The Pastor’s Words

Text:  2 Kings 5:1-14
15 February 2009
Topic:  It’s almost too simple.

It’s almost too simple.  God makes it almost too simple for us.  We, on the other hand, always make it more difficult than it really needs to be. 
What is this “it” I’m talking about?   Believing.  Trusting.  Giving.  Sharing.   All of these, and more.  The “it” of which I speak is the Christian faith.  It’s almost too simple, and we always make it more difficult than it really is.
Today, we celebrate the baptism of Teaghan and Brayden.  Today, God’s love and grace was poured down upon them in a wonderful and marvelous way.  Teaghan and Brayden didn’t know what was going on.  They didn’t get themselves dressed.  They didn’t drive to get here.  They didn’t even ask for this.
And yet, today, they received the Christian faith, freely and fully.  And later on, if their parents and sponsors do what they have promised, Teaghan and Brayden will learn what was so special about this day and they will affirm what took place today.  In their own time, and in their own words, they will study and learn the Christian faith, they will dig deep into this faith, and they will embrace the gift that was given to them today. 
Today, they received a gift, the gift of faith.  It was that simple.
Have you ever stopped to watch children interacting with their parents?  Of course you have.  When children are interacting with their parents – well, let me qualify this – when children are interacting with loving parents, you can see the connection, you can see the understanding, you can see the relationship, you can see the love, you can see the mutual adoration.  It’s a beautiful thing to observe and to be part of. 
These children, loved by their parents, receive the gift of love and you can literally see their relationship growing each and every day.  They feed on this love.  They thrive on this love.   And they learn to live out of this love. 
This is how God intended for it to be, for parents to love and share their love freely with their children.  And when this happens, most of these children will grow up and become happy, healthy people and, without a doubt, give this same kind of love to their children.
But these same children could have been born into a family that had no love, had no relationship, and didn’t have a clue about how to pass it on.  Sadly, we’ve seen families like this also, and children like this.  They grow up not knowing how to love themselves, much less anyone else, and they enter adult society without any compass or guideposts.  These are people for whom we need to be praying for each and every day, for their way in life is hard, their way in life is always in search of something to hold onto.
Loving, Christian parents bring their children to be baptized.  Adults who haven’t been baptized and want to start fresh in life present themselves for baptism. 
Baptism gives us a starting point.  Baptism gives us grace.  Baptism gives us the everlasting and overflowing love of God.  Baptism is that simple place from which to begin a relationship with God that can literally change our lives.
In our Old Testament lesson for today, Naaman is a really important guy who is given a simple command and he doesn’t want to follow it.  He had leprosy.  He wanted to be cured and is told by Elisha the prophet to bathe in the Jordan River and if he did it, he’d be cured.  But this was too simple for Naaman.
In preparation for his visit to Elisha, Naaman brought a $150,000 of money, ten outfits from Neiman Marcus and a letter of reference from his king, all of which was to be given to Elisha.  He figured it would cost him a small treasury and a reference from his king in order for him to be cured and so he came prepared. 
But it was simpler than that.  He was told to bathe in the Jordan River and he’d be cured.  No money needed.  No special clothes.  No letter of reference required.  Just a simple belief, just a simple trust, in the word of the prophet.
He protested, but finally, Naaman did what he was told to do.  He trusted, he believed, and he was cured.  It was that simple.
Last week, when we were given the step chart of giving for this year and we were shown how many families are giving at all the various levels, I took notice of where Joanne’s and my giving is on that chart.  It was higher than I thought it’d be but it was by no means the highest on the list.
What I do know is that, each year, we have given more, and more.   We have grown in our giving.   Each year, we discuss what we’re going to give that coming year, we make a decision, and we make it work.  It’s that simple. 
Our giving is part of our faith.  We trust and believe that we will be able to keep the commitment we make each year.
Our giving has become one of the essentials in our life.  Just like going to the grocery store and putting gas in the car are essentials, we write the check to the church each and every week.  It is that simple.
We know that the baptismal message of God’s amazing grace and God’s unconditional love is an essential message to be lived and to be shared.  And, our giving, and YOUR giving, is essential for that message to be gotten out.  It’s that simple.
Next week, on February 22, you and I will be asked to make an estimate of our giving to this congregation’s mission and ministry for remainder of 2009 and for the first two months of 2010.  We deliberately choose this time of the year to make this appeal because it is the time of year when people are doing their taxes, when we are most likely to know exactly how much money we are making in a given year.  With this as information, we then ask members to prayerfully consider how they might best move up one step on that chart from last week.
But let’s be clear.  Our faith is not about money.  Naaman thought he needed to bring a lot of cash to be cured of his leprosy.  In the end, all he needed was to believe.  It was that simple.  And it’s that simple for us as well. 
All God is looking from us is to believe, to trust, and to share of what’s been given to us.  Like the faithful and loving parents of children who give so freely of their love, we are asked to freely give of the love and the grace that’s been so freely given to us.  It’s that simple.   May it be so among us.  AMEN

Text:  Isaiah 40:21-31
8 February 2009
Topic:  Trusting the Wind

I want us to think for a few moments about birds, and what makes them fly.  We could also spend a little time talking about the miraculous water landing of US Airways Flight 1549, and I will, but only to illustrate the same thing I want to say about birds.
I am a bird feeder.  You’d be wrong to call me a bird watcher because bird watchers devote countless hours identifying and following birds that catch their attention.  For me, I just go to whatever store is selling the cheapest bird seed, put it into our squirrel proof bird feeder, and then, watch the birds come and go every day throughout the winter.
I watch the chickadees and the snow birds, the sparrows and the finches, the tit mice and the cardinals, come and go from our feeder.  They swoop in for a landing on the front porch of the feeder. Some eat their seed on the porch, while others fly to a nearby tree to munch on their chosen seed there. 
It’s all so very beautiful as they fly wherever they want, as they flit here and there, ever so quickly, and seemingly without any effort at all. 
There have been times in my life when I have wished I was a bird and able to fly up and away from the street level of my life.  I have wished I was able to have a tree-top perspective that would come with a soaring overview of the events of my life. 
But I am not a bird, and I cannot fly.  Neither are you.  We live with two feet on earth.  And you and I must acquire our perspectives another way.
Isaiah wrote some marvelous words in today’s first lesson that I want to read again.  They are similar to the words about which we just sang in the song, “On Eagle’s Wings.”  Here are Isaiah’s words, “The Lord gives strength to those who are weary.  Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall.  But those who trust the LORD will find new strength.  They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and [they will] run, without [ever] getting tired.   For, those who trust the LORD will find new strength.  ”  (Isaiah 40:29-31  CEV)
Isaiah says, trusting the Lord will give us strength.  Trusting the Lord will give us perspective.  Trusting the Lord will provide for all our needs.
There are hawks that soar over the retention basin just below the lower level parking area of our church property.  The basin has a variety of rodents living there and the hawks fly over the basin looking for lunch.  Hawks soar, slowly, methodically, and effortlessly.  And at the right time, they make a dive to the earth for their quick meal and then return to the air once again.
God provides for their needs.  Like Matthew said in his gospel, “Look at the birds in the sky!  They don’t plant or harvest.  They don’t even store grain in barns.  [And] yet your Father in heaven takes care of them.”  (Matthew 6:26 CEV) 
God provides food for hawks. But more importantly, God gives them the air under their wings.  For without the air under their wings, without the uplift of the draft from under their wings, they could not fly.  Without the air beneath them, they could beat their wings all they want, and still they would not fly.
When US Airways Flight 1549 lost its thrust due to birds that unfortunately flew into the engines of the plane, the only thing the pilot could use to land that plane on the Hudson River was the air beneath its two wings.  When the plane lost the thrust of its engines, it didn’t just drop out of the sky.  With an absolutely superb pilot in the cockpit, the plane was glided through the air above the river and onto the water.  The pilot’s skill and the wind beneath their wings saved them.  
When you and I are struggling to find our way in this world of ours, when we look out on our lives and wonder how we’re ever going to make it, when we look at the problems that are pulling us down, when we’ve lost our own power, that’s when we need to look at what’s beneath us.  We need to look at the wind beneath our wings.  We need to remember what’s keeping that hawk in the air.  We need to watch little birds flit from tree branch to feeder and back again and realize that it’s the wind beneath their wings that keeping them in flight.  It’s the air, provided by God, that’s keeps them flying.
In two weeks we will be making commitments to give money to the mission and ministry of this congregation in this time and place.  Every one of us has been hit by the economic realities of the past year.  There’s not a person here who hasn’t been adversely affected by the downturn.  This, of course, is true for our congregation as well.
But, again, if we look at the birds in the sky, they don’t plant or harvest.  They don’t even store grain in barns.  [And] yet our Father in heaven takes care of them.   Because there is wind beneath their wings, birds keep flying, and they are able to keep looking for bird feeders and other sources for their food supply.  The wind, the air, saves them.  And, you and I, because of God’s wind beneath us, will also be able to make a commitment to the financial needs of this congregation because God’s Spirit will show us how.
In the Old Testament, the word for wind is RUAH which is the same word that is used for SPIRIT.  When we think of God giving us the wind which blows beneath our wings, it is actually God’s Spirit that is flowing in and around us.  It is God’s Spirit that keeps us from falling.  And it is God’s Spirit that will help us soar like eagles, in 2009, and on into 2010.
As in the words of that wonderful song we just sang, by trusting in the Lord, the Lord will raise us up on eagle’s wings, the Lord will bear us on the breath of dawn, the Lord will make us shine like the sun,  and the Lord will hold us in the palm of his hand.  We can trust it.  We can live it.  AMEN
 

Text:  Mark 1:21-28
1 February 2009
Topic:  Words into Deeds
 
We rarely remember the content of sermons.  I used to think this was a problem unique to me because I have a hard time remembering any of the sermons my father preached.  But I do remember the effect they had upon me.
Seems this was true of Jesus’ early sermons as well.  Notice the first two verses in today’s gospel reading, “Jesus and his disciples went to the town of Capernaum.   Then, on the next Sabbath, he went into the Jewish meeting place and started preaching.  Everyone was amazed at his teaching.”  For, as it says, “He taught with authority.”  (Mark 1:21-22a  CEV)
The text says nothing about the content of his message.  We get no stories.  We get no outline of his teaching.  All we know from the first part of today’s text is that everyone was amazed at his teaching; that he wasn’t like all the other teachers they’d ever had.
Sadly, this is what some people look for in preachers of today.  They look for what amazes, for what dazzles, for what entertains.
But Jesus was more than words.  Jesus was also all about deeds. 
Today’s gospel reading is from the very first chapter of Mark’s gospel.  The words of Jesus are alluded to in the first verses, but it was his deed of healing the man who was possessed of an evil spirit that really got people talking. 
Yes, Jesus taught better than those who had been their teachers in their schools before; but the real kicker was he actually healed people.  And, because of that, “News about Jesus quickly spread all over Galilee.”  (Mark 1:28  CEV)
The text tells us that among those who were listening to Jesus in the synagogue that day was a man who had an evil spirit within him. 
We know that all the other people who were listening to Jesus that day were “amazed at his teaching.”  But it was the man with the evil spirit who really KNEW WHO Jesus was.  While there were people who were amazed at his teaching, this man really KNEW him.  He even cried out, “I know who you are!  You are Jesus from Nazareth, God’s Holy One.”  (Mark 1:24  CEV)
We’ve all heard teachers and preachers and politicians give wonderful speeches.  But only those who deliver the goods, only those who demonstrate through their deeds what their words have said, attain a following.  And that’s why I believe Mark included this story about Jesus in his very first chapter.  He wanted us to not only listen to Jesus but to watch what he did.
I find it interesting that the one who recognized Jesus in our gospel story was not one of the regular folks at the synagogue, not one of the regulars who attended worship each and every week.  The one who recognized Jesus and his purpose was the one who was the most distressed, the most disturbed, the most disoriented of all.  The one who recognized Jesus was a man with an evil spirit within him. 
Last Saturday night was a living hell for the folks living on Fleetwood Street in Coatesville.  Twelve families lost most of their earthly possessions in a fire that had been set by an arsonist; someone whom we could all agree has an evil spirit within them.
But even as the fire was still being put out by courageous and hard working fire fighters, city and county agency people began to gather to see what they could do to help.  Pastors were called and they prayed with families throughout the night into Sunday morning.  And by last Sunday evening, meetings were already being held to find out how the community might come together and respond to this horrible tragedy. 
In this instance, words weren’t going to help. 
In this instance, an amazing speech wasn’t going to satisfy them. 
In this instance, people were going to need food and shelter, warmth and care, a hot cup of coffee and the hope that someone would be helping them get back on their feet.
And lo and behold, the community responded.  The county responded.  The state responded.  And these families are getting more than words; they are receiving actual, physical help.  They are receiving help in securing homes and apartments, furniture and food, clothes and the assurance that continued help is on the way.
Who knew this could happen?  Who knew that out of Coatesville, out of this place which people throughout the county believe is somehow demon possessed, could become the very source of hope, and help, and healing?  Who knew that out of evil could come good?
Who knew that Jesus would do more than amaze his hearers with his fine words and wonderful speeches and begin to tell evil spirits where to go?  Who knew that Jesus would be more than a voice but a man of action?
For many of those who listened to Jesus, they were content to be amazed at his words.  But, I have the strong feeling Jesus wanted them to look at his deeds as well.  We can almost hear Jesus say, “Don’t only listen, watch and see what I did.”
And that’s what we, in Coatesville this past week, have done.  We took the words of Jesus and put them into action.  We reached out to fire victims who were distressed, disturbed, and disoriented.  We took the message and mission of Jesus to the street.  And evil has been banished – for a while.
Even in their grief, even in their loss, twelve families have been touched by the grace of God.  Twelve families have been shown that God’s love cannot be burned up or blown away by the wind.  The evil deeds of one, or a few, cannot overcome, and will not overcome, the grace and mercy of God.
God’s love has been physically demonstrated in the mounds of clothing donated, in the food that’s been collected, in the furniture that’s been delivered, and in the homes that have been sought out for their safety and comfort.
When Jesus told the evil spirit in our gospel for today to come out of the man, that evil spirit didn’t have a chance.  Even the possessed man knew it.  He knew it was God’s Son who was speaking.  And when God’s Son speaks, things happen.  Lives change.  The world doesn’t stay the same.
Sometimes those who are in the worst of situations are the ones who are the most ready to hear and receive a message of grace, a message of hope.  What Jesus did in our gospel for today was give grace and bestow hope to a man who had neither.  And it can happen to us as well.
Jesus came to this earth not to dazzle us, but to save us.  Jesus came to this earth not to be popular, but to provide a way for us to live.  Jesus came to this earth not to amaze us with his wonderful words, but to heal us from the distress in our lives, to heal us from all that disturbs us, and to dispel the disorientation that plagues us.
May we believe not only in the words of Jesus but also in his deeds.  May we truly believe that whatever evil lay within us can be healed and thrown out by Jesus.  Along with the man in today’s gospel, may we believe in GOD’S HOLY ONE, the one who can make us whole.  Amen.