Where Are We Going?

Ordinary 25A - Where Are We Going? - (off lectionary sermon series on the body of Christ based upon Isaiah 43:18-21 & Matthew 9:9-17)

Good morning.  It’s great to be with you today as we wrap up the 3^rd in this sermon series about being the body of Christ alive in the world.  If you missed the others, you can pick up printed copies just outside the back door or listen to them online.  You could also just use your imagination from the recaps I’m about to offer.  See, 2 weeks ago, we talked about Christ being the only true authority in the church.  The rest of us are faithfully trying to live out Christ’s calling but do not stand over or under one another. We are faithful together.  Last week we tried to zero in on the diversity of calls within the church and uplift all forms of service as holy.  We are all called to be ministers in different ways.  So whether it’s inside or outside the church doors, but most especially outside the doors, using our gifts and the fruits of the spirit honors God and builds up the body of Christ. This week, we’re going to look at where our lives in the body of Christ might lead us when we’re open to where God is taking us and we’re doing so by examining scripture from Isaiah 43.

The Isaiah passage shows God as both guide and comforter.  In this monologue, God is telling the people of Israel that they need to let go of old ways so that they can be open to what God is doing.  They need to trust that God is not going to burden them with things they can’t do right now.  Rather, the call of the Holy is to lay our burdens and sins to rest with God so that they may be healed.

All this relates to being the body of Christ alive in the world because we need to figure out what God is calling us to in our lives and we need this for two main reasons.  The first is that to see where God is doing something new like Isaiah says, we need to let go of and grieve those things, places, times, and people.  The second reason is so we can open ourselves up to being instruments of that unfolding… and unfolding of something God wants for us and others that maybe we’ve never even imagined before.

Let’s reread parts of this Isaiah passage. 

¹⁸Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.¹⁹I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.²⁰The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,²¹the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise. ²²Yet you did not call upon me… ²³You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you… But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities.²⁵I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Now first, let’s tease through some of the language here and get some stumbling blocks out of the way.  When God says, “¹⁸Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old” this does not mean that we should not have memories.  The Hebrew word we translate as “remember” is a much deeper word than that.  This word implies intimacy and deep connection.  When God says, “Do not remember” our understanding should be do not be bound to or let our minds be so deeply attached. 

The second translation issue we need to understand more deeply is the idea of God being burdened or wearied.  Does this passage does not mean that when we heap upon God our concerns that God is crumbling under the weight of it.  The linguistic piece that is lost here is that of transference.  We are burdened by sin and wearied by iniquities.  We transfer that to God and God blots out sin and does not “remember” our sins.  There’s that word remember again.

So what is it that we need to not be bound to so tightly so that we can be open to where God is going?  Well, we really could spend days unearthing all kinds of things that we each need to be let go so that we can be part of God’s always unfolding reality.  But for time’s sake and for from what might be very pertinent to this grouping of the body of Christ, let’s get very specific here for a few minutes.  Then if we do this well, the model can be used for dealing with other areas of our lives.

What if God stepped right here and said to us, “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way.”  What do you think God might be talking about?  Well, a few things come to mind but the search for a new pastor seems to loom large.  And I believe God truly is saying to this grouping of the body of Christ that very thing.  God is saying, “grieve what you need and open up for something new.” 

Now before you think I’m just pulling a scripture passage and making it say what I want it to say, first of all I want you to hear that I’ve been hearing this message for a long time from God about this body.  I’ve even been addressing it in worship at different times.  But more importantly, you can judge for yourself.  Is that what God is saying?

Let’s look at the evidence.  This congregation has gone through some tough ups and downs and turns.  Even in good times, transition is hard and this church has stayed in transition for a long time.  But when you look around at each other, the quality of the faith and the earnestness of the love for one another is extraordinary. 

I recently told someone that by all accounts, most churches that have gone through all this church has gone through would have closed their doors.  Yet, this one is thriving.  It may have lost some members and it’s had it’s financial concerns but from what I can tell, the faith here is outstanding.  So, if you just look on the surface at the faces and numbers, the church is definitely different from 10 or 20 years ago.  But when you look into the hearts, the body of Christ is most definitely alive and well here. 

And, how did all this happen?  All I can surmise is that God has been here every step of the way making a way.  And I think the very best thing we can do is figure out how to be open to that.

So, did I convince you I’m not just making this up?  I hope so.  Because here comes the hard part… actually letting go of the things, places, times, and people of the past in a way that still honors the meaning they still hold but not being bound to them as if they rule where God is going. 

So often we long for the way things were or at least the idea.  It seems simpler and more comfortable.  And sometimes it really was a simpler and more comfortable time though often that’s a trick our mind plays.  But regardless, we are called to live as God’s people in a living, moving, every changing, body of Christ so we can’t go back in time no matter how badly we might like to and we can’t recreate the past because God has already taught us those lessons so it’s time for something else.

See, just like the Pharisees and the followers of John the Baptist in today’s gospel message, we are often our own stumbling blocks.  Many times it is the existing people of faith who struggle most by holding fast to our own notions, pride, memories, wounds, and other things that keep us from seeing where God is leading us today.

When we think of this church being without a pastor or calling a new pastor, what notions about old pastors gone by or old times in the church do we need to honor and let go of?  Where do we need to honor the things we’ve learned or the people we’ve encountered so that we can cherish what is good and move forward?  What are the old wounds, doubts, grudges, and struggles that we need to place in God’s hands so that God can heal and transform them into some new thing?  I trust that God has already placed something on your hearts even now.

So, what does grieving the things gone by like?  How do we do this?  Letting go and grief is a process but, let’s keep it simple.  Earlier, you were given slips of paper to write on.  In a moment we’re going to pray to hear what God wants each of us to cherish yet move forward from when we think about this church’s past.  We’re also going to pray for God’s support to grieve and mourn the things of the past that we feel bound to or that still have a hold on us. 

Next we’re each going to write just 1 thing on this paper that God said to us.  Later, when the offering plates go around, please place it in the plate.  I’m going to collect them and burn them.  On October 2^nd, in 2 weeks, you can join me as I take the ashes and till in the old memories into the flower bed outside where the things we let go of will always be a part of the beauty of this church but don’t have to bind up where it is going.

Sisters and brothers, being the body of Christ alive is about being here and now and participating in what unfolds.  When we unburden ourselves from wounds, sin, and the past by turning to God, we become fertile ground for God’s plans.  Pray with me now that we may be a full participant in that plan.

Holy God, thank you for the way you have guided us.  Please help us cherish the meaning of the past and honor what you’ve taught us.  Also, speak to us what we need to let go of so that we can be a part of your plans as this church calls a new pastor.  God we trust in you and your work.  Relieve our fear and anxiety during this time without concrete answers and help us to stay focused on faithful living today.  Amen.

What happens next?  Does this mean that God is going to turn everything upside down?  Well, it could happen.  But more likely we’re going to feel the anxiety of the emptiness from trying to let things go.  Yet, we have each other to see it through.  And where there is emptiness, God offers us hope: hope that God’s workings in and around us are healing, hope that life in the body of Christ is faithful, hope that with God’s help we can grow in deeper love of creation, and hope that First Presbyterian Church is on the edge of something even more remarkable and beautiful than it is right now. 

Now I invite you to write on the paper what God has told you and give it to God in the offering plate.  And trust that God will take it and heal or transform it into something even more extraordinary.  Amen.

Remember Who You Are

Remember Who You Are <-- Audio file of sermon based upon 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Good morning. I’m excited to be here for the next 4 weeks with you because what you don’t know is that they are my favorite designated days in the Presbyterian Church. You know we have Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter. We have many holidays that are deeply meaningful in our faith tradition. But in the Presbyterian Church, there are also designated days of recognition that are not holidays but times of awareness, honor, and remembrance. It happens to be that my favorite 4 happen all in a row beginning today. Today is World Communion Sunday, next week is Domestic Violence Awareness, the 17th is Children’s Sabbath, and the 24th is United Nations Sunday. Somehow you’ll find this themes woven into the worship services.

So, here we are today with a great scripture lesson from 2 Timothy to get us going on World Communion Sunday.

That apostle Paul, he sure had a great formula for writing letters. All his letters and the ones attributed to him by his followers start out with such love, support, and affirmation. Even though this letter foreshadows Paul’s death while imprisoned, he never wavered in wanting the best for those he loved. Paul always believed that God’s vision for them would come into full bloom if they were true to their faith and gifts.

So here we are today. It’s World Communion Sunday of First Presbyterian Church in Crown Point. What does it look like to be true to our faith and gifts? Which is another way of saying: Who are you and who are we?

As we read this letter and the salutation is over, Paul began his letter to Timothy by remembering. He remembered Timothy’s tears. Verse 4 begins, “Recalling your tears, I long to see you…” We don’t know why Timothy had cried in Paul’s presence but whatever it was, it was cause for remembrance. Paul cared about what Timothy felt. To me that says a lot. Many teachers and leaders care about how we perform or what we do but not how we feel. Paul opened up by saying that those things which are most personal and emotional in your life are meaningful to him too.

Paul goes on to remember Timothy’s faith and family in verse 5 which reads, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.” So Paul not only cares about Timothy’s feelings, he cares about his family and where he came from… he is truly connected to Timothy on many levels.

Next Paul tells us that he cares about what Timothy does by turning his own remembrance into a reminder for Timothy. Verse 6 begins “For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you…”

Now, I find myself wondering why Paul wanted to both remember and remind Timothy what was most fundamental to him… his faith, his roots, and his gifts. I don’t mean why as in what were the circumstances around Timothy at the time. I mean why is it important to remember who we are.

In asking this, I did some remembering of my own. Do you remember the Disney movie the Lion King? It centered around a young lion cub named Simba whose father, the king of the pride lands, was killed. Manipulated by his conniving uncle, Simba believed he himself was responsible and ran away. He grows up away from all he has known and is content but not fulfilled. Soon, Simba encounters a shaman like monkey who knew him as a baby. The monkey takes Simba to a lagoon to show him his father. Simba sees his own reflection in the water dismisses the monkey as a fool. The monkey says “Look Harder, he lives in you.” When Simba looks again he hears the voice of his father saying: “Simba, you have forgotten who you are, you are more than you have become, Remember who you are...”

This of course is the turning point in the movie and I believe the point Paul was trying to make. Paul knew that without staying grounded in our core, we are adrift. Though we may find contentment like Simba, we will be far from fulfilled. And we definitely will not be participating in the blossoming of God’s vision for us.

As we read further, Paul goes onto talk about living in the grace that has been freely given to them and living out the gifts that have been implanted in them. Throughout the rest of this letter that spans well beyond what we read today, it shares much wisdom about the lived faith. But much of it is anchored to making sure that they are well grounded in their faith and the things that are most core to them… their faith, gifts, and experiences.

So taking in all of this, I felt inspired by the Holy Spirit. I wondered what it would look like if Paul wrote a letter to you… to the people of First Presbyterian Church of Crown Point. And I answered. Based upon the style of Paul and the principles he set forth in this second letter to Timothy, I wrote you a letter from Paul in modern language and form. Here it goes.
Thanks be to God. Amen.

Paul, dedicated apostle of Christ, living by God’s grace am writing you, my much beloved friends at First Pres.

I am so grateful and thank God every time I think of you. You are truly such special people. I know it has been difficult for you of late. Many of you worry about finding a new pastor and about how to move forward as a congregation on many issues. Do not be ashamed of your journey. I share in your struggle and want you to know that your concerns are holy and faith filled. But trust in the presence of God and the gifts you share as a body and you will find your way. There is no need for worry, only diligence.

I think back to people I knew in the church many years ago and about baptisms of children that are now adults. I wish I could be there with you. So much has happened. You have remained faithful even in times of not having a sanctuary of your own. You have been present for the needs of the community. You have grown great programs like Soup & Serenity and the food pantry. You have raised up vibrant children and youth who reach out to others through mission trips. And you continue to share in fellowship with family hayrides and coffee time between worship services. I hope you take the time to celebrate who you are together. You deserve joy, the same joy God delights in from creating you.

And to you individually, I know that congregational life is full of great blessings and great struggles. Being called into the body of Christ is a calling of both wonder and work. I hope you are finding meaningful ways of living out your God given talents both inside and outside the church walls. Since last we saw each other, I imagine you have learned even more about all that God has knitted into your frame. I trust that you want to continue to grow and become all that God envisions for you or you wouldn’t be here. Do good things for yourself to nurture your gifts. Reach out to help others to nurture their gifts. And most importantly, be grace filled with yourself and others during times of struggle just as God is grace filled with us. We only know the fullness and wonder of God as much as we are closely working with all the parts of the body of Christ.

Today is World Communion Sunday. If there was ever a day to recognize just how vast God’s fullness reaches, it is today. As you gather around Christ’s table, I hope you will pause to remember all the others around the world who are doing the same thing, other people who are full of questions, worries, and hopes. I hope you will also take a moment to remember all those who came before you and made this table possible. Remember with gratitude and honor all those who taught you what this table means, your family, friends, teachers, pastors. They helped cultivate in you the gift of faith.

And speaking of the gift of faith, as you gather around this table, I also want you to remember those who suffer under circumstances like poverty, violence, and discrimination that stifle and squash faith. Hold them most dearly in your heart. Pray and work for their justice and liberation. It is for them that you dedicate part of today’s offering to the Presbyterian Peacemaking programs. They do not enjoy the liberation of Christ that we experience when we gather around this table and God’s work will not be complete until they can remember who they are too.

Sisters and brothers, I leave you with the same hopes found in your mission statement. At First Presbyterian Church of Crown Point, all are invited to know Christ, To grow in Christ, and to show Christ to the world as we love one another. Go forward from this time, remembering who you are. Go forward from this place knowing that who you are is part of God’s good creation. Go forward from this place sharing boldly the love, faith, and gifts God has freely given to you.

Your most faithful and loving advocate,
Paul