred from others.

What would happen next?

I was not sure — but I knew that something of major proportions was about to happen.

Well — we all know what was about to happen — don’t we?

Even though Zeke may not have been too sure of who was riding his donkey — we know.

We know that it was Jesus — the Son of God — the Messiah — that entered Jerusalem that day — and we know what happened.

He was not coming to Jerusalem to be praised — even though that happened.

He was coming for something completely different.

Something far away from the praise of the crowd.

But — something that occurred — just the same.

The people were ready to make Jesus their King.

Maybe He’s the one who will save them from Roman rule. Many are probably ready for Jesus to give the word — and they will fight the Romans — and follow Him to victory.

To them — Jesus is the Messiah — the Savior — the King.

And — of course – - they are right.

He is all these things.

But — He is not the kind of Messiah — Savior — or King the people were expecting.

Before the week is over, His crown will be one of thorns — His throne — a cross.

A different kind of King than the people were expecting — He indeed was thinking some deep thoughts.

As He rode humbly into Jerusalem on a humble donkey — He indeed had something on His mind — but what?

What we He thinking?

Paul gives us an interesting — moving — and compelling interpretation of what was on Jesus’ mind — an interesting — moving — and compelling picture of what He calls “the mind of Christ.”

Paul writes that

Christ was in the form of God

and yet did not exploit His position

but gave of Himself

becoming like us in every way

humbling Himself — even to death on the cross.

That’s what He was thinking!

As He entered Jerusalem — even as the crowds praised Him — it was not the praise of the crowd that was on His mind. His mind was turned to giving of Himself — giving of His Heavenly glory — and dying — dying on the cross — for us — for all people.

Can you imagine someone who has all the power in the world — but willingly giving it up?

Someone who is God — but willingly becomes a slave — and willingly dies on a cross?

It is almost impossible to imagine such love — such a mind for giving of oneself for others.

What must Jesus have thought as He rode into Jerusalem — hearing the praises of the crowd — and yet knowing what He was going into Jerusalem to do?

What was on His mind?

Maybe He thought:

“Yes — I am a King –

but not as you understand power.

I am more powerful than any of you can imagine —

and yet I am not going to show my power as you

might expect.

I am coming to die — not rule in power.”

What courageous love it took to ride into Jerusalem that day —

to give of Himself and die for us — for all people.

What love it took to give of Himself and die.

But — you know — we can imagine what the owner of the donkey may have thought — and can look at what Jesus might have been thinking —

But — is this only a day for us to think about what Jesus did — what Jesus may have had on His mind as He rode into Jerusalem — what He may have had on His mind as He died for us — as He gave Himself for us?

Or — is there a way we can take Palm Sunday out of history and find something there for our lives today?

Paul writes that we are to have the same mind as Christ.

Let the same mind be in you

that was in Christ Jesus

he writes – - or — as Eugene Peterson translates it in The Message:

Think of yourselves

the way Christ thought of Himself

What does this mean – but that we are called to have the mind of Christ — to think of ourselves as Christ thought of Himself — to be thinking the same things Jesus was thinking – thinking of giving of ourselves — just as Christ gave of Himself?

As we move into Holy Week, let’s examine our lives — our thoughts — our attitudes. Let’s examine what we are thinking — and see if we have the same thoughts — the same attitudes — the same mind that Christ had.

What was He thinking?

Jesus was thinking of giving of Himself for the world.

Jesus was thinking of giving — to serving — even to dieing.

Is that what we are thinking?

Is that what you are thinking?

Do you think of giving of yourself for Christ — for others?

Jesus’ whole life was built around service — giving of Himself — making a sacrifice for the good of others.

Is ours?

Is yours?

Is giving of ourselves for the work of God and Christ in the world our main purpose in life?

Is giving of yourself for the work of God and Christ in the world your main purpose in life?

Is this our prevailing attitude — the main objective of life for us?

Is this your prevailing attitude — your main objective in life?

This was Jesus’ purpose in life.

Is it ours?

Is it yours?

This is what Jesus was thinking.

Is it what we are thinking?

Is this what you are thinking?

Mohandes Gandhi once said:

“Freely accepted servanthood is the greatest force

the world has ever known.”

One of the hardest things for us to do is to give of ourselves — to sacrifice ourselves — to commit to God’s work and to give our all for it — to give of ourselves for the work of God in the world. It is hard for us to accept service — sacrifice — and giving.

We would much rather have things our way than do things God’s way. We make up excuses to not do anything that requires us to give or ourselves — of our time — to go out of our way to take part in God’s work in the world. We don’t want to make sacrifices — whether it’s sacrificing our time — or giving of something we have — or sacrificing a part of ourselves for God and for others.

Too many times we think of ways others can serve us – or nit pick the ways others do not serve us – instead of thinking of ways we can serve others.

And the church suffers —

and the work of God in the world suffers —

and we suffer.

But — as followers of Christ — we can be different.

We can think different things.

You can be different.

You can think different things.

We can have what Paul called that “mind of Christ.”

We can — as Peterson translates it —

“Think of ourselves as Christ thought of Himself”

We can have the mind of Christ.

We can think the things Christ thought.

We can let what was on His mind be what is on our mind.

You can have the mind of Christ.

You can think the things Christ thought.

You can let what was on His mind be on your mind.

We are to be different – - and we can be different.

We are to think differently – and we can think differently.

We are to have different things on our minds – and we can have different things on our minds.

You are to be different — and you can be different.

You are to think differently – and you can think differently.

You are to have different things on your mind – and you can have different things on your mind.

We can be people who give — who serve — who are willing to make personal sacrifices to benefit others.

You can be a person who gives — who serves — who is willing to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others.

We can be active in helping others — as a church and as individuals. We can look for ways to help others — and we can do things to help others.

We can all be on the lookout for specific things we can do as individuals and as a Church to reach out to our community and the world with the love of God.

We can be different.

We can have the mind of Christ.

We can think as Jesus thought.

We can have a mind to serve others.

Are you different?

Do you live differently?

Do you act differently?

Do you think differently?

Do you think as Jesus thought?

Do you have the mind of Christ?

Commitment — giving — sacrifice — should be our distinguishing characteristics as Christians.

These should be the mark that Christ puts upon you.

These should be the things you think about.

Are these your characteristics?

Are these the things you think about?

This is attitude of Christ.

This is the mind of Christ.

This is what Jesus was thinking.

Is it our attitude?

Is it our mind?

Is it what we are thinking?

Is it your attitude?

Is it your mind?

Is it what you are thinking?

On this Passion Sunday as we begin Holy Week, remember what Jesus did for you.

Commit yourself to a life of serving others — a life of giving of yourself for God’s work in the world and supporting it with all you have — a life of seeing needs and meeting them.

God wants to bless you with the mind of Christ.

Let Him.

God wants to bless you so you can think as Jesus thought.

Let Him.

Let the same mind be in you

that was in Christ Jesus

Let Jesus was thinking – the humility — the service — the love of Christ — be what you are thinking.

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