[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 22A

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded:



-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: propertalk.topic <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Oct 4, 2014 9:12 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 22A



Dear Friends,
 
This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “The Ten Commandments” or “Don’t TalkLike a Christian and Live Like an Atheist!” and deals with the Old Testamentlesson (Exodus 20:1-4, 12-20).  Here itis:
 
We just heard the very serious parable Jesus told about the renters whotried to take over the vineyard from the owner. They killed the slaves who came- even killed the owner’s son (i.e. Jesus),and thought they were home free.  Theyacted as if the owner did not exist- as if he would never intervene.  Then Jesus asked a frightening question- “Whatdo you suppose the owner (i.e. God) will do to those evil renters?”  The answer- terrible things!  In other words, don’t play with God!  We’ve got to be careful we’re not acting likethose renters- we act as if God does not exist and really will neverintervene.  If we’re not careful, it’sjust too easy to talk like a Christian, but live like an atheist.  Just like the renters started acting as ifthe vineyard was their own, we start acting as if our lives are our own, notGod’s.  Did you hear the story ofPresident Clinton’s visit with the pope? The meeting that was supposed to be short lasted for two days. Finally,a weary President Clinton emerged to face the waiting news media.  The former president was smiling andannounced the summit was a resounding success. He said he and the pope agreedon 80% of the matters they discussed. Then Mr. Clinton declared he was goinghome to be with his family.  A few minuteslater, the pope came out to make his statement. He looked tired and discouraged and was practically in tears.  Sadly he announced his meeting with thePresident was a failure.  Incredulous,one reporter asked, “But your Holiness, President Clinton just announced thesummit was a great success and the two of you agreed on 80% of the itemsdiscussed.”  Exasperated, the popeanswered, “Yes, but we were talking about the Ten Commandments!” My friends,the Ten Commandments are not called the Ten Suggestions!  They are not open to negotiation!  You know the song that Frank Sinatra used tosing- “I Did It My Way.”  I’m notsupposed to live my life my way; I’m supposed to live my life God’s way. 
 
Why?  Why would God give usorders?  For the same reason parents giverules to their children?  To keep themsafe so they can have a happy life.  TheRev. Bass Mitchell told a story illustrating why we need the commandments.  He wrote,   “Once a people lived on an island.  They were a happy and content people.  But something started to go wrong.  Some of them began to disappear.  They discovered to their horror that allaround them were dangerous, deep pits that you could not see until it was too late.  When one of their children strayed too faraway one day and never returned, the people gathered at the hut of one of theirholy elders, pleading with him to do something. He went into the shrine and prayed for guidance.  Days passed by and he did not come out.  Then one day the people were summoned to theshrine.  The elder told them that God hadgranted their prayers.  The elder held upbefore them a sketch of their island, and a large X mark identified each dangerouspit for them.  They rejoiced!  They put the elder on their shoulders andcarried him in a parade.  They madecopies of the sketch and committed it to memory.  They gave thanks to God for such a greatgift.   That’s what the commandments arefor us- a life-map showing the basic potential pitfalls.  So you see, the commandments are not intendedto stifle our spirits, but to allow us to have happy lives and avoid tragedy.  
 
Let’s look at them (Exodus 20). You’ll notice they fall into two categories: “Love the Lord your Godwith all your heart and soul and mind and strength” and “Love your neighbor asmuch as you love yourself.”  The firstfour commandments describe the greatest possible pitfalls we face in terms ofloving God. 

Do not worship any god except me (vs. 3).  

Do not make idols that look like anything in the skyor on earth or in the ocean under the earth (vs. 4).

Do not misuse my name. I am the LORD your God, and Iwill punish anyone who misuses my name (vs. 7). 

Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me (vs. 8).
The last six commandments deal with loving our neighbor- they describehow God intends us to interact with our neighbors.

Respect your father and your mother, and you will livea long time in the land I am giving you (vs. 12).  

Do not murder (vs. 13).  

Be faithful in marriage (vs. 14).  

Do not steal (vs. 15). 

Do not tell lies about others (vs. 16).  

Do not want anything that belongs to someone else (vs.17). 
 
Friends, our intentions are good- we Christians really do want to obeythe commandments, yet we frequently fail. What goes wrong?  When are we mostat danger of breaking one of the commandments? Did you hear the story of the Sunday school teacher who was discussingthe Ten Commandments with her class of five and six-year-olds? After explainingthe commandment to honor thy father and thy mother, she asked, “Is there acommandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?”  Without missing a beat, one little boyanswered, “Thou shall not kill.”  Thisstory gives insight into how the devil tempts us into breaking the last sixcommandments (describing our duty toward our neighbors).  Have you heard the wisdom statement that says,“He who angers you, controls you”- True! Strong emotions make us vulnerable, so we do what we want at the momentrather than what we know is right and best in the long run.  Like the child in the story- anger orjealousy tempt us to threaten or hurt or kill or lie about someone.  Strong sexual urges make us choose todisrespect someone’s partner and family. Seeing something we want makes us choose to steal.  So watch out when those strong feelings hit.  Take a breath, count to ten (or 1,000 or sayThe Lord’s Prayer), get away from the situation for a while, and talk it out/walk it out/ think it out/ pray it out.
 
What about the commandments that deal with our duty toward God (thefirst four commandments)?  We are mostvulnerable to breaking those commandments when we decide that we are Lord ofour own lives.  We’ll do it our way,thank-you.  We talk like a Christian, butlive like an atheist.  Did you notice thethought for the week- “Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisoryposition” (Anonymous).  God doesn’t needour advice, we need God’s roadmap.  MayGod bless us as we struggle to live what we believe.
 
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updatedAfrican-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s NEW WEB SITE under“Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org.
 
Blessed preaching,
Judy Boli
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw, Michigan


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