Love in Action

February 15, 2017 Matthew 5:38-48 Love in Action The Sixth Sunday of Epiphany The headlines from just this weekend in Chicago have been …appalling. An 11 year old shot in the head, minutes later a 12 year old shot. I saw a frantic plea on facebook to find a young activist before he committed suicide on facebook live. The 11 year old declared brain dead and taken off of life support. A two year old killed in gang retaliation. Just this morning lake shore drive was shut down for the second time in 3 days because of a fatal drive by shooting. As you listen to this every day you cant help but to ask what is going on. In 2016 there were 324 shootings involving children under 16, 36 of those were killed. In 2017 43 young people under 16 have been shot, 7 of those have been killed. In the 7 years that I have served as a pastor in Englewood, it seems that the problem is getting worse not better. It seems that the young men behind many of these shootings are being encouraged by the reporting of the statistics. It seems that they have less respect for human life, and that reporting these killings in the headlines makes the problem worse not better. As we sit in the pews of our churches, as we watch the news – Christians are asking when does it end. What can be done to stop this madness? What is the solution. When will people finally learn that violence is not the answer. When does peace prevail, and hatred cease? As Christians, many of us are searching, praying, working for peace. We look to scripture for an answer and a solution to the problems of today. On this day after Valentine’s Day during black history month- I was struck in how I found a message of radical love relevant for today. God always provides a word for every situation. For the last 3 weeks, the gospel lesson in the lectionary has been Jesus sermon on the mount. Jesus starts out his message by reminding the people that even in the midst of suffering they are blessed – loved people of God. Jesus knows that being a person of faith is not an easy task. Jesus understands the world that we live in. He understands the culture of retaliation very well. Retaliation is a form of justice. Of making things right in an unfair world. Even today, if you find the story behind each of these shootings, it is a response to something else that has happened. Jesus understood that the rule of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth was actually a law of mercy. When you retaliate, you repay someone for the act that has been committed and nothing else. Today it seems that we are all a part of this culture of relatiation – even faithful Christians. And yet in Matthew 5 Jesus gives us 6 rules of engagement for us to follow in this culture of retaliation. And with each one, he makes it harder and harder to be a Christian. The world has an understanding of doing things one way and Jesus tells us to do the exact opposite. To be Christian is to be counter cultural in a world of madness. I think puts his rules in a very effective way – you have heard it said, do not commit murder, do not commit adultery, do not take divorce lightly, watch out for your promises. But I say to you that as a Christian – you should take it one step further and do more not less. Our text for today deals with the last two of Jesus counter cultural moves. Go beyond the law of retaliation and do good those who oppress and victimize you and go beyond loving your neighbor and love all people, even those who don’t love us. Jesus makes it even harder to be a Christian in a crazy world. Many today find the message of turning the other cheek difficult. In the movie "Ghandi", the great Indian leader is walking one day with a Presbyterian missionary, Charlie Andrews. The two suddenly find their way blocked by young thugs. The Reverend Andrews takes one look at the menacing gangsters and decides to run for it. Gandhi stops him and asks, "Doesn't the New Testament say if an enemy strikes you on the right cheek you should offer him the left?" Andrews mumbles something about Jesus speaking metaphorically. Gandhi replies, "I'm not so sure. I suspect he meant you must show courage--be willing to take a blow, several blows, to show you will not strike back nor will you be turned aside." Yesterday on my facebook page, I shared a memory from 7 years ago… Nonviolent communication is not about winning, but about transforming a relationship. There are no winners and losers. - Andrew Young I wrote that post after visiting the civil rights exhibit at the field museum that year. I was struck with a video that showed the nonviolent training video for the Southern Christian Leadership conference. Where students were trained to respond to hatred by appealing to the humanity of the oppressor. By returning disrespect with respect. By showing radical love when it was not asked for. That concept of love in action has inspired me to not only strive to be in ministry to make the world a better place, but to be a better person in all circumstances. Andrew Young worked closely with martin Luther King during the civil rights movement. He says that his work for peace actually comes from the work of his wife. In the midst of negotiations with the klu Klux klan, he asked her to make sure that she pointed a gun at the head of the leader while they talked and she refused. She said that she would not threaten the life of another person. That she was a Christian and she lived a life of peace. Her attitude transformed his attitude. And he started to teach others to live according to the principles of the bible. the six rules of counter cultural engagement in a culture of relaliation. George Washington and Peter Miller were very close friends. Miller had done a great many favors for the army; he had given them spiritual nourishment and emotional strength during difficult times. When he came in to see George Washington he said, "General, I have a favor to ask of you." Washington said, "What is it?" He said, "I have come to ask you to pardon Michael Whitman." George Washington was stunned. He said, "Pastor Miller, that's impossible. Whitman has done everything in his power to betray us, even offering to join the British and help destroy us. I cannot be lenient with traitors, and for that reason I cannot pardon your friend." Peter Miller said, "Friend! He's no friend of mine. He's the most bitter enemy I've ever had in my life. For years he persecuted me and harassed me. He did everything he could to hurt my church and to hinder the preaching of the gospel. He even waited for me one time after church and beat me almost senseless, spitting in my face, knowing full well I would not strike him back." He said, "General, let's get this straight—Michael Whitman is no friend of mine." George Washington was puzzled. He said, "But you asked me to pardon him." He said, "I have, and I ask you to do it to me as a personal favor." He said, "Why?" He said, "Because that's exactly what Jesus has done for you and for me." With tears in his eyes, George Washington walked into the next room and soon returned with a paper on which was written the pardon of Michael Whitman. Peter Miller went personally with him to the stockade, saved Michael Whitman from the hangman's noose, personally took him back to his own home where he led him to faith in Jesus Christ. Peter Miller was right. What he did for Michael Whitman Jesus Christ has done for us, and on the cross said to us what we should say to others: "With malice toward none; with charity toward all." Showing radical love to those who show us hate, and retaliation. It worked for Jesus, it worked for the civil rights movement for a time, but will it work today? Will it work in Englewood, in Chicago? The theologican William Barclay says the key to the counter cultural resistance is the focus on personal relationships. I would tend to agree with him. The first 4 of the six countercultural rules apply to the way we treat our family, our friends that people that we meet everyday. The last two rules of engagement apply to those who are outside our circles of influence, but it is still about personal relationships. Barclay says that only a true Christian can fulfill all six of these rules of engagement. He says that the rules are not about what we do, but about what Christ can do. And only Christ can give the grace to have unconquerable benevolence and invincible good will in all of our relationships. It is only when we are solid in our relationship with Christ, that we can deal with the bitterness in the heart of people and still remain positive. Barclay goes on the say that these commandments are not about what other people do to us, it is in how we choose to respond to them. It is tuff being a Christian in such a cruel world. But he reminds us to pray in all circumstances, for all people. And it is pretty hard to hate someone and lift them up to God at the same time. A Christian response transforms the situation. (iv) It must be noted that Jesus laid this love down as a basis for personal relationships. People use this passage as a basis for pacifism and as a text on which to speak about international relationships. Of course, it includes that, but first and foremost it deals with our personal relationships with our family and our neighbors and the people we meet with every day in life. It is very much easier to go about declaring that there should be no such thing as war between nation and nation, than to live a life in which we personally never allow any such thing as bitterness to invade our relationships with those we meet with every day. First and foremost, this commandment of Jesus deals with personal relationship. It is a commandment of which we should say first and foremost; “This means me.” (v) We must note that this commandment is possible only for a Christian. Only the grace of Jesus Christ can enable a man to have this unconquerable benevolence and this invincible goodwill in his personal relationships with other people. It is only when Christ lives in our hearts that bitterness will die and this love spring to life. It is often said that this world would be perfect if only people would live according to the principles of the Sermon on the Mount; but the plain fact is that no one can even begin to live according to these principles without the help of Jesus Christ. We need Christ to enable us to obey Christ’s command. (vi) Lastly—and it may be most important of all—we must note that this commandment does not only involve allowing people to do as they like to us; it also involves that we should do something for them. We are bidden to pray for them. No man can pray for another man whom he is tempted to hate to God, something happens. We cannot go on hating another man in the presence of God. The surest way of killing bitterness is to pray for the man we are tempted to hate. Just ask…. Christ Makes the Impossible Possible A minister, Woody Garvin, spent his first years in ministry working among the Native Americans on the Hoopa Reservation in northern California. He tells the story of two young men who grew up in his congregation. Gerald Marshall was reared by his mother, Marie, a single parent. Gerald was somewhat retarded mentally, but he did all right. He worked at the post office as the night custodian, and served as a leader in the little reservation church. Pliny Doud was the other young man. His father, George, was also a single parent, and had raised Pliny. Pliny drifted away from the church. He started drinking heavily, and fell in with a rough crowd. One night, he and his friends decided to have some fun. They went to the post office to harass Gerald Marshall, the night custodian. But things did not go well. Gerald became confused, and began to resist. One thing led to another. Pushing turned to hitting. When it was all over, Gerald was lying on the floor. He didn't move. The other boys ran. When someone finally found Gerald lying on the floor, he was dead. Both the Marshall family and the Doud family had been members of the little reservation church. Both families left the church after the murder. Sometime later, Marie Marshall, Gerald's mother, began to attend church again. So did George Doud, the father of the boy who had killed Marie's son. One day, George came late to church and searched for a place to sit. The little church was nearly full. There was only one seat available. It was right next to Marie Marshall. So George sat down. It was Communion Sunday. Woody Garvin, the pastor, wondered what would happen when the communion elements were passed. What he saw was this: When the bread was passed, George Doud handed Marie Marshall the bread and said, "The love of Christ be with you!" And Marie responded, "And also with you!" When he handed her the cup, he said, "The peace of Christ be with you!" And she replied, "And also with you!" Christ always challenges us. He always calls us to be better than we are. He loves us too much to leave us the way we are. Sometimes he asks the impossible. But then he makes it possible. Richard Niell Donovan, Peacemaking As we continue to read the headlines of the day – we will continue to ask when does it stop. What is the solution, what is the answer. Well at this moment, we don’t have an answer, there seems to be no solution. But I don’t think that it is our job as Christians to find solutions, but to develop personal relationships. To love and understand those who don’t understand and love us. TO appeal to the humanity in all situations. And to follow Christ 6 rules of engagement : control your anger, watch your thoughts, take responsibility for your own actions, watch your words, have not need of retaliation, and love those who consider themselves your enemies. The "peacemakers," therefore, are not simply those who bring peace between two conflicting parties, but those actively at work making peace, bringing about wholeness and well-being among the alienated. Robert A. Guelich, Sermon on the Mount: A Foundation for Understanding (W Publishing Group, 1991) SERMON ILLUSTRATION Martin Luther King's Greatest Achievement Not long before his death, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to the congregation at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church: If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don't want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. Every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize; that isn't important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards; that's not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody. William Willimon, Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry, (Abingdon Press, 2002), p. 53; submitted by David Slagle, Wilmore, Kentucky [ read less ] Let us pray….. Amen. Extra illustrations…….. SERMON ILLUSTRATION Many Think Jesus Overstated Commands "Most people really believe that the Christian commandments (for example, to love one's neighbor as oneself) are intentionally a little too severe—like ... [ read more ] Save "Many Think Jesus Overstated Commands" SERMON ILLUSTRATION Freed from Greed When a fourth-century desert Egyptian monk named Macarius returned to his monastic cell one day, he found a thief stealing the few possessions he owned. ... [ read more ] Save "Freed from Greed" Not rated SERMON ILLUSTRATION Painful Revenge The mother ran into the bedroom when she heard her seven-year-old son scream. She found his two-year-old sister pulling his hair. She gently released ... [ read more ] Save "Painful Revenge" SERMON ILLUSTRATION "The Jackie Robinson Story": Turning the Other Cheek The Jackie Robinson Story is the 1950 movie about the life, challenges, and achievements of baseball star Jackie Robinson. With the help and vision of ... [ read more ] Save ""The Jackie Robinson Story": Turning the Other Cheek" SERMON ILLUSTRATION Students Battle Over Who Jesus Would Vote For In the 2004 presidential election, partisan fervor visited the University of North Carolina. Two students—one supporting George Bush, the other supporting ... [ read more ] Save "Students Battle Over Who Jesus Would Vote For" SERMON ILLUSTRATION Pastor Punched, Continues Sermon A pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently had an opportunity to practice what he preaches regarding turning the other cheek and showing forgiveness. The pastor ... [ read more ] Save "Pastor Punched, Continues Sermon" SERMON ILLUSTRATION Author Anne Lamott on Forgiveness Forgiveness means it finally becomes unimportant that you hit back. [ read more ] Save "Author Anne Lamott on Forgiveness" SERMON ILLUSTRATION The Bloodiest Century The 20th century was the bloodiest in human history. In Humanity: A Moral History of the 20th Century, Jonathan Glover estimates that 86,000,000 people ... [ read more ] Not rated Save "The Bloodiest Century" Not rated SERMON ILLUSTRATION Our Role as Peacemakers In his book Sermon on the Mount: A Foundation for Understanding, author and professor Robert A. Guelich writes of the role Christ-followers play as peacemakers: The peace intended is not merely that of political and economic stability, as in the Greco-Roman world, but peace in the Old Testament inclusive sense of wholeness, all that constitutes well-being… When Martin Luther King, Jr. began to stand up for the civil rights of black Americans, many who were full of prejudice subjected him to incredible injustice. His home was bombed. For thirteen years everyday of his life he lived under constant threats of death. He was accused of being a Communist. He was stabbed by a member of his own race. He was jailed more than twenty times. Most of his sermons were written in jail cells. Yet, Martin Luther King said, "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. I would add only one word to Dr. King's words, and that is the word-divine. Divine love can indeed turn an enemy into a friend. The only way we can even begin to have that kind of love is to look to the Father. Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Stockholm, Sweden, December 11, 1964. Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Stockholm, Sweden, December 11, 1964. Later Martin Luther King, Jr. would take this principle from the Sermon on the Mount and use it to revolutionize America. King used to say, "No man can pull me down so low as to make me hate him." The real goal, said King, was not to defeat the white man, but to awaken a sense of shame within the oppressor and to challenge his false sense of superiority. "The goal is reconciliation, redemption, the creation of the beloved community." These words of Jesus are totally out of step with the world. The real world believes in retaliation. 75 percent of Christians believe in capital punishment because they think we can stop the killing by killing the killers. That's retaliation. CHRISTIAN LOVE 2. The Reason for it Matthew 5:43–48 (continued) WE have seen what Jesus meant when he commanded us to have this Christian love; and now we must go on to see why he demanded that we should have it. Why, then, does Jesus demand that a man should have this love, this unconquerable benevolence, this invincible goodwill? The reason is very simple and tremendous—It is that such a love makes a man like God. Hebrew is not rich in adjectives; and for that reason Hebrew often uses son of … with an abstract noun, where we would use an adjective. For instance a son of peace is a peaceful man; a son of consolation is a consoling man. So, then, a son of God, is a godlike man. The reason why we must have this unconquerable benevolence and goodwill is that God has it; and, if we have it, we become nothing less than sons of God, godlike men. Childrens sermon…… Object: A bandage. Good morning, everyone. I hope this is a good day for you. Things are almost always good for you, aren't they? I suppose that the only really bad times you have are when you get hurt while playing. Is that right? Has anyone been hurt this summer? [Let them respond ... look for leg or arm cuts.] Boy, that must have really hurt! Did you cry? I suppose if it was that serious you had to quit playing. [Now work for the answer that they had to stop what they were doing and go home to be fixed up.] If you had to quit playing because of the cut, I suppose you went home to be helped. What kind of help do you get for a cut like that? Do you ever have to use a bandage? I thought so. By putting some medicine and a bandage on it we know that it soon will be better and then we can start playing again. Right? Well, God said that sometimes we need to use another kind of medicine that will help fix us up just like the bandage we use when we are hurt. Let me tell you what I mean. Sometimes we think about going to church on Sunday, but we remember that we have had a bad fight with one of our friends. It may even have been his fault because he started it. Still, we really hurt because we are not friends anymore. God says we need a bandage -- a special kind of bandage that will help us to stop hurting. This bandage is called "forgiving love." When we go to our friend and tell him that we are sorry and that we don't want to fight anymore, then our hurt begins to feel a lot better. God then says when we have used that kind of a bandage on ourselves we should come to church and he will make us completely healthy again. Do you know what I am talking about? You remember when you had a fight or an argument with your friend and how badly you felt. Just think how good it would have been if you had gone and told him that you forgave him and that you were sorry that it ever happened. That's called reconciling. That's a big word, but that's God's medicine for making peace here on earth. Now the next time you see a bandage, remember that God wants you to make peace with all who are not happy with you.