February 22 2015 - Under Construction - Covenants

February 22 2015 “Covenants Under Construction” *Mark 1.9-15

Water is so essential to life. Humans have been known to live 40 days without food, but after 3 days without water,[ slide #1 water in desert]  the health of the body is at risk. Water is refreshing. You know this if you have ever meditated before a trickling stream or caught fish [ slide #2 fishing ] on the shores of a lake. Water is necessary for our physical cleansing.  [ slide #3 handwashing ].  We can clearly see the value of including something as precious as water in worship. It is obvious that our physical connection to water reminds us to connect spiritually in order to be alive, refreshed, and healthy.

Water rituals are universal and have been for ages. Sources say the Buddhists provide water for the deceased during funerals; for Hindus all water is sacred; Muslims, Shintos and numerous others share pools, fountains, and basins filled with water that foster the feeling of being spiritually clean and healthy.

The bible has many references to the symbolic power of water. It begins with the flood that covered the earth in Genesis, forcing humanity into a fresh start. There is the apparent medical cleansing using water after touching a carcass, corpse, or exposure to body fluids.  Priests and worshippers washed hands before service and meals. Even our ancient ancestors understood something of the blessing of washing away physical and spiritual bacteria. Water wells surrounding flowing springs were the center of towns built by those seeking to settle. Wells naturally became a social meeting place. [slide #4 a well] The waters of a mother’s womb held miracles and the waters of deliverance were found in the depths of the Red Sea. Even Jesus was baptized by his cousin John in the historic waters of Jordan River.

In Jesus’ time the way to spiritually cleanse yourself was to do what the Baptist church does. They called this a “tevilah” [ slide #5 tevilah].   They were too totally immerse themselves in living waters, like a stream or river.  [ slide #6 river bank ]

This was a new tradition. You do not find immersion in the Torah or the Law of Moses or the Old Testament. It reminds us that traditions changed even for Jesus. Today messianic Jewish brothers and sisters immerse from head to toe in a mikvah [slide #7 mikvah  - a bath for which the Hebrew root word is “hope”]. The Mikvah is similar to a baptismal pool built in many churches. The one you see here is from a Messianic church in Alabama. [slide #8  baptism pool ]

Baptism by immersion was required for non-Jews who wanted to convert to Judaism.* Yet Jesus was baptized by immersion. This was indeed a modification of the culture, the tradition, and the law. [slide #9 Jesus’ baptism]Jesus’ baptism reminds us that rituals contribute best to our spiritual well-being when they are fluid and flexible. First century followers of Christ were developing meaningful rituals and ways of living a holy life. Many came to John to be baptized in the Jordan River. It was all new.

Are we Methodists any less Christ-like for having a baptismal font instead of going down to the Schuylkill River or French Creek? Of course not. Methodists honor baptism through sprinkling, pouring, AND immersion. [ slide #10 Methodist cross and flame] If you have been baptized, it is not because Jesus commanded you to be baptized. It is because you have received one of many gifts of grace and one of many reminders to be clean and holy like our Creator is clean and holy.

Baptism seals our covenant, like a kiss seals a marriage in a wedding, [slide #11wedding kiss] like a notary seals a court document, [slide #12 notary seal ]like applause seals approval, like wax seals a jar of beans, [slide #13 canning jars] or a robot seals a bottle of mineral water. [slide #14 mineral water seal]Baptism signals that a covenant has been made and every intention exists to keep a promise. [ slide #15 baptism ]

We all know, however, that a kiss is a just a moment of bliss but the marriage means constant exercise of faith, forgiveness, and fun. The evidence of a court is affirmed by following through with legal demands. Once the applause stops, we prepare for the next performance. Sooner or later, the seal on a jar is broken; we must eat or the product will be spoiled, and once the water is open, it is better shared than horded.  [ slide #16 glass of water]

Baptism is just the beginning, just a first sign of something wonderful God has in store for us. Our covenants need to be made and kept with or without the rituals that a culture feels it can’t live without, or that a culture puts pressures on us to take on. We are called to construct a covenant, to make it and maintain it.

Just as we are building and maintaining a physical house of God, we are constructing a spiritual place that includes all who are willing to be in covenant.

A healthy spiritual atmosphere comes from God. God guides us through the highs and the lows of building. God guides us through the busiest days and darkest nights. God guides us to be a peculiar people, producing plenty of the fruit of the Holiest Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We grow as we exercise spiritual discipline – as we meditate, fast, pray, give generously, forgive, study God’s word and do good. We especially grow when we bless those experiencing a moment of being the least, the last or the lost.

We must walk with God in order to grow. Surely, this Lenten season we will find in our time with God that we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit, dunked in many blessings, inundated with love, and overwhelmed by the power to accomplish more than we could ever think or imagine.

Just as we are pledging and planning and preparing for the next steps in our physical renovations, we are doing the same to build an atmosphere that pleases God. We are also preparing to maintain that atmosphere. When the spiritual roof leaks, we climb high. When spiritual crumbs are on the tables we wipe them clean. When the spiritual audio system needs a hand, we plug in. When spiritual crock pots and coffee hour sustenance is needed, we prepare. When the spiritual Jr Church schedule is blank, we fill it in with our name.

We are to be constantly building and maintaining the covenant we made at our baptism. We are affirming our belief in God the father, son, and Holy Spirit. As Mark notes in verse 15, “’the kingdom of God has come near; we repent, and we believe in the good news.’” [slide #17 “’the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’”  ] All we do, we do by the mercies of God.

May our baptism remind us that we are sealed with a kiss, [slide #18 kissing a baby] that the covenant is ours to keep Sunday by Sunday.  [slide #19 hands together to worship]

I close with the instructional words rabbi Jeff Marx in California tells his converts to say when they are baptized by immersion. He tells them to say – and I am translating it into Methodist heritage - ⁺‘may my baptism inspire me and strengthen me in my resolve to enter the ancient and endless stream of a holy life. May I be among those who will help that stream to continue strong and unbroken.’ Amen.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_to_Judaism#Requirements

⁺http://www.ritualwell.org/ritual/ceremony-tevilah

Forgive to Live - Wednesday Evening Lenten Service February 18 2015

 Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.

Luke 23 New International Version (NIV)

Verses 1-3, 13-25,32-34

Forgive to Live!

23 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. ² And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

³ So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” ^[17] [a]

¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

²⁰ Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

²² For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

²³ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decided to grant their demand. ²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

   

³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

⁺⁺⁺

Ash Wednesday begins the spiritual season when we read the scripture with more determination to get it right. Ash Wednesday reminds us to take God seriously, because God is not playing around. God means business!

The 23^rd chapter of Luke starts off with legal details you might find on the front page of the Mercury and at the top of the 6 o’clock news. Jesus was named as a criminal. Politicians provided the usual false accusations, a few lies, and definite criminal charges. The day of execution was set, and life went on as usual.

If you have ever been falsely accused, lied on, or misunderstood, you know how Jesus felt. He felt awful, stressed, sad, hoping for a way to make it all go away, to escape the distress, to have his life get back to the way it was.

If you have ever misunderstood someone, falsely accused, told a lie on someone, or prepared for the day of their execution, you know how the chief priests, rulers, and the people have felt through the ages. They felt like they were in Hell, far away from God, guilty, proud, arrogant, and out of control.

As Christians, we gather as innocent victims and we have been guilty perpetrators. Welcome to Ash Wednesday. Welcome to the cross where the cleansing blood of Jesus flows for every sinner. Welcome to the Throne of God’s grace and mercy where none of God’s children will leave without showers of blessings, mercy and forgiveness.

James B. Comey, director of the FBI said last week that criminal suspects routinely lie and declare themselves to be innocent. Lying is so common, Comey says, that we assume that a lie is eminent and we develop many flavors of cynicism. Our cynicism, however, is a lazy mental shortcut that convinces us that stereotypes are true.

My sister tells the story of one of her three boys who disobeyed her. The evidence was in the kitchen – perhaps a box of cookies had been opened or some such offense. (We have to monitor children well, don’t we?. One mother keeps her food locked in a closet because her children are at a stage when they are out of control and they have ransacked the pantry on too many occasions.) Anyway, my sister confronted the three children who were sitting around on a Saturday morning watching television, asking who was the guilty one. No one confessed. She paused a moment and went on to something else during which time she said the still small voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to her heart and told her which child was guilty. They had all expressed their innocence, but the one that my sister suspected – the one who was often the guilty one, was not at all the one who turned up guilty that day. She said she was so shocked, and if it had not been for the work of the Holy Spirit in her heart and later in her son who was proved to be the guilty one, she would not have understood who was guilty and who was not.

Ash Wednesday begins the season of truth telling, of coming clean, of confession. Ash Wednesday is a day we intentionally seek the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

We especially need the Holy Spirit’s help to forgive like Jesus forgave, saying as he hung on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

I want to say, “Yes they do know what they are doing, Jesus. They know very well they are as wrong as two left shoes. They are wrong and they simply do not want to be right. Jesus you know I am telling the truth, so why would you say, they don’t know what they are doing?” 

Well, it is true that we usually know when we are doing wrong. What we don’t know is what we will know one day. Scriptures say that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. That will be the day that many will say, “If I only knew then, what I know now, I would have worshipped God and got my life together sooner.”   

We do not have to concern ourselves with those who bow above the Lord and not below the Lord. We just need to remember that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess….we need to remember as that song says, “In His time, in His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time.”

What must occupy our time, and talent, and energy is doing what Jesus did on the cross: pray for those who do not submit to the Lord of Lords and the kings of kings, pray for those who bring us hurt, harm, or danger…

Our natural inclination is to revenge and rage against neighbors who refuse to cut their branches that are leaning over our fence, dropping sap onto our cars, or terrorists who come into our country in wolves clothing, or drivers who drink and drive.

Who is it that has hurt you? Harmed you? Endangered you or your loved ones?

What’s their name, where do they live, what do they look like? Bring them to this altar. Put them under the cross. Remember to refrain from screaming obscenities at them. Hold back from trying to give them what they deserve. By the power of God, let’’s forgive them. Let’s get all that yucky, gunky attitude out of our system and leave more room for the sweet, sweet spirit that we find in a place of worship. Let it go, forgive them, and watch God work to heal and fill us to overflowing with the healing love that changes lives. Pray for them. Picture them in the loving arms of Jesus. For, God loves them more than we will ever know.

A woman asked me to visit her home and pray for her son who was a heroin user and a heroin runner in the neighborhood. She was desperate because she was in her second marriage and her husband was threatening to leave her because he did not want to live in that chaos. She was torn between her son and her husband.

I got to the door and began to be overwhelmed with God’s love for this young man, this sinner, this misfit, chief among the least, the last, and the lost. For the first time ever, I took off my shoes to pray through the house because I realized that the ground on which I stood was holy ground. She begged me to keep my shoes on because she had found several used hypodermic needles on the floor that were dropped after he shot himself with heroin. But, I was too overwhelmed. It was as if I was weeping God’s tears – so great was God’s love for this one whom others referred to as worthless, lousy, the very scum of the earth.

No matter what we think or feel about those who have hurt us deeply, endangered us, caused us great grief, agitation, and loss – God is just as in love with them as God is of us. God forgives them as quickly as God forgives us. A couple days later our prayers were answered as he went to jail where his addiction could be treated and his chaos contained.

Ash Wednesday begins the season of dying to ourselves, giving up our lives for divine examination. So, let’s think about any way WE may have hurt our Lord, harmed God’s people, endangered others, harbored hatred, failed to love. Let’s think about the ways we have fallen short of the glory of God. Let’s think about the bountiful love God has for us in spite of our faults and failings.

If we think about it long enough, we will forgive, and we will find new life. Let it be so today and forever. Welcome to Ash Wednesday. Amen.

February 15 2015 Under Construction - Storms

February 15 2015  “Storms Under Construction”  *2 Kings 2.1-2,11; Mark  9.2-9 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

The story of the prophet Elijah and his student Elisha is one of the most dramatic in the bible. [slide #1 Chariots of fire].The story was written in the book of Kings 550 years before the birth of Jesus. In 1981 the movie Chariots of Fire based on this biblical story came out 3000 years later.

What an image! When we talk about intensity and speed in many races, we might say “we feel the burn.” On the road, we might say “we are leaving others in the dust” or “we are burning rubber.” Intensity makes our heart race and our ears stand up for the news of some dramatic win. [slide #2  racer on shoulders ]

Elijah and his student Elisha had been running together for a long time. They were best buds, close colleagues, and intensely spiritual. What a blessing it is to be close to God, close to a mentor, close to a friend. One of my spiritual mentors Bishop O.T. Jones was often heard to say in bible study, ‘You need to come to church and stay close to the people of God because a rose cannot survive without staying connecting to the vine.’

In every day and age, it is important to stay close to God, a mentor, and a friend. When I taught English at BCCC, I had students who had academic gifts and challenges; [ slide #3 classroom   ]  there were students who had just come out of prison making major adjustments,  [slide #4jail bars ]and students who had bitter experiences and bad attitudes to match. [slide #5 t shirt “bad attitude” ]

In my prayers, I asked God what I could possibly do with the students who very likely would not pass the final exam. The answer I received while walking to the school parking lot one day, the answer that seemed to float in a bubble overhead and gently burst around me was both surprising and inspiring. I expected to hear of a special teacher-tip such as give extra homework or send them to the tutoring center. God said, “Be a friend to many.” So that is what I did. I treated all like a very important friend, like they were a child of the Living God, like they mattered! I treated them like I experienced God was treating me every day. [ slide #6 Jesus and little girl  ]

How wonderful it is that Bethel is working to be a warm and friendly church and preparing renovations and an elevator to put our money where our faith is. One family came who visited Bethel when we were a rest stop in the Chester County Historical House Tour a few months ago, said that they came because they were very grateful for the hospitality and genuine welcome we shared that day. It made a difference. [slide #7 happy to see you]

Last Saturday I met a family from Nantmeal UMC. The welcome they gave me was was intense and record-breaking. I am still basking in the warmth of that sunshine. A warm welcome and genuine acceptance gladdens the heart, even heals the heart in a world where hearts are constantly bruised and broken.

Who can forget the testimony of a woman being assaulted by a very broken man; though a stranger in the dark, she intuitively whispered in his ear the words that God constantly whispers to us, “I love you. I love you.” The stranger was disarmed, immediately and her life was spared. [ #8 You are loved]

Elijah and Elisha were close friends walking and talking about things that were deep and divine. [slide #9  Elijah and Elisha] They talked about things that were out of this world – things like the fires of hell and the glory of heaven. They talked about the things that brought new life. Theirs was a once-in-a-life-time-love, a rare and precious connection that is a blessing from God.

Their first stop was Gilgal. [slide # 10 Gilgal… ] In Hebrew, the word Gilgal means “roll” as in roll away a stone, or roll ourselves onto the Lord who takes care of us. In the year 1400 BC, the Israelites rolled into Gilgal after leaving Egypt on their way to the Promised Land. Do you remember a day you rolled into the paths of right living, rolling your cares over to God? Do you remember how it felt to be delivered from some burden of sorrow, sin, or shame and have a new start? We may pass through Gilgal more than once in our lifetime.

From Gilgal, Elijah was on his way to Bethel. [slide #11 Bethel – house of God] “Beth” means “house” and “el” means “of God.” Everywhere we go as Christians, we should be on our way to a place where our Heavenly father is at home, where the Holy Spirit is not grieved, where Jesus is welcome. [slide #12 Jesus at the door]

Elisha insisted on traveling the whole distance to Bethel with his mentor Elijah. He gladly went the extra miles. From Gilgal to Bethel it was probably well over 10 miles. As they walked and talked, they were suddenly separated by a wind storm, a whirlwind, an intense experience with chariots of fire and horses ablaze. [slide #13 whirlwind of fire]

Separation alone can be an intense experience. *A study was done from the University of Missouri on separation from iphones. [ slide #14 phones ] Forty-one students were asked to work on puzzles while their blood pressure and heart rate were being monitored. Researches told the students that the phone was interfering with the monitor and asked that they place the phone in a nearby cubicle. Then the researchers called their phones. When the students heard their cell phones ring [slide #15 phone ringing] and could not answer it, the student’s anxiety level, blood pressure, and heart rate skyrocketed and their performance on the puzzles plummeted. One of the researchers concluded, ‘the iphones can become an extension of our selves and when separated we feel less of a self and take on a negative physiological state.’ Storms change our lives and speak volumes.

The intense experiences, the storms of life speak loudly to us in three ways. First, storms speak to us of life and death. Storms put pressure on us to live as we know we will one day die. Storms help us to die in peace as we see that God has always faithfully taken care of us.

Secondly, storms speak to us of Heaven and Hell. Just as we know nothing of life before our birth, we know nothing of life after our birth. Life is full of unknown factors. Life can be unpredictable. Storms push us into making life meaningful. Storms present heavenly moments we want to foster and hellish moments we work to avoid.

Thirdly, storms speak to us of truth that sets us free and the lies that bind us. The truth of most matters is that storms can shake us up and turn us around if we have the courage to face the storm and ask God for help. The devil is a lie. We can find freedom.

Family therapists say that helping a family change for the better is as challenging as swimming against the tide. Storms push us into change. Still, storms lead us to living waters, but storms cannot make us drink.

Like Elijah and Elisha we choose Sunday by Sunday to stay close together, united as one, always on our way to Bethel – the house of God. As we journey we will always be on fire for the Lord. We will be raising sand and kicking up dust for a good cause. We are stirring up a storms against sexual assault and domestic violence like what we heard about this week at Millersville University and that Laurel Wynn reminded us about when she built a website. [slide #16 www.tinyurl.com/ladies-self-defense.]

On our way to the house of God, we leave a hot trail from our chariots of fire and horses ablaze with power. [slide #17 firery trail ] Clearly we have made fierce efforts to drive out demons of drug abuse, [ slide #18 public school  ], sexism, racism, homophobia, promiscuity, and sex trafficking,  [slide #19 help me],  in our hearts, [slide #20 sin in heart] our homes, [slide # 21 Jesus at our door]and in our neighborhoods. Living our lives faithfully can be very, very intense.

In my report to Council I talked about us going to the next spiritual level. Wherever God is leading, uniting together in new ways is the most important choice United Methodists are making.

A few months ago in typical Methodist fashion, I met with a group of clergy for conversation on tough issues. We all have different views, different experiences, different goals, and different emotions. Our common ground was the rules we had for conversation:  One person talks at a time, no interruptions or clarifying questions, the speaker talked no more than two minutes, continue until everyone has a chance to talk – if they choose to, everyone is a child of God, listen carefully, strive to understand the other person’s view, speak about issues without defaming persons, disagree without being disagreeable, pray, strive to accurately reflect the views of others.

Together we engaged in open, honest conversation in peace instead of in pieces,   that the world will know we are Christians.

One of the most inspiring signs I have seen in recent weeks of watching protests on television was a middle school student carrying a sign that said, “Silence is violence.” Doesn’t it remind us that God has sent us to speak up and stir up a storm, and have conversations that lead to peace and justice in the church, that can be a model for the whole word.  

Let each of us remember that if we are on the way to Bethel, the house of the Lord, we are stirring up a spiritual storm. Go for the storm and watch God show up and fire up our lives and free us to finish the race in victory. [ slide # 22 torch runner ] Amen.

+++

*Erin Blakemore, "Separate people from their phones and they perform less well," Smithsonian.com (1-12-15)

http://www.preachingtoday.com/search/?order=newest

Under Construction - Preachers

February 8 “Preachers Under Construction” Isaiah 40.21-25, *I Corinthians 9.16-23 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

 On this scout Sunday, we see that our cup overflows with scouts in Chester County. Scouts overflow at Bethel, we host about 14 scout troops and meetings. Our scouts appreciate our hospitality and we are certainly the beneficiaries of their good work, yard cleaning, help for our seniors, and just young folks and awesome leaders with creativity, joy and energy. We overflow with their politeness and industriousness, and other character traits, modeled by their outstanding leaders who are ever supportive and humble in their dealings with us. [slide #1 great job]

In a world where shortages and lack are ever looming, it is good to enjoy an abundance of something good. Scout Sunday is a day of thanksgiving for Bethel. What takes us over the top is the fact that the scouts have declared themselves a Christian organization in a world where religion is a reason for war and politicians are constantly resisting the idea of a supreme being that orders our steps and guides us to much good.

Scouts among us is just another reason to celebrate as we worship on this Sabbath. God is glorified when we declare that God is our God and as we cherish God’s word, and hold it in our hearts.

As apostle Paul affirms in this morning’s reading, it is good to declare God’s word, with our lips as well as our behavior which reflects our character. As a representative who usually attends scout courts of honor is fond of saying, ‘scouts make extraordinary leaders.’

Christian values bring peace in the threat of war, help when there is a need, and hope for discouraging times. At times, because of our human nature, even we Christians have days when we are fighting God, hiding instead of helping, or discouraging the hopeless. Even we need Divine Intervention in order to speak and act like children of God. We ask total healing of our lives, but want to give only partial obedience. Our eyes open wide seeking blessings, while our lips are sealed shut for giving thanks and praise to each other and to God.

As always our hope comes from God’s word that drives [ slide #2  let God drive ]us to our ultimate destination when we get into it. Last Sunday a member who is involved in a number of bible studies, mission efforts and has participated in scouting, mentioned to me the hope that the upcoming generation would get into the word, for without the word, we are at risk. Without the word we are vulnerable to defeat.

Staying in God’s word, takes us to a place of blessing. [slide #3 place of blessing]We may think that since we have our blessing, it is up to everybody else to get their blessing. This is only partly correct. We all have to do the best with what God has given us. Still, we are all in this world together. My blessing is a blessing to you. Your blessing is a blessing to me. My problem will eventually be a problem to you. Your problem will eventually be a problem for me.

When we see that every house on a block has been destroyed by a storm, [ slide #4 last house standing] we say how blessed they are that their house is still standing. There are blessings that come with being the only one standing. At the same time, if being the only one blessed while others are homeless, helpless, and hungry will make us vulnerable if not in this generation, surely in the next generation. The work we do is a way of planting seeds for the generations that come behind us.     [slide #5 seeds in hand]

Our lives are not a “me” thing but a “we” thing. [slide #6  group holding hands] Even the Lord’s Prayer reminds us of that when we hear “Our father,” “Give Us this day, our daily bread,” “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

For these reasons, we want to build good character and we want to build those who will speak out with their lips, spreading good news and words that inspire. [slide #7 Gotta tell somebody ] We want preachers who not only behave according to the word, but who have the courage to speak up when the spirit says speak up. [slide #8 speak up] We want to build up young people who will tie themselves up in the word like our traditional Jewish preachers have [slide #9 man with leather bindings ] and even do today [ slide #10 worshipping with black boxes on forehead ]. These tefilin or phylacteries are attached to a small black box with scriptures inside. They are a reminder to keep God’s word close to their hearts and minds. Future generations will need it.

If we keep God’s word close to our hearts and our minds, sooner or later, someone among us will start to bubble up from the inside. They will want to speak, even preach. There is something within them that drives them, urges them on like it did Paul. As he said to the church at Corinth, he wanted to speak to those of different nationalities, or religions, or those considered to be weak, and he wanted to do it “it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.” [slide #11 Verse 23 I do it all …]

All during the year, we take opportunities during worship to share how God has blessed us. People are blessed as they get to know one another on a deeper level. Many have been inspired by stories of faith shared during worship.  Many people dread public speaking, so when we first begin encouraging people to share their stories, very few came forward. But, thanks be to God, this year we are overflowing with those who are available to share a testimony during Lent. We have more than 13 people available. It is certain to be a rich and transforming time. God will surely show up and revive us. [slide #12 revive]

This year we are bursting at the seams with people who are full of God’s word, who are prepared to preach. Last month I met Mike Demarco who will preach on Maundy Thursday. Last week I met Eric, a retired preacher who exudes the word of life from every pore. You can feel the fire burning in his heart. For years, we have been blessed by God’s word as flames of fire came forth from the hearts as Mary Tyson and Ron Moore, and Father’s Day speakers, and Mother’s Day speakers stood at this pulpit. God has many preachers who are sent to us as gifts from God.

A pastor’s dream is to witness blessings that multiply like Jesus multiplied the fish and the loaves. Who can forget the rich words of 11 year old Abigail who stood here with a brilliant smile and blue hair as she witnessed to her faith and the love of her late grandfather, Charles Kehs and how he saved her from misery in her math class and gave her the blessed her with a love for learning?

I will never forget 16 year old Luke articulating his family’s work on a well so those without clean water would know what it is to drink freely. You heard him share a mission trip to help those in need with housing. No one invited him; he took the initiative. The Spirit of God led him and he spoke about it from this pulpit.

At age 17, Tyler brought Christian music to this pulpit and spoke of putting his own body on the line when his friends wanted to bring harm to someone just because they were different.

This year we end the Lenten season with Youth Sunday, which is Palm Sunday. All our confirmands will share, and 15 year old Dana McKinley and Tyler Collins will speak a word of Testimony. When a teenager approached me last week and asked if they could share a sermon on youth Sunday, there was only one answer, “yes.”

When the word of God is being multiplied and preachers are coming forth, we know that we have laid a fertile foundation. Obviously, God is at work among us constructing preachers that help God build the word in us.

We have a lot to celebrate. We have come this far by faith. Our foundation in the word is deep and solid. [ slide #13 solid foundation ] We have the most prepared and dedicated Sunday school with 11 classes from toddlers to seasoned seniors that any church could ever have. We have two services with Junior Church and we have a nursery and each has bible-based music and stories, and thanks to our Sunday school superintendent, Mary Tyson and Joann Bachrach, we have lessons for those who have not even learned to speak much less read yet.

It is our constant prayer that your family is participating in Sunday school,[slide #14 Sunday school] or bible study [slide #15 hands on bible] or daily devotional reading [slide #16 daily bread] [slide #17 Upper Room]. It is our constant prayer that you have participated in Rally Day in September. It is our constant prayer that every person in your home has a bible and reads it every day [slide #18 read the bible…]. Those who agree can say, “Amen.”

It is our constant hope and prayer that you sacrifice and serve in Junior Church – at least once or twice each year, for no great thing is maintained without sacrifice! Sharing is one thing, sacrificing is another. Constructing preachers requires sacrifice. Building a strong foundation in the word means that someone has made a sacrifice. [slide #19 sacrifice]

Are you the one being called to make the next sacrifice! It is very clear that the Spirit is moving us at Bethel. As the Spirit speaks to your heart today, may you hear and listen. [slide #20 God is calling] Amen.

Conversation Under Construction

 The church in Corinth was located in an urban community. When we think of large cities, we think of Corinth. Corinth had a reputation for grime as well as glory, just like most cities. People had many reasons to come and go in Corinth. There were the arts [Greek vase] and the architecture [ 3 pillars].

With three harbors, [  boat ] Corinth was a place some came by boat to explore and experiment with God knows what! In every service and every meeting, the church in Corinth, no doubt, had conversations with people from around the world with views far and wide from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. Sailors have a lot to say.

Every Christian community has its own hot topics. The topic in chapter 8 of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth was idols. One way to relate to the Corinthian concept of idols is our contemporary images. What we see is what we get. Corinthians had little statues of gods and goddesses that had popular names and attractive ideologies. We totally understand the impact of contemporary images in our homes and communities. Every internet image, every television screen, every magazine, smart phone, kindle and ipad showers our minds with popular names and attractive ideologies. We can bow down and worship them until they become our idols. Or, we can stand up to them, overshadowing them with Holiness.[ Holiness Works]

The idol that was the topic of conversation in chapter 8 was food that was sacrificed to idols. Should they eat that food or not? Years ago, I followed a friend to a worship center. It was not Christian. She called it new age. We first enjoyed a buffet of delicious, natural, and healthy food. Then we entered a room where dozens of people were meditating. It was very simple and quiet. At the front of the room there was a figurine surrounded by fresh fruit, a symbolic offering was their way of giving to a higher power rather than receiving. Even non-Christians know it is better to give than to receive.

The figurine was not at all meaningful to me. I had no sense of being inspired or edified. The fruit seemed like a big waste of good food. I made big assumptions about how and why the fruit was there and what would happen to it afterwards.

That day it was no more appealing to me to debate the value of bringing food to their altar than it was to debate the Jehovah’s Witnesses that knock on the door  2:00 on Saturday afternoon.

I could have debated and argued one issue after another until the cows came home. Paul reminds us in verse 1 that concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds [knowledge puffs up…]. In other words, we all have our own ideas about many things. We have our facts, our figures, our expert testimonies. Still, knowledge puffs us up – with pride and arrogance.

With knowledge, we can become a bag of hot air and wind that pushes others back, dividing and separating. Love, on the other hand builds something and someone up. So, if we had to choose between our knowledge or our love, we know that our love is more important. As Paul says later in chapter 13, knowledge passes away, but love never fails. [love never fails]. Our faith may falter or be misinformed, but love never fails. Our hopes may disappoint, but love never fails. Love is greater than anything.  

As Christians, we believe, that is, by faith we take the position that God is sovereign. God rules supreme in our hearts, and our belief is reflected in our lifestyle – in our choices and in our conversation. When we invite idols into our lives, we invite someone or something that deceives rather than conceives, discourages rather than encourages, and disconnects rather than connects.

When the storm came last week, [ ice storm] we were stripped of our familiar props for worship. Jessica called the church before 8 am, saying that she was in bumper to bumper traffic, witnessing cars crashing underneath a tractor trailer. She was unable to move forward for service or return home. By the grace of God, her husband was relieved to finally have her back home, but it was not until 2:00 that afternoon. We had no music, the audio volunteers were not able to get in to turn on the microphones, and many worshippers were either slipping and sliding on their front steps or unable even to get that far. Worship was not at all like we are accustomed. We had very little of what is familiar and expected.

It is a similar situation that one congregation found themselves in. *They gathered to hear the famous preacher Henry Ward Beecher. [ Beecher] His sister was the abolitionist author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Henry Ward Beecher could not be there for service, so he sent one of his brothers as a substitute. As soon as the crowd realized that Rev. Beecher was not speaking, they began to move toward the exits. That's when the minister stood and said loudly, "All who have come here today to worship Henry Ward Beecher may now withdraw from the church. All who have come to worship God keep your seats!"[remain seated ]

Even in the storm, we came to worship and worship we did. [ in pews ] This week as you see from the numbers in the bulletin, we even made up for lost time. We came as we always come, to be the church, to build the church, to build one another as God guides us step by step.

How do we cross the many bridges [ bridge ] of our differences? How do we build [ encourage ] each other up when we lack confidence in each other’s knowledge? How do we stay connected [connected] when diversity challenges those connections? Those who succeed do so because they maintain quality conversation.

Just like a newborn baby learns speech, new Christians learn to speak the truth in love. With sufficient models from families, friends, and neighbors near and far, we learn how to speak in tones that clarify, words that identify, gestures that multiply the possibilities for generating trust, truth, and treasured connections.

Don’t expect to speak the truth in love without going deeper in prayer, fasting, and worship. It’s not happening! In a time of testing, only those who come to worship God and not another, can stay in place, stay on track, stay right with God. Only God knows when we are coming short, and we know if we allow ourselves to hear the truth that sets us free – free form being fake, fanatic, or failing.

Through healthy conversation, speaking the truth in love, we will know the blessings of deep relationships, global connections, and life-giving partnerships.

There will also be some crosses to bear, some irritations to overcome, some thoughts to sift through, some words spoken with regret, some love to build with blood, sweat and tears.

Constructing conversation means listening, not leaving. We know the terrifying international consequences of abandoning negotiations. Constructing conversation means growing, not grieving.  Moving forward can be difficult and foreign but crying too long over spilled milk is juvenile. Constructing conversation means building, not butting. It is a way to build a safe place for EVERYONE to be their best selves, not interrupting with excuses.

Many spiritual builders have come across Bethel’s threshold. Many healthy conversations have been constructed. I see evidence of a history that Bethel has even been a blessing to those who are displaying what Paul calls a “weak conscience” in verse 11,[ since their conscience is weak,…] when we need to be treated with kid gloves, when we are a bit on the fragile side. When logic is faulty and supportive evidence is lacking, we are there for each other. When we are on the verge of debate disaster because our arguments are weak, when we think the earth is flat and not round or that leeches can suck disease out of the body, when we think like one of my Korean colleagues thought – liberation theology is a threat to the government – the glorious models of patience and kindness prevail at Bethel.

We know how to build, and build we must. If we build our churches , constructing healthy conversation, we will not be replaced by McDonalds, military bases, credit unions or supermarkets. Our churches will be a safe and welcoming place for our children who come to worship [ child giving thanks] rather than to be entertained. We know how to build, and build we must. Let the conversation continue [children smiling]. Amen.

*Sermons.com