[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Lent 2CL “Who’s King (or Queen) of Your Hill?”

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From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Fri, Mar 15, 2019 6:43 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Lent 2CL “Who’s King (or Queen) of Your Hill?”

Dear Friends, This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Who’s (or What) IsYour God?” or “Who’s King (or Queen) of Your Hill?” and is based on all thelessons.  Here it is:   Did you hear the story of the man who died and had toface St. Peter at the Pearly Gates? Peter told him, “Before you meet with God, I thought I should tell you-we've looked at your life, and you really didn't do anything particularly goodor bad. We're not at all sure what to do with you. Can you tell us anything youdid that can help us make a decision?” The newly arrived soul thought for a moment and replied, “Yeah, once Iwas driving along and came upon a woman who was being harassed by a group of bikers.So I pulled over, got out my tire iron, and went up to the leader of thebikers. He was a big, muscular, hairy guy with tattoos all over his body and aring pierced through his nose. Well, I tore the nose ring out of his nose, andtold him he and his gang had better stop bothering the woman or they would haveto deal with me!”  “I'm impressed,” St.Peter responded, “When did this happen?” “About two minutes ago,” came the reply (JokesWareHouse.com Joke of theDay).  I hate to tell you, but beating upa gang of bikers to save a poor defenseless lady isn’t really going to helpmuch getting you into heaven.  Did youhear St. Paul’s statement to the Philippians (3:18-19)?  “I often warned you that many people areliving as enemies of the cross of Christ. And now with tears in my eyes, I warnyou again that they are headed for hell! They worship their stomachs and bragabout the disgusting things they do. All they can think about are the things ofthis world.”  Another translation says,“Their god is their belly!”  My questionto you this morning is- who or what is your god?  Do you remember the childhood game called“King (or Queen) of the Hill?”  Out ofeverything you like and love in your life, who or what is “top dog?”  Who or what is in competition to be lord ofyour life?  The answer to this questionis really important, because it determines the success of your present life aswell as your future destiny.  Each of ourfour Bible lessons today has a candidate for king/queen of your life- i.e. topidol. Paul’s warning to the Philippians about the god of thebelly is a warning we should all take to heart, because he’s talking aboutphysical loves.  Is there anyone else inour congregation this morning who loves to eat? Did you give some kind of food up for Lent and then find you’ve alreadyslipped?  Be careful- who’s on the top ofthe hill of your life- God or food?  Nowbefore the rest of us start to feel superior, answer this.  What about sleeping?  Is there anyone who sometimes sleeps in onSunday in spite of the commandment that says, “Honor the Sabbath Day and keepit holy”?  Then there are the usualaddictions of nicotine, alcohol, money, sex, gambling, TV, houses, clothes,cars, and who knows what else?  If one ofthese physical loves is moving up too high on the hill of your life, Lent isthe perfect time to knock it down to size. In today’s Old Testament lesson, we hear Abrahamworrying about life in general.  He stillisn’t sure about the land God has promised him and he still doesn’t have a son toinherit this land he’s supposed to inherit. Maybe worry and emotional negatives are struggling to be King or Queenof your life.  Learn from Abraham- giveyour worries to God.  If negativethoughts persist, don’t be too proud to talk to me or your doctor or acounselor. Whatever you do, don’t let emotional problems ruin your life. The Psalm reminds us of another unlikely King or Queenof our life- interpersonal resentments. How many adults do you know who are still blaming their parents forwhat’s happening in their lives right now? Don’t let resentments and bitterness rule your life.  Give them to God.  Forgive your enemies and claim freedom inChrist. Finally- in today’s Gospel (Luke 13:31-35), we hearhow some of the Pharisees were warning Jesus about King Herod and we wonderabout their motives.  It occurs thatperhaps they really liked Jesus but were just too easily influenced by peerpressure to outwardly follow Him.  Remember,Nicodemus (who was a Pharisee) came to Jesus by night.  Do your friends rule your life?  Is what they think more important to you thanwhat God thinks? May God bless us as we reclaim the top of the hill ofour lives for Jesus.  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 BoliSt. Paul's Episcopal ChurchSaginaw, Michigan-- 
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