First Lesson: 1 Kings 8: (1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43 Responsive Reading: Psalm 84 Second Lesson: Ephesians 6: 10-20 Gospel Lesson: John 6: 56-69 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
The year was 221 B.C. The place was Northern China. China had recently unified through a series of battles among is its six previous independent states[1][2]. China though remained under constant threat of attack from Barbarian nomads. Emperor Quin Shi Huang proposed the construction of a “wall” in response. The wall would stretch for 3,000 miles. The wall worked just as intended. China was indeed safe from Barbarian attack for centuries afterward. Eventually, problems arose within China. The wall had seemingly made them safe. The wall’s upkeep fell into more and more disuse with each passing year. Fast forward to the year 1211 A.D. a neighboring empire the Mongols led by Ghengis Kahn was able to circumvent openings in the wall. The Mongols would rule over China for the next 157 years. Interestingly enough what is known as the “Great Wall” today was rebuilt beginning in 1474. This wall has not been nearly as effective with multiple dynasties being brought down by popular uprisings despite the presence of the seemingly insurmountable re-built wall[3]. China has certainly seen its share of threats and enemies from both inside and outside their wall. For Christian people; it remains the same. Today we look at our last lesson from the Book of Ephesians. The Book of Ephesians describes our enemies as such: Our “struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms[4]." Ed Markquart describes it as such: “We are not merely fighting petty battles with booze or drugs or sex or material pleasures, important as these are. No, the Bible says that we are fighting an evil force greater than ourselves, the very powers of darkness[5].” It is this darkness which starves children, sends children and parents to the grave within human history: Hitler, Stalin, Mao. It is this darkness which causes mass murderers to show little care for human life. The darkness doesn’t happen if evil’s very, real and present forces don’t surround us[6]. We are often surrounded by forces of which the odds of ever overcoming seem insurmountable. So what is the Apostle Paul’s response to all these evil forces of sin, death, and the Devil. Paul says “Put on the armor of God[7].” , put on resistance against whatever nasty forces threaten to attack us. Our lesson begins with the following: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes[8].” The problem is people are often hurting by the time they’re called to take a stand[9]. They would often rather hide in a foxhole instead. They might believe too many battles have already been lost. They believe they’re too imperfect to take up the cause against the forces of darkness. They might be depressed, they might be ill and weak, they might be anxious, and they might be afraid. They might believe their sin has been too great for God’s armor to adorn them. What Paul is saying to the Ephesian Church Today is this. No matter the battle of any past battles, you are not defeated. You will be hurt! You will have nights where you see nothing but darkness! You do not fight these battles without armor. As we fight the great battles of our faith, Temptation will constantly seem destined to devour us, yet our Lord equips us with the full armor of God. Here’s what the armor of God consists of[10]: Paul begins with the Belt of Truth. This belt seeks to confront the lies of the present age that you are unworthy of God’s love. You are too broken for redemption. The world is nothing more than here today gone tomorrow. The belt reminds us that truth is not seen merely in the forces that surround us. Paul then moves on to the upper body when talking about the “Breastplate of Righteousness.- In Paul’s day as he’s writing to the Ephesian Church. A breastplate would protect one’s heart. It served the same role that a bulletproof vest would serve within our day[11]. The Vikings several weeks had an Assistant Coach Tony Sparano die suddenly because his heart gave out. Lose one’s heart, lose one’s life. So what serves as our Breastplate of Righteousness? We hearken back to Paul’s early writings: “The righteous shall live by faith[12].” What Paul is saying is the first line of defense against all these spiritual enemies is our faith. The source is your imperfect faith. The faith given in Baptism, the faith sustained in our Lord’s Supper and the preaching of the Gospel, the faith that calls out in prayer. Our shield of faith. It is a reminder that this faith has the potential to move mountains, even when we are at our most discouraged. It is ultimately your faith that should protect you from any arrows lobbed at you by the evil one no matter how nasty[13]. Paul then goes down to the feet. “Shoes of the Gospel”- The older I get, the more I recognize the importance of good footwear. When I go hiking there is nothing you fear more than your shoes failing you, feet getting marked by blisters and the feet being unable to go on because of pain. What Paul is reminding us is that living as Christian people is that we will face tough situations. It is at these moments that we cling to the promises of our Gospel upon our feet. Christ Jesus Died for the Ungodly[14]. Paul then moves on to a believer’s head. “Helmet of Salvation”. Picture a football helmet; it serves as a source of protection against all sorts of nasty hits, bumps, and bruises, Whereas the Helmet of Salvation, reminds us that nothing shall separate us from the Love of God found in Christ Jesus[15][16]. It is ultimately the Sword of the Spirit to which we cling that shall fight off all these enemies as Satan threatens continual destruction and damnation. The whole armor of God is a reminder that regardless of any battles that we’re going through, the outcome of the eventual battle is certain. God’s people will prevail. The Gospel will become true before our very eyes. No matter how long the odds, or unbelievable the potential outcome. Let me close with one final story for this morning. This story illustrates how just a little bit of faith can help you overcome the strongest of adversaries. Earlier this summer, I was coaching the Silver Bay Boys Basketball team in the Summer League down in Superior. We were one of the smaller schools in the league. The kids we did have weren’t always available to play. We had lost nine games in a row. Some close, some not so close. On this night, we had five kids. The kids we did have most of them played on a Junior Varsity team that won one game the previous year. We were playing Duluth East J.V who had thirteen kids. Silver Bay’s high school enrollment this year will be less than 100 kids in grades 9-12. Duluth East ’s, enrollment will be nearly 1400 kids. Before the game, I was dreading the outcome as a coach. The game starts. We start making baskets. Before I know it, we’re up 10. Pretty soon the kids whole demeanor changes as they believe they can win. They begin to play with confidence that I hadn’t seen the rest of the summer. We go into the half with a sixteen point lead. I was the most surprised person in the whole gym. The second half begins, Duluth East changes their strategy. They start to press the whole court to tire our five guys out. Duluth East starts chipping away at the lead. Every time, Duluth East would get close, and the lead seemed destined to slip away, we would get a bucket. The game gets down to its closing seconds. Our lead was three points; one bad pass could lead to what seems like an inevitable loss. My previous flaws at late-game strategy seemed destined to fail again. The Duluth East coach then gets called for a technical foul for not quite understanding the rules of the game. We hit a free-throw then run the clock out. Five very, sweaty, tired young boys hug at center-court after taking down mighty Duluth East. This game reminds me of something about our lesson for Today. Faith can provide Armor that it is impenetrable against the most powerful of forces. It doesn’t matter what you think, or anyone else thinks. Faith in spite of long odds is the most powerful force in the whole, wide world. This is why Paul closes out the Book of Ephesians by instructing Christians to see their faith as serving as a force just as powerful as armor given by God. Some years, a great wall was built in China. It cost all sorts of money and was the product of all sorts of labor. When finished, it was thought that no one could overcome it. An enemy though eventually overcame it[17]. All the best of human works eventually end in disappointment, whereas faith has the power to achieve victory against even the strongest forces which challenge us. On this day, we close our summer study of Paul’s letters. We are encouraged to put on the whole Armor of God. Armor that is impenetrable against the darkest of spiritual forces: sin, death, and the power of the Devil. What Paul’s writings remind us is that in the end: Grace shall win! Forgiveness shall win! Eternal life shall be inherited! God’s people shall emerge as the victors! Amen [1] “Great Wall of China.” History Channel. Web. July.23.2018. [2] “Warring States Period.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 19.July.2018. Web. July.23.2018. [3] Chen, Alexander. “How effective was the Great Wall at protecting China's border? Quora. 6.Mar.2016. Web. July.23.2018. [4] Ephesians 5:12. [5] Markquardt, Ed. “Put on the Whole Armor of God.” Sermons from Seattle. Web. July.23.2018. [6] Markquardt, Ed. “Put on the Whole Armor of God.” Sermons from Seattle. [7] Ephesians 6:10-11 [8] Ephesians 6:10. [9] Stier, Leon. “Stand Your Ground.” Email Mediatations. 30.Apr.2014. Web. July.23.2018. [10] Molin, Steve. “Dressing for Success.” Sermon Writer. 2006. Web. July.23.2018. [11] Molin, Steve. “Dressing for Success.” Sermon Writer. [12] Romans 1:17. [13] Ephesians 6:16b. [14] Romans 5:6. [15] Markquardt, Ed. “Put on the Whole Armor of God.” Sermons from Seattle [16] Romans 8:38-39. [17] Fosdick, Harry Emerson. “Defense.” Sermon Illustrations. Web. July.23.2018. First Lesson: 1 Kings 2: 10-12; 3: 3-14 Responsive Reading: Psalm 111 Second Lesson: Ephesians 5: 15-20 Gospel Lesson: John 6: 51-58 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
“Experience comes from what we have done. Wisdom comes from what we have done badly[1].” -Theodore Levitt, Harvard Business School. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”-Proverbs 1:7 As I was growing up in Lindstrom, one cannot be separated from the reputation of one’s parents. Lindstrom was a town of about 2,000 people then. My Dad not only owned a business but served on the City Council since I was three years old. He has been elected Mayor of the town seven times since 2002. Before him, his Dad served as mayor. Before him, his Grandpa served as mayor. In fact, a direct descendant had served the town every decade since the town’s inception in 1894. So with a family tree like that, you’re always going to be in other people’s shadows. You don’t merely want to be remembered as Keith Carlson’s son. There are all sorts of ways to stand out from your ancestors: you can do it in sports, in music, you can become wildly successful be a doctor or a well-known businessman. What if there are other ways to stand out from those who came before you in ways that we don’t often consider. King David was Israel’s greatest king. The land had known unity, peace, and prosperity like no other time in Israel’s previous 500 years. Replacing David as King was going to be like replacing Babe Ruth on the New York Yankees, it seemed to be nothing but an impossible task. Solomon seemed destined to forever be known as David’s son within Israel. Shortly into King Solomon’s reign, his life would change forever. The Lord appeared to him in a dream. God said to Solomon: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you[2].” What an unbelievable offer[3]. Solomon began to ponder perhaps wealth or long lives for oneself or their loved ones. Solomon though thought differently. Solomon asked God for Wisdom instead. “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong[4].” The Lord was impressed with Solomon giving such an answer[5]. So God promised that Solomon would possess wisdom like no one would have ever walked the Earth before[6]. Soon right after this, Solomon’s gift would be put to the test[7]. Solomon is approached one day by two women[8]. Both women were the mothers of young infants. Both women slept in the same house. Tragedy struck during the night as one of the women rolled over crushing her infant to death. The grieving mother in response decides to take the other mother’s child and place the dead infant in her bed. As soon as the other mother awakens, she knows that the dead child lying next to her is not her own. The mothers go back and forth; they bring the dispute to King Solomon. Solomon listens patiently. Solomon suggests the only solution is “Cut the baby in two[9].” One mother agrees while the other mother cries out in agony: “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him[10]!” Solomon had his answer as to the true mother of this child. So brilliant, that the whole nation of Israel is in awe of Solomon’s wisdom[11], Solomon’s reign quickly becomes a smashing success. Solomon is an expert in diplomacy, he built foreign alliances so strong, that Israel would never be under threat like in his father King David’s reign[12]. Solomon’s diplomacy led to great wealth through foreign trade. In fact, Solomon was greater in riches than all the other kings of the Earth. Solomon was regarded as not just the wisest man in Israel, but eventually the whole, wide world. What eventually happened to Solomon, we will get back to the conclusion of his story in just a little bit. So as we hear the story of Solomon - what might such wisdom look like within our own lives. In our lesson from Ephesians 5[13], the Apostle Paul begins to answer this question. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is[14]”. How exactly might we acquire wisdom? In 1993, the comedian Bill Murray starred in a movie called Groundhog Day[15]. Murray plays a weather forecaster who is forced to journey to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania famous for the nation’s Groundhog Day celebration[16]. The weatherman was upset about having to go to a small backwater town populated by what he thought was nothing but hicks. He tapes a lazy report from Punxsutawney hoping to go home as soon as possible. The worst thing imaginable soon happens a blizzard kicks up, and he gets stranded. The next morning, the weatherman is stunned to awaken to another February 2nd. He acts like a fool would act binge-drinking, reckless driving, and finding any woman around[17]. He eventually grows depressed at all this, thinking suicide would be the only way out. When he realizes the emptiness of all this, he begins to acquire wisdom. He decides to use his new-found experience of every other Groundhog Day to better the world around him. He becomes a piano-player, an ice sculptor, picks up French, and begins enthusiastically reporting on all that took place in Punxsutawney on Groundhog’s Day[18].” What is Wisdom as Christian people? Wisdom is best summed up by King Solomon as he writes the Proverbs which declare: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom[19].” Wisdom is recognition of the brokenness of the world around us and within us. Wisdom is recognizing our own foolishness. As said by Mickey Anders: “To be foolish in the Jewish tradition means throwing away the chance for salvation[20].” Roy Harrisville was a mentor of mine at Luther Seminary[21]. Roy served thirty-some years in the New Testament at Luther Seminary. Roy preached shortly after his ninetieth birthday, at my installation here at Sychar six years ago. Roy is considered among the best New Testament scholars in the country. He’s the only friend of mine with a Wikipedia entry. Well once upon a time, Roy was speaking to a church. The Pastor didn’t like what Roy had to say. The Pastor was going to let everyone in the room know how wrong that Roy was. So he begins to appeal to his forty-some years of experience serving various churches. Roy was merely a young Seminary professor at the time. Roy in his annoyance merely snapped back: “You don’t have forty-years, you’ve done the same year forty years straight.” Roy is making an important point about wisdom that just because time has passed doesn’t mean we are wiser because of it if we don’t learn from our mistakes. Even King Solomon the wisest man who ever lived did not have a happy ending to his story. One of the ways that diplomacy was done in Solomon’s day took place by intermarrying among the kingdoms[22]. So Solomon took all sorts of wives: “had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines[23].” All these wives would soon bring trouble to Solomon’s kingdom. They would bring Gods other than the God of Israel into the land. Solomon would use his great wealth to build impressive shrines to these foreign gods[24]. Pretty soon the faith which had brought Solomon such great wisdom had been corrupted. Solomon’s foolishness brought the following curse: "Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant[25]." Israel upon Solomon’s fall would begin to collapse as a kingdom slowly. Solomon had many great building projects, but they brought a lot of debt to the land[26]. The people began to rebel against Solomon’s taxes. A near civil war broke out throughout the land. Upon Solomon’s death, the war finally broke out[27]. Israel would soon divide into the Northern Kingdom of Samaria and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Israel would never again enjoy such good times as when Solomon was the wisest man in the world. A thousand years after Solomon’s reign[28], Jesus was speaking of Solomon when he declared “not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” [29] Jesus was pointing out how all our eventual foolishness shall be redeemed and we shall know a kingdom way beyond anything that Solomon could ever know. Where we are weak, we will soon cling to Christ’s strength. True wisdom will point its way to a cross. This wisdom has a way of overcoming all forces that might afflict us on this day. Let me close with one final story; once upon a time, there was the owner of a small store[30]. He was being pressured day after day to sell to the owners of a much, larger department store. The man seemed destined for bankruptcy against the much stronger competition. The man continually refused to sell his store. So the Department store makes other plans, they open their store on both sides of the smaller shop. They spend all sorts of advertising dollars promoting their grand-opening, hanging giant banners bringing in people from far and wide. The store owner seemed defeated. He thought of an idea though. So right above his store, he hung a small banner which proclaimed “Main Entrance.” His store remained open for many years afterward, all thanks to a little wisdom. The little guy took down the big guy. The Cross of Christ shall eventually take down all not only Solomon’s sin but our own, our eventual death, and make the devil ultimately look foolish. Amen [1] Found on Sermon Illustrations under Wisdom on July 19th, 2018. [2] 1 Kings 3:5b [3] Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part one of two).” Email Meditations.10. Aug.2016. Web. July.19.2018. [4] 1 Kings 3:9a. [5] Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part one of two).” Email Meditations. [6] 1 Kings 3:12. [7] 1 Kings 3:16-28. [8] Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part one of two).” Email Meditations. [9] 1 Kings 3:25. [10] 1 Kings 3:27. [11] Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part one of two).” Email Meditations. [12]Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part two of two).” Email Meditations. 11. Apr.2016. Web. July.19.2018. [13] Ephesians 5:15-20. [14] Ephesians 5:15-17. [15] “Groundhog Day (film).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 22.July.2018. Web. July.22.2018. [16] Analogy idea comes from Erwin F. Goedicke on Text Week for Ephesians 5:16. [17] Groundhog Day (film).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. [18] Groundhog Day (film).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation [19] Proverbs 11:2 [20] Anders, Mickey. “How to Live.” Sermon Writer. 2003. Web. July.19.2018. [21] Idea was sparked by a similar story on Stories for Preaching titled “Two Teachers” found under Wisdom on July 19th, 2018. [22] Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part two of two).” Email Meditations. [23] 1 Kings 11:3. [24] Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part two of two).” Email Meditations. [25] 1 Kings 11:11. [26] Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part two of two).” Email Meditations. [27] Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part two of two).” Email Meditations. [28] Stier, Leon. “Solomon (part two of two).” Email Meditations. [29] Luke 12:27 [30] Found on Family Times under Wisdom Illustrations on July 19th, 2018. Analogy comes from Paul Decker on Sermon Central. First Lesson: 2 Samuel 18: 5-9, 15, 31-33 Responsive Reading: Psalm 130 Second Lesson: Ephesians 4: 25 - 5:2 Gospel Lesson: John 6: 35, 41-51 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
I want to begin this morning with the story of a young boy[1]. The young boy is like many a young boy you might know. When he would play baseball and didn’t like the umpire’s calling of balls and strikes, he would get mad. When he would argue with his brother and sister, he would get so mad that he would storm out of the house and not come back for hours. When he got mad at school, his face would turn red; he tended to let words slip that he shouldn’t say, and he would get sent to detention. His dad was getting frustrated at all the boy's temper tantrums during the first bit of adversity. So his dad one day came home and handed his boy a bag of nails. He then gave the following instruction “Whenever you get mad, I want you to take one of these nails and hammer it into the back of the fence out back.” This advice didn’t seem to work too well at first. The boy lost his temper just as much. Pretty soon, though the boy’s outbursts became rarer and rarer, the boy came to realize that it was easier to either walk away or calmly state his concerns then continually pound nails into the fence. One day, the boy comes home proudly announcing to his father that he had finally made it through the day without losing his temper. Father then gave the following advice. ‘Every day you don’t lose your temper, why don’t you pull a nail out of the fence[2].” Days go by until finally, the boy had restrained his anger enough to remove every single nail. The father told the son “he was proud,” but they needed to go look at the fence. The Dad pointed out all the holes in the fence where nails used to be.” Dad then made the point “It is the same way with anger, every time your anger wounds another, the wound remains long after the outburst[3].” Today’s lesson comes to us from Ephesians 4[4]. In our lesson for Today, Paul is seeking to address conflict within the Ephesian church. What the exact nature of the conflict is the text doesn’t say. What Paul implies is that the conflict was old, the conflict was long-standing. There was some long-standing grievance from the past that prevented the Ephesians from moving forward. The Ephesians probably weren’t that different from us in dealing with conflict. We sit on opposite sides of the sanctuary. In bigger churches, people even might dare to attend a different service to avoid certain “Christians[5].” When I first started attending Viking games with my dad, I remember sitting across the aisle from a gentleman. He was a short gentleman with a mustache. He was mad throughout the Vikings game, even if they managed to win. His face seemingly got redder and redder with every play. He looked like a heart attack waiting to happen. He was mad at the coach! He was mad at the offensive coordinator! He was mad at the Quarterback! He would do the best he could to let these people know how they disappointed him from section 235 in row 19, whether the Vikings could hear him or not didn’t matter! While the Vikings losing might be a disappointment, it need not be a source of wounds. Christians like those in Ephesians, like those in our churches probably struggled with discerning the difference between a disappointment and a wound. A color you don’t like in the fellowship hall is a disappointment; it is not a wound[6]. Even on more critical issues, such as the treatment of a former pastor or a church budget[7], it cannot permanently wound a church’s mission to bring the Gospel to their wider community. So Paul gives the Ephesians some advice, “Be Angry, but do not sin[8].” To consider the following verse, let’s reflect on whether anger is a sin[9]. Paul would say that anger, in fact, does have its place among Christian people. When I was growing up, I had a park up the street where kids would frequently congregate. One day a fight broke out. It wasn’t much of a fight but rather a beating where a group of junior highers were beating up and begin to bloody another junior higher. Living right across the street from the park was Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen was a mountain of a man. He stood 6’4; he weighed over 300 lbs at the time. As soon as Mr. Allen saw what was happening, he stormed out of the house. The kids saw Mr. Allen approaching, raising his voice, they cleared as quickly as they could. Mr. Allen was a devout believer and was right to get mad. There were limits to anger’s power. If Mr. Allen had sought an eye for an eye retaliation against the children, then anger would have been taken too far. For example, within the Old Testament, it was not uncommon for the prophets to lash out in anger regarding how God’s covenant with the people was being violated[10]. Anger’s limits need to be realized when placed in the hands of flawed and sinful people like ourselves. We must be cautious of seeking to justify our anger. We must be even more cautious not to try to stir up anger further. The Christian calling is not to respond to anger with violence. The Devil can very easily feed off our anger[11]. The Devil will attempt to destroy the Christian community by making getting even into a higher priority[12]. So how does Paul encourage Christians to respond to anger: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry[13], “ When I was in high school, I had a friend named Ben. Ben was very well-mannered, and I never heard Ben raise his voice. Ben’s whole family was the same way. The more time I spent around them, I saw them as good religious people who seemed incapable of anger. Ben was in for a million dollar education when he decided to go with me to Grandma’s on one summer night. Grandma, Ben, and I were sitting in the kitchen when my Uncle Gregg comes bursting in the door. Gregg was mad! Gregg was mad because Grandma couldn’t be reached earlier in the day! Now a family member was going to show up at Gregg’s house in the middle of the night and wake his young children. Gregg didn’t begin by exchanging pleasantries. Gregg merely started raising his voice to let Grandma know everything that was wrong. Grandma being about seventy-five at the time wasn’t just going to sit there and take this. She stood up and started yelling at Gregg right back! Even nearing ninety-five, I know of no one who should think it’s a good idea to start a screaming match with Grandma. Grandma and Gregg go back and forth for like five-ten minutes. Ben looks on mortified at what he was witnessing. Then remarkably, Grandma and Gregg solve their issue. They exchange a few jokes. Gregg walks out the door smiling, Grandma resumes business like normal, and their issues were resolved. The following story is an example of not letting the sun go down on one’s anger. They believed it was better for the relationship to disagree however uncomfortably and ultimately work their way forward as people. This is why Paul encourages us Today to : “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you[14].” Let me give you a painful truth on this day. We will have unlovable people in our lives[15]. You will have people disappoint you. You will have people speak wrongly about you. For what the Gospel does is reveal the exact opposite of anger. The Gospel reveals love at those very moments when we or those around us seem to be unlovable. We cannot or will not make ourselves right with God in comparison to other people. So their needs to be better ways to deal with anger even as difficult as they may be[16]. Let me close this morning with one Final Story, Chet Bitterman was an American missionary and Bible Translator[17]. Bitterman begins his missionary work in Colombia, South America[18]. While in Colombia, Bitterman one morning, terrorists bang on his door demanding to see his supervisor. When the supervisor is unavailable, Bitterman is kidnapped instead[19]. Bitterman’s wife and children witness this scene. Bitterman is eventually killed by his captors. Few people will ever be justified in their anger like Chet Bitterman’s family. You can understand if the family wanted nothing to do with the people of Colombia ever again. Bitterman’s family wanted to funnel their anger to more productive means[20]. They decided to enlist the support of friends and neighbors to begin a fundraising campaign for the people of Colombia to buy an ambulance where one was needed. Chet Bitterman’s parents even traveled to Colombia to present the new ambulance. During the ceremony, Chet Bitterman’s mom declared “We can do this because God has taken the “anger” hatred from our hearts[21].” On the cross, God gave hope and life eternal in response to the very people who put him to death. God gave forgiveness to those who had denied it to others. God had declared the “unlovable” to now be beloved. Anger had turned into grace. The world was now going to forever change because of it. Paul’s message to the Ephesian church is other people will disappoint us, but we cannot let them wound us. We will get angry, but this anger isn’t a bad thing if it points us to the day when our Lord shall permanently take all anger and brokenness from not only the Ephesian Church, but our church, and ultimately our world, only to the sunrise again as we witness the power of Resurrection. Amen [1] Higgins, Scott. “Nails in the Fence.” Stories for Preaching. Web. July.18.2018. Taken from Unknown Source. [2] Higgins, Scott. “Nails in the Fence.” Stories for Preaching. [3] Higgins, Scott. “Nails in the Fence.” Stories for Preaching. [4] Ephesians 4:25-5:2. [5] Molin, Steve. “Had Any Good Church Fights Lately?” Sermon Writer. 2006. Web. July.18.2018. [6] Molin, Steve. “Had Any Good Church Fights Lately?” Sermon Writer. [7] Molin, Steve. “Had Any Good Church Fights Lately?” Sermon Writer. [8] Ephesians 4:26 [9] Tranvik, Mark. “Commentary on Ephesians 4:25-5:2.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 12. Aug.2012. Web. July.18.2012. [10] Tranvik, Mark. “Commentary on Ephesians 4:25-5:2.” Working Preacher. [11] Ephesians 4:27 [12] Tranvik, Mark. “Commentary on Ephesians 4:25-5:2.” Working Preacher. [13] Ephesians 4:26b. [14] Ephesians 4:31-32. [15] Tranvik, Mark. “Commentary on Ephesians 4:25-5:2.” Working Preacher. [16] Tranvik, Mark. “Commentary on Ephesians 4:25-5:2.” Working Preacher. [17] Fritz, Paul. “Overcoming Anger Toward Belligerent People.” Sermon Central. 18.Oct.2000. Web. July.18.2018. [18] “Chet Bitterman.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 14.Jan.2017. Web. July.18.2018. [19] Steffen, Bonnie. “Chet Bitterman: Missionaries have never been off-limits for terrorists.” Christianity Today. March/April 2002. Web. July.18.2018. [20] Fritz, Paul. “Overcoming Anger Toward Belligerent People.” Sermon Central. [21] Fritz, Paul. “Overcoming Anger Toward Belligerent People.” Sermon Central. |
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