[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 14A: “Any Storms Out Your Way?”

[Joe Parrish]

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-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Aug 12, 2017 3:58 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 14A: “Any Storms Out Your Way?”



Dear Friends,
 
This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Peter Walks onWater” or “Any Storms Out Your Way?” and deals with the Gospel (Matthew 14: 22-33).  Here it is: 
 
The year I graduated fromWayne State University (1959), I got a summer job teaching swimming atInterlochen Summer Arts Camp.  We stoodin Lake Michigan much of the day and taught. By the end of each day, I was a cold, exhausted, mess.  That must have been how the disciples feltduring that storm we heard about in today’s gospel,
 
Bringing us all up-to-dateon the episodes we’ve heard so far from the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus heardof the execution (beheading) of his second cousin John the Baptist, he tried tofind a quiet place were he could grieve and pray.  Last week, we heard how people in thesurrounding area found him, so he had compassion on them, taught, and healedthe sick. When it was too late to send them home hungry, he fed 5,000 men pluswomen and children with only five loaves and two fish, then collected twelvebaskets full of leftovers.  Today’sgospel picks up as Jesus sends his disciples ahead of him across the Sea of Galilee so he can finally get some quiet time withGod.  Now, the Sea of Galilee is onlyseven miles wide and fourteen miles long, but it is 150 feet deep in someplaces (about 25 people standing on each other’s heads!) and vicious stormscome up often without warning.  That’s alot of water to deal with, especially in the middle of a storm, and that’s whathappened.  The disciples struggled allnight against the wind and waves just trying to keep their boat afloat, and inthe early morning (between three and six A.M.) they saw something.  They saw Jesus walking on the water towardthem, but they thought it was a ghost. We heard the rest of the story. Jesus reassured them as he walked toward them on the water that he wasno ghost.  Peter responded, “Lord, ifit’s really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus replied, “Come on.”  Peter was fine at first, but then he lostfocus.  As he experienced the strength ofthe wind and the ferocity of the waves, he began to sink.  “Lord, save me!” Peter shouted.  Right away, Jesus reached out his hand,grabbed Peter, and helped him into the boat. At once, the wind died down, the waves quieted, and the disciples in theboat worshipped Jesus.  That’s whathappened.  Now, what’s it to you?
 
What’s true about the Sea of Galilee is also true of our lives.  Ferocious storms come up, sometimes totallyunexpectedly; and just as wind and waves can swamp a small fishing boat- life’sdifficulties can swamp our lives.  Wecan’t control the storms, but we can control our response to them.  Today’s gospel has four thoughts for doingjust that.
 
Learn from Jesus.  Be prepared- even Jesus prayedand spent time alone with God.  If Jesusneeded to pray consistently, what about us? Martin Luther said that the busier his day, the more important that hestart it with prayer.  The Rev. Dr. TonyEvans (Urban Alternatives out of California)reminds us, “When you consider the power of prayer, it is no wonder Satan worksovertime to keep us off our knees.”
 
Learn from Peter.  Risk for the Lord.  Did you notice the thought for the week?  “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is notwhat ships are built for.” (John Shedd) Don’t take the easy way.  LiveGod’s way.  Do the right thing.  Be a person of justice.  Speak up for the Lord.
 
Learn from the disciples.  Know theenemy.  The disciples knew the sea, andat this point in their lives, the sea was their enemy.  Actually, for thousands of years in manycultures, the seas symbolized chaos, forces opposed to God.  Those same forces of chaos and evil aim todestroy us.  They are the devil’stools.  An old fable tells us aboutthem.  Once upon a time, the devil decidedto go out of business.  And he thought itwise to offer all his tools for sale.  Sohe held an auction.  At the auction, eachtool was described and then sold to the highest bidder.  The tools which were sold that day weremalice (acting like the “b” word), hatred, envy, jealousy, deceit, and so forth.  The tool receiving the highest bid was“discouragement.”  When asked why thatwent for the highest price, the devil replied,” Discouragement is the mostuseful tool in the entire world.  If Ican get a person in a discouraged, defeatist mood, I can do anything with thatperson, for faith is quickly lost.  Andwithout faith, courage loses its focus and motivation.”
 
Finally, once again, learn from Peter: No matter what, stayfocused on Jesus.  Remember, Peter wasdoing fine until he lost his focus and started noticing the fierceness of thestorm.  This principle is easiest to seein sports.  How many games have been lostwhen good players lost their focus and got distracted?  Whatever storms we face, God is in charge.  Jesus triumphs over chaos and evil by walkingall over it and proclaiming to the frightened disciples: “Don’t worry.  I AM Jesus. Don’t be afraid”(Matthew 14:27).  In the Bible, “I AM” is the name God callshimself.  No matter what you’re goingthrough, God is in charge.  We know asong about this- we sing it often.  Let’ssing it again: “Be not afraid, for God is in charge.  Be not afraid, for God is in charge.  Be not afraid, for God is in charge.  I now release, let go, and know that God isin charge.”
 
For anyone who isinterested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements areposted 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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