[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 16C

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-------- Original message --------
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org> 
Date:08/20/2016  5:55 PM  (GMT-05:00) 
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org> 
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 16C 

Dear Friends,

 

This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Jesus Calls Us” or “Put Your Glasses On!” and deals with the Old Testament lesson (Jeremiah 1: 4-10).  Here it is:

 

This morning, we heard the religious leaders angry at Jesus because he broke one of their laws and healed a crippled woman on the Sabbath day.  If we read a bit further in the chapter, we hear Jesus warn them that they had better live what they believe, or they are really going to be embarrassed when they die.  They will see all those people they labeled as “no good” having a wonderful time in God’s kingdom while they are left out.  Jesus reminds them that the door to eternal life is narrow.  You realize he could be talking to us.  Let’s look at the Bible lessons today to see what they have to say to us.

 

Think of the day when you were born.  Can you imagine the excitement of that day, your birthday?  You know, it wasn’t simply our parents, siblings, grandparents, and other relatives who rejoiced when we were born.  The angels in heaven rejoiced!  God rejoiced!  Here was another precious human to love and be loved, serve and be served, make a difference.  Do you remember the old bugle call that went- “You’re in the army now.  You’re not behind the plow.”  Well- here was another potential foot soldier, or maybe general, to be in God’s army- an army of peacemakers and justice seekers.  How has it gone?  Did you answer God’s call?  Did you enlist, or are you waiting for a more convenient time or until you feel like it?  Is God still rejoicing, or have you been a disappointment?  The thought for the week speaks loud and clear at this point: “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.  Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice” (Anonymous). 

 

We can start by assuming that God is calling you, because the Bible teaches this.  How do you know what he wants you to do?  That’s easy.  I know two things God is calling you to do:  First, look inside you.  What needs fixing, learning, strengthening, healing, freeing?  What education or training do you need to be your best self?  Second, look around and see what needs doing.  What needs fixing, healing, discovering, making whole?  Where is there injustice and cruelty, sadness, grief, pain?  What needs to be made beautiful, uplifted, strengthened, and on, and on, and on?  What upsets you or makes you angry?  If you noticed it and it touches your heart, God is calling you to do something about it.

 

In the Old Testament reading about God’s call of the prophet Jeremiah, we hear one of the most common mistakes we humans make when called by the Divine.  Did you notice how full of excuses Jeremiah was- I can’t- I’m too young.  Moses acted the same way, except he had two excuses- that he couldn’t speak and even when he did, he never knew what to say.  How much of God’s work is left undone because someone is TOO.......too old, too young, too untrained, too something?  Do you remember how frustrated God got at Moses when he started with his excuses?  God’s basic response was, “I made you; I made your mouth; I can help you do anything I want done!”  We forget that whom God calls, God empowers.  “The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us (The Rev. Bass Mitchell).  Try to look at life through God’s eyes.  Remember when Goliath came against the Israelites, and the soldiers all thought, “He's so big- we can never kill him.” David looked at the same giant, but he looked at him through God’s eyes and thought, “He's so big, I can't miss.”  So, NO EXCUSES!  If God wants it done for the kingdom, you can do it.  You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you.

 

Have you heard the poem that goes:

My face in the mirror isn't wrinkled or drawn.

My house isn't dirty.  The cobwebs are gone.

My garden looks lovely and so does my lawn.

I think I may never......put my glasses back on.

Well, put your glasses on and check out your soul.  Let’s start with reality.  What’s blocking you from being happy, fulfilled, the best that you can be?  What’s blocking you from serving God- hearing his call and answering it?  Is something in your way- an attitude, an unconfessed sin, a spirit poisoned by anger, frustration, hatred, jealousy?  Which of the devil’s lies have you bought into, simply because “everyone’s doing it” or it’s all over the TV?  Do you really love God enough, or are you only “in like” with God?  Test yourself out?  How often do you find yourself not doing the right thing, the Godly thing, the kind thing because you just don’t feel like it?  You miss church because you don’t feel like getting up in the morning?  You don’t share your thoughts when sharing might help another person because “it’s not their business.”  You don’t speak up because you don’t want to get involved.  Two confirmed bachelors were sitting and talking. Their conversation drifted from politics to cooking. "I got a cookbook once," said the first, "but I could never do anything with it." "Too much fancy cooking in it, eh?" asked the second.  "You said it. Every one of the recipes began the same way - 'Take a clean dish and...'"  In other words, clean up your own life.  Put God first, get to know Him, walk with Him, take time with Him.  Don’t only worship Him when you feel like it.  It’s pretty hard to create a wonderful life for yourself and God if you don’t start with a clean kitchen- clean up the mess first.  For cooking, start with clean dishes and for creating a life that’s the best that you can be, start with a clean attitude.

 

Finally, spend time with God.  Everyone has said or heard the phrase, "Don't just sit there, do something."  Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t just do something, sit there.”  Why?  Because you’ve got to know Him, know His ways, listen to His voice, walk with Him, access His power before you can serve Him.  In closing, here’s an old, familiar story (just told you 6-19-16) that reminds us of the need to “be still and know that I am God.”  Before refrigerators, people used ice houses to preserve their food.  Ice houses had thick walls, no windows, and a tightly fitted door.  In winter, when streams and lakes were frozen, large blocks of ice were cut, hauled to the ice houses, and covered with sawdust. Often the ice would last well into the summer.  One man lost a valuable watch while working in an ice house.  He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn't find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small girl who heard about the fruitless search slipped into the ice house during the noon hour and soon emerged with the watch. Amazed, the men asked her how she found it.  "I closed the door," the girl replied, "lay down in the sawdust, and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking."  (From James Hamilton in Directions as quoted in Fresh Illustrations For Preaching & Teaching From Leadership Journal, edited by Edward K. Rowell, Copyright © 1997 by Christianity Today, Inc., Baker Books: Grand Rapids, Mich., p. 93.)  Here’s your chance.  For the rest of our worship, think about the Bible readings and sermon, look through the bulletin, think, pray, and listen for God’s voice.  Ask for direction, check out your spiritual life for poisonous attitudes, and be still and know that God is God.

 

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

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Saginaw, Michigan

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