sermon

Thesis: If we try to add worldly wisdom to the gospel message, embodied in the cross, we will lessen its power to miraculously change lives.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (New International Version)

18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."^[a]

20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

Although there is no scientific research to support the claim I am about to make, I can tell you from firsthand experience that the following statement is at least partially true. The organization that calls itself Alcoholics Anonymous with its twelve steps of recovery has played a significant role in saving millions of lives, marriages and families. I would even go so far as to say that AA has been at least as effective several secular and religious organizations. One of the reasons I can say this is because the sole purpose of AA is as define on Wikipedia:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide fellowship of men and women who share a desire to stop drinking alcohol.^[1]

Notice it said “the desire to stop drinking” ; seems pretty simple doesn’t it? The “program” as its members familiarly call it, is not complicated- at least not at first. “Don’t drink, read the big book (not the Bible) and go to meetings” the old timers say. “Fake it ‘til You Make It” is counsel given to those who don’t really believe they can live a life apart from drinking, “KISS- which stands for Keep it Simple Stupid”, “Stinkin’ Thinkin’”.

Now, I wouldn’t exactly call these pithy sayings great pieces of literature written by the likes of Shakespeare or Oliver Wendell Holmes or C.S. Lewis. These are most likely not even quotes from famous people, but these sayings that have kept millions of men and women from drinking themselves to death. These cute little pearls of wisdom have saved marriages- not all but a great number. These “lightweight” sayings from infamous people have taken families that were ripped apart by alcoholism and helped put them back together. There is a part of me that wishes these cute little pearls of wisdom were written by famous philosophers or some great theological minds; that the words he or she created could be dissected and torn apart, thought about until the cows came home. Analyzed, magnified and fill in the blank… until the end of time!

Sayings like “Let go and Let God”, “One Day at a Time” among others, were put to good use, if not created, by the two men that founded AA those many years ago. Two men, both down on their luck, both reaching for the last straw that life would offer them, came together and had one goal in mind: To help each other stay sober. That’s it- help each other stay sober. Everything else that may be accomplished in each of their lives had to follow the decision to stop drinking and everything else in the recovery process was to be built upon that foundation- the central message of a life restored to sanity. Well just as the road to recovery and sobriety starts with a decision; the road to Jesus starts with a decision. The decision is one to give up; to stop fighting; to admit that we need God’s help; that we must come to the cross.

Our scripture comes from the opening section of 1 Corinthians, chapter 1:18-25. Paul addresses a church divided and in conflict. Two parties seem to have developed. There were those who followed Paul and those who followed Apollos. Apollos was a "native of Alexandria... a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures", Act.18:24-28. Paul had obviously come in for some heavy criticism, so he seeks to calm the dispute in the church while defending his role as an apostle and his gospel, so Paul develops a contrast touched on in verse 17. The contrast is between "words of human wisdom" and the gospel of the "cross of Christ." Paul argues that the gospel is not something that we need to improve by adding human wisdom to it. In fact, the message concerning the cross of Christ has no sense to it. As far as human reasoning is concerned, the gospel is foolishness. So, beware of testing it by human wisdom.

Place yourself in the church at Corinth. These folks were proud of what they knew about philosophy. They prided themselves on being smarter than the average Greek. The Jewish community of Corinth wasn’t much better. One commentator said:

“They (the Jews) clamored for miraculous demonstrations and the Greeks went in for philosophical wisdom.” “The Corinthian church gloried in the superficially impressive human wisdom of the age. They boasted about their own possession of wisdom and rhetorical eloquence.”

Does that sound familiar?

He goes on…

“God however, has revealed in Christ another kind of wisdom that radically subverts the wisdom of this world. God has chosen to save the world through the cross, through the shameful and powerful death of the crucified Messiah.”

This makes sense because the Jewish experience, up to that point, taught them that God worked in some strange, unusual and even miraculous ways. (Think about the parting of the Red Sea, the burning bush and so forth.) Paul told the church gathered at Corinth: “Folks, if we stay focused on the primary mission of Christ- the gospel of Christ- then everything else will take care of itself. We don’t have to add anything to the Cross, it is enough; it is sufficient. That doesn’t mean we can’t grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ. It’s just that we must remember that the “wisdom” of this world is foolishness to those who are perishing.”

So, is Paul saying that we should stop trying to learn about God? No, that isn’t what he’s saying. Paul is telling the Corinthian Church to not put all of their eggs in one basket. Basically, he said, “Don’t seek to learn just for the sake of accumulating knowledge so that somehow, you might simply get their “cards punched”. You may think that once you learn enough or know enough about the Christian life- that’s when I’ll … . That sounds like works salvation- “If I could just do more. If I could just out hustle other Christians, I’d be satisfied- God would be satisfied. Can you and I embrace the paradox of being fools for Christ? I’m not talking about a willingness to be embarrassed or ashamed of the Gospel. The Bible says that, if we are to become Disciples of Christ we must take up our cross, and this is one of the ways we can do that. The world tells us that getting ahead is simply being able to outsmart our competition. The Christian life is not about winning or losing. It is not a competition. It’s about following Jesus, even if the world says we’re “losing!” But Paul said, “No, my Corinthian brothers and sisters, we must become willing to throw conventional knowledge out the window-we must become willing to turn conventional knowledge on its ear when it comes to following Christ, because following Christ is about one thing and one thing only- the cross.

Dietrich Bonheoffer said “It is no small thing that God “allowed himself to be pushed out of the world on a cross.”

You see, if not for the cross- there would have been no defeat. But if not for the cross there wouldn’t have been victory over the grave! If not for the cross, all of our destinies would not have such peaceful endings. If not for the cross- we would never have known what sacrificial love is all about.

Don’t be discouraged during this season of Lent. Because if not for the cross- a sign of defeat- is also a sign if victory.

Conclusion:

The cross of Christ has the power to and has, in fact, changed people’s lives ever since Jesus died on it some two thousand years ago. And even though it is unlikely that we will ever witness anything as tragic or traumatic or as triumphant as seeing someone, but not just anyone-but one who was called “to take away the sin of the world” suffer the worst type of death- embarrassing, humiliating, and agonizing- death on the cross.

We are called to believe that which we may not be able to understand. We are called to- not just believe, but to live the great paradox of the Christian Faith: Our powerlessness is made perfect in his power! When we are powerless- we are given God’s power through Jesus Christ.

When life gets hard- Christ on the cross

When money gets tight- Christ on the Cross

When a loved one is taken from you unexpectedly, Christ on the Cross

During this season of Lent when we find ourselves reflecting and contemplating our lives and in relationship with God, will you really be surprised come Easter morning? The feeling of surprise should come for Christians because of the scandal and seeming insanity of the Cross. After all, me might be found saying, “God you’ve done some mighty miracles, you’ve raised Lazarus from the dead. You’ve given sight to the blind and now… now you’re allowing the crucifixion. You’re not going to stop it? Can’t you see what people will think of the Christ hanging on the cross? People might think he’s not worth following if he can’t save himself! This is foolishness!

"We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-18 - NIV).


When I was asked to preach for this weekend’s services I approached it in the same way that I have every other time I have preached. I consulted the Lectionary to see what the suggested scriptures were for this weekend, chose a scripture and began the process of preparation. Then, as the last six or eight weeks unfolded, I realized that I wanted to preach a sermon on a topic that was of particular interest to me and I hope it is to you also. Therefore, I dropped myself a note in the offering plate; “Dear Steve: I’d like to hear a sermon on anxiety and depression.” So I made an appointment with myself to get together for lunch and talk about what I was going to say and – here we are!
As Don has said in his sermons by request, this is a very complicated and somewhat controversial topic that cannot begin to be thoroughly covered in a series of sermons, much less one message. Let me also offer a disclaimer, I am not a doctor or psychologist or any type of an expert on the subject of anxiety and depression, but I am someone who speaks from experience. But before we get into that, I think it would help us to define, as clearly as we can, what anxiety and depression is what it isn’t.
Formally, depression is defined as a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason. Many experts agree that if you are suffering some of the following symptoms and have been for over two weeks then go see a doctor. Some of the symptoms are:
 Poor concentration
 Daily sadness
 Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
 Restless, anxious or irritable behavior
 Trouble concentrating, focusing on remembering
 Excessive weariness or lethargy
 Sleeping or eating too much or too little
 Thoughts of suicide
 Crying spells

Keep in mind that nobody ever experiences depression in the same way as anyone else. Depression is as unique as the sufferer. Not everyone is going to have all the symptoms on the list and some people will have symptoms of his or her depression that I haven't put on the list. The point here is that, if you feel depressed (no matter what your other symptoms are) and you've felt the same way for more than a couple of weeks then please consider seeing your family doctor. There is an important point that must be made here and that is, since I am not a doctor, I decided to get in touch with one regarding some of the medical elements of anxiety and depression.
Dr. William Cutrer M.D. is a licensed Christian therapist, and an ordained minister. He serves as the C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Ministry, and Director, Gheens Center for Family Ministry at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
Dr. Cutrer said this about depression: “Because there isn’t a “blood test” for it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or that it is always a spiritual problem. Certainly sometimes sin is a major factor, and depression always causes spiritual impact. Faith is important in the life of every believer, but it doesn’t necessarily follow that greater faith eliminates depression. There are many complex issues here, I happen to believe strongly that a medical component is present in many folks suffering with depression.”

So, according to the good doctor, there is a medical component to those that suffer from anxiety and depression. Some would have us believe that “good” Christians don’t have depression and surely, don’t take medicine for it. “Well all you have to do is pray and read your Bible and depression will go away.” Now, keep in mind that prayer and reading your Bible are not bad things; in fact, they are good and crucial if we are to grow in our lives of faith, but that is only part of the solution. If you hear nothing else I have said this morning, hear this loud and clear: Anxiety and depression are largely issues of chemical imbalance and not a lack of one’s faith!
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Come on, Steve, depression’s not that big of a deal, is it?”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health
Depression Statistics
Depressive disorders encompass major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is included because people with this illness have depressive episodes as well as manic episodes.
Approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year, have a depressive disorder.
Nearly twice as many women (12.0 percent) as men (6.6 percent) are affected by a depressive disorder each year. These figures translate to 12.4 million women and 6.4 million men in the U.S.
Depressive disorders often co-occur with anxiety disorders and substance abuse.
These statistics tell me that anxiety and depression are more prevalent in today’s world than I first believed. Odds are that you or someone in your world has or will be affected by anxiety and depression and the Church hasn’t done such a good job of talking about it because there is a stigma connected with any kind of mental disorder. The fact is, anxiety and depression have been around for a long time.
In fact, some of the great heroes of the faith and lived with anxiety and depression: The great preacher of 19th century England Charles Haddon Spurgeon experienced long periods of depression. He struggled against clinical depression for many years and spoke of being moved to tears for apparently, no reason known to him.
One of the greatest Christian writers of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis was also plagued with depression.
The Father of the protestant Reformation, Martin Luther was another. He described the experience in varied terms: melancholy, heaviness, depression, dejection of spirit; downcast, sad, and downhearted. He suffered in this area for much of his life and often revealed these struggles in his works. Evidently he did not think it a shameful problem to be hidden.
Then there are others outside of the life of faith- honest Abe- Abraham Lincoln; our sixteenth president had a life long tendency to melancholy. Some believe that Lincoln’s anxiety and depression stemmed from a series of childhood losses, including the death of his newborn younger brother (Lincoln was only three years old at the time); the death of his mother, aunt, and uncle when he was only nine years old; and the passing away of his sister in childbirth when he was eighteen years of age. According to some psychologists, bereavement in childhood can be one of the most significant factors in the development of depressive illness in later life.”
Then there are others that have experienced anxiety and depression and aren’t quite as well known. I am one of them.
Anxiety and depression is something I’ve lived with most of my life even though I didn’t know what it was until fairly recently. About five years ago, I had my first panic attack. I won’t go into all of the details, but suffice it to say, it scared me to death and I decided to seek help. For me, the anxiety attacks were more a symptom of my depression. In other words, when I felt stressed or depressed, many times I would internalize those feelings instead of trying to express them and deal with them appropriately. Think of it like trying to put ten pounds of something into a five pound bag. No matter how hard you try to will whatever it is into the bag, it ain’t gonna work! The bag is made to hold only five pounds, not ten.
In the same way, my brain can only handle so many “things” at a time and when it gets to be too much, my brain starts sending these signals, telling my body that we got a problem and next thing you know- anxiety attack.
After consulting with my doctors and with the help of some Christian counseling I was diagnosed with dysthymic depression, which is a less severe form of clinical or major depression. The main difference is that dysthymia is more chronic in nature, though less severe.
I’m leaving out lots of details due to time, but that was five years ago and I wished I could tell you that I am “over” my anxiety and depression but I am not. Now, I am in a much better place with it than I’ve ever been before, but I haven’t got it licked. Along with some good medical care, the proper medication and some lifestyle changes my condition has improved and I am learning to live my life differently. Most important, I have renewed hope and there have been times when I felt hopeless.
I don’t know where you are in life’s journey, but if you are facing what some have defined as the “noonday demon”; anxiety and depression are serious matters that need attention- medical and spiritual.
When I feel depressed, sometimes I feel isolated- from God and from others. I feel as though God is so far away from me that I believe that reaching Him is nearly impossible. In fact, I don’t really want to be around anybody when I’m feeling depressed. I don’t communicate very well and I kind of turn inward and I don’t want to talk about my secret because if I tell you my secret then you may not love me anymore. You see, if I confess to God that I have this problem, God may not love me anymore. But friends I have good news this morning and believe me when I say this: Every single one of us is a precious child of God; created by God, in the image of God, to glorify God. I constantly need to be reminded of this because it gives me hope. When I get down, I mean so far down that I just want the world to go away; all I have to hold onto is hope!
That’s what I want you to leave here with this morning. There is hope! As Paul said in our scripture lesson:
"We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… Therefore we do not lose heart.”
He goes on to say:
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
(Hebrews 12:2a) tells us to:
To fix their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of their faith.
This idea of fixing our eyes on Jesus reminds me that when I do that, I have a single-minded, almost tunnel vision, focus and commitment to following Jesus. No matter what else is going on around me- I am focused like a laser beam on Jesus. We are never without hope. In other words, there are times when our lives may seem to be falling apart, a spouse dies, a husband walks out, the diagnosis is terminal; these are realities that cannot be changed. That’s why Paul says in Romans 8:38:
“I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus.”
From the book “New Light on Depression” by Drs. Donald Biebel and Harold Koenig I found this quote,
“Depression will permanently etch the words: “I need God” upon one doorpost of your heart. On the other doorpost it will etch, “I need others.”
Many times, those of us that have a tendency toward depression feel as though our lives don’t count for much and we have low, if any, self esteem. Know this- you are a precious child of God. You are loved with an everlasting love. God sent his Son Jesus to die for you! Live with the assurance that God has not and will not abandon us when the darkness surrounds us. For God’s love for us is eternal and unconditional and has been made perfect in Jesus Christ.

The Fruit of the Tree

Romans 5: 1-5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

3 and 4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Even though our scripture is only five verses, there is a lot of good theology there. In the previous chapters of the book of Romans, Paul talked about the doctrine of justification. Simply put, justification has been defined by author Shirley Guthrie in his book Christian Doctrine:
“Justification means that despite the fact that things are not right in our inner lives and our personal relationships, God forgives and accepts us. Therefore, there is no need for our compulsive, anxious, defensive attempts to make things right ourselves or to give up in despair because we cannot do so.”

The apostle Paul, having made his point, that justification comes by faith and not by works, goes on to tell us, in chapter five, the application of that truth. In other words, what happens in our lives, as Christians, when we are justified by faith? What are some of the benefits and privileges that flow from being granted righteousness? How do we receive the peace of being justified? How do we do what it calls us to do? The fruits of the tree of justification are many:
Verse one of our scripture says:
“…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
The declaration of “we have peace with God” implies that such peace hasn’t always existed between humanity and God. You see, it all started with sin and a guy named Adam and a woman named Eve and the events that occurred in the Garden called Eden. You remember that, don’t you? As a result of Adam’s sin we, as his descendants are still plagued with a sin nature. God cannot be at peace with a sinner while the sinner continues under the guilt of sin. This is where justification comes in. Justification takes away the guilt, and so makes way for peace. And such is the good-will of God to humanity that, immediately upon the removing of that obstacle (sin), the peace is made. It is by faith in Christ that we lay hold of God's arm and of God’s strength, and so are at peace.
But it is more than the peace which comes as a result of a truce. It is a peace that is founded on justification which we receive when we trust Christ. This ushers us into a place of grace with God. We stand, confidently, in God’s grace—a grace God made available though Jesus Christ. Again, all this comes by faith; we cannot and did not earn it. It was given to us! It is in grateful response to God’s grace that we come to this day of commitment. We don’t put our hands to work in ministry to earn our way into heaven- that’s called works righteousness. Instead, we commit our hands to the work of ministry because we have been guaranteed a place in heaven. For some of us, the commitments we make today will require more time. For some it will require more effort. Some will need to move out of our comfort zones. Whatever it is that must be given up in order to make this commitment, remember what was given for your place and mine among the saints of God.
Part Two:

“we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God”

One writer describes the hope of the glory of God in this way:

“…we hope that God is as great and awesome as he really seems to be! Our hope is, as Paul said in his first letter to the church at Corinth, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

We have been offered, as believers in Christ, a perspective on life that would otherwise not be available. We are given an opportunity to see the events in our lives through an “eternal” lens, if you will. Not only that, Paul says that we are to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. I have a bit of trouble with that word “rejoice”. I get the idea that rejoice is a “church word” and it doesn’t really mean anything in real life. I have been known at times to be a bit of a grouch. Some of you may be surprised to learn this about me, because you don’t live with me. However, those that live under the same roof as me may be thinking “Yeah, right; tell me something I didn’t know.” On my grouchy days, the last thing on my mind is rejoicing. That eternal perspective that I’m supposed to have seems to be more elusive than a greased pig at the county fair.
So, we rejoice in a confident anticipation ("hope") of coming glory, when our whole being will be filled with the character of God. So because we stand in God's favor through Christ, we can rejoice in the hope of sharing in God's glory.
Richard Foster wrote:
“Properly understood, heaven is not a goal at all, but a destination. Heaven is vitally important, and it is part of the package, if you will, but it must never be the center of our attention. Heaven is only a glorious byproduct of something far more central. Salvation is a life, and when we have this life, physical death becomes merely a minor transition from this life to greater life. Since, in Christ, we become unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God's great universe, we can look forward to the greater expression of this life in heaven, but our focus should be upon the new order of life we now have in Jesus Christ. The real issue is not so much us getting into heaven as it is getting heaven into us.”

Then we come to an interesting part of our scripture where Paul says:

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

I don’t know about you, but when Paul says that we are to “rejoice” in our sufferings- I get a bit confused. Does this mean that we are to be grateful, for instance, when we unexpectedly run out of money at the end of the month with bills to pay? Rejoice when our health begins to fail or a spouse has decided it is time for him or her to leave and start all over just because times have gotten tough?
This being the hardest point, Paul sets himself to show the grounds and reasons of it. Why are we to rejoice in our tribulations? Tribulation can produce patience; it can also produce a hardness of heart that may never soften. The things that work patience are a matter of joy; because patience does us more good than tribulations can do us harm.
Because we go through tough times, does not mean that God no longer loves us! Quite the opposite! We’re destined for the glory of God, but in the meantime we’re supposed to boast in our sufferings.
Listen also to the words of James:
Consider it all pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.

Paul says we rejoice because we know…. But what do we know? When we rejoice in our suffering we are responding to God’s secret, a secret we have been let in on: God has designed the suffering not to drive us from him, but to draw us to him. This is what we know! Though at times our trials may threaten to do us in, there is good reason to rejoice. Rejoicing in suffering deepens our hope and creates a longing in us for its realization. It gives us a hunger and thirst for God. Suffering brings about death in us, so that God’s life may be lived out through us. This is why we are told to rejoice: through suffering we come to know God more intimately and we long to be with God more sincerely.
Finally, Paul says:
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Last week, I talked about the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and how we can be enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit to do many things. We have had the love of God, that is, his love for us, poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. God’s love has literally gushed forth in our hearts; it has not been given sparingly, but freely and lavishly.
Someone has once said,
“We can live for forty days without food, eight days without water, four minutes without air, but only a few seconds without hope.” But the truth of the matter for the Christian is that there is hope because God is the author of continual hope. God is the one who constantly, all throughout our lives, develops hope in us.

This is Paul’s point in v. 5.

We are participating in the hope to be realized in the future. If you have abandoned the self-designed blueprints for your own life…if you have quit trying to make life work through your own control and manipulation and trusted Christ to forgive you for such sinfulness, and you know that Christ has paid the penalty for your sin on the cross, then you are a Christian. You share in the hope to be revealed in the future. You will never be disappointed. How do we know that our hope is real? We know because you have a subjective apprehension of God’s love for us in our hearts. This is the first hand experience of God directly. The Holy Spirit has made that known to you and me and God has accomplished it all through the atoning death of his Son.
J. I. Packer reminds us of the unquenchable and irresistible love of God:
What matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it—that he knows me. I am graven on the palms of His hands. I am never out of His mind. All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained initiative in knowing me. I know Him because he first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment when His eye is off me, or His attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when His care falters. This is momentous knowledge. There is unspeakable comfort…in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that His love is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery can now disillusion Him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench His determination to bless me.—Knowing God

We are-each and every one of us-a tangled mass of motives; hope and fear, faith and doubt, simplicity and duplicity, honesty and falsity, openness and guile. God knows our hearts better than we can ever know our own. God is the only one who can separate the true from the false; he alone can purify the motives of the heart. But God does not come uninvited. If chambers of our heart have never experienced God's healing touch, perhaps it is because we have not welcomed divine examination.
Our relationship with God is one characterized by His peace toward us. This means that we can stop trying so hard to be people that we are not. Let’s rest in His presence and remember the larger fact is that God knows us intimately! When you go through trials, know in your heart that God is working a deeper longing (i.e., hope) for heaven in you. This shouldn’t cause you to abandon your life here, but rather take it up with renewed sense of commitment to capture the Christian mind and act responsibly in a fallen world—to love well and give freely. You are secure in Him. Persevere in those trials and draw close to Him.

Pentecost for the Rest of Us

Acts 2
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
1When the day of Pentecost came; they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" 13Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17" 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

About a hundred years ago, a movement was started which today claims about 300 million followers. It began when a man named Charles Parham, at Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas, held a revival service in which most of his students began speaking in tongues and it just so happened that the day this occurred was Pentecost, hence the Pentecostal movement was born. It still exists in America mainly under the denominational banners of the Assemblies of God, Churches of God and the Holiness Pentecostal Church. The Pentecostal tradition has become more realized on the African and Asian continents and in the Third world.
Our Pentecostal friends believe in the dramatic, spontaneous some would even say sudden movement and filling of the Holy Spirit. These “gifts” are usually made known in speaking in tongues, faith healings and other supernatural activities. Suffice to say, these are not necessarily Presbyterian definitions of what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We, like most Protestants, believe in the events described in our scripture lesson this morning; the Holy Spirit is real, powerful and ultimately, accessible to believing Christians. But when it comes to supernatural matters; speaking in tongues or spontaneous healing, can be difficult to understand.
Maybe you heard the story about a Presbyterian worship service a man began to be moved by the Spirit. Out loud he said "Amen!" People around him were a little disturbed. Then louder he said, "Hallelujah!" A few more people were becoming disturbed. Louder still he shouted "Praise Jesus!" An usher moved quickly down the aisle. He bent over and whispered to the man, "Sir! Control yourself!" The man exclaimed, "I can't help it. I got religion!!!" To which the usher responded, "Well you didn't get it here!"
Please understand that I am not saying that healings and “tongues” do not happen, or do not matter. They do, and they do. I am not saying that God does not sometimes convert people with wonderful suddenness. He does. What I am saying is that the idea of separating heaven and earth sets up the wrong framework for understanding what is going on in the events of Pentecost. Specifically, it excludes the truth that God’s presence and power already exists within the “natural world”. In other words, the Holy Spirit can and does work in many ways; some are dramatic, some are more seemingly mundane.
A few years ago, my family and I were headed to Louisville for something and we were listening to a song called “I Will Rest in You” sung by Jaci Velasquez, a contemporary Christian artist. We were almost all the way across the bridge and all of us were singing together (all five of us).
Take me back to You,
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me.
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You.

and this doesn’t happen all that often, but I was just filled with what I believe was the Holy Spirit. Peace, Joy, Happiness, chills down my spine, Goosebumps, you name it- I felt it and I won’t soon forget it.
Jesus said in John 14 that the Spirit will help the disciples recognize the presence of the Father—the presence of the Father that had been there all along even though the disciples initially missed it because of the utterly mundane nature of Jesus—and that the Spirit would remind the disciples of everything Jesus had said. What’s more, the Spirit would not necessarily be recognized by the wider world because, apparently, you have to have the Spirit to discern the Spirit. All of which seems to mean that even people who are full to the brim with the Holy Spirit of Pentecost may end up looking fairly ordinary to the unsuspecting and the undiscerning.
The saint Teresa of Avila once said, "Christ dwells among the pots and pans." But we'd rather that Christ dwelled among only the more glorious and obviously pious parts of life. Some would rather fast-forward the sacred journey along the way to heaven so that they can feel like they are in heaven already. And if they cannot quite manage that, then they will at least make their lives sound as heavenly as they can. So in some circles Christian people get together and one man talks about what Jesus said to him at breakfast that day just as he was eating his Cheerios, and a woman talks about what God had done for her yesterday afternoon at about 2:23 right there in the mall, and still another man talks about how the Spirit had gifted him in such a way that right after he visited his friend Jim in the hospital, why, the very next day ‘ole Jim was healed.
I've been with people (and you probably have too) who talk on and on like this detailing spiritual lives which seem constantly to pop with explosions of miracles and grace, of words whispered into their ears and visions of the Spirit in the night until finally you want to crawl away as the spiritual slouch you feel as though you are. Just flip on one of those cable TV religious channels and listen to how those some of those folks talk--from the sounds of it they hear from God directly more often than someone like Isaiah or Jeremiah did. As Christians they have seen the promise of heaven dangled before them. But if they cannot be fully in heaven just yet, they will at the very least try to make their daily lives sound like heaven has already come down.
The thing that’s missing from this kind of talk is the element everyday life--the kind of life the disciples had led with Jesus all along, the kind of life in which the Father God himself had been hidden and active in their midst and yet somehow, they missed it. Sometimes we miss it. As C.S. Lewis once said, we too often substitute religion for God.
I realize that this kind of thinking could become an excuse not to pursue the spiritual things of God. But the goal here is not to foster or encourage spiritual laziness but that we may gain a greater awareness of how God in Christ is already at work in us by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of Pentecost and how, by becoming more aware of that, we can become more intentional in following Jesus along the way which we are already traveling with him.
As followers of Christ, something like that is to be our goal: to perform our work, to lead our families and raise our kids and take our leisure--- and worship our God in ways so full of Christ that we won't care or worry whether our lives now look exactly like how we think our lives in heaven will look. Instead, let’s try and savor the journey, let’s highlight and celebrate what we see and experience along the way whether or not all of it seems life-changing or spiritually significant. When the Holy Spirit of Pentecost is within us, everything we see, say, and do—as well as everything we hear, receive, and perceive—is transformed.
I found a story that was written by a famous neurologist named Oliver Sacks telling the story of a surgeon with Tourette’s. As some of you know, Tourette's Syndrome is a bizarre mental disorder which causes victims to have any number of physical and verbal tics. Some Tourettic people have constant facial twitches, others find themselves uncontrollably uttering verbal whoops, beeps, and sometimes also raunchy swear words. One man with Tourette's whom Dr. Sacks knew was given to deep, lunging bows toward the ground, a few verbal shouts, and also an obsessive-compulsive type adjusting and readjusting of his glasses. The kicker is that the man is a skilled surgeon! Somehow and for some unknown reason, when he dons mask and gown and enters the operating room, all of his tics disappear for the duration of the surgery. He loses himself in that role and he does so totally. When the surgery is finished, he returns to his odd quirks of glasses adjustment, shouts, and bows.
Sacks did not make any spiritual comments on this, of course, but I think that the doctor’s story is a very interesting example of what it can mean to "lose yourself" in a role. There really can be a great transformation of our lives when we are focused on just one thing--focused to the point that all of our bad traits disappear even as the performing of normal tasks becomes all the more meaningful and perhaps, remarkable.
Something like that is our Christian goal as the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. As we let the Spirit help us lose ourselves in Jesus and in being his disciples, we find even our ordinary day-to-day activities can be filled with deep meaning as the Spirit ends up being not just “with us” but, as Jesus says in John 14, also IN us.

Listening to God

LUKE 9:28-36
28 About eight days after Jesus said this; he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

I’m not one to make excuses, but today I am making an exception. The scripture that was just read is probably familiar to most of us. I would also guess that some of you have heard a sermon preached on this text before- I know I have. You may be thinking, “So, what’s the big deal?” A couple of things:
Jesus transfiguration experience is not something that we can easily identify with. It is difficult to find an analogy that people can relate to. One commentator said it well:
“There are in the scriptures, accounts of experiences of Jesus and of other persons serving the purposes of God for which analogies in our common experiences are not easily found. We read and study these accounts, and the experience is one of awe and wonder and worship. The question, “What in our lives is a suitable parallel?”- does not even seem appropriate.”

Secondly, I don’t believe that neither you nor I will be invited by Jesus to go up to the top of a hill and pray with the savior of the world. If that has happened to you, I would be more than willing to give you the floor so that you can share your experience with us!
All kidding aside, the reality of Jesus’ transfiguration is that this was an extraordinary experience for Jesus and three of his disciples. I can’t make it fit into the parameters of our experiences.
Having said this, I went to the scriptures and after reading the passage several times, a single sentence seemed to speak to me: “A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” If God were to say but eleven words to us, what would they be? I believe that these are the words God would say to us: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
Now, listening is a strange kind of science, isn’t it? There is listening and there is hearing. Hearing is something that we do unconsciously. Throughout any given day we hear many sounds and noises: the sound of traffic on a well traveled street or that of a crowd inside a shopping mall- we hear these noises and sounds, but we don’t listen to them. Around our house, we are never at a loss for noise. Televisions playing in the background sometimes two are on at the same time and on different channels, yet at the same volume- stun! Then there’s the sound of kids playing (some might call it fighting). There’s the noise that I sometimes pay attention to and that is the sound of something falling to the ground followed by an “Uh-oh”. You get the idea? There are noises that we hear all of the time- they are just a part of life’s rhythm.
Then there is the art of listening. Yes, I believe that it is an art. Listening is defined in the dictionary as:
To give close attention with the purpose of hearing; to give ear; to hearken; to attend. To give heed; to yield to advice; to follow admonition; to obey.

Many of you know that I am sales trainer by trade and there is a common thread that runs through much of what I preach to my students- listening skills. Whether it’s in the context of a selling skills class or Effective Interviewing, I spend a significant amount of time focusing on active listening. If people feel as though he or she is being listened to, that they are being fully understood- that changes everything! I think that we understand that pretty well, but are you a good listener?
I saw a survey not long ago which said one thousand candidates were asked the question, “How would you describe yourself to an interviewer?” I have their top five answers:
1. I am a good listener
2. I am a hard worker
3. I am a quick study
4. I am a people person
5. I am a team player
Now, friends you may know this already, but when someone tells you that he or she is a good listener- look out! I’m sure that some who profess to be good listeners really are- I don’t doubt it. But my suspicion is that the majority of people that call themselves good listeners are the kind of people that will let you say what you need to say, “speak your piece” if you will. But they can’t wait to say what they need to say. There are so few good listeners out there. Do you know people that are good listeners? I’ll bet that you really like those folks. There’s not much to dislike about a good listener. Why is that? I believe it is in large part due to the perception that listening equals caring. If I listen to you, that means I care about you and that’s a really important point here. Why is it that Jesus’ words sometimes fall on deaf ears? Why is it that we sometimes think that Jesus’ words are for everybody else and not you or me?
I believe that our listening skills (or lack of) have a lot to do with who’s doing the talking. In my case, I have really tried, and I’ve still got a long way to go, to become a better listener to particular people in my life, namely my wife and kids. Listening to kids especially is really important. There aren’t many things that we can do for our kids that can build them up like listening- really listening to them!
Which leads me to a question- How well do we listen to God? If we say we love God- how do we show that the love we feel is real? We listen- we obey- we take heed. What has God told us through Jesus? I found this story about on the beatitudes and it is written from the perspective of a disciple’s perspective. How does a disciple respond to the beatitudes?
Matthew 5: 3-12
Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathered them around. He taught them saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek.
Blessed are they that mourn.
Blessed are the merciful.
Blessed are they who thirst for justice.
Blessed are you when persecuted.
Blessed are you when you suffer.
Be glad and rejoice for your reward is great in heaven.

Then Simon Peter said, "Are we supposed to write this down?"
And Andrew asked, "Are we supposed to know this?"
And James asked, "Will we have a test on this?"
And Phillip said, "I don't have any paper."
And Bartholomew asked, "Do we have to turn this in?"
And John said, "The other disciples didn't have to learn this."
And Matthew asked, "Can I go to the boys' room?"
And Judas asked, "What does this have to do with real life?"

Then one of the Pharisees who were present asked to see Jesus' lesson plan and inquired of Jesus, "Where is your objectives and lesson plan?"
And Jesus wept.

How do we respond to Jesus’ instructions? Do we ask if there will be a test? Do our minds automatically cling to the reasons why we can’t do what Jesus has told us to do?
If we say we love God, we listen to God.

During this upcoming season of Lent we are to reflect on the suffering and eventual crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Remember, that the fate he suffered was for you and for me. The least we can do is listen to him and try to live out that which our Lord has commanded in our daily lives. If we look a little further into Luke chapter 9 we would find in verses 44-45: "‘Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.’ But they did not understand this saying. . . ." This suggests that the command to "Listen" is really a call to a deeper understanding of Jesus and who he is as the Son of God, as well as a subtle call to followers of Jesus to understand the implications of following Jesus.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
Winston Churchill

The story of Jesus’ transfiguration isn’t just about Jesus and His unique identity as the Messiah of God. I believe that the significance of this story is that the disciples would not, could not, and flat out were not listening to Jesus. Jesus was telling them about his upcoming death and suffering, they pondered visions of pomp and circumstance in some political kingdom to come. Jesus spoke of betrayal and sacrifice, and the disciples simply were focused on what Jesus could do for them- they didn’t want to face the truth. They were too caught up in being disciples rather than listening to God. I wonder about my life as a disciple of Christ. Am I listening to God in this season of suffering or am I simply waiting for the day of resurrection?
A thought to go: As we approach the season of Lent, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and cut right to Easter. Let’s stay where we are right now and listen to what God is saying to us as individual Christians as well as a community of believers.

Sermon July 16, 2006

John the Baptist Beheaded
(Mark 6:14-29)
14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."
15 Others said, "It is Elijah."
And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."
16 But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!" 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
19 Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
21 Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." 23 He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."
24 So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"
And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"
25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.



I recently read a somewhat unofficial poll taken among a number of pastors across various denominational backgrounds, asking the question: “What have been your least popular sermon topics or series?” The results were interesting but perhaps not surprising. For our purposes today, I’ll just tell you the worst of the worst- the bottom five.
The fifth least popular sermon series was one that was titled: “Christian Confrontation: In Your Space and In Your Face.”
Fourth was “Aggressive Evangelism: Moving in for the Kill.”
Coming in as the third least popular sermon series was one called: “Studies from the book of Job, subtitled, “You Think Your Life is Bad?”
Runner up of the coveted worst sermon series or topic had a stewardship theme and was titled: “God’s Money is in Your Pocket: Will You Give it to Him, Please?”
And finally, the least popular sermon series was submitted by a now unemployed pastor from Hog’s Breath, Minnesota titled: “When They Least Expect it: Seeking Revenge on an Unsuspecting Relative or Friend.”
Perhaps this sermon series or topic was voted least popular because it was boring- I’d doubt it. Maybe it’s because the Bible doesn’t have much to say about the subject- no, the Bible has plenty to say about revenge. I suspect that one of the reasons behind this attitude is that revenge is a subject that is near and dear to our hearts. By that, I mean that this is a highly sensitive area with circumstances that can be extremely personal and private and wouldn’t it be better if we just didn’t talk about it?
I think that another reason we might seem to be afraid of revenge is that we may have a misperception about its meaning or more accurately, what it means to us.
To me, revenge can have a couple of meanings:
One is the sense in which we may feel the slightest bit of delight or a sense of justice being served, when hearing about the misfortune of another, against whom we may be nursing a grudge. While we probably wouldn’t actually inflict pain and suffering onto the other, we may secretly feel a sense of satisfaction that “they got what was coming to them”. I must admit that I have felt that way before and I am not proud of it. Some call it resentment. While important, I would not consider this type of revenge toxic or malignant, but if we choose not to deal with these feelings, they can quickly go from resentment to full blown retribution.
Then there is the more common definition of revenge, which is to “willfully seek to inflict physical or emotional harm on another person in an act of retaliation,” implying intentional punishment and injury.
This definition is the type of revenge that Herodias displayed in our scripture lesson this morning.

At first glance it may sound a bit like the latest episode of “As the Bible Turns” with all of the makings of a good soap opera: lying, adultery, power and finally, murder.
The cast includes John the baptizer:

Of whom Jesus said according to Matthew’s gospel in chapter eleven verses 11-11:

11 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

This is the same John that when asked by Jesus to baptize him said: “No, you’ve got this the other way around- you should baptize me- you are the son of man!” giving us a sense of his humility.
Verse twenty from our scripture gives a better example of John’s character and righteousness:
20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

If Herod feared John the Baptist, then John was obviously of noble character, worthy of respect and admiration. And then there’s Herod himself.
Herod Antipas the Tetrarch of the area of Galilee and Peraea (basically a mayor of sorts- not a king). According to some historians, while on one occasion visiting Rome seduced his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias, who at the time was both Herod’s sister-in law and his niece (don’t ask). Herod had five sons, three of which he murdered when he grew suspicious that they were becoming a threat to his power, giving us an idea of the type of person he was.
Salome- Although she is not specifically named in the story, historians and scholars have concluded that her name was Salome. She was the daughter of Herodias and the step daughter of Herod and the featured performer the night of Herod’s big bash. According to our text, at the height or depth or her performance, Herod told her that she could have anything she wanted, up to half of Herod’s so-called kingdom. Upon hearing that, Salome did what any obedient daughter would do- she asked her mother what she should do. Her mother told her to DEMAND the head of John the Baptist- not just murder him (as if that weren’t bad enough), she specifically asked for his head! Salome went back to Herod and added her own special touch the situation to her mother’s request saying,
"I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." Sounds as if she’s a real chip off the old block, huh?
Then there is Herodias- Herod’s wife, Salome’s mother and the person that exacted her revenge on John the Baptist. Clearly, this was a troubled woman. Herodias did anything and everything necessary to secure her future and solidify her privileged position in the Greek culture, including having her daughter perform for the rich and famous. Herodias got her revenge on John the Baptist. However, as is the case in many situations such as this, Herodias and Herod committed suicide together some years after the incident, suggesting that the guilt for having John the Baptist murdered probably had a lot to do with her emotional erosion into a suicidal state.
Herodias’ story offers us an example that resentment, left unmanaged, can not only harm us emotionally but can and sometimes turn into something much worse.
As I mentioned in the opening, the Bible has a good bit to say about the subject.
One of the hallmarks of Jesus’ ministry on earth was “take the high road”. Specifically, the Sermon on the Mount has numerous references as to handling situations that have the potential for retaliation.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” Here’s the part that gets me- “REJOICE! AND BE GLAD, for your reward is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Luke 6: 37 in the New Living Translation reads:

37 "Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. 38 If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving-large or small-it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

In Matthew 5: 38-42 Jesus said:
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'* 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Other examples include:
"Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19)
“Treat others the way in which you want to be treated.”
“Be Peacemakers…”
“Be Ye Pure in heart…” “Pray for your enemies…”
“Yeah, right- Jesus, you know, people these days are different- this is the twenty first century. Things have changed- people have changed. There are some people out there that are just out to get me, stopping at nothing just to make my life miserable! What in the world am I supposed to do?”
I believe that we have already answered that question, haven’t we? Our savior tells us to forgive. “But what about them- the other person- they won’t apologize for what was done to me and besides, they don’t deserve to be forgiven.” Friends, if forgiveness came only to those that deserved it, we’d all be in trouble. We are powerless over whether another person seeks to apologize or not. We are only responsible for our reaction to what someone else has done to us. I believe that the first step in the process- and a process it is- is to ask God to help us to become willing to forgive. Maybe the pain of the situation is still fresh in your mind and heart and we may think, “I’m not ready yet.” Perhaps the time isn’t right just yet. You will know when the time is right. When we ask God to help us to become willing to forgive, God will show us the right time to move forward. The peace that we seek about the situation can only come when God is in it. We cannot do this without God’s help.
Secondly, confession our resentment before God must take place. You see, God already knows the grudges that we hold against others and even knows why we feel that way. Psalm 139 verse 1 says: “O Lord you have searched me and known me… you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Ryan Bixler sang a song at last Sunday’s service that included these words from the prophet Jeremiah, “When you seek me, you will find me- if you search with all your heart.” When we open our hearts, confessing our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.
I am not suggesting that forgiveness will come easily- it may not. Nor am I suggesting that forgiving someone will be painless- it may prove to be terribly painful. But, if we claim to be followers of Christ, then we are to live our lives as He would if he were us. We are to live by the word of God. The word of God tells us many times, what we are to do- forgive! Forgiveness is one of those things that may seem simple, at some level, but it is not easy.
Believe me when I tell you that there are times when I would much rather stay right where I am and hold on to grudges just as long as I can, than to have to work at them, because working on them implies that there will be change and what will I do when things change- I’ll have to change!
“When we forgive evil we do not excuse it, we do not tolerate it, and we do not smother it. We look the evil full in the face, call it what it is, let its horror shock and stun and enrage us, and only then do we forgive it.” - Lewis B. Smedes
We can choose to let go of the thing that we are holding- whether we call it revenge or resentment or a grudge, or we can choose to hang on to it. If we choose to hang on we are guaranteed that we will continue to hold all of the feelings that go along: anger, bitterness, greed, retribution, and the like. Some might argue saying: “Well at least it’s predictable.”
As long as we continue to hold a grudge, it still has power over us- with our permission, I might add. As long as we refuse to release the grudge, it will continue to serve its purpose and may even turn into something worse.
In closing, when we’re ready to make peace with the people or the situations that have caused us pain and harm, God is ready. We can get to that place, emotionally, by seeking Him and His ways. It may start by simply saying a prayer such as: Please pray with me:
“God, you know the person I need to forgive and you know all the ugly details about the situation. You know what is in my heart. I am asking you to help me to become willing to forgive. I don’t know if I’m ready or not, but you do. Put the right people in my path; keep my eyes and my heart open to opportunities that will help me to deal with this resentment before it turns into something worse. I trust that no matter what pain I may encounter, you are right there with me and you will help me handle the feelings that may be waiting for me. AMEN

Sermon June 18, 2006

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. 12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

In the summer of 1973, I attended a basketball camp in Millersburg, Kentucky, located about an hour north of Lexington. The camp was scheduled to last a week and promised personal interaction and hands on coaching from some of college basketball’s elite company; legendary UK basketball coach Adolph Rupp, Kentucky alumnus Dan Issel were scheduled to be there, along with many other college players and coaches. My parents suggested that, if I wanted to go, I would need to save my money, which led me to construct a small wooden box that I would use as a bank to start putting my grass-cutting money in. Did I mention that this camp was scheduled to last an entire week? I was due to arrive on a Sunday afternoon and scheduled to return home the following Saturday; six nights of sleeping in a bed that wasn’t mine, away from my beloved home. Up to that point, I had spent the night with friends only a few times, so I wasn’t sure if I could make it away from home for an entire week. Friends, I had no idea how difficult that week would turn out to be.
My mom and dad drove me to Millersburg, got me all set up in my dorm room (we stayed at a military academy) and, knowing my reluctance said, “You’ll be fine- have fun and we’ll see you next Saturday.” When I woke up on day three (Tuesday morning) of basketball camp week, I was absolutely miserable! I can remember eating breakfast that morning with fellow campers and feeling a little sick to my stomach. I felt as though the walls of the cafeteria were slowly closing in on me. I felt the other camper’s eyes looking at me, somehow knowing that I was crying; no- dying on the inside! There was only one way to explain what was going on with me- I was HOMESICK! To make a long story short, I called home about noon that day and my mom came and got me and we were safely at home by 7:00 p.m. From that day forward, I understood what it really meant to feel homesick and I hoped that I would never feel that way again.
That experience from my early teenage years had good and bad effects on my life. The good is that I can take what I learned from that and if I sense that one of my kids is feeling homesick, I can console him or her saying: “You know, it’s ok if you’re feeling a little homesick. I understand and what you are feeling is normal. Everything here at home is just fine. We love you and we miss you and we look forward to your coming home.”
On the other hand, there have been some lasting impressions that weren’t so good. For many years I felt the same sense of fear and panic I felt at age thirteen, when I drove past a cemetery. Obviously, I associated a cemetery with death and death to me meant being away from home- forever! Therefore, when I saw a cemetery, I saw a basketball camp that was scheduled to last a lifetime and beyond and I would be trapped there forever! I came to the conclusion that I needed to change my perspective of the after life.
Perhaps our scripture lesson for this morning can help us. Verse eight of second Corinthians chapter five reads:

8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

In other words, Paul said that he’d rather be in heaven with the Lord than here on earth. But then he says in verse nine:

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

Seventeenth century Presbyterian minister Matthew Henry had this to say regarding our scripture lesson:
“The believer not only is well assured by faith that there is another and a happy life after this is ended, but he has good hope, through grace, of heaven as a dwelling-place, a resting-place, a hiding-place. The happiness of the future state is what God has prepared for those that love him…”

I don’t know about you, but it has taken me a long time to believe- really believe- that the eternity that exists for those who put their faith in Christ, is full of happiness and yes, even joy!
To know that a loved one who has passed is still okay is a very common desire in our society. Think about how many movies or TV shows you’ve watched where the living just want to hear the message that their loved ones are okay, or where someone who has passed on wants to get that message to someone on earth. One of my earliest memories about this is the movie “Carousel,” where the hero is killed and goes to heaven, and the people up there are polishing stars all the time. That’s Heaven? Lots of star polishing? Are you ever finished? There are a lot of stars out there.
And of course, there are jokes about heaven. Like the one where the man arrives at the gates of heaven. St. Peter asks,
"Religion?"
The man says, "Methodist."
St. Peter looks down his list, and says, "Go to room 24, but be very quiet as you pass room 8." Another man arrives at the gates of heaven. "Religion?"
"Baptist."
"Go to room 18, but be very quiet as you pass room 8."A third man arrives at the gates. "Religion?"
"Lutheran."
"Go to room 11, but be very quiet as you pass room 8."
The man says, "I can understand there being different rooms for different religions, but why must I be quiet when I pass room 8?"
St. Peter tells him, "Well the Presbyterians are in room 8, and they think they're the only ones here.”
Putting “Carousel” and jokes aside, what then are we to do with all of this?
We’ve established that our hope is certain. The Christian’s final resting place is one filled with all the goodness of home and so much more. Paul emphasized that, while heaven is our destination (and a good one it is); there is life to be lived to the glory of God. If we choose to live our daily lives with an eternal perspective our trials and tribulations may not seem as catastrophic as they might seem at the moment. I have certainly gained a sense of perspective since those anxious hours at camp over thirty years ago. I’ve faced trials and triumphs, experienced grief and joy. And the best I can wish for you is that you are able to live with the feeling of home.
Home means different things throughout the seasons of our lives. What are some of your fondest memories of home? I realize that some of our childhoods may have left something to be desired, but just think for a moment, about what in your life has given you the greatest sense of love and security. I believe that the Bible teaches that whatever it is that gives us a sense of peace, tranquility, safety, and security is what our lives will be like in heaven.
As we celebrate Father’s day this weekend, I’m reminded of my feelings of home. From my younger years, I remember feeling as happy as I ever felt when my dad and I played football in the backyard. It wasn’t that he was telling me jokes or tickling me or anything like that, it’s just that he was with me and he seemed as though he wanted to be with me and he was having fun! I also remember some times when I was in my twenties when our whole family (all five of us) would be together in one place and just sitting around talking; no TV and no distractions. Home took on a different meaning when I met Mindy we decided to start building a home of our own. Before we had kids we used to take naps on Sunday afternoons. We used to enjoy long periods of uninterrupted silence. And then, since we’ve had kids, the feeling of home a taken yet a different meaning.
If we choose to live with those feelings of home with tha eternal perspective- with the promise of what is to come. If we can get a broader perspective of our temporary setbacks- physical, mental and spiritual- and envision what life will be like in the promised "new heavens and the new earth”. If we have confidence and assurance of our final home; if we know our final destination; a place of peace, rest, without sin, we can enjoy the present. If we are certain of our eternal destiny, wouldn't that knowledge make our everyday lives easier to bear? If we live with the assurance that we have a happy eternity waiting for us when we die- shouldn’t that make a difference in the way in which we live?
In his book titled, “The Divine Conspiracy” author Dallas Willard talked about living with an eternal perspective:
“The meaning of present events in human life is largely a matter of what comes later.”

“We are greatly strengthened for life in the kingdom now by an understanding of what our future holds, and especially of how that future relates to our present experience.”

That is how I felt after I finally got home that fateful Tuesday evening in June of 1973. I clearly remember laying in my bed my first night home. I felt safe, loved, needed, and as peaceful as any thirteen year old boy could feel. I felt as though I was in the place that I was designed to be in. Even though it has taken me a long time, one of the lessons I learned through my difficulty at basketball camp was that I can choose to look at the events in my life with a temporal (that is, limited) or an eternal perspective. I believe that when we get home- home with our heavenly Father- these feelings and positive experiences of home are just some of what we, as believers, have to look forward to.

Latest and goodest

Friday June 9, 2006- 8:12 a.m.

Today is the end of a long and grueling week. Clergy kid 1 has had a bit of laryngitis and some allergy stuff going on since Sunday and she hasn’t been sleeping well (too much coughing). Therefore, Mrs. CC and I haven’t been sleeping well, either. Wed. night I slept on the couch to avoid Anytime one of the kids gets sick I am convinced- in my own twisted, little brain- that he or she is being sick just to make me angry. Like they can control whether they get sick or not! I am so all about me!

MH has had a terrible cough this week, too. Except when she coughs, she really coughs! It sounds like a lawn mower running over a steel blade when she coughs. UGH. Leave that at home, girl…

I took JH to lunch the other day and we talked (gossiped) about everyone in the building. We weren’t ruthless or mean, we just had discussions about the people and their situations.





11:17 a.m.
I can’t stand to see KM or RW around the building- they make me extremely nervous! I’m going to lunch now- 11:30-1:00- woo hoo! I sent a text message to my wife asking her for some special time tonight- I like my chances!

3:23 p.m.
I am desperately trying to keep my eyes open! I am working on my sermon for next weekend. I guess it’s not a very good sign when the person that is writing the sermon is falling asleep! What a snoozer this promises to be for all the others that will hear it.

I'm back again

Thursday April 27, 2006

Feeling a bit discouraged for some reason. It’s an absolutely beautiful day. Sarah and Mary went to the zoo today- I’ll bet they had a good time.

I talked to LE this morning and left there with a few thoughts:
- He doesn’t think the training role will be phased out or eliminated
- He can’t guarantee that I will have a mgmnt. position just because I say I’m interested. This comes as a result of my latest internet flare-up. My sense is that RW has some real concerns about my leadership skills.
- We have a lot left to accomplish in our division as related to consultative selling skills.
- He feels as though his mission field is big co. - he feels as though he does ministry at big co. every day.
- I don’t have clear sense of whether or not he believes in me or my abilities- I need to hear that from him.

I have four PP presentations to present within the next thirty days as well as prepare a sermon for the last weekend in May. The PP’s are generally done, just needs some minor tweaking. I am concerned that “It’s All About You” being ninety minutes in length. I practiced it yesterday and it was only thirty minutes! Yikes! I’ll talk to KW tomorrow – will I have time? He can help me tie it together and bring some flow to the whole thing.

I am looking forward to having the day off next Tuesday- my 46th birthday. I don’t really know what I’m going to do other than take it easy. I’d like to go to Camp or somewhere like it to meditate, pray and just be still. Can I do that?

I called mega church yesterday afternoon and left a message for the director of HR. This was my second call and I haven’t heard from her as of yet. Have they filled the position? Who got it? Why didn’t I get a shot at it? I haven’t given up yet! I believe they’ll send a letter notifying me that the position has been filled soon, perhaps.

I talked to PD last night and told him about my vocational dilemma. I informed him that if I got back into management, that would limit my involvement as the CLP. He said, “You know I can’t do all of this myself!” I know- I’m not asking you to. I realize that you worked 2000 and some hours last year and I don’t really care!

Most blessed wife is her usual kind and loving self. She has got to be getting tired of listening to me moan and groan about my job. If I were her I’d tell me to shut up and do something! Just be happy, man!

I don’t want to be in sales management! I did that and I didn’t like it! I am a presentation guy- I like being in front of people. I love the experience of preaching and I think I’m good at it. I felt such a sense of fulfillment after last Sunday’s sermon- is that my pride?

So Long

Even though I haven't posted in months, I've thought about it a lot.

We have to be the busiest family that has ever existed! I'm gettin' off this ride as soon as the holidays are over.

Ta Ta for now,
CC

Sorry

I just wrote a really long post and my computer ate it.

What is the theme? Cursing

Please forgive me for I haven't blogged in a good while. This summer has just beaten me to a pulp. I have ben busy with, mostly, church stuff as the cheif (pastor) has been away for various reasons. Someone told me at a church meeting the other night, "You look tired." I hate that! I hate looking tired! I am tired- I need a break. I'm off from home church this Sunday, so I think we're planning on visiting a church we've never been to.- the local Kingdom Hall! YEAH!

Oh boy, what do I ned to tell you about, here? Um, we got a dog and sent it back from whence it came because our cat decided to piss on our bed- at 3:00 a.m. ! Damn dog! (two cuss words in one sentence!)

We saw "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" it was bad. Johnny Depp is a good actor and Tim Burton is a good director. They should have just left well enough alone. I mean, how in the name of Jesus can someone re-make Willy Wonka without the Anthony Newly music?

Mrs CC and the clergy kids went to a state up north that has a lot of lakes and the youngest clergy kid (a very cute five year old boy) after climbing to the top of a pontoon boat said "Who in the hell would want to jump off that thing? He was referring to the covering which was over part of the pontoon. Mrs. CC said, "What did you say?" To which he repeated very matter of factly: "I said, who in the hell would want to jump off that thing?" Mrs. CC nearly busted a gut not laughing at his cuteness. Let me be clear abotu one thing- I used to be a really good cusser and I one day decided to cut it out and gradually, there were less bombs of any kind going off in our little clergy house. Needless to say, he's been hanging around some potty mouth neighbors.

I preached at home church last Sunday on Christ's Ascension. I know, that's right before Pentecost, but we are in the midst of a sermon series about our sanctuary's stained glass windows and I drew the one about the Ascension. I did the best I knew how and I just feel as though it was not one of my best. I really struggled getting it together and thought that I just really needed to deliver it with passion, which would make up for possible lack of content. I was wrong- shall we move on?

I'm sick of writing and I'm hungry.

People like me

I am such a miserable sinner sometimes. I can't anymore call myself a disciple of Jesus than Charlie Manson! Do you ever feel that way? Some days, I just can't seem to get a hold of this whole Christian thing. My thoughts are anywhere but on Christ- my mouth speaks words that are not of Christ and sometimes, my actions are just plain ugly. Why me, Lord? Don't you know how broken this vessel is? This sucker's got holes in it everywhere! I guess that's the point, huh? God chosses people like me to tell other people like me that there is a person unlike me that has paid the price for us all.

Back to back

Holy shoot! Look at this cat! It's the captain in his Sunday best! I figured out how to post pix- cool! What next?

I can't believe I'm posting two days in a row! Work is slow- time to write.

We wrapped yesterday up with two of the three kids having a really bad attitude. The eldest was jealous because the middle got the attention because it was her birthday and the youngest takes his lead from the other two so...

Mrs. CC and I fell into bed and desperately prayed our little hearts out because we felt so completely inadequate for the job of parenting. It is , without question, the toughest, most heart wrenching, turn your stomach into knots, make you want to cry over nothing, job in this universe! I told Mrs. CC that if we can withstand our eldest chid's journey through adolesence we can make it through anything! The US military should send parents that have gone through this stage of life with their kids to Baghdad to serve- it would be a piece of cake! I can see it now:

"Listen Osama, If I release all the anger and frustration I'm feeling at this very moment I could literally rip your head off your shoulders and I wouldn't even think twice about it!" Oh my gosh, did i just type that?

Now I am calm...

My dad died nine years ago today. It was a Saturday and it was hot. He, recently retired, decided he would try and improve his exercise (anything's better than nothing) regimen and was taking a walk in the heat of the day. According to the woman that was walking behind him, he simply stopped, laid the towel that was around his neck neatly on the ground, lay his weary body down and died. I'll bet you that he knew that was IT.

I miss him; his dry sense of humor, his kissing my kids, his somewhat half-baked hugs, his dressed up smell on Sundays, his buying lunch for the whole family (not really). I wish he and I could talk about everything that's happened since he's been gone. Does he know that Second street in downtown big city is now a two way street? What? Does he know there's a really cool, new ballpark to go and watch minor league baseball? Does he know that I want to be in the ministry? Does he know how nice our yard looks just after its mowed? Does he know that we are growing roses? Does he know that mom struggles at times? Does he know that I struggle at times?

Being a dad is hard work.

Wild Thing

Yes, well, here I am again.

Birthday seems to be the topic for today as we celebrate the birth of our middle clergy kid. We had the family party over the weekend and the kid party is not until July 19- she is excited! She is as sweet as they come (not perfect), thinks very deeply and is very perceptive. We got her an electric guitar for her big day and she has joined a band (no name yet). At last week's rehearsal her fellow bandmates asked if she would be the "front person" to which she replied, "Why not?" The first song thay have learned is "Wild Thing". I should get out some of my band days pictures and strategically place them about the house so she can get a glimpse of me back in the glory days.

I've been reading lots of other blogs lately and have noticed how filthy dirty some of them are. Now, I'm not a prude or anything, but please- have some decency about yourself! Especially some of the women's blogs (e.g., Dooce)- Holy Potty Mouth!

I'm trying to decide if I will take a class this semster at seminary. Now that I've had some time to recover from the hectic pace of late spring and early summer, I feel like I'm ready to go at it again- we'll see. I'm also thinking that I'll leave the church position in late 2006 and look for something else, probably in a different church and perhaps a different denomonation.

What else is there to say?
CC

Ramblin' man, (Lord, I Was Born)

Weekend highlights:

Friday July 1: A quiet day at work. Therefore, I spent a good part of the day working on my sermon. I went to Jazzercise in the evening for a brisk workout (I was the only male).
Pizza and "The Pacifier" with Vin Diesel (it was awful- but the kids liked it) rounded out the evening.

I preached this weekend at home church. The sermon was well recieved and I got a lot of positive feedback from the ever-gracious home congregation. It was titled "An Offer We Can Refuse" and the text was Matthew 11: 25-30 where Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

Sunday evening I was invited to preside at a renewal of vows (sort of). The couple got hitched at a JP's office, so the groom's mother decided to have a "ceremony" in the back yard of her house with many of her (the mother's) family members. I took my oldest daughter with me and we arrived about six. I met with happy hubby and wife do discuss the "ceremony" and we got on with it. From start to finish, it took about twelve minutes. The whole thing was very,very strange for a couple of reasons:

1. Bride and groom were heavily tattooed and clearly not interested in any of this God-stuff I was preaching.
2. Lots of drinks had been consumed (by the party-goers) prior to our arrival. Many, many speech- slurred, yet well meaning, toasts
3. Upon arrival, I was hustled away to meet with the couple, while my daghter was given a tour of the home that has been in this family's heritage for over one hundred years (very cool). Anyway, clergy kid made her way out to the back porch where all the "wisdom" was (the half-drunk guys).

OLD GUY: What's your last name, honey- Minister?
CLERGY KID: HUH???
OG: I say, uh ... what's your last name- Minister?
CK: Uh.... Like, NO.
OG: What's your first name, then?
CK: Stated her first name...
OG: First name what?
CK First name, last name.
OG: OK.
Clergy kid leaves the wisdom corner to find the Captain and sticks right by my side the reminder of our short time at the wedding "feast". The whole thing could very well be an episode our upcoming HBO series: "All God's Children".
The whole clergy family went out to dinner and then to see "Madagascar" (it was awful- but the kids liked it).

We spent the best part of Monday doing nothing. Around 5 we went to a neighbor's house for swimming, food and fireworks. Even though there was minimal drinking, those that did the drinking got pretty loud and a bit obnoxious. The good news is that they left prior to sundown.

That's probably more than you care to know about my life, right?

Heavy Laden

The holiday weekend is upon us. We have a few plans: Relax. Go to church. Do a renewal of vows service. Relax. Blow off fireworks. Relax. That's about it.

I've got a lot on my mind but not much energy to try and articulate it.

Bottom Line: "Come to me , all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."