SERMONS
“BUT – ISI IT SPIRITUAL?” JULY 25, 2010
I KINGS 3:1-15, 24-28, 4:29-34, 10:23-29 LUKE 2:49-50
But – is it spiritual? Sometimes that is a convenient question to pull out of the hat – so to speak. If we can successfully classify some things in life as “spiritual” and some elements of life as “non-spiritual” – then we can remove Scriptural, spiritual constraints from the non-spiritual elements. For instance – if I can convince myself that the “tithe” is “spiritual” and I am not allowed to use it other than for God – then – am I free to use the rest of my funds without God’s restraints? Good question.
Solomon, in his humility, acknowledged his need of/for God, and also his desire for a close relationship with God. He desired to follow God’s precepts as did his father, King David. God invited Solomon to request whatever he wanted – and God would grant it. He might have chosen a long life or even great wealth. He might have chosen the death of his enemies. Rather he chose wisdom and discernment. God – pleased with Solomon’s request not only granted it – but also gave him long life and wealth. The results of his request for discernment and wisdom were readily evident. Two women came to the king each claiming to be the mother of an infant. Both had given birth but one infant had died. Both now claimed the living infant. The king decreed the baby was to be cut in half and each woman to receive a half. The “real” mother said “No” give the baby to the other woman, while the false mother said “Go ahead and cut him in half”. Wisely the king definitely ascertained the correct mother – without the use of DNA.
But is interesting that in granting wisdom/discernment to Solomon God also blessed him with longevity and wealth. But are longevity and wealth spiritual?
Our Gospel passage is an interesting few verses. There is a brief statement of Jesus’ early life – as he grew and developed. Luke (the doctor) says that Jesus “increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God, and with man.” Jesus increased in wisdom – knowledge (more discernment) and from Solomon we can deduce that could be considered “spiritual”. And stature? Jesus grew as a normal boy would – increasing in size and strength. Is that spiritual? That might be a stretch. Jesus increased in favor with God. Piety? That would definitely be spiritual. And in favor with “man” – others? Spiritual? No – definitely human.
But wait! There are no asterisks in Luke 2:52 dividing the spiritual from the non-spiritual. No – there are just four indications of “typical” human life – the development of mind, body, soul and social relationships. Life – a total package given by God to bring honor and glory to God.
Solomon’s wisdom may have dazzled the world – as shown by the statement that people came from all over to hear him speak. But it was used to the glory of God.
We are spending the 2010 calendar year looking at people in the Bible – real, honest to goodness men and women. Some of them are great role models and we would do well to emulate their wise life qualities. Some of them – well, we would do real well avoiding their examples.
What about us? What in our lives do we consider to be “spiritual” and under God’s direct control and influence? What in our lives do we define as “non-spiritual” and thus free from God’s control?
Here’s the key – the more we consider to be under God’s direction/control the better off our lives will be. The “non-spiritual” should be constantly shrinking in size as we allow God’s “portion” (for lack of a better word) to increase.
Look at Solomon how his life prospered (in all ways) as he lived according to God’s precepts and laws.
The sooner we get away from categorizing elements of life as “spiritual” or “non-spiritual” and simply ask for God’s direction, and blessing for every area of life – well the better life will be.
Better – how?
Less guilt, more peace. Less stress – more confidence. Less self – more God.
Is it spiritual? Is it a part of God’s plan for your life in every conceivable way? What are you thinking?
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISES” JULY 18, 2010
II SAMUEL 22:1-7, 17-25 REVELATION 7:9-12 MATTHEW 2:1-12,9-11
When someone says something is “average”, we often what exactly “average” is. Same thing is true when we hear someone say they are “normal” – but what is “normal”?
We have been doing some pretty heavy reading in the books of II Samuel and I Kings. Heavy indeed! Last week in our discussion group, following worship, it was hard to know what to discuss – we were dealing with some difficult things. Unfortunately those “heavy” things seem to have become normal or average for life today. Life is filled with grief and misery – the result of human sin and weakness. BUT – and this is a big and important question – are the things we read in the papers and hear on the news “normal and average” as far as life as God intended it to be? Obviously not! When we read of the Garden of Eden we read of a place of beauty, an ideal living situation, for the first members of the human race. That was norm and that was average. It wasn’t the “proverbial fountain of youth” – it was indeed Eden. We pay good money today to visit exquisite gardens i.e. Buchardt Gardens on Vancouver Island – to see spectacular sights – plantings, trees, shrubs and flowers and flowers and flowers, plus, of course, waterfalls. I am sure if we were able to take a peek back at the Garden of Eden we would find all of these current, spectacular gardens to be “pale” in comparison.
We live in an age of superlatives – partly to deal with the norm of the day. We no longer have “stars” in theatre and sports – we have “super stores” – even Wal-Mart is busily transforming many of their stores into “supercenters”.
Back to II Samuel and I Kings – the norm of human sin and weakness and failure is bested today by ever more horrifying movies and TV shows – some unfortunately based on real life situations – because the “norm” becomes mundane. One of the new hot movies is a new “zombie” movie –which I don’t even want to know about.
Here is one of the great problems of life – society always seems to be trying to best the norm of human depravity. BUT human depravity is not the norm for life which God intended at all.
The norm for life is to be filled with the “honor and glory and praises” of God the Almighty. We get so excited when we create something or repair something or when we produce a “work of art”. God’s power is so magnificent that God has but to think it and speak it – and so it is.
We become moved by true love stories that overcome a host – sometimes yes even an avalanche – of human difficulties – survive and even thrive. But what are those love stories in the light of verses like Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love, and I have wooed you with loving kindness”? This is love for a wayward people who were constantly wandering away from God’s love and protection. This is spoken to a people who seemed to find delight in worshipping false gods – some of them idols. And to such people God declares an eternal love – love without limit and love without end. And even more – it is not a matter of here is love if you want to receive it. NO! It is a wooing love going after the beloved even when they are rejecting and ignoring you. It is wooing with loving kindness. It is not to beat them into a loving submission – it is to entice them to respond to the love that should be responded to in the very beginning.
It is God saying “I will not stop loving you”.
Or what about “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Perhaps that verse has become almost common place for us. Think about it for a minute. God so loved the world that He gave… To express our love we give diamonds, and houses and cars and parties and elaborate gifts – someone of them requiring hours and hours of our time. But God? God gave His Son!
God gave His Son so that whosoever….one does not have to be on approved list to enter the party or to sit in a place of honor – WHO-SO-EVER – is ALL INCLUSIVE – WHOSOEVER – IT IS NOT A GIFT RESTRICTEDLY OFFERED – RATHER IT IS OFFERED TO ALL. Think about it – on your worst days you are still part of the whosoever. On your moist despicable days when your guilt is greatest – you are still part of the whosoever.
Believes! Believes? Wait a minute – where is the fine print? My cell phone had a little accident recently and ended up in the washing machine. Now there was only about a quarter inch of water in the machine at the time – but still – cell phones don’t like water and they don’t like bathing. Not too worry! I had just gotten an offer of an upgrade. So when the battery started having a problem staying charged – I headed off to the local store for my new upgrade. They put the phone o n their machine and determined “this phone has been in the water”. Yep! We can give you a new battery for $39. But I have an ad here for a new phone for $29. They study the card and inform me I am eligible for a new upgrade in November – if I upgrade prior to that – even though I got the card – I will lose a $50 credit and I will have to pay $20 early upgrade fee. Would you like to purchase the battery we have on hand? No thanks I can get it cheaper on e-bay – I did for $14.95.
What is most notably missing in John 3:16 is the “fine print”. There is NO fine print. Whosoever believes…. It does not list meeting a set of criteria, it does not mention living by the Golden Rule, it does not mention being a Presbyterian or a member of another approved denomination, it does not mention keeping nine of the Ten Commandments. It does not mention a required number of Sundays of church attendance (hmmmm – maybe it should). It says – WHSOEVER BELIEVES SHOULD NOT PEROISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!
Now that – my friends – is something to celebrate! Whosoever believes!
Jesus made this even clearer when he said John 6:46 “The one that believes in me HAS – HAS – HAS – eternal life.” Already – here and now! Wow!
Need more good news? What about I John 1:9 that we say often, “If we confess our sin God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. Again no fine print and no exclusions. Confess! Be forgiven! AMEN!
My friends, the day after day after day after day after day knowledge of such things as this ought to make the norm for our lives to rejoice in the “glory and honor and praises” of our God.
There is a beautiful praise song in our hymnal – we are going to learn/sing it together right now. The number is 530 “I Will Call Upon the Lord”. Christine will play it through for us once – just the melody – and then we will sing it all the way through twice. The second time thro9ugh maybe some will want to add the descant.
The norm of life ought to be to focus on splendor of God. It ought to be to rejoice in the forgiving grace of God. It ought to be to wallow (if you will) in God’s unending love. It ought to be to see that God gives us new beginnings in the midst of old failures and shortcomings. It ought to be to hang on the anchor of God’s power in the midst of the storms of life.
How refreshing in the midst of our struggle in II Samuel to find this hymn of rejoicing. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer!” How sad that we see the praises and glory of God for those high mountain top experiences rather than the norm for every new day. How sad that we allow our attitudes and emotions to be controlled by the “realities of life” rather than the transforming presence of God! How sad indeed. Now I know that some suffer with great depression that easily clouds the light of God’s presence.
Yes life may be hard and life may be difficult and life may be overwhelming – sometimes at our own hands – but still God is God! And God deserves all honor and glory and praises! These ought to be offered without ceasing.
Maybe we ought to sing number 530 again –please remain seated.
What is “Norm” for you? Praising God or being focused on life’s difficulties?
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“A FATHER’S LOVE” JULY 11, 2010
II SAMUEL 18:31-19:8 MATTHEW 19:16-23 JOHN 15:1-17
If you are receiving the weekly “Prayers for Bangladesh” from the Morgans – I am sure you are finding them to be incredible. Each one is deeply touching and poignant. Perhaps none more so than a couple of weeks – Les is praying for a little child with the confidence that if God so chooses God could heal this little one. “God of mercy, we pray for Lobhno, a three year old girl who has just been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. She is afraid, and her mother, Sumi, cries in distress for her daughter, her only child. Lord, only say the word, and this child will be healed. Help her not to be afraid, and grant her mother the assurance of your presence and love.” It stopped me in my tracks – literally – when I thought back almost two years ago and Les and Cindy’s son, Everett, was not healed. It was overwhelming. The Father’s love so obviously permeates Les’ life. Les’s love as a father – now being poured out for someone else’s child – who was ill. Such love…
Our readings in II Samuel and soon in I Kings are – well…. Well… They could easily be the material needed for a soap opera. I am not just talking about a pilot episode – I am talking about the whole season. Worse – the things we have been, are and will be reading are true – real life stuff.
King David lusted after another man’s wife and when she became pregnant – he ordered her husband killed in battle so she would be available to become David’s wife.
Treason and betrayal are but a tip of the iceberg. There is illicit sex, incest, hatred, revenge, murders, plots, attempts to steal the throne, stealing the hearts of the king’s subjects away from the king. There are plots that make the espionage arrests and trades of the past week seem like child play. One would wonder – “who do I dare trust?” in the midst of it all.
We have seen power – and thirst for power – corrupt – absolutely corrupt.
Saul, Israel’s first king – tried his best to assassinate the one God chose to replace him – David the shepherd boy. David on the other hand had the perfect opportunity to assassinate the one God was going to dispose. King Saul went in to a very dark cave to relieve himself – not realizing David was hiding in the cave. David realizing what was happening snuck close to the king and cut off a piece of the King’s robe. He could have just as easily put his sword through the King’s heart. David’s men urged him to kill the king – he would NOT touch the Lord’s anointed – even though he himself had now been anointed to take the King’s place. If God wanted Saul dead it would have to be accomplished without David’s assistance.
Years later David’s own son was trying to steal the throne form his father, he sent his own henchmen to track down the king and kill him.
It was absolutely crazy. Just crazy! I mean we are talking about the royal family of Israel. We are talking about individuals God anointed as king – above everyone else. We are talking about leaders and leadership. In fact, we are talking about the first and second kings of the people of Israel. There was not a long line of evil and corrupted kings – at that point we are talking about the existence of only two kings – Saul was the first and David the second.
NOW – and this is a very important part of this whole situation to remember. Before – BEFORE – we begin to wonder where God was in this whole situation. And before we begin to point accusing fingers at God and wonder how this could have all happened – we must remember three things.
The first thing to remember is that God loved Israel and the individual members of the Israeli people with a love that did not end. It was an unwavering love which continues to this day. Israel’s sin – whether the sin of an individual, a family (even the royal family) or of the whole nation did NOT cause God to stop loving them. As is also true with us – God does not stop loving us in spite of ourselves – or them in spite of themselves. God words in Jeremiah are still true – “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
The second thing to remember is this God created humans with a free will. Adam and Eve set the pace for using the “free will” very, very poorly. In all of the years and generations since – mankind still struggles – often failing miserably – with the use of “free will”. Just being appointed to a high position – i.e. king of Israel did not mean – and does not mean today – that a person’s free will is limited or removed. It is – in this life – intrinsically a part of who God has created us to be. God created us with free will – and allows us (and Kings David and Saul – and all in between) to live by that free will.
And the third thing is this – we must keep in mind that having a king over Israel – a human king – was NOT God’s idea. Israel had a king from day one – from the very day Abram and Sarai were called to follow God – Israel’s king was Yahweh, Jehovah – the one who created both the heavens and the earth. God was Israel’s King – Rock – Defender – Hope – Leader – Judge – and Love. It was the people of Israel who wanted a king – a human king – “just like everybody else has”. God relented and gave them what they asked for – knowing full well it was NOT in their best interested. A monarch – a human monarch – is when all is said and done – still human. The human monarch still has the freedom to exercise “free will” and to make a colossal mess of things – ala Saul and David.
Our understanding of what we are reading – does not begin with blaming God, or of wondering why God didn’t do it better, or of questioning God’s presence in the midst of such human chaos. Or for that matter – wondering if God condones such behavior form people – God doesn’t.
God – is – was – and forever will be the great lover of humanity with provisions to work out all things good for “those who love God and are called according to his purpose”. The problem being we forget about God’s purpose and race after our own purposes like a silly dog chasing his tail.
The empowering and life changing presence of God is revealed in what we have been reading – simply waiting for an errant child to accept the Father’s love – and to allow that love to transform the weakest individual into the strength of the Father’s hand.
Absalom was determined to be the next king of Israel regardless of the cost. If the cost included killing dad – in this case King David – then so be it. But then David is roused from his seeming lethargy and on the advice of his best counselors sets out to regain his throne and the hearts of his people. As he sends his troops forth to do as they must – he has one word of caution – “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” “But, Your Royal Highness, that is the young man who is willing to have you killed to take your throne.” “Yes, I know, be gentle with him spare his life – young Absalom.”
In battle Absalom rode under a low hanging branch of an oak tree and his head was caught in the branches. The tree held him captive and one of the soldiers killed him.
When word reached King David that his son, Absalom, was dead, the King was shaken and he wept. “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son!”
David wept over the death of the son who wanted to take his life –and he even lamented – that he wished he had died in place of Absalom. The love of a father for a son – even a wayward son. “I wish that I had died in his place.”
What a preposterous idea – the father wanting to die for the son who wanted to see the father dead for his own selfish gain.
But is it so preposterous – after all? Isn’t it what we read in the Gospels over and over and over again? God the Father of all humanity willing to die – in the person of Jesus – the eternal Son -for the sins of those who rejected, ridiculed and denied God? Surely he would not die for a sinful and rebellious humanity! Surely! Yet that is precisely what happened on a place called Calvary, Golgotha, and The Place of the Skull – outside the city of Jerusalem two thousand years ago.
“O, my children – my children – I have given you life and breath. I have wooed you without ceasing and loved you eternally – loved before you were even conceived. You, in turn, followed every conceivable god you could find. You denied my claim on your life – all of it. You laughed at my commandments, and wanted only to please yourselves. Still – I gave up my only Son – Jesus – so that you might be forgiven. When will you learn to pattern your life after The Father’s love? When will you learn to live in response to my love? When will you learn from Saul, and David, and Absalom and all of the others? When will the Father’s love turn your hearts to do right?
The Father’s love gave us free will – the Father’s love for us is eternal – the Father’s love weeps as it waits for us to get it right. What is the Father’s love saying to you, in your life, today?
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“THINGS OF MAN, THINGS OF GOD” JULY 4, 2010
II SAMUEL 15:1-6 MATTHEW 16:21-28
To verify certain parts of this sermon will require two visits – one a walk through Scripture, and another a walk through the streets of Washington, D.C. This year, in our look at individuals in Scripture, Bob Nicholas has focused our attention on certain individuals from both the Old and the New Testaments. We have just spent a month looking at Jesus and have, as of Thursday, returned to the Old Testament. We have discovered that it is impossible to look at one individual at a time – because people are so closely intertwined – to look at one – gives us a fleeting or an exhaustive look at another – for instance – when we read of Jesus we read of individuals he encountered – even if they were part of a large mass of ill and suffering people.
Things of Man! Things of God! In the perfect world which God created, and to which he introduced Adam and Eve – there was no difference between the things of man and the things of God. God was the rightful center of human life and all of the things of God were of vital importance to the things of man. In the perfect world which God created and to which Adam and Eve were introduced there was no difference between the things of man and the things of God – for the things of man were simply a delight to God. It was not until the introduction of human sin that a great chasm was fixed between the things of God and the things of man. A chasm which – though bridged at Calvary – will be banished forever when the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ has become the Kingdom of this World.
Our readings in II Samuel, beginning on Thursday, brought us face-to-face with the treachery of human ego and relationships. It was not pretty reading and involved incest, rape, murder, revenge and the sinister nature of the human spirit and mind. This all happened within the confines of one man’s family – David, King of Israel.
Absalom, the king’s beloved son, found himself in disfavor with the king. Instead of correcting his life, and pleading for the king’s mercy – he set out to build his own following among the people of the land. What a profoundly sad and interesting statement in II Samuel 15:6, “…and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel”. It was not a battle of honor, it was not a life of discipline, and it was not a man of character – it was, quite simply, a matter of deceit, and fraud, and Absalom used deceit and fraud shrewdly to steal the “hearts of the men” from his father the king. When he had their hearts – he had their allegiance.
In Matthew 16 we find a most interesting encounter between Jesus, the Christ, and his disciple Peter, the fisherman. Peter – what an individual! He had so much trouble “getting in his own way” that he struggled in following Jesus. At his request he was able to walk on water – until he looked down. At his insistence he went back fishing when things got tough. When Jesus said he, Jesus, would be betrayed and arrested and killed – Peter swore he would never deny him and would, in fact, die with him. He denied – he fled – he wept bitterly. In Matthew 16 Jesus is predicting his own death and his resurrection three days later. It was why he came to this world. Peter’s response was immediate and it was vehement! “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” From a human point of view – we can easily understand why Peter responded, as he did, and with such utter conviction.
Jesus had a different perspective, “…You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” You don’t have in mind the things of God, but the things of men! Logically – we might not have trouble understanding the words of Peter – or even of defending them. Scripturally – they would put us in a hard place – no forgiveness, apart from the shedding of blood for human sin, no hope of eternity, no right relationship with God, no “today you will be with me in paradise”.
What a vast gulf between the things of men and the things of God – sometimes what a fine line between the things of God and the things of men.
We might raise similar questions about the United States of America and. What has stolen the hearts of the American people – and what does it say about tomorrow or next year or the next decade for that matter?
There has been a sinister shift from liberty (won by the men who stood before us and countless men and women with whom they stand) – to license. I do what I want when I want and no one can tell me any different.
There has been a sinister shift from discipline and responsibility to irresponsibility and play. It is about me – isn’t it after all?
There has been a sinister shift from the priority of “the welfare or good of all” to the focus on me, me, me. Are there still brave men and women who would sign The Re-Declaration of Independence” knowing the cost would be great – very great?
There has been a sinister shift from “I will take a stand” to “let George do it”.
There has been a sinister shift from obedience to ease. I have earned the “right” to relax.
Do these sinister changes reflect a similar change in the Church – or have similar changes in the Church simply been reflected in our land? Now that walk through Washington D.C.? To walk through that great city one comes upon building after building – monument after monument -stating – chiseled with conviction in concrete, marble and granite – the Christian principles on which this nation was founded. From Scripture verses to proclamations the devotion to, and reliance upon, God the Almighty has been remarkably preserved. Further walking through the Library of Congress and its historical volumes would reveal the same commitment to the tenets of Christianity and of the Bible. We would read quote after quote after quote – form THE BIBLE. Who is it who has taken the right to rewrite the intent of the founding fathers and mothers of this land? Who has the power to make the things of God of less significance than the things of man?
Who will wave the banner high and proclaim the Church as the bearer of the truth of the Kingdom of God – and the basic intent of our land “In God We Trust” to mirror that knowledge to a world filled with darkness, injustice, inequality, and bondage?
Can we get into the Word and let the Word get into us – and stand idly by what is happening both in the Church and in our nation?
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“IS THERE NO LIMIT?” JUNE 23, 2010 HEALING SERVICE
EXODUS 15:25B-26 MATTHEW 4:18-25
A number of years ago there was a Presbyterian Mission film called “Amazing Grace”. If I remember correctly it was mainly focused on a surgeon in India (although his story may have only been a main story in the film). His specialty was eye surgery – and cataract surgery in particular. People would walk for hours and for miles to come to the clinic where he operated on certain days of the month. They would be examined and either become a candidate for surgery or were informed that surgery would not help them. Since they came so far, and since family members would come to bring food and care for them – I believe – surgery took place the next day. It was a phenomenal story – even if it did NOT meet our American surgical standards of cleanliness. The operating table was made up in the morning – then as one patient was finished and getting off the table another patient was getting on the table from the other side. The rate of infection was far lower than in the United States.
Patients came from hours away – on foot – and some were already blind from the cataracts – some of them were accepted as good candidates for surgery – some were not. In the human realm of medical care we are bound by limitations – limitations which are sometimes superseded by God’s miraculous intervention. All the good done by Presbyterians in India and other places – was often accompanied by human limitation.
What a contrast in our Gospel passage for this evening, and which was also our reading for a week ago – June 14. Matthew 4:23-25: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness of the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and the people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering with severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.”
Now we need to keep in mind John 21:25: “Now Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
We tend to think in terms of the recorded miracles of Jesus – healing of the lepers, of the woman who had long suffered from bleeding, a young boy with seizures, the restoration of a “demoniac”, sight given to the blind, assisting a man waiting for years by the pool, curing a man – a paralyzed man – lowered through the roof by devoted friends – the raising of the dead… In human terms God understood that we would be influenced, touched, amazed by such healings and they are recorded in the Bible – perhaps we would not be as taken by one whose cold was healed, or whose sinus infection was taken away, or whose allergies were cleared up -permanently. But we must not lose sight of the fact – the miracles – including healings – recorded in the Scriptures are but a fraction of what Jesus did as he encountered hurting, needy, less-than-whole people of his day.
Is there no limit to God’s Intervention? No? Then why do we place limitations where God has placed none? We don’t do that! Are we sure?
That is too insignificant to bother God with!
The doctors said “There is no – NO – hope!”
It is just something I live with.
Why would God want to heal me – I mean there are so many other REALLY sick people who need God’s intervention and touch. (As if there was a limitation on God’s power and mercy.)
I really don’t deserve to be healed!
How could I ask for prayers for an emotional issue?
I heard about someone on the news today who has …………. How could I dare even think about praying for myself for athletes’ foot?
Is there really no limit to God’s intervening power? What if I/you/we lived everyday with that approach – there is a limit to God’s power – why should I pray – there is no limit to God’s power – how can I dare NOT to pray?
Perhaps we would be best asking what limits my prayers/praying? What limits do I impose on God – limits that God is above and beyond? Maybe it is not God’s will to heal me – why should I ask?
When Matthew speaks/writes of Jesus healing ALL of the people – I see absolutely no limitation – except those incurably ill, except for those who got sick because they weren’t smart (standing all night on a boat fishing without a raincoat), those who weren’t worthy of being healed – let alone being worthy to even ask to be healed, those who were sinners, those who were already healed of something else – how many times will they ask – how many times will people be sick? Jesus healed them all – no exceptions!
Who is the one who suffers when we put a limit on God’s power? We are? Others for whom we might pray? God – who desires all to be whole and well?
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“GOD IS WILLING” JUNE 20, 2010
MATTHEW 7:24-8:13
God is willing to – or for – what? A question for which we need to have an answer. If God is willing to forgive – and God is – then I, in my sinful, human nature need to know how to draw from that well. If God is willing to give me a million dollars – I might want to be knowledgeable of that as well. If God is willing to heal me then I need to know how to take advantage of that healing – maybe even come to the Service of Wholeness on Wednesday evening.
It goes without saying that God is NOT a “genie in a bottle” just waiting to fill my every wish. But God does delight to bless his children – and missing blessings because of ignorance – well, it just doesn’t make any sense. Remember the call to Abram and Sarai to follow God’s leading with the promise that through them all the people of the world would be blessed? The Bethel Bible series has as its motto – “Blessed to be a blessing”. God is waiting to bless his children – including those of us gathered here this morning. Do you know what God is willing to do and be in your life?
Three vignettes from the Gospel According to Matthew. First, the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mont, second an encounter with a man afflicted with leprosy – which made him an outcast, and third a request from a centurion that his paralyzed servant be healed of his terrible suffering. Please note – according to William Barclay: “The centurions were the backbone of the Roman army. Each centurion was the commander of one hundred troops – Roman troops. These centurion were the long-service, regular soldiers of the Roman army. They were responsible for the discipline of the regiment, and they were the cement which held the Roman army together. The centurions were the finest men in the Roman army.” Just so we understand – this centurion who came to Jesus was a gentile – a part of the occupation force assigned to the land of Israel. Some believed the Messiah had come to overthrow the hated Romans – and yet this Roman centurion came to Jesus seeking a miracle? How preposterous! But we will get to that vignette in a minute.
Two homeowners – each serving as their own contractor – built houses. One built on a solid foundation of rock – the other on the unstable foundation of sand. A great storm came! The house built on the rock stood secure – the house built on the sand was crumpled as it was swept away. Much like pictures we see all too frequently of houses built in the paths of hurricanes and tsunamis. The lesson is clear – those who build their lives on the rock solid foundation of God’s Word find themselves secure when troubles visit, while those who build their lives on the fleeting mores of the day – have no leg to stand on when trouble “comes acallin’”. I have been visiting a young woman in a nursing home in Lapeer at the request of a friend. She is troubled by great fear and insecurity, and especially troubled by what she reads in the Book of Revelation. God is more than willing that this young woman – and all of us – for that matter – live secure and confident, and not be afraid. I try to encourage her with the seven “blessed” in Revelation – the book was written, inspired by God – to be a blessing – not a source of fear! I try to encourage her with the fact that Perfect love – God’s love – actually casts out fear. God is NOT willing that she live in fear – God IS willing that she live in a state of secure peace. God wants the same thing in your life – are you letting God’s Word provide that for you?
Vignette number 2: A leper came to Jesus. Leprosy was not good – not now – and certainly not then. The destruction to nerve endings caused disfigurement from fires, cuts, rodents, etc –because of the lack of feeling. Because of the fear of leprosy – lepers were ostracized – even having to walk on the “other side of the street” yelling, “Unclean, unclean”. There was literally no hope for a leper. Their life was that of an outcast – waiting for death to end their misery. Like the old TB sanitariums of recent years in our country – lepers were kept away from the general population. But a certain leper who was not willing to live in an ostracized wait for disfigurement and death – came to Jesus. How interesting his approach! He did not doubt the ability of Jesus to free him from his curse – and to make him whole. “Jesus, I know that you are able, and IF you are willing, you can make me well.” Did he really expect Jesus to reply – “Well, actually, I am not willing”? The coveted answer was received, “I am willing! Be clean! Be well! Be whole!” Do you bring your needs to Jesus with as much faith and confidence? “Jesus, I know you are able – are you willing?” Perhaps we should ask – am I willing – are we willing – to bring “it” (our greatest and worst needs) before our living/loving Father and Redeemer?
Vignette Number 3: The hated centurion! The audacity of a Roman – Gentile – soldier to ask Jesus for a favor, a miracle – for his servant! But that is precisely what he did. Jesus’ response was immediate – “I will go and heal him.” “Lord, you don’t have to come to my house. Just say the word and he will be whole again.” Jesus, we read, marveled at his faith. “ Jesus it is not necessary to jump through my hoops – just say the word – that will suffice” – and it did. In a moment of great irony and agony for any listening Jews – Jesus declared he had not seen such faith in all of Israel. A Roman? A Gentile? Such faith? Precisely. Note this: “Jesus said to the centurion. ‘Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that very hour.” IT WILL BE DONE – just as you believed it would.
What do you – you and I that is – believe that Jesus is able and willing to do?
Do we trust him to do it – even at a distance? It is not necessary to come to my house!
What do you believe that Jesus will do in your life? Forgive? Give assurance? Heal? Hear prayer? Answer prayer? Love without limit and without end? Keep no record of wrongs? Hold secure in the palm of that great and mighty hand? Keep his promise of eternal life? Comfort? Whisk you swiftly through the dark valley into the splendor of heaven? Use you with your weaknesses and frailties in the work of the eternal kingdom? Bless your faithfulness with “Well done good and faithful servant.” Give you strength and remain present even when the trials are many and the day is long?
What do you believe God is willing to do in your life – TODAY?
Never forget! “God is NOT willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9) Who are you inviting to discover that truth?
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“TWO VIEWS: BOTTOM FLOOR, TOP FLOOR” JUNE 13. 2010
MATTHEW 4:1-11, 18-24; 5:1-12
It is safe to say that St. Andrew’s is a congregation which is spending, or has spent, more time in God’s Word than it did a mere four years ago. We have come to some conclusions during these four years. Depending on the day or the suggested Bible readings for that day: The Bible is the hardest book in the world to understand, the Bible is the easiest book in the world to understand.
In another week our grandchildren Zachary and Alyssa will be 7 3/4 and 1 2/3 respectively. If I were to drive to Linden today and say to Zachary, “Next Sunday you will be exactly 7 and ¾ years old” – he would understand exactly what I was saying. He learned about fractions in school this past year. If I were to pick Alyssa up and look her square in the eye and say, “Alyssa, a week from today you will be 1 and 2/3 years old.” She would smile, or squirm to get down, or attempt to remove my glasses or whatever. 1 and 2/3 so… I might just as well say, “Alyssa, one week from today you will be 42 years old.” She would smile, or squirm to get down, or attempt to remove my glasses. If I were to pick her up this afternoon, hold her in my arms, look her in the eye and say “Alyssa, one week from today you will be exactly six months old,” she would smile, squirm to get down, or attempt to remove my glasses. They would not mean anything to her at all. The difference would be the enthusiasm with which I said them – not the comprehension of what it really means. What is the difference between Zachary and Alyssa? In both instances I would have spoken their ages, and while the particular ages may have been different – it would still be a statement of the number of years and months since they were each born. The difference would be their understanding.
Mary’s dad, my dad, has two sisters. One was at the funeral home on Friday – although she is not well at all. The other was in the hospital in Casey, Illinois with complications following a heart attack, and the implanting of a pacemaker. The sister, Margaret, who was there Friday, had long ago married into a large Italian family. There are many, many nieces and nephews on
Uncle Danny’s side of the family. In the last six months two of those great-nephews have been killed in automobile accidents – two separate accidents. There have been a number of serious illnesses in that family. Dad’s health has continued to decline until he went to be with Jesus Tuesday morning. Aunt Shirley? Who knows apart from God? Given these things is God good or bad?
I always wonder about certain Christmas letters I receive. One in particular – the couple has three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Of the couple – she was a long time teacher, and he a very successful sales rep. They live in a wonderful retirement community. A good portion of their year is spent traveling. They are in their mid-eighties with good heath. At the end of a litany of trips, successes of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, health news, etc. is the statement – “God IS good!” What if this year they had to report a year like Aunt Margaret’s – would they still say, “God IS good”? Is God good because I enjoy good things – is God bad if I experience bad things?
I could make it a mission in life to teach Alyssa to understand the basic laws of physics, and/or basic principles of Aero Dynamics in the next four months – before she turned two. The first problem, obstacle would be – I would have to learn to understand them myself. That is a pretty formidable task! I would have to teach Alyssa some rudimentary math concepts. I would have to teach Alyssa some new vocabulary words. I would have to get her to stay still long enough to actually hear me. I might even have to engage the creators of the “Baby Einstein” DVDs to produce one on both of this concepts – Laws of Physics, Aero Dynamic principles. I could read to her this afternoon from the best physics text books, I could ask Mary’s brother-in-law, who has taught physics for years, to explain the laws to her, and I could cover the walls of her room with charts and posters explaining aero dynamics. She still would not comprehend them.
Fear not – I am getting to a point here!
A year ago – almost – Mary and I spent a few days at Niagara Falls. Our room had a wonderful commanding view of both falls – actually all three: Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil. It was fantastic – but then we were on the twenty-seventh floor and we could see over the shorter hotel across the street – between our hotel and the falls. Had we had an identical room on the tenth floor – we would have had a great view – of the hotel across the street. It is called the Sheraton Fall’s view Hotel – and it is –if you are on the right floor(s). The view from the top floor is radically different from the view from the first floor. From the first floor it might realistically be called the Sheraton Street View Hotel.
All of this to say – my view of the Bible – the easiest book in the world to understand, or the most difficult book in the world to understand – for me – has to do with the view from which I see it, and the continually growing understanding with which I approach it.
If I approach Scripture with an unshakeable belief that life is, or ought to be, good and fair and just – and when it is – well, then – God is good! But if life is not fair, and not good and not just – then is God bad? If I approach life with the understanding that life is not always good, or fair, or just – sometimes it seems never – then I am open to discover great truths from God’s Word. I am freed, for one thing, from trying to reconcile every bad, unfair and unjust record in the Bible and in my life. I am freed to discover that God is indeed present in everything I experience – regardless of where it fits on the fairness scale. I am open to discover basic principles of Scripture that open and unlock life’s mysteries for me – instead of getting waylaid by each particular event.
Scripture is often interpreted as being easy or difficult to understand based solely in my perspective. Therefore, I had best be checking and rechecking my perspective. Consider our passage today from Matthew 5 – the Beatitudes – blessed/happy are those who suffer, mourn, etc. Happy? Blessed? Maybe I need to do a “perspective check” and come back to these ideas. Suffer? Mourn? Happy? Blessed? Is Scripture hard to understand or is my perspective out of line?
You know I love that poem, “I’m Free” and yes I did quote it at dad’s service yesterday. They never had much money, although they enjoyed a happy retirement. Dad possessed a strong, dynamic faith, he loved to preach, and he loved good music especially great hymns. He was never ever fat by any means – but oh did he enjoy a good meal. He was one of those men who was just loved by those who knew him – though he had been retired for over twenty years and she had not seen him in all those years – the daughter of a former boss came to the funeral home because she had seen the death notice in the paper. He had a great sense of humor. He loved his family and adored Mary’s mother – and they would have been married sixty-nine years on August 29th.
Six years ago he came out of a Rite Aid store in a strip mall, looked both ways, stepped off the curb and started across the parking lot. A man, coming to pick up donuts for a church meeting, turned off the main road into the parking lot – and was blinded by the morning sun in his eyes – he failed to even slow down – he hit dad and threw him over the car. Because the hospital failed to discover a broken bone in his neck from the accident – dad began to fall. The worst being to somersault down the basement stairs just over four years ago. Since then there have been hospitalizations, surgeries, rehab, a feeding tube, a trach, twenty-four hour nursing care, a constant battle with pneumonia – well you know you have walked the journey with us. Never once did he question God, or the truth of the Bible, or even ask why. A couple of years ago – he somehow marshaled the strength to be in the pulpit of Southfield Community Church and preach that last sermon giving praise and thanks to God. No tirades about the fairness of it all, no heart wrenching monologues about where was God in all this mess, just an honest, simple statement that from his knowledge of the Bible – God was in the midst of it all – and that made it alright.
Listen to the poem, now that I have summarized part of the last six years:
“I’M FREE”
Don’t grieve for me now I’m free I’m following the path God laid for me I took his hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all I could not stay for another day To laugh, to live, to work, or play Tasks left undone must stay that way I’ve found my peace at the close if day If parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Ah yes those things I too shall miss Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow My life’s been full I’ve savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief Lift up your heart and share with me God wanted me now He set me free.
- A. Abbey, Scribe
Life was not fair! Life was not good! But he chose to look at life from God’s point of view – which made this poem so “right” for him.
What about us? Is the Bible hard and difficult because we look at it solely from our point of view? Is the Bible increasingly, easier to understand as we look at it from God’s point of view? Perhaps the difficulty is as simple as this – do we try to reconcile the Bible in light of world – or do we begin with the Bible and interpret the world in light of the Bible.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“THE WRITTEN WORD AND THE LIVING WORD” JUNE 6, 2010
JOHN 1:1-18
We have been focusing very diligently on the written Word for three and a half years at St. Andrew’s – while at the same time continuing our focus on the Living Word. The written Word is, of course, The Bible. The Living Word is Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the living demonstration – in human form – of all the attributes of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Living Word – Jesus – is God’s perfect revelation of himself to humanity. The Living Word is THE Word.
The record of the Living Word is the Written Word. It is the story of redemption. Back as early as the fall of humanity we see the promise of One who was to come who would redeem his people from their sin. There is a beautiful listing in our hymnal of the depiction of Jesus Christ in each of the sixty-six books of the Bible. The Messiah was prophesied for generations – and longed for by the people of God – before his appearance in a stable in Bethlehem.
Yet – “even though he came to his own – his own received him not”. The Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the record of Jesus life. Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic Gospels –a chronological story of Jesus’ life from birth to death to resurrection. John’s Gospel is more a story of who he – Jesus – is!
The Acts of the Apostles is the story of the early Church – spread from Jerusalem to the rest of the world because of persecution of the Jews. Where they went – the story of Jesus went, because – most of the early Christians were Jews. Acts is a record of the presence of Jesus with his people – in the form of the Holy Spirit. It is a declaration of the power of Jesus to change lives – from the inside out. Such change was powerful – and still is!
Romans through Jude are a series of letters – some quite long and some very, very short. Some of the letters were written to churches – i.e. Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, etc. Some were much more personal – Titus, Timothy and Jude. Collectively they are a series of statements – proclamations – of how one lives who is a follower of Jesus. Sometimes they addressed problems and sometimes they were simply words of encouragement and example.
Near the beginning of Genesis – the first Book in the Bible – is a record of one who was to come and who would save his people. The last Book – the Book of Revelation is a powerful, dramatic declaration to the people of God – of all ages – that Jesus WILL return in glory. He will be seen by every eye, and acknowledged by every tongue – even those who do not believe in him. The only true knight on a great horse – he WILL right all wrongs and defeat forever evil and the Evil One. Jesus the Living Word will be “read” by all people – and will be adored and praised in heaven.
Without the Written Word – we would not know who Jesus is, what Jesus has done, or what Jesus will do. We would have no assurance that our beliefs are more than just lip service. “These (things) are written that you might know that you have eternal life.” (John 20:31) These things, of course, being the record of Jesus’ ministry – his sacrificial death – his triumphant resurrection – and his promise to return again. “I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am you maybe also.” (John 14)
It might be hard for us to identify with or see the feasibility of living the Written Word – without the testimony – example – record of the Living Word. It is Jesus who fleshes out what we read from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21.
John 1 states it so eloquently – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” The word here is the Living Word – Jesus. Jesus is shown as the source of all things – ALL THINGS. He is light in the darkness! He is the source of life – abundant and eternal for all who believe in him.
The Word became flesh – the incarnation – and revealed his glory – as the Father’s true son – and he was/is the essence – the reality of truth and grace. Jesus never flinched when it came to confronting the falsehood of his day – even when it was espoused by the religious leaders. Jesus never wavered in offering grace – God’s undying love for humanity – and God’s compassion in the midst of human sin and hardness of heart. Those he might have banished to the outer kingdom because of their sin – found mercy in his presence – i.e. the woman caught in the very act of adultery. Or what of the man chained outside a city because of his violent behavior? There was the woman whose only son had died, and the paralyzed man who waited, futilely for someone to place him into the pool when healing was offered. There was a penniless old woman who gave a coin so small most would have overlooked it – but not Jesus. And, what about the woman who had suffered with bleeding for years and years? Or the man whose son had seizures – but the man wasn’t a Jew? All of them found grace in the presence of Jesus. And countless more as well!
How would we know without the Written Word?
The written Word in the twenty-first century is the revelation of the Living Word and shows us how to love and follow him. Is your time in the Word – the Written Word – helping you to know more of the living Word? “In him is life and the life is the light of all who will believe in him”.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“IN MEMORY” MAY 30, 2010
I SAMUEL 25:1-44 II SAMUEL 1:1-16 JOHN 6:44-51
Memorial Day – dedicated to the memory of those who fought and died to win and preserve freedom. Of course, it has become a time we also remember those, other than soldiers, who have died and who now rest from their labors. It is good for us to remember. It is good to pause for a time of recognizing the ultimate sacrifice – but pausing is not enough. It is good to remember – individuals perhaps from our own families who have fallen in battle – but remembering is not enough. The only way to truly honor their sacrifice is to treat freedom with the respect it deserves, and to give it the honor it merits, and to practice its rights and privileges. Freedom is not free – for those who fought and died – and for those who live within its protection.
How will you observe Memorial Day?
Two men! Two very prominent men in the history of the people of Israel. One was the first king of Israel – his name was Saul. The second was the last of the judges and the first of the prophets in Israel – his name was Samuel. Two men! Two very prominent men in the history of Israel!
Both of them were – anointed by God, wielding great power, revered by the people – at least for a time. Both men died.
Picture a contrast between bustling Fifth Avenue in New York at Rush hour – and a lone camel with its rider in the middle of the Sahara Desert. So great was the contrast when these two men died.
We read in I Samuel 25 – when Samuel died all of Israel assembled and mourned for him. Great man of God that he was – he had lead his people – God’s people – in ways Saul never understood. He died and the nation mourned his passing.
Saul the very first King of Israel – died in battle. His death would not have merited a purple heart. His troops were overrun by the Philistines and they fled. But the Philistines were after blood – specifically Saul’s blood and the blood of his sons. His three sons were killed including Jonathan. Saul himself was wounded – and refusing to let the Philistines have the pleasure of executing him – he chose to take his own life. It says he fell on his sword and died.
Yes, it was a time of war but there were no public demonstrations of grief. His body was retrieved from the Philistines – who had desecrated it – and then it was burned and his bones were buried. The only one we truly read of who mourned his passing was David – and David, of course, also grieved for his beloved friend Jonathan. David ordered that the men of Judah be taught a lament – a lament of the bow (II Samuel 1:17-27).
Samuel mourned by the nation – Saul ends his life in disgrace and defeat. Mourn for him? The nation was too busy trying to save its own neck.
What a contrast! Samuel – spokesman for God – his passing grieved by the people. Saul – ruined by power, fear and distrust – who even consulted a witch – grieved by the man he feared and hated the most. What a contrast!
How will people remember us? Will people mourn because we represented the presence of God in their life? When our last word is spoken – will we have spoken for God or spoken for ourselves?
What would their obituaries say – keep reading in Scripture.
We read of another man this morning – his name Nabal. David had protected, and not bothered, the servants of Nabal who were keeping Nabal’s flocks near where David was hiding. It is now sheep-shearing time. And sheep-shearing time was celebrated with feasting – with more than enough to share. So David sent messengers to bring wishes of goodwill to Nabal – and to request some of the great feast Nabal had prepared. Nabal – who was not a nice person – and who definitely had not successfully completed the Dale Carnegie course – did not treat David’s messengers kindly. “Who is this David and why should I share with the likes of him?” “But David was kind to your servants who were shepherding your flock.” “So – I know nothing of that! There is nothing for you – or for this David – here from my table. Be on your way.”
Nabal repaid kindness with meanness.
David decides to take Nabal’s life and the lives of all the males in his family and among his servants. It was a different time and a different culture – and we may not understand it – but that is what Scripture recorded.
Nabal’s wife – Abigail – hears of Nabal’s treatment of David – prepares a huge feast to take to David and saves Nabal’s neck. What a statement of a man’s wife when she said to David, “Pay no attention to that wicked man. He is just like his name – his name means Fool, and folly goes with him.”
David decides to spare his life.
Abigail returns home and discovers Nabal giving a feast – fit for a king – he is in high spirits and very drunk (that is what I Samuel 25:36 says). Abigail waits until morning to tell Nabal what she has done and how she had saved his neck. But when all was revealed – Nabal’s heart failed – maybe he had a stroke – ten days later Nabal was dead.
What kind of a reputation do you have? Kind? Mean – brutish? Generous? Stingy? Loving? Hard as nails? Understanding? Unsympathetic? Self-focused? God – and other – focused? If your obituary was not a list of facts – but rather a statement of the kind of person you were – how would it read?
How tragic to go down in history with a story like Nabal’s recorded for eternity.
Then there was Abigail. Abigail possessed the wisdom to do what was right. Abigail was more than generous. Abigail knew when to take matters into her own hand. Abigail knew when to keep silent and when to talk. Abigail was not afraid to face a powerful man – accompanied by four hundred men – bent on bringing destruction to her home and family. Abigail was far wiser and more noble than her husband.
Would your obituary – a listing of character qualities read like Abigail’s – or Nabal’s?
You are familiar with the poem “The Dash” or “You are in my dash” – which reads in part:
So think about this long and hard…
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still – be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say,
About how you spent your dash?
There is hope for all of the Nabals in the world – for that matter for everyone. Jesus died to give us life. This life is described as being “abundant”. It is not a stagnant life – it is a dynamic powerful life – where change is a distinct and possible reality. God’s Spirit – residing within us desires to produce the fruits of the Spirit i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, etc. We do not have to be tomorrow what we were yesterday. We have one who is able to liberate us from our past and from our way of living.
Samuel, Saul, David, Nabal and Abigail – what character qualities characterize your life? Are you happy and content with them? How do you need to change utilizing the power of Christ’s resurrection, and the wonder of God’s love? Are you closer to those things than you were a year ago today? Do you allow the power of Christ’s love to liberate you from being tied to the past, to being bound by old habits and lifestyles, and to become a “new creature” in Christ Jesus?
May the memory of those who have gone before us inspire us to strive for Christlikeness in our living.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“WHEN THE GRASS ISN’T GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE…” MAY 23, 2010
I SAMUEL 17:32-51 I CORINTHIANS 12:27-30 JOHN 14:25-27
It does seem as if the grass is always greener on the other side. That seems to be true of humans and animals alike. How many times have you seen a cow or a horse with its head stretched through the fence because – surely the grass is greener on the other side. How much of the crime do we read about or see on the news which has been “inspired” because someone had something and someone else wanted it?
How much trouble do we read about in the Bible because someone had something and someone else wanted it? Haggar had a baby and Sarah wanted one. Esau was older but Jacob wanted his birthright and his blessing. A couple of weeks ago we read of the story of Hannah and Penninah – Penninah had children but Hannah did not.
It seems bad enough to want something and not be able to have it – but then for someone else to get it – well…
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Uncle Danny’s side of the family. In the last six months two of those great-nephews have been killed in automobile accidents – two separate accidents. There have been a number of serious illnesses in that family. Dad’s health has continued to decline until he went to be with Jesus Tuesday morning. Aunt Shirley? Who knows apart from God? Given these things is God good or bad?