Jeremiah 32:1-2, 6-15

Jeremiah 32:1-2, 6-15

Invest In The Future

September 26, 2010

When I was a kid my Dad used to take me hunting on some land that one of his clients owned.  The land was in a densely wooded area out from Rock Hill. The man who owned the land had died, and his two daughters did not know what to do with the property they had inherited.  They lived in North Carolina and would not come to Rock Hill very often, but when they did they would let Dad, who had been named the trustee of their estate, drive them to the wooded area they owned.

“What do you think we should do with it, Mr. Billy?” they would ask.

“Well, there are some people who want to buy it and cut the trees – but if I were you I would keep it.  I think something better is going to come along in the future.” Dad would respond.

Real estate developers and others in town thought that was a crazy idea. They thought the woods would always be out in the country and in the middle of nowhere. They even accused Dad of mismanaging these ladies estate and laughed at his idea that anything would ever come out of it – but for years Dad advised these ladies not to sell their property. He knew that some day it would be worth much more than what they were being offered. So – for years all the land was used for was a hunting area for Dad – me – and my brother in laws.

Then one day the city announced that it was going to annex a large part of what had been countryside north west of town.  The wooded area Dad’s clients owned was a part of this countryside.  Before long housing developments sprang up and before long plans were announced for a new High School to be built just a few miles from the land they owned. It was then Dad told them to sell their land to a real estate developer – and they made much more money then they would have if they had they sold it earlier. If you ever go to Rock Hill I would invite you to drive by Northwestern High School – and the thriving housing developments around it that sit on the land Dad’s clients used to own and he and I used to hunt.

There are a lot of stories like that of folks who owned property and turned down requests to buy it. Sometimes the folks end up making a lot of money, and then at other times they end up losing a lot. Sometimes people keep land that no one seems to want – and then at other times people purchase land that no one else wants.

The Prophet Jeremiah was one of those who bought land when it seemed to be the craziest thing to do. The scene depicted in our passage for today from Jeremiah 32 seems to be a preposterous time for buying property. The unbeatable army of Babylon had surrounded Jerusalem. Jeremiah had been foretelling the destruction of Judah while other so-called prophets had sought to bolster the fragile morale by assuring the people that God would act to spare them. During a temporary reprieve in the siege Jeremiah had attempted to flee the city and encouraged others to do so, only to find himself imprisoned for treason. Some even wanted to kill him.

So there he was, under armed guard in the court of King Zedekiah, confined, and helpless,  watching his people die of starvation and disease even as they clung to false patriotic hopes. He certainly had every reason to despair and give up hope. But he didn’t. Even while under arrest and while no one wanted to listen to what he was saying, Jeremiah could see that God was still at work. In the middle of all the destruction of the land and all the uncertainty of his future, what seemed to be a ridiculous real estate deal was proposed to him. His cousin Hanamel offered to sell him his property, and more than likely get out before all was lost. According to law, when a kinsman fell on hard times and was forced to sell his family property, the nearest relative was to purchase the property so it would stay in the family. Jeremiah got first option to invest in Hanamel’s property – property that was quite possibly already under foreign domination.

Sounds like trying to sell oceanfront property just before the hurricane hits, does it not?

Hanamel had a good strategy – but only if he would find somebody foolish enough to buy the land.

Somehow, Jeremiah sees more than meets the eye. Somehow Jeremiah could see beyond his present circumstances. In the middle of that dark hour, just months before total disaster and the collapse of society as he knew it, Jeremiah bought the field – and in doing so changed his tune from “doom and destruction” to “hope and restoration.”

Now — this was no speculative business venture or gamble to make money on Jeremiah’s part. Jeremiah was working under orders from God. Jeremiah was investing in the future promises of God. Even as the country’s s social, economic, and legal system crumbled around him, Jeremiah took extreme care to follow procedure. He weighed out the money and secured the proper deeds. Then he arranged to preserve the documents, “in order that they may last for a long time.” All of this was a public demonstration of confidence – a confidence that was not in the economy of the country and not in the government, but in the power of God.

“For thus says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.”

Jeremiah says. And Jeremiah backs up his confidence in God with actions. He believes in the future God promises for His people, and invests in it.

So – maybe you are wondering what Jeremiah’s words and actions have to do with us?

Indeed, what does this passage have to do with us?

Our future is hardly in the same jeopardy as the future of Jeremiah and the rest of the people Judah – is it?

We have no enemy armies ready to take over our neighborhoods – do we?  No one is threatening to take us into captivity – are they?

Well, these things are true – but – here’s a question for you to consider.

What about the Church?

Could you say the state of the Church is healthy and vibrant?

Could you say we are doing everything we can to be the people God wants us to be – and doing all we can for God in the Church and in the world?

Not really – huh?

Some say that the Church is not what it used to be.

Some say that the Church is not going to last much longer if things keep going in the direction they are going.

Some are say that the Church needs to change – and are sitting back and waiting for that change to happen because they feel the leaders need to make the change and they don’t need to do anything.

Some are even “abandoning ship” instead of trying to make a difference where they are.

Then again – some – like Jeremiah – see the problems of the present – but also see God’s glorious plans for the future – and are willing to invest what they have in the future.

Yea – the Church could be compared to the country of Judah in Jeremiah’s time — under siege without much hope for a future – and there are many responses we can make to this.

We can despair and moan and groan about what’s happening – much like many in Jeremiah’s time may have been doing – or – like Jeremiah — we can believe in God’s plan for the Church – and do what we can to make that plan a reality.

We can see what’s happening and believe that there is nothing that can be done – or – like Jeremiah — we can see God’s glorious future for His Church and believe that God has a plan for us.

We can despair the present and give up on the future – or – like Jeremiah —  we can do what we can in the present and invest in the future.

We can invest in the future.

Friends – things may not look real good right now. I understand that. But I also understand that God has a plan for us and a future for us – and I believe we need to look past the present and look into God’s future. I believe we don’t need to put too much stock in the present situation – but – like Jeremiah — we need to invest in the future.

How can we do this?

How can we look past the present – and invest in the future?

Last week I talked about how God has blessed each of us with gifts and abilities that we can use to do His work and His will in the Church and in the community. We can invest our gifts and abilities in the Church – and help make a difference for the future.

Maybe you can invest your time in the Church. Taking time for the things of God in the Church is a valuable investment. Taking the time to worship, to fellowship, and to learn as we gather on Sunday mornings for Sunday School and worship and on Wednesday nights to fellowship and learn is an investment you can make in your future as you learn how to live in God’s ways – and in the future of the Church as you support what we are doing and what God is calling us to do. Time is something that you probably have – even though you might like to make the excuse that you don’t have time. The truth is, if you use your time for God, you will have time to invest in the Church.  In fact, there’s a sign up sheet in the hall outside the Church office for folks to sign  who are willing to take the time to help set up and clean up for the meal on Homecoming two weeks from today. Can you invest some time to help us in this – or other things we are doing as we prepare for Homecoming?

Maybe you can invest your time for God in the community. Taking time to help others or tell others about Christ is a valuable investment you can make in the community. You can do this with us in the Church as we do things as a group that shows God to others – like helping with the upcoming “Slaw outreach” at the Fair or the meal we’ll be serving to the students at Francis Marion University in November. You can also help us come up with new ideas and new ways to show God to the community. You can also do this on your own every day as you share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

Maybe you have talents and abilities you can invest in the Church and the community that will help others learn more about God. We can always use more people teaching, more people in the Choir and Praise Choir, more people cooking on Wednesday nights, more people willing to serve on committees, more people willing to serve on the Session, and more people willing to work “behind the scenes” to get things done. Whatever your talent or ability might be, invest it for God’s glory and for God’s work and will in the Church and the world.

Maybe you have financial blessings you can use to invest in God’s work in the Church or the community.  We could certainly use it – and so could others. Invest it in the future – in God’s work and will in the Church and the world.

Invest what you have in the future – in God’s plan and God’s future for the Church.

Here’s on specific way you can invest in the future of the Church. This Wednesday night we are going to have Committee Night. This will be a time for us to gather and make plans for how we are going to do what we feel God is calling us to do as a Church. I urge you to come and take part. You might not have been asked to serve on a Committee, but you might have a specific area you are interested in and can help us make plans for. Come and help us make plans for what we feel God is calling us to do. Invest your time and ideas in the work of God in the Church and the community.

I don’t think any of us can say that the Church is where we want it to be at this time – and I don’t think any of us can honestly say we believe the Church is where God wants us to be. But – I do believe that God has a future for us that is brighter than anything we can imagine – and that future can become a reality if we will invest what God has given us in it.

Indeed – God has given you gifts and abilities to use right here – and right now – that can benefit you and others – that can benefit God’s work in the Church and the world – well into the future.

Invest what God has given you now for the future.

Invest in the future. Amen.

Luke 16:1-13

Luke 16:1-13

“Don’t Try To Cheat God”

September 19, 2010

You may have heard about the young man who bought a horse for $100.

The young man paid for his horse – and the farmer he bought the horse from agreed to deliver it the next day. The young man was excited about getting his horse – but when it came time for delivery the farmer reneged on his promise.

“I can’t deliver the horse – it died.” he explained.

So the young man replied:

“Well, then give me my money back.”

“Can’t do that. I spent it already” the farmer replied.

The young man thought for a moment and said, “Ok, then, just bring me the dead horse.” “What you going to do with a dead horse?” the farmer asked.                     The young man said, “I’m going to raffle it off.”

“You can’t raffle off a dead horse!” the farmer declared.

“Sure I can. I just won’t tell anybody it’s dead.” the young man replied.

A month later, the farmer met up with the young man and asked, “What happened with that dead horse?”

The young man said, “I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars apiece and made a profit of $998”

The farmer said, “Didn’t anyone complain?”

The young man said, “Just the guy who won. So I gave him his two dollars back.”

That young man sounds like a real con man, doesn’t he? And the farmer also! They are about as crafty as the dishonest manager in the parable Jesus tells in the passage before us today.

This Parable — this story that Jesus told of the dishonest manager — is hard for us to understand.

What is Jesus saying here? we may wonder.

What does all this mean?

Well how do you think Jesus would tell this Parable today if He were here — teaching us?

You know — Parables are stories that are intended to teach and instruct.

How would Jesus tell this story if He were here?

Of course — we can’t really be sure — but maybe it would go something like this:

Joe worked for a major textile corporation.  This corporation made a variety of products — carpets, towels, rugs, sheets — almost anything you desired in textiles were manufactured by this company.

Joe was always looking for ways to make money — ways to “get ahead” — and he didn’t care if the money was made honestly or otherwise.

He came up with a plan to make some extra money — lots of extra money.  Sense he was one of the top executives in the corporation, he learned months in advance what new products they were planning to distribute and what innovations would be introduced to products already on the market.  Every year when he was told of new products or innovations on old ones, he would immediately inform the competition — and — as you can imagine — he would be paid a great deal of money for doing this.

Everything went as planned until one day at a staff meeting his boss informed the group that they thought that someone was tipping off the competition — and they would discover — and fire — whoever it was.  The boss seemed to look directly at Joe when he said this.  Instead of confessing to the boss, however, Joe got busy learning all the advanced styles and techniques in the business.  If he was going to be fired, he was going to make sure he knew everything there was to know about the business so he would be able to secure another job with one of the other textile corporations in the area.

Sure enough — one day Joe’s boss called him into the office.  He had been discovered — and was fired. He acted as if he were upset — but the very next day it was announced that Joe had secured a higher-paying job at one of the competing textile firms.

Now — what do you think Jesus would say about Joe?

Would Jesus say that Joe had done a good job — and that our business ethics and dealings should be like his?

No — of course Jesus wouldn’t say that.

But — what He may say is:

“I wish my people would be as crafty and scheme as much about how to get

my work done as this man was in planning how to get his job done.”

No — Jesus would not condone Joe’s actions.

He didn’t condone the actions of the man in the parable.

Jesus doesn’t condone the actions of the dishonest steward.

This man was a scoundrel – a cheater.

Jesus is not condoning shady business practices at all.

But — I do think Jesus is saying in this Parable:

“Why can’t y’all be just as worried about my work as this manager was about his?”

“Why can’t y’all plan — scheme — and plot ways to get my work done?

You do yours — why not mine?”

I think it boils down to a question of our priorities — and a question of how we use what God has given us.

How do we use what God has given us?

How do you use what God has given you?

Do you use all you have for God’s kingdom — to spread God’s love to the world – to tell others about God and get God’s work done in the world —

Or do you use what we have for your glory — for your will — to satisfy what you perceive to be your needs – and not worry about God’s work or God’s glory or doing what God wants you to be doing?

The question is — where are your priorities?

Are your priorities in using what you have — what God has blessed you with — for worldly things – like your job — your entertainment — your material needs — or are your priorities to use what you have and what you can do in  the Church and in the world to let others know about God?

Are you committed to using everything God has blessed you with for His glory and to get His work done – or do you try to hold back part of what God has blessed you with – and even cheat God out of what He should be getting from you?

Jesus is not saying that the actions of the manager were right — but He is saying that we need to be as concerned with getting God’s work done as the dishonest manager was in getting his own done.

So — are you all that different from this manager in Jesus’ story?

Sure — maybe you don’t cheat and defraud as this manager did — but I believe you have your ways of making sure that your business is a success — and that your needs are taken care of — and that your job is secure.

I’m sure that you make certain that you use everything that you have to make yourself a success in the world.

But what about God’s work?

What do you use to make sure that the work of God will get done?

And – what about the Church?

What do you use to make sure that the work of the Church gets done in the best way possible?

I’m afraid that many times God’s work gets what’s left over after we get our work done — the leftover time — the leftover energy — the leftover ideas — the leftover enthusiasm.

Friends – God is being cheated when you give Him nothing but leftovers.

Don’t try to cheat God!

Serve God with what we have — not what you have left over.

You know — God has blessed you with so much.

God has given you abilities and gifts. God has given you blessings.  Now it’s up to you to look for — plan for — and yes — even scheme ways to use what God has blessed you with for His work in the Church and in the world.

God has blessed you with so much!

Don’t try to cheat God – but use what He has blessed you with to do His work and His will.

Use what you have — and all you have — to get the work of God in the world – and the work of the Church — done.  Spend as much time planning how you are going to help us accomplish God’s work as you spend time planning how you are going to accomplish yours.

Make God’s work in the Church and the world just as important to you as your work is. Take the work of God — the work of the church — as seriously as you  do your other jobs.

If you’re like most people you spend hours planning how to make your business a success. Well — how much time do you spend planning how to make the work of God in the world and in the Church a success?

God has indeed blessed you. It’s up to you to use what He has blessed us with.

God needs your gifts and talents He has given you.

Don’t try to cheat God.

Plan how to use what God has given you to get God’s work done! Get involved in the work of God in the world! Get involved in the work of God in the Church! The work of God in the world and the work of the Church are of vital importance to us — and to the world. It takes commitment. It takes time. It takes planning. It takes all you have. It takes using all that God has blessed you with. It takes seeing what God has blessed you with – and using it for His glory and His work.

Take the time to participate in the work of the Church — the worship – the learning — the fellowship — the outreach. Take time to help plan how the work of the Church can be done.

You know – the work of God in the Church takes time and planning – and so does the work of God in the world — the work of the Church as it reaches out into the world with the love of God.

It also takes money. It also takes commitment.  It also takes imagination.  It also takes participation in all of its aspects.  It takes all these things — just like your daily job does. It takes all you have. It takes all God has blessed you with. It takes using what God has given you for God’s glory. It takes using all the time – money – imagination and ideas God has blessed you with. It takes using all these things for God – and not cheating God.

Don’t cheat God – but use what God has blessed you with!

Get involved in the work of God in the Church!

Get involved by participating.

Participate in worship – in Sunday School – and on Wednesday nights.  If you like music and enjoy singing, use your gift in the Choir or the Praise Choir.

Get involved by helping plan.

Participate in the planning of what we do here at Hopewell. Each part of our Church life has a committee that plans what we do and an Elder who chairs that committee. Whether your particular interest or gift is in the area of Building and Grounds, Christian Education, Congregational Care, Fellowship, Mission and Evangelism, Stewardship and Finance, Worship and Music, or Youth, you are needed to help plan what we do in each of these areas of the Church.

Get involved by leading.

We always need more leaders and teachers. We need teachers and “back up teachers” for Sunday School and Wednesday Night classes and leaders for our Youth Groups. As I am sure you have heard, we need folks to feel and respond to God’s call serve on the Session.

You have been blessed with gifts, talents, and abilities to use to serve God. Don’t cheat God by not using what He has given you – but use your gifts and abilities to plan and take part in God’s work.

Many of you may remember the Chichen Soup For The Soul books edited by Jack Cranfield and Mark Victor Hansen. In the book A Third Serving  Of Chicken Soup For The Soul the following story is told of how a woman discovered how rich she really was — and how she could use what God had blessed her with.

The lady tells the story this way —

One cold winter afternoon two children in ragged outgrown coats stood at the door of her house – bracing against the cold.

“Any old papers lady?” they asked.

She was busy. She wanted to say no – until she looked down at their feet. Thin little sandals, sopped with sleet – gave then little protection against the sleet on the ground.

“Come in and I’ll make you a cup of hot cocoa” she offered.

They came in – but there was no conversation. Their soggy sandals left marks upon the hearthstone.  She served them cocoa and toast with jam to fortify against the chill outside. Then she went back to the kitchen and started again on her  household budget…

The silence in the front room struck through to her – and she looked in.

The girl held the empty cup in her hands, looking at it. The boy asked her:  “Lady…are you rich?”

“Am I rich? Mercy, no!” she replied.

The girl put her cup back in its saucer – carefully.

“But — your cups match your saucers.”

They left then, holding their bundles of papers against the wind.

They hadn’t said thank you. They didn’t need to. They had done more than that.

The woman began thinking — plain blue pottery cups and saucers. But they matched. She tested the potatoes and stirred the gravy for supper – and thought:               Potatoes and brown gravy, a roof over my head.

She moved the chairs back from the fire and tidied the living room. The muddy prints of small sandals were still wet upon her hearth. She let them be. She wanted them there in case she ever forget again how very rich she was.

Yes — we are rich!

You are rich!

God has richly blessed you with so much that you can use in the Church and in the world! It’s up to you to use what God has blessed you with — and not cheat God.

Why can’t we all be like the manager in Jesus’ parable – planning – plotting — talking about – getting involved in – and discovering new ways to be about the work of God?

The work of God in the world – and the work of the Church — is not something to give just what you can when you can. It takes all God has blessed you with. Don’t take what God has blessed you with for granted – but use it.

God has given you so much and needs you to give so much for His work.

Don’t cheat God. Amen.

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

“Be A Life-Long Learner”

September 12, 2010 (Rally Day)

Today is Rally Day. We enjoyed our breakfast and program earlier this morning and honored our Sunday School teachers as we begin a new year of Sunday School here at Hopewell.  Not only are we beginning a new year of Sunday School today, but this Wednesday we will begin our Wednesday night suppers and programs again after our summer break.

Today is important. Rally Day marks not only the beginning of our fall Sunday Christian Education endeavors here at Hopewell, but it also marks the beginning of other Christian Education endeavors as well, and gives us an opportunity to honor everyone who teaches our classes here at Hopewell as well as everyone who participates.

We learn so much in Sunday School and on Wednesday nights.

A Sunday School teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honor thy father and thy mother,” she asked “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Without missing a beat one little boy answered, “Thou shall not kill.”

Pretty good answer – don’t you think?
Most people will agree that education is important and that religious

education is very important. Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “To train a man in mind and not in morals is to train a menace to society.” A recent national poll shows that 92% of Americans who go to church — and even 68% of those who do not go to church — want their children to receive religious instruction. It is not unusual to see young couples returning to church after years of inactivity once a baby comes along. They stand before God and the congregation at the child’s baptism, promise to raise their little one in the faith, and some even bring their baptized children to church and Sunday School week after week because they want them to learn spiritual values.

In our passage for today from Deuteronomy 6 God stresses to the people of Israel – and to us – the importance of religious education. Religious instruction was not to be thought of as simply a way to teach folks about God, it was to be understood as a way to insure against national disaster. It was to be understood as a guarantee that the people would never forget God’s standards for right living, and that their ancient faith would never die. According to our lesson in Deuteronomy, one of the most sacred duties the people of God have is that of passing on the faith from one generation to the next.

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children…” God says – and  the  passage ends with these words:

²⁰ In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?” ²¹ tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. ²² Before our eyes the LORD sent miraculous signs and wonders—great and terrible—upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. ²³ But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers. ²⁴ The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. ²⁵ And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us,  that will be our righteousness.” (Deuteronomy 6:20-25)

Teaching our children and young people the ways of God is not just a good thing to do – it is a sacred duty that God has placed upon us.

As a whole, churches try to do the job – to fulfill this obligation. All but the tiniest of congregations offer some sort of Sunday School program. But we would have to admit that much of what passes for “education” in Sunday School would never be tolerated in the public school.

I heard about two friends who were talking one day. Much to the amazement of one of them, the other shared he had become a Sunday School teacher. The one who was not a teacher protested,

“I’ll bet you don’t even know the Lord’s Prayer!”

“Everybody knows that,” the other replied. “It’s ‘Now I lay me down to sleep!'”

“You win,” said the other admiringly, “I didn’t think you knew so much about the Bible.”

Friends  – we need to do a better job at teaching our young people – and our adults – what’s in the Bible. We need to do a better job at Christian Education.

A few years ago a study of Sunday Schools in mainline churches entitled “Effective Christian Education: A National Study of Protestant Congregations.” was released. 11,122 people (including 1,923 Presbyterians) in 561 congregations in six denominations – the Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Southern Baptist Convention, the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church, USA  were surveyed.  The three-and-a-half year study found that

“Effective Christian Education is the most powerful, single influence congregations have on maturity of faith.”

In fact, one of the authors of the study said,

“Christian Education matters much more than we expected. Of all the areas of congregational life we examined, involvement in an effective Christian Education program has the strongest tie to a person’s growth in faith and to loyalty to one’s congregation and denomination…this is as true for adults as it is for adolescents.”
The researchers listed eight components of what they called a “maturity of faith”. A person with mature faith, they said:

1. trusts in God’s saving grace and believes firmly in the humanity and divinity of Jesus;

2. experiences a sense of personal well-being, security and peace;

3. integrates faith and life, and sees work, family, social relationships and political choices as a part of religious life;

4. seeks spiritual growth through study, reflection, prayer and discussion with others;

5. seeks to be a part of a community of believers in which people witness to their faith and support and nourish one another;

6. holds life-affirming values — including a commitment to racial and gender equality and affirmation of cultural and religious diversity, which includes a personal sense of responsibility for the welfare of others;

7. advocates social and global change to bring about greater social justice; and

8. serves humanity consistently and passionately through acts of love and justice.
These are the eight dimensions of a mature faith according to the study.

So – how about it?

Does that sound like you?

If it does, you are one of the few. The study reports:

“For most adults faith is underdeveloped, lacking some of the key elements necessary for faith maturity.”
But – you know what?

All is not lost. The study concluded that some congregations (although not nearly enough) do help people grow and mature in their faith. The research mentions a half-dozen factors that some congregations incorporate into their corporate lives that help people grow in their faith. Listen to them and see if you think they describe us here at Hopewell:

1. Members grow in a congregation that encourages questions, challenges thinking and expects learning.

Do we do that here at HopewellFirst Presbyterian?

I hope so. My only concern is that phrase “expects learning.” I expect you to learn, but do you expect you to learn?  Let’s all try to expect to learn from our Christian Education offerings here at Hopewell – Sunday School, Wednesday nights, and other times!

2. The congregation successfully recruits members to volunteer to help people in need.

Do we do that here at Hopewell?

Is there any ongoing mechanism to encourage people to serve those who need help?

We have members who are willing to help out when needs are made known, but I am not sure there is an ongoing effort to find needs and ways to meet them.

3. Members perceive that their Sunday worship is of high quality.

Do you believe that about Hopewell?

I hope you do. We who are charged with arranging things try to make this a worthwhile hour. But can it be improved? Well, probably so. We are not afraid to try new things, and we are always open to suggestions.

4. Members see their congregation as warm and friendly.

Do you feel Hopewell is warm and friendly?

I feel we are in some ways – but again – there is always room for improvement.

5. Members personally experience the care and concern of other members.

Is that the case here?

If a member of this church finds his or her life tumbling in, can that one count on individuals here at Hopewell for support?

I hope so – but again I believe this is an area where we can use some improvement.

6. The congregation has an effective, formal Christian Education program including Sunday School classes, and Bible studies.

According to the study, this factor – formal Christian Education – has twice the impact of the other five combined in helping someone grow in the faith. In other words, if you are serious about Christian discipleship, there is nothing that can help you grow in your faith better than being a part of a Sunday School and Bible Study class.

How about that!

You know what — we have those here at Hopewell for you. We offer a Sunday School – and our Wednesday Night supper and programs start back Wednesday.

But – here’s the thing – if you don’t take advantage of what we offer, then what we offer won’t do you any good! You can’t grow in your faith if you don’t take advantage of the opportunities we offer for you to grow in your faith. Christian Education is the responsibility of each one of us – we all need to be life long learners.

I want to emphasize the life-long part of that.

One of the myths about Christian Education that absolutely must be stamped out is that this is a ministry for children. I friend of mine told me about visiting a parishioner in the hospital. He was a member of a men’s Sunday School class, and he and my friend were talking about another class member who was also in the hospital. This patient wanted to know how the other member of his class who was in the hospital was getting along and was telling my friend about the wonderful dinner the other patient and his wife had cooked for several friends not too long before. A nurse walked in during the conversation, heard them discussing the Sunday School class, and laughed that this man attended Sunday School.

“At your age?” she chuckled.

The patient looked at her and replied:

“You’re never too old to learn.”

Amen to that! If you are going to grow in your faith, you will have to understand that you are never too old to learn – or come to Sunday School or come to our Wednesday night suppers and studies.

No doubt, many of you have read Robert Fulgham’s wise and witty book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. I think that when it comes to faith development, we could paraphrase that and say, “All I really need to know I learned in Sunday School and Bible Study.”

You might learn that:

“God is great and God is good.”

Indeed, God is big and strong and mighty and there is nothing God cannot do. God made this world. God made the animals and the birds. God made you and me.

You might learn that

“Jesus Loves Me.”

There is no other truth more profound that that. You have probably heard the name Karl Barth mentioned from time to time – I have mentioned him from time to time in sermons. He is probably the best theologian of the twentieth century. He was asked near the end of his remarkable career to state the most significant truth he had come across in his lifetime of study. After a moment of thought he is reported to have answered, “Jesus loves me; this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” That’s something you’ll learn in Sunday School and Bible Study. You don’t have to go to Seminary and study under some of the greatest professors to learn that – you can learn that right here.

You might learn:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”

Jesus is living and dying proof of God’s love for you and me – and the more you take advantage of opportunities to learn about Him the better your life is going to be.

You might learn:

“Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world; Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

All of us could stand to learn more about God’s love for all people and how to share God’s love with all people.

You might learn:

“The B I B L E, yes, that’s the book for me. I stand alone on the word of God, the B I B L E.”

Those of you who attended Vacation Bible School here at Hopewell this summer were reminded of that! You know — there are many good books in the world, but there are none like the Bible. It has been called a “Christian’s Owner’s Manual”. We all need to take every opportunity we can to come together and study God’s word – on Sundays, Wednesday, or any days.

You might learn:

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

If you come to Sunday School and other study times you will learn that we have a mission in this community and the world. The gospel is good news and it must to be shared – it deserves to be shouted from the housetops, printed on balloons, slapped on billboards, chanted at ballgames, scrawled across the sky.

OK – maybe you can’t do all those things – but if you come to Sunday School and Wednesday nights you might learn ways that you can share God with others.

We learn so much at Sunday School and on Wednesday nights – and – I dare say – we enjoy ourselves while doing it!

There is more to Christian discipleship than just knowing about the Bible – even though that is important. There is so much more we have to learn if we want to grow in faith – and I know just the place to do that!

You want to grow in your faith and be a better disciple of Christ?

Check us out Wednesday night – and next Sunday in Sunday School.  Amen!

Luke 14:25-33

Luke 14:25-33

The 3 Towers

September 5, 2010

The Sagrada Famimilia – or Holy Family – Catholic Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain has been under construction since 1882 – and it is projected that it won’t be completed until 2026.  If it is completed then, that would be 144 years of construction on this Cathedral. While this may not be a world record, it would certainly be a long time! When construction began on the Cathedral Chester A. Arthur was President of the United States and Queen Victoria the Queen of England. The only things we remember about them is what we read in history books!

The outstanding feature of this Cathedral are the four main towers that look like they are parts of a giant drip sand castle on the beach. 17 other smaller towers – one for each of the twelve apostles — separate ones for the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – and one for the Virgin Mary – are also a part of the building.  When it is all completed the other towers will be dwarfed by a 550 foot high “Jesus Tower” which will be capped by a cross.

The Cathedral, with it’s towers, will surely be a sight to behold – an architectural expression of faith – and a testimony to not giving up and being persistent in bringing projects that are started to completion.

The 21 towers are the important part of the architecture of the Cathedral – and will make it stand out in the skyline of Barcelona.

One thing about towers is that they stand out in the middle of a landscape and catch our attention.

Some towers are intended to lead us to worship – like the towers of the Sagrada Famimilia Cathedral  or other great Cathedrals – or even steeples on top of churches.

Other towers serve as watchtowers so folks can climb them and see what’s going on.  If you ride through the countryside you are familiar with the “Firetowers” – towers built with steps leading up to an enclosed area on top where a Forrest Ranger can keep watch over the surrounding woods and notice fires that have started. When I was a child there was one of these in a community close to Rock Hill where I grew up – and every time we would pass it I would want to climb it and look for fires.  I was sure that the Forrest Rangers needed my help – in fact I was a Junior Forrest Ranger – complete with badge and “Smokey the Bear” hat. Maybe some of you helped “Smokey” also.

Sometimes towers are built to show power and prestige. As September 11 comes this Saturday I am sure we will be hearing more and more about the “Twin Towers” of the World Trade Center in New York that were destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. These towers that were built as a symbol of prestige and power have become symbols of terror.

Sometimes towers are built to honor folks who have done great things. The Washington Monument, a towering obelisk that pays homage to George Washington, took over 30 years to build thanks to the War Between The States and political wrangling, but it now stands as a monument to Washington and – as Glen Beck reminded us last weekend – has the words “Laus Deo” – “praise be to God” on the east side of the pyramid that sits on top of the structure.

Towers are built for various reasons – and more times than not it takes a great deal of effort and commitment to build them.

One of the parables Jesus tells in our passage for today talks about how – if you want to build a tower – you need to see if you are committed enough – and have what you need – to build it.  You wouldn’t want to get partially completed and not be able to finish.  You need to weigh the cost of building your tower before you start.

I believe that Jesus wants us to build towers with our lives – towers that – like the towers of the Sagrada Famimilia Cathedral or like steeples atop churches – can point others to Him and lead them to worship and praise Him. Jesus wants us to live in such a way that we point others to Him. The thing is that, like building architectural towers, building towers that point to Him with our lives takes time and commitment.

In our passage for today we see that large crowds are following Jesus.

That’s great! We might think.

Fantastic!

Praise God!

Jesus’ message and ministry is reaching many people — many are responding to Him and following Him.

Well you’d think he’d be excited.

We’d be excited if we attracted large crowds to our church — to our ministry – and we assume Jesus would feel the same way — and yet — He doesn’t sound so excited — does He? In fact — what He says probably scared some people off.  What He says probably makes some have second thoughts about following Him.

It’s as if Jesus wanted to threaten them. It’s as if Jesus were trying to scare some away — or give some second thoughts. It’s as if Jesus were placing such harsh demands on the crowd that He knew some would turn away.

And we may well wonder: “What’s going on?”

Doesn’t Jesus want people to follow Him?

Why are Jesus’ demands so great that many will turn away from Him?

Why all this talk about hate – and letting go?

Doesn’t Jesus know that people don’t like too many demands being placed on them?

Jesus seems to be calling for total commitment here.

Indeed — what’s going on?

Well, I think what’s going on is that Jesus is describing what it really means to follow Him. I think what’s going on is that Jesus is describing the life of discipleship – the life of being a disciple who is committed to following Him and committed to paying the price that it takes to be His disciple.

You see, it does not take much to be a “follower” – to be part of the crowd tagging along behind Jesus – but it takes a great deal to be a disciple.

I see 3 things that it takes to be a disciple in this passage – or 3 towers that you have to build that will help you live a life of discipleship – a life where you will  follow Him and that will point others to Him.

I see that it takes a tower of commitment – a tower of sacrifice – and a tower of giving.

First is the tower of commitment.

Jesus begins his speech to the crowd by saying:

“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple” (v. 26).

You can just imagine the members of the crowd looking confused and saying, “Hate? Hate my father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters? Sure, they can be annoying sometimes – but hate them? I don’t know if I can do that!”

But I don’t think Jesus is talking about hate in the sense of intense anger or strong hostility. No, I think he’s talking about what’s the most important thing in your life. He’s talking about where your loyalties are. He’s talking about who you follow. He’s talking about who you are the most committed to. He’s asking –

“Are you committed to me – or something else – even if that something else is your family?”

The tower of commitment Jesus wants us to build in our lives is a tower that drives us towards Him – and helps us make decisions that will help us live lives that will lead others to Him. It is a tower that will drive us to live lives that will be committed to Him above everything else that can vie for our attention and our commitments – and can point others to Him in the process.

Will Willimon is now a Methodist Bishop in Alabama – but for years he was the Chaplain and a Professor at Duke University. He tells the story that he once got a call from an upset father.

“I hold you personally responsible for this,” the father began the conversation.

“For what?” Willimon asked – having no idea what the father was so upset about.

After a few minutes of a tirade from the father Willimon gathered that he was upset because his daughter – who he had big plans for once she got her degree in engineering from Duke — had just informed him that she was going to “throw it all away” as the father described it and go do mission work with the Presbyterians in Haiti.

“Isn’t that absurd!” the father shouted over the phone

“A BS degree in mechanical engineering from Duke and she’s going to dig ditches in Haiti.”

“Well, I doubt that she’s received much training in the Engineering Department here for that kind of work, but she’s probably a fast learner and will probably get the hang of ditch-digging in a few months,” Willimon assured the father.

“Look,” said the father replied “this is no laughing matter. You are completely irresponsible to have encouraged her to do this. I hold you personally responsible.”

As the conversation went on, Willimon pointed out that it was actually the parents who had started this ball rolling. They were the ones who had her baptized, read Bible stories to her, took her to Sunday School, encouraged her to go to Church Camp and attend Youth Group. Willimon finally said “You’re the one who introduced her to Jesus, not me.”

The father paused before responding: “But all we ever wanted to do was make here a good Presbyterian.”

How about it?

Do you want to be committed to Christ above everything else in your life – or are you content to just be a “good Presbyterian” who comes and is “part of the crowd” but never lets Christ make a difference in your life and never tries to make a difference for Christ in the community and in the world?

Christ calls us to build towers of commitment in our lives that will drive us to live lives that will be committed to Him above everything else that can vie for our attention and our commitments – and can point others to Him in the process.

But here’s the thing: When you decide to be committed to Jesus and above all else that vie for your attention and your commitments – when you decide to build that tower of commitment to Jesus and His will for you in your life, your family actually benefits. A husband who has a tower of commitment to Jesus in his life is going to be faithful to his wife. A mother who has a strong tower of commitment to Jesus will be committed to her family. A teen who knows that Jesus loves him and has a strong tower of commitment to Jesus in their life isn’t going to search for approval by following a dangerous crowd. A child whose parents are trying to instill a tower of commitment to Jesus in them and is taken to church will learn the God loves them and wants a relationship with them.

The tower of commitment is one tower for you to build in your life – and is vital for you to build if you are going to go beyond being a follower of Christ – being a “good Presbyterian” — to be a disciple for Christ – and live a life that will point others to Him.

There’s a second tower that you need to build in your if you are going to be a disciple for Christ – follow Him — and live a life that will point others to Him.

The second tower is the tower of sacrifice.

Jesus says:

“Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (v. 27).

He’s making it crystal clear that you cannot truly be a disciple unless you’re willing to make sacrifices for what you believe in. For each of us, the sacrifice is going to be different — for some it will be a sacrifice of time and energy, while for others it will be the giving up of a habit, a hobby or a particular career path. The only common denominator is a willingness to lay down our lives, as Jesus did.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian during the time of World War II, wrote the famous line in his book The Cost Of Discipleship :

“When Jesus calls a man, he bids him to come and die.”

Man or woman, boy or girl, part of what it means be a disciple of Christ – and not just a follower – is a willingness to sacrifice ourselves for Him – to build a tower of sacrifice in our lives so that we can live our lives in His ways and point others to Him.

Maybe for you it will mean sacrificing time – or giving up time every week – to show God’s love to someone else. It might mean volunteering time for an agency that helps others – it might mean volunteering to serve in the Church as a teacher – it might mean volunteering to sing in the choir or Praise Choir – but whatever it is that you can volunteer to do to serve Christ, do it. It might mean giving up – or sacrificing something else – but it will mean building a tower of sacrifice in your life so that you can live your life in His ways and point others to Him.

You don’t have to be called sacrifice yourself as Bonhoeffer did when he was hung by the Nazis for refusing to follow their ways of killing and violence. You don’t have to be called to sacrifice as the heroes in the film The Hurt Locker who defuse IEDs — improvised explosive devices — in Iraq at the risk of their lives – to save others. For most of you it will be a willingness to live a life where you look for ways to serve God and others and are willing to do what it takes to serve.

The tower of sacrifice is a second tower for you to build in your life – and is vital for you to build if you are going to go beyond being a follower of Christ to be a disciple for Christ – and live a life that will point others to Him.

So – it takes a tower of commitment and a tower of sacrifice in your life to move from being a follower of Christ to being a disciple of Christ.

It also takes a third tower if you are going to go beyond being a follower of Christ to being a disciple for Christ – and if you are going to live a life that will point others to Him. That’s a tower of giving.

It takes building a tower of giving in your life if you are going to move from being a follower of Christ to being a disciple of Christ.

Jesus says:

“none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions” (v. 33).

The tower of giving must be built by everyone who wants to be a disciple and not just a follower of Jesus. It’s constructed by your gifts of time and talent and money and effort, offered in the service of something much bigger and more lasting than yourself.  If you want to be a disciple of Christ then you have to hold nothing back but give your life and all He has given you to following and serving Him and those around you.

Of course, the irony of giving is that it enriches rather than depletes you. When you give to a Christian cause, you make the world better for yourself and people around you. When you share your time and talents, you build up the kingdom of God in ways that never would have happened if we had kept to ourselves. When you do things that need to be done in the Church everyone benefits. The giving you do in Christ’s  name leaves you feeling richer, not poorer, with a sense that you’re leaving the world better than we found it.

So – a tower of commitment, a tower of sacrifice, and a tower of giving.

These are “three towers” I believe you need to build in your life if you are going to move from being a follower of Christ to being a disciple of Christ – and point others to Christ. I believe that these are 3 qualities that it takes to truly be a disciple of Christ.

You see – being a disciple does not just mean believing in Christ. “Discipleship” does not mean “believer-ship”. The crowds following Jesus probably believed things about Him, but He wanted them to move beyond being believers to being folks who lived in His ways. Yes – believing is part of what it means to be a disciple – but only a part.

Being a disciple also does not mean just following Jesus. The crowds were following – but Jesus wanted then to move beyond just followers to being folks who lived in His ways. Yes – following Jesus is part of what it means to be a disciple – but – like believing – it’s only a part.

Being a disciple means committing to learning about Jesus – or believing things about Jesus – and it means committing to following Jesus – but it also means being committed to living in His ways.

Being a disciple means building towers of commitment to Jesus, towers of sacrifice, and towers of giving in your life so you will live in the ways of Christ and show Him to others.

If you can build these 3 towers of commitment to Christ, sacrifice, and giving in your life, you can truly be a disciple of Christ.

Are you willing to build these towers?

Like Jesus says, you have to weigh the cost and make the commitment if you want to follow Him and build these towers in your life – but the costs are far outweighed by the blessings you receive when you embark on a life of discipleship – of building towers of commitment, sacrifice, and giving in your life.

The life of discipleship is not just about “wanting to be a good Presbyterian” as the father of the girl graduating from Duke and preparing to go dig ditches in Haiti told Will Willimon he wanted his daughter to be – but it’s about being a great disciple – living your life with commitment to Him, sacrifice, and giving,

Build these towers in your life and you will grow in His love – and lead others to Him. Amen.