Matthew 14:13-21

MATTHEW 14:13-21
July 31, 2005
“Counting On Jesus”

Several years ago Bill Murray starred in the movie “What About Bob?” In it he plays Bob Wiley — the patient of a psychiatrist who is desperately trying to take a vacation with his family – but Bob does not think he can make it a month while his psychiatrist is on vacation. He takes the bus from New York to the psychiatrists’ vacation home in New Hampshire – and spends the entire month with the psychiatrist and his family. In the process the psychiatrist learns how much good he is doing others – and decides to continue the practice – although at the start of his vacation he was ready to quit.

At one point the psychiatrist says :

“You know – I never thought anyone was counting on me!”

It’s a funny movie –and shows how we need to be available for others – even when it’s not convenient to us.

Jesus was certainly willing to be available for others – even when it was not convenient for Him.

In the passage directly before our passage for today – John is killed by Herod – and Jesus wants to get away for awhile.
Take a break.
A vacation.
Time alone with the disciples – and with God.

Not an unfair request.

His cousin – his predecessor in ministry – had been killed.
Jesus wanted some time to sort things out – so to speak.
Time to think about what He was doing.
Maybe some time to pray about God’s will for His life.
Time away from the increasingly pressing crowds.

But – the crowds follow Jesus and the disciples. They can not get away.
What does Jesus do?
Does He yell at them and tell them to go away – come back later?
Does He refuse to see them?

No – He has compassion.

Compassion

Compassion for the crowds.
Compassion for their needs.

Compassion.

He heals many of them.
He teaches them.

He has compassion.

So much compassion that the day gets late – everyone is hungry – and no one has any food.

What does Jesus do?

The disciples want Him to dismiss the crowds so they can go into the nearby towns and villages and get something to eat.

But – what does Jesus do?

He has compassion.

Jesus refuses to send the crowd away.

“You feed them” He tells the disciples.

But — how?

How could they do that? they ask.

They don’t have enough food to feed so many – they figure there must be at least 5.000 people there – they are not prepared to feed such a crowd – and don’t have the money to buy enough food. They found 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish – but what were they in such a large crowd?

How could they give them something to eat?

You know what – there was something the disciples had forgotten how to do. They had forgotten how to count. Not in the traditional way – but by Jesus’ way — a “new math” of abundance!

They saw the situation by the following mathematical equation:

(5 loaves and 2 fish) divided by (5,000 people) = a desperate need they could not meet

They know how to “count” in the sense of world – but they did not know how to count in Jesus’ new way – the “new math” of abundance!

They forgot one important factor in equation – JESUS

They forgot that – whatever they had – Jesus could take it and bless it and use it for His work and will in the world.

They forgot that they could always count on Jesus – but when they counted on Jesus – a miracles occured!

What they thought was just a small amount of food – 5 loaves and 2 fish – suddenly became an enormous amount of food!

You may remember the episode of the “I Love Lucy” show where Lucy is baking bread – and glances down at her cookbook and reads that she needs to add in 12 cakes of yeast. When her friend Ethel arrives she questions whether that is too much – but Lucy says “that’s what the cookbook says”.
They look at the cookbook again – and discover that Lucy had misread the cookbook – she only needed to put in 2 cakes of yeast – not 12.
But – they figure the cakes of yeast are very small — and won’t be any problem.
They go shopping – and when they return home – Lucy notices the door of the oven is ajar. Opening the door to investigate, an enormous loaf of bread emerges – so big it pins Lucy against the cabinets on the opposite side of the kitchen.
Ethel runs to get a huge lumberjack saw – and rescues Lucy from the monster loaf of bread!

Like the small cakes of yeast can do powerful things — Jesus can take small things – and do powerful things.

Here’s how the true mathematical equation the disciples were facing in trying to feed the 5,000 should have looked like:

(5 loaves + 2 fish) plus JESUS divided by (5 loaves + 2 fish) = A Miracle!

A miracle occured when they gave what they had to Jesus – and let Him do His miracle!

Like the psychiatrist in the movie “What About Bob” – the disciples learned to care and have compassion that day – but they learned more than that –
they learned how to count on Jesus’ ability to care – Jesus’ ability to meet needs – Jesus’ ability to work miracles. They learned that – when they step up do what they can – Jesus can do the rest.

They learned to

COUNT ON JESUS

OK – so – what about us?

Aren’t there times we are like the disciples – so overwhelmed by needs around us in world and community – that we just want t get away?

Aren’t there times we feel like saying
“God – take care of those needs I see around me”
But – we feel Jesus says “No – you do it!”

Aren’t there times we want to ask –
God — surely you don’t expect me to take care of all these needs –

Like the disciples – we forget how to count – not by the world’s standards – but by Jesus’ “new math” of abundance!

The mathematical equation for how we see it may look something like this:

(Our limited resources) divided by (the world’s great needs) equals disaster!

This story before us today is a word for every weary disciple.
It is a word for each of us.
Although we may feel we are confronted with impossible expectations – – we are supported by Jesus’ promise to give us more than enough to reach out to those in need – if we will just do it.

The mathematical equation we should be looking at is:

(Our limited resources) plus (JESUS) divined by (the world’s great needs) equals A MIRACLE!

How can we do all God has called us to do?

How can we find enough to meet the needs of so many people?

How can we visit the sick – console the distressed – find a word of hope for others – help those who desperately need it?
The task is obviously impossible – but – like the disciples – if we will simply do what we can – and depend on Jesus for the rest – things will get done.

Yea –

Our limited resources) plus (JESUS) divined by (the world’s great needs) equals A MIRACLE

!

You see — Jesus is not really saying –
you do it
Instead – Jesus is saying: “Let’s do it together!”

When we look at needs and situations around us we might be overwhelmed – but we need to count Jesus into equation

Our limited resources) plus (JESUS) divined by (the world’s great needs) equals A MIRACLE!

Instead of feeling overwhelmed – remember to count on Jesus

Feel for the needs of others – and do what you can to meet their needs.
Feel compassion for others – and do what you can to help them.

Think of what you can do – what we together can do – what we together with Jesus can do – to meet the needs of others

Think of what can be done when we add Jesus to the equation

Think of what we can do – when we count on Jesus

We don’t have to feel like the psychiatrist in “What About Bob” whose patients would not leave him alone — or the disciples overwhelmed by needs of those around them –

We can count on Jesus

We can find our needs met

We can find miraculous power – when we willing to do what we can – and count on Jesus to do the rest!

A minister tells the story of one day – while walking into the Hospital to visit someone – a mother and her young daughter were ahead of him. Just before they got to the entrance, the little girl noticed the closed door and asked her mother how they were going to get inside. The mother smiled – walked forward – and the electronic eye opened the door and they walked in. As they wre walking in, the little girl turned to him and said:

“It’s ok – just step up and a miracle will happen”

Jesus says to us – “It’s ok – step forward in faith – and a miracle will occur!”
Step up – in faith – and count on Jesus!
AMEN

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

MATTHEW 13:31-33, 44-52
“DISCOVER!”
JULY 24, 2005

There are many stories and legends surrounding the life of Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher.
One story is that one day as Socrates was walking along by the ocean a young man came up to him and began pleading:
“Socrates — can I be your disciple?”
Socrates did not say a thing — but he did begin wading into the water. The young man followed — pleading:
“Socrates — please make me one of your disciples!”
Socrates said nothing – – but continued to wade deeper and deeper into the water.
Finally — when he was over waist deep into the ocean — Socrates spun around and grabbed the young man by the head — pushed him under the water — held him and held him and held him until he knew the young man could take no more — then let him up.
The young man surfaced — gasping for air – breathing hard — and finally asked Socrates why he had done such a thing to him.
“Young man”
said Socrates —
“until you discover that the truth is as important as air —
you can not be my disciple.”

What in the world was Socrates doing?
What in the world was he talking about?

Now — Socrates was known for strange actions and even stranger words — words that made very little sense to many — but that made good sense and even changed the lives of others.

So — how about it?
What was Socrates doing — pushing the unsuspecting man — who only wanted to be his disciple — his follower — down under the water and holding him until he knew the man could take it no longer — then let him up — sputtering — gasping for air — only to say:
“until discover that the truth is as important as air —
you can not be my disciple.”

What was this truth that Socrates had such a passion for?
What was this truth Socrates wanted this young man to have such a passion for — and graphically illustrated his desire to this young man?
Well — to Socrates and other Greek philosophers of his day — truth meant knowledge —
knowledge meant truth —
whatever was “right” was good and true
and this was his passion.

But — I wonder – – what about God?

Is there another “truth” — a “truth” that God wants us to have — a “truth” God wills for us —
a “truth” that God wants us to be passionate about — that God wants us to discover —
a “truth” that God wills for us to have as important to us as the air that we breathe?
What do you think?
I believe that there is — and this is what I believe that it is —
I believe that this truth that God wants us to discover —
this truth that God wants us to make important in our lives —
this truth that God wants us to have as important to us as the very air that we breathe — is that Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God

God wants us —
God wills for us —
God yearns for us — to discover His kingdom at work in our lives — and to let it be as important to us as the air that we breathe.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

Discover the Kingdom of God —
Discover God’s surprising work — in your life — your family — this church — this community — the world.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

But — what is this Kingdom?
What is this Kingdom of God that God wants us — wills for us — yearns for us — to discover in our lives?
What is it?
Is it a glorious place of peace and rest — no pain — only good things — with nothing to upset us?
Is that what it is?
Or —
Is it a place where pain and joy — peace and quarrels — things that upset us and things that excite us — some how exist side by side simultaneously?
Which is it?
What do you think?
For that matter —
Where is this Kingdom of God?
Is it somewhere far, far away — “in the sweet by and by” as that old Gospel song has it — almost inaccessible to us?
Or —
Is it somewhere among us — waiting to almost jump up out of the ordinary events of our lives to surprise us?

Another good question — huh?
What do you think?
Surely this Kingdom of God that God wants us to experience and have as such a vital part of our lives that it is as important to us as the air we breathe can’t be in the midst of the daily things that disturb or upset us or the daily routine that tends to bore us to death.
Surely this Kingdom God yearns for us to experience can’t be among these things — can it?
But — if not here — then where?
If not now — then when?

Indeed — if God wills and yearns for us to have His kingdom as important to us as the air we breathe — then we need some answers — don’t we?

But — what are the answers?
Where do we begin looking for answers about this Kingdom God want us to experience and have as a vital part of our lives?
Do you think we need to look at Jesus — and what He said about the Kingdom?
Maybe so — huh?

In our Scripture lesson for today Jesus makes it clear that the Kingdom of God is full of surprises.
Not exactly the straight answer we’re looking for — is it?
It’s more like the strange answer of Socrates.
But — Jesus says — the Kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed that turns into a tremendous tree.
Or a very small pinch of leaven that leavens an entire 3 measures of flour.
Or a treasure discovered in a field.
Or a valuable pearl — searched for a lifetime — and finally found.
Or a fishnet that indiscriminately catches all kinds of fish.
Or a person who keeps new and old things in their chest of valuables.
Yea — Jesus’ answers are a lot like Socrates’.
And a lot like the Kingdom of God.

Full of surprises.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

If Jesus were here among us today — maybe He would answer our questions about the “what” and “where” of God’s Kingdom with a story something like one I heard not long ago.

The story goes that there was a beautiful Monastery in a beautifully wooded setting — but it had fallen upon hard times. It had once been the home of a great order — but no one wanted to join a Monastery any more. Only five Monks — the Abbot and four others — remained at the Monastery — and now they were over 70 years old. Clearly their order was dying. The Monks were all discouraged — and you could tell it in the way they treated each other.
Also in the woods close to the Monastery was a cabin a local Rabbi used for prayer retreats. One day, the old Abbot of the Monastery was walking in the woods — contemplating the trouble his Order was in — and noticed that the Rabbi happened to be at his cabin. He knocked on the door and introduced himself to the Rabbi. The Rabbi invited him in, and they began to engage each other in conversation.
During the conversation the Abbot told the Rabbi about the plight of his Order — and asked if the Rabbi had any suggestions for him.
The Rabbi looked at him — and said —
“I have only one thing to say —
the Messiah is among you!”
The Abbot walked back to the monastery — frustrated and dejected. He had not gotten the straight answer he had wanted.
When he returned to the Monastery, he reported to the other Monks what the Rabbi had said.
“How strange!”
They all thought —
“the Messiah could not be one of us — could He?”
They all looked at each other — and wondered.
But — something began to happen.
On the chance that one of them might be the Messiah — the Monks began treating each other with more dignity and respect — and on the very outside chance that they may be the Messiah — each Monk began acting in more loving and caring and devoted ways.
Well — the Monastery grounds were beautiful — and people from all around had for years come to picnic there. Suddenly the guests began noticing something different about the Monks that seemed to permeate the grounds themselves. They were friendlier — more devout — more respectful. The guests liked what they saw and felt on the Monastery grounds — and began coming more often — inviting friends — and before long many used the grounds for picnics and times of solitude. Before long, some were so attracted to the lifestyle they saw the Monks now living that they decided to join the Order — and within a few years — the Monastery was once again filled with devout — respectful — Monks.

Friends — we need to

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

Discover that God’s Kingdom — God Himself — is always among us — even in us — even part of us!

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

Discover the joys of God!

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

Discover God in your life —
let God be as important to you as the air you breathe —

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

What is the Kingdom of God like?

It’s like our world — our lives.
Full of pain —
Full of hardships —
but also full of joy.
In the midst of it all is God’s surprising work.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

Discover God’s Kingdom in and through you.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

Let God’s Kingdom be as important to you as the air you breathe.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

Sure — there are going to be times when do not resemble God’s Kingdom in any way. Things happen that have nothing to do with God’s Kingdom — and many times our actions show everything but God’s Kingdom to others.

But — even in those times — it is still here.
Maybe working slowly — almost imperceptibly — like a pinch of yeast in flour until — suddenly — the whole loaf is leavened —
maybe as small as a mustard seed — but slowly growing into a beautiful. large bush —
still there — waiting to surprise us — if we will just discover it.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

We need to be on a search for God’s treasure — God’s Kingdom — in us and with us and through us.

We need to discover that God’s Kingdom is among us – at all times – and in the midst of all things.
Then – we need to share God’s Kingdom – God’s love – with the world.

We need let God act through us in ways that will touch other’s lives – and let the leaven of God’s love and grace continue to permeate the world.

We need to discover that God’s Kingdom is among us – so we can then help others discover it, also.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

There is a story about a dining room in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in San Francisco where they feed a thousand needy people every day. A sign over the doorway reads

CARITATE DEI.

A young man visited San Francisco and found himself in the wrong part of town with the wrong people. He got drunk, was rolled, and ended up in jail without a penny. There, he learned that he could get a free meal at St. Anthony’s Church.
When he got out of jail, he went to the church to get some food — but he was very suspicious. When he saw a woman cleaning a nearby table, he asked, “When do we get down on our knees, lady?” The woman replied that he didn’t have to do that to get a meal at St. Anthony’s.
So he asked, “Then when’s the sermon?” She said, “Aren’t any.”
So he asked, “What’s the gimmick?”
The woman stopped for a moment, and then pointed to the sign over the doorway –

CARITATE DEI.

The man asked, “What’s it mean, lady?”
“Out of the love for God!” she replied — and then, with a smile, she began cleaning the next table.
The young man could not believe people would do something like this simply “For The Love Of God” – and it made an impression on him. He gave his life to Christ – and became active in the ministry of the Church.
People discovered the Kingdom of God among them in San Francisco – shared that with others – and slowly but surely – like the yeast in the dough – it made a difference.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

The Kingdom of God is one person giving a dollar — out of the love of God — so another person can eat.
The Kingdom of God is a Christian — someone with a thousand other things to do — who takes time to listen to someone else who needs to share their problems.
The Kingdom of God is a group of folks who come together to worship God – then go into the world to share what they have discovered.
The kingdom of God is to be found all around us — in the little things that we do for others — out of our love for God.

DISCOVER!
DISCOVER!

Discover the Kingdom of God – as it is among us and in us – even when we cannot see it.
Make discovering God’s Kingdom the most important thing in your life – as important at the air you breathe.
Then – discover ways to share this Godly Kingdom with the world.

AMEN

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
“A Dirty Church”
July 10, 2005

Not many people like dirt.
It’s usually something you try to get rid of.
Things that are dirty are usually considered bad.
Most people like things clean instead of dirty.
When your house is dirty, you clean it.
When your car is dirty, you want to wash it so it can be clean.
When your clothes are dirty, you wash them so they can be clean.
When you are dirty, you take a bath or a shower so you can be clean.
Most of us like things clean instead of dirty.
Unless, or course, you are doing something with the dirt.
Take Sally for instance.
She likes to have her hands in the mud making pottery. She comes home covered with dirt – clay – mud from head to toe.
But before she leaves the studio you know what she does?
She cleans her wheel and her work area.
And when she gets home she puts her clothes in the dirty clothes basket so they can be washed.
And she takes a shower to get the mud – clay – dirt off of her.
I know the joke about taking a bath on Saturday nights whether you need it or not – but the truth is most of us like to be clean instead of dirty.
And we like things around us to be clean.
We take great pride in things being clean — and spend a lot of effort getting things clean.
Most of us do not like dirt.
Unless, of course, we enjoy planting flowers or growing vegetable.
When I was growing up we had a man that would help Mom and Dad with yard work on occasion named Nick White. Nick was an elderly gentleman who could tell people where to plant plants. He would dig around in the yard – getting “soil samples” as it were – then would announce:
“You can plant here.
It’s good dirt.”
Good dirt.
Sometimes you just need good dirt.
What makes for good dirt?
A proper balance of nutrients to start with – some fertilizer can’t hurt – maybe a little Miracle Grow – then some water and sunlight. These things can help plants grow. But first – you have to have good soil – or as Nick would say – good dirt.
To have growth in plants – you have to start with good dirt.
And you have to be willing to get dirty.
The Parable before us today is a story Jesus told about a farmer who sowed seeds – the different types of dirt the seeds fell into – and what happened in each type of dirt.
Now – most of you know I am by no means a person of great horticultural skills – which is say I am no farmer. But even I wondered at the farming practices of the man Jesus told about in His story. But these were normal practices for the farmers of the first century.
First century farmers usually broadcast the seed by hand as they walked through their field. The fields were small by today’s standards, and the sowing very imprecise. It was natural that some seed would land in unproductive areas.
Many times pathways interlaced the fields, and were packed hard by many feet.
Much land had a shallow layer of soil over a stone base. The rock would absorb heat during the day, releasing heat to the seed during the night, causing the seed to spring up quickly – as happened in verse 5 of our text.
Then there was the problem of borders of the fields that would be infested with thorns, and weed seeds would blow onto freshly plowed ground. The farmer would not be able to see them, but in time they would sprout and choke out the good seeds the farmer was sowing.
So – there you have the types of soil Jesus describes:
The hard ground
The rocky soil
The weed infested soil
Problems every farmer in the first century had to deal with.
Problems all of Jesus’ listeners could relate to.
But then there was the good soil.
The good dirt.
But Jesus had more in mind when He told this story than telling a tale of a farmer and what happened to his seed.
Why do you think Jesus told this story?
Well – Jesus knew that – as His disciples and others were doing His work – not all “soil” – not all “dirt” — would be “good soil” – or “good dirt”.
Not everyone would believe in Christ.
Things would interfere with the growth of God’s Spirit in their lives.
Some wouldn’t even listen
Others would – but not let it “take root”
Others would – then let the world choke it out
And – there would be other “seeds” that others would spread that at times would seem to take root quicker and be more productive than the “Gospel seeds”.
But – sometimes – there would be seeds that land in the “good soil” – the “good dirt” – and these would take root – and bear fruit – and God’s work would be done.
We know that still holds true today.
We can do everything we can – be as faithful as we can — but there are still those who don’t listen as we try to spread the Good News of God.
There are still those who don’t let the Good News of God’s love make a difference in their lives.
There are still those who let the concerns of world choke out the message we try to give them about God and God’s love for them.
There are still others spreading other seeds that are not the love of God – and sometimes these seeds seem to take root and be more productive than the “Gospel seeds.”
And then – there are still those who let God’s love make a difference in their lives and change their lives!
We live in a world where a lot of different “seeds” are being sown.
Some are seeds of hatred and violence.
We see evidence of these seeds being sown every day – most recently on the world stage in London last Thursday – but they are being sown everywhere.
Some are seeds of addictions.
We see them being sown in peoples lives all the time – and see the results – what happens when these seeds of addiction begin to bear fruit in peoples lives.
Some are seeds of poverty – hunger – homelessness – loss of jobs – and despair.
We see them being sown every day – and can see what happens when they bear fruit.
But there are others who are sowing seeds of hope – of love – of God’s love – as a response to these other seeds that are being sown.
Even though these do not always bear fruit – we can sometimes see what happens in people’s lives when they do – and can work to continue spreading those seeds of God’s hope and love in the world.
Let me give you an example of 2 people who spread God’s seeds – “Gospel seeds” in the world – in a place where it was dangerous to do so – but continued spreading the seeds.
In 2002 Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer were workers in Afghanistan trying to bring Christ into that war torn country. One of the families they showed the Jesus film to betrayed them to the authorities. They were arrested by the Taliban – but freed when our forces drove the Taliban out of their area.
They still hope to return to Afghanistan to continue their work there.
When asked if they would do anything differently next time, Dayna Curry said: “I know particularly that we did not have that many people praying for us the day we were arrested. Normally we did, but on that one day we didn’t. If you are going to do something like show the Jesus film, make sure there’s a whole lot of prayer coverage”
Dayna and Heather are examples of faith – and knowing that sometimes it may seem your work for God is unproductive, but you can’t give up – because that productive time – that good soil – that good dirt – is out there – you just have to make sure the seed gets to it.
Every day we have to spread the seeds – share God’s love with the world.
Certainly some will take root and produce fruit – and some wont.
But we still have to spread the seed.
How do we spread the seeds of God’s love in the world?
We can do this every day as we work to help those around us.
We can spread seeds of hope and love as we reach out to those in need.
We can do this through volunteering for organizations that help others –
or donating to organizations that help others —
or making afghans for the homeless –
or visiting someone who is sick —
We can spread seeds of hope and love as we share a smile or a friendly word with a stranger.
We can spread seeds of hope and love by working for legislation that helps those in need.
We can spread seeds of hope and love by praying for those who are in need – those who need to experience God’s hope and love in their lives – and for those who are working to bring God’s hope and love to others.
There are so many ways that we can spread God’s seeds of hope and love in the world.
Sure –
There will sill those who don’t let the Good News of God’s love make a difference in their lives.
There will still be those who let the concerns of world choke out the message we try to give them about God and God’s love for them.
There will still be others who will be spreading other seeds that are not the love of God – and sometimes these seeds seem to take root and be more productive than the “Gospel seeds.”
But – there will be those who will let the “Gospel seed” we sow take root in their lives – and in whom the Gospel will take root and bear fruit.
We just have to sow the seeds.
But – we do not only have to sow the seeds.
We need to see what kind of dirt we have here!
Do we – here in this Church — have an environment in which seeds can grow – and be nurtured?
Do we have an environment where the seeds God has sown in each of us can grow and flourish?
Is our Church “good soil” –
Is it “good dirt”?
What kid of “dirt” do we have here?
We need to have a “Dirty Church”!
My apologies to all of you who work so hard to keep our Church clean – but there are some respects in which our Church needs to be dirty!
We need to be “dirty” in that we need to create an environment in which the seeds God sows in us can grow and flourish – so we can go out and sow more seeds.
So – what kind of “dirt” – what kind of “soil” do we have here?
Is it the kind of soil that is like the path Jesus spoke of – well worn – comfortable – traditional – but not exciting and refusing to try new things God may be wanting us to try?
A Church that is like the well worn path is a Church that does not give the seeds God plants within us a chance to take root.
Or – is our Church like rocky ground – where the seeds God plants within us can quickly grow – but have no opportunity for nurture and no opportunity to take root and grow?
Or – is our Church like the thorny ground – choking out the seeds God plants within us before they can begin to produce fruit?
Or – is our Church good soil — good dirt that promotes the growth of the seeds God plants within each of us?
We need to be a “Dirty Church” – a Church of good soil – good dirt – that promotes the growth of the sees God places in us so we can produce fruit – and go out and sow more seeds.
Earlier I mentioned some things that made for good soil – good dirt.
Things like:
A proper balance of nutrients to start with – some fertilizer can’t hurt – maybe a little Miracle Grow – then some water and sunlight.
These things can help plant seeds grow.
What about God’s seeds – the seeds God plants within each of us?
What makes for good dirt – good soil – for these seeds?
For these seeds to grow – they need things like
Worship – Worship that is exciting and also inspiring. Worship that opens us up to what God may be saying to us – and the directions God may be moving us.
Study – Study that is challenging and that opens us up to God’s word and God’s will for our lives.
Service – Service that helps us spread the seeds God has planted in us.
Fellowship – Fellowship that helps strengthen the bonds God has blessed us with – the love we have for each other and the love God has for us – and helps the seeds God has planted within us grow.
These are the things that make for good dirt – good soil – where the seeds God has planted in us can grow and mature and produce fruit – so we can go out and spread God’s seed in the world.
Let’s be good soil.
A Dirty Church.
A Church that is good soil for the seeds God plants in us can grow.
Not a well worn path where no roots can take hold
Or rocky ground that does not promote growth of God’s seeds in us
Or thorny ground where the seeds are choked out
Let’s be good dirt – good soil
A Dirty Church that promotes growth of the seeds God plants in each of us –
then let’s go out and spread more seed for God’s glory in the world.
Yes –
There will sill those who don’t let the Good News of God’s love make a difference in their lives.
There will still be those who let the concerns of world choke out the message we try to give them about God and God’s love for them.
There will still be others who will be spreading other seeds that are not the love of God – and sometimes these seeds seem to take root and be more productive than the “Gospel seeds.”
But – there will be those who will let the “Gospel seed” we sow take root in their lives – and in whom the Gospel will take root and bear fruit.
But for that to happen – we have to be good soil – good dirt.
AMEN

2 Chronicles 7:12-22, Mark 12:13-37

II CHRONICLES 7: 12-22GALATIONS 5:1, 13-25
MARK 12:13-17
“GOD, BLESS AMERICA”
JULY 3, 2005

GOD BLESS AMERICA
LAND THAT I LOVE
STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER
THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH A LIGHT FROM ABOVE.
FROM THE MOUNTAINS — TO THE PRAIRIE
TO THE OCEAN WHITE WITH FOAM —
GOD BLESS AMERICA — MY HOME SWEET HOME
GOD BLESS AMERICA — MY HOME SWEET HOME.

So are the words of this familiar patriotic song.
The sentiment of this popular song — written so many years ago — is shared by most of us today. I am sure that all of us here today — especially on this glorious weekend when we are celebrating the 229th birthday of our great nation — are proud to be citizens of America — and pray for God to bless America. I know I am glad to live in this great country of ours — and I am sure all of you are, too!
But — today is not only July 3 — it is Sunday, July 3.
Sunday — the day we gather together to worship and give praise to God.
Sunday — and on this particular Sunday we gather around the Lord’s Table to partake of the sacrament of Communion.
How do we combine our love for God and our love for our country?

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

What does our relationship and loyalty to God ask of us?
What does our relationship and loyalty to our country ask of us?

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Our Gospel and Old Testament Lessons for today give us no direct answers — but they both give us some guidance to the question of responsibility and loyalty to God and country.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

“

Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?
Should we pay them — or should we not?”

When asked a “trick” question — a question intended to force Him to make a statement that would either make the Roman government or the Jews mad — what does Jesus do?
Jesus does a very wise thing.
He asks for a denarius — the money used to pay the tax.
On it was a picture of Tiberius — the emperor — and an inscription bearing Tiberius’ name. Clearly — the coin — with the picture and inscription of Tiberius — belonged to Tiberius. So Jesus replies:

“Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s,”

but — then He adds —

“give to God the things that are God’s.”

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Sometimes the distinction between our loyalty and responsibility to God and our loyalty and responsibility to our county gets a bit confused.
On the one hand — we have a tendency to become overzealous in our patriotism and cheer for our country — particularly on this weekend — even when at times things are being done by our country and things happening within our country and — quite frankly — decisions made by our leaders that we — as Christians — should question instead of wholeheartedly support.
Or — on the other hand — we can sometimes become so “religious” that we feel that we can not be involved in such “worldly” matters as civic or national affairs.
But — the bottom line is — both of these attitudes about God and country are wrong.

Give to the country the things due the country
Give to God the things due to God

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Our Old Testament Lesson for today can help us understand the true relationship between God and country.
King Solomon — King of Israel — a great king in his own right and son of King David — has completed the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This was the Temple that King David had wanted to build — but it had been left up to Solomon to build this magnificent Temple for the Hebrew people to assemble in and worship God.
God speaks to Solomon after the Temple is completed — and tells Solomon that He approves of what Solomon has done — and will bless Solomon and his country if they will follow in God’s ways.
But — if they fail to follow in the way of the Lord — He will not bless them — but will curse them.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

God promises to bless Solomon and the people of Israel if they will follow Him.

“if My people who are called by My name
humble themselves, pray, seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

However, God also promises a curse upon Solomon and the people of Israel if they fail to follow His way.

“But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you,
and go and serve other gods and worship them,
then I will pluck you up from the land that I have given you;”

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

The promises that God gave to Solomon centuries ago still hold true today.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

These are indeed great words — and the thought behind them extremely commendable — but — we have to ask ourselves
What is it that we owe to God —
and what is it that we owe our country?
What are the things that involve our loyalty to our country?

Our support
Our love
Our devotion
Joyous celebrations of our freedoms

What about our loyalty to God?
That involves

Our ultimate loyalty
Our ultimate love
Out ultimate devotion
All our energies and our strength
Our very lives

It is God who we are to love and obey above all others – even our country.
We are to give God — and the things of God — our ultimate support — not anything else — even our country.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

If we seek God’s blessings upon America — if we truly want America to receive God’s blessings — then we need to give to God the things that are God’s.
We need to give our lives to God.
We need to follow God’s teachings and God’s ways.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA
GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Scripture gives us some basis for these blessings and freedoms we pray for and hold so dear. So do the words of that great document — The Declaration of Independence.
Listen to one of the most famous parts of that great document:

We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights
that among these are life and liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness.

Great words.
But — 229 years later — have they truly become a reality?
Do we really believe that all people are created equal —
and have the same rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Or do we prefer to save these rights for a few — and forget about the rest?
As the rich continue to get richer by whatever means they can – and the poor are cast aside and not taken care of –
As people fight legal battles to ensure that people have the right to decide end of life questions and die with dignity – while every day people are dying with no one to consider their dignity –
As people fight to stop abortions – but at the same time fail to make sure that children have their basic needs met –
As we vow to fight terrorism – but refuse to let countries decide for themselves how they are to be ruled –
We have to question whether we truly believe that all people are created equal — and have the same rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We have to wonder whether we truly believe in liberty and justice for all – as we say in our pledge of allegiance – or if it is really liberty and justice for some.
Friends — America has been called a great nation.
This is very true — America is a very great nation.
However, America is only truly great if Americans have a truly great faith in God — truly give to God the things due God and to our country the things due our county — and live in God’s ways – sharing God’s love with all people – and working for God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace on earth.
America is only as great as our faith in God.
America has been called a Christian nation.
Indeed, our country was founded upon Christian principles — but we must return to those principles — truly give to God the things due to God — and deepen our faith in God.
But — America is only a Christian nation as long as we — Americans — are a Christian people. Once we stop following God and Christ, we can no longer be considered a Christian nation. As a nation, America is only as Christian as we — it’s people — live out our faith and let our faith determine what we do as individuals — and as a country.
America has been called a strong nation.
Once again, this statement is only true if we — as Americans — have a strong faith in God – a strong commitment to giving to God the things due to God and to our country the things due our country
Only if we let our strong faith in God and our strong commitment to God determine what we do as individuals — as a community — as a Church — and as a nation can we be considered a strong nation.
Only if we commit ourselves to acting on our faith – and working for God’s love and God’s will a world filled with God’s love, justice, and peace – can we be considered a great nation.
America’s true strength is not a military strength — but the strength of our faith in God. As long as we — as Americans — have a strong, vibrant faith in God that helps us live in God’s ways — giving to God the things due to God and to our country the things due our country — a faith that helps us judge what God would have us do as individuals — a community — a Church — and a nation — America will be a strong, vibrant nation.
America’s greatness, America’s virtue as a Christian nation, and America’s strength depends upon the depth of the faith of its people — the depth of its people’s commitment to give to God the things due to God.
And that means my faith and my commitment — and your faith and your commitment.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Bless America with true blessings that come with working for God’s will for justice and peace for all people.
Bless America with true blessings that come from being humble before God — and doing God’s will.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

This will only happen when we as Americans begin again truly following God — and making sure that the freedoms we hold dear are protected for everyone — and everyone has a right to experience the freedom God give us — as well as the freedoms we hold dear as Americans.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

While Sally and I were at the beach last week I read the book Natural Law by Alberto Piedra. In it Piedra asserts that we need to return to a society built upon God’s will for what is right and what is wrong instead of having a society where right and wrong is determined by our own feelings.
As I read this book, I felt that I could not agree more.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

I pray that we — and our country — do not miss out on any of the things God wants to bless us with.
I pray that we will turn back to God — and do what we can to bring our country back to God.
I pray that we will do all we can to ensure God’s will of peace, justice, love and compassion for all people.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Come to the table — and commit yourself again to giving to God the things that are God’s — your love, your life, your thoughts, your words, your actions. Commit yourself to doing what you can to ensure these liberties we talk so much about are experienced by all.
Indeed —

GOD BLESS AMERICA — MY HOME SWEET HOME
GOD BLESS AMERICA — MY HOME SWEET HOME