Archive for the 'Sermons' Category
Show Me Your Glory
Blake Heffner February 25th, 2007
“Show Me Your Glory” Lent I - Communion Meditation
Texts: Exodus 3 & 4 & 33 (selected verses)
On Wednesday evening, we began our annual pilgrimage called Lent. This year our theme for the mid-week services is taken from a little book by Max Lucado, called It’s Not About Me. The title alone bears the unmistakable aroma of Lent: self-denial. Our topic on Wednesday, from Max’ first chapter was definitely a great starting point, “Bumping Life Of Self-Center.” Tempting as it would be to offer a recap of that very meditation today, this morning we’re going to take a close-up look at a man whose life was dramatically and repeatedly bumped off “self-center:” namely, Moses.
Moses’ story is familiar to most of us; afterall, it’s been portrayed in living color in the Disney animated classic, “The Prince of Egypt.” You recall, as an infant, Moses took that remarkable ride down the Nile River in a pitch-covered basket. He was recovered by Pharoah’s daughter. Talk about an ironic situation. Moses is adopted by the princess; yet, nursed by his own mother. His people are brutally treated slaves; yet, Moses lived in the lap of royal luxury. He’s an odd-ball. He’s clearly not an Egyptian, but his own people, the Hebrews, don’t regard him as one of theirs either.
Moses’ first taste of getting bumped off self-center happens when he comes the aid of a Hebrew slave and, in a fit of rage, kills the Egyptian who had been beating him. There’s an arrest warrant out with his name on it. And, suddenly, Moses flees; he is literally a man without a country. Before you can say “Land of Goshen,” he finds himself out in a desert wilderness call Midian.
Of course, that’s where God bumps him off “self-center” a second time. Moses has gotten married and settled down. He’s working as a shepherd for his father-in-law, Jethro, now, and probably very content with his life. But, God’s got other plans for him – big plans. God shocks him at that burning bush and abruptly redirects his life. Boy, does Moses put up a fight. He has one excuse after another why, he’s not the right man to deliver the Hebrews from bondage. His people won’t believe him, and they certainly won’t follow him. He doesn’t even know God’s name, and he personally has no power against the likes of Pharoah. His final protest amounts to admitting a very genuine personal flaw: he is terrible with words. Well, God has an answer for every question Moses raised. God will not take “No!” for an answer. Soon, Moses finds himself packing his bags, and taking his wife and sons with him. Here is one man who has no illusions about “doing his own thing.” Moses is now God’s man, on a heavenly ordained mission. As we often say, the rest is history.
After the Exodus, the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, and destroying the Golden Calf, Moses still had questions. He knew God had done it all, and his people would need to trust and obey the Lord if they were ever to reach the Promised Land. But, it was no “cake-walk.” This is where Max Lucado picks up the story, in chapter 33 of Exodus. Listen to his commentary:
An anxious Moses pleads for help: “[God], you tell me ‘Lead this people,’ but you don’t let me know whom you’re going to send with me… Are you traveling with us or not?” You can hardly fault his fears. Encircled first by Israelites who long for Egypt, and second by a desert of hot winds and blazing boulders, the ex-shepherd needs assurance. His maker offers it. “I myself will go with you… I will do what you ask, because I know you very well, and I am pleased with you.”
You’d think that would have been enough for Moses, but he lingers. Thinking, perhaps, of that last sentence, “I will do what you ask…” Perhaps God will indulge one more request. So he swallows, sighs, and requests…
For what do you think he will ask? He has God’s attention. God seems willing to hear his prayer. [The Bible says] “The Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend.” The patriarch senses an opportunity to ask for anything. What will he request?
So many things he could ask for. How about a million requests? That ‘s how many adults are in Moses’ rearview mirror. A million stiff-necked, unappreciative, cow-worshiping ex-slaves who grumble with every step. Who would have blamed Moses if he had prayed, “Could you turn these people into sheep?”
Sheep. Only a few months before, Moses was in this same desert, near this same mountain, keeping an eye on a flock. What a difference this time around. Sheep don’t make demands in a desert or a mess out of blessings. And they certainly don’t make calves out of gold or ask to go back to Egypt.
And what about Israel’s enemies? Battlefields lie ahead. Combat with Hittites, Jebusites… Termites, [you name it!] They infest the land. I will do what you ask…
Moses knew what God could do. They were still talking about Aaron’s staff becoming a snake and the Nile becoming blood… God had turned the Red Sea into a red carpet. Manna fell. Quail ran. Water bubbled from within a rock. God can move mountains. In fact, he moved the very mountain of Sinai on which Moses stood. When God spoke, Sinai shook, and Moses’ knees followed suit. Yeh, Moses knew what God could do.
Worse he knew what these people were prone to do. [After the Golden Calf incident and other expressions of disobedience], God was ready to be done with them and start over with Moses as he had done with Noah. But twice Moses pleads for mercy, and twice mercy is extended. And God, touched by Moses’ heart, [responds]: “My presence will go with you. I’ll see the journey to the end.”
But Moses needs more. One more request. Glory. “Show me your glory,” he says. We cross a line when we make such a request. When our deepest desire is not the things of God or a favor from God, but God himself, we cross a threshold. Less self-focus, more God-focus. Less about me, more about Him.
“Show me your radiance, “ Moses is praying. “Flex your biceps. Let me see the “S” on your chest. Your preeminence. Your heart-stopping, ground-shaking extra-spectacularness. Forget the money and the power. Bypass youthfulness. I can live with an aging body, but I can’t live without you. I want more God, please. I’d like to see more of your glory.” …This is the prayer of Moses.
And God answers it. He places his servant in the cleft of the rock and tells him: “You cannot see my face; for no man shall see Me and live… I … will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”
And so Moses, cowering beneath the umbrella of God’s palm, waits, surely with face bowed, eyes covered, and pulse racing, until God gives the signal. When the hand lifts, Moses’ eyes do the same and catch a distant, disappearing glance of the back parts of God. The heart and center of the Maker is too much for Moses to bear. A fading slimpse will have to do.
]And we are told of the impact of this epiphany]. His face was gleaming. Bright as if backlit by a thousand torches. Unknown to Moses, but undeniable to the Hebrews, his face shimmers. [Paul tells us that ] when he descended the mountain, “the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the radiant glory.”
At this point, Max Lucado turns to us. Forgive my effrontery, but shouldn’t Moses’ request be yours? You’ve got problems. Look at you. Living in a dying body, Walking on a decaying planet, surrounded by a self-centered society. Some saved by grace; other fueled by narcissism. Many of us by both.
Cancer. War. Disease. These are no small issues. A small god? No thanks. You and I need what Moses needed – a glimpse of God’s glory. Such a sighting can change you forever.
In the early pages of my childhood memory, I see this picture. My father and I sit side by side in a chapel. We both wear our only suits. The shirt collar rubs my neck; the pew feels hard to my bottom; the sight of my dead uncle leaves us all silent. This is my first funeral. My nine years of life have not prepared me for death. What I see unnerves me. Aunts, typically jovial and talkative, weep loudly. Uncles, commonly quick with word or joke, stare wide eyed at the casket. And Buck, my big uncle with meaty hands, big belly, and booming voice, lies whitish and waxy in the coffin. I remember my palms moistening and my heart bouncing in my chest like tennis sneakers in a clothes dryer. Fear had me in her talons. Where do I look? The weeping ladies frighten me. Glassy eyed men puzzle me. My dead uncle spooks me. But then I look up. I see my father.
He turns his face toward me and smiles softly. “It’s okay, son,” he assures, laying a large hand on my leg. Somehow I know it is. Why it is, I don’t know. My family still wails. Uncle Buck is till dead. But if Dad, in the midst of it all, says it’s okay, then that’s enough.
At that moment I realized something. I could look around and find fear, or look at my father and find faith. I chose my father’s face. So did Moses. So can you…
Let’s dedicate this season of Lent to looking at God’s face – looking away from ourselves and our agendas and pressing toward a vision of God’s magnificent glory. Let’s begin right here as we come to the Lord’s Table. Let’s look inside ourselves and ask the Lord to show us the things that keep us from a closer walk with Him. And then let us bring these very things to the altar as our living sacrifice.
Let us pray…
Bumping Life Off Self-Center
Blake Heffner February 21st, 2007
“Bumping Life Off Self-Center” An Ash Wednesday Meditation
Texts: Mark 8:34-38 Colossians 1:15-20
The word Lent has an interesting heritage. It comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for “spring,” and that word came from the root of our present word “lengthen” – because spring is the time of year when days are lengthening. So, it’s no wonder why I like Lent so much – it coincides with an irrepressible urge within me for more light, more warmth and more fresh air. There was an unmistakable hint of spring in the air today. Did you feel it?
Just about every year at this time, I am glad that Lent arrives. Spiritually, I feel an increasing desire to grow like the little crocus and daffodils we will soon see poking their heads up through the soil. I am ready for a season of soul cultivation. How about you? If you are, you will appreciate the theme which the Morgan Hill pastors have selected for our mid-week meditations this Lent. The theme is taken from a short, very readable, book by Max Lucado called “It’s Not About Me.” Wouldn’t you agree that is a classic Lenten subject?
Let’s dive right in. Max begins with a chapter titled “Bumping Life Off Self-Center.” Because Max Lucado has a unique style of communication, I think you’ll want to hear directly from him.
“Blame the bump on Copernicus. Until Copernicus came along in 1543, we earthlings enjoyed center stage. Fathers could place an arm around their children, point to the night sky, and proclaim, “The universe revolves around us.”
Ah, the hub of the planetary wheel, the navel of the heavenly body, the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue of the cosmos. [We thought earth] was dead center of everything. Other planets orbit and rotate, but not ours. Earth is like the Rock of Gibralter, the anchor of the universe.
But then came Nicolaus. Nicolaus Copernicus with his maps and drawings, his bony nose and Polish accent, and his pestering questions: “Can anyone tell me what causes the seasons to change? Why do some stars appear in the day and others at night?”
People scoffed at his questions. But Copernicus persisted. “Forgive me,” he said, as he pointed his bony finger toward the sun, “That is the center of the solar system.”
People lived in denial for over half a century. When Galileo came along and agreed with Copernicus, they locked him up, and the church kicked him out. People didn’t take well to demotions back then.
We still don’t. What Copernicus did for the earth, God does for our souls. Tapping the collective shoulder of humanity, God points to His Son – that’s S-o-n – and says, “Behold the center of it all.”
Stepping out of the book for a moment, isn’t that what Paul declared to the Colossians? “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
That is a magnificent tribute. Max Lucado couldn’t have put it any more sublimely: Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of all creation. “By him all things were created … and in him all things hold together!” What a testimony!
Max comments: “So, when God looks at the center of the universe, he doesn’t look at you or me. When heaven’s stagehands direct the spotlight toward the star of the show, I need no sunglasses. No light falls on me.
Lesser orbs, that’s us. Appreciated. Valued. Loved dearly. But central? Essential? Pivotal? Nope. Sorry. Contrary [to what advertisers suggest] the world doesn’t revolve around us. Our comfort is not God’s first priority… God does not exist to make a big deal out of us. We exist to make a big deal out of him. It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s all about him: “Jesus Christ, who is before all things and supreme over all things.”
The moon models our role. What does the moon do? She generates no light. Contrary to the lyrics of the song, the harvest moon cannot shine on. Apart from the sun, the moon is nothing more than a pitch-black, pockmarked rock. But properly positioned, the moon beams. Let her do what she was made to do, and a clod of dirt becomes a source of inspiration, yea, verily, romance.
And she’s happy to do so! You never hear the moon complaining. She makes no waves about making waves. Even though sunning is accepted while mooning is the butt of bad jokes, you won’t hear ol’ Cheeseface grumble.”
What would happen if we accepted our place as Son reflectors? Such a shift doesn’t come easily though. We’ve been demanding our way and stamping our feet since infancy. Aren’t we born with a default drive set on “selfishness”? I want a spouse who makes me happy and coworkers who always ask my opinion. I want weather that suits me and traffic that helps me and a government that serves me. It is all about me.
Self-promotion. Self-preservation. Self-centeredness. It’s all about me! They all told us it was, didn’t they? Weren’t we urged to look out for number one? Find our place in the sun? Make a name for ourselves?
But what chaos this philosophy creates. What if a symphony orchestra followed such an approach? Can you imagine an orchestra with an “it’s all about me” outlook? Each artist clamoring for self-expression. Tubas blasting nonstop. Percussionists pounding to get attention. The cellist shoving the flutist out of the center-stage chair. The conductor ignored. It’s a picture of chaos, not harmony.
[Think about the chaotic situations in which we live.] If you think it’s about you, I think it’s about me, we have no hope for a melody. What would happen if we took our places and played our parts. If we played the music the Maestro gave us to play? If we made his song our highest priority? Talk about a Copernican shift. Talk about a healthy shift. Life makes sense when we accept our place. The God-centered life works.
But how do we make the shift? How can we be bumped off self-center? Attend a seminar, read a Lucado book? No. We move from me-focus to God-focus by looking at Him.”
Thank you, Max, we get the picture. Jesus told us how to make that shift in our gospel lesson: “If any of you would come after me, you must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”
So, I invite you to Lent, a season of hopeful expectation as the days lengthen. Let’s stir up the soil of our souls and prepare for new growth. This happens when we focus our undivided attention on Jesus Christ. He is the star who alone deserves to be at center stage of our lives. Let this focusing begin as we come to the Lord’s Table this evening.
Beyond tonight, if you appreciate our common need for this re-focusing process, I invite you to become a good-will ambassador for Lent, an evangelist for self-denial and discipline. It’s no secret that Lent is losing its significance in our society. Let’s make a concerted effort to invite others to join us for Lent – not just for soup and sandwiches, but for a season of cultivation and discipline, in anticipation of new vitality and fruitfulness.
Let’s prepare ourselves to come to the Lord’s Table with a period of silent reflection and confession. What facets of your daily life need to be re-focused, re-calibrated, reshaped after the image of Jesus Christ?
Linda Behringer’s Induction
Blake Heffner February 18th, 2007
Today we celebrated the installation of Linda Behringer to serve as our licensed Pastoral Assistant.
Renovating Our Music
Blake Heffner February 11th, 2007
“Renovating Our Music” 2/11/07
Texts: Colossians 3:12-17 Psalms (selected verses)
INTRO – For the past few weeks, we have been focusing on three themes for our congregation this year- Ministry, Mission, and Music. This morning we arrive at the third and final theme: Music.
I don’t know whether you pay much attention to titles. The title of this message is sounds a bit odd. It’s not – but easily could have been -“Renovating Our Organ.” This year our nearly ninety-year-old organ is receiving a complete overhaul. Right after Easter, most of its guts will be pulled out and hauled to the Geiger and Sons Organ Company for rebuilding. It will return sometime around Thanksgiving with a very new, magnificent sound. It was tempting to focus this morning’s message on the value of an organ for worship.
The title is “Renovating Our Music.” And I’m not talking about changing our choirs or instrumental musicians. No, we need to focus on our congregational singing. The word renovation means literally “to make new again.” The pressing question for this year is: when the new organ comes, will we have a renewed passion for singing and making a joyful noise to God? I believe that nothing would please God more.
1. Passion
“I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go up to the house of the Lord” (Ps. 122:1). Can you relate to that? The psalmist was enthusiastic about worship. His enthusiasm didn’t begin when he entered the Temple in Jerusalem. It didn’t get turned on like a switch when he entered the parking lot, outside the Temple. No, it began at home, when someone simply invited him to join in making the trip to worship in the Temple of Jerusalem. That trip might have lasted a few hours or a few days! Now that’s a level of enthusiasm that is very rare these days. How many of you started getting excited about coming to worship back on Wednesday or Thursday? How many us haven’t quite reached what could be called “enthusiasm” yet this morning? Please, don’t raise your hands! What is missing?
We certainly understand “enthusiasm.” Many of us were euphoric this past season when the Wilson Warrior football team was on its undefeated march to the State Championship. We were ecstatic all week long, couldn’t wait for Saturday to come. Afterall, we knew some of the players personally. And, there was the tremendous comraderie of attending with our friends. It was a natural “high” for the whole community. So, we perfectly well understand how the psalmist may have felt. What we may not fathom is how he could get so excited about worship!
You know as well as I that there are churches around where folks find worship exciting. At Shiloh Baptist Church music plays a big role. They do a lot of singing, a lot of clapping, and even dancing, because they believe that God is great and worthy of our praise. But, you may say, that’s a charismatic style of worship, and not our tradition. Right you are. So, the question is can we imagine – within our own style – reaching the level of gladness and enthusiasm which is worthy of the living God – our Creator and Redeemer?
Let me put it another way. Imagine Jesus Christ has come to join us today. He is incognito, of course. He’s come just to see and learn how much we love him. As we sing the first hymn, “May Jesus Christ Be Praised,” he looks around and listens. He sees many folks not even using a hymnal, many lips not even moving; some faces are looking tired or even bored, and eyes are staring off in a distracted way. How do you think he feels? Does he feel praised? Does he feel loved? Does he feel honored and worshiped? My friends, Jesus Christ is here every time we gather in his name, and we cannot draw near to Him without an attitude of praise and adoration.
2. Praise
So, it’s not surprising that the psalms continually summon us to praise the Lord. Why is praise so important? Our scripture lessons sum it up.
First of all, God “inhabits the praises of Israel.” God “indwells” or “lives in” the praises of his people. Surely God is present everywhere, but God is especially near to us when we exalt his name and offer him his rightful place as King of kings. No wonder Jesus taught us to begin the Lord’s Prayer with “hallowed be Thy name.” We are saying, “Your name is holy and above all names. You alone are worthy of our adoration.” That’s the posture of humility with which we ought to begin every prayer.
Secondly, the psalms indicate that praise is especially suited for singing. “O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” “O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!” Finally, the psalms reach their crescendo in the last one of all: “Praise God in his sanctuary… Praise him with trumpet, lute and harp; praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with cymbals – even loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!”
There are no exceptions, are there? Sing to the Lord all the earth. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. That must certainly include you and me. There’s no “free pass” from the cosmic chorus of joyful praise. So, in a sense, if we can’t get ourselves to sing God’s praise, we’re missing something utterly essential.
3. Joyful Noise
Ok, someone is thinking, “Get me out of here! This is making me very uncomfortable.” Hold on a minute. What is the Lord really asking of us? Let me close with a few suggestions for non-singers.
· God is thrilled if we will just make a “joyful noise.” He doesn’t say anywhere that our singing has to be on key or sound beautiful. God simply wants us to put ourselves into worship as much as we would put ourselves into cheering at a ballgame. Because He is worthy of our praise. Don’t be self-conscious (afraid of what others around you will think); strive to be God-conscious – consider how God is before you, beholding you.
· If you don’t sing out loud, why not at least smile before the Lord. Praise him with your body language.
· If not with your voice, you can make a joyful noise with your hands. Psalm 47 begins, “Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy.” Perhaps we should invest in a few tambourines and create a percussion section! Even “shouting” is an acceptable way to express praise to God; because, as the psalm continues, “the Lord is awesome!” If clapping doesn’t suit you, why not quietly raise a hand. That is an ancient way of giving God glory and honor. May no one take offense at such an innocent and humble act of adoration.
· What if it’s not a matter of ability at all, but more a matter of will: “I just don’t want to sing!” I have heard this from younger folks, who don’t think it’s cool. The truth is there are times for all of us when we don’t feel like praising God. To this the Bible replies, “Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God” (Heb. 13:15). Maybe it shouldn’t depend on how we feel. God doesn’t change like our feelings. If we offer praise as a sacrifice, God is especially honored
· If singing isn’t your gift, at least concentrate on the words of the hymn or chorus. You may even want to close your eyes for this. Very often the lyrics are prayers to the Lord, or reminders of his promises to us. Meditate on what is being sung, savor the meaning. You may actually get more out of the hymn than those who are singing.
· If making joyful noise isn’t your cup of tea, and you’re not good at following the word, there is one more possibility. Paul says, “Sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.” Consider “dancing inside!” Ask the Lord to put a melody in your heart that fills your whole being. You don’t have to dance literally, but let the music lift your heart into joyous communion with Jesus Christ. If we had a whole congregation of people who are dancing on the inside – and all we could hear during a hymn is the organ - I assure you God would be so pleased.
All right, there’s something to work at. This year, may each of us accept the challenge to come into God’s house with glad hearts, ready and willing to make some joyful noise. And, may the Lord who meets us here take delight in our singing and be honored by our praise. To this end, I propose that the lyrics of our next hymn become our fervent prayer:
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise His name – I’m fixed upon it – Name of God’s redeeming love.
Let us pray:
O patient and merciful God, you are worthy of the loudest cheering. You alone are full of majesty and deserving of all honor, glory and praise. Pour out your Holy Spirit and tune our hearts to sing your grace. Fill us with such enthusiasm for you that we may not be ashamed or timid when we gather to worship you. Loosen our tongues, open wide our mouths to sing your praise. O Lord, may our offerings of praise lift us into your holy presence – in the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
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