Out of this World

Sunday concluded this year's VBS Galactic Blast. We truly had a blast this year! I want to thank all of the volunteers that make it such a success. The focus was on praising God for his actions on our behalf. The sermon reflects the theme of the week, Praising God!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/l3r7tpbc6pjpnhf/Out of this World.mp3

“Out of this World” / July 25, 2010 / Luke 18:35-43

INTRO

The story read moments ago was the story the children heard told to them on Thursday this week. In many ways, it is a simple, almost common story about the ministry of Jesus. Of all of the miracle stories of Jesus, there is nothing remarkable about this account. Jesus is traveling into the city of Jericho with a crowd following him. The rumble of the crowd is heard by a blind man begging by the side of the road. When he finds out that Jesus is passing by, he cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
As he creates a scene, people try to quite him to no avail. The man is blind and knows Jesus can give him sight. Finally, Jesus calls the man over, inquires of his needs, and restores his sight. Jesus seemingly casually continues on his journey to Jericho. The blind man can now see and there is nothing casual about him. He follows Jesus and praises God along the way. The crowd around Jesus breaks out into praise as well in response to the miracle they have just witnessed.

PRAISE
If you were reading this story, it ends in verse 43 with, “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” It is fairly easy to read of this sentence and move to the next section without much consideration. It seems anticlimactic. And yet, the act of praise that both the blind man and the crowd engage in is anything but anticlimactic. It erupts spontaneously. It is passionate and heartfelt. It expresses gratitude in the midst of a life-changing and life-defining moment. It beacons us to pause and look closer at it.
The act of praise is a theme that pops up frequently in the Scriptures. The Hebrew word for praise is Halal. I love the way it is defined: an outburst of noise. Praise is characterized by a spontaneous outburst in response to God’s actions on our behalf. The typical expression of praise is thought of as a shout or loud exclamation, but there are a number of ways in which we can offer our praise to God’s work in our lives. Other words associated with praise are thanks, bless, magnify, glorify and sing. There are numerous ways that we give our praise to God. The kids did it through loud (and I do mean) loud shout of praise phrases.
Each night we had a different phrase which you heard during their presentation: wonderful, incredible, amazing, magnificent, and awesome. In response they would yell, praise God! It was powerful to hear their shouts of praise. The act of praise is one of the key markers of God’s people. When we give praise to God, it encourages others to praise God as well. Praise is contagious. Praise changes the atmosphere. Praise transforms lives. Because of this, I want to touch on five reasons we give praise to God. Each reason was the theme of the day’s mission.

PRAISE GOD

#1. We praise God for Creation.
In Genesis we are taught that God created the heavens and the earth. He created the plants and the animals. And he made human beings created in his image. As we gaze into expanses of space, we see beauty, wonder and mystery. Psalm 24 proclaims this, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it.”
I was at a conference that addressed the convergence of faith and science a few months ago. As I learned about the origins and evolution of the universe I was filled with awe and reverence for all that God has done in this universe that we call home. The truth of creation truly testifies to the handiwork of God. When was the last time you watched a sunset or sunrise and give thanks to God for the beauty of his creation. Nature is one of the best places to communion with God. To do so, prompts us to give him praise and to be transformed.

#2. We praise God for His Presence.
As we study creation, we do not encounter a Creator God like the watch maker who simply creates the Earth and removes himself. Instead, God is still active in the world. I’m sure you noticed the questionable weather this week. We had rain throughout the week which was a concern for us because the games and snacks were outside. Each night we prayed that the rains would hold off until 8:00 pm when the kids were finished outside and were back in the sanctuary. Each night when activities began the skies were dry. And Tuesday and Wednesday night at almost 8:00 pm exactly, when everyone was in for the night, the skies opened up and rained. Each night it only rained a few minutes. Just long enough as if to indicate that God had heard our prayers. This kind of action, while it may seem trivial or superstition to some, but it is my belief that it speaks of God’s active presence in the world.
The Scriptures are full of stories that confirm this type of action in the world and on behalf of God’s people. When we witness and interact with the Spirit of God in the world, it should cause our hearts to rejoice and to praise God. I know each night as I walked home I smiled and said thank you because I knew God’s Presence had been at work. It also causes me to praise God because God’s Presence is continually available to us through to person of Jesus Christ. This brings us to the third reason we praise God.

#3. We praise God for His Son.
God came to earth in the form of a man and lived among us in person of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God comes to know us personally and to be known personally. That relationship began before we were even aware of it. In Psalm 139 the psalmist writes, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me… For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” The Scriptures teach us God knows the names of all of the stars and he knows each of our names. While it can be hard to accept, the reality is that God knows us and wants us to know him.
Not only does God know us, God wants us to know him. The four Gospels in the New Testament are the stories of Jesus, God in the flesh. Often we think of God as a distance enigma but in reality he is much more personal. As we read those accounts of Jesus, we get a vivid and powerful image of who God is. John 3:16-17 explain Jesus’ role on the earth: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” As we open our lives to a personal relationship with Christ, everything changes. It was over 10 years ago, that I opened up my life to Jesus. As an 17 year old teenager, I looked up into the night skies and told God I wanted to know him more. The initial decision didn’t change that much, but it set me on a journey with God. Each day since then, I have come to know God better. It isn’t always easy but it has changed everything and it causes me to praise him.

#4. We praise God for His Healing.
We can praise God in a relationship with him because we don’t have to be perfect when we come to him. We can come with all of my garbage, all of our wounds, all of our brokenness. Instead of judging us, God’s desire is to make us heal us and to makes us whole. As we are healed, we have more reasons to praise God. In Isaiah 57:18-19, we understand the connection between healing and praise. “I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, 19 creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
Over the last several months we have seen God pour out his healing power. We have witnessed pregnancy complications heals, illnesses cured, and prayers answered. As we have seen God heal, we have been renewed, filled with faith, and prompted to praise God. We praise God for his healing because it is truly Good News. Through healing, we tangibly know that God cares for us personally and wants a deep relationship with us.

#5. We praise God for His Resurrection.
God’s actions on our behalf don’t stop at his healing though. The final and main reason we praise God is for His Resurrection. Jesus came not only that we might know God and be made whole, but that we might experience the gift of eternal life. God’s desire is for us to spend eternity with him and to love him forever. On the last day, the kids learned about the Easter story: the story of Jesus being crucified and being raised from the dead three days later. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are given victory over sin and death. Jesus puts it in his own words in John 11:25-26: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
When we praise God for the resurrection, we experience the same resurrection. Through it we are called children of God and promised a seat in heaven with God for eternity. It is this final action of God that will give us reason to praise God forever and ever.

CONCLUSION
There are many other reasons that we praise God. In short, any action that God takes on your behalf is worthy of praise. As you praise God for his actions, blessings, and love, you are drawn closer to him. It is the with-God life that will ultimately give you reason to praise God forever. Praising God prevents you from naval gazing and reminds you that God is the source of every good thing and all blessings. Praising God gives you a clean heart and a renewed spirit. Praising God fills you will the joy of the Lord.
This morning, I praise God because of the renewing work he is doing in this church and in the community. God’s Spirit is actively renewing and redeeming people’s lives in this place. I praise God for the workers that gave of their time and energies this week. I praise God for the children that enthusiastically participated this week. I praise God for my family. I praise God for the parents who brought their children this week. I praise God for a congregation that values the children of this community. I praise God for keeping us dry this week. I praise God for allowing us to know and worship him for eternity.

And now I ask you, what do you praise God for?

Speaking of Faith

We continued in our Journey with James this week. We looked at the power of words. Hopefully, we can become people that choose life and speak blessings.

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“Speaking of Faith” / Brimfield Faith UMC
July 18, 2010 / James 3:1-12

INTRO
As I hear this passage there are two familiar childhood sayings that come to mind. The first is “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” The other is “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” One of these sayings is supported by Scripture and the other is utterly contradicted by Scripture. As we continue in our Journey through the letter of James this morning, we will explore both of these children’s sayings.
“Sticks and stones…” is one of those sayings that has always rubbed me the wrong way. Growing up, I got picked on with some regularity. We moved several times as a young boy and fitting in and acting cool weren’t always the easiest tasks. Thankfully, I never got into many physical altercations since I was usually one of the scrawnier kids in my class. Nonetheless, I remember the emotional scars that were created by other kids’ words. I remember the nicknames and the hurtful things that were said to me over the years. I think most people that have been the recipient of a verbal assault or been picked on by a bully know this childhood saying rings empty. Many times I would have rather been punched than teased.

THE TONGUE IS POWERFUL
Words have power. James understands the power of the tongue. It is because of this power that James writes these strong words found in this section of the letter. He opens with a strong word to the teachers of the congregation. “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” The English doesn’t fully convey the passion James feels over this point. In the Greek, it opens with the word, Mae, means no, but is better translated: “Forbid it!” May it not be that you want to teach!. Historical context helps us to understand James’ passion. He is dealing with a group of church teachers and leaders in the ancient city of Antioch that are creating problems for their congregation. The position of teacher was of high esteem. With their influence they were speaking incorrectly and creating considerable chaos.
Verse 2 helps support this context: “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” When James refers to the body, he is referring to the church congregation and the well-known imagery of the body of Christ. This explanation is helpful because we all know that the tongue does not control our bodies. We know of many people who say they are or are not going to do something with their mouths and then do the exact opposite. James’ reference in verse two is in relationship to a church congregation, the body of Christ. The tongue is always powerful but especially in the mouth of a teacher and leader in the congregation.
James believes that when the teachers of the church speak correctly, the congregation is led properly. Their words carry tremendous power of the direction and health of the congregation. These words are equally as pertinent today as they were two thousand years ago when they were written. The words of our church’s leaders carry significant weight and they have the ability to do much harm.


SMALL BUT MIGHTY
We have all experienced this: words hurt. This is one of the reasons I invest significant amounts of time to sermon preparation is because what I say up here has the ability to do great harm. In James 3:3-6 there is vivid imagery to the power of the tongue: “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell”
The bit, the rudder, and the spark all have the ability to effect and control large things. In the same way, a person’s words can corrupt an entire organization. Dave Ramsey, a financial guru and Christian teacher, talks about five things that can destroy any organization. They are: poor communication, gossip, unresolved disagreement, lack of shared purpose, and sanctioned incompetence. Four of these five are related to the tongue. How we speak to one another and what we speak to one another in the church will determine in large part the success of our church.
During my first year at Brimfield Faith, we began to talk about making considerable changes to the way we did church and worship. As you may have guessed, not all of these changes were met with opened arms. Generally speaking people resist change and are fearful of the unknown. After about a year of prayer and discussion, we made a clear decision in the direction of the church. We had solicited the necessary feedback and the leadership team made a decision. As we made the choice, we asked the people to refrain from negative talk about the decision, especially during worship. We needed their positive support or no support at all if we were going to move forward. We weren’t trying to be tyrants or dictators, but we knew that negative talk could set the entire forest on fire and ruin our new found mission and vision. I attribute much of the progress we have seen at the church to that commitment.

THE TONGUE IS HURTFUL
All that James speaks to the leaders and teachers of the congregation pertain to each of you as individuals. Your tongue has power to bring life or to bring death. To bring cursing or to bring blessing. In Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses speaks to his congregation: “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses…” We have a choice whether to choose hurtful words or helpful words. We recall our mother’s teaching us, “If you don’t have something nice to say don’t say anything at all.” This is good advice but sometimes hard to follow.
James writes about the difficulty: “7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Our words matter but they can be harder to pick than we would like to admit. We all can recall times when we regretted the words that left our mouth. The problem is we cannot take back hurtful words once they are spoken. It is for this reason that the Bible strongly warns us against sins of the tongue.
Sins of the tongue can do as much damage as physical acts of violence. Gossip, slander, lying, cursing and using the Lord’s name in vain are all sins of the tongue. If you have ever been the recipient of these crimes, you know how hurtful they are. A week and a half ago, Northeast Ohio felt the effects of poorly chosen words. When Lebron James said on national television, “Next year I’m going to take my talents to South Beach,” we experienced the damaging effect that words can have. Lebron cannot take those words back and he has felt significant consequences from those words. We have all experienced to negative power of words as a result. Gloria James must have forgotten to teach his son that old saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

THE TONGUE IS LIFE-GIVING
While our words often seemingly betray us, we can learn from what comes out of our hearts. In reality, words reveal our hearts. In Luke 6:45 Jesus says, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” The mouth reveals that we double-tongued and double-minded. James points out the hypocrisy of our double-tongued ways. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
The Scriptures teach us that we do not have to be condemned to this conflicting way of life. We can indeed choose life and blessings when they are set before us. Ultimately words carry power that we choose for good or for bad. Like the water that gives life can make a person ill when dirty. Like the drug that either poisons or heals. Words can either bring cursing or bring life.
Ultimately the call to you this morning is to train your heart and mouth to choose life and to speak blessings. When I do premarital counseling, one of the homework assignments is to practice daily compliments. This can be a challenge for couples because words of criticism roll off our tongues much easier that words of compliment. Nonetheless, it is important for couples to speak blessings into their marriage if they want to a happy successful marriage.

SOUL TRAINING - BLESSING
Learning to speak blessings and life can be challenging. We can train our hearts and mouths to chose life and to speak blessings. I want to spend a few minutes as we wrap up this morning talking about how to speak blessings.

#1. Practice silence: (James 1:19)
This may seem strange but the first act in learning to speak blessings instead of curses is to practice silence. In James 1:19 it says, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Engaging in times of quietness, we learn to control our tongues. Instead of blurting out the first thing that comes into our heats, a la, Dan Gilbert, we step back and quite ourselves. Silence is a power spiritual practice that trains our mouths and hearts to choose life and gives us the opportunity to speak blessings.

#2. Listen to the Lord (1 Kings 19:12)
As we practice silence and quietness, our hearts will be able to listen for the voice of the Lord. Elijah the prophet, teaches us that the Lord frequently speaks in a still, small voice. If we want to speak words that are truly blessings, then we need to listen for the voice of God. The Lord wants to bring life to his children. By quieting ourselves and then listening, we will be able to hear words of blessing for others.

#3. Speak words that encourage, strengthen, and comfort. (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Finally as we prepare to choose life and speaking blessings, we need to choose words that are encouraging, strengthening, and comforting. In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul writes, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy… Everyone who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.” When we speak a true word of blessing from the Lord, we are invoking the presence of God into someone’s life. A blessing calls upon God to act in a person’s life. Blessings are more than just words they are powerful declarations of life.

ILLUSTRATE AND DEMONSTRATE

To conclude worship this morning, I want to demonstrate the power of the blessing.

Finding Equal Faith

This message is being posted late but it is from the Fourth of July. Follow the link for the audio or read the text below.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/2mmrrjdytdt/Finding Equal Faith.mp3

“Finding Equal Faith on the Fourth” / July 4, 2010 / James 2:1-13

CREATED EQUAL
On this day 224 years ago, the Continental Congress adopted a statement that would forever change the course of American and world history. The Declaration of Independence became the announcement to England and the world that life in America was about to change. The most famous and history changing statement read as follows:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
While there is considerable debate as to whether our country was a Christian nation at its founding, there is little debate that the Declaration of Independence is a theological treatise as well as a political one. This beginning statement in the preamble is a statement firmly rooted in the Scriptures. It is that theological affirmation that I want to explore briefly as we celebrate the Independence of the United States of American.
From a theological perspective the equality of all people is a predominant theme in the Scriptures, especially the New Testament. Jesus speaks of breaking down social distinctions and class barriers. In Matthew 23:11-12 he says, “The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
As we continue on our “Journey with James,” we have arrived at chapter 2. James concluded chapter 1 with a call to practice both true spirituality and pure religion. In this first section of chapter 2, James continues along the same ethic. While James exhorts Christians to remain unpolluted by the world, he gives us a clear example of how to do that in James 2. The message is pretty straight forward and easy to understand. “My brothers [and sisters], as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”
We know that James is writing to Christians that were persecuted by the rich and they are now showing favoritism to them in their meetings. James tells them to stop favoring the rich over the poor because the poor are favored by God and promised to inherit the kingdom. In James 2:2-7, James in a straightforward fashion explains that there is no good reason to show preference to the rich.

OPPOSING EQUALITY
We should avoid favoritism because it leads to greater sins.
In verse 9, James takes a different slant on the sin of favoritism. Listen to this: “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.”
Showing favoritism isn’t just about common sense for James, it is about keeping the entire law, to bringing honor and glory to God Almighty. I think the sin of favoritism can act as a gateway to greater sins. When we start think of certain people more worthy of our attention than others we engage in ungodly behavior. We are able to justify even adultery and murder when we don’t see and treat all people as equals. We have consistently seen this happen in our own country.
While the Founding Father’s wrote the Declaration of Independence as a voice for equally, they were not practicing it. The slave trade was active and thriving in 1776. White owners were buying and selling men, women, and children in Africa to work on the plantations, farms, and in their homes. They were pushing the Native American peoples out of their lands through violence and deceit. Even women’s rights were limited and the right to vote was denied. The Declaration writers split from England because they didn’t have equality. They failed to see the sins of inequality in this country. Of course, not all of the founders were blind to these sins. Most of all, the sin of slavery and many saw the Declaration of Independence as a significant influence in the eventual abolition of the slave trade and slavery all together.
It is important to acknowledge our sins as a country and as individuals, because it enables us to pursue the things that God calls us to.

THE ROYAL LAW
James calls to the LAW OF LOVE.
In verse 8, James writes, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right.” The way to avoid favoritism is to pursue the royal or supreme law which is summarized by loving God and loving others. There is no other act that directly undermines favoritism than seeking to love all people regardless of material wealth, position, or prominence.
The law of love means we treat everyone as equals. The principle of equality in the Declaration of Independence helped guide our country to abolish slavery, institute great women’s rights and to make amends for the sins against Native Americans. The work of equality is an ongoing work. As a country, we have by no means arrived, but we are seemingly moving in the right direction. Our human condition craves the power and prestige feed favoritism. It will be difficult to completely eliminate it but we must hear the call to pursue the law of love. When we seek to love all people and to treat them as equals before God, we will be “doing right.”

The law of love leads to freedom for all people. The other reason we, must pursue the law of love is because it leads to freedom for all people. Jesus came and died in order to set us free from the law of sin and death. It is God’s will that we all live free to serve the Lord. By pursuing the law of love, we works towards the freedom of all people. The law of love frees people from the chains of bigotry, hatred, racism, and favoritism. For this reason, love must propel us to pursue freedom for all people. The law of love must drive us to act boldly on the behalf of others.
We cannot be truly free if others are actively being oppressed. In v. 12 and 13 James ends the section with these words: “12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” We will all be judged one day by the law of love. We need to work towards that goal. We are called to how mercy to all people. It is the mercy and love of God that holds the power to transform the world.
We haven’t rectified every injustice and inequality in this country, but we are moving towards perfection. We must make it our goal to be perfected in love and to be guided by the law of love. We may not be able to fix every wrong in the country but you can change how you interact with those around you. We can work towards freedom for all in our lives, in our communities. As a church, we can strive to treat all people’s equal. We must stay true to it. The law of love is corrosive and persistent. It will undermine the forces of wickedness, evil and oppression but we must faithfully to pursue it.

CONCLUSION
We can rejoice and celebrate the freedom of this country because there is ultimate freedom in God through Christ Jesus. We are truly all in Christ Jesus. We are a country and a people that seek the royal law, law of love in God.
As I conclude this morning, we are going to finish the service with Holy Communion. To begin, I want to lead us through an act of confession. We have broken the law of love and shown favoritism to others. When we confess our sins to God we are forgiven and renewed by the love of God. Through the act of confession, we can discover the freedom of God and we can share the freedom and love of God to others.

CONFESSION AND COMMUNION
Spend a few moments reflecting on how you have hurt your God, other people, and yourself:
… shown favoritism
…judged unjustly
…broken the royal law of love
… not spoken up for the voiceless
…defended the weak
…cared for the poor.

Reflect on the love of Christ that forgives all sins. The love that went to a cross and died so that you might be free. Receive God’s forgiveness.

Ask yourself, how can you speak and act according to the law of love? How can you be committed to bringing freedom to all peoples?