Sermon: 8.23.09

August 23, 2009 · Filed under Rehoboth UMC, Sermons · Tagged , , , ,

Title: Weapons of the Spirit

Text: Ephesians 6:10-20

Topic: We are equipped with spiritual weapons to overcome evil.

Introduction

Recap

Sadly, we are in our final week of our study through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. As you have probably already discovered, Ephesians is a very deep book in which we haven’t even scratched the surface.  If you are interested in doing a basic study of the Christian faith in depth, Ephesians is a good place to start. 

Ephesians has shown us how God has chosen us.  Then we looked at how He united us together with the church.  Once we accept Christ, we are united into the family of God.  Then we saw how, since we are the body of Christ in the world, we are to imitate Christ (Eph. 5:1).  Since we are Christ’s representatives, we must strive to be like Him.  We are to live sacramental lives.  In the same way that the sacrament of Holy Communion represents the body of Christ to us, we represent Christ to the world.  God chose us, united us, and seeks to live through us.

Not the end of the story

If only the story ended there.  If it did, life in the Christian colony would be easy.  If the story ended here, Paul wouldn’t be writing this letter from prison.  It sounds like a very happy story.  We are chosen, sort of like Cinderella, we are united, and also like Cinderella, we are changed. But unfortunately, like all stories, we have an enemy.  Evil and darkness spends its time trying to knock us off track.

Christian persecution

As the Christians would soon find out, living lives counter-cultural to the world brings on enemies.  Christianity became illegal which resulted in them being tortured and many killed.  Whenever the Christians were the minorities, they were persecuted for their faith.  Even today, Christians are being persecuted for what they believe.  We are at war.  We have an enemy.

At war with the forces of darkness

Ephesians 6 makes it clear to us who our enemy is.  It’s not with the people in the world.  It’s not with the people persecuting Christians. It’s not with the person who cut you off at the red light.  It’s not even with that family member who you can’t get along with.  It’s against the powers of darkness.  It’s against evil and wickedness in the spiritual world.  Sometimes this evil can be represented in others, but we are at war with the evil within them, not the person.

Christian Violence

Unfortunately, our darkest times in Christian history comes from our understanding of this text.  Some in the church, usually when the Christians were the majority, went to battle with the people rather than the evil.  This resulted in an embarrassing history.  Orthodox Christians brutally punished heretics to “purify” the church.  Christians also persecuted Turks, Jews, other Christian heretics, and witches, all in the name of God.  While Christ called us to leave peaceful lives, to love our enemies and to pray for our persecutors, we have turned to violence and hatred.  It’s important to know that we are at battle, but it’s imperative that we know whom the battle is with. I hesitate to use “battle” language because it brings us disturbing images.  But the truth is, we are in a very real spiritual battle and it’s important for us to know where our help comes from.

Spiritual Weapons

We are at war.  We have a battle to fight.  And like any battle, you need weapons.  As Christians, we don’t take up arms.  We have spiritual weapons. The question is, where do our weapons come from?  Where does our power come from?  God has given us weapons to use as we face darkness.  Those weapons are Christian Truth, Prayer, and the Holy Spirit. 

Christian Truth

One weapon that we have in the church is Christian Truth.

Ephesians 6:11 says to “stand firm”.  Ephesians 6:13 says to “stand firm”. Ephesians 6:14 says to “stand firm”. 

Christian Truth

In order to stand firm, we must have a solid foundation to stand on.  This solid foundation is Christian truth. 

Historical Christians standing up for their principles

Our history is filled with people standing up for their principles against adversity.  Martin Luther King Jr., whenever he had hate crimes against him, continued his peaceful movement without violence.  Non-violence was one of his main principles, and even when his principle was challenged the most, he and his followers remained strong.  During the holocaust, many Christians opposed Hitler’s treatment of Jews.  They were standing firm on their principles. In order for us to remain strong, we must have a solid foundation of principles to live by. We must seek Christian truth.

Re-evaluating your foundation

Christian truth is what we are seeking as Christians.  However, in order to seek truth, sometimes we have to question our presuppositions.  If our goal is indeed truth, we should be open to listening to others to try to find truth.  Sometimes we find ourselves defending what we believe to be truth. 

Going to extremes

The dean of Duke Divinity School, Greg Jones, gave a lecture to us this past week about diversity.  He mentioned a book entitled “Going to Extremes” written by Harvard law professor Cass Sunstein.  In the book, Sunstein discusses how whenever we are around like-minded individuals who share a common belief, it’s likely that the group will go to extremes about the issue.  For example, if someone holds the view that the war in Iraq is a just war and they spend all of their time around people who believe that same thing, chances are that they (and the group) will go to extremes about the belief.  If you are pro-choice and spend all of your time with pro-choice people, odds are that you will go to the extreme. 

In the church, we need to be willing to discuss issues with people who hold differing beliefs from our own.  This is how we grow in our faith.  This is how we build a solid foundation for our faith.

Asking questions

Asking questions about what you believe and questioning your presuppositions doesn’t mean that you are giving up on your faith.  It actually means that you highly value truth and are willing to listen to others to find it. 

Standing on truth

In order for us to overcome evil and darkness, we must be grounded in truth.  Above all, Jesus Christ is the truth.  Let us seek to be grounded in His truth.

One of our spiritual weapons is Christian truth. Another spiritual weapon that we have is prayer.

Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 says “with all prayer and petition pray at all times….v19. and pray on my behalf…”

Staying connected to God

Prayer is a way for us to communicate with God and for Him to communicate with us.

24

One of my favorite tv shows is 24.  24 is a show about a unit whose main job is to fight terrorism in the US.  The main character in the show is Jack Bauer played by Keifer Sutherland.  Bauer is the best of the best.  But he has one problem; He thinks he’s always right.  On many occasions during a very crucial point of a mission, Bauer will ignore instructions from his superiors and do the mission himself.  While he’s usually right, he always stays in trouble because of this. 

Ignoring God during difficult times

In the same way, whenever things get difficult, we can sometimes find ourselves trying to do everything ourselves.  Whenever we feel sickness sometimes we look for a doctor before we look for the great physician.  Whenever we are stressed we seek a psychologist before God.  Now I’m not suggesting that you not get medical help, but I am suggesting that your care comes from God a lot more than from physicians. This disconnects us from God. Prayer allows us to stay connected to God.  The most important time for a soldier to have good communication with his commander is in the warzone.  When things get difficult for us, that’s when our communication with God needs to be strong. 

Point of reference

Prayer keeps us connected to God while we are at battle.  Prayer reminds us who we are, even when we can get disoriented.  Sometimes we have to be reminded who we are.  Prayer reminds us by giving us a point of reference.

Swimming

I’m not the best swimmer in the world.  I have always been a little cautious of the water.  Unfortunately, I watched the movie Jaws at a young age and that has scarred me for life.  I was probably about 8 years old before I learned how to swim.  Even today, I’m still not very comfortable in the water.

We’ll this past May, while on vacation, I decided that it would be a good idea to learn how to scuba dive.  So a friend and I signed up to get certified in three days on vacation.  We’ll, the first day we did our pool dives and everything went fine.  I was confident.  I was able to swim around with my equipment.  I did all the drills well.  I was even able to clear my mask.  I was a little nervous, but I was doing fairly well for a non-swimmer like myself.  Then the next day was the real challenge; The ocean.  We swam out about 40 feet to a place known as the Jetties.  The Jetties are some rocks stacked about 60 ft deep in the water to separate the swimming area from the diving area.  So we got out there and I was at the point of panic.  Then our instructor said, “Deflate. Clear your ears.  See you at the bottom.”  And he was gone!  And then my diving buddy was gone.  And then I panicked.  I tried to get my composure together and began to descend.  Fortunately, I had the rock wall beside me to give me a point of reference the entire time.  I got down to about 30 feet and felt a bit panicked.  So I can up.  Then I tried again and couldn’t do it.  I gave a valiant effort, but I wasn’t ready for the ocean.

Despite how nervous I got, I always had a point of reference.  I wouldn’t have made it down 5 feet without the wall of rocks beside me.  The rocks let me know that, even though I was in water, the land was close by.  The rocks reminded me of the land. In the same way, prayer reminds us that God is with us, even in difficult times.  No matter where we are, we can pray and know that God is with us and we are His children.

Praying for enemies

Probably the most difficult text for me in the bible is Matthew 5:44 “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” One person was asked whether he prayed for his enemies.  He said that he does pray for his enemies often.  He prays that they would die!

Prayer is a spiritual weapon that we have, but it’s a peaceful weapon.  Praying for our enemies reminds us that it’s not the person who is our enemy but the evil that is in them.  Sometimes, when praying for our enemies, we become aware that the evil is within us.

Prayer reminds us of who we are and keeps us connected to God.

The weapons of the spirit are Christian truth, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit

Ephesians 6:17  “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:18  “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the spirit…”

God is here

Some say that our battle is difficult because Jesus isn’t here.  But Jesus is here through the Holy Spirit.  We must never forget that the Holy Spirit is with us, guiding us as we journey the Christian life.  The Holy Spirit gives us strength to make it where we ordinarily couldn’t.

Where our power come from/The spirit-filled disciples

Think about the disciples.  They are famous now, but most of them were pretty useless in the gospels.  Peter is popular for denying Jesus three times.  He sank in the water as Jesus called him. Many of them couldn’t perform the miracles that Jesus wanted them to perform.  Even after Jesus explained parables to them, they still didn’t understand.  Whenever Jesus was giving them final instructions, their questions to Him proved that they still were clueless about their mission. Overall, they failed Jesus quite often.

However, the book of Acts records that these are the men and women who spread the message of Jesus to the “ends of the earth”.  They overcame countless obstacles to complete their mission.  The same men who were constant failures in the gospels became heroes of the faith.  You and I are here this morning because of their mission.  What changed?  How did these failures become successful?  The Holy Spirit.

Relying on the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God with us.  We can have confidence because we know that the Holy Spirit is with us.  The Holy Spirit is our teacher and comforter.  It is our guide.

Our weapons of the spirit are Christian Truth, Prayer, and the Holy Spirit. 

Conclusion

Our battle is God’s battle

These weapons are grounded in God. The truth is, this battle that we are facing in really God’s battle.  Ephesians 6:10 says “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”  Christian truth, prayer, and the Holy Spirit reminds us that God is where our strength comes from.  This is God’s battle and not ours.  While we find ourselves in the middle sometimes, this is God’s battle.  And the truth is, the battle has already been won through the sacrifice of Christ.  In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Sermon: 8.16.09

August 16, 2009 · Filed under Rehoboth UMC, Sermon helps, Sermons · Tagged , , , ,

Title: Walking Wisely

Text: Ephesians 5:15-20

Topic: As Christians, we are to walk different than others, using God given wisdom.

 

Introduction

Recap Ephesians

We are now in our sixth week looking at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  We began by looking at what God has done for us.  We talked about how God has chosen us, Christ has redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit has sealed us.  This is what God has done for humanity.  This is what God has done for us!

Now we are looking at how we are to respond to God for what he has done.  Since God has called us out to be his church, we are called to live differently.  We are called to be changed.  We are called to walk differently than the world.  This is what God wants from us.  He hasn’t chosen us to stay entangled in darkness. He has called us into his marvelous light. 

Our passage this morning gives us another challenge:  Be careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.

Wisdom/Associates in Business

Whenever I was a sophomore in college I knew that I was called into the ministry.  However, I wasn’t sure where I would be called to.  Growing up, I had heard horror stories from pastors just starting out in the ministry.  Some talked about how they didn’t get paid any salary.  Some talked about how they lived off of rice and water.  Some shared how they had to rely on the church to provide them with food, sometimes causing them to call parishioners to ask for food.  I loved God and I loved His people, but this wasn’t something that I wanted to sign up for.  So I set up a meeting with my biblical studies professor (I was a Christian Ministries major) and I talked to him about the possibility of getting an Associates degree in Business while I do my main degree in theology.  I told him about the horror stories that I had heard and how I thought that it was good “common sense” to have a little security.  He thought about it for a minute, then he asked me:  “Do you feel like God is leading you to do this?”  I responded, “No, but like I said, this seems like good common sense!  I think that it will be foolish for me to try to provide for my family without some type of backup plan.”  Then he said something to me that I will never forget:  He said, quoting 1 Corinthians 1:18, “the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  He then told me, “There is nothing “common sense” about following Jesus”.    

The church and common sense

As followers of Christ, common sense choices aren’t always the correct ones.  What seems like common sense to the world may not be common sense to the church.  Ephesians 5:15 says that we should be careful how we walk, not as unwise men but as wise.”  As Christians, we make our decisions not through worldly common sense but through God given wisdom. 

So, as followers of Christ, how are we to walk wisely?  One way to walk wisely is by making the most of our time.

By making the most of our time.

Ephesians 5:15,16 says “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of our time, because the days are evil.”

“Jesus is coming soon!”

If I had a dollar for everytime I have heard the phrase “Jesus is coming soon!”, I would be a rich man.  I’ve heard it from my parents, grandparents, preachers, teachers, tele-evangelists; I’ve probably even said it myself a few times.  I think it’s a good way of looking at this life.  We have an expectation of our savior Jesus Christ coming back for us.  Even 2000 years after his ascension, His people still wait with anticipation.

Early Christians awaiting the parousia

The early church also lived their lives in anticipation.  They believe that they had very limited time here on earth.  Because of this, Paul found some to detach themselves from the world.  They thought, “If Jesus is coming back soon, why should I do anything?” 

However, Paul combated this line of thought by saying, “make the most of your time!”  “Be urgent, for the days are evil!”

Walmart on Black Friday

I don’t hunt very often, but I usually go with my dad every year on the day after thanksgiving.  We have hunting land that’s about 1 1/2 hours from our hometown so we have to leave really early, like around five.  On our way we have to drive through Albany and we pass by Wal-mart.  I don’t know how it is in Henderson NC the day after Thanksgiving, but in Albany GA, it is a madhouse.  We ride by Wal-mart at 5:30 a.m. and the parking lot is already packed.  People get up very early and wait in line for hours to get some great deals on Christmas presents.  They want to get there early because they know that the best items will sell out fast.

They understand that they need to make the most of their time.

Urgency

Paul challenges us to make the most of our time.  Time is all that we have, and as we know, it is limited.  As the shoppers on Black Friday are urgent to get into Wal-mart, we should live our lives with urgency, spending our time trying to see God’s kingdom in the world. As people of God, God gives us wisdom to see what we need to do and how we should live. 

Calendar and Checkbook

I have always heard that you can tell what’s important to someone if you look at their calendar and their checkbook.  Stop sometime and look at your schedule and ask yourself, “Am I making the most of my time?”  “Like the shoppers who rise bright and early to go shopping on Black Friday, am I showing urgency as I live as a Christian in the world?”  “Am I spending my time doing things that are important?”

Don’t be drunk with wine

v. 18 says “do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.

Now I’m not anti-alcohol.  I rarely drink it, but I think it’s ok for followers of Christ to enjoy wine on occasion.  However, Paul does challenge the Ephesians to not be drunk with wine.  What does he mean?  We’ll, I do think that this text could be taken literally; “Don’t drink too much!”  and that would be good advice.  Many problems in our world are caused by the abuse of alcohol.  However, I also think that this could also refer to a state of being.  We can be “drunk” in the church whenever we are wasting our time.  Whenever we are out of touch with God, we move through life intoxicated and useless. What an alcoholic does more than anything is waste time.  May the church not suffer from “spiritual drunkenous” and become useless.  May we use our time wisely.

One way of walking wisely is by making the most of our time.  Another way is by seeking God’s will in every situation.

By seeking God’s will in every situation

Ephesians 5:17, “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Making Christ Lord

Whenever we decide to follow Christ, we decide to make Him Lord of our life.  What we are basically saying is, “Jesus, you are now in charge.  You make the decisions and I’ll follow.

Political views (health care)

There’s a big debate going on now about health care, specifically universal health care.  Unlike some, I do believe that Christians should be very involved and active in politics.  Afterall, Jesus was very political.  However, whenever we make Jesus Lord, we seek His will in every situation. 

Finding God’s will?

Whenever we are challenged to seek God’s will, an obvious question is asked?  What is God’s will?  How do we find it?  What’s the formula?  Unfortunately there is no formula for finding out what God’s will is.  I wish I could tell you that if you prayer about an issue at 7pm for 27 minutes, then God will reveal it.  Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. 

Discerning my call to ministry

However, I have found that we can discern God’s will best as a community.  Whenever I felt a call into ministry, my first reaction was to doubt it. However, the people in my congregation talked to me about it and gave affirming words.  I spend countless hours with my pastor as he helped me discern my calling. God wants to reveal His will, but it’s important to understand that His will for your life isn’t just for you, it’s for the church.  As we seek to walk wisely, we are at our wisest in community.

We walk wisely by making the most of our time, by seeking God’s will in every situation, and by having an attitude of praise.

By having an attitude of praise.

Ephesians 5:19,20 says “speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;”

Wasting time with God

While Paul challenges us earlier in this text to make the most of our time, he also challenges us to waste time worshipping God.  There’s something unique about worshipping together with other believers.  It forms us.  It reminds us of who we are. 

Alma

In our bible study last week, we were discussing ways in which God speaks to us. I believe that Mrs. Alma gave one of the best answers when she said that she feels God through songs and music.  I think that she is onto something. 

the arts and overpaid artists

There is something about music, something about the arts, that speaks to us.  Think about it;  Whenever you think about doing something enjoyable, it usually involves the arts in someway.  Whether it be going to a movie, reading a book, going to a concert, etc.  What we do in leisure tells us a lot about ourselves and it is very clear that we are people who love the arts.  We love music, books, stories, movies.  These are what speaks to our hearts.  Have you even wondered why Jesus told so many stories?  It’s because stories speak to our hearts.  Have you even wondered why, when going through trails, David wrote songs?  It’s because it was songs that gave him encouragement. 

We love the arts.  I’ve heard it said on many occasions, “Why do musicians and actors get paid so much?”  They should give that move to people more important like doctors.  While I can understand the argument (indeed, some folks get paid entirely too much), I certainly don’t believe that doctors are more important that artists.  Just look at your spare time.  While doctors save us physically, the arts save us spiritually and emotionally.  Imagine a world with no music.  Imagine a world where we can’t express our love to God through songs or words? 

 

Being formed as God’s people during worship

Whenever we sing together, we are formed into disciples.  We are reminded that, even though the world may tell us differently, God is at work in this world. Above all, we are reminded that we are God’s children. 

We walk wisely by making the most of our time, by seeking God’s will in every situation, and by having an attitude of praise.

Conclusion

Wisdom from community

Our challenge is to walk wisely.  However, you may ask the same question that I have, “But God, I’m probably the least wisest person in the world.”  You and I may feel like that, but as followers of Christ, we are given God-given wisdom.  Our calling is to discern it, and then seek to live it.  However, there’s good news, we don’t have to discern it alone.  We have the Holy Spirit to guide us.  We also have the people sitting next to us to guide us.  The wisdom that you need for a certain situation may be known by the person sitting behind you.  We just need the courage to ask. Lord, give us eyes to see your wisdom and the courage to walk that past.  In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Health Care Debate

August 15, 2009 · Filed under politics · Tagged , , ,

Bishop Harry Jackson vs. Rev. Adam Hamilton

 

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What if we rethink church?

August 13, 2009 · Filed under Rethink church, United Methodist Church · Tagged , ,

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UMC itineracy

August 4, 2009 · Filed under United Methodist Church, theology · Tagged ,

See full size image

 

 

 

http://www.gbhem.org/site/c.lsKSL3POLvF/b.3852855/k.2207/Itineracy_in_the_United_Methodist_Church.htm

http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=3301

I consider myself a convinced United Methodist. We have our flaws, but I’m very comfortable with how we interpret our faith and how we live it out. I’m not sure that I would fit theologically with another denomination like I do with the UMC. It’s a perfect fit.

That said, I’ve spent a lot of time considering leaving the denomination and going through the ordination process in another denomination. Why? It’s simple. itineracy.

I’m not, and never will be convinced that the UMC itineracy is an effective way to deploy pastors. UMC pastors are known as “circuit riders” because of their short stay at churches. The average length of a pastorate in the UMC is around 5 years. Of course, that’s about the average for other denominations, but at least in other denominations that’s not considered the ideal.

I look at the Church of the Resurrection, Saddleback, Mars Hill, and wonder, why are these churches growing and effective? While they all have gifted leaders, I’m convinced that having consistency in the pastoral office is a big factor.

Some arguments are made in the first article about the benefits of itineracy which I consider weak. Long pastorates aren’t effective because it’s hard to replace a pastor after serving a church for a while? Ummm? So we do away with all of the effective ministry for a long term pastor and settle, only because they are hard to replace. That’s like saying that, even though Coach K is winning championships, we should not renew his contract because it will make it that much harder to replace him.

Now I understand that there are some benefits from short-term pastorates, but they are very minimal compared to lengthy pastorates.

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Sermon for 8.2.09

August 3, 2009 · Filed under Rehoboth UMC, Sermons · Tagged , , ,

Title: Ways to Walk

Text: Ephesians 4:1-16

Topic: We, as children of God, are called to walk worthy of our calling.

 

Introduction

Whenever Jade and I first got here, we were entertained by a group of birds.  Right outside of the side door, under the carport, was a nest full of baby birds.  It was very interesting, watching these birds.  We watched as the mother would bring back food for her babies.  We watched as she fed them, their mouths wide open, waiting for Mama to feed them.  When we went outside, we walked cautiously to avoid being attached by the protective mother. 

Sadly, the birds are now gone.  They were fun to watch, but eventually, they fly away.  They rely on their mother to provide for them and protect them, but eventually they know that they must get out on their own.

Eventually, we must learn to walk.  Of course, we don’t walk on our own anymore than a bird must fly on her own.  A bird flies with others.  However, the bird must learn to take the risk, spread her wings, and fly the nest.

God chose us.  Christ redeemed us. The Holy Spirit sealed us.  Now we must walk.  However, we aren’t to just walk any way we want.  We are to walk as children of God. Paul tells the Ephesians that they are to walk in a manner worthy of the calling that they have received.  Again, they were chosen, redeemed, sealed, and united.  Now they must walk accordingly.  Now we must walk like God’s people.

One way that we are to walk is by maintaining unity within the church.

By maintaining unity within the church.

Ephesians 4:3-6 says “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

One.  One.  One.

Coach K and the Olympics

In 2004, something happened that had not happened since 1988. The US men’s basketball team didn’t win the gold medal.  They were unquestionably the most talented team in the Olympics.  They had players like Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, and LeBron James.  As talented as the team was, they left with only the Bronze medal.  They were incredibly talented, maybe the most talented team in history, but they didn’t work together as a team.

So, in 2008 they had a challenge:  They had to find a coach who could make them work as a team.  Eventually, they ended up with Mike  Krzyzewski.  Coach K had a challenge.  He had to make these great athletes somehow play together and somehow try to avoid the spotlight so that they could work as a team.  Well, under Coach K’s leadership, they won the gold medal again.  They learned how to unite and play together.  Even though they played on different teams in the NBA, even though some didn’t like each other, they understood what was at stake. Because of his great leadership, they have signed him again to lead the 2012 Olympic team.

Principle part: Unity

The principle part of the body of Christ is unity.  We can be terrific at everything, but if we aren’t united, we cannot accomplish our mission.  As talented as the 2004 men’s team was, it didn’t get the gold because they didn’t become one.

How are we to stay united?

So the question become, how are Christians, especially a group of very different people, to stay united?

One way Paul describes is through humility and gentleness.  You would be surprised at how you can avoid unnecessary conflict through humility.  By being humble, you are telling someone that you are willing to listen to them, even if you may disagree.

Adam Hamilton and the Muslim

Adam Hamilton, pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Kansas, tells of a time that he had a relationship with a Muslim.  He was really good friends with the Muslim, and one day the Muslim asked him, “Adam, I know why you are my friend.  You are my friend because you want to convert me to your religion.  However, I don’t feel like you have an agenda when you talk to me.”   Whenever Adam talked about faith with the Muslim, he wasn’t pushy or arrogant.  He allowed the Muslim to share about her faith and was open-minded.

If we want to keep unity, we must be willing to listen to others.  And not just listen, but we must also consider others.  Adam Hamilton understood that if he wanted the Muslim to consider his faith, he must first consider hers.   

Imagine the Jews and Gentiles.  Whenever they came together, they had a lot to consider.  They had a lot of differences. They needed to be humble because that’s the only way that they could have kept the unity. 

Patience and tolerance

Other ways for Christian community is through patience and tolerance.  Did you know that whenever non-Christians talk about their views of the church, they usually use words like intolerant.  They usually say things like, “If you disagree with them, they don’t want anything to do with you.  They won’t listen to you.  It’s either their way or no way.”  You might say, “Well, we are right.  Why should we listen to others?”  What do you have to lose?  I think that sometimes we are scared to be open about our faith and question it because we are scared of what we may find out. If Christ is true, and I believe that he is, we should be willing to discuss questions that arise.

Be diligent to preserve unity

Be humble, gentle, patient, tolerant, and also be diligent to preserve the unity.  Be diligent!  This means, “Do whatever is necessary to keep the peace.”

The Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church is currently in a flux.  They are really having a hard time agreeing on certain issues, especially the homosexual one.  Many predict that it’s only a matter of time before The Episcopal Church splits.  Now I believe that certain issues need to be talked about and discussed, but at what cost?  Is this issue important enough to split one of our largest denominations over?  Paul told the Ephesians, “Do whatever is necessary to keep the peace.” 

Christ’s way towards unity is different from the ways in history.  If you disagreed with certain dictators in history, you were usually tortured if not killed. Christ has called us to be gentle, striving above all to keep peace and unity. 

We are to walk by maintaining unity in the church.  We are also to walk by recognizing and celebrating diversity.

By recognizing and celebrating diversity.

Ephesians 4:7,11-12 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift….He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”

Like most kids, when I was a child, my favorite time of the year was Christmas.  My grandmother passed away in 2001, but before then my entire family would go to her house for Christmas.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  We would eat together, laugh, and then eventually get around to the most important part: opening presents! My cousin Darin and I would sit side by side and open gifts.  Every year we would usually get the same thing from each person.  Our Aunt Cynthia would get us a game.  Uncle Jack would give us $20.   Grandmother would get us a shirt and money.  Every year was memorable, but one year stands out.  One year, Darin received one present more than I did. I noticed that Darin had this cool toy that I didn’t have and I was curious where mine was. So I went over to the tree and looked thinking, “There has to be one more under there for me.”  Well, there wasn’t.  Even though I had about fifteen toys in front of me to play with, I wasn’t in the mood.  I had been left out.  Well, my aunt eventually realized what she did and took me to Wal-mart to pick out something. I wasn’t happy with my  gift.

God’s gift to us

Do you even feel like God shorted you?  Do you even look into the mirror and then look at others more talented than you and wonder, “God, did you make a mistake with me?”

Baseball and I

I don’t know if you know this or not, but I was supposed to be a pro baseball player.  Before I reached middle school I had already promised to by my mom, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and friends all a new house.  Why? Because I was going to be in the MLB making millions.  I had the drive.  I had the desire.  The only problem was I didn’t have the ability or the size.  Some people do, but I didn’t.

God gave us all gifts

God gave us all gifts.  We are all gifted in some way whether you believe it or not.  Ephesians 4:11 says that he gifted some as apostles, some prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers.  This is just a small list.  Read Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12 and see other gifts listed like wisdom, faith, healing, etc.  God gives us all a gift, but some gifts we don’t have.

God doesn’t give us these gifts to please us as if he is Santa Claus.  God gives us these gifts for the building up of the church and for equipping the saints.  You might act like I did and say, “I didn’t get the gift I want!”  God will respond, “the gift that I gave you wasn’t for you.”  It was for the church.

However, eventually, you will have a passion for your gift.  Whenever I first felt some type of calling into ministry, I didn’t like it at all. Sometimes I still wonder, “What on earth am I doing?”  However, maybe the best news of all is that God gives you a passion for it.  If I had to choose between pro baseball and pastoral ministry, I would choose pastoral ministry everytime.

Diversity in the church

God created a very diverse church.  Our church is full of many different people.  Now imagine if everyone was the same.  Imagine if everyone wanted to be a singer.  Church service would never end! God called us and gave us specific tasks.

We are to walk by maintaining unity, celebrating diversity, and by continuing in the process of spiritual maturity.

 

 

By continuing in the process of spiritual maturity

Ephesians 4:14,15 “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…”

Dallas Willard

Dallas Willard, a Christian philosophy professor once said, “the greatest need you and I have-the greatest need of collective humanity-is renovation of our heart.  Indeed, the only hope of humanity lies in the fact that, as our spiritual dimension has been formed, so it also can be transformed.”

Other religions agree

I don’t think there’s any disagreement on that fact that we need to change.  We may disagree with people of other faith traditions, but we all hold one things in common: we need to change.

Christ, our measuring stick

As Christians, our measuring stick is pretty high.  It is Christ. 

The church

I have spoken with people who have said to me, “I’m a Christian, but I don’t go to church.  Why do I need church?”  That’s a fair question.  The truth is, you can watch church on tv 24/7. Why do you need to go?  Above all, we go to be a part of a colony of believers.  We go to grow.  How else are we to grow?  We grow by being with other believers who set examples for us.

Walking Ellie

If you drive by the parsonage, you may see something that you have never seen:  People walking a cat.  You see, Ellie has never been an outside cat, so we can’t let her walk around outside by herself.  Like Ellie needs a guide, we need a guide, for walking, the church.

Ordination

One day, I’ll go before my bishop for ordination.  He will ask me a series of questions in which I am to respond, “I will.”  Then he will ask two very difficult questions.  He will ask:

“Are you going on to perfection?” and “Do you expect to be made perfect in love in this life?”

Of course, I won’t even be perfect in this life, but the call is to strive to be.  That’ the calling for all who profess Christ as Lord.

We are to walk, maintaining unity, celebrating diversity, and continuing in the process of spiritual maturity.

Conclusion

Baby Steps

Paul challenges us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.  However, it takes time to get it just right.  It can be scary, walking for the first time.  Just like a baby learns to walk, we will fall.  But just know that we are called to be a part of a grace filled community.  We are surrounded by people who are here for us, helping us as we learn to stay on our feet.  We just have to be willing to get up when we fall. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen

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Adam Hamilton: Three essential characteristics of a good sermon.

August 1, 2009 · Filed under Sermon helps, Sermons · Tagged , , , ,

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Sermon: 7-26-09

July 26, 2009 · Filed under Rehoboth UMC, Sermons · Tagged , ,

Title: When God Moves In
Text: Ephesians 3:14-21
Topic: Making room for God when he moves in.

Introduction

Halfway point of Ephesians

We are now at the halfway point of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The first part of the letter, he shared with the Ephesians what God has done for them. He talked about how God had chosen them, how Christ had redeemed them, and how the Spirit has sealed them. Then we talked about how, through the cross, we are united as one. This is what God has done for them and us. Beginning at chapter four throughout the rest of the letter Paul then talks about how we are to respond to God. Next week we will begin taking a look at how we are to respond to God.
However, halfway through the letter, Paul stops and offers up a prayer for the believers. The prayer is our text for this morning. I believe that it’s very appropriate to stop after God has revealed something to us and pray. We are so eager to respond to God sometimes. God has spoken to us, now we want to get up and get busy. No time to stop and pray Paul. We got work to do. However, I believe that Paul has made a point to us with his prayer. After God speaks, we should stop, listen, and reflect.

Trading spouses

Sometimes Jade and I watch this show called “Trading Spouses”. It’s about families who, being extreme opposites from each other, trade spouses for about a month. One family sends their wife to someone else’s home while they take in the other spouse from the other home. It’s very interesting to watch and see how they respond. At first, they usually start off nice to one another and are excited about the change. Then, over time, they clash. They soon realize how different things have to be with the new parent in the house. They are forced to accommodate the new spouse and change things. Once he or she moves in, everything changes.

Paul’s prayer: When God moves in…

Paul’s prayer is pretty much telling the Ephesians this: When God moves in, your life will change. Just like everything changes when a new spouse moves in on “Trading Spouses”, so it is when God moves in. Paul takes a few moments in his letter to pray and reveal what happens when God moves in. Paul puts the focus not on what we do, (that will come later) but who we are becoming. When you allow God to be Lord of your life, this is what happens. When God moves in, this is what to expect.

One thing that happens when God moves in is that we will be strengthened with power in our inner self.

We will be strengthened with power in our inner self.

In Ephesians 3:16 Paul “prays that according to the riches of his glory, may God grant that you may be strengthened in your inner self with power through his Spirit,”

Our fascination with appearance

We have a fascination with appearance. We really want to look good on the outside, even if it means neglecting the inside to do it. At the beach you see countless people in the trying to improve their appearance by getting a tan without thinking about the effects of sun on their skin. We want pretty smiles so we brush our teeth. Studies show that 94% of people brush their teeth daily. However, only 28% of people floss say they floss regularly and dentists would say a lower amount. We want a pretty smile, but all that really matter is how it looks on the outside. We get caught up with our appearance.

Even the church

Even the church is guilty of being more concerned with outward appearance rather than inward change. When folks become Christians we automatically put new expectations on them. We give them a list of things that they can and cannot do and if they break the rules they aren’t genuinely Christian.

Jesus and the religious leaders

Once when talking with the religious leaders, he compared them to a cup. He said that they were like a cup that was clean on the outside, but dirty on the inside.

Our goal: Spiritual transformation

Our goal above all should be an inner transformation. If we worry about being formed inwardly, we will naturally bear good fruit on the outside. To immediately force rules on new believers is to miss the point entirely of what life in the church is all about.

Knock-out roses

If you walk onto the deck at the parsonage, you will see four small plastic bowls with dirt and what looks to be little sticks in the bowl. My dad used to own a nursery and knows quite a bit about gardening. He tried to get me to help him with his nursery while I was in high school, but after realized that I had a brown thumb, thought that I would probably do better elsewhere. Well, when he helped us move up here we went and visited Duke University because they wanted to see the school. I showed them the divinity school, the football field, and Cameron Indoor Stadium. When we were leaving Cameron, I noticed that they had some knock-out roses planted in the front. So I though to myself, “It would be really neat to root some knock-out roses from Cameron”. My dad agreed. So, while looking over our shoulders to make sure no one was looking, my dad took a clipping from the knock-out bush. I’m currently in the process of trying to root them. Whenever I put them in the soil, they had a nice bud on them. However, my dad told me to remove the buds and leaves because they will absorb all the life for the roots. In other words he said, “Don’t worry about what it looks like now. Just concentrate on the roots.”

Let God transform you

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. God isn’t looking for people who always say the right things and who looks the part of being a Christian. God is simply for looking someone willing to be inwardly transformed. Once you accept Christ, you begin a process of being formed into a part of the church, being the body of Christ.
Remember, God is transforming you according to the riches of His glory. Let God transform you on the inside. Don’t cheat yourself. Let God clean you up.

Appetizers

Whenever I go to a restaurant my eyes are usually a lot bigger than my stomach. I’ll order something but by the time it gets to me I am already full on appetizers, bread, and salad.
In the same way, we can become consumed and full of ourselves when God is trying to offer us His riches.
God wants to transform your inner self according to His riches. He has high expectations for us. But remember, he does the transforming. We just need to cling to him like a grape clings to a vine.

<em>Paul prays that the Ephesians may be inwardly strengthened. He also prayed that Christ may dwell in their hearts.

May Christ dwell in your hearts.

Ephesians 3:17 says “and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, being rooted and grounded in love”.

Family moving in

If you are like me, you probably have one or two family members that you don’t necessarily enjoy being around. It’s ok though, because you only see them a few times a year and if more than that, it’s for small amounts of time. However, imagine if that person was for some reason forced to move in with you! Imagine the difference. You could tolerate them seeing them on occasion, but it’s a different story if they move in with you. Then, everything changes!

Inviting Christ to dwell

Once you accept Christ into your life, you are inviting him to dwell. You are inviting him to take up residence in your life. Many times we want Christ to visit with us to provide for us and to try to make us better people. But when it gets a bit difficult, that’s when we want to send Jesus to a hotel and give us some space. However, to be a follower of Christ is to have Him to not only enter your life, but to dwell.
Obviously at first, it will be difficult. Christ invites us into a completely different way of life. To think that someone can handle this change easily is to misunderstand how radical of a life Jesus has called us to. To say yes to Christ is to say no to a lot of other things.

Jazmine and lattice

My stepmom used to have lattice on the front porch. One year she decided to put some jazmine-like vine on the lattice. It didn’t take long for that plant to overpower all of the other plants. She eventually had to remove the vines.
When Christ dwells in our hearts, He will eventually take over. It takes time, but like the vine, His ways will eventually overpower our ways. Soon, we will begin thinking like Christ and living the way that Christ lives.
When God moves in, we will be strengthened with power in our inner self, Christ will dwell in our hearts, and we will have power to comprehend and know the love of Christ.

May you have power to comprehend and know Christ’s love.

Ephesians 3:18,19 says ” you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpassed knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

The love of Christ

The love of Christ is so amazing that we aren’t able to comprehend it without Christ’s help. The challenge of the Christian isn’t getting Christ to love us. As a matter of fact, he’s always loved us. Romans 5:8 says that “Christ demonstrated his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The problem isn’t getting Christ to love us. The issue is understanding his love.
Learning to see with your heart
This love isn’t something that we can figure out. I believe that’s why so many don’t receive the love of Christ. They can’t figure it out. This love goes beyond reason. It takes revelation from God to receive it and know it.

Open the eyes of our heart

Whenever I first became a Christian, the song “Open the Eyes of My Heart” was very popular in the church. The more I think about that song, the more I understand how theologically sound it is. We need God to open the eyes of our heart so that we can see Him and His love.
When we experience Christ, the goal is to see with our hearts and not as much with our minds. To receive the love of Christ is illogical. Pretty much everything that the church stands for in the world is illogical. It takes eyes beyond our minds to receive it, believe it, and live it.

Conclusion

When God moves in, we will be strengthened with power in our inner self, Christ will dwell in our hearts, and we will have power to comprehend and know the love of Christ.

Knock-out roses before
If you were to look at the knock-out roses on my front porch, you wouldn’t see much. All that you would see is a small stick in some dirt. But, despite its appearance, it is still a knock-out rose.
You may look at yourself and say, “I’m not worthy to be a part of the family of God. Compared to all of these beautiful blooms in the lives of others, I look like a worthless stick.” Know this, you are no less a part of the family of God as anyone else. You will one day bloom, as long as you are in the master’s hand. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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DeWayne Wise

July 24, 2009 · Filed under baseball · Tagged , , ,

Mark Buehrle had a perfect game going into the 9th inning. He got the first out. Then the next guy hit one deep. Watch what happened.

 

watch?v=sMPnsOjPXh0

 

That’s why baseball is the greatest game.

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The importance of what we do during worship according to Stanley Hauerwas

July 22, 2009 · Filed under Duke, theology · Tagged , ,

“One reason why we Christians argue so much about which hymn to sing, which liturgy to follow, which way to worship is that the commandments teach us to believe that bad liturgy eventually leads to bad ethics. You begin by singing some sappy, sentimental hymn, then you pray some pointless prayer, and the next thing you know you have murdered your best friend.”
- Stanley Hauerwas

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