Paradox and Repentance

• Twentysecond Sunday in Ordinary Time

on Matthew 11:16-24, 

in which Jesus scolds unrepentant cities.

www.FirstChurchBville@gmail.com  @FirstUMCBville  @kerrfunk

• Earlier in chapter, we affirm identity of Jesus Christ, 

and of John the Baptist.
Now we learn about the crowds... about people in general.

People are fickle. 

John the Baptist ate sparingly and didn't drink, 
but the people were not satisfied with him. He was weird. (Matt 11:18)

Jesus ate with sinners and drank,
and the people called him a glutton and a drunk. (Matt 11:19)

People have seen Jesus in action and have remained unmoved.

People have seen miracles and have not changed lives or actions. 
(Matt 11:20)

People are hard-hearted, like Pharoah.

And Jesus should remind you of Moses, 

God's chosen one sent to free the people.

• Jesus has done miracles,

& miracles should get attention 

and should inspire change.
But the people are unmoved.

• So Jesus reminds that if you lay down with dogs you'll get fleas.

The laws of God are good and just.

And if you follow it's for your benefit.

•  On the Last Day it'll be better for Sodom 

than Tyre, Sidon, Capernaum. (Matt 11:22)

The sins of T, S, or C aren't spelled out here,
but we do know the sins of Sodom...

Ezekiel 16:49 Sin of Sodom is this: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 
They were haughty and did detestable things before me.

Pride, gluttony, unmoved, stingy... These are the sins of Sodom.

Laws of God are for your benefit...

Humility, simplicity, generosity, compassion... 
These are fruits of repentance, signs of God's priority in your life.

These are qualities Jesus demands.

And Jesus gives us grace. 
It's a paradox because grace is freely given: 
there is nothing we can do to earn saving grace 
(i.e. works righteousness) AND our works must reflect God's grace... 
the fruits of repentance must be evident in our living.

Jesus gives both warning and encouragement (paradox).

When he comes again, how would you like to look him in the eye?

I need him. I want to be like him.

• Hymn 206 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

The Beginning of the End

• Twentyfirst Sunday in Ordinary Time

on Matthew 11:1-15, 

in which John the Baptist wonders about Jesus the Christ, 

and Jesus commends and edifies JtB.

www.FirstChurchBville@gmail.com  @FirstUMCBville  @kerrfunk

• John the Baptist sends two disciples to ask whether the Christ is the One.

• Two ways of looking at JtB's question... does he doubt, or not doubt?
Traditional: doubt. JtB imprisioned, Jesus not meeting his messianic expectations...
Possible: JtB confesses Christ, and is strengthening witness of disciples.

Regardless, Jesus points to several messianic passages (Isa 35 and 61) and says, “What do YOU think?”

And then Jesus commends and edifies JtB.
JtB is nothing to sneeze at. JtB is the real deal.
JtB is the predecessor of God's chosen one. Look at the prophets' writings.

• It's reassuring. To JtB, to JtB's disciples, to the crowds, to the original hearers, to US.

...that Jesus is the one told about in Isaiah...
...that the time is NOW (every now)...
...that God is redeeming...

• Jesus assures b/c ppl need assurance.
It's why we say “I love you” more than once.

• Jesus assures b/c we tend to see what we want to see... 

we find an explanation or expectation we're comfortable with 

and we stick with that.

Yet Jesus did not fit the popular expectations, 

and tends not to remain in boxes...

• Jesus assures b/c we constantly hear otherwise.

Assurance threatened by racism oppression violence
by ISIS, terrorism, abuse, poverty
by drug crime, depression

• Recall the promises of God and the actions of Jesus (healer, savior, chosen) who strengthens us 

-- to pick up cross
-- to remain faithful (verse 6)
(may Jesus' negligence to meet our expectations not cause us to stumble)
-- and to bear witness

• Live in expectation that the end is near,
and not in confidence that you always have another day.

• Hymn 421 Make Me a Captive, Lord 

(btw in verse 2: “wind” rhymes with “find”)

Huddle Up

• Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

on Matthew 10:34-11:1, Jesus sent the Twelve to teach and preach and heal, to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is near... Coach Jesus's “huddle up” speech comes to an end.

www.FirstChurchBville@gmail.com  @FirstUMCBville  @kerrfunk

• Matthew 10:34-11:1, in which Jesus' warning slash encouragement speech concludes.

• Honestly I'm a little glad to come to end of Chap10, ready for Chap11. We've had four weeks of Jesus' speech to disciples,
and the tension has been ratcheting up.

(btw, it takes about six minutes to read the chapter, & it IS one speech...)

It starts out nice, go and proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven is near,
I give you authority to drive out evil spirits and heal the sick.

But oh: travel light. And folks may not welcome you. 

I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves?

You'll be handed over to the government and flogged? 

Hated and persecuted and killed?

And now disciples must choose between God and family, 

and pick up a cross?

This chapter makes a person squirm a bit.

Because Jesus calls for a pretty high level of commitment.

Why? Because the level of pain in the world requires a pretty high level of commitment.
 

Because the powers of God >> powers of darkness.

• The world can be inhospitable.

Shooting of 18-yo Michael Brown last Sat outside St. Louis. Young man not even the latest in line of not a handful, not dozens, but hundreds of black men slain by white cops in the last decade. There are peaceful protestors as well as rioters and looters. Not much peace. Not much understanding. World can be inhospitable.

Death by suicide of Robin Williams. Because depression, addiction, disease (Parkinsons).

Depression is a real medical condition, needs treated like a medical condition just like diabetes or high blood pressure need treated. 

Ongoing trouble in Middle East. Islamic group ISIS taken control of dam that provides power and water for 7 million inhabitants of Baghdad, US seeking to remove from power, reports of ISIS killing dozens or more, plus thousands of refugees without access to adequate necessities.

Drug abuse addiction trafficking in our own Huntington / tristate area.

• The world can be inhospitable but God is stronger,
and people need to know that the KOH is near, is here,
that there is hope, there is relief, there is renewal, there is justice
that though there be grave darkness in the world 

the darkness does not overcome.

Jesus quotes Micah 7:6, which describes the sad state of affairs in Israel...
Look on to verse 8: 

Though I have fallen, I will rise. 

Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. 

He will bring me out into the light; 

I will see his righteousness.

• This is the speech of encouragment that Coach Jesus gives.

But he's not just coach. He's team Captain. 

What's he do at the end of the speech?

11:1 When Jesus finished teaching his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

He's on the field. So let's go.

• Hymn 396 O Jesus I Have Promised

Courageous

• Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

on Matthew 10:26-33, Jesus sent the Twelve to teach and preach and heal, to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is near... and tells 'em there will be opposition.

www.FirstChurchBville@gmail.com  @FirstUMCBville  @kerrfunk

• Jesus' warning / encouragement speech in Matthew 10 continues.
Don't be afraid of those who can kill the body...
God values you. Don't deny God.

→ Life & faith & discipleship are bigger than our years on earth.

• Persecution is alive and well in the world.
We've been horrified at news over the last week or more about Christian genocide in the Middle East, young and old being tortured, raped, beheaded, because they're Christians. Tens of thousands starving in mountains where they're trying to escape persecution.

And there are no easy answers. Negotiate? Deny Christ? Retaliate?

• I take comfort in belief / knowledge / hope that God will ultimately prevail, and that earthly sufferings and injustices are but temporary afflictions. They are horrific now but will be but a fleeting glimpse then.

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NCV) We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater than the troubles.
(Also verse 1, we do not lose heart – be courageous!)

1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness ...”

• Your discipleship may not be challenged like Iraqi Christians' today,
yet it does no good to “weigh” your challenges against theirs,
any more than it helps starving kids in India when you clean your plate.

• Hebrews 10:23 (NRSV) Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

• What to do? Keep the faith. Terrible to drop your light because of darkness elsewhere.
What to do? Church / recharge / refuge / huddle
What to do? PRAY. Pray specifically. For strength, for relief, for end of persecution,
for peace, for hearts to change. For course.

Write. Send $. Maintain local witness. Acknowledge Father.

• Hymn 468 Dear Jesus, in whose life I see...

Jesus' D-Day Pep Talk

• Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

on Matthew 10:16-25, Jesus sent the Twelve to teach and preach and heal, to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is near... and tells 'em there will be opposition.

www.FirstChurchBville@gmail.com  @FirstUMCBville  @kerrfunk

• That was quite a storm we had yesterday. High winds, black clouds, sideways rain... reminded me of my cousin's wedding 20 years ago, at least the rehearsal. Incredible storm the night before the wedding. It was an outdoor wedding, on the banks of the San Antonio River, which was a raging torrent of swirling muddy water from the rains the night before. Perfect illustration for the priest's wedding homily, don't you think?

Kind of like Jesus' little pep talk here. Pep talk? It's alarming! True, but...
see General Patton's address to troops just two weeks before D-Day...

“You are not all going to die.  Only two percent of you, right here today, would be killed in a major battle.  Death must not be feared.  Death, in time, comes to all of us.  And every man is scared in his first action... Every single man in the Army plays a vital role.  Every man has his job to do and must do it.” (G. Patton, pre-D-Day pep talk.)

Jesus, sending The Twelve into discipleship, does not sugar coat. Some will die. Persevere.

Don't ask why do bad things happen, but what do we do when bad things happen? Peresevere. Hold head high. Think outside the box. Be creative.
What DON'T we do? Don't despair. Don't cave in. Don't give up.

• One aspect of Christianity is discipleship, resolve. Be like Christ.
In difficult circumstances, what did Christ do? Held head high.
Withdrew. Prayed.
Face circumstances w/ fear maybe, but not cowardice.
Jesus' pep talk: Trials and beatings, even execution, they're gonna happen. Persevere.

& when it happens, it's not a sign that you're supposed to stop.
Sometimes we look at difficult circumstances as signs to quit,
when in fact they may be signs that we're on the right path!

Rev. Shauna Hyde, (First UMC, Ravenswood) addressing local hunger needs via outdoor refrigrator. Until complaints brought in Health Dept. Tuck tail or persevere?

• Jesus says you will have opposition.
From trusted leaders maybe. Even from family.
Don't despair. Persevere.
Jesus was betrayed by close friend. He's with you.

The original audience of this passage would've thought of Micah 7:6 Son disrespects father / a daughter rises up against her mother / a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law / the enemies of a man are those of his own household.

How about the next verse:

7 But me! I will keep watch for the Lord /
 I will wait for the God of my salvation; / my God will hear me.

• Per last week: there's an urgency to Jesus' message.
The time to proclaim is now.
Verse 23 you won't even get through all of Israel before the Son of Man comes...
By our understanding, SOM hasn't returned... but...
I work better w/ deadline than ambiguity, how about you? Don't delay.

• Also trials = witness opportunity. Whereas last week's message was to go to the lost sheep of Israel, this week you'll speak to foreign kings... your witness will be heard far and wide, and news of the Kingdom will spread.

• Hymn 617 I Come With Joy...

On a Mission from God

(Alternate title: Time to Make the Donuts)

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

on Matthew 10:5-15, Jesus sends the Twelve to teach and preach and heal, to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

www.FirstChurchBville@gmail.com  @FirstUMCBville  @kerrfunk

• In the eighties there was this donut commercial... “Time to make the donuts.” This guy was always making donuts, around the clock, no matter the weather. They were always fresh.

There is an urgency in Jesus' words today.
You go when the harvest is ready (which is now).

But unlike a crop harvest which you know when you're done, this is an ever-necessary harvest...
it's always time to make the donuts.

• What's the urgent message?
“The kingdom of heaven (KOH) is near.” (verse 7)

Why is it an urgent message?
People don't know. People forget.
People get tired or deceived.
People need reminded that
the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

What's the KOH look like?
It looks like people doing the things Jesus did.
It looks like people preaching and teaching, healing, raising the dead, and cleansing the sick, casting out demons.

What's the message? KOH is near... 

When all you can see is sickness and pain,
hear this good news: KOH is near. Here I am. 

When all you can see is poverty, hear this good news:
KOH is near. Here I am. The people of God are here.
The hope of God is here. The God of hope is here, and
the kingdom looks like people working together.

How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

• Second point about Jesus' instructions:
verse 6: go to the lost sheep of Israel.
Start where you are.
Start with familiar, with family, with neighbors, with coworkers. You don't have to go far to represent KOH,
to share God.

• Third point: Trust God a la Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding.

Jesus says don't load up for a big journey...
trust in God and rely on the hospitality of others.

Don't let the logistics of your mission derail your mission.
Your mission is not about your skills,
your talents, your ingenuity, etc.
but about working with God, working with and through others, inviting others into kingdomwork with you...

KOH can be proclaimed by anyone, anywhere.
You don't need special equipment, so go and tell.
People are hurting and hungry now.

• Oh, and btw, sometimes you'll be rejected.
Don't let it bother you. Shake the dust off.

You don't get strong by carrying a grudge.
Leave the past behind you. Give it to God,
and you be hospitable anyway.

• KOH is near.
It looks like the church following Jesus, reaching out, inviting, healing, living.

• Hymn 562 Jesus, Lord, We Look to Thee

At the wedding of Kim and Mike

Mike and Kim married each other on Saturday July 19 at First Church.

Much of this wedding sermon I've shared before at other weddings, but I have not "published" it as it were.

This homile takes place after the declaration of intent and reading of scripture and before the vows and rings.

Well, we’ve already done the “dearly beloved” part, and we’ve done the “declaration of intent”... The weather has been fine and the ring bearers were able to complete their task even without shoes... The ushers got everybody seated alright, and nobody’s fainted or run off. That is worthy of applause. everything is going according to plan.

Now’s the part when I’m supposed to say something deep and meaningful about marriage, while bringing up witty and funny things about Kim and Mike.

I met Mike and Kim about nine months ago... I know their stories a little bit. How they met through the emergency management thing where Mike is some kind of assistant director of 911... he lured a date out of Kim with candy, something like that.

You know them, know their love where Mike looks at Kim and says “Wow, I sure am a lucky guy” and where Kim looks at Mike and says “You got that right”

In premarital I had ’em write letters to each other, splaining their love (and I’d like to read ’em to you now) (just kidding)

I won't read the whole thing, but listen to how Mike started his: “We met for the first time June 14, 2010. At 5:06PM.” You can tell he's a 911 director, including the time. 

Say, Mike, how many days ago was that? (Mike: 1,495). 

Kim, do you know how many minutes that is? (Kim: 2,154,129).

Kim closed her letter with “Your love helps complete my life.”

Their letters were beautiful. Talking of the depth of love they so freely share with each other, how they’re inspired by the other and uplifted by the other, how they see the other as a gift from God. Each one says “I can’t believe you chose me. It’s amazing that you choose me, I can’t believe how you complete me.”

Mike is foundation in a world where Kim has known instability, and Kim expands Mike's connections. They have been by each others' sides through surgeries and tragedies, and together they're learning about unconditional love.

They are foundation for each other, and anchor, and they are at the same time the wind beneath the wings of their dreams. They are motivation for each other, an unexplainable positive force. They are light to each other. Together they move forward, and they move forward together.

It is beautiful to behold.

But this DAY & this MARRIAGE are not about you as individuals, but about (you) and the mystery of your union. I say “mystery” because from this day forward, though you retain your individuality, something new is created that includes both of you and yet is different than each of you, something more that the sum of its parts. Something new, designed by God.

God designed us to be together. Literally. God created us in love and designed us physically, spiritually, and emotionally to go through life with a partner, and when partners are together in Christ, when God is a part of relationships, then God adds to our ability to make lifelong promises.

It’s a good thing, because feelings in relationships change. There will be times when the two of you are closer than you ever imagined was possible, and there will be times when you have to choose to act in loving ways, because there’s mess in the world, even in the world of your marriage.

God calls this mess “sin”, and it came in to the world through the devil’s deception, and human beings took over from then, trading truth for lies and putting self above others, even above God.

And in God’s grace God provides a solution to the unstoppable mess of sin: he gave us his son Jesus Christ.

Lo and behold, Jesus comes and loves us like a husband and wife love each other. Loves us more deeply even than Mike and Kim love each other. And his deep love for us motivates Jesus to say “I give my best for you... I give of my very life for you.” & because of his exemplary selflessness we are able not only to have fellowship with God forever, but we’re able to do some pretty incredible things here on this earth... like make such promises to each other as lifelong fidelity to one another in times of laughter and times of tears, in health and illness, success and failure, conflict and tranquility, even in doubt and in trust. Your relationship with each other becomes life-giving

It is the perfect love of God that brought us to this sacred space on this day, and it is the perfect love of God that will guide you and sustain you throughout your marriage, throughout your life together.

Mike and Kim, I am thrilled to stand here today before God and your friends and family, witnessing to your commitment to each other, and I claim for you the perfect love of God, who has taken the pieces of your pasts and brought you together, which has sustained you in the past, and binds you together today, and which will be over, under, around and inside of you, sustaining you and binding you and bringing you to maturity together, I claim that abiding power for you in Jesus’ name. Amen.