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.

Are You Blessed or Cursed in God's Eyes?

February 16, 2019 Year C Luke 6:17-26 6th Sunday after Epiphany Children’s Sermon: And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came forth from him and healed them all. Object: A heating pad. Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever used a heating pad? (Let them answer.) When do you like to use it the most? (Let them answer.) Those are all good times, but I suppose that the best time for all of us to use the heating pad is when we do not feel too well. If we have an earache or a backache, or any kind of an ache, it is always good to use the heating pad. There is that nice warm feeling that seems to make us feel better. I want you to feel my heating pad and then tell me what caused it to make me feel better. (Pass the heating pad among the children.) What is it that gives this heating pad the power to make me feel better? (Let them answer.) That's right, it is electricity. The power to make that pad hot comes from the cord that is plugged into the wall. The electricity comes through wires, and the wires go all the way back to a big plant somewhere that makes electricity out of coal, water, or something else. There is a great power in electricity, and it is used for many things, but one of the things we use electricity for is a heating pad. And the reason that we use the heating pad is to make our bumps, bruises, and aches feel better. Jesus must have been like a heating pad. People got better just by touching him. The Bible tells us today about the time when people stood in line, or all around him, just to try to touch him so that they would feel better. And you know what? They did feel better. The Bible tells us that Jesus was able to cure people of bad diseases when all he did was touch them or they touched him. Of course the power did not come from coal, water, or anything like that. It wasn't even electricity. The power that Jesus had to cure people came from God, and I guess you could call it a kind of healing love. God gave Jesus a special power to make people who were sick well again. But people could feel the power coming through Jesus, just like you and I can feel the heat coming through the heating pad. Maybe the next time you use a heating pad, you will think of the power that comes from the electricity, and when you do that, you will also remember the special power that God gave to Jesus to heal people who were sick. C.S.S. Publishing Company, CALL in the CLOWNS, by Wesley T. Runk Luke 6:17-26 The Message (MSG) You’re Blessed 17-21 Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their ailments. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him—so much energy surging from him, so many people healed! Then he spoke: You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all. God’s kingdom is there for the finding. You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry. Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal. You’re blessed when the tears flow freely. Joy comes with the morning. 22-23 “Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this. Give Away Your Life 24 But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you’ll ever get. 25 And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long. And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games. There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it. 26 “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular. The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson Luke 6:17-26 Common English Bible (CEB) Jesus’ popularity increases 17 Jesus came down from the mountain with them and stood on a large area of level ground. A great company of his disciples and a huge crowd of people from all around Judea and Jerusalem and the area around Tyre and Sidon joined him there. 18 They came to hear him and to be healed from their diseases, and those bothered by unclean spirits were healed.19 The whole crowd wanted to touch him, because power was going out from him and he was healing everyone. Happy people and doomed people 20 Jesus raised his eyes to his disciples and said: “Happy are you who are poor, because God’s kingdom is yours. 21 Happy are you who hunger now, because you will be satisfied. Happy are you who weep now, because you will laugh. 22 Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and condemn your name as evil because of the Human One.[a] 23 Rejoice when that happens! Leap for joy because you have a great reward in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets. 24 But how terrible for you who are rich, because you have already received your comfort. 25 How terrible for you who have plenty now, because you will be hungry. How terrible for you who laugh now, because you will mourn and weep. 26 How terrible for you when all speak well of you. Their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets. Footnotes: a. Luke 6:22 Or Son of Man Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible I talked with a colleague from Englewood yesterday. It was good to make the connection, since I had not talked with him in about two years. He left the United Methodist church awhile ago, when his church closed. But I learned on facebook, that he started his own nondenominational church a few weeks ago, so I wanted to know how things were going. He said that the church was too small for him to collect a salary, but he was happy and that was all that mattered. He said that he felt happier than he had felt in years. He said that he had been challenged more than anything in life, but he was happy. Happy – I was intrigued with his choice of words, especially as I was preparing for this sermon. Happy – what does that mean? What does it mean to be happy? What does it take for you to be happy? What does being happy have to do with serving God? Jesus must have given some thought to that same question. There are two different stories of how Jesus answers that question. The first story of how Jesus answers that question is in the book of Matthew – given in what is called the Sermon on the Mount. After Jesus calls his disciples – he takes them up on a mountain top and tells them what it means to be a happy Christian. He gives them 8 condition of what it means to live a blessed life – called the 8 beatitudes. In Luke, Jesus also talks about the beatitudes in Luke - But this time after going up on the mountain to pray – he comes down to level ground to speak with the people. In Luke this sermon is called the sermon on the plain. Jesus gives 4 blessings, but he also gives 4 woes. Four statements of how life should be, and four statements the life we should be wary of. He is telling us that there are two kinds of happiness in the world. One has lasting consequences, and one does not. There is the happiness that the world gives, and there is a holy happiness – that we can only get from being connected to God. The word beatitude is a latin word – that means blessing. The old testament gives several beatitude list – the 10 commandments are a sort of statement of blessings. I have decided that I will wait until I preach on Matthews list of beatitudes before I get on my soap box about the true meaning of being blessed. Because Luke’s sermon the plain has a slightly different meaning. In this context – the word beatitude is closer the to latin meaning of the word – meaning happiness. Happiness as a tangible condition of life. Matthew uses a more spiritual definition of the word. Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who are sad for they shall be comforted. Luke uses a concrete, economic definition that applies to the lives of those who have gathered to hear Jesus. Happy are those who are poor, those who are hungry, those who cry and those who are rejected. Those are the 4 conditions in Luke for being blessed. That would have been 99% of the people who were on the plain listening to these words. They had nothing, they lived hand to mouth everyday, and there was no hope things would ever change. A family had sold everything possible to pay bills and to put food on the table. Nevertheless, a burglar broke in one night when the family was gone. The family returned and found the door knocked off its hinges. "œWhat did the burglar get?" the police officer asked. The head of the house just shook his head. "œPractice," he said. It's not easy being poor. What did Jesus mean, "œBlessed are the poor?" A quote from Helen Keller sums of Jesus point best. She said that blessings in life don’t have anything to do with our condition in life. Life can be full of suffering, but it also can be full of overcoming – that is holy happiness.are Luke gets even more direct about the difference between worldly happiness and holy happiness. Because he gives 4 blessings, but he also gives 4 woes. Woe to those who are rich, woe to those who are filled woe to those who are laughing now, woe to those who are popular. You have received your blessing and will receive nothing more. The word for woe is an interesting Greek word – meaning consolation. – or paid in full. In other words, those who have in this life have received their reward, and there is nothing else for them to receive. But those who rely on God – shall receive their blessing from God. There is more to come. Is Luke saying that we should strive to be poor, and that there is something wrong with being rich. Not exactly. He is just telling us that there is a difference between worldly happiness and holy happiness? What does happiness mean to you? Where does your happiness come from. Which list describes your condition in life? Poor, hungry, weeping, hated, excluded, reviled defamed? Or rich full, laughing, well thought of? There is a true story about a Quaker who put up a sign on the vacant piece of land next to his house. It read: This Land Will Be Given To Anyone Who Is Truly Satisfied. A wealthy farmer who was riding by stopped to read the sign and said to himself, “Since I have all I need as a wealthy man, I certainly qualify. I might as well claim the land.” He approached the Quaker to seal the deal. “And art thou truly satisfied?” the Quaker inquired. “I am, indeed. I have all that I need.” “Friend,” said the Quaker, “if thou art satisfied, what dost thou want the land for?” We can all be hungry for a better world. We can pray for the day when all will be taken care of. We can consider ourselves happy in all circumstance. If our happiness comes from God, not from others. Our scripture goes on to give us a second even stronger message. Not only are we called to recognize our own need and dependence upon God. We are called to recognize the need and vulnerability of others. And then to offer to them, through our lives, the rich soil of compassion and justice. We are called to be in solidarity with the poor, the hungry, with those who are weeping. We are called to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Biblical scholars point out that the Beatitudes are what is called a “performative word.” These predictions about blessedness are not going to happen — they are already happening. This is not about what might be. This is about what is. This is God’s agenda, God’s vision, God’s kingdom. The reality described by the Beatitudes will happen, is happening, whether we choose to be part of it or not. Only a few of us are called to be the poor. A few more of us are called to work with the poor. But all of us are called to be for the poor — because that’s what it means to be God’s people. My friends, our scripture readings for today remind us that “human happiness” and “holy happiness” are often two different kinds of reality. Jesus is suggesting that “blessing” is more than enjoying ourselves. The goal of life is more than self-fulfillment. And prosperity is more than getting what we want. Happiness is to be open to God. Blessedness is to be fully alive and in harmony with God’s ways both in the good times and the bad. Let us be comforted and instructed by the words of the psalmist: Happy are those who delight in the Lord. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. (Psalm 1) May it be so for you and for me. Amen. Additional illustrations…… New Priorities of the Kingdom A holy man was engaged in his morning meditation under a tree whose roots stretched out over the riverbank. During his meditation he noticed that the river was rising, and a scorpion caught in the roots was about to drown. He crawled out on the roots and reached down to free the scorpion, but every time he did so, the scorpion struck back at him. An observer came along and said to the holy man, 'Don't you know that's a scorpion, and it's in the nature of a scorpion to want to sting?' To which the holy man replied, 'That may well be, but it is my nature to save, and must I change my nature because the scorpion does not change his?' Traditional