First Lesson: Exodus 17: 1-7
Responsive Reading: Psalm 78: 1-4, 12-16
Second Lesson: Philippians 2: 1-13
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 21: 23-32

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
The Reverend Henry Maxwell tells the following story[1].  Once upon a time, as soon as Dr.Maxwell finished his sermon.  A man stood up from the very back pews of the church.  The man proclaimed “I have something to say.”  No one in Dr.Maxwell’s congregation knew the man.  Some had seen him sitting in the back row pews a few times during the last several months.  The man proceeds to get up then walk to the very front of the church.  He begins his speech by saying “I want you all to know that I’m not crazy, nor am I drunk. I’m perfectly harmless.” “I just want to say my what I need to say before a crowd such as this one.”  People were too stunned to respond really; not even Dr.Maxwell tried to stop him. 

Everyone was expecting some sort of personal testimony; instead what they got was much different.  The man started telling how he had lost his job as a printer about ten months ago[2].  He explained how technology had made the only job that he had ever known obsolete.  He had spent the last ten months, trying to find work, only to have door after door shut in his face.  The man began telling how there are more people out there than anyone here can imagine.  The man began to explain how he was by no means the best Christian there ever was, his list of sins was long and predictable.  There was something that he was trying to figure out about Christianity.  He always heard Christians talk about following in “Jesus’ steps.”  He couldn’t figure out what exactly this means?

You see the man described his job search throughout the city, his Sunday morning visits to the church, and how in all this time people were constantly looking to get away from him, rather than offer any sympathy[3].  The man described how many of these people had no doubt read their scriptures, prayed their prayers, and yet deep down something was missing.  The man described he wasn’t angry, just merely stating facts. 

The man understood everyone had bigger problems in their life than his job search, yet he couldn’t quite figure out what Christians meant when they sang the song “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.”  What does it mean “To do what Jesus would do to those most in need?” 

At that moment, the man passed out.  He was taken to the congregation’s parsonage and then died a couple of days later[4].  The man from the back pew had heard plenty of religious talks but seen from his Christian neighbors very little religious action.

Now as you picture the man from the back pew of the Church, we come to Today’s Gospel lesson from Matthew 21.  In our lesson for Today, Jesus tells a parable[5].  Jesus tells a tale of a man who had two sons.  The man owned a vineyard.  The man asked the first of the two sons, to go work in the vineyard.  The son decides to insult[6] his father by declaring “He won’t do so.”  Anyone that has ever had a rebellious child can probably picture the attitude of this son.  You had a young man with whom the Father had given everything, declaring that he didn’t care about any of this “I will not work in your vineyard.”  Something interesting happened though with the first of these two sons.  Hours later minus any big scene, he actually went and worked in the vineyard.

Now Jesus tells of a second son.  The second son was quite a bit different from the first.  The second son seemed to have a better attitude “He declared that he would cheerfully and joyfully go work in the vineyard.”  He told his father, “I will jump however high you want me to.”  The second son would appear to be perfect.  The straight a-student, who never got in any trouble whatsoever at home or school.  While the second son talked a great game, he proceeded to talk a good game only to do nothing in return.  Certain other matters were more pressing than working in the vineyard. 

So after Jesus tells this story, he gets to the point “Which of the two (sons) did the will of his father?”  Everyone agreed that it was the first son who did the will of the father?  The first son’s actions mattered ultimately more than his words. 

Jesus’ point was the following the first son represents the sinful, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, and all those who would at first glance appear to be enemies of his kingdom.  As bad as they had been in the past, they possessed the ability to acknowledge their need to change their ways and seek a savior[7].
The second son represents the religious authorities of Jesus’ day.  They had money; they had political power, they could quote scripture way better than the first sons ever could.”  Something was missing.  Just like in the case of the congregation who encountered the man from the back row pews.

Jesus’ point is it doesn’t matter how good a game a person talks in comparison to their neighbor if it doesn’t advance God’s kingdom. 

One of the big news stories in the past week involved President Trump, NFL QB Colin Kaepernick, and the debate whether kneeling before the National Anthem is an act of peaceful protest or a sign of egregious disrespect to our country.  People shouted their convictions loudly.  The extremely passionate called for boycotts.  Everyone wanted to say their piece like the man from the back of the church to let others know how right and virtuous that they truly are in the debate.  Like in the story I told earlier of the man from the back row pew, we often tend to miss what’s truly important. 

Perhaps what Jesus is getting at this morning can be illustrated by the story of another back pew type in Daryl Davis.  Daryl Davis is a jazz musician[8] who has spent countless nights playing in seedy clubs where many a good Christian person dare not venture.  Daryl Davis is an African-American from Chicago. 

Daryl Davis one night in 1983 was playing in a Country-Western bar. Davis was probably the only African-American in the bar that night[9].  A patron was impressed not hearing piano-playing like Davis’ since Jerry Lee Lewis.  The men strike up a conversation. The patron admitted it was the first drink he had shared in his life with a “black man.”  Davis inquires further finding out that the man is a member of the Ku Klux Klan. 

What did Daryl Davis do after this? He decided to become an expert in the Ku Klux Klan interviewing members all over the country.  All this leads Daryl to appear on The Geraldo Rivera show[10].  Daryl encounters a twelve-year-old girl named Erin Puig who brags about her parent’s involvement with the Klan and her desire to join when she gets older.  So after the show, Davis finds out something interesting about Erin Puig.  Her father is in prison for ten years.  Daryl Davis proceeds to call Tina Puig (Erin’s mother), once he reveals himself, he is called every nasty name in the book.  Daryl Davis though does not slam down the phone; he instead makes an offer.  He is going to be in the area; he offers to drive Tina and Erin Puig to visit their Ku Klux Klan father in prison.  The Puigs are shocked.  No one from the Ku Klux Klan had ever offered such a thing.  Five years later, Daryl Davis, Tina and Erin Puig would stand together on Martin Luther King Day speaking on the need for racial reconciliation[11].

Here’s what makes Daryl Davis’ approach so remarkable. He doesn’t condemn or shame his opponents.  He is patient looking to win victories in the future rather than the present.  Over 200 members of the Ku Klux Klan have handed their robes over to Daryl Davis in the last thirty plus years.[12]  The road hasn’t always been easy, Davis has had guns and knives and fists put up to his face.  Daryl Davis, every day of this unique ministry, is guided by his faith.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”-Romans 5:8.

Not every activist cares for Daryl Davis’ approach.  He’s been called foolish for believing the supposed wrong people can change[13].  Daryl Davis believes like in Today’s parables that one’s words or even one’s actions don’t necessarily tell their whole story. 

Jesus tells us a parable Today with a similar message.  The parable is about two sons.  One son looks like he belongs in the back pew of the church (wanting to sneak in and out without much notice or fanfare for whatever reason), yet it is this son who ultimately does the will of his father.  The other son walks around with his chest sticking out, yet his beautiful words don’t ultimately match his results.

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our sins sweep us away.”-Isaiah 64:6. 

Jesus’ point doesn’t have to do with the nature of the sons, but rather the nature of the father.  Both sons despite their outward appearances, despite their various sins, both needed Jesus to enter the Kingdom of God before them.  Now both sons (the front-row pew sitters and back-row pew sitters) are being called to come together just like Daryl Davis to work in their Father’s vineyard.

Amen
 
 
 


[1] Zingale, Tim. “What Kind of Sinner Are You?” Sermon Central. 19.Sept.2005. Web. Sept.21.2017.  Reverend Zingale found the story in Charles Monroe Sheldon’s In His Steps.
[2] Zingale, Tim. “What Kind of Sinner Are You?”
[3] Zingale, Tim. “What Kind of Sinner Are You?”
[4] Zingale, Tim. “What Kind of Sinner Are You?”
[5] Matthew 21:28-32
[6] Capon, Robert Farrar. Kingdom, Grace, and Judgment: Paradox, Outrage, and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus. Eerdman’s Publishing. Grand Rapids, MI. 2002. Print. P.445. 
[7] Molin, Steve. “Trick Questions.” Sermon Writer. 2002. Web. Sept.21.2017. 
[8] “Daryl Davis.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 19.Sept.2017. Web. Sept.21.2017
[9] Brown, Dwane. “How One Man Convinced 200 Ku Klux Klan Members To Give Up Their Robes.” NPR. All Things Considered program.. 20. Aug.2017. Web. Text Transcript. Sept.28.2017.
[10] Zahl, David. “Why I Invited Daryl Davis to Speak in DC.” MBird (Mockingbird Ministries). 1.Sept.2017. Web. Sept.21.2017. 
[11] Zahl, David. “Why I Invited Daryl Davis to Speak in DC
[12] Zahl, David. “Why I Invited Daryl Davis to Speak in DC.”
[13] Chason, Rachel. “A black blues musician has a unique hobby: Befriending white supremacists.” Washingston Post. 30.Aug.2017. Web. Sept.2017.  

Exodus 14: 19-31
Responsive Reading: Psalm 114
Second Lesson: Romans 14: 1-12
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18: 21-35

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most influential people in the 19th Century.  Napoleon in his years as emperor of France led the French into a global power like no other ruler in the country’s history.  Napoleon’s military genius is still studied throughout the world nearly two centuries after his death.

Less known that Napoleon though is his sister Elisa[1].  Elisa’s life was quite active having served as a member of the French Royal Family at the height of their empire.  Elisa though is known for something else than this though.  On her death bed, someone in the room commented to Elisa that “Nothing is as certain as death[2].”  Elisa while dying wanted to make one last point as she mouthed out the word “Except taxes.”  So Elisa Bonaparte’s greatest legacy is the phrase “Nothing is as sure in life as death and taxes.”

While Elisa’s words seem tough to argue, I know someone that would disagree with Elisa Bonaparte’s assessment of life’s certainties.  The Apostle Paul wrote the whole Book of Romans which we have been hearing about all summer would dispute the point about death and taxes being life’s greatest certainties. 

The Apostle Paul’s point about life’s certainty comes to us in our lesson for Today: “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and the living. – Romans 14:8-9

Paul’s words contain some of the most powerful promises in the entire Christian faith.  “We belong to the Lord[3].”

Picture the following scenario[4].  Imagine a girl named Hannah.  Hannah is a girl not much older than seven years old.  Hannah on a particularly busy Saturday at the Mall goes to the stores with her mother.  Mother tells Hannah to “stay nearby.”  Hannah being a curious seven-year-old wanders accidentally away from Mother.  Hannah and Mother notice they’re separated at about the same time.  Hannah goes one way, and Mother goes the other way.  Mother figures that she’ll quickly find Hannah in a matter of minutes.  Hannah keeps wandering further and further away trying to find Mother.  After an hour, Mother gets really worried about what exactly had happened to Hannah. Mother’s heart is beating what seems like a million beats a minute; tears begin to well in Mother’s eyes.   What Mother soon sees out of the corner of her eyes off in the distance is Hannah looking lost, Hannah’s shoulders are shrugged fearing she’s never going to see Mother again.  At this moment, Mother calls out Hannah’s name.  Hannah turns her eyes are soaked with tears, and she runs into Mother’s arms.  For Hannah, there was no greater comfort in the world than knowing her Mother was near her side.  Hannah knew that even as she had wandered away, she didn’t worry about whether she would get in trouble, she took comfort instead that she remained her Mother’s most prized possession within the whole wide world. 

Here’s what Paul is saying throughout our lesson for Today.  We are Our Lord’s most-prized possessions; he will not stop searching for us until he finds us.  When we gather with the Lord, the reunion will go even way beyond Hannah and Mother within the Mall. 

Paul’s Lesson gets to the greatest hopes of the Christian faith.  “We belong to the Lord.”  This promise seeks to guide us when confronting life’s struggles[5].   The promise is that Christ truly has gone ahead to prepare a place for us.  Christ promises to keep us in his continual care.

A while back, I was talking to one of our high school seniors; he was struggling with where to attend college.  He was giving me all the options of the schools that he was considering.  He finally asked me “Will I not be as successful in life if I don’t branch out from Silver Bay?”

 As I hear the question, my only response is “Why try to find a place where you might belong when you’ve found a place that you know you do belong?”   You will never be held back by clinging to the people and places and ultimately the hope that you hold most dear.  

For the great earthly truth was earlier spoken by Elisa Bonaparte than death and taxes are certainties, yet there is no greater spiritual truth than when suffering and death, come your way, you want to cling to that which is most certain[6].  “You belong to the Lord.”  With this promise, Our Lord promises to take you even with him as he journeys through the grave alongside you, with new life waiting on the other side. 
Let me close with one last story illustrating What exactly does it mean to “Live and die to the Lord?”  September 1862, Lieutenant Colonel Wilder Dwight was sitting on a horse preparing to go into battle during America’s Civil War[7].  Dwight decides to pen a letter to his mother.

The morning of September 17th, Dwight begins his letter like any other letter home, exchanging pleasantries, and assuring Mom he’s doing well[8].

Dwight had to stop though in the middle of writing his letter as he was called into battle.  The battle on this day was intense and a bullet struck Dwight’s wrist going through into his hip[9].  The bullet ends up shattering Wilder Dwight’s hip.  Dwight collapses onto the ground, unable to move under his own power.  Dwight’s fellow soldiers offer to move him; Dwight refuses because of the nature of his wound.  So the battle moves on away from Wilder Dwight.  Dwight was a dying man lying alone in a field.  So needing something to do, he starts rewriting his letter from earlier that morning.

Here’s what Dwight wrote: “Dearest mother, I am wounded so as to be helpless.  Good bye if so it must be.
I think I die in victory.  God defend our country.  I trust in God & love you all to the last.  Dearest love to father & all my dear brothers.  Our troops have left the part of the field where I lay — Mother, yours Wilder[10].”

Lt .Colonel Dwight gets moved to a nearby farmhouse where he survives for two days.  In those days, he writes the very last words of his letter. “All is well with those that have faith[11].”

Here’s the remarkable thing about Wilder Dwight, he was well right before entering into battle, gets struck, and lying on his death bed- he remains “well” two days later.  Either “living” or “dying,” Lt. Colonel Dwight knew that he ultimately belonged to the Lord[12].

Many Bible scholars believe the Book of Romans to be the last letter written by the Apostle Paul.  The book of Romans is a summary of everything that Paul believed about the Christian faith.  What did Paul believe through shipwreck, persecution, arrest, and imprisonment as he stared death in the face.  Paul believed like Lieutenant Colonel Wilder Dwight that “Whether he lived or died that he belonged to the Lord.”  The whole point of the Book of Romans can be summed up in this phrase.  Christ upon the Cross declared “You belong to me” and death’s not going stop that.  “You will be mine forever.” We could study the Bible for years and years, and not hear it any clearer than the Book of Romans.  Sometimes the last letter like in the case of Lieutenant Colonel Wilder Dwight can say all we really need to say. 

Amen
 
 


[1] Klaus, Ken. “Famous Last Words.” Lutheran Hour. 23.June.2013. Web. Aug.18.2017. 
[2] Klaus, Ken. “Famous Last Words
[3] Structure of Sermon inspired by Brandt, Mark. “Belonging to One Another.” Lutheran Hour. 29.July.2007. Web. Aug.18.2017. 
[4] Figured the following analogy would work. 
[5] Meyer, Timm. “We Belong to the Lord.” Sermon Central. 27.Sept.2007. Web. Aug.18.2017. 
[6] Metaxas, Eric. “The Little Way of Ruthie Leming.” Breakpoint. 7.May.2013. Web. Aug.18.2017 taken from Pastor Leon Stier’s “No Place Like Home”  Email Mediatations. May.9.2013
[7] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.” Email Meditations. 22.Oct.2016. Web. Aug.18.2017.   
[8] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”
[9] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”
[10] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”
[11] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”
[12] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”

First Lesson: Exodus 12: 1-14
Responsive Reading: Psalm 149
Second Lesson: Romans 13: 8-14
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18: 15-20

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Saint Martin’s Lutheran Church had recently called a new pastor in Pastor Wilson.  Pastor Wilson’s first Sunday the sanctuary at Saint Martin’s is full[1].  Everyone was eagerly awaiting Pastor Wilson’s first sermon.  They had been hoping throughout the call process that God would bring them a gifted and dynamic preacher.  Pastor Wilson’s first Sunday contained a sermon based on our lesson for today from Romans 13[2]:
 
“Love does no harm to the neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”  Pastor Wilson echoed Jesus’ words to “love one another just like I have loved you[1].”
 
The congregation hung on every one of Pastor Wilson’s words.  A few overly boisterous congregants started clapping at the end of the sermon.  Parishioners were thanking members of the Call Committee after the service for bringing them such a wonderful preacher[4].
Before the next Sunday’s service, word of Pastor Wilson’s wonderful sermon had spread.  Additional Chairs were now set up in the back because so many people had shown up to worship.  As Pastor Wilson began to speak what seemed like the same sermon was given “Love does no harm to the neighbor.”
 
The congregants at Saint Martin’s Lutheran were confused.  They had heard the same sermon the previous week.  They figured though that Pastor Wilson was merely making subtle points based on the same scripture as the previous week.  They just needed to listen more carefully the next week.
 
The next Sunday the congregation at Saint Martin’s was full once again.  Pastor Wilson again gave the same sermon word for word.  “Love does no harm to the neighbor.”  This time it was obvious that Pastor Wilson was just giving the same sermon again and again[5]. 
 
The Church Council was upset at this point[6].  They called an emergency meeting with Pastor Wilson after the service.  They asked Pastor Wilson “What’s the deal?”  Pastor Wilson was stumped “What do you mean, Love does no harm to the neighbor,  such a message is at the center of a Christian’s day to day existence.  While Pastor Wilson made sense, the Council still asked: “Why do you keep preaching this week after week?” To which Pastor Wilson replied, “Once you actually learn to love rather than harm our neighbor then I’ll preach something different.”
 
You see a lot had been going in the lives of Saint Martin’s congregants.  They had neighbors who threw house parties that went on way too late and got way too loud.  They encountered neighbors who slighted them through their words and actions.  They even had neighbors who dared cheer for the Green Bay Packers!  As Pastor Wilson kept hearing these things, again and again, he decided to keep preaching the same sermon again and again. 
 
The story of Pastor Wilson and Saint Martin’s brings us to our lesson for Today from Romans 13[7].  In Today’s lesson, the Apostle Paul seeks to give insight into the direction of the Christian’s life. 
 
Martin Luther spoke about God working through both hands when interacting with this world.  God’s right hand is the hand by which he creates faith and salvation[8].  God’s left hand is used to protect the world around you from harm.  The Church is a right-hand institution.  Whereas the Government, Lions Club, School, or Family would be left-hand institutions. 
 
For Luther, it was very important that Christians not confuse under which hand they lived their life.  We say no to things like letting kids play in the middle of Highway 61 or drinking and driving not because God can’t possibly save people who engage in such activities (right-hand), but rather because of the harm such activities cause to our neighbor and ourselves (left-hand)[9]. 
Such practices echo Pastor Wilson’s sermon from earlier “Love does no harm to the neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” 
 
I came across a Lutheran preacher named Kevin Ruffcorn who explained this well when he says[10]: “For Paul (in our lesson), the fact that Christians are eternal beings makes a big difference in how we live our lives.  We have broken free of the expectations, short-sighted goals, and self-centered interests of this world.  Paul invites his readers to view possessions from a perspective beyond their physical lives.  Jobs become vocations and ministries.  Daily life is transformed from acquisition to a life of service.  Grudges aren’t worth nursing and relationships become valuable.” 
 
The whole point of the Book of Romans is the Cross of Christ flips the world upside down.  God’s unconditional forgiveness changes how we understand life, death, victory, and defeat.  The Cross because of this certainly brings a different perspective on how to interact with our neighbors.
 
While in College, Thomas Steward accidentally stabbed his eye with a knife[11].  His bad eye was permanently blind because of the accident.  The Surgeon fearing damage to the good eye, recommends the bad eye be removed.  Thomas Steward has his operation, but there was a mistake.  The surgeon had accidentally removed the wrong eye.  Thomas Steward would now be blind every day for the rest of his life. 
 
Thomas Steward did not let this deter him from pursuing his education.  Thomas Steward enrolled as a student at McGill University in Montreal.  Such a career would seem to be a long-shot as law school requires all sorts of reading.  Thomas Steward though had a brother named William who was also a law student at McGill.  William Steward would help Thomas to class, he would read to Thomas all the assigned reading and write down Thomas’ words so he may submit his tests and papers.  William Steward was a good student; he came in second in his graduating class at McGill Law School.  His blind brother Thomas Steward came in first in the class[12].

“There are two kinds of love: we love wise and kind and beautiful people because we need them, but we love (or try to love) stupid and disagreeable people because they need us.  The second kind is the more divine because that is how God loves us: not because we are lovable, but because he is love; not because He needs to receive, but because He delights to give[13].”- C.S. Lewis.

I want to close with a story this morning.  This story illustrates the meaning of Pastor Wilson’s repeated sermon that I referenced earlier.  It’s a story that gets at the meaning of our lesson over how the Christian life centers on loving our neighbor to prevent harm.  Even if they might seem to be “stupid” or “disagreeable.”
 
Miss Thompson was a new teacher in town[14].  Miss Thompson had a student in her fifth-grade class that every teacher dreads.  Ted Stallard was anti-social, easily distracted, he dressed sloppy, didn’t care about his appearance at all and looked like he just didn’t care.  Ted was the worst student in class and had no friends.
 
Night after night, when correcting papers, Ted’s papers were red mark after red mark for all his wrong answers.
 
Miss Thompson would have found something interesting if she had studied, Ted Stallard’s records[15]. 
 
1st Grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, home life is troubled.
2nd Grade: Ted could improve. Mom is seriously ill.
3rd Grade: Ted is a good kid but always serious never smiling.  Ted struggles with learning. The mother died last year.
4th Grade: Ted is very slow and way-behind, he is well-behaved but disengaged.  Ted’s dad doesn’t seem to care at all.  

So Christmas arrives during Ted’s 5th Grade year[16].  The Children place their gifts upon Miss Thompson’s desk.  Ted brought Miss Thompson his gift.  Ted’s gift was merely contained in a brown paper bag wrapped by duct tape.  All the children gather around to watch Miss Thompson open her gifts.  Out of Ted’s package falls a bottle of the cheap perfume.  The children began to laugh at Ted’s gift.  Miss Thompson normally would have placed the gift aside, but some power came over her, so he sprayed her hand.  The children grew silent.
 
At the end of school that day, Ted comes up to Miss Thompson’s desk.  Ted says “Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother… I’m glad you like the present.” 
 
These words convicted Miss Thompson that it was her not Ted that needed to change.  Once Ted left the room, Miss Thompson got on her knees and prayed that God changes how she loved her neighbor daily. 
 
The next day, Miss Thompson was a different teacher.  She saw the slow children as just as valuable in God’s eyes as the gifted ones.  Through Miss Thompson’ efforts, Ted began to show great improvement.  By the end of the school year, Ted had even passed a few students in her class.
 
Years soon passed without hearing much from Ted.  One day seven years later, Miss Thompson received a note.
 
Dear Miss Thompson:
Wanted you to know.  I will be graduating second in my class.”
Ted
 
Four years later[17].
 
Dear Miss Thompson.
I just found out that I will be graduating top of my class at the University.  I wanted you to know because of your impact on my life.
Ted

 
Four years later.
Dear Miss Thompson:
As of Today, I am Theodore Stallard M.D.  I wanted you to be the first to know.  I am getting married also next month; she’s a great girl, you’d really like her.  The 27th next month to be exact.  I want you to sit where my mother would have sat if she were alive.  You are my family as Dad died last year[18].”
Ted
 
The next month, Miss Thompson would be escorted down the aisle at Dr.Stallard’s wedding[19]. 
 
Today in many Churches is known as “Rally Sunday.”  The first day of fall where Churches envision their ministry to the communities that they serve in the “new” school year ahead.  To reach out requires the courage to believe that God doesn’t see people as the world sees them.  It takes courage for a new preacher to keep giving the same sermon again and again till the message gets through.  It takes courage for a new teacher to wear a cheap perfume like it’s a fragrance that came down from heaven.  It takes courage to reach out to the community that can be different from us in so many ways.   As Christian people, we celebrate “the new” because we believe that a God powerful enough to bring us back from the grave, believes the Ted Stallards around us are worthy of love, forgiveness, and “new life” also!  Amen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



[1] McLarty, Dr.Phillip. W. “Love One Another.” Sermon Writer. 2005. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[2] There is some creative re-imagining taken with Dr.McLarty’s analogy. 
[3] John 13:34. 
[4] McLarty, Dr.Phillip. W. “Love One Another.”
[5] McLarty, Dr.Phillip. W. “Love One Another.”
[6] McLarty, Dr.Phillip. W. “Love One Another.”
[7] Romans 13:8-14. 
[8] Madson, Meg. “Aitken’s Not Achin’ Over the Harm.” Cross Alone Blog. 21.Jan. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[9] Madson, Meg. “Aitken’s Not Achin’ Over the Harm.”
[10] Ruffcorn, Kevin. “A Different Perspective.” Sermon Central. 13.Sept.2011. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[11] The following analogy comes from John MacArthur’s New Testament Commentaries
[12] Llewellyn, Tony. “Sermon Illustrations: Love.” Hot Sermons. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[13] Stier, Leon. “Two Kinds of Love.” Email Mediations.8.July.2017. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[14] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear.SP Publications. 1990. Print. Pg.111-113 taken from Sermon Illustrations website. 
[15] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113
[16] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113
[17] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113
[18] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113
[19] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113

First Lesson: Exodus 3: 1-15
Responsive Reading: Psalm 26: 1-8
Second Lesson: Romans 12: 9-21
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 16: 21-28

“I think it wiser, not to keep open the sores of war, but to follow the examples of those nations who endeavored to obliterate the marks of civil strife and to commit to oblivion the feelings it engendered[1].”- General Robert E. Lee
​
Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Once upon a time, a hurting woman was walking along the beach when she saw a bottle hidden in the sand[2].  She picked the bottle up and pulled its cork.  Whoosh! A big puff of smoke appears and out of the bottle comes a genie.  The genie is grateful for her release from the bottle, and as a token of her appreciation she grants the woman “three wishes.”  There was one catch though for the “three wishes,” her spouse would receive double of whatever she requested.

“Why?” the woman wanted to know.  She then started giving the Genie a list of litanies about her husband: he was a cheater, a drinker, unkind, uncaring, and his behavior was unchristian in every way.
To which the Genie not intending to argue with the woman says “That’s just the way the wishes work.”

The woman says “Fine; I want a million dollars.”  The Genie snaps her fingers and a million dollars are lying at the woman’s feet.  Right at that moment, the husband with his new girlfriend had two million dollars placed at his feet.

The woman for a second wish asks for the world’s most expensive diamond necklace[3].  The genie snaps her fingers again and the woman is holding a beautiful treasure in her hand.  As for the cheating husband, he was now set for life with not only two Million dollars; he now possessed enough wealth in diamonds so he would never have to worry about money ever again.

The woman as she stares at her necklace and money just can’t shake her anger and her husband receiving double[4].  She asks once again “Genie, is it true that anything I wish for my husband gets double.”  To which the genie replies “yes.”  The woman has a light bulb go off in her head as she says “Genie for my final wish, I want you to scare me half to death.”

Now was this woman justified in anger towards her husband? “Absolutely.”  Did her anger blind her to the best way forward? “Absolutely.”

Robert E. Lee was a Confederate general during the Civil War.  Robert E.Lee’s historical legacy in many ways is quite complex[5].  Three Weeks ago, Robert E Lee’s memory brought about some of the worst we know in this country.  Robert E Lee’s statue was to be taken down from a park in Charlottesville, VA.  To protest the statute’s removal, White Supremacists and Neo-Nazi sympathizers from all over the country gathered.  The presence of these groups promoted backlash which eventually turned violent.  Sadly, one woman died in the ordeal. 

And in the response, people would try to outdo themselves in condemning the White Supremacists and Neo-Nazis. 

The events in Charlottesville raise a question for us as Christian people “How do we respond to the cheating spouse or the people with whose core convictions we disagree with in every fiber of our being.”
Today’s Lesson comes to us from Romans 12 (Part 2)[6].  In Today’s lesson, the Apostle Paul is writing to a Christian minority living in the presence of Jewish and Roman majorities.  Paul realized something about being in the minority.  You are at risk of being hurt through another’s careless words and actions.  The natural response to all this is to fight back with all the fury that we can muster.  When we’re kids and our siblings hit us, we hit back[7].  When we’re adults, we’re very creative at justified our reaction at the presence of injustices in our own lives.  (We wish to see our cheating spouse scared to death, or White Supremacists beaten with Baseball bats). 

Here’s the problem though, our sense of justice is often skewed.  We assume that our anger can make the world perfect.  The problem is like in Charlottesville; we only end up making the world broken.  It is only our Lord’s sense of justice that God make the world once again. 

What is the Apostle Paul’s advice for us Today as Christian people: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good[8].”

We will all have occasions where we are justified in wanting vengeance.  What we must remember is scores are not best settled by humans longing for revenge, scores will eventually be settled on the day that our Lord makes our creation right[9].  We are ultimately not righteous; we will not make the world righteous.

So then how should we respond to those who appear to be enemies of our truth?  Let me tell a story
The year was 1862[10].  A Union soldier named Lt. Charles Coley was killed during the Battle of Cedar Mountain.  Lt. Coley’s remains were supposed to be sent to his hometown of Gray, Maine.  When his family opened his casket, they received a surprise.  It was not Lt. Coley inside, but a Confederate soldier.  Lt. Coley’s family was at first stumped.  “What exactly do you do with this body?”  “They didn’t know his name, nor have any idea where to ship him.”  So they decided to bury him in Gray’s cemetery along the Union Soldiers of Gray who had been killed.  They figured the Confederate soldier's family would appreciate it.
The headstone reads “Stranger.  A soldier of the late war[11].”  For the first 90 years after his death, the grave was kept up no different than any other tomb within the cemetery.  In 1956, they decided to place a Confederate battle flag next to his tomb on Memorial Day.

Here’s what you should know about Gray, Maine.  Its population during the Civil War was around 1700[12].  Gray, Maine lost over 200 of its young man during the War.  They had legitimate grievances against the Confederacy.  The people of Gray could have very easily disposed of the body in an unidentified field, but instead, they decided to treat the Confederate stranger’s body as one of their own[13]. 

We live in a nation with nasty rhetoric from all sides on a daily basis.  We disown people who disagree with us.  I came across a news story in the aftermath of Charlottesville where a Fargo father publically disowned his son for participating in the rally[14]. The basis for a human relationship cannot be spiritual purity either for others or ourselves. Otherwise, the world will continually break piece by piece.  I hear stories like the response of the people of Gray, Maine and I wonder whether there is a better way for us as Christian people to respond to those who persecute us.

Moving forward as Christian people, we need more than mere outrage to reach those around us ultimately.  The Apostle Paul who wrote our passage spent much of his ministry being persecuted.  Sometimes we need to advocate restraint with our response even as we might want to raise our fists with every fiber of our beating. 

I wish to close this morning with one final story.  Which perhaps can serve as a wish as to how Christians respond in the face of supposed injustice.

Patrick Greene was suing Henderson County, Texas[15].  Greene was appalled that the local county Courthouse had a manger scene outside during the Holiday season.  Patrick Greene like the lady with three wishes had a litany of reasons as to why he had been wronged by Christians throughout his life.
Shortly after his court case was heard, Patrick Greene was diagnosed with a detached retina[16].  The surgery would cost $20,000 or else Greene would go blind.  Greene could barely afford groceries let alone pony up this type of money. 

One member of Sand Springs Baptist Church heard of Patrick Greene’s troubles, notified her Pastor, and the Pastor reached out to help[17].

Greene didn’t actually want money for the surgery; he had more immediate needs in his groceries[18].  He informed the Rev. Eric Graham of this.  Greene believed there was too great a chance the surgery wouldn’t work anyway.  What did the Christians of Henderson County, do they start raising money on Patrick Greene’s behalf.

Greene received a first check of $400 with more support coming in after this.  Like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life only George Bailey was being played by the Christians’ worst enemy[19].  

How does Patrick Greene respond to this generosity?  He decides to start writing a book called The Real Christians of Henderson County.  Greene’s book was about how he had an Atheist couldn’t believe the Christians he met when he was in need.  What happened to the manager scene?  Patrick Greene dropped his lawsuit and offered to buy a star to place on top of Henderson County’s manager[20]. 

The Apostle Paul who wrote our lesson, he knew persecution.  The Apostle Paul had previously like Patrick Greene been an enemy of the church, who was now one of its vocal supporters.  The cost of this was not cheap.  Paul had been slapped in the cheek and called every name in the book.  Paul’s wishes were not revenge for his enemies.  Paul’s wish was that as Christian people, that we “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality[21].”  Paul’s final wish that no matter how broken the world around him got, Christ Jesus would be continually proclaimed.  Amen
 
 


[1] Lowry, Rich. “Robert E. Lee would have wanted his statue moved.” New York Post. 14. Aug.2017. Web. Aug.15.2017. 
[2] Nedwek, Tom quoted by Alex Thein. “Revenge”.  Sermon Illustrations. Web. Aug.14.2017 taken from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on unverified date. 
[3] Nedwek, Tom quoted by Alex Thein. “Revenge”. 
[4] Nedwek, Tom quoted by Alex Thein. “Revenge”. 
[5] Lowry, Rich. “Robert E. Lee would have wanted his statue moved.”
[6] Romans 12:19-21. 
[7] Marty, Peter. “Trusting God to Settle Scores.” Day 1. 28. Aug.2011. Web. Aug.14.2017. 
[8] Romans 12:19-21. 
[9] Marty, Peter. “Trusting God to Settle Scores.”
[10] Rouselle, Christina. “What the Confederate Stranger and A Small Town in Maine Can Teach Us About Human Decency.” Townhall. 21.June.2016. Web. Aug.15.2017 taken from Pastor Leon Stier’s Email Mediations.
[11] Rouselle, Christina. “What the Confederate Stranger and A Small Town in Maine Can Teach Us About Human Decency.”
[12] “Gray, Maine.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.15. Aug.2017. Web. Aug.15.2017. 
[13] Rouselle, Christina. “What the Confederate Stranger and A Small Town in Maine Can Teach Us About Human Decency.”
[14] Walsh, Paul. “Fargo father publicly disowns son for joining white nationalists in Charlottesville.” Minneapolis Star Tribune. 15.Aug.2017. Web. Aug.15.2017. 
[15] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.” Athens Review. Athens, Texax. 20.Mar.2012. Web. Aug.14.2017.  Taken from Pastor Leon Stier’s Email Mediations.
[16] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[17] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[18] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[19] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[20] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[21] Romans 12:12-13

First Lesson: Exodus 1: 8 - 2:10
Responsive Reading: Psalm 124
Second Lesson: Romans 12: 1-8
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 16: 13-20

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
C.S. Lewis[1] tells the tale of a sister and a brother named Lucy and Edmund.  Lucy and Edmund lived in Britain during World War 2 and they were forced to leave their home for the countryside to stay safe in the presence of German bombings[2].  Moving to the countryside was just the beginning of change within Lucy and Edmund’s life.  Lucy was the youngest of four children.  Lucy was known for having such a wild imagination that the other children often wouldn’t know what to make of her.  They thought Lucy was often not old enough to know any better.  Lucy one day finds a giant wardrobe in the house that she was living.  Lucy peeks behind the dresser to a see a door into the world of Narnia.  What Lucy sees in Narnia no one was going to believe: talking animals along with all sorts of other seemingly make believe creatures.  No one believes Lucy’s story at first until she takes the other children there also[3]. 

Lucy’s brother Edmund was her opposite in every way: Edmund didn’t get along with any of his brothers and sisters especially Lucy[4].  Edmund made fun of Lucy every chance he got for her silliness[5].  Edmund was known for being unable, to tell the truth.  Edmund would pick on smaller, weaker, children every chance that he got[6].

So here’s what you should know about Narnia where Edmund and Lucy travel[7].  Narnia was the world that had perpetual winter.  Snow, ice, the wind, freezing temperatures every day of the year.  Worst of all a wicked witch rules Narnia. When Edmund is in Narnia, he is willing to turn his back on his brothers and sisters at the first chance he gets, all so he can follow the Wicked Witch instead[8].  Edmund worst of all was negative, believing places like Narnia or even people were capable of being transformed.  His Sister Lucy, in contrast, was known for her strong faith and belief that things would ultimately work out in the end. 

Here’s the thing about Lucy and Edmund in Narnia, the silly Lucy was right, the change would soon come to Narnia in the form of Aslan the Lion.  Aslan would transform nasty into kind.  Aslan would transform the selfish into the selfless.  The greatest change of all would take place in the life of young Edmund.  You see Edmund had just done the worst thing that you could do in Narnia, Edmund had betrayed his loved ones.  The punishment for Edmund’s crime is he was going to die.  Edmund was going to be sent to the Wicked Witch’s grasp seemingly unable to escape.  Only Aslan the Lion dies in Edmund’s place instead.  Edmund and Aslan would seem to be forever separated from this point; only Edmund gets to see Aslan rise from the dead!![9].  Edmund was transformed every day of his life from this point forward.  Edmund became trustworthy[10].  Edmund stopped making fun of his silly sister for her foolish beliefs.

Now here’s what I want everyone to do.  I want you to picture the seemingly silly Lucy who perpetually lived with strong faith even when others thought it was silly versus Edmund who only judged life by the evidence of who was stronger?  Edmund believed that things could never change all that much.

Picture Edmund and Lucy now hear the words from our Romans lesson for Today:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind[11].”

The Apostle Paul speaks these words with a specific purpose in mind.  Paul doesn’t speak them to think like we normally do about transformation[12].  Not as a way of beginning your journey no different than the couch potato decides to become a marathon runner.  Paul’s intentions are to change instead of the perspective on the world that is around you.

For example, when I was in 4th Grade the most popular type of pants were called “Zubaz”  Zubaz were like a striped, sweat pants that had been made popular by professional wrestlers and weightlifters.  Zubaz were bright and always attention grabbing.  Here’s the thing about Zubaz they had a popularity shelf-life of about two years.  What was previously cool quickly became uncool.  Although ironically enough I will still frequently see Zubaz at Vikings games as they’ve made a bit of a comeback. 

Here’s the problem with though with finding our identity in the trends of others[13].  Like Zubaz they are always changing in and out of style. Zubaz were cool in 4th grade, but uncool in 6th grade.  Culture often represents repression on what you can wear, say, or even believe.  Culture fails to offer hope when it comes to lasting transformation since the judgments of the world around us are always changing.

Our identity as Christian people is rooted in something must different than the external means like Zubaz.  Any transformation that takes place within our lives often comes from that which we can’t see or measure.  We don’t grow more right with God by our earthly accomplishments.  We are instead defined by our identity with the Risen Lord.  Christ does promise transformation like what happened to Paul when he was blinded on the Road to Damascus.  Christ promises a transformation though even beyond this.  Christ promises that he will transform us once and for all in the Resurrection that is to come.  Transformation shall come as the old world is behind us as we come into the presence of our savior.

Let me close this morning with the following story[14].  One night a nurse working in the ICU looks out into the hall.  She sees a man who appears to be tired and stressed.  She figures that this must be the son of one of her elderly patients.  The nurse escorts the young man into the room proclaiming to the dying man “Your son is here.”  She had to repeat the phrase several times before the dying man could summon the strength to open his eyes.  The dying man was heavily sedated because of his condition, and his eyesight wasn’t all that good, so he could barely make out the young man standing outside the tent.

The dying man reached out his hand; the young man proceeded to grab it wrapping his fingers tightly around it, he then begins to speak encouraging words to the man dying[15].  The nurse brought a chair to the bedside.  The young man never left the dying man’s side clinging to his hand all night long, continually speaking words of hope.  The dying man would say nothing in response, merely holding out to the young man’s arm.  As the dawn approached, the patient died.  The young man then placed the dying man’s hand on the bed.  He got up to notify the nurse. 

The young man waited as the nurse followed necessary protocol on the deceased man.  When the nurse was finished, she began to offer words of comfort over the young man’s loss[16].

The young man finally interrupted the nurse, “Who was that man[17]?”

The nurse was stumped “Wasn’t he your father[18]?”

The young man replied, “I have never seen him before in my life[19]?”

“Then why didn’t you say something when I brought you to his room[20]?” asked the nurse.

He replied “I knew he needed his son and his son wasn’t here.  When I realized he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, I knew how much he needed me[21].”

You see the young man was doing for the dying man what Jesus does for us.  You see Jesus transforms people, no different than Aslan the Lion transformed Edmund.  Jesus takes us when we are at our lowest, at our weakest, and guides us into a whole new world of “hope”.  Edmund became a King of Narnia regardless of how nasty he had previously been in life, just as Paul became the Christian Church’s greatest preacher after previously being its greatest enemy.  Grace transforms people. Forgiveness transforms people.  Hope transforms people.   Resurrection transforms people, even if we can’t identify the stranger we meet in the night, right before all these things take place.  Amen


[1] The following is the plot of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first published by Geoffrey Bles in 1950. 
[2] Otte, John. “Narnia: Changing in the Wardrobe.” Sermon Central. 9.Dec.2005. Web. Aug.10.2017. 
[3] Otte, John. “Narnia: Changing in the Wardrobe.”
[4] Otte, John. “Narnia: Changing in the Wardrobe.”
[5] “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.5.Aug.2017. Web. Aug.10.2017. 
[6] Otte, John. “Narnia: Changing in the Wardrobe.”
[7] Otte, John. “Narnia: Changing in the Wardrobe.”
[8] Otte, John. “Narnia: Changing in the Wardrobe.”
[9] Otte, John. “Narnia: Changing in the Wardrobe.”
[10] Otte, John. “Narnia: Changing in the Wardrobe.”
[11] Romans 12:2. 
[12] Reasoner, Mark. “Commentary on Romans 12:1-8” Working Preacher.. 24.Aug.2008. Web. Aug.10.2017. 
[13] Molin, Steve. “Rearranged or Changed?” Sermon Writer. 2002. Web. Aug.10.2017. 
[14] Unknown Source. “A Son to a Dying Man.” Stories for Preaching.  Web. Aug.10.2017. 
[15] Unknown Source. “A Son to a Dying Man
[16] Unknown Source. “A Son to a Dying Man
[17] Unknown Source. “A Son to a Dying Man
[18] Unknown Source. “A Son to a Dying Man
[19] Unknown Source. “A Son to a Dying Man
[20] Unknown Source. “A Son to a Dying Man
[21] Unknown Source. “A Son to a Dying Man

First Lesson: Genesis 45: 1-15
Responsive Reading: Psalm 133
Second Lesson: Romans 11: 1-2, 29-32
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 15: (10-20) 21-28

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
Harland was born just outside Henryville, Indiana in 1890[1].  Harland lost his father at the age of 5.  Because of this loss, Harland had to learn the art of cooking from a young age while his mother worked.  When Harland was 12, his mother remarried, but his stepfather and Harland had one run in after another.  Harland would drop out of 7th Grade and go work on a farm.  Harland at 15 lied about his age to enlist in the US Army.  When Harland returned he worked all sorts of various jobs:  insurance salesman, steamboat operator, manufacturing, railroad worker, tire salesman, he even practiced law for a bit[2].  Harland’s brother in law encouraged his wife to dump Harland for his inability to hold down a job[3].  1930, Harland gets put in charge of a service station at the start of the great depression.  Harland’s service station was in a remote area, so when travelers looked for grub, Harland started cooking.  Harland got pretty good at the cooking business, especially famous for his chicken.  He had perfected a new method of pressure cooking the chicken.  In 1955, disaster struck Harland the new freeway Interstate 75 came through Central Kentucky[4].  Harland’s business on the previous well-traveled Route 25 was destroyed.  Harland was soon 65 years old, broke and living in his car.  Harland spent the next two years living in his car, traveling around hoping to sell his chicken recipe to a willing buyer.  Two years brought nothing but hardship.  Finally, someone bought Harland’s recipe, then another then another.  Seven years after selling his “secret” chicken recipe, Harland Sanders who had been made a Kentucky Colonel along the way sold his Kentucky Fried Chicken for $2 Million Dollars[5].  Here’s the thing about Colonel Sanders his future seemed as bleak at times as a man’s could be.  Harland probably struggled to believe that things would work for him in the end until God’s plan for his life began to unfold fully.

Now I want to tell you the story of another guy who like Colonel Sanders’ his life had been one bad break after another.  Joseph’s brothers get jealous of his multi-color coat and throw him into slavery.  Joseph gets dragged away from home into Egypt.  Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses Joseph of inappropriate behavior, leading him to prison.  While in prison, Joseph reveals himself to be the greatest interpreter of dreams in all the land of Egypt.  Joseph soon rises to Pharaoh’s second in command, because of his unique gift.  All the while, Joseph’s former brothers, and father are suffering a famine.  Joseph’s brothers then travel to Egypt, where an unrecognized Joseph is suspicious of their motives[6].  Joseph demands to see younger brother Benjamin.  Jacob, his father, didn’t want to send Benjamin out of fear of losing him like Joseph.  Joseph insists that he won’t help his brothers until he sees brother Benjamin.  Joseph uses Benjamin’s presence to try to trick his brothers, to see if they’ve changed their previous selfish ways.  Joseph plants a silver cup on Benjamin, to see if the other brothers would defend him or watch him die.  Joseph’s brother Judah leaps to Benjamin’s defense.  Joseph, his brothers, and his family then reunite.  How does Joseph eventually sum up all these crazy happenings to his brothers “What you meant for evil- God meant for Good[7].”  Joseph like Colonel Sanders probably had his nights of wondering from where his future might come.  Joseph eventually saw that God’s plan would bring about salvation to not only the people of Egypt but the people of Israel also.

The following story leads us into our lesson today from Romans 11.  Romans 11[8] tells the tale of the Apostle Paul’s own people struggling with God’s plan of salvation.  They were struggling with their own times of rejection[9] by both men and seemingly by God.  They were struggling with how much Paul claimed The Cross changed things.  What Romans 11 assures is How God does not reject his people, even when they stumble.”  No matter how dark the hour, God’s mercy shall triumph in the end[10]. 

What Romans 11 says is there will be hours when God’s mercy will not be easily seen. We might struggle with the directions of God’s plans.  Rest assured, our God promises to remain faithful to you even as you live through your times of trial, no different than Colonel Sanders or Joseph (Son of Jacob).

October 10, 2004, Matthew, Jacob, and Justin Backstrom called their parents Nathan and Connie to inform them they were just leaving Walmart and would soon be home[11].  Later that evening, sheriff’s deputies arrived at Nathan and Connie Backstrom’s home.  The boys had been in an accident hit by a drunk driver. Matthew (20) and Justin (16) die instantly. 

While at the hospital as the surviving Jacob was in surgery, Connie Backstrom prayed:” Lord, I want to make a difference. I will not go where You do not open the door. This is your work, and I do not have the energy to open even one door[12].”Jacob Backstrom (17) would die the next day.

When such an accident happens, reporters flocked to the Backstrom home[13].  They were expecting the Backstrom’s to let the other driver have it for his wickedness.  He was speeding, talking on his cell-phone, and previously drinking.  Instead, the Backstrom’s spoke of the power of their faith in Jesus.  They spoke of forgiving the driver and praying for his need for recovery. The Backstrom’s would later visit the driver who killed their children in prison.  This loss would cause the Backstrom’s to begin a ministry preaching about their faith in coping with tragedy[14].  Nathan and Connie Backstrom’s hope is that no other family ever has to endure what they’ve endured, yet what keeps them going is the belief like in the story of Joseph that God can bring meaning from the darkest of places.

You might hear The Backstrom’s story and see nothing but the cruelest of condemnation.  Mercy in times like this truly seems absent.  Mercy similarly seemed absent at times for Colonel Sanders and Joseph in Egypt during their nights of uncertainly. 

Nathan and Connie Backstrom didn’t dare try to explain God’s ways.  What they trust is that in life’s various twists and turns that God shall ultimately be merciful in the end.  So even if we don’t know, how God might work everything out on this day, we believe that good shall eventually come. 

John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist church.  John Wesley was estimated to have preached over 40,000 sermons within his lifetime[15].  John Wesley as a preacher was not always well received.  Wesley was frequently attacked by mobs.  John Wesley was no intimidating presence standing a mere 5’3 and weighing under 130 lbs.  So one time in his ministry: Wesley was facing a particularly rough stretch.  How God’s mercy would reveal itself for Wesley was unclear. 

Sunday, A.M., May 5[16]
“Preached in St. Anne’s. Was asked not to come back anymore.”
 
Sunday, P.M., May 5
Preached in St. John’s. Deacons said “Get out and stay out.”
 
Sunday, A.M., May 12
“Preached in St. Jude’s. Can’t go back there, either.”
 
Sunday, A.M., May 19
“Preached. Deacons called special meeting and said I couldn’t return.”
 
Sunday, P.M., May 19
“Preached on street. Kicked off street.”
 
Sunday, A.M., May 26
“Preached in meadow. Chased out of meadow as bull was turned loose during service.”
 
Sunday, A.M., June 2
“Preached out at the edge of town. Kicked off the highway.”

Sunday, P.M., June 2
“Afternoon preached in a pasture. Ten thousand people came out to hear me[17] (him).”

John Wesley would die in 1791.  Nearly 80,000 in England plus another 40,000 in America claimed membership in his Methodist church[18].  Today, there are nearly 80,000,000 Christians part of the Methodist movement[19]. 

The point of our lesson for this morning is this.  There will be times when Our God seems to be silent.  There will be times when we feel rejected and despised by God.  Rest assured, the Potter above is continually molding the clay[20]. The clay is being molded into something beyond what we can imagine on this day.  Our great promise guiding us forth from this day is our God ‘s mercy is being poured out upon all his people (Jew and Gentile alike).  Rest assured, even if you’re an out of work chicken fryer, the least favorite son, grieving parents, or a struggling preacher or even whole nations struggling with the meaning of your salvation.  Rest assured there is no problem today too big that your God can not fix[21].  Even if the recipe remains a secret! Amen
 


[1] “Colonel Sanders.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 4.Aug.2017. Web. Aug.8.2017. 
[2] Colonel Sanders.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
[3] Ashley. “The Failure and Eventual Success of Colonel Sanders.” Money Talks Coaching.  7.Nov.2012. Web. Aug.8.2017. 
[4] Ashley. “The Failure and Eventual Success of Colonel Sanders.”
[5] Ashley. “The Failure and Eventual Success of Colonel Sanders
[6] Tanner, Beth. “Commentary on Genesis 45:1-15.” Working Preacher. 20.Aug.2017. Web. Aug.8.2017. 
[7] Genesis 50:20. 
[8] Romans 11:1-2a,29-32.  
[9] Romans 11:1. 
[10] Skinner, Matthew. “Commentary on Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32.” Working Preacher. 14.Aug.2011. Web. Aug.8.2017
[11] Killleen, Jo Anne. “Loss of three sons spurs couple to share their message.” La Crosse Tribune. 20.Mar.2009. Web. Aug.8.2017.
[12] Killleen, Jo Anne. “Loss of three sons spurs couple to share their message.”
[13] Stier, Rev.Leon “Persistence (c) . Email Mediations. 11.Aug.2015. Web. Aug.8.2009. 
[14] Killleen, Jo Anne. “Loss of three sons spurs couple to share their message.”
[15] “John Wesley: Did You Know?” Christian History. Issue 2. 1983 found on Christianity Today website on August 8th, 2017. 
[16] Bible.org “John Wesley’s Diary”. 2.Feb.2009. Web. Aug.8.2017. 
[17] Bible.org “John Wesley’s Diary.”
[18] “John Wesley: Did You Know?” Christian History
[19] “United Methodist Church.”  Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.30.June.2017. Web. Aug.8.2017. 
[20] Berge, Paul. “Commentary on Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32.” Working Preacher. 17.Aug.2008. Web. Aug.8.2017. 
[21] The following line is taken from an Alyce McKenzie article title from Patheos.com published on August 11th, 2014.  

First Lesson: Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28
Responsive Reading: Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b
Second Lesson: Romans 10: 5-15
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 14: 22-33

​Before the Sermon, first a joke[1].  A Lutheran Pastor named Pastor Jones once upon a time looked out the window on a Sunday Morning, he saw the most glorious Summer day he had ever seen.  The weather was projected to be 70 degrees without any wind.  There didn’t look to be a cloud in the sky.  The thing you need to know about Pastor Jones is that he was an avid golfer.  He would play every chance he got.  He also had an associate pastor in Pastor Smith that could easily cover the service.  So Pastor Jones calls Pastor Smith declares himself not to be feeling well enough to go to church.  Pastor Smith agrees to cover, but Pastor Jones then drives his car forty miles away not to be recognized on the golf course.  Pastor Smith lines up on the tee for the first hole golfing by himself.  Saint Peter looks down from heaven annoyed with Pastor Jones and says to the Lord “You’re not going to let him get away with this are you?”. The Lord sighed “I guess not.”  So Pastor Jones swings his club, he hits the shot of his life, on a 400-yard par four, it approaches the green, then the hole, the ball finally goes in for a “hole-in-one,” as Pastor Jones jumps for joy.  Saint Peter gets even more annoyed at this point saying to the Lord “Why did you let him do that?”.  To which the Lord smiled and replied, “Who exactly is he going to tell?” 
​
Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

When I was in middle school, I had a job where I would caddy on the golf course for my Uncle Jim.  Jim used to be a cop in Newark, New Jersey.  Newark is one of the toughest places in the country.  By the time I started caddying for him, Jim had spent the last few years of his life trying to get better at golf.  Jim invested quite a bit of money in seeking to get the best equipment that money could buy.  Jim had taken lessons from professionals.  He had also spent several days a week on the golf course.  The problem with Jim’s golf game like for many people is his results could never match his expectations.  Jim would hit a bad shot and the outburst would start!  Jim would throw clubs down the fairway or into the nearest body of water.  Jim used every bit of colorful language that you can imagine. 

Jim’s outbursts would quickly become the thing of legend at Chisago Lakes Golf Course.  One time, Jim was playing with my parents and his wife.  Some high school boys were playing behind growing annoyed at what they perceived to be my mom and her sister’s foursomes slow place of play.  In an attempt to speed the group up, the high school boys hit golf balls right at my mom and aunt.  They didn’t know of Jim’s presence.  Jim upon seeing the golf balls land near their feet, hopped in his golf cart, started swinging a club over his head, and you’re imagination probably doesn’t need to run too wild at the language that Jim was using.  The previously tough high school boys began to cower in the presence of an angry large Italian man.  They came up to me who wasn’t there a few days later to apologize, yet again.  Now that you have an image of my Uncle Jim on the golf course, I want to tell you another golf story. 

One of my seminary professors Walter Sundberg grew up in New Jersey[2].  One of Sundberg’s greatest influences was his Pastor a man named Carl Shea.  Sundberg was good friends with Pastor Shea’s son.  Pastor Shea like my Uncle Jim loved to play golf.  Pastor Shea like Jim was also a large, towering presence that no one was going to mess with.  Pastor Shea like Jim would act in ways that those around him wouldn’t quite know how to interpret.  When Pastor Shea was on the golf course, he would often overhear the other golfers using foul language, even worse using the Lord’s name in vein.  Pastor Shea like my Uncle Jim would confront the offenders.  Pastor Shea would walk up to the other golfers and say “Jesus Christ, he is a good friend of mine.  Do you know him too?”

Pastor Shea’s teenage sons were always embarrassed to be near their Father because of this[3].  Pastor Shea kept practicing the same habit round after round.  Finally, his sons had a change in spirit becoming entertained by this just watching the reaction when Pastor Shea confronted the other golfers.  Like my Uncle Jim, Pastor Shea’s actions quickly spread to every member of that golf course.  No one forgot being in Pastor Carl Shea’s presence.  “Was anyone converted instantaneously by this act? Maybe/maybe not.  Seeds were planted that perhaps did eventually bear fruit years down the line”[4]. 
Now many of us here the story of Carl Shea and imagine never having the courage ever to do such a bold thing on the golf course.  You might fear confrontation with a man driving a golf cart,  waving a golf club over his head, and letting loose all sorts of colorful language in your direction.  

Now both these golfing stories bring us to our lesson today from Romans 10[5].  The Apostle Paul’s ministry continually dealt with hostile audiences.  Paul undertook three major missionary journeys, each years long.  What did Paul’s journeys bring: stonings, beatings, imprisonments, and eventually death.  All sorts of people told Paul to get lost.  So Paul went and preached to some more people. 

Paul’s preaching was simple.  “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved[6].” 

Because of Paul’s preaching courage: the Gospel was brought to people in Syria, Turkey, Greece, Jerusalem, and eventually Rome, the majority of books in our New Testament were written, and Paul helped break down the walls that had previously separated Jews from Gentiles.

All these things happen because Paul like Pastor Carl Shea believed it was of utmost importance to “confess” that which they’ve held to be true.  Both men were unapologetic and without shame when it came to speaking to their deepest of convictions.  “Christ is Lord!”

Jimmy Carter taught Sunday School and was a deacon at his local Baptist church[7].  What influenced Carter is growing up, he one time heard a sermon ask “If you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you[8]?”  In the Early 1960’s, Jimmy Carter was a struggling peanut farmer in Plains, Georgia.  Carter in 1962 decides to run for state senate so that he could advocate for the racial integration of Georgia’s schools[9].  In 1966, Carter sought Georgia’s governorship but lost the election.  A short while after the election, another church invites Carter to speak on “Christian Witnessing.”  Carter decides to speak about the last fourteen years of his involvement in his home church’s evangelistic mission week.  Carter was proud that he had visited 140 people in those 14 years encouraging them to attend a revival meeting.  Carter initially thought this was pretty good until he thought about his recent campaign for Governor of Georgia.  As Carter pondered his travels around the state over a three-month period, he realized that he had talked to around 300,000 people about voting for him[10].  The comparison struck Carter as he pondered what was truly important in his life.  For Pastor Shea or the Apostle Paul, what ultimately wasn’t most important was what people thought of them, but rather what they confessed about Christ Jesus. 

Now as you hear these stories Today.  You probably don’t see yourselves as quite as bold as Pastor Shea or the Apostle Paul.  Even talking to ten people a year like Jimmy Carter would be way outside your comfort zone.  You might even be making the excuse that God couldn’t possibly use you as old as you are to advance the “good news.”  But what if to truly make a difference in the faith of those near you, doesn’t need to be quite so dramatic. 

Let me close with one last story; John Stonestreet was no extraordinary ninth-grader[11].  He was a self-described “knucklehead.”  Stonestreet was the worst kind of “knucklehead” a Christian school attending one.  Whereas Stonestreet was surrounded by Christians six days a week, he had never encountered anyone like the Apostle Paul that got the “good news” through to him. 

Last day before Christmas break, Stonestreet is sitting in Bible class[12].  The teacher announces the class is being sent out two by two to visit shut-ins with the community.  The purpose of the assignment was to bring Christmas cheer.  But the last thing, Stonestreet wanted to do was visit with old people, he had never previously met.

Stonestreet and his friend hatch a plan[13].  They would visit one person, say they couldn’t find the second house, and then have fun at the mall.  The woman they were going to see was Mrs. Buckner.  Mrs. Buckner was 89 years old living by herself at the end of a long driveway on her son’s land. 

Stonestreet upon seeing Mrs. Buckner didn’t know what to say, as they seemed to have nothing in common.  The room grew quite awkward when Mrs. Buckner suggest the boys join her in the singing of a Christmas carol.  The boys sang Silent Night with as much enthusiasm as non-singing high school boys tend to have.  They figured the end of the song was their excuse to leave, only to never see Mrs. Buckner again.[14] 

Mrs. Buckner before leaving, suggested a prayer.  Both the boys prayed brief prayers, then Mrs. Buckner began to pray.  Neither boy in all their years at church had ever heard a prayer like Mrs. Buckner’s prayer; she spoke as if she had no greater confidence in the world that her God was listening to her.  As the boys left, they both commented on what a cool old woman that Mrs. Buckner had been[15].

Two years later, John Stonestreet woke up;  for some unexplainable reason he couldn’t shake the words of Mrs. Buckner’s prayer[16].  He decided he had to see her once again.  He approaches her door, she answers.  Stonestreet begins to say “you probably don’t remember me, but two years ago I came here with my friend Brian.  My name is John[17].” 

Mrs. Buckner has a big smile go over her face, only to reply “John, I prayed for you this morning[18].”

Stonestreet and Mrs. Buckner’s friendship would form on this day and last the rest of Mrs. Buckner’s life[19].  Mrs. Buckner vowed to pray for John every day the rest of her life. Stonestreet admits that he has no idea where his life might have gone without Mrs. Buckner’s presence.  Today, John Stonestreet is a prominent Christian radio host and author. 

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching.”- Romans 10:14. 

Mrs. Buckner, Pastor Carl Shea, and the Apostle Paul were three unique personalities living in three unique worlds.  What they all had in common is they believed that it was the name of Jesus that had the power to bring forgiveness and salvation to the world that longs to hear it.  Amen.   
           


[1] The following comes from the ELCA Clergy Uncensored Facebook Page posted by Lawrence Recla on August 12, 2017. 
[2] Stier, Leon. “Confessing Christ (a).” Email Mediatations. 12.June.2016. Web. Aug.1.2017.  The following is based on a 2010 sermon given by Dr. Walter Sundberg. 
[3] Stier, Leon. “Confessing Christ (a).”
[4] Stier, Leon. “Confessing Christ (a).”
[5] Romans 10:5-15. 
[6] Romans 10:9
[7] Jimmy Carter.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 5. Aug.2017. Web. Aug.1.2017. 
[8] “Jimmy Carter.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.. 
[9] Jimmy Carter.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
[10] Stories for Preaching. “So Much Effort?” Web. Aug.1.2017. 
[11] Steir, Leon. “An Old Lady’s Prayers.” Email Mediatations. 14.July.2016. Web. Aug.1.2017 taken from John Stonestreet’s writing at Breakpoint.org  on May 25th, 2016. 
[12] Steir, Leon. “An Old Lady’s Prayers.”
[13] Steir, Leon. “An Old Lady’s Prayers.”
[14] Steir, Leon. “An Old Lady’s Prayers.”
[15] Steir, Leon. “An Old Lady’s Prayers.”
[16] Steir, Leon. “An Old Lady’s Prayers.”
[17] Steir, Leon. “An Old Lady’s Prayers.”
[18] Steir, Leon. “An Old Lady’s Prayers.”
[19] Steir, Leon. “An Old Lady’s Prayers.”

First Lesson: Genesis 32: 22-31
Responsive Reading: Psalm 17: 1-7, 15
Second Lesson: Romans 9: 1-5
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 14: 13-21

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
“God doesn’t choose the people we might choose; that’s why some of us got chosen[1].” –Derek Prince
George Mason University is primarily a commuter campus for students in the Washington D.C. area.  The George Mason Patriots lacked much in the way of resources often necessary to compete in big time college athletics.  The 2005-2006 George Mason Men’s Basketball Team had no players seemingly destined for the NBA[2].  They didn’t even win their conference the Colonial Athletic outright, let alone a better basketball conference like the Big 10, or ACC.  The Patriots season was seemingly over after losing in their conference tournament.  The biggest day in NCAA Basketball is the second Sunday in March known as “Selection Sunday.”  Selection Sunday is the day where a selection committee chooses the “65” best teams in all the land to play for a chance at a championship.  Few people thought George Mason would be selected.  George Mason somehow some way was selected to the NCAA field.  CBS’ lead Basketball analyst Billy Packer proclaimed “They don’t deserve to be there[3].”  The experts thought George Mason would lose the first game and be shown to not belong in the first place.  George Mason’s first game was against Michigan State who had played in the previous year’s Final Four Championship.  George Mason won!  The second game was against another basketball power in North Carolina the defending NCAA champions.  George Mason won again!  They then won in the next round! Finally, George Mason was standing toe to toe with the Connecticut Huskies considered to be the best team in the country that year.  Cinderella facing Connecticut was certainly going to have her midnight.  Only George Mason won again; the Patriots were going to the Final Four.  The moral of our story is Selection Committees will get it right, even in the face of evidence to the contrary. 

Today, I want to look at another selection process.  Today’s lesson from Romans 9[4] deals with Heaven’s selection process.  When Paul wrote the Book of Romans people believed for generations and generations that only his people the Jews should occupy heaven.  The George Mason like outsider Gentiles didn’t belong.  Paul in his letter seeks to make the point that God doesn’t choose people by resume or birth but purely as a matter of God’s grace.

To illustrate this, Paul later[5] invokes the famous Old Testament Story of Jacob and Esau[6].  Isaac had two sons.  Esau would seem to have been the perfect heir to receive his father’s blessing.  Esau was a man’s man, a rugged hunter.  Jacob was what some might call a “mama’s boy” who liked to spend time in the kitchen.  Jacob could also be a bit devious and underhanded at times.  You compare Esau and Jacob’s resumes, Esau would appear to be the perfect son to take over his father’s estate.  Esau was legally entitled as he was the older brother.  God had other plans though.  Jacob the brother who would later wrestle with God would eventually receive the name of “Israel[7].” Jacob’s descendants had previously been the unlikely recipients of God’s choosing. 

Paul’s message for today is that it isn’t always the likely candidates who get chosen.  If you think politics are exciting today, they had nothing on the year 1876[8].  Samuel Tilden was the Governor of New York.  Tilden ran for President against Rutherford B. Hayes, the Governor of Ohio.  Tilden won the popular vote, Tilden won the Electoral College, and Tilden according to the submitted results won the disputed states of Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina[9].  Tilden because of the disputed states he seemingly won was still one vote shy of a majority within the Electoral College.  Samuel Tilden seemingly had as legitimate a claim to the Presidency as anyone could ever have.  Hayes’ supporter claimed the voting process was unfair and Washington was stuck in partisan gridlock.  Both political parties agreed to set up a panel of seven Republicans, seven Democrats, and one independent to sort out this convoluted matter. The one independent U.S. Supreme Court Judge David Davis was thought to be the Independent tie-breaking vote.  One problem though, the Illinois Legislature unexpectedly elected Davis to the Senate.  All other Supreme Court Justices that could be appointed were known backers of Rutherford B. Hayes[10].  Rutherford B. Hayes was elected President in 1876 despite how all people thought the process previously should work.  It took 1876 Presidential Election to cause people to never think about politics the same way again.

It was the same thing at the time of the Apostle Paul.  Growing up God’s chosen people were those who were circumcised at birth.  God’s chosen people were those who maintained strict diets.  God’s chosen people were those direct descendants of Jacob.  God certainly couldn’t select George Mason or Rutherford B. Hayes when all the evidence says otherwise.  The whole point of the Book of Romans is this.  The Cross changes everything.  Because of the Cross: Jew and Gentile now stood equally before God.  The only hope either Jew or Gentile has alike is the promise of God to commit to the unlikeliest of people.

BB Warfield was considered one of the great religious minds in these United States around the turn of the 20th Century.  Pastors still quote Warfield nearly a century after his death.  To understand BB Warfield, you need to know the story of his wife, Annie Kinkead[11].  Annie Kinkead was the daughter of a prominent attorney who once defended Abraham Lincoln in Lexington, Kentucky.  If you were looking for a mate in 1875, Annie Kinkead would have been at the top of the popularity list.  She was known not only for her beauty but also her brains and wit.  Annie and BB Warfield married in August 1876, before moving to Europe so BB could study theology.  While in Europe, Annie and BB’s life would change forever[12].  One day while out walking, Annie and BB got caught in a terrible thunderstorm.  The experience was so scary that Annie Warfield’s nervous system never recovered.  The shock was such that Annie Warfield was homebound from the age of 25 onward.  BB Warfield dedicates his life to his wife’s care.  BB Warfield would spend hours a day reading to his wife.  BB would arrange his schedule at Princeton day after day to assist in his wife’s care[13].  Annie could only be seen by BB because she felt comfortable in no one else’s presence.  Those around him were not so much amazed by BB Warfield’s legendary scholarship, but even more so by his compassion towards Annie. 

BB Warfield had his world flipped upside down by Annie’s troubles, yet it was his experiences with Annie that opened him to the true nature of God’s ways.  They affected every day of his ministry.  Warfield became convinced that God’s selection process is ultimately more certain that any process of this world.
I Peter says[14]: “You were not saved because of any silver or gold that you possess, but rather because Christ was destined for us before the foundation of the world.” 

What these words get at is the meaning of our lesson for Today.  Our God’s commitment to his people is such that neither any thunderstorm nor defect shall cause him to abandon the promises of his gospel to us.  God chooses his people, even when we reject him along the way, even when we have seemingly nothing to give back in return.

One final story for this morning[15].  Once upon a time, there was a clergyman looking out his window to see his melon patch.  A group of boys was stealing his melons.  The clergyman calmly rose from his chair, opened his door, and attempted to call the boys over.  The boys began running away.  What did the clergyman do?  He tried getting them to come back; he shouted: “Boys, boys take as many melons as you want[16].” The boys certainly didn’t expect this.  The boys were spooked at this point.  Who was this crazy guy attempting to give us melons they were trying to steal?  The minister began to chase the boys.  He soon came across the two smallest boys unable to climb over a fence to escape.  The minister escorted the young boys back to his melon patch, where they picked the best-looking melons there.  As he sent them on their way, he encouraged the boys to invite their friends back.  When the older boys heard about this, they were mad; it was so unfair that the younger boys got the “best” melons.  The melon selection process was so unfair was the complaint[17]!  The only reason, the younger boys, got melons is because they were slower and smaller.

The minister realized the point of our lesson from Romans 9 that Kingdom of God is not about fairness.  The Kingdom of God is about God selecting George Masons regardless of their resumes.  The Kingdom of God is about God selecting the younger, weaker brother Jacob and not only giving him a birthright but a nation.  You see the Kingdom of God like the Election of 1876 does not select by traditional voting mechanisms.   Like in the story of Annie Kinkead Warfield, The Kingdom of God rather isn’t about what you bring, at all but rather the nature of God’s commitment to you through all the ups and downs of life.  Just like in the case of the Apostle Paul, you might even be daring to persecute Christians, but Our God has a way of even tracking down people running away from a melon patch.   

Amen


[1] Quote was taken from Hot Sermons.com on July 27th, 2017.  The quote deals with Predestination. 
[2] “2005-2006 George Mason Patriots Men’s Basketball Team.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 17.June.2017. Web. July.27.2017. 
[3] 2005-2006 George Mason Patriots Men’s Basketball Team.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
[4] Romans 9:1-5. 
[5] Romans 9:12-13. 
[6] Genesis 25:24-34. 
[7] Genesis 32:22-31. 
[8] “United States Presidential Election, 1876.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 16.July.2017. Web. July.27.2017.
[9] Wormser, Richard. “Hayes-Tilden Election 1876.” PBS Jim Crow Stories. Web. July.27.2017. 
[10] History.com “Compromise of 1877.” Web. July.27.2017. 
[11] Jones, Scott. “Avoidance Issues and Unavoiding God.” Mockingbird Ministries (MBird).  2.May.2017. Web. July.27.2017. 
[12] Jones, Scott. “Avoidance Issues and Unavoiding God.”
[13] Jones, Scott. “Avoidance Issues and Unavoiding God.”
[14] 1 Peter 1:18-19.  
[15] Stier, Leon. “Not Fair?” Email Mediations. 17.Oct.2016. Web. July.27.2017. 
[16] Stier, Leon. “Not Fair?”
[17] Stier, Leon. “Not Fair?”

First Lesson: Genesis 29: 15-28
Responsive Reading: Psalm 128
Second Lesson: Romans 8: 26-39
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”-Romans 8:28

John Roberts is the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.  In Roberts position, he would be considered one of the wisest people in the country.  Recently, Chief Justice Roberts was tabbed to be the commencement speaker at Cardigan Mountain School[1] in New Hampshire where his son Jack attends[2].  Cardigan Mountain School is a place where most of the boys come from a place of privilege in life.  They might have moms and dads who are rich, and grandmas and grandpas who are rich.  They might come from families of Senators or even the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  Many of these boys have been born with every conceivable advantage in this world.  They might seem destined to follow in their family’s very successful footsteps. 

Normally commencement speeches are dripping with optimism telling people to remember where you came from, work hard, follow your dreams, maybe smile now and then, and close with wishing the hearers good luck.  Chief Justice Roberts wasn’t going to give one of these speeches.  Chief Justice Roberts instead wished the boys “bad luck.”  He said he hoped the years ahead would, in fact, bring them trouble. 

What did Chief Justice Roberts wish the graduating class[3]:
He wished the boys experience injustice, so they may know what and who is just.  He wished the boys are betrayed, so they may know who is truly loyalty.  He wished boys experience loneliness’, so they don’t take their relationships for granted.  He wished the boys experience bad luck, so they are reminded that the line between success and failure in this world is often a thin line often brought about by the uncertainty of chance.  He wished the boys are ignored by others, so they learn the importance of listening. 

Chief Justice Roberts’ main point is to remember that there is often a great message behind all of our misfortune. 

Now let me tell you about a man who would have liked what Chief Justice Roberts had to say.  The guy’s name was the Apostle Paul.  Paul was maybe the wisest man in the Early Church.  The Book of Romans would be a collection of all the wisdom that Paul had collected within his ministry[4].  Paul wrote Romans probably thirty years after his famous conversion on the Road to Damascus.  Paul wanted his beliefs on record in the empire’s capital, so he wrote this letter.  Paul in our lesson for Today wanted to touch on where we can exactly find God’s presence in moments of injustice, betrayal, loneliness, bad luck, and those moments when we feel powerless.  Paul wants Christians to know to whom they can tune in the moments of our desperation[5].  Paul always wants them to know this.  That life will sometimes hit Christian people hard.

Joseph M. Stowell grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey just across the bridge from New York City[6].  Stowell’s school had its share of really rough kids.  One day, while roughhousing with some of his friends,  Stowell gets hit in the face.  One of Stowell’s front-teeth comes loose.  Stowell has a dental emergency which nearly everyone would dread.  Here’s the thing, Stowell’s tooth had previously been crooked, the Dentist because of the punch was able to make the tooth straight once again.  Today, Stowell is a Christian College President and Author[7]. 

What Paul is saying is that there will be times such as these when the enemy seems to be bearing down on us, yet God is still present[8].  The following is true, even if he might seem way too far behind the scenes for our liking. 

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? “-Romans 8:31

How exactly does this all work though in God using all things for good, even the bad and hideously ugly.  Marie Balter was born in the winter of 1931 in Gloucester, Massachusetts[9].  Her Mom was an alcoholic with barely a cent to her name, who soon gave her up for adoption.  Marie would spend the next few years of her life bouncing around the system living in various foster homes.  At the age of 6, Balter was adopted by an Italian couple who didn’t speak English.  These were strict parents when Marie did something wrong they would lock her in a cellar or a dark closet.  If Marie were home late, they would lock her out of the house.  Marie wasn’t allowed to have any English speaking friends.  Marie eventually runs away from home into a convent[10].  At age 16, Marie Balter was suffering from as nasty a depression as a woman can experience.  She just began to shut down and stop communicating.  Marie was then diagnosed with schizophrenia.  She was then sent to live at Danvers State Hospital where she would be mostly confined for the next 17 years of her life[11].  These years seemingly broke Marie. By the age of 33; she seemed destined to Danvers Hospital forever.  Her panic and anxiety disorders were such that she hadn’t been able to walk for nearly two years.  She would continually hear voices within her head and she saw demons whenever she looked in the mirror[12].  Marie Balter was as low as a human could be in this world.  Marie Balter turned to prayer.  She prayed for escape.  She vowed to dedicate herself to mental health if the opportunity ever presented itself.  She began by shuffling cards to regain feeling in her hands; she then started taking small steps and scrubbing floors[13].  She then started walking longer and longer.  When she requested her release, the hospital staff took bets on how many weeks before Marie Balter came back to Danvers Hospital. 
​
Marie upon her release started working menial jobs; she eventually returned to community college, she then got a bachelor's degree from Salem State in psychology and a masters degree from Harvard in administrative planning[14].  Marie Balter would eventually return to Danvers State Hospital, seventeen years after her release, only this time Marie Balter returned as an administrator[15].  What changed Marie Balter’s life? She believed in setback after setback that God had a plan that would soon become known in her life.  Like Chief Justice Roberts, she believed there was a message in her all misfortunate.  She believed that her God could ultimately work all these things for a greater good.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”- Romans 8:35

I want to close with another story this morning as told by Ed Markquart[16].  Ollie the Oyster was one day out for a swim.  Ollie’s side was quickly struck by a grain of sand which got stuck.  Ollie had never felt so much pain in his entire life.  Ollie let out as much inappropriate Oyster language as one can imagine.  Ollie’s ranting though could not remove this painful piece of sand stuck to Ollie’s side.  Ollie cried and cried, Ollie cried until tears couldn’t come from his eyes anymore.  Ollie then tried to live with the pain, yet no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, Ollie’s pain could not go away.  Here’s the thing about Oysters though they respond a bit different to pain then You and I.  Ollie started producing within his body a fine oil to heal his wound[17].  No different than our scabs began to heal our wounds.  Over time, Ollie’s oil grew harder and harder, pretty soon all that oil mixed with Ollie’s wound produced the most beautiful pearl any of you can imagine. 

What Paul is getting at in our lesson for Today is this it is often our wounds as in the case of Joseph Stowell with his loose tooth, Marie Balter or Ollie the Oyster which transform the brokenness of our lives into eventual pearls.  We probably don’t believe this when the pain is leaving us unable to move.  Rest assured, God’s whole ways in the world involve taking our problems of sin and death and bringing forth pearly gates instead.   

Paul’s message for Today is God sees our problems.  Your problems are not too big for God.  God promises that no matter how dark a place you might be in life, pearls can be made.  Our problems can never separate us from God’s grace.  We can always find a message in misfortune.  We can always find this message in the work of our messiah.   

I close this morning with Paul’s closing words from our lesson:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord[18].”  Amen


[1] Steir, Pastor Leon. “Wishing You Bad Luck.” Email Mediatations. 17.July.2017. Web. July.24.2017. 
[2]John Roberts”. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 13.June.2017. Web. July.24.2017. 
[3] Steir, Pastor Leon. “Wishing You Bad Luck.”
[4] Markquart, Ed. “Books of the Bible-Romans: Christ’s Spirit and Eternal Bonding.” Sermons from Seattle. Web. July.24.2017. 
[5] Kamudzandu, Israel. “Commentary on Romans 8:26-39.” Working Preacher. 30.July.2017. Web. July.24.2017. 
[6] Anselmi, Jeffrey. “God is Bigger.” Sermon Central. 12.June.2003. Web. July.24.2017. 
[7] “Joseph Stowell.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 27. Apr.2017. Web. July.24.2017. 
[8] Berge, Paul. S. “Commentary on Romans 8:26-39.” Working Preacher. 27.July.2008. Web. July.24.2017. 
[9] Brennan, Patricia. “Nobody’s Child.” Washingston Post. 6. Apr.1986. Web. July.24.2017. 
[10] Brennan, Patricia. “Nobody’s Child.”
[11] Lane Butts, Rev. Dr. Thomas. “On Winning the Biggest Battle of Life.” Day 1. 13.Jan.2002. Web. July.24.2017. 
[12] Brennan, Patricia. “Nobody’s Child.”
[13] Brennan, Patricia. “Nobody’s Child.”
[14] Brennan, Patricia. “Nobody’s Child.”
[15] AP. “Ex-Patient is State Hospital Administrator.” New York Times. 27.Nov.1988. New York Times. July.24.2017. 
[16] Markquart, Ed. “Books of the Bible: Christ’s Spirit and Eternal Bonding.”
[17] Markquart, Ed. “Books of the Bible: Christ’s Spirit and Eternal Bonding.”
[18] Romans 8:38-39.  

First Lesson: Genesis 28: 10-19a
Responsive Reading: Psalm 139: 1-12, 23-24
Second Lesson: Romans 8: 12-25
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.”- Corrie Ten Boom.
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“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.”- Romans 8:22

Let me begin with a story.  The year was 2001.  I was senior at Concordia College.  I had a friend named Nate.  The thing that you need to know about Nate is every dollar he gave up was a source of pain. It doesn’t matter if Nate has $1 or $1 Million dollars to his name.  Nate also liked to go out as much on other people’s dimes as possible.  So Nate, a group of friends, and I went out one night to Buffalo Wild Wings in North Fargo.  Nate and I ordered some chicken wings, but I picked the sauce since I agreed to help him pay.  Being a good Swede, I picked a mild sauce to Nate’s disappointment.  Nate being a brash 22 years old started running his mouth how he had an “iron stomach” and he could handle any chicken wings they could serve.  Neither my friends or I believed this.  So we decided to challenge Nate by ordering a half-dozen “blazing” wings, which were the hottest of 12 sauces on the menu.  If Nate ate these wings, we’d pay for them and give him an extra $5 to boot.  Nate was never going to turn down an opportunity to win money.  So we place the order.  Nate takes his first bite.  It becomes quickly obvious that Nate had no idea into what he was getting himself. Nate started sweating!  Tears were running down Nate’s face.  Nate required milk or water after every bite.  After seeing Nate eat two of the six wings, we figured there was no way he would ever finish.  Nate was not going to surrender $5 after going through so much pain to collect.  Nate took bite after bite as his face turned redder and redder.  By the fourth wing, we were starting to worry about Nate’s health.  Nate kept going and going; he ate every last drop.  Nate got up ran to the nearest facility and the rest of Nate’s night or even the day after wasn’t all that pretty for him.  Nate collected his $5 long after most people would have deemed the cost to be too great.   

Nate had a belief that temporary pain (no matter how brutal), would eventually work itself out in his life.  Now many of us can relate to Nate’s physical pain, yet this isn’t the only pain that affects us.  Perhaps you’ve had emotional pain or spiritual pain that you can’t quite make sense.

Joseph Parker was one of the most famous preachers in England at the end of the 19th Century[1].  Preachers of all faith backgrounds would gather to hear Parker give noon Bible lessons. Contemporaries describe Parker as having a gift with words like few Christian preachers ever[2]. If anyone was thought to have an unshakable faith, it would be Joseph Parker.  Joseph Parker at the age of 58 became a widow[3].  Joseph Parker described himself as never having a religious doubt in life before this point, only to see his faith collapse, and nearly become an atheist[4].  Parker felt his prayers had been going unanswered, Parker described his emotions as like “a dog in misery” and feeling “spat upon by God[5].”  Joseph Parker never really bounced back fully from the loss of his wife.  Joseph Parker kept preaching Sunday after Sunday, until his death three years later.  He struggled with the pain of his faith even as he kept on proclaiming it.
Parker’s story brings us to our lesson Today from Romans 8, as I’ve been preaching on the Book of Romans this Summer.  Paul’s conversion to Christianity had certainly brought him all sorts of hardship from being shipwrecked, imprisoned, and living in constant fear on account of his faith.  Paul like Joseph Parker needed to make sense of these events wrote the Book of Romans to express everything he believed. 

Our lesson for Today has Paul comparing living as a Christian to the experience of going through the pain of child birth. 

Israel Kamudzandu describes this passage well when he says[6]:
“It is a blessing to be pregnant, but we all know that before giving birth to new life; a mother always goes through pain, lost appetite, sleeplessness, high blood pressure, and struggles with mobility; and yet at the end there is a celebration.”

There must be pain before Redemption; there must be death before Resurrection.  As Christian people, we must continually be turning our heads towards what is coming at the finish line. 

Derek Redmond was a British sprinter born in 1965[7].  Derek Redmond ran the 400 meters faster than any other person in the country’s history.  In 1991, Redmond’s 4 x 400 Relay team won the World Championship against heavily favored the United States.  Britain posted the second fastest 4 x 400 time ever.  Derek Redmond qualified for the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992 in the 400 meters.  Redmond posted the fastest time of all competitors in the initial round.  Redmond won his heat in the quarterfinals.  In the Semis, Redmond started quite well seemingly on his way to the finals and being an Olympic medalist.  250 meters from the finish line Derek Redmond’s life would change forever.  Derek Redmond felt a pop in his hamstring and collapsed to the ground.  Redmond would seem to have been unable to go any further.  Red Cross medics upon seeing Redmond get the stretcher ready[8].  Redmond though manages to get up.  Redmond starts limping; every step was painful.  Redmond regardless of how injured he was, believed crossing the finish line would be the payoff for his years of training. It didn’t matter that every step of Redmond’s run would bring more and more tears streaming down his face.  Redmond was only able to complete the race with the assistance of his father.  Very few people will be able to tell you who won the Gold Medal in the 400-meter dash at the Barcelona Olympics, but people will forever remember Derek Redmond’s determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.  Derek Redmond today is a prominent motivational speaker in the United Kingdom. 

The Apostle Paul in many ways could empathize with Derek Redmond.  Paul would later be attributed as saying: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing[9].”

Within Paul’s day, the belief existed that it was the pain of the present, would bring about God’s final redemption[10].  For Christians, this pain was most officially revealed upon on a cross.  No matter how it appeared Christ’s pain ultimately did not bring death, this pain instead brought a new hope and life[11].  What Paul is saying Today is that our current pain mirrors Jesus in that its final meaning will not be made known only on our Good Fridays, but rather the Easters that lies ahead.

C.S. Lewis once described this passage well when he said: “Pain insists upon being attended to.  God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world[12].” 

Paul’s message for Today is this life will at times bring you not only chicken wings that bring tears to your face, but labor pains, torn hamstrings, and even loss of loved ones from which we seemingly can’t recover.  Our God can use all these things for his eventual glory.  Lastly, our God can even use fleas. 
Corrie ten Boom was born in the Netherlands in 1892[13].  Ten Boom worked as a watchmaker. In 1940, the Nazis invaded the Netherlands.  The Nazis immediately began to restrict Ten Boom’s Christian faith.  Ten Boom though didn’t back down seeking to invite Jewish neighbors into their home.  Ten Boom’s family efforts became known to Jews far and wide.  In 1944, ten Boom’s actions became known to the Nazis.  Her and much of her family were arrested.  She was sent to solitary confinement.  Corrie and her sister Betsie eventually end up at Ravensbruck concentration camp[14].  Ravensbruck was brutal.  One could barely step into the bunk room without being swarmed by fleas.  Corrie and Betsie though had managed to sneak in a Bible to their bunker.  The following was a bold move as if the ten Boom sisters were caught; they would be executed[15].  They started passing around their Bible in as secretive a fashion as possible not to be discovered.  They soon realized the guards never came to check their bunker.  One day, Betsie over heard the guards explain why they never did a bunker inspection because the guards didn’t want to deal with all those fleas[16].  Corrie ten Boom because of those fleas became one of the best-known authors of the 20th Century with her book The Hiding Place. 

Paul’s message for Today is to think of pain just like Corrie ten Boom or my friend Nate. Pain within a Christian’s life is more than a mere reality of the present; pain instead points to the day when the words from the end of Revelation shall become a reality:
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”-Revelation 21:4.   

Amen    


[1] “Joseph Parker.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 28.Dec.2016 Web. July.18.2017. 
[2] Graves, Dan. “Joseph Parker’s Special Noon Service.” Christianity.com. July 2007. Web. July.18.2017. 
[3] Eisberg, Clarence. “Where Is God When I'm Hurting.” Sermon Central.com. 20.Mar.2007. Web. July.18.2017. 
[4] Eisberg, Clarence. “Where Is God When I'm Hurting.”
[5] Eisberg, Clarence. “Where Is God When I'm Hurting.”
[6] Kamudzandu, Israel. “Commentary on Romans 8:12-25.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. St.Paul. 17.July.2017. Web. July.18.2017. 
[7] “Derek Redmond.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.20.June.2017. Web. July.18.2017. 
[8] Brunton, Simon. “50 stunning Olympic moments No3: Derek Redmond and dad finish 400m.” The Guardian (US Edition). 30.Nov.2011. Web. July.18.2017. 
[9] 2 Timothy 4:7-8. 
[10] Kirk, J.R. Daniel. “Commentary on Romans 8:12-25.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. St.Paul. 20.July.2014. Web. July.18.2017. 
[11] Kirk, J.R. Daniel. “Commentary on Romans 8:12-25.”
[12] The following Lewis quote is from The Problem of Pain.  The following reference was cited by Daniel Ritchie on Desiring God website on Jan, 16, 2017.  The article  was reposted by Pastor Leon Stier on Email Mediatations on Jan.18.2017. 
[13] “Corrie ten Boom.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 22.June.2017. Web. July.18.2017. 
[14] Calhoun. Dr.George. “No Pain, No Gain.” Sermon Central.com. 25. Oct.2007. Web. July.18.2017. 
[15] Calhoun. Dr.George. “No Pain, No Gain.”
[16] Calhoun. Dr.George. “No Pain, No Gain.”