Genesis 9:8-17 God's First Covenant...with Noah and with us.

            So this evening/morning we are beginning not only Lent, but we will be focusing on the five Covenants that God made with God’s people. There will be some interesting looks along the way and we will have two guest preachers also bringing us the Word  in keeping with the covenant of that week.
            So let’s first look at what a covenant is. A covenant is a promise; pretty much like a contract. It is typically made between two people. There is a promise of one thing by a party and the other party promises something in return. It is very much like a contract and, in legal terms, you can hold a person to their part of the promise. Meaning you can go into court with that covenant and say “This person promised A, B, or C and I agreed held up my end of the promise but they did not provide what they had promised.
            So, today, we have our first of five covenants. We all know the story of Noah and the flood. Noah gathers the animals two by two. We know that God calls Noah to build this ark and Noah, after a lot of struggling with God’s call does exactly what God calls him to do. We know the story about the flood. How Noah and his family were on the ark until the waters receded.
            Our First reading from Genesis brings us to this point where God makes a covenant. He makes this covenant to Noah and his family. God says, “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." God is making this promise that there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth! That is Good News. That is something to celebrate!
            I wonder if you noticed something about this covenant? First, who did he make the covenant with? He made it with Noah and his family. That would make sense because they are humans who have understanding and are able to communicate with God.  We have the gift of reason, correct? So it would make sense that God makes this covenant with us. But this covenant is not just with us. It is also with every living creature that is on the ark. God is making this covenant with every living creature. That means us, who have the ability to speak and reason in the way that we know AND all the animals.
            That is some powerful stuff right there. God’s promise is not only to us but to all of creation. God created this flood because of the people turning away from God and saw the corruption that was going on and God was not pleased. SO God decided to bring the flood and wipe it all out, except for Noah, his family, and the creatures that God told him to bring the animals onto the ark. God is wiping it all out. God wants to start all over…and God does.
            Then the waters recede and it is time to begin again. But it is not that simple. God sees the devastation that God created. God sees the result of this flood…that all he created is gone; everything that was once Good is now destroyed. That is when we the readers, Noah, his family, and all the creatures (great and small) see God’s first promise come to reality. “Never again” will God create this flood. I would suggest that it is because God sees firsthand the destruction of creation and God has compassion for God’s own creation.
            Now for the second part of this covenant. Remembering that a covenant is between two people and usually involves giving something to get something, what is God asking for in this covenant? NOTHING! God is making a covenant to “not do this again” but there is no “what are you gonna do for me from God!” God is the only one who is promising here. Isn’t that a little strange?
            So we are left with a kind of dilemma. On the one hand we have a covenant from God that is asking nothing from us. It is a promise that God makes not to destroy the earth by flood. It is a promise that asks nothing of us for a specific action. So one of our dilemmas may be to ask the question that if a covenant seeks something from the other side then what is it that we should offer? On the other hand we may ask how binding is this agreement?
            I believe those answers are difficult and I don’t presume to know the exact answers to these two problems. What I do know is that we can look to our scripture to see God’s behavior after this covenant is made. We can see through our scripture that there are no more floods to wipe things out. God holds people accountable and uses whatever means necessary to try to influence people’s decisions. That is how we know that God keeps God’s promises. Through all of this God does not destroy the earth after this flood.
            So what does God ask of us? Again, we can look at scripture to find how some of the people respond to God’s promise. We read in our scripture that people try to live a life worthy of God’s love. They try and they fall short. But even in that trying God does not abandon them. It seems that the more people try, the more they fall, but God is the constant that remains by their side.
            I hope all this sounds familiar. And I hope we might ask why does God do this? And I believe the answer is because we can relate to these people in our scripture. We know the flood where everything is washed away. We have experienced it in our lives through our baptism. We are born into sin and it is because of our baptism that our sin is washed away so that we experience God’s promise to “never destroy by flood” our lives. We are promised at our baptism, by God, that we are a worthy and valuable creation…a beloved child of God; and all the promises that God makes to us are Good and True and can be counted on. Through our Baptism we experience God’s covenant of NEW LIFE and nothing is asked of us.
            While nothing is asked of us, we too can take the “what do we do now” approach to living our lives in God’s promise. If we know that God’s promises are true and reliable, and we do; then maybe we can live our lives in a way that honors God. Honors God in how we treat each other with kindness and a helping hand; praying for God’s strength and help when we deal with difficult things in our personal lives as well as evil that goes on in the world.
            Maybe living in God’s promise means that we understand that we will fall short of God’s glory, but we humble ourselves before God and one another in asking for forgiveness or offering forgiveness, putting our own agendas, pains, and ego aside to answer God’s call to help those who cannot help themselves for whatever reason. Why would we do that? Because God did that for us, through Jesus Christ, God’s Son. While God may not ask for something specific, we did receive from God the very gift of life, and salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross…so that we will live.
       As we live in this first covenant from God, a covenant of sustained life and promise, may we strive to rejoice and live in Thanksgiving in the light and life of that promise: AMEN

Mark 9:2-9: Being made new, Transfigured and what it looks like.

            This is a most extraordinary day. This is the day of transfiguration from the carpenter’s son… you know, the Jesus kid, who in our Gospel of Mark begins his ministry roughly at the age of 29 when he is baptized in the Jordan by his cousin, John. Jesus has been tempted, he has called his disciples and they follow. He has gone to houses and temples and healed…in the synagogue and in houses;

            If those were not amazing things to be done, now we have this! Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with him. He took three, not twelve, to go up on this mountain. There is no explanation for these three to accompany Jesus. Jesus says “let’s go” and up they all go. When they get there something incredible happens. Appearing before them are the “rock stars” of their faith; Moses and Elijah appear! That would be like your favorite celebrity showing up at your house or in the grocery store and they (Moses and Elijah) begin to speak with Jesus.

            Peter, James, and John are beside themselves! They don’t know what to do. Our scripture says Peter…good ole Peter…says, “Lord its good for us to be here. Let us make three dwellings,” I can imagine him saying all this and then the cloud with God’s voice, “this is my son, the beloved, listen to him.” I could not think of anyone being more terrified then one who hears this voice of God telling Peter, James, and John who Jesus is and what they need to do from here on out.

            Never has this message before this been so clear. At Jesus baptism, we heard God say “this is my son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” This time we get the same first part but then we get God saying “listen to him.” Up until now we have the disciples and the public being healed, listening to Jesus, following Jesus because of his teachings and healing, and we have these twelve disciples on this journey with Jesus but still trying to figure out who this Jesus is.

            We often acknowledge Jesus baptism as the “beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.” Today at this time of transfiguration, there can be no doubt that Jesus is now more public than before. At his baptism, the heavens were ripped open and God came into the world. Did anyone see it? Is Jesus the only one who saw it? We don’t know. But we do now know that Peter, James, and John are witnesses to this Holy and Sacred moment when Jesus is no longer the carpenter’s kid, or some guy walking around telling people that God loves them, some prophet who heals in the name of God. Today we see that Jesus is transfigured from just being like you and me to the Son of God, not just for the three of them to see, but for us all to see and experience.

            Because of this transfiguration, Jesus is now seen in a very different way. It is plain to see that God sent his Son into the world. The healings that were done and will be done were not part of being a prophet but were done out by God’s Son and out of God’s love and compassion.

            From here on out, Jesus is transfigured and so are we. Because we now recognize that Jesus is indeed God’s Son… if the birth of Jesus wasn’t enough, the baptism, the healings…if they weren’t enough to tell us who Jesus is, we surely know now! Jesus is the Son of the living God who cares for God’s creation. Jesus is transfigured from what we might say is the ordinary (which is doesn’t do him justice) to blessed, divine (that doesn’t even do Jesus justice) Son of God. Jesus appears to Peter, James, and John as a new person because his clothes have changed and their view of Jesus is now changed.

            Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are called to that same transfiguration. Because Jesus is now more visible to us in the same dazzling clothing, blessed, and the divine Son of God we too will never see Jesus the same. Jesus is now a new vision for us and because of his transfiguration, Jesus is now a more public figure for us as well. He is more public because we know who he is. We know that he is God’s Son who went to the cross for our sake. He did all that God asked him to do out of God’s love for creation; he showed God’s compassion by healing, teaching, inviting, and so many other things. He went to the cross to show us the extent that God who created all of this will go for you and me, who might think we are ordinary.

            Jesus going to the cross for you and me is not even close to being ordinary. He went to the cross because God wanted to show us in an even more public way that being a child of God is not ordinary. It doesn’t mean that we go around declaring ourselves better than anyone ; it is transfiguring in knowing that God shows us our value as extraordinary in that God’s Son went to the cross and died for you and me; AND that he rose on the third day, Sunday, to show us that death does not have the last word, but that God promises us the gift of eternal life in God’s glorious kingdom.

            This morning we are having a time for healing and transfiguration. As we come forward to have absolution and we are reminded that we have been sealed with the cross of Christ forever, let us also remember through the body and blood of Christ we are given God’s promise of protection and forgiveness so that we can go into the world knowing that we are claimed by a loving God.

            I want to be clear that you may leave here and something or someone might test your patience or hurt your feelings. It will not undo what happened here this evening/morning. Transfiguration is not easy. It is difficult because the world doesn’t stop. There are those in this world that may not have heard the word of God or don’t want to; believe it or not. It doesn’t mean that we cannot share God’s blessings in this world. It doesn’t mean that we can’t share our gifts with others.  

So what does transfiguration look like? Hearing the Word of God and hearing that you are blessed because you are claimed by God as God’s child. It looks like coming in to this worship space after a tough week and knowing that you will hear God’s Word of mercy, and love, and forgiveness. Transfiguration looks like walking out these doors and knowing that you have been blessed with gifts of learning, sharing, helping, and spreading God’s message through your actions for the week to come. Transfiguration looks like showing up for school or work on Monday morning knowing that you have skills that help you do what you are doing and that those skills are a gift from God; transfiguration looks like knowing that each day is a gift, whether employed or retired, young or old, and soaking up all that God has created. Transfiguration looks like knowing and sharing with one another that we all are valued by God and one another.

Transfiguration means that today is the start (as is every time we gather to hear God’s word and experience God’s love and forgiveness whether here or in the world) and continuation of our transfiguration as a child of God: AMEN!  

Mark 1:29-39 Service because of healing...That is her response what is ours?

            Well, here is a familiar story; I mean, of course, the very basic premise of the story. Here we have Jesus healing. They left the synagogue…there is no rest…they head out to Simon’s house and things aren’t good there. They get to the house where Simon’s mother-in-law has a fever. In Jesus’ day, a fever was a big deal. They did not have antibiotics like we do today. A fever could very easily have been a death sentence. Without a word, Jesus takes her by the hand and she stands up.

            Here is the part that I like. In our Gospel reading Mark says, “The fever left her, and she began to serve.” Why do I like this part? Because there are little to no words. There is just action in this one sentence and it is important action. There is a touch, getting up, fever gone, and she begins to serve. It is incredible to think that the Son of God is so powerful that the fever leaves her right away so that she can serve.

            But what does this mean? The fever leaves and she begins to serve? What is she doing serving so quickly after recovering from what could have easily been her demise…her death? Why would she take that chance on getting sick again? Surely she should know that going back to work right after all this could bring her back down to where she might be bed-ridden once again. Why would she start serving?

            The answer could sound rather easy. I could continue on in this sermon saying that it was her duty to serve; after all, they were in her house. She is the host and just because she was sick didn’t mean she shouldn’t show hospitality. After all that is the way things were in Jesus’ time. Or I could tell you that it was such a part of the culture that she would have been shamed if She did NOT serve the guests that came to her house.

She is supposed to be providing for all who enter her house or word will get out that she is not living up to the culture and how horrible might that be. She is supposed to be providing food and whatever the people who show up at her door need. I know it sounds harsh but that is what she is supposed to be doing. It is the culture!! That tone that I take may make me sound pretty unpopular. If we easily write her actions off to the culture and times then it makes her sound as if Simon’s mother-in-law is nothing more than a house keeper, maid, and just all-around general servant; like any other person, not special in any way.

But there is one other possibility as to why she would serve. She has just been healed from a fever that could have easily killed her. No one there knew what to do accept sit and wait. When Jesus shows up and grabs her by the hand, she is healed…right there on the spot, no conditions, no promises exchanged or words spoken. The Son of God has touched her and she is made well. So, why would she get up and serve?

I think it is important to understand the word serve. Going back to our old Greek, the original language of the New Testament, this word for “serve” is “diakonea.” It is the same word that Jesus uses when he says that “the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve.” It is that same diakonea that is used. From that word comes what we know as diaconal ministers, there is a diakonea ministry that also serve people and communities. So she just does not get up and begin doing things out of obligation because of culture.

I would suggest to you that she got up to serve out of gratitude for what she had been given. She is now serving out of thanksgiving for the life that she has gotten back from Jesus mere touch. She is serving as a witness to all the others of the power of Jesus Christ, God’s Son! She is serving and giving to others because of her new found ability to give back. She is serving the Messiah who would not let death take this woman; it was life that he gave back to her that now enables her to be able to give and serve others.

This small story about a woman who is sick doesn’t stop there. It continues on because Jesus moves on to other towns. He continues his message of healing, teaching, and showing God’s love to others. HE gave others the chance to be witnesses to the incredible love and power of God; the never ending peace of God and forgiveness that God gives to us through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

By the way, this story continues even to the cross. We know that so many people come to Jesus, they are healed and they begin following Jesus. Brothers and Sisters this goes all the way to the cross; because in our Gospel there were men and women looking on. Maybe one of them was Simon’s mother-in-law who was not a cook, a slave servant, or the host of a group gathering at her home. Why did she serve, because she got it! She got what it meant to receive the love of God through healing. She became a follower…she was more than a follower, a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God who gave her life back to her.

It is a compelling story and I hope it causes you to ask the question, why? We think we can guess why she served, but why do you come here? Why do you gather here Saturday or Sunday? Is it to check something off your weekly list? Is it because this is something that you have always done and you wouldn’t know to do something different?

My hope is that you come here for a whole different reason. My hope is that you come here because you have experienced some kind of healing that Simon’s mother-in-law got, whether it be from an illness, or addiction, loneliness, or crappy feelings of being unworthy! I hope that you come here because you feel some sense of God’s presence that “re-energizes” your batteries, that you feel the presence of God when you hear the words, “this is my body and my blood, given for you.” My hope is that you come here and are healed by God’s words of hope and love.

Today, we have the scouts with us in celebration of our relationship for many years. I hope you don’t come to scouts just to get a badge. Sure, they look nice and it is a good accomplishment, but I pray that you come here and participate because the Holy Spirit is working in you and telling you that you can make a difference in this world. You can do good things in this world, not because of a badge but because God calls you to share the blessings that you have been given with others. I pray that is why you come and learn and share with all of us.

            We are all called to this same service…being a Stephen Minister that sits with anyone who is in need to listen and pray, Sunday school teacher or helper, acolyte, cub scouts, bay and girls scouts, council member, parishioner... this diakonea that this woman is called to. We are called to service; to serve others in this world with whatever talents God has blessed us with; not out of obligation but out of joy and thanksgiving…because we have been so blessed and that it is the best way that we can show our love for God.

Thanks be to God: AMEN!

Mark 1:21-28 What is this? It is a new teaching, every time we meet God its new.

            It is very good to be back with you. Again I want to thank you all for your prayers and leadership while I was out sick. I also want to thank you all for this time that I was able to take our youth to Road Trip 2015. It was my first time there. It was amazing to see all these young people about 400 together, singing, and dancing to God’s Word. We even got to be a witness to the entire Gospel of Mark told by a religious storyteller.

            Her name was Tracy Redosevic. She is a biblical storyteller; and she told the entire story of the Gospel of Mark. Before I go on, you need to know that there were teens checking for accuracy and she did the Gospel of Mark justice. What was different was in the way that she told it. She did not embellish, but in certain spots she did make the sounds of crying, weeping, and the sounds of demons coming out of the people that Jesus healed. As I read this passage, I could again hear the sounds that she made. The question and statements that follow this releasing of the demon are what got my focus for this sermon.

            After this dramatic event, the demons knowing that Jesus is the Son of God, the convulsions, and screams the people who witness this ask what it is. Is this a new teaching? Or is it a new authority? Those are pretty big questions. They are big and serious because they have been taught the ways of God’s law. The people witnessing this have spent all their lives, up till now, living in a certain way…to live clean, as best as possible, in a specific way that would put them in God’s good graces (so to speak). They made the right sacrifices that needed to be made, they tried to live within the purity laws, and they sought the priests out for guidance on how to come back into the fold when they had erred.

            Now they see all this! Jesus just walks into the temple, sees this man with an unclean Spirit. The Spirit calls out to him “what have you to do with us?!” The Spirit that is unclean, that is inside this man, and tortures this man knows Jesus! I can hear the voice of our storyteller screaming those words. Jesus does not seek out this person but the spirit, which is not the Spirit of God, seeks out a response from Jesus.

            Friends in Christ this is a new thing! It is a new thing because. For the most part Jesus goes where people ask him to come. Come to the house my child is sick, come my daughter is dead, the roof of a house is raised because God went to the people because they needed healing. But now, Jesus comes to his Father’s house and the demon seeks him out. That is a big deal!

            It’s a big deal because I hear this message about all who seek out God. We don’t know if this man went to the temple thinking Jesus would be there, but there Jesus was; in the place of his Father’s house and ready to speak to God, Listen, and teach. For whatever reason this man was in the temple and SO WAS THE SON OF GOD!

            This past week when we were travelling to Road Trip, I kept telling myself that I had not been there before, I wondered what it would be like, what will I see and what will we do, I had Corey with me hoping that he would have a good time, and I was excited to hear Darcie’s adventures. Even though she has been there numerous times as a leader, I still wasn’t sure what I would experience.

            We got there and immediately went into worship. I don’t know what Corey was expecting, but I will let him tell you what he found. I asked him three questions: Where did you see God in this weekend? What did your small group mean to you? What was your overall experience (making friends)?

            Corey’s Repsonse:

Darcie's Response:

Finally, I told you what I was thinking when I got there. I was nervous, anxious, and not sure if I it would be for me. What I found there was God. I found God reaching out the young people of our church; calling them into a relationship in their language and in music and in laughter and prayer. I found a group of people seeking and rejoicing in the love of God AND IT WAS GOOD! I found a group of people that welcomed Corey without question as one of their new friends.

            I found a small group leader in Darcie that could reach out to the young people, rejoiced in reconnecting with friends and showing that our relationship with God does not stop but continues on. I also found songs that touched my heart, I heard stories of high school seniors that struggled, some to the point of breaking, but they all reached out to GOD through their church. They went seeking that Jesus who heals in the Synagogue. They sought that Jesus who teaches with God’s authority, who loves unconditionally, and wants us to hear the words “do not be afraid!”

This past weekend I guess I was seeking God in a place that I was afraid might be too much of a struggle for me. What I found was the God I know…the God of love, forgiveness and grace reaching out to all the adults and embracing our young Disciples of Christ in so many ways.

What the three of us encountered this weekend was a new teaching. It was new in how God’s Word was proclaimed; through music, sharing of stories, and through new and old friendships. Through this weekend we saw God’s authority of creation, love, and mercy. It was truly a blessed time and my hope is that we all continue to seek God and find God in ways that we may have never thought: AMEN!