March 22, 2021

March 22, 2021

Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty

For we are aliens and transients before you, as were all our ancestors; our day’s on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. —First Chronicles 29:15

They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland... but as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. —Hebrews 11:13-14,16

The peculiar history of the Israeli people is that they seemed destined, both in Biblical times and thereafter, to be travelers.  The Hebrew Bible often reflects this, and, as indicated above, it’s mentioned in the New Testament as well.  A traditional recitation of Jewish history begins, “a wandering Aramean was my ancestor” (Deuteronomy 26:5.)  The Hebrew word ger has been translated many different ways, depending on the version; the NRSV, used here and in our pew Bibles, often uses “alien,” or “stranger.”  Other versions use “traveler,” “pilgrim,” and “immigrant;”  I especially like the word “sojourner” used by the King James.

Scripture draws at least two lessons from this sojourner status.  God’s people are reminded to be kind to travelers, since they’ve been there themselves.  More importantly, our temporary status humbles us before everlasting God.

Do we think of ourselves as sojourners like the Jewish people?  I don’t believe so.  I know that we understand, on a spiritual level, that our existence In this life is temporary.  But I doubt that the issue has the same physical immediacy.  Even though we  live in a mobile society, we don’t, as a people, travel in search of a homeland.  On the other hand we do, individual and collectively, travel in time, because of rapid change.  Even if you live a mile from where you grew up, the world you live in is a million miles away from a few decades ago — or even a few years ago.  So perhaps we can learn something from what the Bible says about sojourners.

If we do think of ourselves as travelers, something else is worth observing.  If you read many travel books, you’ll note that one of the most common “tips” given in them is to travel light.  (That’s especially important, of course, if you’re hiking.)  The idea is that you’ll get the most out of the trip if you focus your attention on your surroundings rather than on carrying and keeping up with your stuff.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

March 21, 2021

March 21, 2021

Join the online worship service any time after 9 a.m. here: stmarkknox.org/sermons

20 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”
– Luke 17:20-21

The midst of Jesus teachings about the kingdom of God, we see so much about the already and the not yet.  I know that phrase might be confusing to some, but the essence of that phrase “the already and the not yet” reminds us that we live in a faith that Jesus has already come, died on the cross for the sins of the world and risen again.  This means that the kingdom of God has already begun. For the billions of people who have believed and received the salvation of the cross, they know that the kingdom of God is real, and they have their reward in heaven, or are awaiting it the moment they leave this life.

Yet, we know that the kingdom is not yet complete. The world keeps on turning, new life come upon the earth every day, as families welcome new babies. We had a magnet on our refrigerator as one point which said “Babies are God’s way of saying he wants this world to continue.” Each new day we are reminded that this world still exists. So the time when heaven and earth pass away and the new heaven and earth are revealed has not yet happen, so we are in the “…not yet.”

In this time of “already and not yet,” however, we can still see the kingdom of God. Jesus, the verses above is attempting to teach the Pharisees about this. They do not yet understand. They believed the kingdom of God would put them on top, they would be set up as rulers and no longer under the oppression of Rome. However, Jesus says to them, you can’t say “here it is, or there it is.” Instead, you we must look among you. The beauty of seeing the kingdom of God, is when we look among us, and see the beautiful faces of those with whom we share this kingdom.

God’s kingdom isn’t about material riches, but the richness of relationships with those whom God loves, and whom we love. As I get the opportunity to see more of you coming back to in-person worship I’m reminded of the beautiful kingdom that is among us.  I know some will remain at home for now, and I honor you for your choice.  Please know that your church family is praying for you, and we continue to know you, too, are a part of this glorious community, and the kingdom of God.

May we continue to do all we can to expand the kingdom among us by sharing the love we have for God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 20, 2021

March 20, 2021

Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves.  All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, and will become a cause for pride.  For all must carry their own loads. —Galatians 6:2-5

Dr. Thomas Lambie (1885-1954), according to a story I recently read, was for decades a medical missionary in Africa.  The area where he lived had many rapid, treacherous streams.  Bridges were few, and crossings  were difficult, with the risk of being swept away by the current and drowning or being dashed against the rocks.  Local people had developed an ingenious solution; they would carry heavy stones when they crossed; the extra weight gave them sure footing in the streams.  In one sense, the heavy loads made the crossing harder, but in another sense they made the crossing easier — in fact, in some cases they made the crossing possible.

We have no shortage of burdens in our world.  Some of these are obvious to anyone who follows the news; some are on a more personal level; and some may be closely guarded secrets.

In Galatians, Paul says that we should carry each other’s burdens, but shortly afterward he says that each should carry their own.  As is often the case in the Bible, we solve this apparent contradiction by the context.  You probably take this passage, as I do, to mean that we should carry our burdens when possible, but that we should also be willing to help others when needed, and be willing to let them help us when needed.

Carrying a burden may require more than just effort; it often  involves thought and planning (and prayer.)  Likewise helping others may require more than just saying “I’m available.”  Sometimes we need to summon up all our cleverness and empathy to figure out how to help.  We may have to spend more time and energy in understanding what to do than in doing it.  But if this heavy stone illustration is valid, it can be worth the effort.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

March 19, 2021

March 19, 2021

12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” – Luke 17:12-19

I’ve said it before, but I always feel it is worth repeating.  Luke, being a converted Greek physician loves to focus on the foreigner, the outcasts, the non-Jewish as receiving the kingdom of God.  Luke’s focus is as such because he is one. Luke has no birth qualification to inherit the kingdom of God through the Messiah, however, he has believed in Jesus, and received the Holy Spirit. His gospel account is to help others like himself know and realize that they too can have salvation through Christ.

Jesus, still on his journey towards Jerusalem, somewhere between Samaria and Galilee is approached by a group of lepers. We might assume he has passed near a leper colony for so many to be together. Lepers did often live in community to help one another, as they would have been considered unclean and unable to stay in society.  These lepers must have heard about Jesus, because they approach him, but they are noble to keep their distance because they knew they were unclean. Jesus never touches them, he simply speaks to them from a safe distance, and they are told to show themselves to the priests as clean.  It is on their way that they become clean, simply by their faith, and the power of Jesus.  

For so many who still long to return to the faith community, I hope this message would be a relief, for we are strengthened by the community, but in times when we must be absent the power of the Holy Spirit is still uniting us and bringing healing to our weary souls.  What an amazing God to connect us in such a way!

The second lessons is this, when discovering they had been made clean, only one, the Samaritan (the foreigner) returns shouting praise to God.  All have been made clean, but few give glory to God.  This lesson reminds us that while God’s blessings are meant for all, only few will give praise to God for what God has done.  May we be among the few, that whether we are able to return to the community, or continue to worship from a distance, we would shout praises to God for God has immensely blessed us.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 18, 2021

March 18, 2021

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.  24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” – Luke 16:19-31

Despite what we might want to believe, not everything we consider good in life is actually good for us, in this life as we move towards the next. This parable may teach us a little about the equalizing effect of end of this life, but it may also have more to say about how to begin the abundant and enteral life now.

 Though we would think that the unnamed ‘rich man’ was an example of why one should give to the poor, this unnamed man is unnamed for a must simpler reason. His name is not written in the book of life, thus he remains nameless. The only thing the rich man has going for him is his good life on earth, where he is able to dress in nice clothing, and eat whatever he chooses each day. And when I read that statement about what made this man ‘rich,’ it really makes me stop and think. He was rich because he wore nice clothes every day, and could eat whatever he wanted. How many of us where nice clothes?  How many of us can eat whatever we want each day? I know it’s true for me, and makes me realize I might have more in common with the ‘rich man’ than poor Lazarus.

But there is still hope, and it’s found as this parable is less about how these individuals lived their life, and more about the exchange between the rich man and Father Abraham.

In the Jewish tradition in which Jesus is teaching, if one were a ‘child of Abraham, they would be a part of the promise to be a great nation, and one day would join Father Abraham, and be welcomed into his bosom, where there would be rewards forevermore. It’s similar to the ideas that we have heard that in heaven that awaits those who believe, there are untold riches and joys that await. However, that there is a chasm to see between the eternal places where one could speak across might be lost on us.

We must recognize that this is a story, a parable to illustrate a point. And we might get hung up on the separation of good and evil, but I ask that we let that go. Instead focus on the conversation of Abraham and the rich man.

Knowing that his place was fixed, the rich man pleads, if not me, then perhaps my family can be saved.  Abraham, could you send Lazarus to my brothers, I have five of them, and warn them about what is coming when they die? Abraham, according to Jesus, replies, but they have Moses and the prophets, they should listen to them.

Jesus is using this parable to speak to the people about the law and the prophets, which should have been taught to them by the Pharisees and Scribes, however, very few truly understood the nature of this teaching to Love the Lord their God, and love their neighbor as themselves. The rich man did not love his neighbor Lazarus, and now pleads that if Lazarus was raised from the dead to warn them, then they might believe and start to live right.

Jesus ends the parable simply with this.  If they don’t believe or listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. This message predicts both Jesus resurrection, and how some still will not believe.

When Jesus died on the cross, he descended to the lower realms and sets the captives of death free, those who followed him. And after seizing the keys of hell and death, he rose again, returning to this world alive. If one can’t believe the words of Moses and the prophets, will they then believe one who came back from the dead?  Would someone rising from the grave make you consider showing mercy, and living in the love of God, and showing it to all your neighbors?

As we get closer to remembering the Jesus on the Cross during Holy Week, may we also grow in living a life resurrected in Him.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 17, 2021

March 17, 2021

…keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. – Jude 1:21

God’s mercy meets us every day, and so today, on this St. Patrick’s day, I’m reminded of the prayer that reminds us to think on Christ in all things, to remember the mercy that awaits us, and to live as those to whom mercy has been shown, giving God honor and glory for the life we now enjoy, and later will inherit in eternity. So, allow me to share this portion of a prayer found on the breastplate of the venerated saint, and may we seek the goodness of God in Christ, always and forever:

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 16, 2021

March 16, 2021

Sharing from our congregation: David Petty

Moses’s father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.  You will surely wear yourself out...You should. represent the people before God and bring their cases before God; teach them the statutes and instructions, and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do.  You should also look for able men...Let them sit as judges for the people at all times” — Exodus 18:17-18,19-21,22

...like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood...
—First Peter 2:5

In 1215 a group of British nobles met with King John in a meadow west of London and signed the “Great Charter.”  The Magna Carta did not immediately establish democracy in England; that took several centuries, some of them quite bloody.  Similarly, the U.S. constitution, ratified 1787-1790, only established “democracy” for the upper class.  It has taken over two centuries for democracy to be extended to non-landowners, women, and minorities, and we’re still working on it.  Political change, like God, operates on a different time scale than the ours.

Moses usually took his instructions directly from God, but on one occasion he heeded the advice of his father-in-law.

By giving up some of his personal power to a group of others, Moses initiated the slow process of “opening up” the church to all, just as American and English democracy was slowly opened up.  Peter, who became the most powerful person in the church, proclaimed that all Christians are priests.  

It’s unclear who first used the term “priesthood of all believers,” although Martin Luther surely implied it.  John Wesley advanced the idea.  “Give me one hundred preachers,” he wrote, “who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergy or laymen...”   The later emphasis of the Methodist church on well-educated clergy might seem to contradict this, but only in the sense of suggesting specific roles for specific people; all are called to participate in the work of the kingdom.

So despite a few stumbles, there seems to have been a general movement in the church for participation by all.  Yet there is a force in the opposite direction.  Just as the idea of physical exercise has deteriorated to paid athletes being watched by people who main exertion is moving their fingers across the remote, there are folks for whom church has become a spectator sport.  It’s a performance by the pastor, some musicians, and a few others, observed in the sanctuary or via electronic devices.  Church is something to view, not something to do.

I know I’m exaggerating here.  In a smaller church like St. Mark, especially, most of us feel compelled to participate, sometimes in multiple ways.  But I find that I have to fight the temptation to say that since others can do a better job, let them.  As in so many cases, we need the support of each other and the power of prayer.  Armchair Christianity, like armchair athletics, spares us a lot of the pain of the struggle.  It also deprives us of a lot of the exhilaration of the game and enjoyment of the victory.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

March 15, 2021

March 15, 2021

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty

At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven, and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove...He waited another seven days and again set out the dove...Then he waited another seven days and again he sent out the dove. —Genesis 8:6-8,10,12

And you thought you had it bad being cooped up due to the virus.  At least you weren’t stuck on a boat with every kind of critter.

Noah had two great virtues: the faith to build the ark in the face of ridicule, and the patience to survive the time in the ark.  First he had to wait 40 days for the rain to stop, then 150 days for the water to start going down, then a while for the raven to stop flying, then — you get the picture.  And let’s not forget the patience of his wife and family on this critter cruise.

In the Bible patience is not just a worthy trait; it’s a recurring theme.  There’s the patience of Abraham and Sarah who waited until their old age to have their promised heir; Jacob who worked for 14 years to marry Rachel; Ezekiel who lay on his side for months; Zechariah who experienced nine mute months waiting for his son John to be born; the early Christians waiting for the day of Pentecost.  I could give many more examples, but you’d probably become impatient with me.

The details of our current problems are unique, with the consequence that the details of the solutions must be unique, but I think that on a spiritual level they are not.  The Bible suggests that situations that need endurance and patience are not just possible; they are to be expected. 

So it makes sense to learn from those who have gone before us.  Their response to comparable situations may tell us how to act or how not to act.  I said that Noah had two great virtues, but that’s not quite true, is it?  Truthfully, it might be just one virtue, for patience is an outgrowth of faith.  If we truly believe that great things are coming, it’s worth the wait.  But patience doesn’t always mean waiting idly.  Sometimes we are called to do what we can in the meantime.  

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

March 14, 2021

March 14, 2021

To join our online worship at 9 a.m. or later, please go to: stmarkknox.org/sermons

The blessing of the Lord makes rich… - Proverbs 10:22

Today, as we prepare for worship, I want to share a story from a little book entitled Life’s Extras by Archibald Rutledge. Rutledge writes:

I made a casual acquaintance on a train one day speeding across the autumn landscaped. The conversation seemed thoughtful, reflective, a little wistful as we talked about the things we saw from the car window.  At last we came to a big meadow wherein were grazing half a hundred beef cattle.  I said something inane about the prosperity of the country, the glowing future of the livestock industry, and so forth. “look at those little daisies,” he said, pointing to a bright patch of them in a far corner of the meadow.  Then he added, “cattle somehow can‘t thrill me.  There’s more hope for humanity in a wild flower than in tons of beef.”

Long after he left me, I kept thinking of what he said, wondering just what he had meant. His idea, of course, was that a wild flower is one of life’s extras, one of those things that we do not have to have but which we enjoy all the more for that very reason.

The more I thought about this, the more it appeared that Creation supplies us with two kinds of things; necessities and extras.  Sunlight, air, water, food, shelter – these are the necessities. With them, we can exist. But moonlight, the sunrise and sunset, the stars that twinkle at night, these are extras; music, flowers, beautiful fragrances, the song the wind makes rustling through the trees, all life’s extras.

It is life’s extras that make it enjoyable.

It is life’s extras that we experience the grace of the Holy Spirit, the divine love of God that surpasses all understanding.  The little extras of knowing someone and being in relationship, of falling in love, of holding a new born baby.  Oh for us to know the grace of God that each little extra has given.  And I look at you this day, and having known each of you. You have made my life a little extra special.

I’m always amazed at our Almighty God who could do all that needs to be done in an instant, in the flash of an eye, yet, God believes in the extras, calls us to enjoy the little things, and encourages us to put the pieces together, because there’s just more joy in doing the work, in creating, and assembling.  Because therein we get to experience the extras that make life worth living.

May God’s blessings richly bless you with all the extras you can imagine.  God love seeing you smile at his extras, and so do I.  Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 13, 2021

March 13, 2021

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty, missions chair

UMCOR Sunday, Tomorrow March 14, 2021

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share.
— First Timothy 6:18

I grew up in a small town in Middle Tennessee, on the Cumberland River upstream from Nashville.  My brother still lives there on Riverside Drive.  You may recall that in 2010 a devastating flood hit Nashville.  The same flood hit upstream as well.  My brother’s house, which has the highest elevation on his street, was completely surrounded by water.  (He and his family had already evacuated.)  Fortunately no water got into the house; the only damage was that an outside air conditioning unit was ruined — it was fully insured.  Also, when he went to clean out his pool later, there were fish in it.

His neighbors were not so lucky.  All of them had evacuated too, but every other house on the street was flooded, some damaged beyond repair.

When the waters receded, the first people to show up, other than residents and local authorities, were volunteers from UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

Some were from Knoxville. They spent several days helping to clean up, repair and rebuild, and provide emotional/spiritual support.

UMCOR, which celebrated its eightieth anniversary last year, directs emergency relief efforts and ongoing projects all over the world.  It’s nice to hear about its work in Africa and Asia, but I can tell you that when it comes to your own home town it takes on a whole new significance. 

Methodism has made many contributions to theology, but it has never let that stand in the way of doing all the good we can.  March 14 is UMCOR Sunday.  Donations on that day go to administrative costs; all other funds go directly to relief efforts.  We preach with our hands, backs, and goods as well as with our mouths.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

March 12, 2021

March 12, 2021

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
- Ephesians 4:4-7

Around the year 1767 a man named John Silsbury was a mapmaker in London. One day he mounted one of his maps on a piece of hard wood, cut around the borders of the countries and made the first jigsaw puzzle as an aide for teaching children geography. In the late 1800’s with the invention of cardboard the idea really caught on as more than just a tool for education, but an enjoyable way to have fun and pass the time.

I’m sure everyone has put together jigsaw puzzles at some time or another. What starts out as a bunch of cut up pieces with persistence and time, with endurance and staying power, eventually comes together to form a picture. One strategy for working a puzzle is to start with the corners and the edge pieces first and work your way in. That defines the borders and the sets the framework for seeing the big picture. That creates the vision and the dream of what the finished goal looks like.

God the Father, through Christ the Son, and with the Holy Spirit puts us together in his kingdom.

Christ forms us into a holy body from an individual piece, a group of pieces who are united in purpose, mission, and love for one another and love for the Lord. The whole body fitting together, that is the kind of church we should want to belong to. One that Christ is directing, one that is relying on the movement of the Holy Spirit. A community of faith that God has brought together, and is leading and growing to reflect a heavenly kingdom. 

The kingdom is the overall puzzle, but each church is a little part of that puzzle. When we are directed by Christ, when we are following the leadership of the Holy Spirit everything fits together. Everything works when we allow Christ to join His divine life to ours.

In this way we become the pieces God uses to make a kingdom of the divine choosing. 

People tend to believe in the mantra 10% of the people do 90% of the work, but the truth is, if only 10% are doing anything, then everything isn’t getting done. God has a bigger plan in store, and the Holy Spirit is urging, we just need to open our ears and open our hearts and listen.

You, each of you, need to understand that what you do matters for the kingdom of God.  You can make a difference in the world, in this community, in this church. You are a leader, you just may not realize it yet. 

The way you live. The things you do. The things you say create a picture of what's possible. People look at you and will say, "If she can do it, I can do it." “If she can overcome that struggle, that temptation, that hardship” so can I. “As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow.”

John Wesley said, “Let me be employed by thee or let me be laid aside for thee.” That first part is honestly easier for some than the second part. But learn this lesson: There is untapped power in laying aside a work while you stand alongside, or know whom your successor will be.

Knowing who is following you is key.  Paul knew that he would not be there for the church every single day. Paul knew that his leadership was only temporary, but the work of the Holy Spirit inside the church is continuous and eternal.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
- Ephesians 4:15-16

Some assembly requires.  We have probably at some point dreaded those words on an item we bought, wondering if this was going to be a little assembly, or take a day off kind of assembly. How much we enjoy this assembly may have to do with our personality as well.  Some among us absolutely love putting things together, getting lost in all the pieces to create something beautiful in the end. Others, just want to appreciate the finished product, and admire the construction without having to be a part of the process.

In the church at Ephesus, and honestly the church in general, Paul saw that there were those people who believed in the work, could do what needed to be done, to evangelize, to preach, to teach, to admonish, to do whatever it was that needed to be done to expand the kingdom of God. Paul also experienced plenty who just wanted God’s kingdom to come, they didn’t want to put in the work, they just wanted to enjoy the benefits of God’s blessings.

Paul’s reminder to this church, and to the church as a whole, is that we all must work together to see the kingdom of God come to fruition.  It is Paul’s calling of us to remember that there is no individual who is of a higher status in the church, but that the church is built on the community of faithful believers who seek to make Jesus Christ the center of everything that is said and done.

Church, this is our message today, and should be our message for the generations to come.  There is nothing that happens in the church or for the kingdom that I have done, or you have done.  We, individually, and collectively, are only doing what we do for the glory of Christ Jesus our Lord, we are just a part of what God has done, and is doing to build the divine kingdom.

The great urging of this passage is to remind us that all that we have, and all that we are, is because of the love of God seen in Christ Jesus, and because of the urging of God’s Holy Spirit. It reminds us that as we move forward, we must also move ever upward to do all that we can for the good of God’s kingdom, for we all belong to God, in the One kingdom that is now and forever.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 10, 2021

March 10, 2021

Pray in the Spirit at all times in ever prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. – Ephesians 6:18

Most of the time we think of perseverance as something placed on the self, that we must persevere in some trial, and with God’s help, we will succeed.  However, the early church focused much more on the community of faith as a whole rather than on the individual’s faith.  So many times, we read the ancient letters and perceive a message to us as individuals, but in reality it is the whole community, working together, that is to do what it takes to persevere in the faith. After all, we are all one in Christ Jesus.

In this verse from the apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus, much is said to lead the community to be at peace with one another, that they would work together, encouraging one another, and reflect in community the kingdom of God. Paul calls for them to put on the whole armor of God. However, if we study the way the armor worked in the ancient world, it did some in protecting the warrior, but the roman design for armaments, was that the entire regiment would work as a whole, that the armor, and shield of one warrior would work alongside the other, that the entire regiment would succeed.

Paul uses this analogy, for the church, and especially for the church’s prayers. They are to pray in the Spirit, for there is One Spirit and One Lord, thus when the community if focused on the work of the Holy Spirit among them, there is unity. Also, they are to preserve in their prayers for the saints – they are to pray for their fellow believers, those who are in community with them, and those who are a part of the kingdom who are far off.  Doing this, I believe, Paul is teaching the church the power of being connected, even if only in prayer, for then we are paying attention to what God is doing among creation, and we can focus on our part for the greater whole.

May we, the church, today, pray in the Spirit, remember the saints, and preserve in our prayer for the whole church as we see the kingdom expand for the glory of God’s name.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
 – Psalm 121:8

The Lord, our helper, is the one on whom we need to keep our focus. It may not always feel like it, especially in the times during this past year when we have felt isolated at home. Yet, God has been watching over us.  We have made it this far, we have survived to this day, and we have reason to give God praise.

It’s hard to believe that this week last year, was the last that felt ‘normal,’ it was the last week, before this deadly pandemic took hold of our lives.  There has been many times it seemed like life would never resume. Yet, the psalmist reminds us that when we lift our eyes to heavens, we see the Lord who is our help, watching over our movements.  I’ve thought about the 121st psalm quite a bit this past year, and in this final verse of this short psalm, we are reminded that as we keep our focus on God’s help, he is watching over us. As we may start to go out a little more, I pray that we will continue to do our part to be safe, keep others safe, and know that God is with us every step of the way.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 8, 2021

March 8, 2021

But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and only brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.  “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own?  And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal?  How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart?  You did not lie to us but to God!!”  Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. — Acts 5:1-5

I’ve always found this story from Acts to be puzzling.  I’m still puzzled by it, despite the remarks here, which are speculation.  If you have any ideas please share them.  

Incidentally, Ananias is a popular name in Acts; there are three men with that name.  Although this story presents its information somewhat obliquely, it seems that the sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not failure to donate their total proceeds — they had a right to give whatever they chose.  It was that they tried to deceive others about what that had done. 

Luke, who wrote more of the New Testament than any other individual, often wrote parallel passages.  That is, a passage in his gospel might relate to one in Acts or vice versa; or adjacent or nearby passages in the same book might be related.  One parallel here might be the story of the end of Judas in Acts 1:18-19.  There are some big differences — Judas trades money for a piece of land and Ananias does exactly the opposite.  But in both cases the motives appear somewhat confused.  Judas seems to have been motivated by more than simple greed.  Likewise, although greed may have played a part in Ananias’s decision to keep some of the money, he could have done that without the deception.

In both cases the sin leads to a chain of consequences.  Judas’s action harms Jesus and by extension the community of disciples.  Ananias’s action is against the Holy Spirit and by extension the community.  Both stories end in sudden death (two in the second case.)

So here’s what I see in this.  I’m not certain that one sin is worse than another; all sin is sin.  But if there is one kind of sin that is particularly dangerous, it is that which harms the community.  In the early church, threatened as it was, care of each other was crucial.  We find ourselves in a similar situation now, even if for quite different reasons.  Let us be especially sensitive to harm to the community of faith.

Gracefully submitted, 
David Petty

Sam, here: The call for us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to build the community of faith, and to stand against oppression, are all issues that we face as a community. Brian McLaren writes about the unknowing bias’s we hold in his book: Why Don’t They Get It? Overcoming Bias in Others  (and Yourself). Part of building the community in faith is being willing to listen to one another, to understand viewpoints that may differ from our won, and see that which brings life to the community. In doing so, we may all grow, and we may all avoid unknowing harm to those who would be our neighbor.  

March 7, 2021

March 7, 2021

Join our online worship at 9 a.m. or later at: stmarkknox.org/sermons

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. – Luke 14:27

Many who have lived most of their lives in the church, can recall some of the most oft-quoted sayings for Jesus. If, like me, you spent your younger years in Sunday School and doing memorization and speed drills to find verse, you might even be able to quote chapter and verse of many of those familiar quotes. Yet, when we set back and look at how these verse frame the full story, we might notice a few more things.

The gospel of Luke, for instance has Jesus sermon about the true cost of discipleship among a large crowd that had gathered, while Jesus is making his way towards Jerusalem, and we must realize that this is towards the end of Jesus public ministry.  The framing of this sermon teaching us the way out the cost of what it means to follow Jesus. During this time, Jesus is popular among the people surrounding Bethany, and many come to the places where he is staying to hear him speak. Yet, Jesus knows where he is going, and the cost it will take on him. He is seemingly weeding down the follows, to those who are willing to go all the way with him to the cross, to the grace.  They are told they must carry their own cross and follow.

Following this statement, there are small parables speaking of what it means to weight the cost, to know what it takes and to live for true purpose, casting aside that which does not matter (“possessions” – Luke 14:33). Jesus concludes this sermon with the statement of salt losing its saltiness or flavor, and being good for nothing – the reminder that purpose matters in the following.

It is just after this, that we come to another set of parable about weighing cost. As we flip the page to Chapter 15, we find those familiar stories of the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son. Here we see Jesus purpose for why he must continue to seek, offer forgiveness, and follow the path the Father in heaven has set for him to become the Savior of the World. Perhaps this framing will help us to remember our purpose in sharing the good news, helping others know the love and mercy of our God in Jesus.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 6, 2021

March 6, 2021

Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty

I am about to do a new thing!   Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? —Isaiah 43:19

Some seed fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold. — Luke 8:8

Seeds are considered to be a sign of newness, but we make a seed grow by planting it in soil that is, well, as old as dirt.  How do we balance the old and the new?  Specifically, how does the church react to dramatically changing times, responsively and responsibly, while still adhering to its established message, one that we somewhat ironically refer to as news?  We worship the ancient of days, but we are called to do so by serving and proclaiming on this day.  And by preparing to serve and proclaim in days to come. 

It’s a big question, and I’m a small man.  But in these truly unprecedented times, it’s big enough that we need to look for answers urgently ... if we believe that church should be more than something to comfort ourselves in our old age.  So here are my ideas, as a small contribution to the discussion.

First, although I don’t believe in jumping onto everything new just because it’s new, neither should we be afraid of the new.  Newness is a gift from God.  It’s a blessing, even if folks my age have a hard time accepting that.

Second, we need to be clear on just what our message is, and what’s secondary.  That means making the hard effort to learn, and making a continuing effort to remember. 

Third, it’s good to notice that history sometimes cycles, so that what seems to be new might be a recurrence of the old, even if in a somewhat different form.  Let me give what I hope is a simple illustration.  For ages storytelling has been a popular means of teaching and sharing information (the Bible provides numerous examples).  Over the past century or two, however, scientific and rational thinking has led to more direct and specific styles of communication.  In recent years storytelling has re-emerged, even if it frequently takes multimedia forms never imagined by the original storytellers.

The first step to solving any real problem is accepting that it’s a problem.  Some people that I love will disagree with me on whether change is a problem.  They will say that the church does not need to change, that people should either accept it as it is or go elsewhere.  I respect that view, but I believe a close reading of scripture indicates otherwise.  What do you think?

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

March 5, 2021

March 5, 2021

Sharing from the congregation – Sue Biggerstaff

Give thanks to the Lord  - Psalm 136:1 

In the book Soul Keeper by Joel Ortberg, he writes about gratitude being linked to the words benefit, benefactor, and beneficiary.  Each word begins with bene which means good in Latin.  

A benefit is something you receive that you recognize as being good.  

Bless the Lord who daily loads us with benefits.  (Psalm 68:19)

A benefactor is the one who bestows good gifts.

Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the father.  (James 1:16)

A beneficiary is the receiver if the good gifts.

Consider the great things God has done for you.  (1 Samuel 22:24)

Gratitude comes when we consider the gifts we have received and the one who gave them.  The devout Jew in Jesus' time would pray "The Thirteen Benedictions."  We think of a benediction (good words) coming at the end of a sermon, but the ancient Jews would pray these in the morning, at noon, and at night.  Each benediction began with "Blessed  are you Lord."  It would then continue with something for which they were thankful.   

The writer of psalm 136 gives us a specific list of things for which he is thankful, and he reminds us that God's love endures forever.  Our list would be very different since we live in a different time period.  Think of the blessings we have today that past generations would never have dreamed about. It should be very easy for us to pray thirteen benedictions since we are the beneficiaries of so many benefits from The Great Benefactor.

Gracefully Submitted,
Sue Biggerstaff

March 4, 2021

March 4, 2021

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
    and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
    shall worship before him.
28 For dominion belongs to the Lord,
    and he rules over the nations. – Psalm 22:27-28

The beginning of the 22nd Psalm, attributed to David, shows the expression of Lament, with the infamous words also uttered by Jesus on the cross, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me.” Yet, even in lament of one’s own situation in life, we find the reminder that we are called to honor and praise God. For we stand in awe of His majesty.

It is easy for us to want to lament our situations in life, when aspects of life are difficult, but we must remember that no matter the path we walk, Jesus walks with us.  The gospels and epistles teach us that Jesus has walked the difficult path of humanity, and so we know that no matter what we face, Jesus has taken on worse.  The God who cares for us, walks the path beside us, giving us all the more reason to offer our praise.

God cares about the laments we have in life. Despite those circumstances that cause us to cry out, God listens, hears, and is present with us. The psalmist recognizes this pattern of lament to rejoicing, and even in this lament, the claim is made that we must continue to praise God, honor him in our worship, and remember that all belongs to the Lord, who has dominion over everything.

When life becomes dire, let us continue to praise. When life is good, let us continue to praise. In all the in-between times let us continue to praise. In all our life, and with all our life, let us praise the Lord, and let our worship be for His glory.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

March 3, 2021

March 3, 2021

1 The heavens are telling the glory of God;
    and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
    and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
    their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world. – Psalm 19:1-4

As we inch closer to spring, and after experiencing a few warm and sunny days last week, I’m reminded again of the beauty of God’s perfection written in creation. Each season has a beauty of its own, but the blue skies of spring, the fresh smell of new flowering buds, grass, and the sound of birds chirping, remind us that all life is restored.

When the psalmists writes of the “voices that go out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world,” It is the song that creation itself is singing. Creation is telling the story of life beyond death, of a new and coming kingdom that has no end, that sparks creation and beauty, that tells of the enduring love of God to see that things continue onward and upward.

I hope it reminds us of the journey we are on in this season of Lent, as well, that we are onward with Jesus towards the kingdom that is here, yet is still to come, when all life is made new.  I hope it reminds us that Jesus said to his followers; if the people where to stop singing the stones themselves  would shout the proclamation (Luke 19:40).

God’s creation reminds us that we are part of all that is being made new, and we have the voices in which to sing praise to God, let us join with heavens filling the firmament, with God’s praise.

Grace & Peace,
Sam