Walking in the Way of Jesus... Relationships

Feb. 23, 2014                                                   

Eph. 4:1-6, John 13:31-35

A son asks his mother; “Mom, if dad should happen to die, do you think there’s another man in the world just like him?” His mother replied, “Maybe, and it would be just my luck to get him.”

Prayer

We continue in our series, “Walking in the Way of Jesus, 6 Values of Followership.” We’re learning that values are an important part of being a faith community and we’re learning that the 6 Values were focusing on in this series should be the values of every church community. In truth, these values should be the model of how ministry is carried out. So far… we’ve focused on the values of Prayer… Worship… Learning… Serving… and today our focused value will be on… 

“Relationships”

From the beginning, God has wanted to be in relationship with all of creation and most especially with humanity.

To get started… I’d like you to open your bibles to Gen. 2:18

“The Lord said, “It isn’t good for the man (Human) to be alone. I need to make a suitable partner for him.”

Let’s look at the word “Man” some translations “Human”

Hebrew word used… “Hu-mmis” meaning Ground, Dirt, Earth…Literally… “Dirty Being” or Earthling…

Vs 7… God took a handful of soil… picture that in your mind… God bending down to pick up some soil with his hands… and Quite literally…  God breathed life into the human… Literally… Blew Air into him.

To be fair… Eve means “HelpMate” or “Partner” So guys… don’t get any big ideas.

What’s important to understand here is that God created Humans as a valued part of his creation, and at the center of God is a value of all creation.

In our gospel story Jesus says, “You must love each other, just as I have loved you” 

How did Jesus love us?

Well… quite simply… Unconditionally, we are loved as a response to a relationship with God. Jesus is demonstrating I believe a core value of God. When God blew air into us… a loving relationship formed. And, I believe this is important for several reasons, and I’d like to share 3 of those reasons I believe God desires us to be in relationships.

The First Relationship is to God… Duet. 10:12… Matt 22:37

Duet. 10:12 Moses says, “People of Israel, what does your God want from you? The Lord wants you to respect & follow Him, to love & serve Him with all your Heart & Soul.”

Matt 22:37 Jesus is challenging the Pharisee’s on the most important commandment by saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, Soul, and Mind.”

God created humanity to be connected to him and to each other. For us today, one way to understand this connection is thru baptism. At our baptism God grabs hold of us… (Go grab some ones hand) and doesn’t let go. We may want to go in a different direction, but God is still hanging on to us. Despite our propensity to do what we want to do, God is not letting go of us. That my friends is a sign of God desiring to have a relationship with us. Furthermore, that’s why our first response to God is to have a relationship with him.

The Second Relationship is to One Another…John4...Acts 2:43-46

There are several stories in the bible that illustrate this, but I will share 2 I believe illustrate this the best…

-          Acts 2…People Gathered Together… Spent Time Learning… They Prayed Together… Broke Bread Together… Shared Everything with Each Other… and were Generous Together.

-         John 4… Not only did Jesus and the Samaritan Woman have a relationship, but she brought her whole town to experience Jesus.

Desmond Tutu was asked about the term “Ubunto.” He says, “Ubuntu is the essence of being human… we say a person is a person through other persons. You can’t be human in isolation. You are only human in relationships.”

One way to build relationships is to be in a small group.

You do have small groups here at Cana.

           You have music groups … are small groups. 
           Tues morning bible study is a small group. 
           Sunday morning learning groups are … small groups. 
           Your worship team, learning team, council, property team and others… are small groups.

You’re doing some of this all ready and I want to encourage you to develop more of them. The point of a small group is to be in relationship with others for spiritual growth, friendships, encouragement, and loving care.

Small groups have 4 elements…

Have Fun Together.

Learn Together.

                                                            Pray Together.

Serve Together

That’s it…I believe if you’re in a small group living out these 4 elements consistently, you are growing your faith.

Lastly, The Third Relationship is to those Outside the Community

              Luke 19:5-7… Mark 10:17ff… John 4:9…. Acts 10:27-28

It seems today that we tend to isolate ourselves. Tell me if this is true for you… in the morning you leave the garage door goes up to leave to go to work or school & when you come home in the evening the door goes down and you occasionally come out.

That’s how much of suburbia lives. Many of us don’t know our neighbors… I know my neighbor to the East of me a little bit, but my neighbor behind me I rarely see and when I do I just wave or say hi when I’m cutting the grass… but for many, we don’t know them, which, I suspect is much different from how many of us grew up.

While we are connected more so today than ever, digital devices, yet it seems our relationships are ever more fractured. It’s difficult for many of us to build relationships with those whom we don’t know or don’t want to know, even those who may be closer to us than others. If you look closely at the bible passages I’ve listed there is a common theme. You see…Jesus spent most of his time with people outside of his sphere of friends and most of the time, Jesus was spending time with “SINNERS”. If you look at much of the church today… it resembles the church of Jesus’ day in many ways… back then only the righteous can be part of the church. The people who were clean… gentiles and sinners need not apply. Even Jesus’ friends argued with him about associating with unclean people.

Luke 19….Zachaeus… Tax Collector…. SINNER

MARK 10… Rich Guy… wouldn’t give up wealth… SINNER

John 4… Samaritan Woman… SINNER

Acts 10… Cornelius… Roman Soldier… SINNER

One could we even say… Dennis…. Pastor…. SINNER!!!!

I met a truck driver once who told me and if you know anything about truck drivers they speak with colorful language. So… this is not a direct quote… he said, “People spend more time trying to figure out God, rather than just inviting God in.”  

Closing:

 A few years ago was a movie titled “Into The Wild.” Perhaps you saw it.

It’s the true story of a man named Chris McCandless. The movie is about him graduating from college and feeling restless about his life. At his graduation dinner with his family his dad offers him a new car for his work and graduation. He and his dad didn’t have to good of relationship to begin with. He turns down the offer and he and his dad part angry with each other.

So he decides to leave everything behind…literally… he burned his drivers license and SS card and heads out to Alaska. He journals his travels from the deep south, to the Midwest, down the Colorado River, to Mexico and up the West Coast, and finally to Alaska where he finds an old abandon bus which becomes his makeshift home, and begins life anew.

One day he wasn’t feeling too well as he looked through one of his survival books he bought along the way. As he perused the book on eatable plants he discovers he has eaten some that were poisonous, and begins to die. He chronicles his last days and his thoughts about his life. As he writes in his journal for the last time he begins to recall all the relationships he has had… the movie shows this as flashbacks from all the people he’s met along the way back to his family including his dad. He writes,

“There is Real Happiness Only When It Is Shared.” Then Dies…

Ultimately… life come down to relationships… nobody says on their death bed I need more money… it’s about our RELATIONSHIPS.

My Friends… I pray that Cana can be a faith community about relationships…

-       Relationship to God.

-       Relationship to One Another.

-       Relationship to Others.

 

Walking in the Way of Jesus... Serve

Feb. 16, 2014                                                   

Eph. 4:7-13, Matt. 20:20-28

Prayer

We’ve been on this journey of “Walking in the Way of Jesus, 6 Values of Followership” over the past few weeks. These 6 values are important to the faith community because they help ground you to living life closer to Jesus. These 6 values really become the faith foundation of the faith community. And over the last few weeks we have reflected on their importance. The importance of being a faith community grounded in Prayer, Worship, and last week Life-Long Learning. In the next couple of weeks we will reflect on Relationships and Generosity.

But today our focused value is “Serving”

I want to start by saying, Thank You good and faithful servants.

Many of you have stepped up during this transition time and served. Thank You for being servants.

In our story today, the mother of James and John, two of Jesus’ close friends, lobby’s for them to be granted high status, she says, “Jesus, when you come into your kingdom, let my sons sit one on the right and the other on the left.”

Jesus then says, “If you want to be great, you must be a servant.”

It seems a competition happens when the others get a bit angry.

The “Living Lutheran Blog” I read had an article titled, “Did God Create Us to Compete?” where it referenced the Olympic Games. Anyone watching the games? There’s great competition, counting the metals, there’s the speed of downhill skiing and snowboarding, luge, hockey, and the grace of figure skating. And the competition can be intense.

Norma Cook Everist the author of the article asks, “Did Christ engage in competition? If so, with whom or why? Jesus came not to overpower. He turned competition upside down, saying that whoever wants to be great must be servant of all. He was victorious, but not over human beings. He conquered death, but not for his own sake. For ours. The core of the resurrection life is not competition, but community. 

See: http://www.elca.org/en/Living-Lutheran/Blogs/2014/02/140214-Did-God-create-us-to-compete

Think about it… our life is not a competition, but a community of servants.

What does it mean to be a servant?

In our story many translations say, “Slave”… of course the word “Slave” has negative connotation to it for us. But a slave in Jesus’ day was not necessarily a bad or abusive thing. Matter of fact, slaves we part of the household… part of the family. In Jesus’ day slaves were the ones who did much of the work in society. Slaves during this time were the lower and middle class populations. If you think about it… this is still the case… what classes of people still do the largest share of the work in our society?

What does this mean for us?

Some people have just gotten a bit nervous about this question.

That work or vocation is a gift from God and God equips and empowers us to use our gift and passions for work and serving.

Paul tells us in Eph. That Jesus chose some to be Apostles, Prophets, Missionaries, Pastors, and teachers so that people would serve.

Paul also tells us in Romans 12 & 1Cor 12… “That everyone has a spiritual gift to serve.”

The truth is… God has blessed each of us with a passion and a gift to serve in the community…. Each of us has a passion that God empowers

Lutheran Theologian David Lose states, “Vocation, at its best, helps people see the jobs and roles and relationships they spend time on as worthy of God’s regard. Simultaneously, a robust sense of vocation also helps each of us see those around us as God’s children striving to live out their callings and as brothers and sisters worthy of love, dignity, and respect.”

This Means….

We All Have Gifts & Passions

Slaves were chosen in Jesus’ day by their giftedness… by what they could do best. Paul picks up on this when he says Eph 4, “Christ chose some…” All of the disciples didn’t decide to follow Jesus just for the sake of going with him… no… Jesus chose them! Jesus chose them because he knew their gifts and passions. And, Jesus knows your gifts and passions as well. You may not agree with this but you’re not too OLD nor too YOUNG, nor if you think you’ve already done your time in the Sunday School.

There is no retirement system in God’s world.

I like to ask people… What are your passions?

They don’t have to be churchly or religious. It’s probably better they’re not.

I met Frank at my first call congregation when he came to church after his wife had died. She had died two years prior and felt something was missing. He was a faithful church participant, but couldn’t bring himself to go back to the church he and his wife belonged to. So… he came to us… When I visited with Frank one day he shared his life and then asked about his passion. He said follow me. Frank took me into a room, when he opened the door I could tell he had no ordinary hobby. There were model airplanes everywhere. Hanging from the ceiling, on shelves, airplanes were everywhere. You could tell airplanes where Frank’s passion was.

Weeks later I talked with the principle at an elementary school near the church I served and she asked if I knew anyone who worked with model airplanes. She had 3 boys who were interested in airplanes. It just happened that I did. I put Frank and her together. Frank didn’t realize at first that his passion was indeed God’s work thru him. And… Frank was able to share his faith experiences with 3 boys who may have never have heard about God.

All of us have the same opportunities to use your giftedness & passions to share the love and grace of God. The question is… will we? 

It works like this…Our Gifts and Passion… Creates Involvement IN Community

Serving IN community is pretty comfortable for many of us. Serving in worship, caring for the facilities, music, SS, and special projects are generally pretty easy for us to participate in. Serving IN community is a good way to gain confidence and connect with those you know. But this is not all there is…. Yes God calls us to use our gifts and passions IN the community… But also…

Creates Involvement OUT in Community

You’re doing some of this… The Warming Center, in the past you’ve done Habitat for Humanity, LSSM… These are important opportunities to share your gifts and passions. These opportunities also enhance our faith and give us a different perspective on what others are dealing with in life. Perhaps… these and other mission activities can be reignited to serve OUT in community in the near future.

Lastly, It Creates a Willingness to be the Face of Jesus to Others.

God isn’t looking for individual greatness, but he is looking for individuals willing to be the face of Jesus to others.

I once met a young man who was struggling with life. Nothing seemed to be working in his favor. I couldn’t fix the issues he was struggling with, but I could listen to his story and invite him to come be with the rest of us who were struggling to find God’s love as well. I couldn’t fix his problems… but I could demonstrate God’s grace the best I could.

That is really our challenge today… to demonstrate grace in an ever-more judgmental world. If our serving was more about serving with forgiveness and grace our churches would be full. My friends… that is SERVING…

Closing:

I often ask congregations… What are your dreams?

The usual answers are… To Grow…. To have the seats filled in worship…. To have lots of kids and young people….

At one congregation after all the usual responses an older woman raised her hand and said, “Until we become a congregation focused on being missional and serving others, we will not grow as a congregation.” Growth is measured in a variety of ways… furthermore my friends… I believe this woman is right… if you as Cana Lutheran do not have serving as a value… you will not grow as a congregation.

There is a favorite bible passage found at the end of the Book of Joshua chp. 24. I pray that I’m able to live this out and I pray you will as well… as Joshua states, “As for me and my family… we will serve the Lord.”

Walking in the Way of Jesus... Learning

Feb. 9, 2014                                    

Duet. 6:1-9, Jn. 14:23-27

At Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio, the congregation was asked to respond to some questions on a 3 x 5 card.

The first question was, 'What first attracted you to Trinity?'

Seven-year-old Jennifer spelled out her one-word answer in the large letters of one just learning to print: 'God.'

When the question was posed, 'What is your prayer for Trinity?'

Eight-year-old Matthew wrote, 'That they will always be here to help other.' Trinity's pastor then said: It seems the kids are teaching us what it means to be church.

Prayer

We’re half way thru our series; “Walking in the Way of Jesus… 6 values of discipleship/or followership as I am fond of saying. These 6 values become the model of what ministry should be about, and the model that empowers mission ministry, all of which fosters a greater relationship with Jesus.

Over the past 2 weeks we’ve reflected on the importance of Prayer and why it should be a value to the faith community. Being a community of prayer is how that community discerns what God is calling them to be about.

Last week we focused on the value of “Worship” and the importance of worship being the element of giving rather than getting. That worship is our complete devotion to a loving and grace-filled God.

Today our focused Value is; “Learning” and the importance of being in God’s Word.

In our readings today, Deut. 6… Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only true God! So love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.  Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you’re at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning.  Write down copies and tie them to your wrists and foreheads to help you obey them.  Write these laws on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates.

Col. 3:16… Let the message about Christ completely fill you…

           John 14:26… The Spirit will teach you Everything.

God desires us to be in His Word and connected to Him as a life-long learner. For many this is a daunting task… to read the Bible. How many of you have Bibles at home? How many of you read them even a little?

I must confess… I would like to do a better job.

• Stats: 90% of have a least 1 Bible in our homes.
• Typical families have 3 Bibles
• 35% of adults read the bible in a typical week.
• Those that read, read about 10 min. a day.
• Avg. Luth. Reads the Bible at a 7-8 Gr. Level
• Episcopalian…4-5 Gr level
• R.C….2-3 gr level
• Mormons read their bible at a 12 gr. Level

Why is it so difficult for us to get into the Bible?

For many… we’ve relied on the Pro Clergy to tell us. Many find the Bible hard to understand and written for a different time…  Some believe it’s not relevant… Were to Busy…. And or TOO LAZY.

A few years back the ELCA was so concerned that they’ve launched an initiative called “Book of Faith” becoming fluent in the first language of faith in order to encourage people to get into the bible. Did Cana participate in this? By and large the initiative did little to expand the bible literacy.

           

4 reasons I believe it is so difficult to get into the Bible.

The Bible is challenging John 3:3-16, Mark 10:17-26

We’re challenged to understand how something written long ago can be relevant for us today.

The story of Jesus & Nic… must be born again… Nic couldn’t understand what Jesus was saying. For John… it was mind blowing, but I believe John had some idea because after-all the Jewish sense here is … “to bring one over to his way of life.”

Jesus and the rich man… he obeyed the Commandments, but Jesus tells him to sell everything and give it away. He left sad. The 2 passages shouldn’t necessarily be taken literally, but they do challenge us to think differently.

The Bible is Confrontational Luke 13:1-3

Pilate had some people killed and Jesus tells people, “if you think they were worse than you, you are mistaken.” He tells them to turn back to God, if you don’t you will be killed too. This too is a metaphor for us to look at our lives. When we read the bible it confronts us to look at ourselves.

The Bible is Correctional Matt.16:21-28, 1Cor. 3:1-3

In Matt. 16:23… Jesus tells Peter… Get behind me Satan. Paul says in 1Cor….. “You’re like babies…”

In the Bible… God speaks to our sinful humanness so that we will look at our lives, and make changes… changes that will enhance our lives…. Not take away as some may think. God desires our lives to be full, not take things away from us. We should think of this like a parent correcting children.

The Bible is a Connectional Book: Eph. 1:3-5, 2Tim. 3:16

The Bible connects us to something bigger than us. The Bible helps us to envision how life can be purposeful and bring hope. No other book can do this. Substituting religious books doesn’t quite work. These are only supplements.

Learning my friends… is a life-long endeavor. Just because you are baptized doesn’t mean we’re in, nor being confirmed having faith, nor just coming to church. Just because these things happen doesn’t necessarily mean your Christian nor a follower of Jesus. God desires a connection. God desires us to be learning how to trust God.

4 Ways to be a Life-Long Learner

Be Intentional…

Make a commitment to read a section, or chapter before you go to work, at lunch, or before bed. Take just a few minutes out of your day to connect with God. Make a commitment… then follow through.

Read the Bible at Home & Worship…

Open your Bibles at home. Discover what’s in them. Open the bibles in pews here at church and read along… maybe even be a person who reads Sunday’s readings.

When I was on Internship I visited a Methodist church in which they handed bibles out as you entered worship space. They were intentional in getting the Bible into the hands of the people.

Be part of a Group…

We offer a couple of opportunities for adults… one on Sunday morning @ 9:30am The Wired Word, and one on Tues Morning @ 10am. Children’s learning at 9:30 as well as middle & high school. If you don’t see a group that fits… start new one. Gather a group of people and meet at Panera… or maybe the Black Lotus…  Yes… there… the people there need it too. You don’t need my permission… better yet… you have my permission. Start a new group study.

Take Responsibility to be a Life-Learner…

You don’t need me…. I or any pastors are not to be the spiritual dispenser of bible information. YES… we have some schooling and knowledge and can be helpful, but we are here to equip and mentor you on your faith journey… to help you Learn together.

I’m fond of saying to people… What’s more Important?   The answer or the question!

It’s not always about the answer… but the questions!

And one thing to keep in mind… you don’t become proficient at something by having someone give you the answers… you have to practice. Faith is a practice. Just like a doctor practices, or a lawyer… That’s right a doctor practices medicine.

Closing:

Learning is a life-long enterprise and if we are serious about passing on the faith we must get into God’s Word as a community. We must make it a priority to be a life-long learners if we are to experience the kind of spiritual growth God desires of us.

It’s in Grace that we can begin again and take the step in Walking in the Way of Jesus and to value “Learning” in this faith community.

Our challenge today in the midst of our discomfort is to admit we have fallen short in our journey to be dwellers in the Word, and there is no better time to restart our efforts to be life-long learners in God’s Word.