[Propertalk] Sermon for Christ, the King Sunday - Part 2 of 2

[Joe Parrish]

Sermon for Christ, the King Sunday - Part 2 of 2

 From: JUDY.BOLI at ecunet.org
The next verse is, “Open Thou my lips, for God is in charge.”  Once again it matches our statement before the gospel: “May your words be in my mind and on my lips…”  It’s our lips, our mouths, that build up or tear down. Do you remember in the Acts of the Apostles when John Mark was the teen-age apprentice scheduled to go with Paul and Barnabus on one of their missionary voyages?  John Mark got homesick and cut out on them, leaving only Paul and Barnabus to do the work.  When Paul was planning the next trip, John Mark wanted another chance.  Paul’s answer was basically, “No way John Mark!  You had your chance and blew it.  Not with me again!”  It was Barnabus, whose name means “Son of Encouragement” who put his arm around John Mark and communicated that he was forgiven.  I can just hear him saying, “Son, don’t listen to Paul- he’s just upset.  God has a great place for you in Kingdom work.  Why don’t you come with me on my next trip.  Paul can take Silas.” Actually, that’s what happened.  Barnabus reclaimed John Mark for the Kingdom.  John Mark was probably the person who went on to write the first recorded gospel (Mark), which turned out to be a prototype for the other gospels.  So perhaps: no Barnabus- no gospels.  Be a person of encouragement.  One of the best ways to know the degree to which you have allowed Jesus to be your Lord is by watching what comes out of your mouth.  If someone angers or frustrates you, especially a person of lower power- like a child, do you cuss at them or talk to them as Jesus would?  Another test- what do you say when you’re driving and another car cuts in front of you? Put God in charge of your lips.
 The last verse- “Open Thou my heart, for God is in charge” again matches our pre-gospel statement: “May your words be in my mind and on my lips and in my heart.”    Are you hard-hearted, cold-hearted, “cool”-ie- nothing gets to you?  The prayer that I challenge you to say every morning (if you dare) when you first awaken is, “Dear Lord, may the things that break your heart also break mine.”  Then be open to other people- their pain, the injustices they face.  Don’t see people as numbers, but see every single person as God’s kid- your sister or brother enslaved by sin, disease, discrimination, abuse, neglect, hunger, loneliness- all the many evils that afflict us. Then open your life to touch other lives.  If you love Jesus, prove it.  Your love will start in your mind, but then flow through your lips and your actions- WWJD.  I’m going to close with a story.  A young couple got married and went on their honeymoon. When they got back, the bride immediately called her mother. “Well,” said her mother, “So how was the honeymoon, darling?”  “Oh, mama,” she replied, “The honeymoon was wonderful! So romantic...!”  Suddenly she burst out crying. “But, mama, as soon as we returned, Sam started using the most horrible language - things I'd never heard before! I mean, all these awful four-letter words! You've got to take me home... PLEASE MAMA!”  “Sarah, Sarah,” her mother said, “calm down! You need to stay with your husband and work this out. Now, tell me, what could be so awful? WHAT four-letter words?”  “Please don't make me tell you, mama,” wept the daughter, “I'm so embarrassed, they're just too awful! COME GET ME, PLEASE!!” “Darling, baby, you must tell me what has you so upset. Tell your Mama these horrible four-letter words!”  Still sobbing, the bride said, “Oh, Mama... he used words like: dust, wash, iron, cook...”  “I'll pick you up in twenty minutes,” said the mother.  God uses only one four-letter word, and he truly expects us to live it.  You know God’s four-letter-word?  “L-O-V-E!”  What would Jesus, our king do?  Love!  What did Jesus, our king do? Love! 
 May God bless us as we follow our Lord and King- King Jesus!  Amen.
 [END]
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org .
Blessed preaching,
Judy Boli 
JUDY.BOLI at ecunet.org
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw, Michigan

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