Suit Up and Show Up

• 20th Sunday After Pentecost
World Communion Sunday

with Luke 17:5-10

www.FirstChurchBville.com   @FirstUMCBville   @kerrfunk

Having the faith of a mustard seed woulda been nice last week when Jimmy E. was removing the well-rooted shrubberies alongside and in front of the church. It took a tractor, two backhoes and two days, but the job eventually was completed…

But. The life of faith is neither magic nor self-serving. 

Jesus has just told the disciples to forgive their brother 7 times in a row if necessary, and they say This is an impossible thing… they cry Increase our faith! We want to do what you say, but we just can’t see how it can be done.

Faith is not measured like flour; it is enough that faith exists.

Forgiveness is our job. And we have the power to do it.

• The life of faith is neither magic nor self-serving,
but it is for benefit of humankind, for the glory of God.
“Soli Deo Gloria.”

 “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3: 23-24)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

• The Hunger Walk is today, to raise hunger awareness, and funds.
Recall a child’s first steps: you call the grandparents, take a picture!

I have no clue how many steps my teenager took yesterday, and I did not call the grandparents. It’s normal. It’s expected.

The second part of today’s reading feels a bit harsh,
no special treatment for doing your job…

What is our job?

The mission of The UMC: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

The mission of First Church: to share the love of God with people in a hurting world.

These ideas should inhabit our every action.

• In all circumstances, represent God. Suit up and show up. That’s the point.

I read recently someone was asked why God allows suffering:
“The existence of suffering calls us to action.”

Suit up and show up.

• Last week we remembered part of the baptismal covenant p. 35 #8, p. 38 #15     
This week p. 34 #4, p. 37 #12

p. 34 #4

On behalf of the whole church, I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin? (I do.)

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? (I do.)

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your  Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? (I do.)

p. 37 #12

Remember your baptism, and be thankful.
The Holy Spirit work within you, that having been born through water and the Spirit, you may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

• Hymn 635 Because Thou Hast Said

Luke 17:5-10          (The Voice)       

⁵ The apostles said to Jesus:
We know we don’t have enough faith! Help our faith to grow!

(Pointing to a nearby mulberry tree) Jesus replied: ⁶ It’s not like you need a huge amount of faith. If you just had faith the size of a single, tiny mustard seed, you could say to this huge tree, “Pull up your roots and replant yourself in the sea,” and it would fly through the sky and do what you said. So even a little faith can accomplish the seemingly impossible.

⁷ Imagine this scenario. You have a servant—say he’s been out plowing a field or taking care of the sheep—and he comes in hot and sweaty from his work. Are you going to say, “You poor thing! Come in and sit down right away”? Of course not! ⁸ Wouldn’t you be more likely to say, “First, cook my supper and set the table, and then after I’ve eaten, you can get something to eat and drink for yourself”? ⁹ And after your servant has done everything you told him to do, are you going to make a big deal about it and thank him? [I don’t think so!] ¹⁰ Now apply this situation to yourselves. When you’ve done everything I’m telling you to do, just say, “We’re servants, unworthy of extra consideration or thanks; we’re just doing our duty.”  X

James 2:14-17 (CEB)

¹⁴ My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? ¹⁵ Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. ¹⁶ What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.… X