Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

When Jesus Gets Uncomfortable—Psalm 119: 1-8; Matt. 5: 21-37

            For twelve, long, wonderful years I have managed to avoid these really awkward and uncomfortable passages of what Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount. We’ve covered the Epistle lesson instead. We’ve talked about the Old Testament as an alternative. I’ve successfully stuck to anything else besides these really, really squirm-in-the-pew worthy passages. But today, we get this scripture from the Lectionary. I call it the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, and in all frank honesty, Jesus gets all up in your business.

            So today, I get to go from theologian to reality TV as we talk about murder, anger, lust, adultery, fornication, vows, and divorce. As they say on an airplane, “Buckle up, folks, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” From the outset we know that Jesus often took existing things and changed them. He would often challenge the religious leaders on their weird and oddly specific rules like reinventing the concepts of working on the Sabbath, who their neighbor is, and how to practice forgiveness. When Jesus encountered human-made regulations in the name of religion, he challenged and changed them.

            Jesus is doing much the same in this passage. He’s taking the legalism of the religious world of his day and is turning it into something relational. The rules he cites from old are clear and simple: Thou shalt not murder; Love thy neighbor (and do no bear false witness); Do not commit adultery; Divorce is merely a man providing notice of termination on a marriage contract (because marriage was a business arrangement in those days); and Don’t break vows. These were all commonplace rules in the society in which Jesus lived.

            But Jesus took them, radicalized them, drew out the relational nature, and made something holy from these simple religious laws. Jesus reworked the prohibition on murder and expanded it. Don’t hate their very existence with your anger. Don’t curse them because you have a quarrel. In the same way don’t harbor bitterness toward another person by dragging them into court when you can settle differences in a mature way. Jesus is a big advocate of people setting aside their broken humanity to come together in a Christ-like way and live in peace together.

            Jesus worked to hold the religious leaders and sinners alike accountable. But in every encounter with Jesus, there was grace for those who were willing to be a part of it. As we often see, the Pharisees scoffed at Jesus’s expansive view of grace. For them, religion was about total submission to the rules. For Jesus, obedience was about finding grace from God and with others. Don’t hate. Don’t harbor anger. Don’t gleefully wish away the existence of someone you struggle with because that soul is still one that God loves and hopes to redeem with forgiveness and grace.

            Jesus also takes up adultery. In his day, adultery was strictly defined as a physical act. But Jesus radicalized and made something more holy out of the rule. Faithfulness is not just being physically appropriate. Faithfulness is broader and inclusive of being devoted only to your spouse because that relationship is holy just as our relationship to God is holy. Now, I don’t think Jesus literally means that if you fall a bit short on this that you should literally pluck your eye out or take your hand off. In our modern day, we’ve taken this literally, whereas Jesus was practicing a bit of sarcasm at the expense of the religious leaders.

            The lesson is that we should be faithful in our love and commitments to those whom we are closest to. The sarcasm from Jesus is making fun of the silliness of the rules of the religious leaders. Jesus is calling for love, fidelity, and honor in relationships, marriages, and our lives with other people around us. The whole of the Sermon on the Mount is a long explanation of Jesus’s guide to living in love and following him on this earth. He is exasperated that the religious leaders have turned to a system of rules and regulations (most of which are crazy) instead of having any reliance at all on God’s Spirit to lead them.

            It reminds me of a story a pastor told years ago. It’s impossible to regulate yourself into holiness. When you create all sorts of rules, regulations, and religious do’s and don’ts it’s much like an old law on the books in Tennessee. In that state, Tennessee, it is illegal to shoot a whale from a moving vehicle. Religion’s rules are much the same way: women can wear pants all week but not on Sunday; don’t dance because it’s sinful despite how much they danced in the Bible; you can buy booze all week but not from 8 AM to 12:30 PM on Sunday…afternoon is fine; a man should refrain from facial hair and trim his sideburns to a certain length. What does any of that have to do with whether you believe in Jesus and follow him or not?

            Jesus calls on us to follow him, to believe in him, and to let his Spirit of love and truth guide our lives in all of our decisions. Does anyone think that the Jesus who wandered 40 days in the desert had well-trimmed sideburns? He drives the point home most of all in the final discourse on vows. Just say yes or no instead of swearing to it, for as Christians your word should be true and honorable. Anything more or less is not of God.

            I think the Psalm gives us a very clear understanding of what Jesus is trying to say, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey [God’s] laws and search for [God] with all their hearts.” There is joy in following God and living our lives as faithful people here on earth. There is freedom when we know that being Christ-like in all that we do is the calling God has given us.

            We are called to trust God, obey God, and every time we consider how we act and how we do, we should stop to consider this: who came up with the idea? Was it something another human decided to make into a rule? Or is it something that God has called us to do? Many folks have that decorative sign in their homes which says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” It’s usually found right next to “Live, Laugh, Love” if it’s in the living room or “Eat, Pray, Love,” if it’s in the kitchen. Focus in on those words, “We will serve the Lord.”

            We’re not called to follow religious rules made by humans to manage, control, and act on behalf of the Holy Spirit. We are called to follow God, to trust God, to obey God’s calling, and to live our lives in a way that is honorable, truthful, holy, and Christ-like in this world. The final words of the Psalm ring true for us all, “I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!”

Sometimes following Jesus is not as easy as it seems. Sometimes, Jesus gives us teachings that make us uncomfortable, challenge us, and force us to reconcile what we always knew with how Jesus wants us to grow and live. And that’s okay. The measure of our success is our willingness to follow Jesus each and every day. Some days that’s easy, and some days we say like the Psalm, “I’m trying, Lord, please don’t give up on me.” Don’t let Jesus’s tough words discourage you. Instead remember that every day we wake up and say yes to God, God will be with us all the way.

Worship Video: https://www.facebook.com/fccmacon/videos/952330386129572

Fifth Sunday of Epiphany

Being Salty—Isaiah 58: 1-12; Matthew 5: 13-16

            In my high school Spanish class, we had to do a food project, and all make different Spanish, Hispanic, or Latin American inspired foods for class. A good friend of mine decided to make flan. Now flan is a very sweet baked custard with an amazing dark caramel sauce poured all over it. It’s sweet. It’s delicious. It’s one of my favorite deserts, and the whole class was looking forward to it, and now I bet you all are hungry. My friend brought to class this large-sized flan beautifully baked and covered in delicious caramel.

            But as we all eagerly started digging into the flan with our spoons, it only took one bite to realize something was very, very, horribly wrong. It turns out that she had goofed. My friend was a bit disposed to having “oopsies.” And here, instead of one- and one-half cups of sugar, she had put one- and one-half cups of salt. It was wretched. I hope she at least got an A for effort.

            Jesus tells the multitudes, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?” Why do we add salt to food? Long ago I learned that it could draw out the flavor. Salt isn’t like other spices. Curry, paprika, chili powder, these all give a very distinct flavor to food—they carry their own taste and flavor profile. But salt isn’t designed to be a stand-alone flavor. It’s used to draw out the best flavors of the food you are eating. It was also used to preserve foods in ancient days, so that foods didn’t spoil so quickly.

            This comparison is very purposefully made by Jesus. We are the salt of the earth. We are meant to draw out the best from others in this world. When someone comes to a church or gathers with others who live their lives for Jesus, it is meant to be a healing, encouraging, and life-giving experience. Salt draws out the best of the food it is added to. We are added into this world, and the Bible says stay in the world but don’t be all about the world, and as we live in this world, we are meant to draw out the best faith, the best holiness, the best love and care in this world.

            Christians should set the example of how you practice faith. And then we should encourage others practice this wisdom too—gentleness, love, mercy, living in hope, living in joy. A friend of mine talked about visiting a church several years ago. He said he walked into this place filled with people looking tired, irritated, and miserable. I said, “What did you do?” He replied, “I wasn’t sure whether I got there for worship or a funeral, so I just left quietly. No one even noticed.” Being salty requires us to mean it when we say that God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.

            Jesus didn’t just stop at asking them to be salty people, though. He also added, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden…a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” Just like we are meant to draw out the best of faith in others, we are meant to also shine the light of Christ’s love in this world.

            Jesus gives them a good working analogy. The most pointless thing to do in life is to light a lamp in a dark room then cover it over plunging yourself back into the same problematic darkness. That light of a lamp, that light of Christ is meant to be seen and shared, so that it can warm the coldness and emptiness often found in the world around us. I’ve heard over and over that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is one of the best kept secrets.

            While that is a nice little statement, it’s a very bad way for us to live. I won’t say sinful because I was abrupt enough last week, that I have to behave this week. But Jesus tells us so plainly not to hide that light, never to keep the secret of faith, hope, and God’s redeeming love. One of the best places to find this light of Christ is at our camp, Camp Christian. Now, I was not in Georgia, so instead I went to Baptist Camp, which left me with a lasting legacy of needing therapy.

            Camp Christian, though, has turned out dozens of pastors, hundreds of church leaders, and tens of thousands of children who found their faith in that rural, rustic place where God spoke to them. God still speaks in this world. God’s Word is spoken through us when we pray over a person, when we speak life-giving and reassuring words to them, when we comfort and remind them of our love, and when we mercifully forgive after they do us and themselves wrong.

That kind of thing brings out the best in those around us. That kind of living in this world brings a bright and shining light that stops a growing crime rate, helps impoverished families, and transforms a world Christians are only far too ready to be over and done with. The problem is this; Jesus said we, the Christians, are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and you and I are meant to live and work in this world.

Isaiah tells the story of a people and faith community that had lost its way. They went to the Temple. They prayed. They acted as if they wanted God in their midst. They even fasted. But their worship had lost its savor. Their light was hidden. The lives they lived did not reflect the faith they claimed, and God saw right through the fakeness. Numbers 32:23, the second part, says, “Be sure, your sins will find you out.” God knew their hearts, how little they cared, and how the person they showed in the Temple was not the true life they lived, and their sins had found them out as Isaiah shows.

Instead, we must be salt and light. Now, we don’t have to go and add a whole cup and a half of salt to our lives. Jesus told us to be the salt of the earth, but that doesn’t mean you should be salty. Jesus told us to be the light of the world, but that doesn’t mean go out and be those obnoxiously bright and blinding headlights. Live in a way that it inspires others to find something amazing, loving, and holy in your life and your walk on earth with God.

Let me wrap up with a final example. Yesterday at the regional meeting here at the church, a lady named Paula did the food. She was a long-time member of Healing Experience Ministries, which met here at the church, before it closed. Now, Paula is my buddy, I love her so much, and if I ate her food daily, I’d be pushing 1,000 pounds. I told her that I might have to have some surgery on my heart soon. She stopped right there in the hallway, one arm full of food, popped her other hand right over my chest and prayed up a storm over me, then walked right off before I could even gather myself to say, “Amen.”

She had the love and faith to stop and pray over me right then and there. And she also had the confidence that she didn’t have to ask God twice, for she believed that God heard her faith and her heart. If I were honest with you, sometimes even I as a pastor can’t muster up faith like that. It takes an unbelievable amount of wisdom and trust. Jesus said to his Disciples, then and now, “You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world.” None of that is done here, in these four walls. Go out from here into this world and let God’s love in you be the grace and hope this world needs.

Worship Video: https://www.facebook.com/fccmacon/videos/477855357896167

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

Soul Food: Micah 6: 1-8; Matthew 5: 1-12

            Not long after I first arrived in Macon, a friend and classmate who was local took me to this “Southern” restaurant for lunch called The Bears Den. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? As I was walking through the food line, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, pie and rolls were all heaped up on my plate for lunch. I looked at my friend and said, “What is all this?” The lady behind the counter said loudly with a big smile, “Baby, that’s SOUL FOOD!” All I could think was that it’s not my soul that’s about to bust through my clothes with all this food.

            That idea of soul food stuck with me. It’s warm, comforting, fills you full, and makes you feel good. The Beatitudes we read in today’s Gospel lesson do the same. They speak of Christ’s connection and love to those who are vulnerable and hurting. These simple lines tell us not just of God the Almighty but also of God who is peace, gentleness, comforter and friend. It’s Soul Food for the Christian who works to follow in the way of Christ.

            In some way we can all identify with the kinds of suffering shown in these statements. We have felt what it means to be poor in spirit, to mourn, to feel the pain and pressure of trying to live righteously and the evils of how other people may treat us. We all understand the hard work it takes to be meek, to hunger and thirst for righteousness or what is right and just, the struggle of living in mercy, finding peace, and trying to be pure of heart. If we try to live for Christ or live with any ethic at all in this world, these struggles will be familiar to us.

            And to all of these struggles Jesus promises help, redemption, and the strength to overcome. Comfort, mercy, peace, the presence of God and God’s kingdom, being filled and blessed are all contained in the promises made to us when we need that heavenly soul food to nourish and strengthen us. One commentary said that some translations use the word “happy” instead of “blessed.” But there’s more to it than simply happiness at these things. These are promises of redemption that truly bless and sustain us on our journey. And they are holy wisdom for how we live and teach God’s kingdom to this world.

            And we live in a world that need a little more soul food. One of the downsides of the connectedness of the world today is we see every horrible tidbit of news that comes out. We live in a world that often wrestles with all of the struggles and vulnerabilities seen in the Beatitudes. We live in a world that needs to hear the words, “Rejoice and be glad,” sung and encouraged over and over again.

            It is true our world doesn’t have enough soul food. We saw Friday the video of beating and murder of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police in Memphis. It was horrific even to veteran law enforcement and prosecutors who have “seen it all” as they say. I can’t imagine the suffering his family has endured. Jesus says blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Many struggle with feeling poor in spirit, or as Luke said, “Blessed are the poor.” We live in a country so blessed that no one should go hungry. No one should worry endlessly about whether they can afford their heart medicine, insulin, mental health meds, or put off a doctor or psychological visit because it’s too expensive.

            No one in our country should feel abused, hated, despised, and rejected. As we age, we should not worry about the expense and quality of care that we will receive when we become older and in need of assistance or worry about being taken advantage of. We should never have to ask will my children go broke paying for my care? We should never see churches hurting and abusing children or women. We should not see people living in misery, poverty, suffering, and squalor worried endlessly about the next blow life will deal to them. We should not have parents worried that their 5thgrader will die when the school gets shot up by some madman.

            It’s easy to say these are all political issues. But as Christians, we should call these things what they truly are—sin. Christ left to us a church in Acts 2 which was designed to care, comfort, support, and love one another. In many ways, it’s the exact opposite of the struggles we see today. It was a belief that in this faith we share, every person would be seen as a child of God and nothing more. And the simple truth is without saving someone from the fear of suffering, starving, or hurting, we will never be able to save their soul.

            But in every dark corner and shortcoming is an opportunity for Christ to grow and God’s kingdom to flourish. As the news presents us with the worst of society, we hear these words Jesus says pushing back against all the awfulness. Blessed are the pour in spirit. Blessed are they who mourn. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right. Blessed are the merciful, the pure in heart, those who are persecuted, and those who suffer at the hands of others. In a way, it’s Jesus speaking to us in tough times saying, “I know it’s hard and you’re hurting. Come sit down at the table with me and have some fried chicken, green beans, and pecan pie. It will all be okay, I promise.”

These Beatitudes echo the famous words of Micah asking what is required of the people. They are to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Jesus words in the Beatitudes live and work in and through us. We work together in this world to make real a faith that heals and soothes the broken places of life. In doing this together we create a community of care that mirrors the way God intended the church to love and support one another and the community around it.

During my college years in central Kentucky, I had to pass by a large Amish community. So, it was often that traveling home, I would get caught behind a horse and buggy headed to or from church. One time I saw a whole bunch of the community working on a barn. I decided to learn a bit more. Apparently, barns are very important to the traditional lifestyle of the practicing Amish. When a family needs one built, it becomes an entire community project as well as a social event called a “frolic.” Every single member of the community comes together to help build this barn, socialize, hang out with friends and family, share and trade building materials, and help this family build and complete the barn they need to provide for themselves and their family.  

I imagine there’s also quite a bit of food to go around and nourish the folks who are working hard on the barn. They get the soul food to feed their stomachs and the soul food to feed their souls and their community. The Beatitudes not only tell us of God’s love and support to those who are vulnerable but call upon us to be a blessing because we have lived in these same struggles as those around us. Together, in community, we can provide love and care for one another in the way Christ envisioned with the church.

There’s an old hymn which entitled, “Make Me a Blessing.” It tells us a reminder of our work on earth, “Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad; carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad. Make me a blessing to someone today.” In our times of struggle and sorrow, Jesus speaks those words to us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; blessed are they who mourn, blessed are the persecuted.” It is both a reminder and a call to be the blessing Jesus describes in this sermon.

To those who are hurting, mourning, and suffering, there is a hope—it is the church which offers Christ’s love, grace, and help in times of need. It is our job to remind folks that in these times, God draws near—the kingdom of heaven is theirs, and they shall see God. The same is true for us. In every moment of every day God never stops loving us and offering us care and grace.

God’s love, as seen in these Beatitudes, is given in one of the most nourishing statements of faith to a weary soul. It is a reminder that Jesus is close to the vulnerable, the brokenhearted, and those who offer the same justice, mercy, and humility with which Christ lived. When we struggle or when we see others who are feeling crushed by life’s heavy load, here is the reminder that Jesus invites us to the table and offers us the best soul food we’ve ever had.

 Worship Video: https://www.facebook.com/fccmacon/videos/628121885908363

Third Sunday of Epiphany

Repent and Follow, Jesus Said: Psalm 27 1, 4-9; Matt. 4: 12-23

            I read a comic the other day which talked about the importance of apologies. It added, “Unfortunately, I apologize thusly, ‘I’m sorry that your terrible behavior made me act out of character. You should work on that.’” There are various versions of this joke. Some say, “I’m sorry the truth hurt your sensitive feelings.” I’ve also heard “I’m so sorry you misunderstood what I said.” They are all variations on the same truth. Apologies are hard, and we don’t particularly like to do them. We’d rather pretend the offense didn’t happen, the person was too sensitive, or minimize the actions we’ve done.

            We talk a lot as a society about confidence, self-esteem, and personal growth. But we must remember the importance of having a personal confidence which allows for real humility and accountability. Here is where we insert the idea of repentance. We read in Matthew 4:17, “From then on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” He follows this up in verse 19 with the call, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Together, we hear Jesus’s message calling on us to repent and turn to God, then follow him.

            The word “repent” appears in some form or another roughly 60 times in the Bible. But it’s an idea carried across many faiths and religions. Judaism used the word in terms of the process of atoning for sin. Islam defines it as the act of leaving what God has prohibited and turning to what God has commanded. Buddhism talks about the shame over wrongdoing and fear of consequences. Ancient Hawaiian religion also mentions it as a process of reconciliation and prayer. But specifically in Christian faith, repentance is a part of Christ’s saving work within us.

            The idea of repentance is not exclusive to the Christian faith, but it is an absolutely essential part of our ability to find God and follow Jesus. I fear the word has become a very loaded term. It’s been hijacked from an instruction and used as a weapon of anguish. I remember growing up and having the little tracts in church to hand out. There was one right in the middle—all black—with bold white lettering that said in all caps, “REPENT OR DIE!” and the words were surrounded by flames.

            I searched all 60 verses that talk about repent, repentance, or repented. Not a single one uses repentance as scare tactic. Every single one uses the word repentance in connection with mercy, healing, forgiveness, and grace over consequences that stem from wrongdoing. The only times such worrisome things are mentioned is in a matter-of-fact way that when we don’t practice repentance, grace, and forgiveness, life is painful and suffering, and we are separated from God.

            Instead of repentance being a tactic of fear and terror to force submission to God, let’s look at it in a new light. You should practice repentance, forgiveness, and following Christ because it is healing, and saving for your life and your soul. The disciples did not follow Christ because he conquered them or forced them into submission. They saw something powerful, Spirit-filled, and grace-centered. They saw a man, Jesus the Christ, who lived, preached, and taught what it means to live the Kingdom of God here on Earth.

            Repentance for us is realizing, acknowledging and confessing that without faith we do what’s wrong. We often harm others with or words and actions. We are easily tempted by our selfish ambition. Repentance and turning to God allows us to leave these pathways of easy temptation behind and live as Christ’s love in the world. Following Christ brings with it the Holy Spirit which helps keep us living in the most Christ-like and life-giving way possible here on Earth.

            A friend recently told me a story from his church. There was a guy who had attended for years. As his marriage was breaking up, the church criticized and spoke harshly about him during the process. She had always gone to another church. Unfortunately, he found out about the cruel and gossipy ways of the people he thought were friends. They commented on the fact the couple had gone to different churches, speculated that there was infidelity, and spread rumors about him as a husband. It was ugly, hurtful, and led him to leave them. He said to all who would listen, “I don’t need them and their hateful ways.”

            Several months later, he was involved in a motorcycle accident and was hospitalized for weeks. During that time, the church, which had realized the error of their ways, came and helped feed him, sat with him, made dinners for him when he got home, picked up his medicines, took him to therapy, and filled the void of help and loneliness in his life. In the end, their love drew him back. Both church and the man had to learn to repent or confess and give up bad behavior, grudges, and their anger at one another. Both had to learn forgiveness and reconciliation that comes with real love and safe boundaries.

            Repentance allows us as individuals and a collective church to acknowledge that we still often fail and fall short of perfection. We are always a work in progress. It also allows us to grow and find new and better ways of being Christ’s people here on earth. No one grows without experiencing mistakes and learning new and better ways of doing things. Living in faith means we work daily to give up those things that get in the way of our relationship and connection to God. That kind of work never finishes until we are one with God in eternity.

But we must also, if you will consider a reversal of a saying, preach what we practice. In a world filled with anger, grudges, selfish theology, social strife, criminal behavior, and all manner of bad things, we must continue to preach Jesus’s message to repent and turn to God, not as a way to humiliate people, guilt-trip them over their sins, or weaponize faith for a political or personal reason. We must preach it because grace and mercy cannot exist where repentance is not practiced. In all things we must turn from ourselves and our own messy ways, and let the Lord, or light and salvation lead and guide us in life. Then we can live in the house of the Lord and dwell on God’s perfections, as the Psalmist says.

The words, “I’m sorry,” unhampered by qualifications, excuses, explanations, or shifted blame are two of the most powerful words we have. But they mean absolutely nothing unless there is a true change in behavior. Jesus said, repent of your sins, turn to God, and follow him. May Jesus’s words find in us ears willing to hear and hearts willing to listen. Worship Video: https://www.facebook.com/fccmacon/videos/920994402246687

Second Sunday Epiphany 2023

The Power in a Name: Isaiah 49: 1-7; John 1: 35-42

            Typically, one of the first things a person asks when meeting you is your name. Now, growing up in rural Eastern Kentucky, asking someone’s name was an entire study in genealogical history. You’d get the full, “Oh, so your daddy’s family is so-and-so; your momma came from that family over in Wallins; your grandmother lived up in Cawood,” and so on. Much of it was to find all the rich friendship and family connections. It also was something kind of important to do before a first date in a rural area with close-knit families…if you get my drift.

            There is power and history in a name, and in the names which we’ve been given. I remember in grade school we did a name study. I learned that my name, “William” means “determined guardian” or “resolute protector.” The meaning of that name has stuck with me through the years. You might have family names as well handed down through the generations which identify you as part of your group of people or “kinfolk” as we say.

            Our Gospel lesson today is heavy on names and their powerful meanings. The first name we hear is John the Baptist referring to Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” This name is particular for John as he preached that he baptized with water, but Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. To him, Jesus is the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sins of the world. That name is important. For us, Jesus is still known as the Lamb of God—the one who brings grace and mercy to us, the one who saves us from all the bad in this world…Jesus, the Lamb of God.

            But there is another name used for Jesus in this scripture. The first two disciples who leave John and follow Jesus refer to him as “Rabbi.” They had learned and studied under John about his teachings of the coming Messiah. So, they come to identify Jesus in the same way as their new Rabbi or teacher who would give them the knowledge of how to live in this world. That is true for us too. Jesus is a Rabbi to us, for we are taught to follow his teachings, obey his words, and follow his example in this world, for Jesus is the Holy One, who not only gives us grace, but gives us a truly Godly example of how to live as Christians.

            The disciple Andrew gives Jesus one more name, though, the Messiah. This name goes beyond Rabbi, beyond Lamb of God, for in calling Jesus the Messiah, they refer to him as the one who fulfills God’s holy covenant with the people. For centuries, the Israelites had looked for this deliverer from God—promised to them by God’s own word. Jesus, the Messiah, is proof of God’s promises fulfilled and the people’s prayers answered.

            But the naming doesn’t just stop with Jesus. The whole thing is turned around, and Jesus says to Simon, his newest disciple, “You will be called Cephas,” or “Peter” in the Greek. Ironically, “Simon” means “to listen,” something Peter was not all that good at, but the translation of Peter means “rock,” and we are told elsewhere that upon this rock God will build the church. In some ways, Peter is not just the new name for Simon, Son of John, but a name for all of Christ’s followers—the rocks upon which God’s church is built and grows.

            Now, what does this long history of names and meanings hold for us here and now? Let me ask it this way: what does it mean when we say we are The Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and especially that last part. What does it mean to us to say to others, whether they have faith, a church, or nothing, that we are Disciples of Christ. If you say Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic, or Methodist, most of society has a general idea of what those are and the usual stereotypes that go along with them. But what a more intimate, personal, and challenging thing to call ourselves Disciples of Christ.

            What does it mean to say we are First Christian Church? There may be past associations for folks who had family here. Frankly, I think almost every person in Macon had a family member pass through this church at one time or another. Maybe some remember a history that wasn’t so nice, or welcoming, or nurturing at some time or another, or even remember conflict. But the question should never be how we fell short 50 years ago, 20 years ago, or even 5 minutes ago. Instead, where are we going with the name and the calling we’ve committed ourselves to?

            The story of the Gospel, the point of grace, and the work of Christ points toward the future. We’ve become, by our faith, Children of God. We’ve become, by our commitment here, Disciples of Christ. Now what are we going to do with that? How do we explain it? How do we live by that name we have received? Isaiah gives a word of wisdom on this. In the prophetic words, we hear, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.” The reply is that the work seems useless, strength has been wasted, and no purpose fulfilled.

            The only hope is to leave it all in God’s hand. But the Lord reminds the writer of what Jesus, the Lamb of God, Rabbi, Messiah means to the people: “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light o the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” It was a calling and a following that or early followers of Jesus had to work out and find a way to live up to. And that calling still comes down the years to us.

            There truly is power in a name: Lamb of God, Rabbi, Messiah. All throughout the Bible, there are different names for God for what the people needed: healer, redeemer, savior, guide. For us, there are many powerful names associated with or faith: child of God, friend, minister, teacher, witness. As a church and people of faith we call ourselves Disciples of Christ. Our very name speaks to our desire to follow Christ in faith and in life as closely as we can.

             I pray that we take this name to heart, and I pray it inspires us in our lives of faith. If I ask who we are as a family of faith, the Disciples of Christ say, “We are the Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one Body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.” And so may we work each day to live out the meaning of our name—children of God, and Disciples of Christ in this world.

 Worship Video: https://www.facebook.com/fccmacon/videos/3962043600731018 

Baptism of the Lord

Wade into the Deep End: Isaiah 42: 1-9; Matthew 3: 13-17

            Growing up, my uncle had a pool at his house, and during the summer, that was often a very nice place to find a break from the heat outside. I remember, though, when I was little there was always a very stern warning. There was a shallow end of about 4 feet which dropped off suddenly to a much deeper end of about 9-10 feet. I was told very, very clearly as a child, “Do NOT wade into the deep end of the pool.” I listened carefully. I processed fully. I understood completely.

And then I deliberately and obnoxiously chose to constantly wade as close to the drop off as I could and pretended that it was an accident just get a rise out of the family. Now, Mom, if you’re watching, Jesus teaches grace, not a 32-year delayed consequence. I’m just saying.  

We’re often trained that way from a young age: don’t wade into the deep end; don’t get too close to the edge; don’t get too wrapped up in it, just leave it be and keep to yourself. It makes me think of an old poem by Shel Silverstein: “Listen to the Mustn’ts.” It goes, “Listen to the Mustn’ts, child, listen to the Don’ts. / Listen to the Shouldn’ts, the Impossibles, the Won’ts. / Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me./ Anything can happen, child, Anything can be.”

We read in today’s Gospel that Jesus came to be baptized of John the Baptist. But as he came close, John protested what was about to happen. Matthew weaves into this Gospel the concept that John the Baptist knew and recognized the power of Jesus. This is one of those few stories contained in all four Gospels. Mark’s is very to the point. Jesus is baptized and the Holy Spirit’s dove appears. Luke is identical to Mark. And John gives a wildly complex and different version as John’s gospel is apt to do. Matthew, though, is simple and to the point.

Jesus is baptized, as he says God requires, and Isaiah 42 is publicly fulfilled when the Spirit comes upon Jesus in the form of the dove. John the Baptist came in preparation, but Jesus came in power. This was the public proclamation of Jesus’s ministry beginning. For a people who clung to signs and wonders, the dove-like Holy Spirit and the heavenly voice was indisputable proof of Jesus’s mission and power. John had prepared, and Jesus came in power.

Baptism marks the same for us. In our hearts we repent, and we feel that something is amiss without God’s love and presence with us each day. It’s easy to choose belief, but that step of faith and public proclamation at baptism signals our commitment not just to believe in Jesus, but to actually follow him as well. Growing up, we probably all heard about Jesus knocking on our heart’s door and that we need to believe and let him in. I hate to pull the rug out from under you, but that’s the shallow end of the pool. If you want to wade into the deep end, you need to actually follow the wisdom and example Jesus left us.

Isaiah gives us that glimpse of Jesus’s call. There is no shouting, crushing, crashing and banging. Jesus used his power not for conquest and abuse, but to bring justice, breath, and life to all. Then, Christ becomes the light which guides the nations with sight to the blind, freedom to the imprisoned, release to the oppressed, and grace to us all. It is a very big job.

So, what does all of this mean to us? We are each one baptized just as Jesus was, where we publicly proclaim our covenant with all the people of God to follow Christ with faith and mission in this world. Some days, many days, maybe most days, this feels like a losing battle. But we serve a living, loving God who will never be defeated in the work of hope.

For us it can be pretty specific. If we are called to follow Christ, where does our next step lead us? We have a lovely building and campus. We have a neighborhood with a high rate of folks without a church home. We have grounds and space to bring a community in even as we take our faith outside these walls. We have a strong motivation, a faith family that is one of the most welcoming and loving I’ve ever seen in a church building. The truth is there’s enough here to fill up the shallow end of the pool to overflowing, but do we dare wade into the deeper waters of faith?

The song we heard, “Wade in the Water,” is an old spiritual used to signal those escaping slavery to freedom about potential dangers along the way. When they heard the song saying to wade into the water, those running for freedom knew they had to wade out into deeper water to keep from being tracked by hounds. I’m sure wading into deep water in the dark was terrifying. But they had a mission to get to freedom, which their very lives depended on. Following the leader out into deep water may have been frightening, but it was the safest place they could be led. It was the only place they could potentially find freedom and hope.

The truth of life is that we think things are safer on the shallow end of the pool. That’s why we’re so often taught to stay there, not to go out too deep, not to get too close to the edge, not to get all that involved. Stay at a safe distance! It’s what we’ve been taught all along. But what do we do when we commit to following Jesus, and then he wades right out into the deep end of the pool, turns around, and waits for us? We have this choice. Do we remain right here where we think it’s safe, where we’ve been taught to stay put, where we know for sure the water won’t go over our heads? Or, do we trust Jesus and wade out into the deep end to meet him? The truth is that the safest place to be is right where Jesus is. And he quite literally waded out into the water.

I guess it comes down to this: when we go under the baptismal waters, and then feel that presence of God in the Spirit with us, do we hear God say, “This is my beloved in whom I’m well pleased,” when we stay in the safety of the shallow end, or do we hear it when we trust Jesus and wade out into deep water? No matter how many times we hear, “Do NOT wade into the deep end,” the reality is that the shallow end is not so safe. We must instead hear those words of Shel Silverstein, “Anything is possible, Anything can be,” and prepare our hearts to trust because it all comes down to trusting Jesus in the end and being willing to follow him from that covenant we make in faith and baptism. Jesus is calling us to wade out into the deep water and meet him. And I believe we will find those deep waters just beyond the threshold of that door if we are willing to go and do.

 Service Video: https://www.facebook.com/fccmacon/videos/711532487344868

Epiphany

Are We Moved? Isaiah 60: 1-6; Matthew 2: 1-12

            The past two weeks have been “those kinds of weeks.” When I arrived home for Christmas, my grandmother and aunt were struggling with the flu, and my mother was sick too. It was a windchill of -20 degrees. Then arriving back here a pipe outside the fellowship hall burst requiring 3 feet of digging. The hallway and part of the downstairs were flooded requiring repairs, testing, and the joys of insurance claims. By Thursday and Friday, I was greeting folks with the phrase, “Merry Crisis!” instead of Merry Christmas.

            I’m going to say something slightly sacrilegious here, so don’t be offended, and hang with me till it resolves. Sometimes, I feel like we get a bit sick of church. We still love God, but the thought of getting out of bed, getting through hymns, prayers, communion, driving there and back, and even putting on something besides pajamas just drives us a bit bonkers. While I was playing and participating at Christ Episcopal Church in Harlan, Kentucky, on Christmas Eve, the priest shook his head and said, “I’m tired of you all sitting there like a bunch of puddings.” He said, essentially, respond in some way! But how do we respond when we are just so very tired?

            In all that struggle, tiredness, irritation, fatigue, and worry, we come again to the story of the Wise Men who visited the Christ-child. For twelve years now, I have preached this story, and you all have very kindly listened or at least stayed awake. And like every year, we all wonder, exactly what can we learn from the same story? But every year, there seems to be something new that can speak to us from the journey of these Magi to see the new-born king.

            They came generally “from the East” as Matthew says. Historically, we would know them as a priestly cast in Persia or modern-day Iran. They are guided by their study of astrology, ancient texts, and sheer faith. If they are indeed from Persia, it is roughly an 1,100 mile trip to Bethlehem. But the most important part of the story is that they simply and faithfully followed a star which seemed miraculous based on their studies. There’s no record of any visions, voices from the heavens, holy messengers, or angelic choruses. The studied, the watched, and they believed.

            Their faith compelled them on a treacherous journey. It would have taken months. They were exposed to robbery, danger, harsh elements, and untold suffering on this journey. Even if they were of wealth and power, this journey to see Jesus was incredibly dangerous and took an incredible amount of time. Yet, still, they got up, and they too made haste, like the shepherds, based on their faith and the sign of a star in the heavens. They were neither Hebrew nor scholars of Christianity (because it didn’t yet exist). The had the most strained and minimal connections to this whole miracle which was unfolding. Yet whatever faith they had urged them on to find the Christ-child—to seek out this new and miraculous, holy presence on earth.

            When our “get up and go” has “got up and gone,” that same power and presence of God that journeyed beside the Wise Men will be with us as well. They were so moved by the texts and the sign of the star that they willingly chose to suffer on this long and hard journey not really even sure what they were going to find on the other end. Mary had an angel. Joseph has a dream. The shepherds had a whole choir in the sky. But the Magi…they only had their study and their faith.

            When we feel at our most empty, we can come back to this story. These Gentiles who had no real walk with God like the prophets or Hebrew people, had no clear guidance, different religious practices, and no real clue where exactly they were going found the courage in them and God’s strength around them to get up and go on this journey.

            Their wisdom and knowledge, as well as their faith in what they saw, served them well. They brought to Jesus, gold for a king, frankincense for the holiness, and myrrh for a death. They studied the ancient texts, believed in the sign God gave, and intuited enough to know the truth of those words of our first him, “Christ and God, and sacrifice: alleluia, alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies.”

            Do we still find ourselves motivated to seek out Christ in the same way the Wise Men made that journey to him? Are we somehow moved and encouraged to seek out the star which would guide us as well according to God’s will? Or, as the Rev. George Kavoor noted on Christmas Eve, are we just going to sit here like a bunch of puddings?

            God has not changed. God’s mission has not changed. The need for the people in this world to have a relationship with a God who loves them has not changed, and I daresay it has grown exponentially while the church languished. It was sheer wisdom and faith that pushed the Magi to get up and go over a thousand miles to find Christ, and what, what is it going to take to move the whole church of today in the same urgent and hopeful way? The need in our world has not changed, but the energy and stamina of Christ’s people surely has. We need to journey back to a place where we walk in the light, of Jesus, the light of the world. We need to find the faith to shine that light brightly in the world.

            Theologian Howard Thurman wrote a poem called “The Mood of Christmas.” Listen now to the words.

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,           

            The work of Christmas begins:

            To find the lost, to heal the broken,

            To feed the hungry, to release the prisoner,

            To rebuild the nations, to bring peace among people,

            To make music in the heart.

When the journey is hard for us and they way seems very difficult to find, may we remember that God is still with us on the journey. Walking together, we will always be able to find Christ, the light of the world. And we’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Jesus, the light of the world. Amen.

Service Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=notif&v=3505954942977566&notif_id=1672587660897252&notif_t=live_video_explicit

Christmas Day Order

“Joy to the World” Amanda McFarling & Michael Gardiner

Lighting the Advent Candles

Reader: Good Morning!  On this Christmas we are gathered as God’s people to celebrate again what Christ’s coming means to the world.  God and sinner reconciled, the hope of the world, the love of the world, our Savior. We light these candles: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, knowing the work of a God who is with us. We also light the Christ Candle in celebration of the Mighty God, the Everlasting One, the Prince of Peace.

Let us pray: Open our hearts, merciful God, to the light of your presence still in this world. Open our eyes, that we might behold your presence in the least likely of places, and among the least likely of people. God with us, kindle your fire within us, that together we may shine forth your light, we might banish the shadows of this world, we might be the continuation of the Christmas miracle: Emmanuel is in this world, God is with us, now and evermore, in Christ we pray. Amen.

Reading: Luke 2: 1-20

Meditation: “A Christmas Wish”

Communion

Benediction

Postlude—Michael Gardiner

1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

let every heart prepare him room,

and heaven and nature sing,

and heaven and nature sing,

and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

2 Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!

Let all their songs employ;

while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

repeat the sounding joy,

repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3 He rules the world with truth and grace,

and makes the nations prove

the glories of his righteousness

and wonders of his love,

and wonders of his love,

and wonders, wonders of his love.

Christmas Eve Order

Call to Worship: “While We Are Waiting Come”

Lighting the Candles

Reader:  Good evening!  On this Christmas Eve we are gathered as God’s people to celebrate what Christ’s birth means to the world. We join with Christians all over the world who are celebrating tonight, that holy presence, God With Us.

Tonight, we relight the four candles: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. We also light the Christ Candle and give thanks. Praise to Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. Alleluia, Alleluia.  

Let us pray: We thank you, God, for your gift of Jesus Christ to the world.  We thank you that Christ’s coming makes hope, peace, love, and joy possible for every person in every nation.  Encourage us to do our part to bring goodwill and peace to our families, our churches, our neighborhoods, and the world.  Now let your Spirit put us in touch with you, the living God, through the words and music we hear tonight.  In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.  Amen.

Invitation to Communion

Words of Institution

Prayer for the Emblems

Sharing of Communion

Hymn: “Silent Night”

Benediction

1 Silent night, holy night,

all is calm, all is bright,

round yon virgin mother and child,

holy infant, so tender and mild,

sleep in heavenly peace,

sleep in heavenly peace.

2 Silent night, holy night.

shepherds quake at the sight,

glories stream from heaven afar,

heavenly hosts sing alleluia;

Christ, the Savior is born,

Christ, the Savior is born!

4 Silent night, holy night,

wondrous star, lend thy light;

with the angels let us sing,

alleluia to our King;

Christ, the Savior, is born,

Christ, the Savior, is born.

Advent 4: Love

Meditation on the Power of Love: John 1: 19-28

            When Fr. Alfred Delp became a Jesuit priest in 1926 Germany, I’m sure he never thought he would become one of the most well-known people in the Catholic resistance to Naziism. He spoke openly and strongly against Hitler and the Nazi party from the very beginning. He used his position of power and influence in the church to help Jewish people and others targeted by the Nazis escape to Switzerland. In 1944, he was tried and convicted of plotting to kill Hitler, though he had no role or knowledge in the plot and was sentenced to death by hanging. The words you heard earlier were some of the last he wrote before his death.

            In particular, he wrote, “We must not shrink from or suppress the earnest words of these crying voices, so that those who today are our executioners will not tomorrow become accusers because we have remained silent.” If you missed it, he’s advocating for a witness of God’s love even to the executioner, so that Delp and others who face the end do not miss the opportunity to bring God’s grace into one more person’s life. Even at their own death.

            We read in this rather strange Gospel lesson today about John’s back and forth with the Pharisees who came to see him. It’s easy to find this a pretty weird reading on the Sunday of love in Advent. But we have to put it into context. This was not some attempt for clarity from the Temple. It was an interrogation. In verse 19 we read that it was the Temple priests and assistants who came to interrogate John the Baptist about what he was doing. Through both Temple opposition and Herod’s evil, John the Baptist would also soon be dead. Executed.

            Now you may ask, Dear Pastor, why are you talking about Nazis and executions on the Sunday right before Christmas. It’s the love Sunday for goodness’ sake! The truth is that there is no greater act of love than sacrifice—and Jesus showed us the way that sacrifice brought love in death and new life. Love is born out of sacrifice, because nothing calls us to act in this way more than that sense of relationship, care, connection, spiritual power that is found in loving someone.

            Christ came to earth, lived amongst the struggle here, experienced an innocent death and lives in hope and resurrection because of that love God has for us. That kind of love makes us willing to sacrifice. Think about it, when you truly love someone, you’d spend every dime you had to keep them safe and healthy. When you truly love someone, you will push yourself to the absolute physical limit to care for them and help them. When you love someone, you are willing to give up everything for them. That’s how much God loves us—strange and unexplainable as it may be. God created us, and God loves us.

            Love will call us to speak against suffering and evil. Love will call us to stand for what is good and holy even if society doesn’t like it. My friend at work talks about his father’s time as a minister in the Church of God. His dad believed in the 1960s in the inherent dignity and Godly love of all people regardless of the color of their skin. He was one of the few white pastors who marched for equality. I’m sure and absolutely certain it cost him. But he stood for what God said was right when the Bible said that we are all children of God and beloved by our creator.

            Fr. Delp intellectually understood that love of God and felt it in his heart. He preached and fought against a regime that taught hate as virtue and murder as good work. His Godly love of others led him to risk his own life to save people he had never met and would never see again. But I’m sure for his understanding, God had created and given them life, and that was sufficient to believe in God’s love and grace for each person Fr. Delp helped.

            The carol “Once in Royal David’s City” is not sung as often in the United States as it is in Britain. It is the carol that starts off the famous Lessons and Carols from Kings College at Cambridge in England. That last verse gives us one of the most faith-filled and theologically packed statements of just about any hymn.

And our eyes at last shall see Him, / Through his own redeeming love;

For that child who seemed so helpless, / Lives and reigns in heaven above;

And he leads his children on / To the place where he is gone.

The promise of Christmas is that we shall one day see Christ face to face. We will know the One who came as a helpless baby into a dark world and lived a life that brought light to us. And through our faith, we will join him in a blessed and eternal reward. And what makes this possible? It is his own redeeming love.

            The power of love gives us the strength to sacrifice. John the Baptist found that power in the knowledge of the coming grace through Jesus. Fr. Alfred Delp found that same power in Nazi Germany to preach a message of hope and love even unto his very abrupt end. But we see modern day examples of this as well. Amir Nasr-Azadani, a 26-year-old soccer player from Iran who played in the World Cup, used his national celebrity and recognition to protest the death of a young woman killed by the morality police for not properly wearing her head covering. His love of his people and understanding of right and wrong led him to speak out. He was sentenced to death this week for it.

            All over the world, the power of love calls people to sacrifice for the people whom God has created, loved and offered redemption. Christmas is a story of God’s love and promise to us as a people. But it is also a story covered by the shadow of a cross because love calls us to sacrifice for those whom we hold close in our heart. But take heart. Fr. Delp did not waver nor struggle with his choice to stand and sacrifice for God’s call. His last words to the prison chaplain before his death were a joke. He smiled and said, “In half an hour, I’ll know more than you do.” So sure was his faith that it overcame his fear.

            God’s redeeming love is the only power that will change the hearts and minds in a dark and fearful world. God’s love is the only thing that will give us the courage to stand for what is right and holy and to build a place where truth is taught, faith is practiced, justice is a reality, and Christ is followed in all things. I pray this Christmas we continue to hold on to the hope in God’s promise, find peace in God’s presence, experience the joy following God’s leadership brings, and know the true power of God’s redeeming love.

Worship Video: https://www.facebook.com/fccmacon/videos/1765192510516314