Repairing Broken Relationships

As far as I can remember, the 4-step solution to repairing broken relationships found in Matthew 18 is the only time Jesus gave such an easy to understand outline for resolving a problem. (If you are like me, such a statement will cause you to quickly think over all of Jesus teachings to see if you can come up an exception. . . . I'll wait for you before I continue. . . . all done? Then let us proceed.) Jesus, and the News Testament writers, tend to deal more with principles than step by step procedures. That makes this teaching an exception to the norm. This is written as if Jesus were answering our objections for not doing what he plainly wants us to do when we are offended or hurt by a brother or sister.

Jesus: If your brother or sister sins against you go and show them their fault, just between the two of you, alone.

Us: But what if they don't listen to us?

Jesus: Then take a mature brother or sister with you to see if they can help.

Us: But what it they continue to rationalize and refuse to listen to either of us?

Jesus: Then get the church involved. Gather those who truly love this person and all of you work together to help them.

Us: But what if that doesn't work? What if they refuse to accept what all of us are saying?

Jesus: Then there is nothing anyone can do for that person. They are not my disciple and should not be considered one. Any other questions?

Us: Uh, no I can't think of any.

Jesus: Then prove that you are my disciple by following my commandments. If your brother of sister sins against you go and show them their fault, just between the two of you, alone. Got it?

Us: But that sounds kind of hard.

Jesus: Where did you ever get the idea that following me would be easy? Be obedient to me and see if the end result isn't a community of people with deeper and more satisfying relationships than anyone else on earth has ever experienced. Trust me in this and put your faith into action!

I am second

The comment of the day was spoken to me right after our assembly ended. The person said something like, "After today's service I'm not worried about what will happen to the church after we're dead and gone." For those of you who were not with us, today's service was planned and conducted by our youth ministry. All of their planning and practice came together in a beautifully organized and meaningful time of praise and worship.

The theme, "I am second" reminded me of a book written decades ago by former Chicago Bear's star running back, Gale Sayers, "I am third". Gale told us that in his life God was first, others were second and he was in third place. Liz reminded me of the JOY acrostic that was popular in the 70's: Jesus, Others, Yourself. The phrase "I am second", however, seems to put priority on what is of first importance. If you are interested in learning more check out Iamsecond.com.

In reflecting on the service I initially thought there had been no scripture. We didn't open our Bibles once. Upon closer observation, however, I realized that the entire service had been structured around the passage that the Jews call the Shema and what Jesus said was the greatest of all commands: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5). What a powerful reminder that assembly was that God must always have first place in our hearts.

So, I'm not too worried either about the future of the church; as long as we continually put God first and remember that "I am second." Thanks Jeremy, Donna, Lauren, and all the others who put so much effort into making today's worship service the blessing that it was.

What if JesusHad Not Risen?

The sermon today began with the question, What if Jesus had not risen? As described in the lesson, the world would be a very different place. However, since Jesus did rise from the dead the sermon ended with another question: How does belief in Jesus' resurrection change your tomorrow?

Everyone was invited to briefly write their answers on small cards which were provided. After the cards were collected a sampling of them were read to the congregation. Many wonderful thoughts were expressed and it was a joy to read them one after another. However, one answer was repeated more often than another other. It was a single word: Hope!

"Hope" was my first thought as well. The beauty of Christianity is that no matter how bad life may become nothing can take away our hope. There is no economic slowdown, health crisis, governmental corruption, or anything else that can remove what God has made possible for us through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Because of our hope in Jesus' resurrection we can be positive about life, even when everything looks negative. In a world full of fear, worry, stress, and anxiety God offers joy, peace, comfort and hope. Let's keep proclaiming the Easter message through out the year. It is a needed message for a troubled world.

The Value of One

I like looking at this picture. I'm not sure what I think about the image of Jesus: perfect hair, trimmed beard, flawless features, etc.... I guess you have to picture Jesus in someway, but does he have to look so Caucasian? In spite of the non-Jewish looking Jesus, I still like the picture. I really like the lamb. It looks young, frail and helpless. It definately is a sheep in need of a shepherd.

It was easy preaching on the parable of the lost sheep this morning when I could use Toni Miller as an example. She and her husband, Dan have done such a great job in looking after those Jesus called the "little ones." And having the sermon followed by an honoring time for Elaine Pate certainly drove the point home.

The Miller and the Pates both know how to look at people without considering their financial worth, education, or any of the other markers we humans use to determine value. They have shown us the heart of Jesus by knowing that everyone is valuable in the eyes of God. They have also shown us that God is especially fond of the "little ones." "For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 18:10).

Watching Out for the Other Guy

When working on this sermon I kept thinking about a phrase from a Public Service Announcement from the 60's. It was a television commercial about defensive driving with the catch phrase, "Watch Out for the Other Guy." The intent of the commercial was to avoid automobile accidents by always being aware that other drivers make mistakes. Defensive driving is defending yourself against the mistakes of others. I decided to use the title even though I wanted to make a totally unrelated point.

In the kingdom of God we are to be constantly on the lookout for one another. This is not so we can see the mistakes others are making and avoid them. Rather, we are watching out for one another so that we can help each other. Watching out for the other guy in the kingdom of God is not for defensive avoidance but offensive action! This involves intentionally doing what I can to keep from placing stumbling blocks in another's path.

In the opening illustration I kept putting more and more obstacles in David's path to make it harder and harder for him to "walk the walk." When I put the blindfold on him he got down on his hands and knees determined not to quit. I thought two things: 1) How commendable that he was ready to do whatever was necessary to finish the task; and 2) How pitiful that I would make it so difficult for him. Be thinking this week about how you can keep from making another's faith walk difficult. And on the positive side, what can you do to help make it just a little bit easier for your brother or sister to live a life of faith?

Humility

Jesus said we are to "... change and become like little children..." (Matthew 18:3). As Brianna illustrated so well for us this morning, little children are not valued for their productivity or usefulness. They are in fact, endless consumers rather than contributors! In spite of this we parents continue to feed, clothe, and provide for all their needs. When Brianna's daddy was asked why they do all these things for her, he replied, "Because we love her so much." Well said.

When Jesus told us to become like little children he certainly didn't mean that we were to become childISH. (Although the way some Christians behave might lead one to think that.) He was likewise not telling us to be cute, cuddly, lovable, etc... He was not thinking about any child-like quality that one would normally desire. He was, in fact, pointing out that a child is "worthless", at least in terms of productivity.

The kingdom of God turns everything upside down. The most valuable are the one's who don't realize that they are the most valuable. They are in fact the humble. The one's who realize their great need for God. Like obedient children looking to their parents, these humble ones believe God knows best and that God is going to take care of them. They don't look down on others because they haven't put themselves on a pedestal. And when they look into the eyes of the even the least deserving, they see the eyes of an approving Jesus looking back at them. "Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me" (Matthew 18:5).

Ordination of Elders

Before writing the sermon for this morning I looked over some past elder ordination sermons. It's difficult to re-preach sermons because people change; both congregations and preachers. What a joy it was to realize that the sermons preached for elder ordination in the past are no longer needed.

In past sermons I had focused on the congregation being submissive so that the shepherds' job would "be a joy and not a burden." I still believe that as evidenced by my quotation from Hebrews 13:17. However, it seems to me that we have matured as a congregation and do not currently need that lesson. Thankfully, there is a great spirit of unity among us and a willingness to work together and be gracious with those to whom we might disagree.

Instead, I decided to focus attention on showing appreciation for the men we have asked to serve. Nothing makes me want to do a good job like knowing that people are truly thankful and blessed by my work. I know the same is true for our elders. May we all regularly and sincerely let them know that we are always in prayer for them and that our prayers always begin with thanksgiving for God having blessed us with the gift of shepherds.