[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Prooper 17C: "Arrogance- Who Do You Think You Are?"

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From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Aug 31, 2019 10:03 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Prooper 17C: "Arrogance- Who Do You Think You Are?"


Dear Friends, This Sunday’s sermon is entitled  "Arrogance- Who Do You Think You Are?" and is based on all thelessons.  Here it is:  

Pride is the subject of two of our Bible readings fortoday.  Talk about confusion!  Pride is listed as one of the seven deadlysins, and yet how many times have I told a child, "Stand tall andproud!  You can do it!"  Am I really teaching our children tosin?  I surely hope not!  Actually, the word "pride" ismulti-meaning.  Let’s think through thismost confusing and potentially life-destroying sin. First, let’s see what pride is and is not.  The opposite of pride is humility- and thatmakes it worse, because our culture defines humility as passively taking whatlife throws at us, thinking we are nothing- "I’m a worm!" kind ofthinking.  That kind of humility is notChristian.  In fact it is sinful.  God expects us to take control of our lives,be the best we can be- not believe in the power of "fate."  He created us in his image- so we are surelynot "nothings."  After all- Goddoesn’t make junk!  We are children ofthe King- the creator of the universe; we are princes and princesses!  Christian humility is living our reality-being who we are- no more and no less. Now let’s look at "pride." The Contemporary English Version of the Bible translates "pride"as "arrogance"- pretending to be more than we are, better than otherpeople.  The writer of Ecclesiasticus(10:7) reminds us that "Arrogance and injustice are hated by both the Lordand humans."  People who arearrogant see themselves as little (or not so little) gods.  We heard Jesus condemn the arrogance of thoseguests who assumed that they were better than everyone else and therefore thebest seats at the banquet were due them. Let me tell you a story that illustrates arrogance.   Little Leroy came into the kitchen where his motherwas making dinner. His birthday was coming up, and he thought this was theperfect time to tell his mother that he wanted a bike for his tenthbirthday.  Now the only problem was-Little Leroy had not made life easy for his mother, father, teacher, preacher,brother, sister, or anybody else.  Ifthere was trouble to be made, he made it. If there was mischief to be done, he did it.  You catch on- he hadn’t been the best childhe could be this last year.  When hismother asked if he really thought he deserved a big present like a bike, helied and said of course he did.  Leroy'smother, being a Christian woman, wanted Leroy to reflect on his behavior overthe last year. She told him to go to his room and think about how he behavedthis year. Then she told him to write a letter to God and tell him why hedeserved a bike for his birthday.  LittleLeroy stomped up the steps to his room and sat down to write God a letter. Letter 1: Dear God, I have been a very good boy thisyear and I would like a bike for my birthday. I want a red one.  Your friend, Leroy (Leroy knew that thiswasn't true. He had not been a very good boy this year, so he tore up theletter and started over.) Letter 2: Dear God, I have been an "OK" boythis year. I still would really like a bike for my birthday. Sincerely, Leroy(Leroy knew he could not send this letter to God either. So he wrote a thirdletter.) Letter 3: God, I know I haven't been a good boy thisyear. I am very sorry. I will be a good boy if you just send me a bike for mybirthday.  Please!  Thank you, Leroy.  (Leroy knew, even if it were true, that thisletter was not going to get him a bike. Now Leroy was very upset. He wentdownstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to church. Leroy's motherthought her plan had worked, as Leroy looked very sad. “Just be home in time fordinner,” she told him.) Leroy walked down the street to the church on thecorner.  Little Leroy went into thechurch and up to the altar. He looked around to see if anyone was there. Leroybent down and picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary. He slipped it under hisshirt and ran out of the church, down the street, into the house, and up to hisroom. He shut the door to his room and sat down with a piece of paper and apen. Then Leroy wrote his letter to God. Letter 4: God, I'VE GOT YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEEHER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE!  Signed, YOUKNOW WHO! Little Leroy really wasn’t living in the real world,was he?!  Actually, our society inundatesus with arrogance, misnaming it as pride. You can recognize it by the attitude that says: “If I want it, I deserveit, so I’m going to get it,” “If it feels good do it; if it doesn’t feel good,don’t do it.”  “The rules were made forother people, not me.”  “Don’t get in myway!”  Real life examples:   
   - People who have finally quit smoking/ drinking/doping/etc. and then bad-mouth those who are still stuck in a habit: (Who do they think they are”)
   - Gang members who casually take life.  Who created that life?  (Who do they think they are”)
   - Anyone who responds to anger with violence, especially deadly violence; (Who do they think they are”)
   - A person who breaks up with someone, yet expects that person not to date anyone else; (Who do they think they are”)
   - Drivers who park where they want, drive how they want, and then- when caught, complain that the system is unfair; (Who do they think they are”)
   - And then- there is one of the over-riding sins of our society- what is racism (or sexism or any "ism") if not arrogance?  (Who do they think they are”)
 The trouble with arrogance is- it’s socontagious.  Remember last week’ssermon?  Stay centered in reality.  Remember- God is in charge.  You ARE God’s gift to the world- so serve Godand your neighbor well.  In the words ofour opening hymn, “Forget about yourself and concentrate on Him and worshipHim.”  Stay strong.  Stay focused. Coaches continually tell their players to maintain discipline.  Well, maintain discipline.  Show your respect for God by the way youworship, the way you live, and the choices you make.  Finally, you won’t find better advice forliving a reality-oriented life than in today’s reading from Hebrews (13: 1-8):“Keep being concerned about each other as the LORD’S followers should.  Be sure to welcome strangers into your home.By doing this, some people have welcomed angels as guests, without even knowingit.  Remember the LORD’S people who arein jail and be concerned for them. Don't forget those who are suffering, butimagine that you are there with them. Have respect for marriage. Always be faithful to your partner, becauseGod will punish anyone who is immoral or unfaithful in marriage.  Don't fall in love with money. Be satisfiedwith what you have. The LORD has promised that he will not leave us or desertus.  That should make you feel likesaying, ‘The LORD helps me! Why should I be afraid of what people can do tome?’  Don't forget about your leaders whotaught you God's message. Remember what kind of lives they lived and try tohave faith like theirs.  Jesus Christnever changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” 
For anyone whois interested, 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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