The Age of Resurrection

Rev. Harriette Cross First United Methodist Church of Wilmington November 13, 2022 Veteran’s Day Luke 20:27-38 The Age of Resurrection 22nd Sunday After Pentecost Year C Opening Song Welcome Call to Worship L: This nation, under God, depends on each generation accepting the call to serve both God and country. P: Everywhere we look we are reminded of the commitment our veterans made in presenting their bodies as a living sacrifice. L: So today we honor them as we shout a resounding…. P:THANK YOU! L: THANK YOU! That we are free to come and to worship the One who presented His body as the ultimate living sacrifice for ALL. P: Come, let us worship! Opening Prayer: Father, we could never thank our military men and women enough for their courageous service and sacrifice to our country and its people. Yet today we lift up our voices to express gratefulness and honor to these military troops both from the past and present. Show us ways in our communities, churches, and families to thank and love them better. Keep and protect these heroes and their families, in the powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Song The God of Abraham Praise UMH 116 Children’s Sermon On Veteran’s Day, we honor our military heroes who have fought for freedom. These men and women are warriors who fight against evil. Today, I’m going to tell you a story recorded in the Bible about another warrior who became a hero. His name was King David. King David shows us what a hero looks like and how we can become heroes of the faith. Do what’s right. David was responsible for the sheep in his father’s field before he became a warrior or a king. Even though it was hard work, David took care of the sheep and did what was right when nobody else was looking. What right things can you do when nobody is looking? Difficulties prepare us for greater challenges. Before David became famous for fighting Goliath, he had some difficult things happen in his life. Once while he was watching the sheep, a bear tried to attack. David killed the bear with his slingshot. Another time, he killed a lion with a slingshot. When David faced Goliath, he was prepared because of the times he had to fight the lion and the bear. When you go through hard times, ask God to help you through them in a way that will prepare you for the future. Heroes have convictions and beliefs based on God’s Word. David was treated unfairly many times throughout his life. King Saul, the man who was king before David, was jealous of David and tried to kill him many times. David hadn’t done anything wrong, but he had to run for his life. King Saul was unfair to David, but David still treated Saul the way God’s Word said. David showed the king love and respect. When you’re treated unfairly, do you do what God’s Word says and treat people like you want to be treated? Heroes help others. When David was king, he did what he could to help others. Once he had his men search for his friend’s crippled son so that he could invite him to the palace and treat him like royalty. Heroes have the courage to repent and fix what they’ve done wrong. David wasn’t perfect. He did some very bad things. He even stole the wife of another man. But when he was confronted, David had the courage to confess his sin and take the consequences. Heroes are honest even when under pressure. When David was running from King Saul, he found Saul alone in a dark cave. David cut a piece of Saul’s robe. The next morning, David told Saul what he’d done. The king could have killed him, but he was still honest. Saul felt bad and stopped pursuing him because he told the truth. Do you tell the truth even when it is hard. Heroes resist temptation. David helped a man named Nabal by keeping robbers away from his sheep, but Nabal wouldn’t even give his men food and lodging. David could have attacked Nabal, but he resisted the temptation and left Nabal alone. What temptations do you need to resist? Heroes do more than required. Heroes honor others by doing more than expected. David honored God by bringing the ark God’s way. He went the extra mile. We can all become heroes of the faith, but like David, we need God to help us. The most important thing David did to become a hero was to spend time with God and to rely on God. By Tamera Lynn Kraft A Litany from The Book of Worship for United States Forces (1974), no. 625 Leader: Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties. For all the wonder of our country’s story: People: We give you thanks, O God. Leader: For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth: People: We give you thanks, O God. Leader: For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the worlds common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows: People: We give you thanks, O God. Leader: For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service: People: We give you thanks, O God. Leader: O almighty God and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them. Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy. As this day brings them memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence. Amen. Scripture Luke 20:27-38 Sermon – the Age of Resurrection The Questions we ask A Theological Curveball A certain minister has made it a policy for many years to refer "six-year-old theology questions" to his wife. Since she has taught very young children for many years, he says, she has a much better grasp than he does of how to address the questions which little kids ask. The other day, a first-grader brought a drawing of a skeleton into class where she teaches English as a second language. The titled across the top of the drawing read "Inside of Me." It was designed to teach children that everyone has a skeleton inside of them. He unfolded it proudly and showed it to the class. One little girl from India was astounded at the thought that she and others had this scary-looking skeleton inside them, and so she pressed the issue a bit farther. "Even you got one of these inside you, Mrs. K?" The teacher replied, "Yes, I have one, too." The next question was the theological one. "Even God got one inside him?" Now in a class made up of children from many different countries, cultures, and religious backgrounds (most of them not Christians), you can imagine that this question had the potential for major theological debate. I doubt if I'd have had the presence of mind to give the answer the teacher did; but, as usual, her expertise in six-year-old theology saved the day. "If God needs a skeleton, I'm sure he has one," she replied. "God has everything he needs." This apparently satisfied the theological curiosity of the class, and they got on with the lesson. Asking questions is an essential part of learning. If we don't know something, we look for someone who does and we ask. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask. We learn by asking questions about what we don't know. Larry R. Kalajainen, Extraordinary Faith for Ordinary Time, CSS Publishing Company Sadducees – not stupid question, but stupid people We have all heard that saying that there are no stupid questions. The only dumb question is one that you don’t ask. I think that Jesus would agree with me – that there is no stupid questions, but sometimes there are stupid people who ask questions. I know that is a pretty strong statement, but it is an explanation of the story in Luke 20. This story is included in both Matthew and Mark. But for Luke he puts this story on the Tuesday before Jesus is crucified. The priest have been looking for any excuse at all to attack Jesus. Each time they ask a stupid question – a question that will prove that Jesus is a fraud – Jesus understands the trap well enough to avoid it. And this question is no different. The Sadducees where rich priest, who were in charge of the temples. They were very conservative – anything that was not expressely written in the first five books of the bible – did not exist as far as they were concerned. The words of Job - I know that my redeemer[a] lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[b] 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet[c] in[d] my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Means nothing to them. The did not believe in the resurrection – even though the words are in the old testament. The sadduccees were sad u see – because they did not believe in anything that they could not see. In their world there was nothing to hope for, nothing more than words on paper to believe in. There was no eternal life. That is why in this case there were stupid people asking a stupid question. If there was a resurrection – which they didn’t believe in anyway, and a woman married seven different men, who would be her husband in heaven. Jesus had to explain that not only do you not understand resurrection, not only do you not understand heaven, before you try and talk about life after death, you should have an understanding of life. I love it when Jesus tells us that god is not a god of the dead, but the living. Nothing in life disappears Dr. Wernher von Braun, well-known for his part in the U. S. space program, says he has “essentially scientific” reasons for believing in life after death. He explained: “Science has found that nothing can disappear without a trace. Nature does not know extinction. All it knows is transformation. If God applies the fundamental principle to the most minute and insignificant parts of the universe, doesn’t it make sense to assume that He applies it to the masterpiece of His creation—the human soul? I think it does.” What is life? what is death? Jesus says that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But he says that they are indeed alive. But if we cannot see them, if we know that they have passed on, if we know where their graves are – then how are they among the living? What is the relationship between life and death? Jesus’ lesson for us today is that resurrection is the connection between life and death. The Sadducees were not stupid people, as a matter of fact, they were considered to be the elite of society. Everyone else looked up to them. But unfortunately, they could not see anything beyond the life that they could see in front of them. They had no imagination. Their question about marriage was about the continuation of life as they knew it. Jesus tells them that eternity is about spirit and love of God. Jesus challenges us all to look at eternity – not life as it is, but life as God intends for it to be for us all. A very old woman approached a wise man named Jacob and said “I want to ask you something. I am going to die soon. I have a great deal of money, if you are so smart, why not tell me how I can take it with me.” What is it that I can take with me to heaven? Jacob replied everything of value – he said it to her as if this was common knowledge. The woman’s greed was excited, she wanted to know more about how to take her money with her to the other side. Jacob grew calmer as he answered – in your memory. Memory said the woman confused, memories can’t carry wealth. Jacob replied to her – that is only because you have already forgotten what is of value in life. What is truly of value to our lives, our church, our future? How can we stay focused on the things of God, How do we seek eternity and not survival? How can we stay focused on asking God the right questions? For the last month during our stewardship drive, we have been focused on what it means to live a devoted Christian life. We have talked about giving our selves to God through prayer, presence, gifts and service. Bettylou has been very intentional about focusing on the higher purpose of giving, she has said nothing about practical everyday money. Money is only a part of giving ourselves to God. Jack Benny had a long running gig – I even remember this from the Jack Benny Show – a robber comes up to Benny, points a gun at him and demands your money or you life. Benny just stands there staring into space. Again the robber says your heard me, your money or your life. After one of the agonizing slow pauses that are the Benny trademark – he replies – I am thinking about it. We laugh – but when it comes to giving money to the church – we all have to think about it. Your money or your life is the question of Christian stewardship – will we choose to give God our money – our so much more. Can we think beyond the situation that we see in front of us? Do we stay focused on the here and now or eternity? Stewardship is not an either/or question – it is a both/and. The church needs your money and your life to fulfill its mission. Jesus reminds us that God is the God of the living Stewardship is staying amongst the living. There was a man who had been listening to his pastors request for pledges in the church and he knew in his heart that he wanted to give, but he was in such dire straits financially, that he felt that it was dangerous to pledge. He was afraid that he couldn’t afford to give even $10 a week, without risking a bill that wouldn’t get paid. He talked with he pastor. After listening to his fears the pastor said – what if you give $10 each week and I held onto it. If at any time you need it back, you can just ask. The man was really happy about this, he felt like he could pledge without risking anything. He was about to thank his pastor and leave, when the pastor ask him – why would you trust me with that and not God? Can we trust God with our lives? Today, we have a chance to turn in our pledges – what part of our lives to we dedicate to God? We will turn in our pledged during the offering. If you don’t have a pledge card, they are available in the narthex. You can also bring them in next week. Or as soon as possible. The finance committee is waiting on them so that we can put together the church budget for next year. The budget is one of those places where the reality of here and now and the hope of eternity work hand in hand. You know Jesus was not a tither - he didn’t give 10% of his income. He didn’t have a job, but he gave 100% of his life to being eternity here on earth. He ask us to give what we have to do what it takes. When we pledge, we have a chance to connect to the future of our church, but also directly to God. Finally, I found this quote that I thought I would use at the beginning of my sermon. That didn’t happen, but it is the perfect ending quote. Quote: “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” —Joseph Campbell On this Veteran’s Day – we honor our heroes. But we also get a chance to be heroes – by giving our pledge. Amen. Song – Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise UMH 108 Pastoral Prayer You, O God, are our God. You are with us in all the times of life to offer hope and light and comfort. We come to you now with thanks: thanks for our freedom; thanks for our peace; thanks for our prosperity and security. On this Remembrance Sunday, we thank you, especially, for the women and men who gave of themselves in times of war to help to ensure the blessings that we enjoy. The names, the faces, the stories come to us, once again, and we honor them, their courage, their sacrifice, their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way for a better cause. May we never forget. We pray that wars and rumors of wars would cease, But if there is a need, let those of us of younger generations go forth as faithfully as did our ancestors that the cause of peace and justice may be defended and upheld. That freedom found in our county and the freedom found in and through Christ is always worth fighting for. With our Freedoms today we pray for the sick of our congregation and community. On this day, we lift up in prayer …. Be with them and all of us offering healing and hope and strength to see beyond our problems to the glory of your Kingdom. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. who taught us to pray: Our Father… Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Prayer of Thanksgiving We praise you, God, for the abundance you pour out, day by day. Thank you especially for Jesus, the One we claim as “Christ”, whose words continue to guide us. Please receive these gifts and help us put them to full use. Teach us again to stand firm and hold to the traditions of Jesus’ followers, offering our very selves and these symbols of our lives, back to you. AMEN (Center for Faith and Giving) • Gracious and loving God, giver of all that is good and true and beautiful and life-giving. These cards represent our sweat, they represent our lives, they represent our dreams. The pledges which we make on them are but tokens of the awesome gifts that have been given to us and they are pledged in thanksgiving for all we have received, for all we have been inspired to be, for all we are challenged to become, in this place. www.episcopalchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/03/Prayer_Over_Pledge_Card.pdf Prayer Over Pledge Cards - Episcopal Church Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook We remember today all those who have come before us and given the greatest gift to our democratic nation -- their lives. Their duty, their honor and their lives are precious gifts that must be given to the future of our country and our families. The duty of our veterans past and present is the fiber of the word freedom and is stronger by our recognition of service and sacrifice. May God uphold their sacred work everyday. Amen. (Hampton Library) Community Time Benediction We go from this place rejoicing in God’s love. We commit our lives to serving God by serving others. God’s love has made us new. God’s peace goes with us in all that we say and do. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) This liturgy was prepared by CPT Jenna Moon, the Chaplain of the 321st Ordnance Battalion in Cross Lanes, WV. She has been serving in the military for 16 years. She is the former pastor of three United Methodist churches in Grantsville MD.