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.
Mission in the New Millennium - Take it Personally
Blake Heffner February 4th, 2007
“Mission in the New Millennium – Take it Personally” 2/04/07 Texts: Luke 10:1-12,17-20 Acts 8:26-40
A couple weeks ago, we began a three-part series on our congregation’s themes for this year: “Ministry, Mission and Music.” Today we’ll tackle the second theme, namely that of “Mission.” Let’s start by acknowledging “mission” is a hot topic these days. In fact, the idea of mission has caught on all over the place. Virtually every Fortune Five Hundred corporation has a mission statement, which nearly every employee can rattle off. This is because the corporate world has discovered the value of articulating the purpose or goal of an organization in a simple sentence or two. The captains of industry heartily agree with the proverb of King Solomon: “Where there is no vision the people perish” (Prov. 29:18).
1. What’s New?
This morning we’re not going to focus on a mission statement for St. John’s – although we have one. No, we’re going to think about our missions in the classical sense: the ways that we reach out to our world by both spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and serving those in need. In terms of our weekly offering envelope, this is what falls under the term “Benevolence.”
We live in an exciting time because the idea of Christian missions has been changing dramatically. In this new millennium, mission is no longer merely “out there” in some far away place – it’s also “right here,” where many folks don’t know Jesus Christ and his love. It’s no longer the business of “professionals” – it’s for all of us, for you and me. It’s no longer nameless and faceless – we tend to respond more effectively to situations where we know someone personally. And, it’s not just something we participate in by writing a check – for many people, mission is increasingly something we actively enter into, investing our own time and effort.
What do I mean? When I was growing up, our home church supported a woman named Miriam Rogers, who worked for decades in South India. Miriam was a saintly older woman who walked with two crutches; I think because she had polio as a child. She served as a professional missionary in the area of Christian education. Since Miriam was someone we supported on a regular basis, we listed her on the Sunday bulletin, right under the pastor and music staff. Every five years or so, Miriam would get a furlough and the chance to visit Hellertown and other churches who were part of her support system. That was the way of Christian missions for more than a century: it was done by professionals who signed on for a long-term commitment, sponsored by a network of churches here in the US or another developed country. By and large our only contact with the mission field was through this one blessed woman.
Today, things are radically different. First of all, in the so-called Third World, missionaries from the West are identified with the colonizing process of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now, as we learned through Gospel for Asia, it is more economical and socially effective to train and support “native missionaries” in a given country – people of the same ethnic group, who speak the language and understand the culture of a country.
Another fascinating feature of missions today is that it is no longer for “professionals.” In fact, more and more folks of all ages are getting involved in mission trips. Back in the nineties we took two such trips to the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota to work on two churches out there. It was a fabulous learning experience. The star quilt is a constant reminder of the gratitude of the Native Americans who hosted us there. Lately, three of our own St. John’s family have made personal mission trips. Alison and Michele Lentz visited an orphanage in the Dominican Republic; Michele will be showing slides and telling her stories this Thursday evening @ 7 p.m. I encourage you to come. Also, Vicky Stevens just returned from a trip with Centenary College to the area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. She’ eager to tell us about that work in the near future! And, our friend Ed Hardwick has recently been to Rwanda and is planning another trip there this spring. Mission really catches on when we meet someone who’s been there!
2. It’s Not So New
This is not exactly a new idea. Just think about our gospel lesson, and how Jesus sent that early cadre of Christian missionaries out two by two. Let me lift up just a few important facets of the story:
A. It Was the Laity
First of all, it was carried out by lay folks like us. These were not professional, lifetime missionaries. Jesus had sent out the twelve disciples earlier. Now, he expanded the scope with seventy two spontaneous recruits. They were signed up for a short-term journey – maybe a week or several at the most. Their orientation lasted mere minutes, not days or weeks or months. And yet, Jesus felt they were well prepared for their task.
B. Mission Must Include Both Body and Soul
These early missionaries were preparing the way for the Lord himself. But, they were not all talk. In addition to telling the good news, they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to cure the sick and perform miracles. They came back testifying that even the demons submitted to them!
In the same way, the variety of mission projects we have identified for St. John’s this year includes both the needs of body and soul. A significant portion of our benevolence offerings supports the work of Church World Service – the ecumenical organization sponsors the CROP Walks for Hunger and One Great Hour of Sharing. CWS works to feed the hungry and provide wells for fresh drinking water, as well as disaster relief and refugee resettlement. On the other hand, we are supporting Chris and Sarah Ansell, who are in campus ministry at the University of Pittsburgh; they are working primarily in the areas of evangelism and discipleship. Through Pastor Kiran Pagarey, who has been with us in the past, we are also supporting a native evangelist in India named Pastor Umesh Bhalkar. Thirdly, through Ed Hardwick, we are supporting a Youth Pastor in Rwanda named Emmauel Nkurunziza. Specifically we are helping Emmanuel with tuition for his college education. It amounts to a mere three hundred dollars a semester!
C. There’s Nothing Romantic About It
Did you take note that Jesus did not paint a rosy picture of this endeavor? No, in fact, he prepared them for some rough sledding. “I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.” Yow, that’s intimidating!! These missionaries would be very vulnerable to resistance and rejection; they could even get hurt. We need to understand that this hasn’t changed one bit. Our efforts in North Dakota may not have had lasting effects. We discovered there are greater challenges out there than we could ever address in a week or two. Pastor Kiran tells us that even the native missionaries in India, like himself, have been subjected to persecution and grave danger. The Holy Spirit is with them; yet, they are still like lambs sent into the midst of wolves.
D. It’s Not About Us, But About Him
The seventy learned a valuable lesson at the end of their stint. They returned ecstatic at how the demons submitted to them. Jesus admits: They had “authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing could hurt them!” But that wasn’t the main point. It wasn’t about what they could do, it was about what Christ Jesus had done. Similarly, the bottom line when it comes to St. John’s Church is not going to be the tally of what we have done. It’s not about how many dollars we can raise or how many people might feed or convert. It is about what the Lord has done for us and in us and through us. All the glory and praise must be given to Jesus Christ. That’s not just rhetoric. Our mission will not amount to anything if we are in it to get a reputation. But, when we wholeheartedly place ourselves at Christ’s disposal, incredible things will happen.
3. So Let’s Get Busy: There’s Something for Everyone
I like the story of Philip so much. We don’t have time to dissect it this morning, but we can glean one point from it: the Holy Spirit had a specific mission for Philip that day. You might say it was his fifteen minutes of fame! It happened because he was willing and ready to be led by the Spirit, and he had the honor of witnessing to and baptizing a very important man from Ethiopia. The seeds of Christian faith were planted in Ethiopia that day, and the church there is still very strong. We know this firsthand, because - some years ago - the Archbishop of that very church personally visited St. John’s. Perhaps not many of you remember back that far. Bishop Paulos was his name. Today he is the Metropolitan [or Leader] of all the Ethiopian Christians around the world! Mission today has to have such a human face. It seems for us to get serious about committing ourselves and our resources, we’ve got to have a personal connection. We are blessed to have such connections through Pastor Kiran and Ed and Chris Ansell, who is Helen Pearson’s grandson.
The point of the story about Philip is that the Lord has specific mission plans for everyone of us. There are literally hundreds of ways for you to get involved. It may not require traveling to a Asia or Africa. It could be right around the corner! Perhaps the Lord is calling you to volunteer for Meals on Wheels, or make soup for Safe Harbor Shelter, or make baby blankets for CareNet. You could volunteer at a local hospital, hospice, or nursing home – there is always more care to be given than the staff can handle. Maybe the Lord wants you to witness to someone you already know whose life is floundering, or who needs a sensitive friend. Perhaps He has kindled a conviction in you to support our local Christian radio station or a national radio or television ministry. Whatever it is, let’s pray earnestly that the Holy Spirit will lead each of us personally – as he did Philip – into new and/or deeper mission experiences this year.
How often do we pray - “Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven”? That won’t happen until all of God’s people take mission personally by deciding to live – not for themselves, but for Jesus Christ, ready and willing to follow his Spirit wherever it leads. How about you, are you ready?
Diakonia = Ministry = Service
Blake Heffner January 21st, 2007
“Diakonia = Ministry = Service” 1/21/07
Texts: Ephesians 4:11-16 Matthew 20:24-28
Consistory has chosen a threefold theme for this year: “Ministry, Mission and Music.” This message is the first of three in which we will begin to explore the themes that will be our goals all year.
Our two scripture lessons underline the significance of ministry or service. It is in Jesus’ mind the most critical mark of a disciple. “If you want to be great [in the Kingdom of God], you must be the servant of [others]; and whoever wants to be first, must be the slave of all the rest - like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.” You may never preach like Billy Graham or care for the poor and dying like Mother Teresa of Calcutta; you may never be called upon to lead a reformation like Martin Luther or Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet, if you will be a servant to those around you – after the pattern of your Lord – you will be “outstanding” in the Kingdom of God. Amazing!
Then Paul zooms in on service as the goal of all the Church’s ministry. Think about all the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are poured out upon people for one distinct purpose: “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.” Paul is serious: all the positions of leadership in the church – like apostleship and evangelism, preaching and teaching – all of these have one purpose: to equip “you” for the work of ministry and service, to build up the body of Christ!
There is a common thread running through both texts of scripture; that is the Greek word, diakonos - which is the root of our word deacon. It means “servant or minister.” The surest way for each of us to make a difference in the kingdom of God lies in simply and genuinely serve others, like Jesus did. Period.
Some churches have a neat way of stating this. In their weekly bulletins they list the staff: “So and so is the Senior Pastor; so and so is Pastor of Visitation; so and so is Youth Pastor. Right on down through the music ministry and administrative staff.” Then, on the bottom line it reads: “Ministers - every member of this congregation.” That’s it! The work of ministry or service is for all the saints – for each and every one of us. And we who are in the “professional” part of the church’s leadership are only here to “equip the saints for the real work of ministry and service.” Until we grasp this wholeheartedly, we will never live up to God’s design for St. John’s Church. Ministry is not mainly about things done in this building on Sunday mornings. It’s about what we do during the rest of the week!
So, let’s explore some basic aspects of diakonia, or biblical servanthood. Basically, if you think about what it takes to be a good waiter in a restaurant, you have an excellent understanding of the term diakonos. It literally means “one who executes the commands of another; especially an attendant, servant, minister.” We’ve all had good and bad service in restaurants.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his superb little book Life Together, says before we can begin to serve others, we have to master two things: The Ministry of Holding One’s Tongue and The Ministry of Meekness. Interesting pair, wouldn’t you agree?
What in the world does holding one’s tongue have to do with service. Well, I had only to think about this for a couple minutes to realize that when I come upon someone at our house in a fix, my first temptation is to criticize them for getting there. “What are you doing? What were you thinking? Didn’t I tell you to do it differently?” Bonhoeffer hit me right between the eyes. If we are to serve others, we must begin quietly – without pre-judging the situation, without putting the other person down or making them feel inadequate. A servant, as we shall soon see, begins by getting down on the level of the person in need and understanding that – but by the grace of God – it could just as well have been me. Paul describes the verbal approach of a servant: “Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.”
Secondly, according to Bonhoeffer, learning to serve requires us to cultivate a humble attitude toward others. Yesterday, Michele Lentz came to the Mens Breakfast and told us all about the trip to an orphanage in the Dominican Republic that she and Alison visited over Christmas vacation. “Orphanage Outreach” has ten principles for its volunteers. I was especially intrigued by the one that states: “Serve, don’t help!” We didn’t get to pursue the meaning of this at length, but I guess this relates to Bonhoeffer’s point. In helping someone, we sort of reach down, from a position of superiority; in serving, we come down and identify with the other person. In helping, we basically call the shots. We determine what we want to do and how. In serving, we submit ourselves to the other person, asking what they would like us to do. I believe this is the attitude of meekness that Bonhoeffer considers so vital. The apostle Paul lays this our plainly: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking.” And, “don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves.”
If we have those two prerequisites down. We are ready to begin serving. Among the best pictures of servanthood is the one that Jesus gave us in that remarkable story of the Good Samaritan. We can distill at least three main elements: A,B & C.
A. Be Attentive
This story begins with the priest and the Levite arriving on the scene. They clearly notice the man lying by the road, but avoid any contact with him. We can entertain all kinds of reasons why they might’ve kept on going. If the man were actually dead, touching him would have made them unclean and unfit to perform their rituals in the Temple.
Let’s give them credit for at least noticing the poor victim. Today, we are so pre-occupied with our busy agendas that we can completely miss the fact that someone who works in the next cubicle is hurting, or someone studying across the table in the library is anxious or afraid, or someone who lives in our neighborhood is having financial trouble.
It’s so easy. Even waiters are sometimes too busy to notice that we need more water, or we are ready for dessert. Remember the old saying about crossing the street: “stop, look and listen.” That’s the way to be attentive to those around us. In order to serve someone effectively, we regualrly need to stop what we’re doing, see the people around us as our brothers or sisters, and then take the time to listen to their story.
B. Bear One Another’s Burdens
The priest and the Levite no doubt regarded their own concerns as more pressing than those of the wounded man on the side of the road. How easy it is for us to rationalize in the same way. We justify ignoring the plight of others by bearing down harder on whatever we happen to be doing. Am I right?
The Samaritan probably had important business to attend to as well. But, he not only noticed the victim, he stopped in his tracks and was ready to reach out to than man. The scandalous part of this story is that he was a Samaritan, someone despised by the Jews. Ordinarily, a Jewish man would not even speak to such a person, much less touch him. An analogy for us might be an illegal alien who doesn’t speak English. If the tables were turned, we might not feel comfortable interacting with him. Yet, this Samaritan is not shackled by social conventions. He kneels down to take this man’s burden into his own hands. Friends, don’t let social distinctions blind you to the desperate needs of people right you. Paul says, that if we bear one another’s burdens, we will fulfill the law of Christ!
C. Be Compassionate
Jesus says, “when [the Samaritan] saw him, his heart was filled with pity – or compassion.” The Greek word means he was moved viscerally – from his bowels – to help that man. The English word “compassion” means literally “suffering with.” He went over to victim and poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them, possibly with material from his own clothing. He put that man on his own animal and took him to an inn.
In today’s world, the Samaritan could simply take out his cell phone and dial 911. Just reporting the crime might seem to be enough. But no, the original servant was willing to get his hands dirty, use his own valuable oil and wine and means of transportation.
Friends, Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat this. If we serve others, it will cost us something, maybe even dearly. Can you imagine this gesture? In a time before health insurance, the Samaritan offers money to the innkeeper and then promises to come back and pay whatever else the innkeeper spends on his care. That’s carte blanche!
But, my friends, isn’t that precisely the way Jesus loves us. He paid the whole price for our deliverance and healing. There is nothing left for us to pay. If we want to follow Jesus as servants, we will have to spend something significant of our time, our talents and our treasures. Elsewhere Jesus talks about heavenly rewards for good deeds, but not here. Jesus gives us the impression that the real value of serving is found in the serving itself. It allows us to participate in God’s awesome love in a tangible way. There is no way to reckon the joy and peace that accompanies such service.
Now, when we talk about “Ministry” here at St. John’s, it would be so easy to mention a dozen ways for you to serve the church as an organization. I purposely avoided this today, because I am convinced that our most important ministry is not supposed to happen within these walls. It happens when we reach out to our neighbors, our co-workers, to members of our community and especially strangers. It happens when we stop, look and listen, when we are ready to bear another’s burdens with compassion and love. Jesus said, “If we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all [our basic needs] shall be ours as well.” When we become the servants that God intends us to be, all the jobs around here will be taken care of. Let’s dedicate ourselves in 2007 to excelling in “ the work of ministry”!
Prayer…
Something More
Blake Heffner January 13th, 2007
“Something More” 1/13/07
Texts: Matthew 11:2-6 I Thessalonians 1:2-5
“We brought the Good News to you, not with words only, but also with power and the Holy Spirit, and with complete conviction of its truth.” This is how Paul begins his first letter to the church in Thessalonica. This letter is regarded as the oldest piece of Christian literature we have, written some twenty years or so before the first gospel (Mark). This letter is remarkable for many things. We will focus on just one this morning – the fact that Paul’s message was delivered to them “not with words only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit.” It was not simply on oral message; it was also visual and experiential. It had to be in Macedonia, where people worshiped many gods, and the God of Abraham and Moses was relatively unknown, except among the Jews living there. For Paul to win people to faith they needed to see the power of God demonstrated before their eyes.
Isn’t this basically how Jesus answered the disciples of John? John was in prison, and his followers must have been very distraught. So, John sent them to Jesus (as the youth say today) “to scope him out” - to discover for themselves whether Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One, who has come to save the world. So they approach Jesus with the sixty-four thousand dollar question: “Tell us, are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?” Were they somewhat skeptical? Were they discouraged? We don’t know, but Jesus realized right away that merely telling them the truth would likely not convince them. They needed to see it for themselves. So, he answers: “Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing: the blind can see, the lame can walk, the lepers are being made clean, the deaf hear, [even] the dead have been brought back to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. How happy are those who have no doubts about me!” Do you think they were convinced? Matthew gives us the impression that they are indeed.
1. Pastor Kiran and the Situation in India
Last spring, Pastor Kiran Pagarey of India came to St. John’s and told us about missionary efforts in his native land. It is virtually the same there today, as it was for Paul in Macedonia. The Hindus have 330,000 gods. They are a very religious people. So, if one is to make any impression upon them regarding Jesus Christ, one has to do more than talk about the good news. People need to see the truth of the gospel demonstrated in the power of Holy Spirit.
Kiran tell the story of preaching in a hostile village. He was only 20 years old. The folks from the neighborhood brought a woman to him who had a flow of blood for days on end. Kiran was afraid. He knew the story of the woman who was healed of that kind of malady by reaching out and touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. But, just telling the story to these people would not suffice. They wanted to see what his God could do for this woman. Kiran prayed earnestly – with great fear and trembling. He didn’t even wait around for the results. After the prayer, he got on his bike and headed for home. Along the road, that same woman met him with some vegetables just picked in the fields – to say thank you. Kiran was so beside himself he didn’t even recognize her. Only later, was he told that she was healed completely that day. And because there were so many eye witnesses, folks in that village began to believe in Jesus Christ.
2. Our Situation
We live a totally different cultural context. Just about everyone in this country has heard about Jesus from early childhood. Almost everyone knows the basic elements of his story – that he was born in Bethlehem, died on Good Friday, and was resurrected on Easter. The story is so familiar there’s nothing “new” for most folks. What seems to be lacking is what Paul brought to Thessalonica: a powerful demonstration of the good news through the Holy Spirit. Do you agree? It’s one thing to have heard that Jesus healed a blind man named Bartimaeus; it’s another to have seen that healing with your own eyes. It’s one thing to have heard that Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from her deathbed; it’s quite another to have witnessed a resurrection firsthand.
But that, my friends, is precisely what people in our culture need – they need to see the gospel demonstrated before their eyes, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Maybe you do too!
3. Something More!
More than thirty years ago, Catherine Marshall wrote a book about this very thing, called Something More. In this book, she describes how the Holy Spirit is very much still at work in our world doing the same things that we read about on the pages of the New Testament. In story after story, Mrs. Marshall demonstrates how the Holy Spirit is doing miraculous things in our day – before our very eyes. The Spirit is still restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, cleansing lepers and raising the dead. This book made a huge impression on me, at a very impressionable time in my spiritual journey.
The challenge that lies before us this year is to become a people that are not just talk. Talk is cheap, as they say. We need to bring “something more” to the table: the conviction of those who have witnessed the power of the gospel in the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, how will our relatives and neighbors ever take Christ seriously - unless they see his Spirit at work in our lives?
* How will they take seriously Jesus’ words about loving one’s enemies, unless they see that awesome love in our words and deeds? After all, Jesus said, even the pagans love those who love them. Our love must have that “something more” to be taken seriously.
* How can we suggest that someone trust Jesus to guide them through a difficult time, unless (like the psalmist) we can recount how we sought the Lord and he answered our prayer and delivered us from confusion?
* How can we encourage folks to trust God with their finances, and give generously, unless we have seen firsthand how you can’t out-give God? Can you and I testify that “giving by faith is an essential part of living by faith”?
* How can we begin to talk about the Holy Spirit’s power, until we have seen it at work healing our diseases?
This year we will hear a lot about three words: Ministry, Mission and Music. But before we can get excited about such words, we had better get excited about Jesus Christ and serious about the power of his Holy Spirit in our lives. That wasn’t reserved for a few disciples of John the Baptist – it’s essential for every disciple in every generation. Healing was not just for a blind man named Bartimaeus, but for everyone who cannot see the Kingdom of God in our midst. Resurrection was not reserved for Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus; new life, new perspective is meant for every child of God – from the youngest, like little Madilynn Mae Andrew, to the oldest among us. I invite you to join me in praying that 2007 will be a dynamic year of seeing the Word of God become flesh in our very lives, bringing us new love and joy, new peace and reconciliation, new insight and understanding, new vitality and zeal, and a new sense of purpose and mission. Jesus Christ is worthy of nothing less!
Prayer:
O Lord, open our eyes to your presence and power in this world. Open our hearts to believe the promise that we will find you – if we seek you with all our hearts. Open our minds to your truth and goodness.
Help us to seek you in the regular reading and studying of your Word this year. Help us to find you when we gather regularly for worship together. Help us to find nourishment and encouragement in the fellowship of other Christians this year.
O Lord, above all, have your own way with us. Lead us and guide us. Move mightily among us with your Holy Spirit. And send us forth to serve you in love, joy and peace – in the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
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