Thanks for tuning in. I have included below an excerpt from this Sunday's sermon, but I am publishing the entire sermon elsewhere in the future, so it isn't completely available here--but will be delivered at St. Peter's UCC at 10:00 a.m. Feb 8, 2009.
“The Obligation of a Christian”
Text: 1 Corinthians 9: 19-23
Reverend Jennifer A. Little, M.A., M.T.S., M.Div.
St. Peter’s United Church of Christ
February 8, 2009
This morning we have before us one of the most often misunderstood and misinterpreted text among Paul’s writings. It is also one of the most important. Our text this morning embodies the split between an ethic of hospitality and an ethic of condemnation. It is a text that reflects the kind of split in the church that was the occasion for Paul’s writing to the Corinthians, and it reflects the kind of split we experience today among our sister churches. So, it is important that we look at this text and listen with a keen ear for the gospel of Jesus Christ reflected in Paul’s writing.
Let’s begin by naming the gospel, the good news of God’s blessing that we experienced in Jesus the Christ. The good news that Jesus came to bring was God’s very self—God’s love and forgiveness, God’s blessing and abundance for humankind.
Throughout the stories of Jesus’ life we find this blessing of God reflected in Jesus’ actions toward the most unexpected people: Jesus ate and drank with “sinners.” Jesus announced the nearness of the Kingdom of God to the tax collectors, the Pharisees (the strict religious interpreters of the day), the sick, the blind, the hungry, the outcasts of society as well as the religious authorities. He did this through hospitality. He talked with them, he ate with them, he didn’t seek to separate himself from them, did he? No, he became as one of them, one of us.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Problem with Immediacy
The Problem with Immediacy
Text: Mark 1: 14-20
Rev. Jennifer A. Little, M.A., M.T.S., M.Div
Atwood UCC
January 25, 2009
As we talk about the gospel lesson for today, there is just so much wonderful stuff here! This is, without fail, one of the most important moments of the gospel, and it becomes one of the most important moments of our lives too!
In these 5 verses of scripture, we have Jesus announcing that the Kingdom of God –the fulfillment of God’s blessing for everyone—has come near—that the good news is walking among us! That in itself is something to talk about in this passage.
If that wasn’t enough we have more good news! The kingdom of God, being fulfilled in this man, Jesus of Nazareth is calling, inviting, compelling others to follow him. Fishermen! Those fishy smelling, rough, lonely, poor fisherman to follow! The kingdom of God includes Fishermen! And all like them! Which includes you and me! This is worth talking about!
Even more! There is appears to be no quota on “fisherpeople”! Jesus is inviting those he comes across, without reserve – “Hey there!” Jesus says, “The good news of God’s salvation for you has come –follow me and we will ask those we come across to join us! There is plenty of room! Come with me and I will make you fishers of people!” This is awesome good news –people are easier to catch than fish and there is a huge abundance of them.
All of these things together are packed into this section of scripture—an abundance of good news, overflowing our nets, and wonderfully, powerfully, we are included in this invitation! We are caught up also, asked to follow! There is no shortage of God’s love in this passage.
We could spend several Sundays talking about all of these aspects of these 5 verses and they would be marvelous Sunday’s, indeed. Today, though, I want to focus on one word out of this story, and that is the word “immediately.” It occurs twice, so we know it is an important part of the message. We know it is an important part of the good news because it causes us to sit up and take notice –it causes me a little bit of heartburn, in fact. And for me, this is the problem of immediacy.
I love Jesus the Christ, in whom I know God. I freely proclaim that Jesus the Christ is my Lord and my savior, and I feel immense heart joy in being able to say that and to feel that! When I say those words, when I read these verses that in Jesus of Nazareth God’s very self calls all kinds of people to follow, I am filled with joy! We human beings long for the fulfillment of peace and abundance for all in the kingdom of God. We long for the family that we are a part of to be gathered in God’s kin-dom. This is a kind of burning in my soul, in my heart! And it is anything but a problem!
Then this one word “immediately” grabs my heart. And I stutter for a few moments. Then I have a different kind of heartburn. What does it mean for me to immediately follow Jesus? Then I am afraid that I might not have followed as “immediately” as those disciples –in fact, I’m sure I didn’t –It took me a while to really “get” it. I had many doubts like most human beings, and there are days when I’m still afraid or hesitant. And there are days when I cross my arms and pout and I won’t budge in the direction I feel called. Has that happened to you? Here is the problem with this word “immediately.”
It is completely human to be cautious and afraid and even rebellious. That seems to be how we are made and there are compelling reasons –we don’t want to follow just any advice or just any leader, because they may lead us where we do not wish to go. It is good to be cautious. Patience and discernment are excellent godly values as well.
I am also aware of how often I am encouraged to do something “immediately” by advertisers who don’t have my best interest in mind. They want me to act now! “Immediate Response required!” as if this is my one chance or I’ll miss out on the opportunity of a life time!
So when I read this scripture, I bring both of those feelings to it. I am aware that these disciples immediately responded to Jesus’ presence and love and all that he was. I want to do that too! And layered on top of that is the fact that I am also cautious, rebellious (stubborn?) and sometimes fearful. Heartburn.
The writer of Mark was doing his level best to convey to his audience and us that the power of God’s love in Jesus the Christ is compelling! It is salvation! It is community! It is healing! It is nothing short of God’s “kindom”[1] and kingdom inviting all who come in contact with Jesus!
The gospel of Mark talks to you and I –we know more about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection than Andrew James and John did when they dropped everything and followed –immediately! We should follow the example of these disciples. And we want to, but HOW?!
How can we follow Jesus in our lives today, as complicated as they are, over 2000 years later, without the compelling physical presence to compel us to follow? How can our response to this good news be “immediate”?
I have a suggestion –well, 4 suggestions really about how we too can respond immediately, concretely, and responsibly to Jesus’ call to follow.[2]
First, we need to recognize where we are. We are not Galilean fisherman confronted by the savior in flesh and blood. Most of us do not see his eyes, hear his voice--feel his soul. So, we need to look around us, be fully present in where we are and who we are in this year 2009, Middle America, in a technological, economically depressed era. What is calling us here and now that speaks to us of the Kingdom of God? There are plenty of compelling opportunities to join the Kingdom of God. There are concrete and real persons all around us who need us to gather them in, to announce the nearness, to be the nearness of welcome, love, food, shelter, jobs. Be present –immediate—here and now—with people around you, people talking to you, perhaps they are announcing the kingdom of God—for other people embody the spirit of Christ, too! And they are flesh and blood, we can see their eyes, hear their voice, feel their souls and God in them. Those disciples were truly paying attention to Jesus when he walked up. They weren’t only tolerating Jesus’ presence. They were right there with him, not distracted.
Second, it seems that Andrew James and John were open to the possibilities that this man presented. They were vulnerable to his message –we suppose that they were not encased in unthinking hatred or bigotry—that they were willing –even just a little bit –and we suppose this because of the word “immediately.” There was enough willingness for the “kindom” of God to break through and compel them onward. When we are interacting with people around us –at the grocery store, in our classrooms, in our offices, we need to practice good will –openness—willingness that these very people are the nearness of the “kindom” –the family of God –and may announce to us the love of God we need.
Third, we show attention. Here is the honesty of response. Our responses need to be honest. Hiding and wishing we were otherwise, doesn’t capture that sense of the word “immediately.” We can honestly respond to what and who we see around us, recognizing that God is in the world. Coupled with our willingness to follow God’s opportunities for love and fulfillment, we can honestly respond to a request for help, or a criticism, or a compliment. How freeing it is to be honest and responsible.
Those disciples gave Jesus an honest response, as far as we know, and we can tell because their response was shown in direct action. They left their nets, they left their comfort zone (their family) and they followed. Andrew James and John put their bodies, their presence, their willingness, their vulnerability into action. They committed to following Jesus. We could say they committed themselves to the good news and the welcome of God’s kingdom and God’s salvation, by following this man from Nazareth who presented them with the concrete opportunity for fulfillment.
We too can follow “immediately” in this way. We can commit ourselves to actions that recognize and even bring the “Kindom” of God near. Instead of just saying we are followers of Jesus whom we know as the Christ of God, we put into action this following and thus make it immediate. We give someone a ride. We loan someone a pencil at school, we donate money to a charity, we give food to the food shelter, we smile at someone --the list is endless. These are immediate because they are actions. Actions have a way of being immediate that thought and faith and belief do not.
So it is that we can cure the heartburn that compels us to follow Jesus, and we can fulfill our desire to “immediately” follow. We can experience the immediacy of the Kingdom of God, the nearness that Jesus announces. We turn the problem of immediacy into the opportunity of immediacy and the kingdom comes nearer. Amen.
[1] “Kin-dom of God” is an alternative term for “Kingdom of God” I learned from Dr. Rufus Burrow, Jr, that I like because it gets away from the authoritative top-down ideas of kingdom, and emphasizes that we are all “kin” family in God’s eyes and when God fulfills God’s plan!
[2] These suggestions are adapted from Rebecca Bahnke’s (MHS, OTR/L) lecture notes on interpersonal communication which she gave me permission to adapt and use for this sermon.
Text: Mark 1: 14-20
Rev. Jennifer A. Little, M.A., M.T.S., M.Div
Atwood UCC
January 25, 2009
As we talk about the gospel lesson for today, there is just so much wonderful stuff here! This is, without fail, one of the most important moments of the gospel, and it becomes one of the most important moments of our lives too!
In these 5 verses of scripture, we have Jesus announcing that the Kingdom of God –the fulfillment of God’s blessing for everyone—has come near—that the good news is walking among us! That in itself is something to talk about in this passage.
If that wasn’t enough we have more good news! The kingdom of God, being fulfilled in this man, Jesus of Nazareth is calling, inviting, compelling others to follow him. Fishermen! Those fishy smelling, rough, lonely, poor fisherman to follow! The kingdom of God includes Fishermen! And all like them! Which includes you and me! This is worth talking about!
Even more! There is appears to be no quota on “fisherpeople”! Jesus is inviting those he comes across, without reserve – “Hey there!” Jesus says, “The good news of God’s salvation for you has come –follow me and we will ask those we come across to join us! There is plenty of room! Come with me and I will make you fishers of people!” This is awesome good news –people are easier to catch than fish and there is a huge abundance of them.
All of these things together are packed into this section of scripture—an abundance of good news, overflowing our nets, and wonderfully, powerfully, we are included in this invitation! We are caught up also, asked to follow! There is no shortage of God’s love in this passage.
We could spend several Sundays talking about all of these aspects of these 5 verses and they would be marvelous Sunday’s, indeed. Today, though, I want to focus on one word out of this story, and that is the word “immediately.” It occurs twice, so we know it is an important part of the message. We know it is an important part of the good news because it causes us to sit up and take notice –it causes me a little bit of heartburn, in fact. And for me, this is the problem of immediacy.
I love Jesus the Christ, in whom I know God. I freely proclaim that Jesus the Christ is my Lord and my savior, and I feel immense heart joy in being able to say that and to feel that! When I say those words, when I read these verses that in Jesus of Nazareth God’s very self calls all kinds of people to follow, I am filled with joy! We human beings long for the fulfillment of peace and abundance for all in the kingdom of God. We long for the family that we are a part of to be gathered in God’s kin-dom. This is a kind of burning in my soul, in my heart! And it is anything but a problem!
Then this one word “immediately” grabs my heart. And I stutter for a few moments. Then I have a different kind of heartburn. What does it mean for me to immediately follow Jesus? Then I am afraid that I might not have followed as “immediately” as those disciples –in fact, I’m sure I didn’t –It took me a while to really “get” it. I had many doubts like most human beings, and there are days when I’m still afraid or hesitant. And there are days when I cross my arms and pout and I won’t budge in the direction I feel called. Has that happened to you? Here is the problem with this word “immediately.”
It is completely human to be cautious and afraid and even rebellious. That seems to be how we are made and there are compelling reasons –we don’t want to follow just any advice or just any leader, because they may lead us where we do not wish to go. It is good to be cautious. Patience and discernment are excellent godly values as well.
I am also aware of how often I am encouraged to do something “immediately” by advertisers who don’t have my best interest in mind. They want me to act now! “Immediate Response required!” as if this is my one chance or I’ll miss out on the opportunity of a life time!
So when I read this scripture, I bring both of those feelings to it. I am aware that these disciples immediately responded to Jesus’ presence and love and all that he was. I want to do that too! And layered on top of that is the fact that I am also cautious, rebellious (stubborn?) and sometimes fearful. Heartburn.
The writer of Mark was doing his level best to convey to his audience and us that the power of God’s love in Jesus the Christ is compelling! It is salvation! It is community! It is healing! It is nothing short of God’s “kindom”[1] and kingdom inviting all who come in contact with Jesus!
The gospel of Mark talks to you and I –we know more about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection than Andrew James and John did when they dropped everything and followed –immediately! We should follow the example of these disciples. And we want to, but HOW?!
How can we follow Jesus in our lives today, as complicated as they are, over 2000 years later, without the compelling physical presence to compel us to follow? How can our response to this good news be “immediate”?
I have a suggestion –well, 4 suggestions really about how we too can respond immediately, concretely, and responsibly to Jesus’ call to follow.[2]
First, we need to recognize where we are. We are not Galilean fisherman confronted by the savior in flesh and blood. Most of us do not see his eyes, hear his voice--feel his soul. So, we need to look around us, be fully present in where we are and who we are in this year 2009, Middle America, in a technological, economically depressed era. What is calling us here and now that speaks to us of the Kingdom of God? There are plenty of compelling opportunities to join the Kingdom of God. There are concrete and real persons all around us who need us to gather them in, to announce the nearness, to be the nearness of welcome, love, food, shelter, jobs. Be present –immediate—here and now—with people around you, people talking to you, perhaps they are announcing the kingdom of God—for other people embody the spirit of Christ, too! And they are flesh and blood, we can see their eyes, hear their voice, feel their souls and God in them. Those disciples were truly paying attention to Jesus when he walked up. They weren’t only tolerating Jesus’ presence. They were right there with him, not distracted.
Second, it seems that Andrew James and John were open to the possibilities that this man presented. They were vulnerable to his message –we suppose that they were not encased in unthinking hatred or bigotry—that they were willing –even just a little bit –and we suppose this because of the word “immediately.” There was enough willingness for the “kindom” of God to break through and compel them onward. When we are interacting with people around us –at the grocery store, in our classrooms, in our offices, we need to practice good will –openness—willingness that these very people are the nearness of the “kindom” –the family of God –and may announce to us the love of God we need.
Third, we show attention. Here is the honesty of response. Our responses need to be honest. Hiding and wishing we were otherwise, doesn’t capture that sense of the word “immediately.” We can honestly respond to what and who we see around us, recognizing that God is in the world. Coupled with our willingness to follow God’s opportunities for love and fulfillment, we can honestly respond to a request for help, or a criticism, or a compliment. How freeing it is to be honest and responsible.
Those disciples gave Jesus an honest response, as far as we know, and we can tell because their response was shown in direct action. They left their nets, they left their comfort zone (their family) and they followed. Andrew James and John put their bodies, their presence, their willingness, their vulnerability into action. They committed to following Jesus. We could say they committed themselves to the good news and the welcome of God’s kingdom and God’s salvation, by following this man from Nazareth who presented them with the concrete opportunity for fulfillment.
We too can follow “immediately” in this way. We can commit ourselves to actions that recognize and even bring the “Kindom” of God near. Instead of just saying we are followers of Jesus whom we know as the Christ of God, we put into action this following and thus make it immediate. We give someone a ride. We loan someone a pencil at school, we donate money to a charity, we give food to the food shelter, we smile at someone --the list is endless. These are immediate because they are actions. Actions have a way of being immediate that thought and faith and belief do not.
So it is that we can cure the heartburn that compels us to follow Jesus, and we can fulfill our desire to “immediately” follow. We can experience the immediacy of the Kingdom of God, the nearness that Jesus announces. We turn the problem of immediacy into the opportunity of immediacy and the kingdom comes nearer. Amen.
[1] “Kin-dom of God” is an alternative term for “Kingdom of God” I learned from Dr. Rufus Burrow, Jr, that I like because it gets away from the authoritative top-down ideas of kingdom, and emphasizes that we are all “kin” family in God’s eyes and when God fulfills God’s plan!
[2] These suggestions are adapted from Rebecca Bahnke’s (MHS, OTR/L) lecture notes on interpersonal communication which she gave me permission to adapt and use for this sermon.
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