Luke 12: 22-34. Change of Cirtcumstances

How many of you remember that Song “don’t worry, be happy” by Bobby McFerrin. Then there is another song out by an artist known as Pharrell Williams? It is a pretty good song and it is all about being happy. People are making their own videos about being happy and they are dancing to this song. I have seen Businesses making videos and even churches making videos using this song. The words to the chorus are; “Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof. Clap along if you feel that happiness is the truth.” Those are some good words aren’t they?

          Today, we talk about change of circumstances. We know those kind of changes; changing jobs, changing school grades, changing teachers, moving to a new neighborhood. All of those are change of circumstances. I don’t know about you but those are not necessarily comforting changes. I think I get more stressed when the circumstances I mentioned a minute ago happen. I start thinking about “what does that mean for me?” is there going to be more work, do I have to change the way I do things, and I surely don’t feel like singing either of the happy songs. In fact, I might sing Swing Low Sweet Chariot…that’s how negative I can get.
          Throughout our readings today there is one theme that I hope you hear. I think it is summed up in the very first verse of the psalm “Bless the Lord, o my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” In first Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 16 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,” and from our Gospel of Luke “Do not fear little flock, for it is your Father’s pleasure to give you the kingdom.” These three verses give us a different way to think about life.
           Sometimes, I think we get bogged down with the idea of what to worry about and what not to worry about. We worry about what to wear, how to come our hair when to get it cut, what food to eat, car to drive, restaurants, stores, and we listen (sometimes too much) to the advertisements on television that tell us what to wear, eat, how to think and so on and so on. I mean the list can get nauseating to the point where sometimes I would rather just stay home than have to make a decision.
          These readings all tell us about one thing; they tell us who to remember in our daily lives. These readings guide us to the person who gave us all these things. They tell us that all the things we have come from God; Our houses, spouses, children, cars homes, incomes… all of that comes from God. Today we are reminded that it doesn’t matter if you eat from Dutch’s Daughter or from McDonald’s you have been blessed with the gift of food. If you drive a high performance vehicle or a car that gets you down the road, you have been blessed with transportation. Jesus points out in the Gospel that these are the little things in life
        Today, though, we are talking about change in circumstances. Maybe it is not about getting a promotion but it is losing a job, a pay cut, a death in the family, or a diagnosis of an illness. It is a little hard to get that kind of news and sing a happy song or say “Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name.” those are times when that is the least thing we want to say or think. I know it’s hard to think that because I am sure that we have all been there once or twice. Jesus gives us words of comfort in telling us that God knows we need the very basic things to keep us going and Jesus says that God WILL provide.
        Jesus knows that we will worry. He knows that we are human and Jesus, at times, feels that worry because he is fully human. He struggles in the world just as we struggle. We know this because in a few weeks he is in the garden and prays to God struggling with about what is to happen. Jesus struggles with sadness at the death of his friend Lazarus; so, Jesus knows struggle BUT he also tries to provide comfort with a little comedy. “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” I bet we all wish we could, but we know that when we spend so much of our time worrying that we can actually SHORTEN our lives. There have been numerous medical studies that say too much worrying leads to ulcers, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and numerous other conditions.
      It does not take away the sting and worry when our change of circumstance is not a positive situation. I do believe that is why God put us here on this earth; to remind us that we are not alone. That God uses us to be there for one another, to help each other out, to give a helping hand when someone needs food or shelter or clothing.
            See Jesus was also, fully divine. Jesus is the Son of God and his circumstances changed within three years. Within three years of his ministry beginning he found his circumstances quite differ ent than what he might have expected. It is one thing to say something is going to happen. It is another to realize that it is really happening. Yet, through his change of circumstances he held onto the promise of God and the love of God; to the point where he commended his soul to almighty God glorifying God with all that was within him, Jesus, through his crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
           So when we have good times, let us always bless the Lord with all that is within us and may we always bless his holy name AND through struggles let us bless God who gives us friends, family, and strangers who helps us out and who we help because we are able and not because we ought. AMEN!

Galatians 5:16-25 and Luke 6:46-49 Jesus is the foundation, the Bedrock

            One of the most important things we learn in Seminary is that each book of the bible must be taken on its own merit. Meaning that it is not a good idea to use one text to prove another, or use one to justify another; but, I think with today’s readings there may need to be an exception. This is week two of our series on change and today we have a change of Habit. How fitting for this to be the topic. It is Lent and it is a time of reflection and changing the way we think about our lives and some behaviors. So, I am going to share one of these with you. It is a very personal type of change. It is the change in eating habits.

            I have been trying to eat better over the last several months. You might want to call it dieting, but I would rather call it “trying to make better choices when I eat. We joined Lock Farm’s CSA last year and we are doing it again this year. I don’t know if any of you have tried it before, but it is not easy. Now, I know it is not specifically mentioned here in Galatians but I do believe it is listed. While eating some foods that you know are bad foods is not listed along with idolatry and licentiousness, it may be under that catch all phrase “and the like;” For me, at least.

            I think it is also important to know why Paul is writing this letter to the Galatians. Paul spent a lot of time in Galatia. He took the time to build relationships with the people. He witnessed how God has been active in his life and helped others to see how God has been active in their lives. I am confident that he told his story of how God called him to preach and teach about Jesus; you know the story, when he was on the road and his name was Saul, the cloud came up and knocked him off his horse and he heard the voice of God say to him, “Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?” He told the story of how from that time on, he was known as Paul and that God called him to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ; he was called to a life of witness rather than persecution.

            What happened next is that it was time for Paul to move on. God called him on to the next place to build and teach about God. As soon as he left some other people claiming to be religious and righteous came into the region and began to tell the people that Paul didn’t know what he was talking about. They told the people that they had the answers and everything that Paul said was not true. They started undoing everything that Paul had spent time building up. It is clear by this portion of the letter that the people must have been saying that it is okay to build idols, it is okay to do all these things that are flesh driven. Meaning drink as much as you want, get angry, fight…do whatever you want because you can. So, Paul wrote this letter saying that it is not okay to do whatever you want if you want to follow Jesus Christ.

            How do we know this? Because Jesus never said it was okay to do all these things. He didn’t “drink till ya drop, do whatever you want because it is your flesh, or hey don’t believe my dad cause he is just being a Father!” I mean, I have never seen that in any Gospel that I have read.

            Instead, Paul is using what he knows about Jesus to tell the Galatians something that he most likely taught them when he was with them. As a witness the Good News of Jesus Christ, Paul knows that Jesus was born, not of the flesh but that Jesus was born of the Spirit. Paul knew that in the waters of Baptism that the Holy Spirit rested on Jesus. Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit from that moment on. He, Paul, knew that there were many gifts that the Holy Spirit gave to Jesus Christ. He heard it through story and he witnessed it in his own life.

            So what are these gifts that Jesus was given: They were the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control. Paul was a witness to all of these; either through learning or personally experiencing it through his own conversion and being a messenger for God. Paul is telling the Galatians that there is a base of information and knowledge to know what it means to know …Jesus and follow Jesus. Paul knows that Jesus laid a foundation for what it meant to live a righteous life. Through Jesus example of living out all these gifts or fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control that this is the very foundation of faith. It is the bedrock…you know that very first layer of building material that goes down to strengthen any structure; to make that structure strong and sturdy so that it can survive almost anything. It is that deeply laid foundation that gives people strength.

            There is only one difference though. This bedrock of a foundation that is laid is given to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is in Christ Jesus all through his life and it is displayed and lived out through him so that we can see these fruits of God’s Holy Spirit; So that, we know that when we are baptized those same fruits of the Holy Spirit are poured, through the water and the Word, into our hearts, minds, and body. They are in us just waiting for us to bring all those out; so that we can live out our lives using these fruits that God has given us. It is true that we need people to teach us as we grow how to use these fruits: and we do, from family friends, and numerous people in our lives…but, our greatest teacher in how to use these gifts is God’s only Son, Jesus Christ.

            Paul is telling us, I believe, what Jesus is saying in our Gospel of Luke. He is telling the people of Galatia that the strong foundation that Jesus tells of in Luke is the foundation that the Holy Spirit of God gives us. Jesus tells us that when we live our lives with the gifts and act out the gifts of love, patience, peace, generosity, faithfulness and self-control, and the others that are mentioned then we have set a foundation in our lives that nothing can wash away. That is the difference between the bedrock of a house and the bedrock of our faith in Jesus Christ; Living our lives and disciples of Christ and practicing the patience, and love and faith that Jesus calls us to live means that no floods, fires, or anything can destroy that: Not one thing can destroy that and that, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, is something that you can bank on because God’s Words are true and everlasting.

            Well, that is all well and fine but we are human. We are made of flesh and bones. There are times, opportunities, and even people that may want us to worry more about the flesh than the Spirit. We ourselves might want to be in control of our own lives or decide “we know what is best.” We, too, can be weak and think that our actions are something we can seek forgiveness for later. When we try to make decisions to eat better or healthier, our willpower to give in to any type of food that is comfort food can cause us to give in because we are human and we make mistakes.

            Paul is telling us all not to give up. Paul is telling the people of Galatia to get back on the wagon of faith and trust in God. Paul knows that we are all weak. He realized his own weakness at his conversion and he knows that we all…not just the Galatians are subject to moments of weakness. Jesus knows this as well. Jesus tells us to act on His Words. He is telling us all that he knows we are weak and that we don’t always listen to the Word of God. Jesus also tells us that it is not too late. He does not say, “You didn’t listen so you are all condemned.” In fact, the regular reading for today would have been the famous passage “God so loved the world that he sent his only Son. Not to condemn the world but so that the world might be saved (John 3:16-17).”

            There is time to act on God’s word to love, practice patience, self-control, generosity, faithfulness, peace, and joy. These are the bedrock items that hold us together, bind us, and bond us together as the children of God….Thanks be to God: AMEN! 

Lifelong Student: Ecclesiates 3: 1-8 A Change of seasons...we can re...

Ecclesiates 3: 1-8 A Change of seasons...we can relate

            So, this is the beginning of our Lenten journey. It is the beginning of our series on change and we start with the change of the seasons. I have to admit that I am excited about this morning’s scripture reading. I am excited because it is about one of my most favorite passages in the bible; Ecclesiastes. These words are not only famous because they are in the bible. To me and maybe some of you, they became famous because of a song. Do you know the song…To everything turn, turn, turn: there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven?

            This song was written by one of my most favorite songwriters, Pete Seeger. He was a very controversial songwriter but through his songs, he changed parts of our everyday life. He wasn’t the only one who changed the world. The group who brought this song into the mainstream of rock and roll was the musical group The Byrd’s. They recorded Pete’s song and it helped them become stars. While I love the music and how they interpreted this reading from Ecclesiastes, I love the words; “For everything there is a season…a time to plant, a time to harvest; a time to reap and a time to sow; a time to speak and a time to remain silent…” these are all beautiful words.

            For right now, I think it is a time to learn about this book called Ecclesiastes. This book was written long before Jesus. The exact date cannot be pinpointed but the era has been well accepted. This book was written during a time of great change. The world in that time was in the process of changing on so many levels. The languages…typically in the times of great conquest the winner got to choose the language that would be predominant. If it was the Greeks, Greek would become dominant. If it was Rome, Latin, Egyptian, Phoenician. I think you get the point.

            In this time of Ecclesiastes, the languages were in the process of changing over. There was not one predominant language. There were all kinds of references to different languages in the words written here. Some words had their origins in Greek, Latin, and Phoenician. The world was in the process of standardizing its currency. They were trying to get all the nations to use one form of currency because the world was in a state of change. That must have been a difficult time. It must have raised all kinds of concerns in everyone and about everything. I would not be surprised if people felt like there was nothing to trust BECAUSE everything is changing.

            We are confronted with a whole lot of opposites: Birth and death, planting and sowing, Killing and healing, breaking down and building up, weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing, and the list goes on and on. These opposites go from some real extremes. With these extremes, I think it covers what the people of the time are feeling. They are being constantly pulled from one direction to another; it appears quite rapidly and that might be so. I am sure they did not know which end was up, which was left and which was right, who is right and who is wrong, and I bet they didn’t even know who they could trust.

            Despite all these opposites and all this turmoil of the times, I do believe in these words we can find hope. These extremes are quite opposite. It shows that these one sides like killing, mourning, weeping, and even planting are not permanent; because even these opposites are good things like: healing, laughing, reaping or harvesting, and dancing. We are seeing that in this book of Ecclesiastes that the evils or the things that we see as evils are temporary. There dark or evil things happening but there are Good and hopeful things that are to come.

            It also shows that these are things that we cannot control. We don’t control everything in our lives, as much as we want to. There are things in our own lives that we can control. We can decide not to get behind the wheel of a car after having too much to drink. We can decide not to say words that hurt one another or do things that intentionally hurt others for our own gain. We can control reaching out to people who are in need and helping to provide a meal, or clothing, or shelter whenever we can. But there are things we do not have control over; the decisions that other people make about getting behind the wheel of a car after a night of drinking, or making a dangerous maneuver in traffic, hurting others through words and actions for the sake of self- gratification.

            These words in Ecclesiastes tell us that it comes down to one thing and one thing only: that it is all about God. Despite these bad and evil things that can happen; these opposites of Good things: eating, dancing, loving, healing, a time to seek they are all gifts from God. This book of Ecclesiastes wants us to know that God wants us all to have these wonderful gifts of laughter and love, and healing. It is God who has created these gifts and despite the evil and bad things that happen that God does not want us to live in the mourning, death, anger, despair, and killing. It is that God wants us to know the gift of life, love, healing and laughter that enable us to enjoy the gift of life and relationship with one another.

            I think we share something with the people of the Book of Ecclesiastes. We are in a time that is highly uncertain. We have international crises going on, it seems like anything we do or say could lead us to war. Our own politicians are fighting and calling each other names, there is this constant looking to blame someone for something. There are changes in dominant languages going on, economic statuses, and even our church world is changing. People are not coming to church like they did in the past. We know about this uncertainty because we are living it AND IT IS SCARY! It is scary not knowing what is going to happen next, what alternatives there are and how we are going to get through all this stuff; so we can definitely relate.

            But we, too, can look to this reading and see hope. We can see the hope in that all this uncertainty in the world is temporary. We can hear these words that God does not want all these bad things to happen to us, but wants us to see the gifts that we have been blessed with. We have been given the many gifts from God in our lives and that God wants us to use the gifts of laughter, love, healing, compassion and helping one another; because those are definitely gifts from God.

            We know this because God sent his only son into the world to show us and teach us these gifts that we have been given. Through the words and actions of Jesus Christ, he has shown us the power of God in love, healing, laughter, and compassion. We have seen it throughout the ministry of Jesus. With all the people he encountered along the way, we experience that God is a loving God willing to go out to the areas of the unclean, gentiles, and the broken people of the world to show them…to show us that God is a God of love and compassion; to show us that each and every one of us is worth the price of God’s Son on the cross for you and me and for our salvation; because of our sin.

            As a side note, I want to address one burning issue that can come out of this reading. It is the first line: “to everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Some use that phrase to say “everything happens for a reason.” It is said when disasters hit, someone dies, or whenever a terrible tragedy hits. I do not believe that people are killed because God wants it to happen. I do not believe that takes lives to teach one of us a lesson or to prove a point. I do believe that sometimes things happen because of a decision that is made or the lack of a decision that someone makes. But to say that God kills or takes to prove a point…that is not the God that I know. I believe when lives are lost, for whatever reason, or there are victims of crimes that God weeps right beside us wanting to hold us and let us know that God is right there with us.

            In this day of Ecclesiastes, in this world of turmoil and fear for the future, hear the words of hope in this passage. As we experience what hopes to be the last days of winter, hear the words that there is a time to plant. In this season of Lent, hear the words that our sinful selves are reminded of this season or self-reflection of our sin and bringing them to the cross is at hand, but the day of salvation…the day of new life is coming. AMEN!