The New Ten Commandments

Luke 6::27-38 7th Sunday of Epiphany Year C Fill My Cup with Grace The New Ten Commandments Prelude Greeting Call to Plenty Leader: In this series, we have reframed the four pillars of economics: earning, spending, saving, and investing. We have been reminded that our yearn to earn can become misplaced as fear of scarcity ravages our energy and keeps us only mindful of caring for “our own.” We have been reminded that when we spend the true commodities of hope, purpose, healing, meaning, and grace at the center of God’s vision of the future, we will never run out. Savings becomes salvific when are offering gratitude and storing up the will for generosity spurred by the gifts we are given by God every day. And investing our interest in the wellbeing of all is the way of freedom from fear. Today we hear that the measure of goodness will overflow into our laps when we dip from the stone jars of God’s love. In this world of striving, we feel the yearn to earn. The world measures our worth in those earnings. But Jesus had different ideas. Where they obsessed over payback and worried about how much is “enough,” he offered love freely and fully to everyone, even his enemies. When we feel our own resources are lacking, we can view our lives and practices again from the economy of Jesus. Let us pray: God of Everlasting Love, we come to you today, knowing that our earnings can never fulfill our deepest human yearnings for security, peace, and connection. In the midst of our greed, remind us of your grace and the calling to love one another with extravagant generosity, giving freely to others just a piece of what you so selflessly have given us. Amen. Song Help Us Accept Each Other UMH 560 A Sermon for All Ages Leader: Welcome, children! We are so glad you are here [and for those joining us through the screen, welcome to you, too]. What a good time we’ve had practicing the generosity of Jesus! Our big jars and our little piggy banks have taught us so much about the overflowing abundance of God’s love and that we can share our resources as Jesus asked us to do. He wanted everyone to have plenty of everything they need, and it is up to us to keep helping him do that. “Dear children. We have been calling these “Jesus’ Piggy Banks” but really, they are yours. You are my hands and feet in this world, and if you keep practicing the economy of Jesus by letting things flow right on through the piggy bank, then the world will be a better place! Remember to always look at the gifts you already have, and have fun figuring out how to give it away! Always yours, Jesus.” What a cool thing that we can be the love of Jesus in the world. OK… let’s see what is in here [spill out all the little cards and give multiples to each child]. These are cards we can have on hand to give to anyone we see caring or sharing! They say “Thank you for caring and sharing. The world is better because of you.” You know what? When we see acts of goodness and thank someone for giving that away, we have multiplied goodness even more because we gave them thanks! I love these kinds of multiplication tables! There’s a saying that when there is a lot of something, our “cup runs over!” Just like the cups of the guests at the celebration ran over with goodness when they dipped into the big jars, our own cup of love runs over every day if we only open our eyes to notice it. Gratitude is unlimited, so you can give away as much as you want! Let’s pray a repeat-after-me prayer, and then we’ll go Dear Jesus… thank you for showing us… how to to share… thank you for showing us… how to to care… help us to know… that there is no doubt… the gifts that you give us… can never run out… there’s so much in store… that we’ll give it away… making sure there’s enough… for ALL every day… Amen Responsive Reading Psalm 37 UMH 772 Passing the Peace Leader: Just as our worth as humans is not dependent on the bottom line of our bank accounts, our relationships are not dependent upon the earning of favors and the limitations of “quid pro quo.” The peace of Christ has no limits, and we get more just by giving it. So may jar-fulls of peace be with you today. People: And also with you. Leader: You are invited to pass the “plethora of peace” among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely. Scripture Luke 6:27-38 Sermon The New Ten Commandments Every religion and every culture on the planet teaches and practices some version of the golden rule – do unto others as you would have others do unto you. At the 1993 Parliament of World Religions, which was held right here in Chicago. signed by 143 leaders from all of the world's major faiths, including Baháʼí Faith, Brahmanism, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Indigenous, Interfaith, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Native American, Neo-Pagan, Sikhism, Taoism, Theosophist, Unitarian Universalist and Zoroastrian.[ They all agreed that the was the way in which we would treat one another as human beings. Even Confucious in Asian thought had a saying What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others. In the African tradition there is a proverb which says One who is going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts. So it is not strange that Jesus would grow up in a culture based on the golden rule. In the Jewish culture he was very familiar with the concept of reciprocity. Give as you receive, borrow return. All throughout the bible we are told how to be in relationships and how to live in reciprocity. The bible speaks of three levels of reciprocity. General reciprocity – which means that when you give, you always get something in return. You may not get it directly from the person that you are giving to, but somehow you get what you give. There is balanced reciprocity – that if someone gives to you, you should give back to them. Or at least pass it forward and give to someone else, because it was given to you. And in the bible there is also negative reciprocity. If someone hurts you, you have every right to hurt them back to the same degree. We have all heard the term an eye for an eye. But we know that Jesus doesn’t encourage us to practice the third one an eye for an eye. Jesus went through a lot of trouble to teach us grace, and forgiveness, and trusting God. Jesus made it his mission to teach us the golden rule, but to encourage us to go at least one step above it. Luke 6 is that teaching that he gave to his disciples. First he gives us the sermon on the plain, to remind us to take care of one another. To empathize with the pain of our brothers and sisters and to do what we can to make the world a better place for everyone to live in. To spread a love that makes a difference in the lives of those who are touched by it. In our scripture today – Jesus encourages his followers to live a life of love. At first he tells the rules that everyone would know – the golden rule. He reminds us of reciprocity, which is okay. But he goes on to say “But I say to those who are willing to hear”. In Luke 6:27-38 he gives us a new set of ten commandments – 1. Love your enemy. 2. Do good to those who hate you. 3. Bless those who curse you. 4 pray for those who mistreat you. 5 if someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one. 6 if someone asks for your coat, give them your shirt too. 7 give to anyone who asks. 8 don’t just remember the golden rule, live it, 9. Don’t judge. 10. Forgive. Jesus takes the law of reciprocity and ups the ante not just one level, but a few. Just as most of us felt that we had mastered the original 10 commandments and learned how to treat those in our lives, Jesus ups the ante. And even the most seasoned followers struggle a bit with these new rules. How many of us are really willing if someone slaps us to say – slap me again on the other cheek. But If He Strikes the Other Cheek… A friend of mine, a fine Christian man, was struggling with this text. He didn't like the "turn the other cheek" idea very much. He finally resolved it! He said, "If someone strikes me on one cheek, I will turn the other. But if he strikes me on that cheek, watch out!" Richard Niell Donovan, Peacemaking Dr. Robert Schuller, pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, always during the course of his worship services says, God loves you and so do I. This phrase has really caught on in some circles. Some years ago, he told of a personal incident that reflects how really difficult it is to love others as God loves us. He and a man in another car met rather suddenly and unexpecterdly when their two autos collided. The other man got out of his car and unleashed a salvo of expletives and epithets that bruised Schuller’s soul and was threatening to kindle his anger. Dr. Schuller claims to have looked the assailant straight in the face and exclaimed: “Mister, God loves you and I’m trying.” Just last week, I attended a conference. Every three months I take a class sponsored by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. It is a group of clergy who look examine our relationships in church, family and otherwise. And look at ways to be more loving and understanding. The facilitator challenged us to think about how to be friends with people who normally get under our skin. The facilitator told us that if we remember the teachings of Jesus, we should be able to get along with anyone. By learning to calm ourselves down and get in touch with what is triggering us in that interaction. I reminded him that it is hard to deal with people who do not like us, because usually the problem in not in us. When people don’t like you, the calmer you are in dealing with them, the more likely they are to react and get upset. So how to you deal with their reactivity – he laughed at me and said that is the challenge in life. The first thing that Jesus says to us today – love your enemy, and do good to those who hate you. But how do you do that? Jesus came into Jewish society, and then into the world – to remind us that we have to learn to be in relationship with one another. But more importantly we have to remember to be in relationship with God. God should be in the center of everything that we do in life. God should be in the center of every relationship that we have. Every interaction that we have - is between God and the other person. Jesus reminds us that when we have God on our side, we have been given access to a reserve of energy that doesn’t come from the other person. That reserve of energy is grace. So even if we receive nothing from the other person, God gives us what we need. If that person takes from us, God’s grace will restore what we need. Sometimes in relationships I think that it is important to set boundaries, but we also have to remember that we have more than our inner resources to act upon. How do we love our enemies, turn the other cheek, go beyond the golden rule, forgive others – through the grace of God. Jesus message to us – that it may be challenging. But it is also possible. I heard someone say that the Bible is like a score waiting for the right choir to sing it. The bible is a set of rules to live by. And the world convinces us that those rules are not normal, as a matter of fact the world tells us that these rules are impossible. Everybody lives according to the golden rule – and that is all that is required, as a matter of fact, that is all that is necessary. Jesus comes to tell us that with God all things are possible. The bible is only true if we choose to make it true. If no one lives according to Jesus new commandments – then they are not true and they really don’t matter. And yet what are we here for. I had a dream the other night. Actually it was more of a nightmare. I was preaching this sermon, using this text. Someone in the back row came up to the front and stood right next to the pulpit and wanted to interrogate me about this text. "Now tell me, Dick. Tell me about this text. Do you live this out any better than we do?" In the dream I remember, and this is reality, too, I said, "Of course not. Of course not. What do you think I am doing here? The only reason I am in this pulpit is because one time I read in the book of Hebrews that the one whom we call our priest is the same one who participates in the various sins we preach against. When I read that as a very young man, I said, 'For that reason alone I can enter ministry.' As for perfection, you can forget it. I am the same as you are, no better." "Then, Dick, I have one question to leave you with, 'Why do you preach this message?' " And in the dream I remember saying to him that I have discovered that if we keep looking at this text that makes us so uncomfortable, if we keep reading it and confess in the presence of God how much we fail it, then someday without even knowing it, we will find ourselves living this word rather than discussing it. The day that you live this word out when it is needed most in the life of another will be at a moment that you are not even conscious you have done it. Meanwhile, we stand, arms linked together, as we affirm: "Love your enemies." Confess how much we fail it, and listen to the voice of God that nudges us slowly toward the goal. CSS Publishing, Lima, Ohio, Deep Joy For A Shallow World, by Richard A. Wing TV news reporter Peter Arnett was visiting the West Bank in Israel when a bomb exploded in the middle of town. He was surrounded by anguished screams and clouds of smoke. A man holding an injured girl ran up to Peter and asked for a ride to a hospital. As they sped through the streets, the man nursed the bloody girl in the backseat. The doctors did everything to save the girl’s life, but to no avail. Peter turned to comfort the man on the loss of his child, but the man interrupted him. She wasn’t his child, he said. She was a Palestinian. He was Israeli. He found her lying in the street and decided to help. “Mister,” he said through his tears, “there must come a time when we realize that we are all family.” (3) Do you know of any other hope? I don’t. How do you treat your enemies? Jesus said to love them. Think what might happen if we, like the shepherd-soldier, young David, let our religion affect how we regard those who would do us wrong. The whole world might be changed. We are here to gain the courage to be the ones to take the first step, to spread love, to make us all family. An enemy is by definition someone who you despise, or someone who despises you. No matter how nice we are, and how much we think we love everyone – there are people out there who don’t like us. Someone said that if you love them, then the dissention goes away and they are no longer an enemy. So how can you truly love an enemy? And maybe that is what Jesus was trying to teach us – that through God’s grace – we are all God’s children. If every religion and every culture knows that golden rule – imagine what the world would look like if we all lived it. If we all took the golden rule up two notches – and lived according to Jesus rule – we would have heaven on earth. Let is pray……….. Song Hymn of Promise UMH 707 Prayers of the People Leader: In the economy of Jesus, we claim goodness and plenty for everyone–this is the savings that are, in the end, salvific for our communities. We know there is more than enough to go around, and we in this community are committed to acts of mercy and grace for all people. For we have freely received so much, and so we freely give. Leader: Each week of this series we have been focusing on naming gifts of abundance we have received in the week, instances where we have seen the abundance of Christ at work in the world, and we will ask for the wisdom and strength to change so that abundance is more available to all. In this pause, O God, we ponder the many gifts you have given us. Our gratitude seems never enough for the plenty you provide. We call to mind the gifts of creation, of relationships, of sustenance. In this pause, Christ Jesus, we ponder the ways your love is still at work in the world. Our awe and wonder at the goodness of others is profound. We call to mind acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. In this pause, Holy Spirit, we come asking you for strength. The temptation to live by the economics of not-enough is so strong in us. We ask for revelation in our thinking and doing, so that we might live with grace in the house. Loving God, Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit, we are yours. May these prayers over these weeks continue as we discern how best to share in the economy of Jesus moving forward. We bring to you now the concerns of our day, of our communities, knowing that already you are present, already you are working to bring about comfort and healing. Today we pray for…. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Have you heard this scripture in church, or from your parents, or Sunday School teachers: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). For some congregations, this Sunday helps us focus on the work of the Week of Compassion. What’s that about? Week of Compassion is the Christian Church (Disciples) organization which reaches around the world, across the whole year to respond to all kinds of disasters. Can you imagine what it would mean for us to be faced with the destruction of our church building and our homes? What would we want others to do for us? Can you imagine if we had such a long drought it became impossible for everyone to grow food across our whole country? What would we want others to do for us? We would want folks to do what Week of Compassion suggests: Stay! (it’s not yet time to go help repair) Pray! And Pay! Today, every dollar you give for disaster relief to Week of Compassion will provide the whole dollar go respond to disasters around the world. Every dollar which is contributed in general support will continue allowing Week of Compassion to keep on working. Long after the headlines have faded and the cameras have been turned off, Week of Compassion and its partners will still help with long-term recovery. Our offering today includes our regular giving, and our appeal to give generously for Week of Compassion, knowing our gifts will help both right now and in the months and years to come. With gratitude, let us do to/for others as we would have them do to/for us! Prayer of Thanksgiving Mighty God, you brought all of creation into being and saw it was good. You sent Jesus to show humanity the Way of Love. Thank you for opening our hearts and our hands as we seek to do to others as we would have them do to us. Let these gifts be the measure we give because we yearn to remain in love. AMEN Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook The jars are full in the Kin-dom of God. The cup of salvation is full of the grace we need and the grace we are called to give away. We are transformed in the economy of Jesus, bearing the witness of dividends of grace. We have heard the call to invest our interest in the transformation of our communities. And so we go, doing likewise in the world, with the help of God, the guidance of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Now and forever. Amen. Community Time Benediction Beloved, go from this place ready to listen. Listen for the opportunities to extend mercy. Notice the moments to forgive instead of condemn. Watch for the person who needs help without any strings attached. For the blessing of the Triune God goes with you, pouring out mercy and compassion on you so that you may share mercy and compassion with everyone you meet. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2024. Additional Illustrations World - Love friends and neighbors – hate enemies - Do good to those you love – get even with enemies - Give to those who can give back Jesus - Love enemies – love everybody - Do good to enemies – leave judgement to God - Give to who need it – even if they don’t pay you back Sermon Opener - Can We Really Love Our Enemies? - Luke 6:27-38 I am often uncomfortable when someone tells me they love me. I am not talking about an honest affirmation, but about a critic who has just taken my hide off and concludes the shellacking with an account of her godly affection. "Brother Bayer, you are a rotten, no good, pagan, secular-humanist, but I want you to know that because I am Christian and I love you." Thanks just the same, but I'd rather be despised. Occasionally someone that I have a difficult time loving will cross my path. When I'm honest I admit I would be just as happy if he dropped off the face of the earth. But I refuse to snarl and then describe how my Christian love extends even to him. Will Rogers may never have met a man he didn't like, but the rest of us know that somewhere along the line we have run into folk we flat-out detest. At least I have. The gospel lesson this morning is a continuation of Jesus' Sermon on the Plain. It is plain talk -- tough talk -- hard to listen to talk. We come today to his most difficult teaching. Here is what sets apart the Christian faith from other religious perspectives, philosophic constructs, psychological systems and elemental common sense. And yet, at the end of the day, it defines the core of Christian ethics. "Love your enemies," Jesus says. "Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." Can we really love our enemies? If not, why did Jesus lay on us this impossible demand? If the teaching troubles you, fear not, you are not the first to back away from this bit of divine fire…. A GPS for Your Life - Luke 6:27-38 If I were to ask you your philosophy of life, could you tell it to me? Most of us don’t think about our life philosophy, the operating set of beliefs that drives our worldview. Our philosophy of life comes out of us in subtle ways: the attitude we wake up with in the morning, how we treat other people, how we approach a new situation, the things we spend our time, energy and money on. It’s worth taking a moment to examine our life philosophy because, in many ways, it creates our legacy. It’s like a GPS for our life. Most of you have had some experience with a GPS system in your automobile or, perhaps, your smart phone and know how it works. You program your destination into your GPS and it gives you the directions you need to get where you need to go. These technological wonders are a great gift to many of us, especially those who are “directionally challenged.” Of course, it’s possible for a GPS to malfunction. I read recently of three women who escaped after the GPS system in their rented Mercedes SUV drove them into a lake. Talk about a living nightmare. According to one of the women, the driver thought she was on a road, but instead the GPS directed them down a boat launch and into a shallow lake near Bellevue, Washington. It was dark and the women were trying to find their way to a conference they were attending when, without warning, the SUV crashed into the water at a local state park. One of the women immediately jumped to safety. The other two women tried to stay with the SUV as long as they could by standing on the side door frames, but they finally had to wade to safety when the vehicle kept drifting out farther into the lake. All three women made it out safely, but the SUV was completely under water. So, be careful out there. Even GPS systems, as wonderful as they are, can mislead you. Of course, GPS systems have benefits besides generally being reliable guides through unfamiliar cities... __________________________ Petty Wins by Revenge Some years ago, as a hundred thousand fans watched, Richard Petty ended a 45 race losing streak and picked up stock racing's biggest purse--$73,500. It all happened at the Daytona 500. Petty's win, however, was a complete surprise. Going into the last lap, he was running 30 seconds behind the two leaders. All at once the car in second place tried to pass the No. 1 man on the final stretch. This caused the first car to drift inside and force the challenger onto the infield grass, and slightly out of control. What happened next was incredible. The offended driver pulled his car back onto the track, caught up with the leader, and forced him into the outside wall. Both vehicles came to a screeching halt. The two drivers jumped out and quickly got into an old-fashioned slugging match. In the meantime, third-place Petty cruised by for the win. Source Unknown _______________ Forgiveness Is a New Life Immaculee Ilibagiza was a 22-year-old university student in the 1990s when terrible violence broke out in her home country of Rwanda. Hutus killed her parents, her brothers, and hundreds of her Tutsi friends. A Hutu pastor, who risked his life to save her, hid her and six other women. They lived in a small bathroom, a wooden wardrobe covering the door. For three months, they endured hunger, fear, and the sounds of soldiers in the house unsuccessfully searching for Tutsis. In those cramped quarters, she began to pray the Rosary. Always she stumbled over the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." She knew that the prayer called her to forgive those who had killed her family and endangered her. She didn't think she could do it, but she realized she was consumed by hate. She was afraid she would become like the people who had killed her family. Nevertheless, in her mind, forgiving her family's killers was like forgiving the devil. Finally, afraid that her hate would crush her heart, she asked God to forgive those who had done her so much harm. Slowly, with God's help, she was able to let go and forgive her family's killers. Eventually, she even visited one of her brother's killers in prison, taking his hand and offering forgiveness. She says that forgiveness saved her life. "It's a new life, almost like a resurrection." Charles L. Aaron, Jr., Becoming The Salt and The Light, CSS Publishing Company, Inc. ______________________ Who Are My Enemies? I have asked myself this week, "Who are my enemies, and who do I feel justified in putting outside my circle of concern?" I have found the words of Thomas Merton most helpful: “Do not be too quick,” he wrote, “to assume that your enemy is a savage just because he is your enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy because he thinks you are a savage. Or perhaps he is afraid of you because he feels you are afraid of him. And perhaps if he believed you were capable of loving him he would no longer be your enemy. "Do not be too quick to assume that your enemy is an enemy of God just because he is your enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy precisely because he can find nothing in you that gives glory to God. Perhaps he fears you because he can find nothing in you of God's love and God's kindness and God's patience and mercy and understanding of the weakness of men. "Do not be too quick to condemn the man who no longer believes in God. For it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice and mediocrity and materialism and sensuality and selfishness that have killed his faith.” In other words, who I label as enemy may say more about me than about them. Phil Thrailkill, Loving Like God Loves _______________ Historian Richard Norton Smith wrote: "Instantly rebellion melted into tears. It was a galvanizing moment, and the rebellion..." and the rebellion was put down because they had seen before them a second miler. Becoming a Christian is one thing; being a Christian is another one. Every chance you get for the glory of Jesus, for the goodness of others, and because of the grace of God, go the second mile. James Merritt, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com What We Grab Also Grabs Us Once there was an eagle which hovered over a lake and suddenly swooped down and caught a two-foot long fish in its talons. Slowly, the bird rose with its ten pound catch, but when it reached about 1,000 feet, it began to descend, until it splashed into the water. Later, both the bird and fish were found dead. Apparently the fish was too heavy for the eagle, but it could not let go, for its talons were embedded in the flesh of the fish. The truth is that what we grab, grabs us. When we grab alcohol, drugs, or sex, it grabs us and brings us down to death. John Brokhoff, Old Truths For New Times, CSS Publishing Company, Inc. Look at the Lord's prayer. We pray it every week and yet it is so dangerous. We become so familiar with it, it is as if we own it. But in the moment that we own it, we can't hear it, and we certainly can't do it. If only we could stand away from the Lord's prayer in such a way that it would be received new every time we say it. My friend Glen had a man who came to him, wrestling with forgiveness. "I can't. I just can't forgive. I just can't do it." You know that emotion. We all know it. He asked Glen, "How can you help me?" Glen said, "Well, why don't you pray the Lord's prayer each day and then for the next thirty days list all of your trespasses that need forgiveness. Then I want you to come back to me in thirty days, and we'll talk about the trespasses that you feel you need to forgive in another that you don't feel you can." You know the rest of the lesson already. Oddly enough the lists will look very much the same. That is the deeper truth that resides here. There is the Jewish story about a man named Abraham who found a beggar and invited him into his home to feed him. The beggar just kept cursing him and being rude. Finally, Abraham kicked him out, saying, "I don't need this." And that night when Abraham went to speak to God in his prayers, he heard the voice of God saying, "This man you kicked out has cursed me for fifty years, and yet I have given him food to eat every day. Could you not put up with him for just a single meal on my behalf?"

Here and Now. Vs. Bye and Bye

February 16, 2025 Luke 6:17-26 Year C Here and Now Vs. Bye and Bye Fill My Future with Vision Prelude Greeting A Call to Plenty Leader: Being “blessed” is something we too often associate with good luck or privilege or prestige. But in the economy of Jesus, blessedness is quite the opposite. It relies only on active participation in a kin-dom of God in which all are blessed and lifted up to a level playing field, especially those whose identity is demeaned by the powers-that-be. Jesus proclaims a vision of the future in which the jars of plenty never run dry and those who need to dip from plenty the most go to the front of the line. “Abundance” (sing refrain only) See music assets in your downloads God’s abundance is for all, no one is left outside, kin-dom come, all people one in trust and love abide. In this world of striving, we feel the yearn to earn. The world measures our worth in those earnings. But Jesus had different ideas. When they believed the scarcity narratives perpetuated by those in power, he imagined a narrative of selflessness that prized humility over hubris. When we feel our own resources are lacking, we can view our lives and practices again from the economy of Jesus. Let us pray: God of Surprising Paradoxes, we come to you today, lifting to you our feelings of powerlessness against empire and the rage we feel when bad things happen to good people. In the midst of our confounded search for answers, remind us of your justice that restores dignity to those who have been laid low and promises an inheritance of goodness and grace for all people. Amen. Hymn Come We that Love the Lord UMH 732 A Sermon for all Ages Leader: Welcome, children! We are so glad you are here [and for those joining us through the screen, welcome to you, too]. It is week five of talking about the generosity of Jesus and how these BIG jars represent how BIG the heart of Jesus is for each one of us. He wanted everyone to have plenty of everything they need and now it is up to us to keep helping him do that. Let’s remember all the fun we’ve had with our first four piggy banks. First, we did something that GAVE others an affirmation boost, letting them know how important they are to us. And because Jesus fills our own banks with love every day, we have enough to do that any time we want to! Second, we found something from our own toy and clothes that we could share. Especially when we have enough to play with and wear, we can pass along the good vibes! Third, we had fun giving something yummy to people who help others when they need help. I’ll bet this piggy is filled with the memory of their smiles now! And last week, we asked people to help us buy something meaningful with their coins and dollars. And we continued to collect this week [empty out the coins/dollars from the piggy]. We have MORE than enough to buy a flock of chicks! And now, what we have left in the piggy is a warm feeling that we were able to offer something really amazing. So… this week we are talking about how Jesus gave people a “vision” of what a fair world would look like. Let’s see what this little piggy has in store for us! But first, here is a note! “Dear children. You are really getting the idea that we don’t keep things locked up all the time just filling our banks with more and more and more. We look at what we already have, and the fun is in figuring out how to give it away! Affirmations, toys, clothes, snacks, and chickens – thank you for giving all that away! This week, I need your help blessing and filling those who are hungry. So take out what’s inside of my piggy bank and let’s see what we can do together. Always yours, Jesus.” OK… let’s see what is in here [take out a note]. This is what it says, “Take the leftover dollars you have collected after paying for the chickens and go with this little piggy ‘to the market’ and buy some canned goods for the food bank.” Hmmm…. to the market… oh, look! I see some shelves with canned goods and a cash register [create a little “store” out of a bookshelf and have a person with a box that looks like a cash register]. Ok… we need $20 for the chickens and this is what we have leftover [make sure you have at least a dollar bill “left over” for every child]. When we have plenty, Jesus encourages us to use what we have to bring about his vision for the future–a world where everyone has enough to eat. We have a food bank here in town [adapt this language for your context] where people can get food if they don’t have enough money to pay for food. So let’s go to the market and buy cans of food with the leftover money we collected so we can take this food to the food bank! Here we go with this little piggy to the market! [go and do the transactions and put the cans of food into a bag to be delivered] Thank you so much for using that money to give away more goodness! You are the vision of the future for all of us! Let’s pray a repeat-after-me prayer, and then we’ll go [instructions per usual for your church]. Dear Jesus… [children repeat, etc.] thank you for showing us… how to to share… thank you for showing us… how to to care… help us to know… that there is no doubt… the gifts that you give us… can never run out… there’s so much in store… that we’ll give it away… making sure there’s enough… for ALL every day… Amen… Responsive Reading Psalm 1 UMH 738 The Peace Leader: Just as our worth as humans is not dependent on the bottom line of our bank accounts, our relationships are not dependent upon the earning of favors and the limitations of “quid pro quo.” The peace of Christ has no limits, and we get more just by giving it. So may jar-fulls of peace be with you today. People: And also with you. Leader: You are invited to pass the “plethora of peace” among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely. Scripture Luke 6:17-26 Sermon The Here and Now Vs. The Bye and Bye So yesterday I had a pretty full day. It started at 7 in the morning with getting up for the sharefest meeting, and it was after 10 when I sat down to prepare my sermon. By then of course I am tired, so I am tempted to just cheat. I know that I have preached on this scripture before. As a matter of fact, I know that I have preached on this sermon here before. In 2019 – we covered this story. As a read through the old sermon – it became clear that it was not going to work – It was based on the wrong question. In 2019 I talked about being happy, the question was are you happy. Today, I have a whole different question, for a whole different reason. Today the question is – are you rich? That is a trick question. When we think of being rich, we think about how much money we have. But in reality, being rich has nothing to do with money. Being rich is a mindset. There are millionaires who still struggle to pay the bills, and there are poor families who struggle to put food on the table, who always have enough to share with others. Being rich has nothing to do with money, and yet for Jesus, especially in the book of Luke being rich has everything to do with money. In Luke 6 when Jesus says blessed are the poor – all of us here today are convinced that Jesus is talking about us. The bible in general, makes a distinction between the haves and the have nots. And it would be fair to say that throughtout the bible, God in on the side of the poor. All throughout biblical history the bible has prophets who speak out about some people getting rich on the backs of others. The prophets warn that those people have an obligation to improve the life of the rest of the people. So when Jesus says blessed are the poor, the hungry, those who suffer – he is not saying anything new and different and strange. As a matter of fact, when Jesus was a baby, it was his mother Mary who used to sing to him a lullaby – that God was turning everything upside down. Every body who were rich, going to lose what they had. Those who were in power would be pulled down, the haves, were going to become the have nots. Even as a woman with no power to change anything – it was his mother Mary who stood up and declared that the spirit was with her, and that she would do her part in turning the world around. When she became pregnant with Jesus – she vowed that this baby would be a part of the revolution – he would be a part in turning everything around. – and he did just that. He lived his life, he taught others, he went to the cross of the system in order to change the system. He makes it his mission to speak out about the system. Not only does he speak out – but he sets out to improve the lives of those who are in need. He doesn’t just talk about it, he feeds, he teaches, he speaks out, he provides, he even heals. We are all familiar with the sermon on the mount – where Jesus says blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who are hungry for justice, blessed are those who mourn for lost loved ones. He speaks about what it means to be happy. What it takes for us to live a happy life, and he tells us that happiness is achievable no matter what our situation is. The problem for us today – is that the sermon on the mount is in the book of Matthew. And we are reading the book of Luke. Luke has a whole different understanding of life. For Luke he doesn’t give a sermon on the mount – Jesus gives a sermon on the plain. Instead of rising above people, he comes down to their level. Matthew speaks just of blessings. Luke speaks about blessings and woes. There are people who are blessed, and there are people who are not. There are people who will be happy when the system is turned on its head, and there are people who need to beware. For Luke, how much money does matter. And how much money you have does make a difference. And unfortunately, all of us here are far above the income level to the people that Jesus was talking to. All of us, have a way to meet our basic needs. Our lifestyle is above the subsistence level. In Jesus eyes, all of us would be considered rich. We all fall into the have category. So when we hear these blessings and woes – we are supposed to become uncomfortable and squirm in our seats – Jesus is talking to us. We need to take this scripture seriously. Jesus is reminding us, that no matter how poor we think we are – there is someone else who is worse off then you. And he encourages us to reach out and to be willing to help that person along. Africa 1994 Around the time of the 1994 elections in South Africa, a friend was doing some academic research in that country. As you may remember, it was a difficult time in that nation. The country of South Africa was struggling to create a free society for people of different races. One Sunday night, my friend drove into Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. He describes it as an impressive city of steel and glass, with imposing government centers and modern universities. As he drove into the downtown area, he was stunned to see a small congregation of black Christians worshiping inside the green circle of an expressway ramp. He said: The contrast could not have been more stark. Here against the skyline of the great governmental city of Pretoria, strong symbol for many of the bitter years of apartheid, was a tiny group of those who had been denied standing in the society. Here, in the shadow of the capital of a nation built on gold and diamonds and ivory, was a poor band of Christians with no building, no pews, no paid clergy, no musical instruments save tambourines ... Pretoria stood majestically, the embodiment of the present power. The little flock danced and sang and praised the God of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. William G. Carter, Praying for a Whole New World, CSS Publishing Company, ___________________________ A lot of times when we do reach out to help – we hold onto that boundary of having, and identify with when as doing them a favor. We still stay a step above, and forget to treat them as a fellow sister or brother. When Jesus fed the hungry – he had no place to lay his head. He was homeless, but he made it it mission to help others. Perhaps that is why it is the sermon on the plain – he came top earth to be on the level of the people he was trying to help. Sermon Opener - Christian Liberty - Luke 6:17-26 Jesus died penniless. Roman soldiers cast lots to divide among themselves Jesus' only possessions--the clothes on his back. And he looked at his disciples and said, blessed are you who are poor. Jesus died hungry. There is no record that Jesus had anything to eat the day of his death. What we call The Last Supper on Thursday evening may very well have been Jesus' last meal. He died on the cross Friday at sunset with an empty stomach. Looking at his disciples he said, blessed are you who hunger now. Jesus died weeping. After his last supper Jesus headed for the Garden and there in that Olive Grove we call Gethsemane he prayed and he wept. He told his disciples you are blessed when you weep. Jesus died hated. Caiaphas, the greatest religious authority in Israel called him a blasphemer. The crowds wanted a murderer freed before they would see Jesus pardoned. And his disciples deserted him. Looking at his disciples he said blessed are you when men hate you on account of me. The beatitudes are a wonderful description of what disciples are suppose to be like. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are you who are poor. They sound so ideal, so spiritual. They probably come in fourth in the “framed scripture hanging on a wall category.” Just behind The Ten Commandments, Psalm 23, and the Lord’s Prayer. But truth be told few of us ever come close to truly living them out. Why? Here’s the reason: It’s because they are a call to sacrificial living. When I think of making sacrifices I think of E. Stanley Jones, perhaps United Methodism’s most famous foreign missionary. He authored over a dozen books and converted hundreds of Hindus in India to Christianity. He is the only person of which I am aware who was voted in abstentia to become a bishop. When he received the news, he turned it down. One day E. Stanley Jones came to Emory University and spoke to a Systematic Theology class. One of the students asked him why he turned down the episcopacy. He laughingly replied that if he became a bishop he would have to retire at age 70. "I am now 82," he said, "and I am still going strong." Then someone asked him: what do you think of the Beatitudes? Several students picked up their pens expecting something profound and they got it. Here's what he said: "At first sight, you felt they turned everything upside down. At second sight, you understand that they turn everything right side up. The first time you read them they are impossible. The second time you read them, nothing else is possible. The beatitudes are not a chart for Christian duty. They are a charter for Christian liberty.” The sermon on the plain teaches us how to live, what to do with our money. It teaches us what it truly means to be rich. Are you rich? Being rich is still about where our spirit us, not how much money we have in the bank account. What Will It Take to Make You Happy? - Luke 6:17-26 “Who do you think is happier?” asks Marc Reklau in his book Destination Happiness, “people who [have] won the lottery or people who [have become] paralyzed after an accident?” You may be surprised at the answer. “Yes, the lottery winners were very happy, but not for very long,” Reklau continues. “After six months they went back to their previous levels of happiness.” On the other hand, “the accident victims were sad, but surprisingly after six months, they [also] went back to their previous levels of happiness.” Think about that for a moment. Six months later both groups--those who had won the lottery and those who had an accident and were paralyzed--had returned to their previous state of happiness. I don’t know what that says to you, but it says to me that happiness is an inside job. Our circumstances don’t determine how satisfied we are with our lives. Something else--on the inside--makes the difference. The same studies on happiness were conducted with a group of college professors. They were asked how happy they would be if they got tenure. For a college professor tenure means that they are given a permanent post from which they can be removed only under extraordinary circumstances. These professors answered that, if they got tenure, they would be very happy . . . for the rest of their lives. Another group of professors was asked how unhappy they would be if they did not get tenure. They answered, “Very unhappy for a very long time.” And again, when researchers went back to them six months later, every one of these professors had gone back to their previous level of well-being whether they received tenure or not. “If they were happy before, they were happy six months later . . . if they were unhappy before, they were unhappy six months later.” (1) Interesting. You and I count as part of our heritage the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But what is happiness? Is happiness something that can be obtained by pursuing it? Is it a product of circumstance or surroundings? Is it to be equated with money in the bank, a diploma on the wall, the respect of one’s friends and neighbors? Or does it depend on something else, something entirely different? Think for a moment: What would it take to make you happy--really happy? Jesus talked about happiness, but not in the same way you or I would talk about it…. Which of these words describe your spirit right now – Poor, hungry, weeping, hated, excluded, reviled, defamed. Or rich, full, laughing, well thought of. In God’s eyes, all of us our considered rich. In Jesus eyes, anyone who didn’t have to beg for food everyday was pretty well off. But what does that mean for us? It means that we have a choice about what to do with our richness. Everyday – do we choose to get closer to God, or farther away. Do we choose to be a part of Jesus mission or ignore it? Do we live with the beatitudes in mind or not? Are we happy with the way the world is, or do we hunger for a better world? It is a blessing to know we are spiritual beggars – we pray for more. It is a blessing to hunger for more spiritual knowledge, it is a blessing to weep when we see that things are not going right, it is a blessing to suffer persecution on behalf of Jesus. May God fill our clay jar – with a vision for a future where all may live in God’s abundance. Lets pray….. Song Jesus Calls Us UMH 308 Prayers of the People Leader: In the economy of Jesus, up is down and down is up. The last shall be first, and the first shall be last. We live out Jesus’ example by putting others before ourselves. Together, we work to dismantle the structures of inequality that create injustice in our world Leader: Each week of this series we will be focusing on naming gifts of abundance we have received in the week, instances where we have seen the abundance of Christ at work in the world, and we will ask for the wisdom and strength to change so that abundance is more available to all. In this pause, O God, we ponder the many gifts you have given us. Our gratitude seems never enough for the plenty you provide. We call to mind the gifts of creation, of relationships, of sustenance. [pause] In this pause, Christ Jesus, we ponder the ways your love is still at work in the world. Our awe and wonder at the goodness of others is profound. We call to mind acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. [pause] In this pause, Holy Spirit, we come asking you for strength. The temptation to live by the economics of not-enough is so strong in us. We ask for revelation in our thinking and doing, so that we might live with clear vision in the house. [pause] Loving God, Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit, we are yours. We bring to you now the concerns of our day, of our communities, knowing that already you are present, already you are working to bring about comfort and healing. Today we pray for…. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Long ago, people of faith were invited to share their “first fruits” as an offering of praise and thanksgiving to God. Growing up, did you live in a home where the first portion of each paycheck was designated as your family’s offering? Did you have an allowance, out of which you took a portion to share in Sunday School? Whether that’s part of your background or not, some of us continue to make our regular gift to the church as the first of all that is paid. It may be as a bank draft, responding to the QR code, or giving on-line. A few of us still give with a check, or actually bring cash to put in the offering tray. When we make a conscious decision to share some of our finances, in whatever form, we’re creating a habit of giving. Together we provide our gifts. When we give proportionately and regularly, our giving becomes a significant way to identify ourselves as people of faith. How we spend our income shows what’s vital to us. Is your offering — and is mine — as thoughtful as the money we spend for the cars we drive, the homes in which we live, the phones we carry, the beer we drink or the restaurants where we’re known by name? Paul’s question might be: what are your first fruits? And where do you offer them? With joy, let us bring our offerings, clearly indicating the priority we give to Jesus and his church. Prayer of Thanksgiving With gratitude, God, we offer these gifts. You pour out blessing upon blessing for us. Now we return a portion of what you’ve first given us. Accept this offering, and help us use these funds to further build up your Realm on earth. AMEN Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook The jars are full in the Kin-dom of God. A future with Christ is full of the vision we need and the vision we are called to proclaim. We are transformed in the economy of Jesus, bearing the witness of dividends of grace. We have heard the call to invest our interest in the transformation of our communities. And so we go, doing likewise in the world, with the help of God, the guidance of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Now and forever. Amen. Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Beloved, go today in the blessing of Christ, who calls you, equips you, and accompanies you as you live out God’s justice and joy wherever you go! Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2024. Postlude What Will It Take to Make You Happy? - Luke 6:17-26 “Who do you think is happier?” asks Marc Reklau in his book Destination Happiness, “people who [have] won the lottery or people who [have become] paralyzed after an accident?” You may be surprised at the answer. “Yes, the lottery winners were very happy, but not for very long,” Reklau continues. “After six months they went back to their previous levels of happiness.” On the other hand, “the accident victims were sad, but surprisingly after six months, they [also] went back to their previous levels of happiness.” Think about that for a moment. Six months later both groups--those who had won the lottery and those who had an accident and were paralyzed--had returned to their previous state of happiness. I don’t know what that says to you, but it says to me that happiness is an inside job. Our circumstances don’t determine how satisfied we are with our lives. Something else--on the inside--makes the difference. The same studies on happiness were conducted with a group of college professors. They were asked how happy they would be if they got tenure. For a college professor tenure means that they are given a permanent post from which they can be removed only under extraordinary circumstances. These professors answered that, if they got tenure, they would be very happy . . . for the rest of their lives. Another group of professors was asked how unhappy they would be if they did not get tenure. They answered, “Very unhappy for a very long time.” And again, when researchers went back to them six months later, every one of these professors had gone back to their previous level of well-being whether they received tenure or not. “If they were happy before, they were happy six months later . . . if they were unhappy before, they were unhappy six months later.” (1) Interesting. You and I count as part of our heritage the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But what is happiness? Is happiness something that can be obtained by pursuing it? Is it a product of circumstance or surroundings? Is it to be equated with money in the bank, a diploma on the wall, the respect of one’s friends and neighbors? Or does it depend on something else, something entirely different? Think for a moment: What would it take to make you happy--really happy? Jesus talked about happiness, but not in the same way you or I would talk about it…. Sermon Opener - Christian Liberty - Luke 6:17-26 Jesus died penniless. Roman soldiers cast lots to divide among themselves Jesus' only possessions--the clothes on his back. And he looked at his disciples and said, blessed are you who are poor. Jesus died hungry. There is no record that Jesus had anything to eat the day of his death. What we call The Last Supper on Thursday evening may very well have been Jesus' last meal. He died on the cross Friday at sunset with an empty stomach. Looking at his disciples he said, blessed are you who hunger now. Jesus died weeping. After his last supper Jesus headed for the Garden and there in that Olive Grove we call Gethsemane he prayed and he wept. He told his disciples you are blessed when you weep. Jesus died hated. Caiaphas, the greatest religious authority in Israel called him a blasphemer. The crowds wanted a murderer freed before they would see Jesus pardoned. And his disciples deserted him. Looking at his disciples he said blessed are you when men hate you on account of me. The beatitudes are a wonderful description of what disciples are suppose to be like. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are you who are poor. They sound so ideal, so spiritual. They probably come in fourth in the “framed scripture hanging on a wall category.” Just behind The Ten Commandments, Psalm 23, and the Lord’s Prayer. But truth be told few of us ever come close to truly living them out. Why? Here’s the reason: It’s because they are a call to sacrificial living. When I think of making sacrifices I think of E. Stanley Jones, perhaps United Methodism’s most famous foreign missionary. He authored over a dozen books and converted hundreds of Hindus in India to Christianity. He is the only person of which I am aware who was voted in abstentia to become a bishop. When he received the news, he turned it down. One day E. Stanley Jones came to Emory University and spoke to a Systematic Theology class. One of the students asked him why he turned down the episcopacy. He laughingly replied that if he became a bishop he would have to retire at age 70. "I am now 82," he said, "and I am still going strong." Then someone asked him: what do you think of the Beatitudes? Several students picked up their pens expecting something profound and they got it. Here's what he said: "At first sight, you felt they turned everything upside down. At second sight, you understand that they turn everything right side up. The first time you read them they are impossible. The second time you read them, nothing else is possible. The beatitudes are not a chart for Christian duty. They are a charter for Christian liberty.” The Beatitudes: They are admonitions to sacrificial living and sacrificial living is the door to Christian Freedom. Now what does that mean? Let’s take a look. 1. A Good Word for Poverty 2. Caution against Riches 3. Sacrificial Freedom Is Greater than Financial Freedom _________________________________ Peoples attitudes Toward God's Messengers (Prophets) C. H. Spurgeon used to preach only once each year "for his orphans." At that great meeting many would come to hear the famous preacher, and an offering would be received for his orphanage. After one of these meetings he is reputed to have been leaving the building where the service had taken place when one of those "super spiritual," narrow-minded, nitpicking individuals accosted him with the charge, "Why, Mr. Spurgeon, I thought you preached for souls and not for money!" The story relates that Spurgeon gravely replied, Why, Mr. So-and-So. Normally I do preach for souls and not for money. But my orphans can't eat souls and if they did, my brother, it would take at least four the size of yours to give one of them a square meal!" Craig Skinner in The Minister's Manuel, 1995 p. 346.

Be Careful what you ask for

February 9, 2025 Luke 5:1-11 Be Careful what Blessings You ask For 5th Sunday of Epiphany Year B Fill My Life with Meaning Prelude Greeting Call to Plenty Leader: As we continue to examine how we might be transformed into devotees of the economy of Jesus, we remember this week that abundant lives are ones filled with meaning. Work and play are important parts of life but in the economy of Jesus, we are also called to fill our jars with meaning. What does this “mean,” so to speak? Amassing more resources than we need is a game that can leave us empty and can make us feel frightened even though we have enough. But when our lives are spent playing a different game of communal cooperation and transformation, we find a richness of soul and more than enough even in hard times. “Abundance” (sing refrain only) See music assets in your downloads God’s abundance is for all, no one is left outside, kin-dom come, all people one in trust and love abide. In this world of striving, we feel the yearn to earn. The world measures our worth in those earnings. But Jesus had different ideas. Where they held tight to their narrow worldview, he offered new interpretations that opened their minds to abundance. When we feel our own resources are lacking, we can view our lives and practices again from the economy of Jesus. Let us pray: God of Transformation, we come to you today, weary from fishing on the same old side of the boat, frustrated that the tools we have often fail to yield the results we desire. In the midst of our striving, remind us that we can choose new ways of doing things, to shift our perspective so that we may see Hymn Holy, Holy, Holy UMH 64 A Sermon for all Ages Leader: Welcome, children! We are so glad you are here [and for those joining us through the screen, welcome to you, too]. Remember these six big stone jars from last week? We are talking about the generosity of Jesus and these BIG jars represent how BIG the heart of Jesus is for each one of us. He wanted everyone to have plenty of everything they need, and now it is up to us to keep helping him do that. I have something here in my pocket that I want to show you [pull out a dollar bill]. What is this? [let them respond] Yes! It is a dollar. What does it mean? [pause to let them respond… this is a trick question so they might not have an answer] That’s a weird question, isn't it? Actually, it is a trick question. By itself, it doesn’t “mean” anything. Let’s get out our Jesus Piggy Bank for this week and see if we can answer that question in a better way. [pick up the third piggy and shake it gently] Oh my. This one seems to be empty! Wait… here is another note, just like the last three weeks! Let’s see what’s up! [open a note that has been taped to the piggy bank] “Dear children. I am so grateful for your help in spreading goodness, gratitude, and generosity all around! I know all the other piggy banks had things in them already. But this one needs help from your friends out there in the seats! I think they have something to put into the piggy bank. Will you go ask them? But remember, the dollars won’t stay in the jar for very long because we have plans for good use of it. We don’t keep things locked up all the time just filling our banks with more and more and more. We look at what we already have, and the fun is in figuring out how to give it away! Always yours, Jesus.” [invite the children to go collect cash money from the congregation… organize this as best works in your space] Wow! [shake the piggy bank (you might have someone drop a few coins in it, not just dollars, so it makes some noise)] Now we have enough to make some meaning! Hmmm… I can see we haven’t figured out what that “means” yet (hahaha)! Well, I have a page from a catalog right here, and we can pick out something to do with our Jesus Piggy Bank money. [use a catalog for an organization like Heifer International… adapt the next paragraph if you use something different - see the example PDF in your downloads] I think that we have enough money collected to make a gift to a family of a flock of baby chicks! Here is what it says, “Your flock of chickens gift donation helps provide a family in need with a starter flock of 10 to 50 chicks, along with the training that will empower them to turn your donation into a lifetime of opportunity. Each flock of chicks: 1) Provides eggs and protein for nourishment; 2) Boosts income through sales of extra eggs and offspring; 3) Ensures security for generations through Passing on the Gift.” Can you believe that what’s in this little piggy bank can do all that? Yes! And then we know what this [hold up the original dollar] “means.” What this means is that a family somewhere will have enough to eat, to make a better life, and it will last for a long, long, time through their children and their children. We can make a BIG difference even when we start small. We just have to take the time and make the effort, which is something God gives us every day. This week I invite you to see if someone wants to add coins or dollars to our piggy bank to help us buy more chickens for families who need them [let people know how they can contribute, especially to those online]. Every penny, every nickel, every quarter, every dollar helps… nothing is too small because when we put it all together, we have more goodness to give away. It will be so fun to send our love by sending chickens! Let’s pray a repeat-after-me prayer, and then we’ll go [instructions per usual for your church]. Dear Jesus… [children repeat, etc.] thank you for showing us… how to to share… thank you for showing us… how to to care… help us to know… that there is no doubt… the gifts that you give us… can never run out… there’s so much in store… that we’ll give it away… making sure there’s enough… for ALL every day… Amen… Responsive Reading Psalm 138 UMH 853   The Peace Leader: Just as our worth as humans is not dependent on the bottom line of our bank accounts, our relationships are not dependent upon the earning of favors and the limitations of “quid pro quo.” The peace of Christ has no limits, and we get more just by giving it. So may jar-fulls of peace be with you today. People: And also with you. Leader: You are invited to pass the “plethora of peace” among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely. Scripture Luke 5:1-11 Sermon Be Careful What Blessings you Ask For Sermon Opener - Jesus Said: “Try Again” - Luke 5:1-11 Here is the good news for today from Luke 5:1-11. This is the Word of God! A word of great encouragement and hope. Hope is the unique signature of the Christian gospel. What makes a Christian a Christian is this inability to quit hoping. A new gift from God is at work on our behalf, at all times in all circumstances. The crowds had pressed Jesus right up to the edge of the water at the Sea of Galilee to hear the Word of God. There he came upon three defeated men. They had fished all night and had only an empty boat to show for their efforts. They had worked hard but had failed. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a children’s book. It’s one of my favorite books of theology. It’s about a little boy for whom nothing goes right. The story opens with these words: "I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there’s gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day… I think I’ll move to Australia. In the car pool Mrs. Gibson let Becky have a seat by the window. Audrey and Elliott got seats by the window, too. I said I was being smushed. I said, if I didn’t get a seat by the window, I’m going to be carsick and throw up. No one ever answered. I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. And, that’s just the way it turned out. That night the little fellow said, “It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. My mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia.” Life does not stand still. There isn’t a once-for-all experience. It was Winston Churchill who said, “Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts.” There are going to be bad days. Sometimes we are going to fall on our respective faces. These failures don’t have to be endings. They can be the avenue to experience God’s grace more widely and more deeply. Jesus of Nazareth gets into the boat with the three defeated men… Alexander was convinced the he was having a bad day, and that he was pretty unlucky. Just as Alexander felt unlucky in church, I think that many of us feel unlucky in our faith. We are convinced that no one wants to come to church anymore – the church is in decline, Christianity is dead. So it is interesting that one of the early lessons of Jesus in the book of Luke – Jesus teaches the disciples about God’s gift of abundance. The bible has a long history of abundance stories – the tradition goes all the way back to Elijah. In the midst of a famine, Elijah goes to a woman’s house and asks her to feed him. She explains that she is about to eat her last meal before starving. She feeds Elijah and miraculously has enough corn meal to make food for two weeks. And life gets better. Elijah assures her to always believe that God will provide. Luke apparently loves abundance stories, he tells them throughout the gospel, but also in the book of Acts. According to Luke, when the church was founded it grew by leaps and bounds – it was a gift of abundance. In our scripture today Luke tells a story of abundance. I always look forward to hearing about the time when Jesus needed a boat to speak to the people. The fishermen give him their boat, when Jesus is done, he asks them how fishing is going. And they report that things are not going well. They have been out all night and nothing. Jesus suggests that maybe they should change up some things, maybe fish in the day, put the nets out on a different side. They don’t believe anything will happen, but they still listen. And low and behold – they catch so much fish that there is no room for the people in the boat. All of their boats are filled. Can you imagine this scene 2000 years ago, when they would have needed to get rid of all of that fish as soon as possible – or it would start to stink everywhere. I would imagine that they were knocking on neighbors doors far and wide giving away fish so that it did not go to waste. At least if that story happened today – we have an organized way to deal with it. We even have refrigerators to store the fish and cars to drive it to neighbors far away. We have a church, that is equipped to deal with abundance. And yet we still need to be reminded of God’s abundance amongst us. The church is not unlucky because we have Jesus. When we hear this story with modern ears – it is easy for us to get misled. We think this story is talking about the disciples and what they did to catch fish. We think that God’s abundance is about techinique, we think that abundance is something that we create. About doing something different. We have to remember that abundance is from God, not our efforts. Remember Luke’s story is about how the spirit was at work in the presence of Jesus. The characters around Jesus are inconsequential to the story. In this sstory, Jesus even gives the fishermen something to do. He tells them to recast their nets in a different place, But in reality, it is God who does all of the work. Everyone benefits. This story is not just about abundance, it is about what we do in response to abundance. It is the story about how Peter and the other fishermen flowed from adoration, to confession to commitment. They were willing to listen to Jesus even when it didn’t make sense. And their lives were changed forever. They became disciples. Notice how Peter recognized the work of the spirit. He know that waters, and he knew that there was nothing there. And yet through god’s actions that fish were plentiful. When he recognizes the work of God, he pauses and pays his respect. He says that words that many prophets before his have said – Lord I am not worthy of this attention because I am a sinner. That is his confession. I’m Just a Simple Housewife Once upon a time, in the late 60’s a new pastor came to a parish. Up until his arrival, the parish had pretty much limped along with the support of those folks who had grown up in the flourishing parishes of the pre-Vatican II days. They thought of the parish as a place where they belonged. However, there was little encouragement from the priests of the parish to respond to the challenges of the Council. The new pastor, though by no means a young man, still was enthusiastic about the ideas of the council. He was disappointed that so few of the parishioners showed any concern about the issues discussed at the council and that many of them were not even receptive to the new ideas. So he gathered together a group of men and women that seemed interested in some of his ideas and began holding weekly small group discussions with them. This was the time when most wives were not working so eventually a woman became the leading force of the group. Eventually, the pastor asked her to head up a program that would be offered to the entire parish. At first she demurred. "I’m just a simple housewife," she said. "I couldn’t organize anything. And I don’t know if the other members of our group would want me to do this or even help me do it." But the pastor persisted in his request, telling her she could do it. All she had to do was try and the others would follow her. And sure enough, she did what he expected she would do, She threw herself into organizing a program, appointing people to the various tasks necessary to make the program a success and eventually had developed an ongoing adult religious education program for the community. No one was more surprised at how successful the program was than the woman herself . No one was more confident that it would be successful than the pastor. Fr. Arthur M. Greeley _______________________ God works with ordinary people in ordinary situations. Some of the greatest miracles happen in the course of our lives. But it takes hindsight for us to even see it. We were worried about something and God handled it, we thought that there wouldn’t be enough and God provided, we were in a culture of scarcity- and some how we survived. We never even realized what was happening, until after it happened. Just like Jesus kept the disciples busy during the process, life keeps us busy. But we didn’t do anything special – God did all of he hard work. Catching or Getting Caught? As a boy I was never good at catching things, except a cold now and then. I tried to catch a pony to ride and failed. The butterfly trip was a disaster. I tried catching frogs but didn't try too hard because I didn't know what I would do with them once I caught them. Fish weren't my favorite for eating, so catching them was no treat, because I knew it implied that I would eat them with delight rather than gagging on them, which I always did. I never was good at catching things. A major church denomination has as its theme, "Catch the Spirit." As usual, the church got it backward. We are not to set our sights at catching or getting, but allowing ourselves to be caught. We are invited to be caught by a spirit that helps us make a giving instead of a living. The greatest spiritual arrogance is seen in the language of "catching." People are in search of God and will write endless numbers of books telling one how to find God. The truth of the gospel is that we cannot find God, but there are places we can go and things we can do where God can find us! The joy in Christian living is not in the catching but in the vulnerability of being caught by the one who made us in the first place. Catch the spirit? No! You can't. Be caught by the spirit? Of course! Life begins there. Richard A. Wing, Deep Joy for a Shallow World, CSS Publishing Company _____________________ The Greek word catch means to hold onto and to keep alive. It is the spirit that catches us. But we have to realize that it is there. Fishermen have a reputation for telling big fish stories about the catch of their lives. About the big one. Humor: Fishermen It's like a man who had spent a fruitless day fishing. In desperation he picked out three fat fish at the local market. "Before you wrap them," he said to the clerk, "toss them to me, one by one. That way I'll be able to tell my wife I caught them and I'll be speaking the truth." Fishermen must be all alike. Someone has said that the only thing that casts doubt on the miracles of Jesus is that they were all witnessed by fishermen. King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com _________________ Luke tells us this fish story to give us some hope in a culture of scarcity. He wants us to hear the story of the gift of abundance – to get us to listen. In the story, Jesus tells these fishermen that they will have to same success in fishing for people. Doubters – who see nothing in life but scarcity. The disciples were so committed to the good news of abundance – they went out and spread it to the whole world. If Jesus could make a group of motely fishermen successful beyond their wildest dreams – imagine what he can do for us – and we have cars, refirgerators- and most importantly we have the church. How can we teach about the gift of abundance in a world of scarcity? What is it that we need to do? What techniques do we need to learn? Maybe we just need to be reminded that abundance is a gift from God. All of the gospels tell the story of Jesus calling his disciples. And in most versions Jesus says come follow me. In Luke’s story – jesus doesn’t extend the invitation – Peter realizes for himself. He witnesses the presence of God and knows that he needs to be a part of it. When God calls us, God gives us a task, God provides the resources. God calls us to do our part to be a part of a larger story. There is always other things going on that we are a part of. Things just flow and they fall into place. When God Calls Andrew Young is known to many of us for his civil rights leadership and for his service as ambassador to the United Nations, as a member of Congress, as mayor of Atlanta, and as an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Several years ago he wrote his spiritual memoirs, entitling them A Way Out of No Way, based on the title of an old African-American spiritual. Andrew Young captures something of the experience of those first disciples of Jesus, when he writes in his memoirs: I have found that when God calls anyone to a task, there is usually a larger plan of which any one person is only a small but significant part. The way is already prepared. There are problems and challenges to be faced, but these are often there to help us grow stronger. . . . I have come to understand that all of these obstacles are but a part of the divine process. Just as weightlifters get stronger by increasing the weight and strain on their muscles through practice and repetition, so spiritual strengthening comes as we learn to follow the plan of God and spiritually discern the hand of God guiding our lives. When the Lord calls any of us to a task, there is usually a moment in which everything seems to work itself out. Joel D. Kline, God’s Surprising Call ______________________ God’s abundance is not always about boats overflowing with fish, or having the largest church in town. It is about leaving room for God in the midst of our doubts. It is about allowing God to speak in the situation. Make Room for God Many years ago Oswald Chambers said to a group of students in a college chapel service: We have to learn to make room for God -- to give God “elbow room.” We calculate and estimate, and say that this and that will happen, and we forget to make room for God to come as he chooses. Expect him to come, but do not expect him only in a certain way. At any moment he may break in. Always be in a state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come as he likes. Life is anything but predictable! Human nature is not fixed and settled. We live under hope. That hope is rested in God, not the situation. James T. Garrett, God's Gift, CSS Publishing Company _______________________ Let us pray for the spirit to move, and for us to be faithful enough to recognize God’s presence when we see it. Amen. Hymn Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise UMH 103 Prayers of the People Leader: In the economy of Jesus, we find abundance in the most unlikely places. We ask for God’s guidance to discern when we need to change direction or try things differently. We find abundant meaning in the midst of life’s uncertainties when we look to Jesu Each week of this series we will be focusing on naming gifts of abundance we have received in the week, instances where we have seen the abundance of Christ at work in the world, and we will ask for the wisdom and strength to change so that abundance is more available to all. There are notecards in the pews/seats and, if you wish to do so, you are invited in the pause between these petitions to write your observations and we will add them to the six stone jars as a sign of thanksgiving and commitment. In this pause, O God, we ponder the many gifts you have given us. Our gratitude seems never enough for the plenty you provide. We call to mind the gifts of creation, of relationships, of sustenance. [pause] In this pause, Christ Jesus, we ponder the ways your love is still at work in the world. Our awe and wonder at the goodness of others is profound. We call to mind acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. [pause] In this pause, Holy Spirit, we come asking you for strength. The temptation to live by the economics of not-enough is so strong in us. We ask for revelation in our thinking and doing, so that we might live with meaning in the house. [pause] Loving God, Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit, we are yours. We bring to you now the concerns of our day, of our communities, knowing that already you are present, already you are working to bring about comfort and healing. Today we pray for…. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment (consider using CH #342, Tu Has Venido a la Orilla in Spanish and/or English as an offertory. Perhaps a soloist? Your choir? Or the congregation, singing in Spanish and/or English) Appearing in Matthew and Mark as well as in Luke, the story of Jesus appearing in Peter’s life may well be known to many of us. Peter had caught no fish despite being out all night. Jesus appeared, asked to use Peter’s boat as his speaking platform, and then encouraged Peter to throw out his nets one more time. Peter’s response was to acknowledge he was a sinful man. Then Jesus pointed the way to a whole new life, and the fishermen brought their boats to the shore and left everything they knew in order to follow Jesus. Most of us have not given up our entire life’s work in order to follow Jesus. Have you? In my own life, ________________ (offer one short story of what you’ve given – or given up – in order to be a follower of Jesus). And I remember _____________ (offer a short description of someone you’ve known who made a life change in order to follow Jesus). Today, I invite you to call to mind your own decision to follow Jesus as you share in our morning offering. Does your giving reflect your identity as a disciple/Disciple? How might this story from Luke inspire you to be more intentional about what you give as a Jesus-follower? Prayer of Thanksgiving God of all good gifts, Thank you for the ways you provide for each and for all your beloved daughters and sons. We rejoice in our capacity to join you in helping provide for sisters and brothers who are in need. Please accept these gifts. Help us put them to full use. Inspire us to dig deep into our resources to continue building up your Realm on earth, so every person will experience the abundant life you intend for each and for all. AMEN Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook The jars are full in the Kin-dom of God. The house is full of the meaning we need and the meaning we are called to offer others. We are transformed in the economy of Jesus, bearing the witness of dividends of grace. We have heard the call to invest our interest in the transformation of our communities. And so we go, doing likewise in the world, with the help of God, the guidance of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Now and forever. Amen. Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Fellow children of God: Go forth, recognizing God’s grace on your journey. Go forth, discerning the Spirit’s calling in your life. Go forth, identifying the Christ as your guide. In this season of light, experience the steadfast love of God and sing the ways of our merciful Creator. Amen. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Michelle Torigan) Additional illustrations Many years ago the great explorer, Sir Francis Drake, was attempting to recruit a number of young men for an upcoming exploration. He gathered them around and told the group that if they came with him they would see some of the most marvelous things their eyes could ever behold. Sandy white beaches, juicy fruits, foreign peoples, priceless treasures, and gorgeous landscapes. And he told them that this wild adventure could be theirs if they came with him. Not one of them enlisted for the journey. The next day a different group came out. Drake told them that if they came with him they would encounter storms that would terrify them into tears. Tiger winds would hammer them and blow them off course for months. Water would frequently be scarce. At times they will be so thirsty that their very souls would cry out for simply one drop of water. In short, danger would always be their constant companion. Drake concluded by declaring that if they could handle these things, the joys of exploration would exceed their wildest dreams. Every single one of them in the group joined Sir Francis Drake that day, some did not even go home to say goodbye to their families, they just boarded the boat eager for the journey. What made the difference in these two groups? Why did the first group turn down the mission and the second jump at the chance? Was the second group different and more adventurous than the first? The answer is: No. It is not the men who had changed; it was the message. The first spoke of rewards; the second spoke of challenges. The first offered comfort; the second promised suffering. The first tempted them with things; the second seduced them with an experience unlike any other. I like to think that Sir Francis Drake discovered what Jesus knew all too well. And that is this: The paths that are offered to us must promise to shape us, build our character, change our world view, if they are to have any appeal to us at all. If we are presented with a challenge that will change, we will be eager for the journey. What is it about Jesus' message that made the disciples eager for the journey that was presented to them? 1. Jesus offered them a change. 2. The mission promised to be a challenge. 3. And their lives would never be the same. The Impala Problem One of the few creatures on earth that can out-jump Michael Jordon is the Impala. This is an African deer with a supercharged spring. It has a vertical leap of over 10 feet and can broadjump over 30 feet. You would think that the zoos of the world would find it impossible to keep such an animal enclosed. Not so! It's rather easy. Because the experts discovered something about the Impala. It will not jump unless it can see where it is going to land. Therefore, a solid wall even 6 feet tall is a sufficient enclosure. Lots of Christians have the Impala problem. They won't take a leap in faith unless they have all the answers in advance about where the leap will take them. But God is looking for some bold believers who, even in the face of the unknown, will leap when the Spirit says leap, will fly when the Spirit says fly, will launch when the Spirit says launch, all to the glory of the Lord. Bill Bouknight, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com ____________________________________________ Follow Me There was a field covered with freshly fallen snow. A father and a son enter the field. As they walk across the field, you notice that the father pays no particular attention to where he is going, but his son, on the other hand, follows directly behind, making a special effort to step in his father’s footprints. After the two have crossed the field, you notice that there is only one set of tracks visible in the field, although two had walked across it. The Christian life is that way. In our daily walk we ought to be following Christ's example. Whether in times of suffering, sorrow or need, whether in times of health, joy, or abundance--if someone were to observe the snow-covered fields of your life, would there be one set of tracks, those of Christ? Or would there be two sets, one belonging to Christ and the other distinctly yours? Michael Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993, p.53. Adapted Little Transmitters In 1972, NASA launched the exploratory space probe "Pioneer 10." Its main mission was to reach Jupiter and send back information about that planet. It was a bold plan because at that time no satellite had gone beyond Mars. Pioneer 10 accomplished its mission and so much more. It swung past Jupiter in November, 1973, then passed Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. By 1997, Pioneer 10 was more than six billion miles from the sun. Despite that immense distance, Pioneer 10 continued to beam back radio signals to earth. The most remarkable thing was that those signals were powered by an 8-watt transmitter, which radiates about as much power as a bedroom night light. Not even the most optimistic scientist could have ever imagined what that little 8-watt transmitter could do. So it is when you and I offer ourselves to God in faithful obedience. It’s just incredible what God can do through little 8-watt transmitters like me and you, when we’re turned on for him. Bill Bouknight, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com It Is Darkest before the Dawn George Frederick Handel was dogged with misfortune. He had debt upon debt, despair upon despair. He had a cerebral hemorrhage and was paralyzed on his right side. For four years he could neither walk nor write. The doctors gave up on him. He wrote several operas, but again he fell in debt. At age 60 he thought his life was finished. Then he was challenged by a friend to write a sacred oratorio. He read the Scriptures and decided to work on the Messiah. For 24 days, without eating a crumb, he worked fanatically to produce the Messiah, which many today consider the greatest oratorio ever written. The prospects of something great happening can look grim. Peter had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus asked him to let down his nets for a catch. It seemed foolish to do so, because Peter knew there were no fish to catch. "But at your word," he said, "I will let down the nets" (v. 5). John R. Brokhoff, Preaching the Miracles, CSS Publishing Company. Adapted. _______________ Hooked for Life If fishing is one of your passions, you will love our scripture lesson for today. Though I prefer hunting to fishing, I have a soft spot in my heart for fishing because of a childhood experience. I was about 10 or 11 years old. One Wednesday afternoon Papa took me with him to a nearby pond to do a little fishing. I was just learning to use a rod and reel. Papa caught a little bass weighing about half a pound. Then he had to leave for prayer meeting. He asked me if I wanted to stay a bit longer and make a few casts. Of course I did. I remember to this day the top-water plug I was using. I tossed it over near some reeds and let it lie still for a few seconds. Then I just twitched it a couple of times. Then something exploded all over that plug, like an NFL linebacker demolishing a quarterback. I jerked hard and then hung on for dear life. I don’t know how long I fought that fish. Once or twice I thought it was going to pull me into the water. When I finally got him to the edge of the pond, I grabbed him by the gills and ran home. I couldn’t wait for Papa to return from prayer meeting and see my three and a half pound bass. Mama took a picture of us, Papa holding that puny little fish he caught beside my monster of the deep. I can show you the picture at home as living proof. Of course, I was hooked for life. Luke’s fish story involved a lot more fish than mine. Bill Bouknight, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com For What Are We Fishing? The Synoptic accounts of this story include the miraculous catch. Kalas treats the Lukan passage in the following way: If this is where the story ended [ i.e. with the miraculous catch], it would be an interesting but rather inconsequential little miracle. It might feed our desire for a gospel of success in business and good grades in school, but it would hardly be worthy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fortunately, Simon Peter saw more than just the miracle. He was captured by the Lord behind the miracle. Thus, in-stead of responding with the bravado of a winner, he pleaded for forgiveness. Falling at Jesus’ knees, he begged, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord." (Luke 5:8) At first glance, that may seem an unlikely reaction to a moment of success. Sometimes, however, it is the experience of achievement which forces us to see how superficial our victories are. Andre Thornton, star home-run hitter with the Cleveland Indians and an exemplary Christian, has predicted that there may be a very real religious awakening among athletes as a result of the exorbitant salaries so many are now receiving. He feels that when they find themselves suddenly so financially secure they will realize how little their wealth really means, and will thus be driven to look for deeper values. The truth is, a person can have full nets but still have an empty life. After you’ve sold the fish in the market and have put a share of the money in the bank, you may still feel an emptiness deeper than empty nets and a yearning more poignant than the desire for economic security. J. Ellsworth Kalas, Reading the Signs, From Empty Nets to Full Lives, CSS Publishing Company It Takes Work When talking about evangelism in one church I served, a member answered, "They know where we are. We advertise our worship times in the yellow pages and when the doors are unlocked." He expected God to make any new members jump through those open doors. That does happen at times. It is much more likely that a large catch of fish – or of new members – will take a lot of work by those who are already in the boat – those who are already members of the church. It might be a little crude, but I think that this section indicates that when we respond to Jesus' word, we are likely to have to work our butts off. The work will be more than one person (or one pastor) -- or even one crew can handle. Brian Stoffregen, Exegetical Notes _______________________________________ Catching Men "And Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.' " (v. 10) So often we read these words of Jesus and wonder why we do not see this taking place in our churches. A few years ago, Dr. Win Arn did a survey of 1,000 congregations. The answers that he received might help us better understand the problem. He asked both the members and pastors of these churches what they thought the purpose of their church really was. Dr. Arn reports that 89 percent of the people in those churches said that the purpose of their church was to take care of the needs of the members. The remaining eleven percent believed that the purpose of the church was to reach the world with the gospel. Contrast this with the pastors. Ninety percent of the pastors said that the purpose of their church was to reach the world for Christ while the remaining ten percent of pastors in those churches agreed with the laity that the purpose of the church is to take care of the needs of the members of the church. Is it any wonder why there is conflict in our churches today? The great Renaissance scholar Erasmus once told a very helpful mythical story. It seems that after Jesus returned to heaven the angels gathered around him. He told them about how on earth he had performed many miracles and how he spent time teaching the many who would come to him. He told them about his death, burial, and resurrection. He told them about his ascension to heaven. Then Michael the Archangel asked, "But Lord, what happens now?" Jesus answered by telling them that he had spent three years training his disciples to carry out his plan to reach the world with the gospel. He said, "I have left behind eleven faithful men who will declare my message and express my love. These faithful men will build my church." Then Michael asked: "What if these men fail? What then?" Then Jesus thought for a moment and said, "I have no other plan." Source: Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House), p. 82. Source: Tony Campolo, Who Switched the Price Tags (Dallas: Word Publishing), p. 170. " John R. Steward, Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit, CSS Publishing three themes of Luke at this point • Jesus is popular, gathering witnesses in Galilee (until turning point of 9:50, when he heads to Jerusalem) • Jesus is a teacher (about abundance of the Kingdom of God) • Response is repentance • • sinner” - Peter never confesses to a specific sin, but this could be a cultural designation in which to the Jewish elite, sinners were those who did not attend worship or participate in the temple sacrifices. This would have included many of the poor living far from Jerusalem (which Peter might have been one of). Gonzalez • Only after his recognition that he is in the presence of the “Lord”/ the Holy that Simon is referred to as Simon Peter- the one who will later be commended for his declaration of Jesus as Messiah abunndance and Repentance are important themes. Jesus brought abundance, not to the entrenched powers or religious leaders, but to those who were in need of repentance.. He called and ate with a tax collector, Levi. He allowed a sinful woman to ‘waste’ oil on him. He tells the parable of the soil which bears great abundance. He heals a demon-possessed man in Gerasene. He feeds 5000. the story of the church is reflected to some degree in this story itself. When Jesus calls, Peter is hesitant and thinks that what Jesus asks of him is both unnecessary and too demanding. Nevertheless, Peter responds, and he discovers that life has a surprise in store for him. By doing what Jesus asks him to do, he experiences an epiphany of God.” (Arland Hultgren, Working Preacher)

The Plight of a Prophet

February 2, 2025 Luke 4:21-30 The plight of a Prophet 4th Sunday after Epiphany Year C Prelude Greeting A Call to Plenty Leader: Our call to “plenty” today on this third week of our worship series is to plentiful healing. Indeed there are plentiful wounds in this world, and plentiful threats of more wounds to come. It was as true in Jesus’ day as it is in ours. People came to Jesus carrying wounds of body, mind, and spirit. This week we continue the story of Jesus in his own hometown. Especially when wounding hits “close to home,” we tend to panic. Fear and anger may set in. The antidote? Join Jesus in his economy of healing for all people. God’s abundance is for all, no one is left outside, kin-dom come, all people one in trust and love abide. In this world of striving, we feel the yearn to earn. The world measures our worth in those earnings. But Jesus had different ideas. When they demanded special treatment, he offered healing and wholeness for all – not just for some. When we feel our own resources are lacking, we can view our lives and practices again from the economy of Jesus. Let us pray: God of Restoration, we come to you today, bringing a laundry list of things that we wish we could change about the world, ourselves, and each other. In the midst of our longing, remind us that your goodness is not earned by our being good, and that we are called to share your mercy with everyone inside and outside of this faithful community. Amen. Song Take My Life and Let it Be UMH 399 A Sermon for all Ages Children, we are so glad you are here [and for those joining us through the screen, welcome to you, too]. Remember these six big stone jars from last week? We are talking about the generosity of Jesus and these BIG jars represent how BIG the heart of Jesus is for each one of us. He wanted everyone to have plenty of everything they need, and now it is up to us to keep helping him do that. Have you ever read the story about Winnie the Pooh? And do you remember what his favorite snack was? [let them respond] Honey! And his honey was in a stone pot, maybe not as big as these, but big enough for his big appetite! Do you like honey? [let them respond] What if these jars were filled with honey? Oh, my goodness, that could get really sticky! But I’ll bet honey is something Jesus would want us to share. Jesus wanted people to feel better, and honey was one of the medicines of his day. People would use it for sore throats. Maybe our Jesus Piggy Bank jar for this week has honey in it! Let’s see [pick up the third piggy and shake it gently] Hmmm…. I’m not sure that sounds like honey… not that honey would sound like anything! Just like the last two weeks, there is a note on it [open a note that has been taped to the piggy bank]. “Dear children. You are practicing really good sharing… thank you! Remember that instead of putting things INTO this piggy bank, we take things OUT of it so we can share. We don’t keep things locked up all the time just filling our banks with more and more and more. We look at what we already have, and the fun is in figuring out how to give it away! Always yours, Jesus.” I wonder what is in this one! [open it and take out the notecard for each child] Oh, look! It has a jar of honey on it with something Pooh said once, “A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.” Let’s see what it says inside: “Dear ___________ [name of a health worker or facility], this is your friend _________ [your name].” I am thankful that you help make people better. Thank you for the healing you provide when people are sick or injured. Here is a snack of appreciation to help give you more energy and more love for your work.” So cool! We can deliver a snack this week to care for someone who helps care for others! Maybe that is a school nurse or someone who works at the hospital, doctor’s office, or nursing home. It will be so fun to decide what snacks to share to encourage those who help people every day and thank them for what they do to make the world a better place. I can’t wait to hear what happens when you give away all of this goodness! Let’s pray a repeat-after-me prayer, and then we’ll go [instructions per usual for your church]. Dear Jesus… [children repeat, etc.] thank you for showing us… how to to share… thank you for showing us… how to to care… help us to know… that there is no doubt… the gifts that you give us… can never run out… there’s so much in store… that we’ll give it away… making sure there’s enough… for ALL every day… Amen… Responsive Reading Psalm 71:1-6 UMH 794 The Peace Leader: Just as our worth as humans is not dependent on the bottom line of our bank accounts, our relationships are not dependent upon the earning of favors and the limitations of “quid pro quo.” The peace of Christ has no limits, and we get more just by giving it. So may jar-fulls of peace be with you today. People: And also with you. Leader: You are invited to pass the “plethora of peace” among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely. Scripture Luke 4:21-30 Sermon The Plight of a Prophet Imagine, it is football season – and you are all set to go to the game and to cheer your team on to victory. You have on the right colors, you even have your seat picked out at the stadium so that you can sit next to your friends. You are ready for a good game – and the first half of the game is perfect. That young man, Jesus doesn’t disappoint you. He is out of the field and he is doing everything right. His technique is perfect. You are so proud of this young man, he grew up in this town, you know who his parents are, you watched him play in the field as a child. He scores his first touchdown and everyone is cheering, every one is excited. Then halftime comes – and he doesn’t allow the band to come out on the field – he has something important to say. He tells announces with a bull horn that you are doing it all wrong. This is not how you play the game. He points out that before the game everyone prayed to God that your team would win – that is not it. God does not take sides – God wants both teams to win. At this point, you are a little irritated, but this is a hometown guy, so you listen. Then he says that we shouldn’t be on opposite sides. He insists that the other side come across the field and find a place in the hometown bleachers. You know this is highly unusual – but he is a hometown guy, so you tolerate it. Then he tells everyone that instead of cheering when your team does something, everyone is going to cheer for every child. Afterall, they are all our children, and we have to encourage them all. The last straw – halftime is over with and this guy is still talking. He won’t let the game continue. This time the crowd runs down from the stands, and physically removes this guy – so that the game can go on, the way everyone is used to playing it. This is the scene that plays out in scripture. Jesus comes home to speak to his hometown crowd. At first they are happy and excited to hear what he has to say. Little Hometown Jesus has become a big time prophet. But after awhile, things get nasty. So nasty in fact that they want to throw him off of a cliff. Somehow when the crowd comes to get him, Jesus manages to escape, he goes on to spread the gospel to another hometown and another, and people are listening to his preaching and changing their lives. The good news of God’s love is spread all over the world – but Jesus never returns to his hometown. Lucky for us. Luke is a master story teller – he wants us to truly understand the message of this hometown messiah. He is not what we expected. He didn’t come to make us happy – he came to show us the meaning of grace. Grace goes beyond our selves, our beliefs, our feelings. Grace that is revealed to us, is shown to all people. That is a hard lesson, we want to believe that grace is just for us. Remember last week I said that Luke likes to tell us about the spirit. In every story that Luke tells, somehow the spirit always shows up as a character. The spirit shows up in the anger of the hometown crowd. The crowd gave up on Jesus, Jesus never gave up on the crowd. In and Out of Favor How quickly the opinion of crowd can change (cf. Acts 14:8-19). Amazingly, these were the same people who, moments ago, "were speaking well of Him". Fast forward three years and we witness another extreme shift in attitude during Jesus' last week of ministry. "Hosanna" (an expression of adoration to God) would swiftly turn into the deadly cries of "Crucify Him!" Sonny Jurgenson (former QB for the Washington Redskins) was being interviewed by a reporter after winning a game and the losing the next. The reporter asked him, "don't you ever tire of the yo-yo nature of the press?" He said, "nah, I've been around long enough to know that each week you are either in the penthouse or the outhouse." Source Unknown, ChristianGlobe Illustrations Epiphany is the season of seeing the light, but it is also the season of recognizing the dark. Luke wanted to tell us the story of Jesus winning, but also losing. The story of the messiah as a hero, but also as an outcast. So that we could hear both sides of the story. In this story is a foreshadowing of the whole passion and resurrection. Jesus teaches, Jesus is crucified by the hometown crowd, Jesus is resurrected to keep spreading the good news. Devine Defiance Many of us have heard the story about Abraham Lincoln. He was defeated seven times for elective office before winning the Presidency of the United States. He certainly defied the odds. And he did not give up. Then there was Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh earned all of $85 from his paintings during his lifetime. One hundred years after his death, just one painting alone, Dr. Bachet, sold for the incredible sum of $82.5 million. Then there was this itinerant, middle eastern preacher who lived some 2,000 years ago his ideas were definitely rejected by the people of his hometown, as well as the religious leaders of his time and country. Yet he continued his ministry as he understood it to be Devine Defiance? The point is clear. If Abraham Lincoln, Vincent van Gogh, or Jesus of Nazareth had let rejection rule their lives, and let it keep them from doing and saying what they felt sure to be right our world would be incredibly impoverished today. Dianne O, Devine Defiance We can be grateful that Jesus’ hometown rejected his message – so that the message could go out into the world and spread the message of grace and love and peace to our hometown right here. A part of their anger, what that Jesus told them what they already knew about God in their hearts, but they didn’t want to accept in their actions. The most effective messages are the ones that we already know. They knew that scripture that Jesus was telling him, they just didn’t want to believe that it was to be fulfilled in this moment. Reminding Us of What We Already Know When I began my work as a preacher, I spent a lot of time poking around the pages of Scripture for something unusual. My only objective was to find something that would prompt me to say, "This will get them." I would find something in the book of Obadiah and preach on it, murmuring, "I'll bet they have never heard this before." I was right; they had never heard it before. As a result, it had no power. No authority. No sense of importance or urgency. Once in a while, I would give in and turn to a text that everybody had heard before. At coffee hour, folks would say, "Whew! You really gave it to us today!" Little by little, it began to dawn on me: The power of the prophetic word does not come from roaming a far country where no one has gone before. The real power of the gospel comes from reminding the people of God of what they already know. William G. Carter, Praying for a Whole New World, CSS Publishing Company _______________________________________ Are We Ready for Revelation? Our hymnals contain a variety of hymns which plead for an epiphany -- a moment of revelation. "Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart," we sing. Or, "Open my eyes, that I may see / Glimpses of truth thou hast for me." And again, "Talk with us, Lord, thyself reveal, / While here o'er earth we rove." But I'm not sure how ready we are for such a revealing. Often the revelation begins with new insight into ourselves; and that "revealing" is usually a painful process. The people of Nazareth managed pretty well with Jesus' revealing of himself; they found his words gracious. It was when he began to reveal their own persons to them that they became upset. His suggestion that they were like their ancestors in Elijah and Elisha's day -- who were bypassed for blessing while "outsiders" were favored -- was utterly unacceptable. J. Ellsworth Kalas, Sermons on the Gospel Readings, Cycle C, CSS Publishing Company As we hear the word of God – to bring peace and healing to all, not just to some. Let it resonate with what we already know about God. God loves us all, enough to send his Son Jesus to show us the way. Let us pray……… Song What Does the Lord Require of You TFWS 2174 Prayers of the People Leader: In the economy of Jesus, we are not running a for-profit industry. God’s love cannot be earned, and no one gets special treatment, even the people who follow all the rules. We welcome all people into the healing experience of witness and connection that we find in this community. Leader: Each week of this series we will be focusing on naming gifts of abundance we have received in the week, instances where we have seen the abundance of Christ at work in the world, and we will ask for the wisdom and strength to change so that abundance is more available to all. In this pause, O God, we ponder the many gifts you have given us. Our gratitude seems never enough for the plenty you provide. We call to mind the gifts of creation, of relationships, of sustenance. [pause] In this pause, Christ Jesus, we ponder the ways your love is still at work in the world. Our awe and wonder at the goodness of others is profound. We call to mind acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. [pause] In this pause, Holy Spirit, we come asking you for strength. The temptation to live by the economics of not-enough is so strong in us. We ask for revelation in our thinking and doing, so that we might live with healing in the house. [pause] Loving God, Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit, we are yours. We bring to you now the concerns of our day, of our communities, knowing that already you are present, already you are working to bring about comfort and healing. Today we pray for…. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment In Luke 4 Jesus returns to his home synagogue, is invited to read and then reflect on the scripture text. The listeners hear his sharp words declaring Jesus doesn’t expect to provide special action for his “homies.” For us, that points the way to recognizing Jesus’ message and actions aren’t limited to the people connected to that one community of faith. We live out that truth, knowing the gifts you bring Sunday by Sunday as our offering, include financial support for this congregation, but also go beyond these walls. (Name one or two ways the offering becomes a blessing for others. (Through your food pantry? Your support of a mission outreach? Your connection to caring for those impacted by fire, hurricane, power outages? Your engagement with warming spaces for people living on the streets?) We worship a loving God who is served in a variety of places and supported through use of the dollars we freely provide. Let us receive our morning offering. Prayer of Thanksgiving Giving God, We recognize the reality of Jesus’ work in our lives today when we lovingly share our offering. Thank you for the week-by-week awareness that your love isn’t limited to this congregation, this community, or this country. Please help us utilize these gifts to continually expand our horizons, reaching out to share bread, clean water, safety and love not only here but to the ends of the earth. AMEN Invitation to Communion The gifts we have before us each time we come to the Lord’s Table include this congregation (both here and online), musicians, clergy, and the simple, basic elements placed here. They may be presented in chalice and paten or in special trays and plates, but they are simply bread and grape juice. However, they carry significant meaning: bread which points us to the body of Jesus, and juice which reminds us of his blood. The call before us is this: “Remember!” We’re invited to put the elements into the bigger picture, re-membering the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This comes from the one who spoke clearly in the synagogue, and later in the upper room, nearly 2000 years ago. His words echo down the millennia: “This do in remembrance of me”. Paul reminded the church in Corinth “for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again.” All is ready; come! Communion Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook The jars are full in the Kin-dom of God. The house is full of the healing we need and the healing we are called to give away. We are transformed in the economy of Jesus, bearing the witness of dividends of grace. We have heard the call to invest our interest in the transformation of our communities. And so we go, doing likewise in the world, with the help of God, the guidance of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Now and forever. Amen. Community Time – Joys and concerns Benediction May God our Creator renew in us the creative Spirit that brings healing and life to our world. May Jesus the Christ uphold us in grace and love. May the Holy Spirit fill us with courage to be bearers of God’s song of hope in our hometown and beyond. Amen. Adapted from the Pilgrim Uniting Church website. https://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/?p=256. Additional Illustrations Good and Mad - Luke 4:21-30 Before we start the message this morning I need you to do something for me. I want everybody on this side (point to the right side) to move over here (point to the left side). I want everybody in the center to move there (point to the right side). And I want everybody on this side (point to the left side) to move to the center. OK, let's go. After everyone has moved, and is uncomfortable, mad and grumbling. Did that make you mad? Of course it did. It probably made you "Good and Mad" We don't like change. We don't like being told what to do. We don't like being inconvenienced. Do we? And we get angry. We get "Good and Mad" when are. Today we find out a little bit about a time in Jesus' life and ministry when the crowds got "Good and Mad" at Him. Let's look at Luke 4:21-30. (Read the Scripture) The people of Nazareth, the people Jesus grew up with, the ones He had probably built furniture for or repaired a roof for. The people who He had attended Synagogue with, got "Hopping mad" when He confronted them about how unaccepting they were. They got "Madder than a hornet" and attempted to throw Jesus off the cliff upon which the town was built. They weren't just irritated, they weren't just mad, they were "Good and Mad"... _________________________________ Tell the Cats to Turn Around We despise people who challenge our cherished myths and kick us out of our comfort zones. The truth is that when Jesus sets about the task of saving us, he has to heal us of any myth or prejudice that is contrary to the spirit of Christ. Billy Sunday was the Billy Graham of a previous generation. He was conducting a crusade in a particular city. In one of his sermons he said something critical of the labor conditions for workers in that area. After the service, several prominent businessmen sent a message to him by one of the local pastors. The message was this---Billy, leave labor matters alone. Concentrate on getting people saved. Stay away from political issues. You’re rubbing the fur the wrong way." Billy Sunday sent this message back to them: "If I’m rubbing the fur the wrong way, tell the cats to turn around." Bill Bouknight, Collected Sermons, eSermons.com _______________________