Summer Fruits

July 21, 2019 Amos 8:1-12 Summer Fruits Fifth Sunday After Pentecost Year C Children's sermon: How do you like your banana's? Amos says that life is like a banana. It does not last too long. Amos 8:1-12 Common English Bible (CEB) A vision of summer fruit 8 This is what the LORD God showed me: a basket of summer fruit. 2 He said, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the LORD said to me, “The end has come upon my people Israel; I will never again forgive them. 3 On that day, the people will wail the temple songs,” says the LORD God; “there will be many corpses, thrown about everywhere.[a] Silence.” Judgment on oppressors and hypocrites 4 Hear this, you who trample on the needy and destroy the poor of the land, 5 saying, “When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath so that we may offer wheat for sale, make the ephah smaller, enlarge the shekel, and deceive with false balances, 6 in order to buy the needy for silver and the helpless for sandals, and sell garbage as grain?” 7 The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely I will never forget what they have done. 8 Will not the land tremble on this account, and all who live in it mourn, as it rises and overflows like the Nile, and then falls again, like the River of Egypt?[b] 9 On that day, says the LORD God, I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in broad daylight. 10 I will turn your feasts into sad affairs and all your singing into a funeral song; I will make people wear mourning clothes and shave their heads; I will make it like the loss of an only child, and the end of it like a bitter day. 11 The days are surely coming, says the LORD God, when I will send hunger and thirst on the land; neither a hunger for bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the LORD ’s words. 12 They will wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they will roam all around, seeking the LORD’s word, but they won’t find it. Footnotes: a. Amos 8:3 Heb uncertain b. Amos 8:8 Heb uncertain Farmer Brown came to town with some watermelons. He sold half of them plus half a melon, and found that he had one whole melon left. How many melons did he take to town? You have an unknown number of watermelons to start. We'll call that unknown number "x". The farmer sells 1/2 of his watermelons and another 1/2 of a watermelon. This is represented by the formula x/2 - 1/2, the number he has sold. He is left with 1 watermelon. Now we have our complete formula: x/2 - 1/2 = 1 x/2 = 3/2 x = 3 So that riddle serves absolutely no purpose but to introduce our scripture for the day. It is indeed a scripture about a farmer coming to town bringing some fruit. But his message was not intended to be meaningless, as a matter of fact it is still relevant today. Amos was a farmer who lived just outside the capital city. Obviously, he never moved to the city, he found city folk to be a little strange. He would go to church or temple when he was in town. And bring his offering, but he felt the people were missing the point. They came to church to be seen and not to worship God. The book of Amos is a series of four of these visions, where God speaks to him through the simple things in life. today’s lesson is about a bowl of fruit. Fruit was considered a delicacy – when you had fruit life was good. You had more than enough , and as we all know, you needed to eat it as soon as possible, because it did not last for long. There is no worst smell than rotten fruit – it smells up everything. It is not in this verse, but at one point Amos calls the women of the town cows. All dressed up and looking nice, but rotten on the inside. What was their sin – they took good care of themselves, but there were people starving all around them. It was their job to take care of the people, and they didn’t. It was their job to share, but they didn’t. As a matter of fact the people that they should be helping, they took advantage of them. Amos says that the life of a sinner is a lot like the life of fruit. Once it goes bad, there is nothing you can do to make it good again. Yesterday, I left a banana in my car, waiting to eat it. But by the time I got to it, it was completely black and soft. The heat had cooked it – there was nothing I could do to save that banana. Amos was telling the people that the damage was done. God was already upset, and they would be punished for their selfishniss. This is called a lament – telling the bad news, that they would be exiled for their sin. They would be exiled for their sin. Amos was a simple farmer, but he had a way with words. He spelled out how people were cheating the poor. And it still happens today. For instance at the grocery store, the size of the bag is the same, but there is less in it. When you go to the restaurant, the price of the meal is the same, but the plate is smaller so you get less food. The last accusation really hit home- when people come to church they watch the clock. They are here, but they cant wait for church to end, so they can go back to their lives. Some it is lunch, some it is taking a nap. For those amos is talking about, they waited just enough to get out of church, so they could go back to being a sinner. None of us here – we are the good people. Scripture has a way of interacting with the times. We see different things in it according to what is happening in our lives and in the world. One thing that really stood out to me about this scripture – day will come when hunger is upon the land. Not a hunger for food – but for God. People will look for God and just not find God. That is our world today. More and more people wondering what is going on – every man for himself. No right or wrong, we are all at each other;s throats. What will happen to bring a sense of peace amongst the people. Where is God in this situation. Let me tell you another story about two women. There was a man, whose father died at when he was young. So when he got married, his mother lived with the man and his wife. Unfortunately, the mother and wife did not always get along. It wasn’t that they didn’t like each other, but it wasn’t that they did like each other. So the mother decided to move out on her own. As soon as she moves out the wife gets pregnant. A rumor gets to the mother that the daughter in law is happy that she is gone, and says that good things did not happen until she finally moved out. Upon hearing the rumor, the mother in law, gets mad and says that for the daughter in law to say such things, righteousness must have finally disappeared from the world. An angel is listening to this story and tries to reason with the woman. But the mother won’t listen. So the angel suggest that maybe she should have a funeral for righteousness since it is no longer in the world. The woman agrees and goes to the cemetery to have a funeral for righteousness. Her anger is still not satisfied. So the angel suggest that maybe she should burn the daughter in law and her unborn baby, since they are so unrighteousness. At this the mother-in-law realizes her mistake and begs the angel to spare them their life. The daughter in law too realizes her mistake of shunning her mother and she runs to the cemetery to make up with her and to welcome her home. They both seemed to realize their mistake and to realize that righteousness was not about judging the other, but in understanding one another. This story reminded me of the message of Amos. Amos too seemed to believe that righteousness was dead. There was no hope for Israel, their society had become so corrupt and unfair to poor people that God had no choice but to destroy them. In his prophecy he tells them that the end is near. There is no hope. Things will get so bad, that people will yearn to hear the word of God – and it will not come. They will desperately seek the light at the end of the tunnel and never see it. The good news for us is that day will never come. The good news is that there is always light, there is always hope, there is always Jesus. The presence of Jesus is always here. The thing is that you can’t be so caught up in life that you forget to look for him. Don’t get so distracted that you forget to listen. Jesus reminds all of us that he came into the world to serve and not to be served. Jesus welcomes us to his house- he had already done all of the preparation, all of the work. There is nothing that we need to do – just answer the invitation to leave your troubles behind, to listen to god’s blessed word and to gain strength and calmness for whatever may be going on in life. Hopelessness and the feeling that the end is near come out of our nervousness. It’s not what is going on, it is the attitude in which we experience it. Jesus came into the world to bring us a gift from heaven, that gift is peace and the knowledge that in a world, which says otherwise, everything is okay. Let us be the people who live in Jesus grace- fed by his word enpowered to give to others. Let us pray…. Amen.

Spreading God's Word

July 7, 2019 Luke 10:1-20 We are Sent 4th Sunday After Pentecost Year C Children’s Sermon Object: A pair of shoes, salt and pepper, knife and fork. Have you ever noticed how certain things go together, boys and girls? For instance, what goes together with boys? Girls! Almost every Sunday morning I say, "Good morning, boys and girls." When I see boys and girls together on Sunday morning, I know that we are going to have a worship service. The other night I saw two bright lights coming down the road and I knew then what was coming. A car, that's right. Now, let's see what else I have here with me that you might know about. [Hold up knife and fork.] What do you call these two things? When you see a knife and fork what does that mean is going to happen? [Wait for answer.] You are going to eat! And [hold up salt and pepper] what about these? When you see these two friends together what do they mean to you? You put salt and pepper on potatoes, meat, green beans and tomatoes. When you see them you know what is coming, don't you? One more try. [Hold up basketball shoes.] What do you call this pair of shoes? Gym shoes, that's right, and when someone wears this kind of shoes you know that he is playing some kind of game. All these pairs, the knife and fork, the salt and pepper and the gym shoes, tell us something else besides what they are. They tell us what to expect. The reason for this story is that Jesus once had some pairs of people whom he used in a special way. He chose people to go out together in pairs and tell everyone in the towns that they visited that Jesus was coming. When the people saw the pair of messengers coming, they knew that Jesus was soon coming. Maybe you have a friend who would like to go with you to tell others about Jesus just as the pairs did a long time ago. When you see two things that belong together like salt and pepper, you will remember that once Jesus sent out two people together to tell others about God's love. Luke 10:1-20 Common English Bible (CEB) Seventy-two sent out 10 After these things, the Lord commissioned seventy-two others and sent them on ahead in pairs to every city and place he was about to go.2 He said to them, “The harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest. 3 Go! Be warned, though, that I’m sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no wallet, no bag, and no sandals. Don’t even greet anyone along the way. 5 Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘May peace be on this house.’ 6 If anyone there shares God’s peace, then your peace will rest on that person. If not, your blessing will return to you. 7 Remain in this house, eating and drinking whatever they set before you, for workers deserve their pay. Don’t move from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a city and its people welcome you, eat what they set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘God’s kingdom has come upon you.’10 Whenever you enter a city and the people don’t welcome you, go out into the streets and say, 11 ‘As a complaint against you, we brush off the dust of your city that has collected on our feet. But know this: God’s kingdom has come to you.’ 12 I assure you that Sodom will be better off on Judgment Day than that city. Judgment against cities that reject Jesus 13 “How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin. How terrible it will be for you, Bethsaida. If the miracles done among you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their hearts and lives long ago. They would have sat around in funeral clothes and ashes. 14 But Tyre and Sidon will be better off at the judgment than you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be honored by being raised up to heaven? No, you will be cast down to the place of the dead. 16 Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” The seventy-two return 17 The seventy-two returned joyously, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit themselves to us in your name.” 18 Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Look, I have given you authority to crush snakes and scorpions underfoot. I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven.” Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible Recently, it seems that there has beena resurgence of super hero movies. Spiderman is in theaters this week. But it seems that we live in a world, where the issues have gotten so large, that once again we enjoy watching someone with superhuman strength doing wonderful deeds to make life easier for all of us. What Super Power Would You Choose? - Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 When you were a kid what superpower did you want to have? Flying like Superman? Scaling tall buildings like Spiderman? What superpower did you want to have and how did you want to use it? I thought about that recently when I saw a question which was posted on the website forum Reddit. The question was, “If you could have a uselesssuperpower, what would it be?” Did you catch that--a useless superpower? Here’s one response that came in to that question: “The ability to win at rock- paper-scissors every single time.” Well, I guess that certainly is a useless superpower. Here are some other responses: “Whenever I pick up a sock, the sock next to it would become the matching one.” O. K. One guy responded: “The power to be able to slam a revolving door.” Another said, “When I catch a cold, the ability to know exactly where and when I got it.” I guess that would be for the purpose of retribution. And finally, “Always knowing when to use a semicolon.” That must be for an English major. What about you? What useless superpower would you wish for? It’s a fun question to consider because we all want to believe that we have untapped powers within us, and that we would have the courage to use those untapped powers if a need ever arises. In our Bible passage today, Jesus sent out seventy-two of his followers as an advance team to prepare the people for his ministry. And he gave them power—super power, really—to heal diseases and cast out demons. He also gave them authority to preach about the kingdom of God. And when the disciples got back, they felt like superheroes! But their super powers were not useless. Far from it…. What power does the world need today that would make a difference in everyone’s life? I am still thinking about that one, but peace man – who can stop an argument and create peace in all situations? Or someone with the power of taking away pain instantly. My sermon will be short today – I have not preached on this text very often. Usually I would choose Galatians and the true definition of freedom. I have preached once on Elisha healing naaman. Or perhaps this was the first Sunday of an appointment, I did not use the lectionary at all. But today I thought this was an important message for us – as we begin our congregational conversations this week. What is our mission in this community? How is God using us to spread the good news to Wilmington and beyond? Who is God calling us to be as a church. This text is a hidden gem in the gospel. Luke is the only person who tells this story – of Jesus calling out 72 disciples and sending them out 2 by 2. We hear a lot of Jesus training of the 12. But we don’t always think about the fact that Jesus had a whole group of disciples that followed him. Just like Elijah who thought that he was the only one who cared about God – and God said but there are others. It can be easy to think that we are the last generation that cares about the church. No one is out there, no one cares, no one wants to take over our ministry when we are gone. This text gives us the message that there is always those who will do the work of God – but how do we find them. The number 70 is important for many reasons, there were probably more than that. But 70 is a good round number, the bible says that moses has 70 elders to help with his ministry. It also says that there are 70 nations that are open to the message of God. Interestingly enough – there are usually about 70 people gathered in this sanctuary to worship together. So my point is that the 70 that Jesus is teaching and appointing and sending out are the 70 present here today. Jesus is sending us out into the community. The scripture says that the work will not be easy. Not everyone will be accepting – but that we should still show love and compassion. The command that Jesus gives us is to get going, to travel light, to bring peace wherever we go, to stay rooted and not move around, to cure the sick, stay focused, return in joy and to know that God is with you. God list some towns who were not accepting of his servants. Some of the towns were Jewish towns, some were gentile. Some did some pretty bad things. But God says that they will ultimately be judged on their hospitality. How receiving were they of the good news of God’s love. Did they listen? Did they respond? Did they help you? Did they take care of you? When we think of hospitality, we usually think of giving. But Jesus says to put yourself in a position to receive. That we should speak about God, but we should also listen. We should give to others, take care of others, reach out. But also be open. For instance at the Sharefest, when we give food and clothes to others, we can also allow them to give what they have to be given out at another event. We should invite others into the church, but also meet them at their level to see what appeals to them. Sometimes it is hard for us to receive hospitality, to be in need. It is even harder for us to be vulnerable, and open and people to still be unkind and unwilling. That is why Jesus says that he sends us out as sheep among wolves. But Jesus also reminds us that each of us have been given superhuman strength to overcome the world. We have been given superpowers to heal, to cure to who love. When we are out in the community, it is the power of God that works through us. It is interesting that we can identify with spiderman and superman and batman easier than we can trust in the power of the holy spirit. It is easier for us to relate to the story of how superman saves Wilmington, than it is for us to get excited about God planting a United Methodist Church in Wilmington and empowering the people in the church to transform the community. One of those stories is real, and one is not. God is calling us to go out into this community and do miracles. But it all starts with trust and hospitality. Preach the gospel in all that you do, and if necessary use words. Salvation is one person telling another where the power is. The Kingdom of God Is Here The main message of these 72 workers is the simple declaration “The kingdom of God is near.” Dallas Willard once said that when he was a young boy, rural electrification was taking place throughout the United States. For the first time ever, tall poles popped up across the landscape of the countryside with huge electric wires strung from pole to pole to pole. But initially at least, not everyone trusted electricity and so not a few rural families opted (for a time) to not hook up. They heard the messages of the electric company of how much easier life would be with electric washing machines replacing hand-cranked wringers and electric vacuum cleaners bringing to an end the old practice of hauling heavy carpets outside to have the dirt beaten out of them. They heard these promises but did not trust or believe them. So in a sense, Willard wrote, you could have said to those folks, “My friends, electricity is at hand!” But if they opted to not tap into that power that was running right over their heads, then the nearness of the power would do them no good. Maybe the message of the kingdom’s nearness was like that. With Jesus in the world, the kingdom of God was near, at hand. All the goodness and glory and power of that kingdom was right there, but if they kept it at arm’s length, it would do them no good. Their lack of participation did not weaken the power of the kingdom. But it did land them in an unhappy (and unnecessary) spiritual situation of staying in the dark when the light of the world was right there. Scott Hoezee, Comments and Observations In the coming months, may all of us have an opportunity to be moved by God’s hospitality. Let us pray…. Additional illustrations…… Relationship Evangelism There is an old story told about a man by the name of Ali Facid. He had a small farm and a family. One day, the story goes, a Buddhist priest came by and said to Ali Facid: You know, there are valuable stones called diamonds, and if you get one of these you could be a wealthy man." Ali Facid went to bed that night, but the words of the old priest haunted him. He was so obsessed that he felt that he must find him one of these diamonds so that he could become a ruler. He sold his farm, put his family out to neighbors and went out to find his acres of diamonds. Months passed. He was broken in body and spirit. His funds were gone. And at the Bay of Barcelona, he threw himself into the water, never to walk this earth again. Meanwhile, the man who bought his farm bent over one day and picked up a little stone. He laid on the mantle that night not knowing what it was. A few days later the old Buddhist priest came by and saw it and exclaimed: Ali Facid must be back from his search. No, came the response. Then where did that diamond come from? The farmer replied: I was out plowing in the garden and found it there. And friends, did you know that from that very garden, for this is not a legend but a true story, came the jewels and diamonds that today adorn the crown heads of Europe and Russia. In Ali Facid's own back yard there were acres of diamonds and he knew it not. My friends, I know that the [your church's neighborhood] is not like [name two neighborhoods in your area that are experiencing growth] in terms of extensive growth. But, I also know that there are acres of diamonds right here in our own back yard. There are people right here in our area that do not have church families, who are not committed to Christ, and who are waiting to be asked. We don't have to look to other areas of the city. All we have to do is pick up the diamonds that are right beneath us. Staff, www.Sermons.com ________________________________________ A young man approached the foreman of a logging crew and asked for a job. "That depends," replied the fore¬man. "Let's see you fell this tree." The young man stepped forward, and skillfully felled a great tree. Im¬pressed, the foreman exclaimed, "You can start Monday." Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday rolled by — and Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, "You can pick up your paycheck on the way out today." Startled, the young man replied, "I thought you paid on Friday." "Normally we do," said the foreman. "But we're letting you go today because you've fallen behind. Our daily felling charts show that you've dropped from first place on Monday to last place today." "But I'm a hard worker," the young man objected. "I arrive first, leave last, and even have worked through my coffee breaks!" The foreman, sensing the young man's integrity, thought for a minute and then asked, ‘"Have you been sharpening your ax?" The young man replied, "No, sir. I've been work¬ing too hard to take time for that!"5 When Disney World opened in 1971, Walt Disney was not present to witness the grand opening of his greatest dream come true — he had died five years earlier. Dur¬ing the spectacular opening ceremonies, the host of the festivities introduced Walt's widow, Lillian Disney, who would say a few words on stage for the occasion. "Mrs. Disney," the host beamed with reverence, "I wish Walt could have seen this." Lillian stood up, walked over to the podium, adjusted the microphone, and said, "He did." And then she sat down. That simple statement said it all.2 The young salesman was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he lamented, "I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." The manager replied, "Son, take my advice: your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty." So it is with evangelism. Our lives should be so filled with Christ that they create a thirst for the Gospel. Preaching, November-December 1985