SO – here is the sermon I was blessed to give – a teaching sermon and different than others that I have given except to say that GOD NEVER CHANGES – and is always LOVE! So blessed to share!!!
We LOVE this cooler crisp weather (at night) and the reminder to come together and appreciate life and the blessings of the Lord. We don’t need to be like the TV show “Little House on the Prairie” and stockpile like they did – we have such modern conveniences – even never stop in winter (like I like to go for a polar plunge) – but still this fall weather preps us to “stock up” with the harvest – and to count our blessings….
Yesterday (Saturday) many from our church came out to be in community and were blessed to sit outside in this great weather at our local festival – and to greet the community with love and openness – have discussion with others – and I know that it is so encouraging to so many that “church people exist” – that we offer hope and that we work together as God’s Hands and Feet and Hugs. We don’t sell anything – just nice to give stuff away – we had a display of gifts like free books and trinkets – free cookies (yum) – and free activities (like creating rocks with encouraging messages) – we had dialogue about our efforts in serving the community – and we were offering prayers for encouragement and for healing and for the benefit of all – in community.
We have the prayer box from yesterday – many touching stories – like a little 5 year old in the hospital, this whole family started to tell us of his newly diagnosed ailment – leukemia – and we were able to share some books and prayers on the spot with them –– and this grandpa and all aunts and uncles and grandparents were so steadfast in support and prayer for this little boy. Please do pray for him. And please pray for all our prayer box intentions.
Another memory was a little boy – they all appreciated the gifts and really wanted the interactions – James – he kept coming around to chat with us at the table because he wanted to tell us things about his choices – and about his items he had gotten that day. He wanted the dialogue.
And another was a little boy who asked me – when I said we would pray for people – he asked me if we were Christian – I said yes – and said he was another faith – and I said to the effect “We pray for everyone because God loves everyone.” It was a microcosm of life there at the park…
Honestly, we are in community EVERYDAY! I love that song “They will know we are Christians by our love – by our love – they will know we are Christians by our love.”
In Community, we are called to be together in working together – that is not just us in the park or at an event – or even just here together – our community is out there all around us. And we do have the opportunity to get outside the building and be the community out there – so today I want to focus on this aspect of community – part of our sermon series on “Grow Community” – in that GOD CALLS US TO BE A COMMUNITY OF FORGIVENESS – OF RECONCILIATION.
We remember (as has we have been touching upon so many aspects of the early church) that community was key to the early church survival and THRIVING – and it is our opportunity now – to learn – to work together – I was thinking the other day about the sharing of resources after covid started – there is a church by the hospital that had an outside cupboard to share things like toilet paper and food… and it is so good for sharing to sustain community – I spoke few weeks ago about the people who brought what they had, their land, their supplies and lived in community. So, it is natural for Jesus to talk in our first scripture reading from the gospel of Matthew that reminds us of the complexity of living together – it was complex then and we are taught like in early Christianity a compelling need for FORGIVENESS and RECONCILIATION…
Yes, these scriptures are for us now: From the book of Matthew – remember that Matthew a former tax collector or called a publican and he was considered a traitor to the Jewish people of his own, by working and exhorting money from the Jews by the Romans. Well, now Matthew was writing to explain the new identity of Christians – of Jews who were likely cast out of the traditional Jewish communities – and were outsiders there – but came together and found a home in Jesus’s teachings and in the sharing of the early church. Matthew writes what Jesus says – the red-letter bibles show almost all red for this chapter – chapter 18:15-18, 19-20. Dealing With Sin in the Church
Jesus spoke: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” [and interesting Jesus is talking that Matthew would have picked up on that phrase – “even a tax collector” – Matthew’s book of identity really is for us too.]
Jesus continued: “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Now – I decided to look this up – that scholars do help in these interesting phrases Jesus gives us – and approaching this statement – Jesus surely is telling us that we are remembered for the love we share here on earth – it is not feathers in our caps but fulfilling the commandment to love one another – and a scholar I did read that we are to use our discretion for what we know are obligatory – are bound – and other things that are loosed are more up to the church together to know this is appropriate or not… The point is that we work together in communication and in trust and in demonstrating AGAPE love to those whom we re-gather into the church – into life – into reconciliation.
I will point out that immediately before these passages in the gospel of Matthew is the lost sheep passage – “go after the one” – the 99 are fine together – but go after the one to be reconciled… it is after the “welcome the children” scriptures too….
Jesus IS With us – Jesus already is going for the lost – we are to go too… and we are to ask the Lord to be with us when we do go for those – it is so important to listen (two ears) over talking (one mouth) – when reconciling. Jesus wants to go with us – and us with Him… already on earth and already on Heaven is that the Kingdom of Heaven already knows about this person or about us – Psalm 139 we can’t hide anything from God – therefore Jesus knows!!!!
Jesus continues: verses 19-20: “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
And that is the part of reconciliation that helps us keep together with Jesus – Jesus is here with us – and we are to invite Him into a sticky situation like dealing with sin – to use HIS GUIDANCE over our anger and angst – to turn the other cheek might be to take that breather to consult with the Lord…. Jesus wants us to be gathered in His name – for His cause – for the Whole of the community of the Kingdom of Heaven…
And situations get sticky, don’t they? Sin and brokenness ever present in our world: v21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
WOW – seventy-seven times – or other translations say seventy times seven – that is weird there that the math doesn’t match – but yeah either way – it is a lot!!!!!!!!! Peter is going back to that “reconcile the one sheep” notion – but thinking seven is a huge level of forgiveness – surely it is more than enough – and Jesus says NOT ENOUGH – FORGIVE MORE – even forgive until it hurts is exactly what Jesus does – and He teaches the hard stuff… FORGIVENESS is tough!!!!!!!!!!!! (Tougher than tough math!!!!!!)
SO – the church – the scriptures – the Lord gives us these instructions – now we look at Forgiveness for the Offender – as Paul writes to the Corinthians – because there were early churches which had gone astray in some of their membership issues: And that is not a surprise for us – that we are wayward…. This is from Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians chapter 2:5-11
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
So – we want RECONCILIATION in community – and WHY? We want others to understand the ABUNDANT LIFE – like these excerpts from OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET ISAIAH – CHAPTER 55 – WE WANT OTHERS TO KNOW THIS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS AND ABUNDANCE – “…let your soul delight itself in ABUNDANCE. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you” – and – “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”
[It really is all about forgiveness]
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.“
Now – I can bring some props in – I know there are some who love my props – and these are simple to bring – some books
*Prop 1 – book 1 Charles Stanley – “Surviving in an Angry World” – [good passages on forgiveness and how to conduct oneself] – This is a good book that I read cover to cover in like a few hours one night in my own unsettledness many years ago now – it reminded me that anger happens, is a normal response, but it is tough out there in the world – but the secret that I flagged here – FORGIVENESS…. And these 2 passages (excerpts) “Let me assure you that I do not believe an angry person can be turned into a peaceful one solely through the help of another human being, Removing anger from the human heart is a spiritual process that must involve God’s direct intervention.”
*And another section of the book “Surviving in an Angry World” by Charles Stanley: “A Quiet Spirit and Measured Response” – The author speaking: “I went into a business meeting one time, and as soon as I sat down, a man came into the room and launched a scathing verbal attack against me. His tirade lasted almost fifteen minutes, but I did not say a word or try to stop him. After taking their cue from me, no one else in the room tried to stop him either. – “When the meeting ended, a pastor friend said, “Charles I have never seen such a totally unmovable face or expression in my life. You never budged. You didn’t reveal anything about how you were feeling – and you stayed that way for fifteen minutes!” – I knew there was no point in trying to defend myself. The other men at the table knew me, and they knew the truth about the accusations he was making. That man was succeeding only in destroying himself and his reputation, the longer he ranted at me.”
It continues: “I got a small notecard and wrote on it, ‘PAUSE BEFORE SPEAKING’. Then I tucked the card among my notes – I knew that I would need to listen closely and think carefully before I responded to any question. This card served as a mental reminder to me even though I didn’t look at it once…. ‘pause before speaking’ is good in any conflict…”
The author states this advice: “When you pause, pray silently that God will give you wisdom about what to say and when to say it. Ask Him to guard your tone and keep any sarcasm or cynicism out of your voice.“
*[I explained these FROG stickers – F.R.O.G. for “Faithfully Relying On God” – an acronym from a friend]
*Another prop – another book – “Talk to Me Nicely – by Minda Hart – about the seven trust languages in the workplace” – read the TRUST languages – which you could add scripture to for sure: SENSITIVITY, TRANSPARENCY, SECURITY, DEMONSTRATION, FEEDBACK, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, FOLLOW-THROUGH. In the text, one example she gave of trust is in the training – and a time she got little – at age 15 she was hired as the cart retriever at a grocery store and there was minimal training obviously… but then she was called into the work of people who were not there – either cashier bagger or deli or decorating cakes! No training! She said it was not right with no training… but for us, do we have training in life? YES – the Lord has given us training for living – love God, love each other, forgive… definite training on forgiveness and reconciliation! God has given us the HOLY SPIRIT to help in these situations – and the Lord has given us action in His Word.
*Even and especially our Jesus Calling book passage said yesterday: Oct 4th – about Going with God and about working through HIM!!! Passage is: “Though the Holy Spirit is infinite, He deigns to be your Helper. He is always ready to offer assistance; all you need to do is ask. When the path before you looks easy and straightforward, you may be tempted to go it alone instead of relying on Me [God]. This is when you are in the greatest danger of stumbling. Ask My Spirit to help you as you go each step of the way. Never neglect this glorious Source of strength within you.”
*And my last prop – cat food – the box here is empty because the cat is caught!!!!!!!!! I know that talking about getting a cat is so different than people but in my excitement how could I now tell you of how I wanted to use TRUST to catch the cat instead of a TRAP… [so funny how I prayed that ‘Lord this would make a great ending to the sermon if I actually caught the cat.’ – but the Lord is good regardless and I would still tell of TRUST…. And so for this cat I felt that TRUST was best – and we know that TRUST is key in community !!!
*And so I CAUGHT THAT CAT LAST NIGHT – OH I PRAYED AND PRAISED THE LORD – I am so relieved and thrilled!!! [told story of trust – and how the cat escaped my cage first time last week – and rebuilding trust… told that even though I was busy and tired – this was the right window of opportunity!!!! ]
*** SO – TO CLOSE THIS SERMON – I will read parts of a devotion poem I wrote a couple weeks ago:
TRUST not Trap, Even when Catching a Cat
I’m trying to catch a cat – I’m not sure that my proposed set trap – Might or might not work for THIS cat – Particularity Peculiarity is THIS and each cat (like people) as unique (imagine THAT!)
Instead I will retry to develop a TRUST – YES A TRUST IS A MUST – In life and even in strife – Whether we are talking about a cat or anyone in fact
TRUST NOT TRAP – Forgiveness over a bad rap – Love for all insight – and to keep a cat from flight
Lure is nothing compared to LOVE – Faithfulness will land gently into the situation like a DOVE
Hope is in me, when trepidation might make the cat flee – There are benefits, oh cat can you see, of the new life for you, at a farm, filled even more of roaming free
So, patience and perseverance, transparency and security
Thinking outside the box and never in the trap
How to woo this cat and everyone in fact –
IS for us to instill TRUST, not lay a trap, YES IT IS EXACTLY THAT.
Pray me LOVE – Love – not luck… – This cat will get caught – Love is never for naught
LOVE WINS – For people too – fishing in Love nets men from lostness again and agains…
Not lure – but LIFE for sure – The Lord will see us through, – Believing that – OH we know how TRUE
Amen
The Lord shows and tells us to forgive and to have reconciliation IN COMMUNITY – and of course because He wants us to live with Him forever, He reconciles us… and just like we will have communion and remember Jesus in His forgiveness and mercy and love, we are to remember that He is always here to teach, to give us help, to encourage us to reconcile and love…
Let us pray. ‘PLEASE PRAY WITH ME: Lord – You have taught us – and you have held us together – help us continue to be the community you call us to be. You teach us how a community will thrive and grow when there is LOVE, FORGIVENESS, RECONCILIATION AND trust in You Lord….., and in Your Plan, Process, and Your Way. Thank You Lord for the instruction and the LOVE. AMEN’
[PS – the cat already is at the farm destination that he was being sent to – he got to the vet already and checked out clean – he will live his best life at the farm with the areas to roam and the other outside cats – he will get to be social too… I was just the catcher and deliverer – and now I will let the Lord handle the rest – He always does best….]
Debbie Upper 