What do you want for Christmas?

Over the four weeks of Advent, we will be looking at this very popular question. What do you want for Christmas? What is on your list?

These are the true gifts of Christmas. These are the gifts that can change hearts, lives, and even transform the world. Jesus was not born so that we could give presents to each other and put up decorations. Jesus was born for one reason - to establish the Kingdom of God. These are the gifts of the Kingdom.

Nov. 29 - Hope
Dec. 6 - Freedom
Dec. 13 - Christ
Dec. 20 - Salvation

Fruitful

The first command that God gave to human beings was to "be fruitful." Jesus cursed the fig tree that bore no fruit, and told his disciples that people would know them by their fruit. In the beautiful imagery of Revelation, the sign that all things are well and that the Kingdom of God is fulfilled is the tree of life that bears fruit each month of the year.

The theme of being fruitful - whether it is a command of God, or a trait of faithfulness - permeates the Bible. for the next six weeks, we will look at how we can be more fruitful as a congregation, but also as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Oct. 18 What is the fruit you bear?

Oct. 25 Radical hospitality

Nov. 1 Passionate worship

Nov. 8 Intentional faith development

Nov. 15 Risk-taking mission

Nov. 22 Extravagant hospitality

Means of Grace: Did the Pharisees wear black hats?

Series: Means of Grace - ServiceScripture: Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Matthew 12:1-14Title: Did Pharisees wear black hats?Last week I talked some about the Lone Ranger. My point was that while we admire our heroes - like the Lone Ranger, Batman and Spiderman - we also sort of pity them. We admire them for being loners, and for being strong in situations that most of us would not be so courageous. And that we pity them because we know that there is no reason to be a lone ranger. We know as Christians that we do not need to be alone. We feel God’s grace through others, and are encouraged and strengthened by being with those we love. But I’ve been thinking about the Lone Ranger a little more, and realized that there is another thing we like about the Lone Ranger.He was good. He was unambiguously good. And he fought evil - no matter what. We watched a world on TV that was full of good guys and bad guys. We knew who was who to cheer for. We knew who to admire. That is a part of why we like shows like the Lone Ranger, because we like knowing who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. When the world is like that, we can feel safer, because then all we need to do is avoid the bad guys.The writer of Matthew probably would have liked the Lone Ranger. He would have liked how cut and dry things were in that show. He would have liked that the bad guys wore black hats and the good guys wore white hats. Because if the Gospel of Matthew were a western, the Pharisees would have definitely worn black hats.There is no question in Matthew who the bad guys were. It was those Pharisees, that conniving brood of vipers. They were hypocrites, and they were always trying to get Jesus caught in traps. They could not stand Jesus, and in the story we read today they were the first to conclude that Jesus must die. But who were the Pharisees? Why did they hate Jesus so much? Were they really that evil? Would they have really worn black hats?In the story that was read today, they sure come out looking pretty bad. What does Jesus do in this story? First he and his friends eat a little something when they are hungry. That doesn’t seem like a huge grievance. Then Jesus heals somebody. This is a good thing - why would anyone in their right mind condemn Jesus for healing somebody? He helped someone - how could this possibly be seen as a bad thing. The only people that could see this as bad are clearly opposed to anything that is good. The Pharisees, for condemning Jesus for healing, are obviously no good themselves.But is it really that simple? Jesus was trying to help somebody, and the Pharisees were upset with him for it. Were they upset that he helped someone? No - they were upset because he broke the Sabbath. So before we condemn the Pharisees for their action, lets try and see things from their perspective for a moment.The Pharisees dedicated their lives to studying, understanding, and knowing Scripture. They poured over the texts which we now call the Old Testament. They read and reread the law. They analyzed it and discussed it. They interpreted every nuance of the over 700 commandments found in books like Deuteronomy and Leviticus. They probably new the law better than anyone else. Why? Because they believed that the Law was a gift from God, and they believed that the best way to encounter God - the best way to know God - the best way to pleas God - was to do what God said to do in the Law.There were some that believed that the Temple was the center of religious life. These men were called Saducees - and they show up in the gospels at times too, always wearing black hats. The Saducees and Pharisees were bitter rivals. The Saducees believed that God lived in the Temple, and that the only way to please God was through Temple sacrifice. The Pharisees on the other hand said, "no," every home can be a Temple. Every body can be a Temple. Wherever people followed the law, that place was holy. Whoever followed the law, that person was holy. There was no need for the Temple, because the law preceded the Temple, and as long as they had the law, then they had God. You see, the Pharisees believed that every person could have a relationship with God, with or without the Temple. They believed that every person could encounter God within their own hearts. This really wasn’t all that different from Jesus.The law was extremely important to them because it was through the law that people could encounter God. The problem was that the law was not always clear and precise. Even laws that seem clear like Do not Murder are not that clear. What is murder? When is killing someone murder and when is it self-defense. What about soldiers? These were the kinds of things the Pharisees argued about, even amongst themselves.One of these such laws that seemed clear was the law of the Sabbath. The law says to keep the Sabbath holy, but what does that mean? The Pharisees debated this. They debated it not because they were a heartless brood of vipers, but because they believed that it was important. To them, following the law was the best way to encounter God. The Law was their primary means of Grace. So they argued about what it meant to keep the Sabbath holy. Can you work? No, but what is work? Is walking work? IF so, how far? Do we have to stay in bed and do nothing? Is going to the Temple work? Is prayer work? Can you eat? Yes, but how do you get food if you cannot work? Is fixing bread work? Is eating something prepared the day before work? It seems obvious that harvesting in a field is work, but what about plucking a few heads off of some grain to eat? Can you heal? Well, is there any labor involved? These were the things the Pharisees debated. And the Pharisees disagreed.There were some that were more strict than others. So when Jesus healed, were they upset because he helped someone? No - they were upset because they feared that he violated the Sabbath. And worse, they feared that this man was infringing on their territory. This argument really had nothing to do with healing - it had to do with authority. Who should people listen to in matters of the law. Should people listen to the Pharisees, who had spent their whole life studying it and had gained a respected place in society, or should they listen to this peasant from the sticks?The Pharisees were not against helping someone, but they were fearful. They were fearful of the law. They had distorted the very law they had sought to protect. In defending the law above all else, they had forgotten why the law was given in first place. The law was given to help people. And in their fear of losing respect and losing power they forgot this. Their fear kept them from seeing what Jesus had truly done. All they could see was a violation of the law instead of seeing Jesus helping another human being. Were they bad guys? Well, if you judge them solely by their actions, then yes - they look pretty bad. But if you judge them by their motivation, then they aren’t so much bad as they are misguided and fearful. Their motivation was to protect the law at all costs and in so doing they lost sight of what their real motivation should have been - to help people.The Pharisees believed that the way to encounter God was to follow the law, but Jesus revealed to us the real way to encounter God. The means of Grace that we have talked about these last few weeks include worship, studying the Bible, prayer, coming to the Lord’s Supper, and meeting with other Christians. In this story Jesus reveals to us another means of Grace - another way to encounter God - by helping someone in need. Jesus saw the need of the man and he helped him. He was not fearful of the law. He simply healed the man because he needed to be healed. The Pharisees, on the other hand, allowed fear to get in the way.When we read this story it is easy to see the Pharisees and condemn them as evil, but I think if we were honest we would realize that most of the time we are more like the Pharisees then we are like Jesus. Jesus saw someone in need of help, so he helped the man. He helped him without hesitation - without fear. We all know that it is important to help others, but we don’t always do it. And why not? We, like the Pharisees, are fearful. We are fearful we will be hurt. We are fearful that we will be taken advantage of. We are fearful that our help will go unrewarded or unappreciated.When we help someone another human being, when we help someone in need, we encounter God. We experience grace by the grace that we are extending to another person. And most of us know that. Think of the times in your life that you helped someone - the times that you were truly selfless, put aside any fear and just helped somebody. I know that you have had times like that. Think about the feelings you had - the freedom that comes from helping someone when there is no benefit for yourself. Those times - that feeling - is a touch of the divine.We all know that when we help someone in need that it feels good. So the question is, do we do it enough? Are there times when we refuse help? Are there times when we, like Jesus and the Pharisees, see the man with the withered hand, but choose the path the Pharisees chose - the path of fear. Are there times when we shy away from helping someone? Of course there are. None of us do all that we can to help others.There are times when I see someone on the side of the highway. They’re pulled over and probably in need of some help. I know how to change a tire, I have a cell phone, I have some money for gas and a gas can. There are times when I see people in need of help, but not once have I ever stopped. Why not? I know that it would feel good to help. I know that Jesus would want me to help. But I don’t because of fear. I am afraid that the people will actually try to harm me. I am afraid that I will be late to whatever I’m going to. I am afraid - so I keep driving. Was it a wise decision? Probably. Was it the right decision? I don’t know.The other day someone called our home. He told me his mother died, and that he was in Florida and was trying to get back home. He said his car broke down, and that he needed money for a bus ticket. Instead of wiring the money right away I was cautious. I was afraid that he was trying to take advantage of me. I was afraid that he would waste my limited resources. So I looked into the situation a little more and realized he was lying to me. So I didn’t help him. Was it a wise decision? Probably. Was it the right decision? I don’t know. Maybe he really did need help. Maybe if I had sent him money he could have gotten out of a jam. But I’ll never know.So how do we help? How do we see the withered hand and see only someone in need, and not all the things to be afraid of? For one we have faith. We keep step out in faith knowing that sometimes things aren’t going to work out. Sometimes our help will go unrewarded. Sometimes our help will be wasted. Sometimes our fears will come true. But we help anyway knowing that it is what God would have us do. Secondly, we act as a church to make sure that our help is safeguarded.We give to the United Methodist Church’s ministries because we trust that the church will use the resources well. We trust that the church will give the help where the help is needed. And that is a well-earned trust. We can trust our help is being used wisely when we help through the church. And we work together to make our help count. We give to the Chenoa Food Pantry and the Community Clothes Closet - both of these things are great community resources that help people truly in need. But the best way to help others is to seek out relationship with people. Don’t just give someone a handout, give them your hand.But above all, we just keep trying. We just keep helping as much as we can. We help out of love. We help without judgment, knowing that those we help often did nothing to deserve their lot. We help in humility, knowing that we are one pink slip or one diagnosis or one bad storm away from needing the help ourselves. We help in mutuality, knowing that we can learn much and gain much from those who are supposedly less fortunate. And we help with persistence, knowing that no matter how much we do, we can still do more. And we help with hope, knowing that someday the final victory will be won, and we are just doing our small part.So help someone, and don’t think that you can’t do it. You can help someone. There are ways that all of us could help more. Think about it honestly. Think about it in prayer. We shouldn’t beat ourselves up for not doing enough, we should just concentrate on what we can do now. So think of something. Challenge yourself. Don’t let fear stop you, and just help. Amen.

Means of Grace: Lamenting the Lone Ranger

Series: Means of Grace - ConferencingScripture: Matthew 16:13-19; 26:69-75Title: Strength in numbersWhen you hear this song (the opening trumpet of "William Tell Overture"), what do you think of? Well, if you’ve been to some Illinois football games, you might think of that. But most people probably think of something else. Whenever the bad guys were in town, plotting to steal the silver mine, or rob a bank, or swindle a widow, if you heard that trumpet, you knew that things were going to be okay. Because that music meant the Lone Ranger was riding into town. And the Lone Ranger would make things right.The Lone Ranger is an American icon, with his black mask, silver bullets, white horse and Indian companion, Tonto. It was the most popular show on the radio. There were also novels, comic books, TV shows and feature films. The Lone Ranger, whose closest friends were killed by the Clavendish gang, remained anonymous, always leaving townspeople wondering, "Who was that masked man?" The Lone Ranger was an American hero - the ideal.I actually remember Lone Ranger reruns on TV on Saturdays, but I don’t think they’ve been on TV for a long time. I can’t help but wonder if some young people even know who the Lone Ranger is. But even though people may not remember John Reid and his mask made of his brother’s vest, the idea of the Lone Ranger is still strong in our culture. The TV serial western has gone out of style, but the American hero has not changed much.Over the last few years comic book movies have had explosive popularity. Batman, another masked man driven by revenge, has had several movies of varying quality, the best being the latest version Batman Begins. Spiderman, an awkward teenager who finds that his powers make him no more sociable, is expecting his third movie out next summer. Superman Returns, who in the most recent movie still stands for "truth, justice, and all that stuff," was the blockbuster his of the summer. All of these characters have something in common - besides overwhelming box office appeal - they are all new versions of the Lone Ranger.They are all loners, looking from the outskirts of society. They all use their powers, either supernatural or not, to pursue wrongdoers, bring people to justice, and if there’s time - save and kiss the girl. But they are all isolated. They are all alienated from the rest of society. None of them have intimate relationships with anyone. They protect their identity, and guard their privacy. And for this, we admire them. We admire them for their power. We admire them for pursuing justice. We admire them for getting the bad guy, and I think we admire them because they do it on their own. We admire them for being alone because of all the scary things they face, the evil monsters and criminal masterminds, the scariest thing that any of us face is loneliness. So we admire them for standing up in the face of such terrible loneliness.We admire them because we know that if we were faced with the same loneliness, we might not be so strong. Our icons like Batman and the Lone Ranger, do it on their own. The Lone Ranger, as suggested by his moniker, was mostly alone. And being alone is not an easy place to be. Have you been lonely? Have you felt out of place? When you’re all by yourself it can be very difficult to be brave - and yet these heroes seem to exemplify bravery even in the midst of their loneliness - and that’s what makes them super above all of their powers.Loneliness, isolation, alienation, whatever you call it - is one of the most basic of human fears. No one wants to be alone. Yes, there are times when solitude and isolation can be healing. Sometimes it is nice to retreat and spend time in contemplation. That is partly why I like my bike rides so much. It can be refreshing and renewing to be alone for short period of time - but we must always come back to people that we care about - people we love. True loneliness is being away from anyone you care about and anyone that cares about you - that is why it is possible to be very lonely in a crowded place. Loneliness is not just separation from people - but separation from love. When someone is separated from love - from life giving love - then what often creeps in is fear. If someone is separated from love, then all they have left is fear.When you are surrounded with love, it is easy to be brave. Love is the source of all things. It is the source of God’s power. When we are surrounded in it, people can do amazing things. When we are without love, then all we have is fear and courage becomes impossible.Look at Peter. In Matthew’s gospel we read two very different stories about Peter. In the first, Peter is the Rock. Jesus is questioning his disciples, and asks them, "Who do you say that I am?" They sort of waver. Well, you’re a pretty good guy - you’re definately a prophet. A great prophet, kind of like John the Baptist - no, better - Jeremiah, or maybe Elijah... And it is Peter that stands up, firm in his conviction and says, "You are the messiah." There, among his friends, close to Jesus, Peter is empowered, and he is the first to claim that Jesus is the messiah - the Christ. Peter is the one that makes the leap.Jesus is not just some teacher. He is not just a good friend. He is not just some healer. All the disciples knew that Jesus was something special, that is why they followed him. But it was Peter who was able to declare "You are the Messiah," the annointed one of God. You are the one that we have been waiting for. You are the one who will establish the Reign of God. You are God’s chosen. There, among his friends Peter can be bold and declare something that no one else was able to declare.Then we fast forward a little bit. Now we find Peter at Jesus’s trial. He is in the courtyard of the high priest, he is cold and alone. He is warming himself by the fire. Remember, just a few hours ago Peter had been with Jesus in Gesthamane. He had Jesus had asked him to keep alert for him while Jesus prayed, and Peter could not stay awake. Then the guards came, and there was some chaos. Someone draws a sword and cuts off the ear of one of the Roman guards, but the disciples, Peter included, run away. One of the men that was following Jesus was in such a hurry that Matthew tells us that he ran away naked.So here is Peter, watching Jesus’s trial. He knows that things aren’t going well. The high priest is angry, ready almost to do the deed himself. The guards blindfolded Jesus, began to beat him and spit on him. And Peter is there, all alone watching this take place. While he is there a girl sees Peter and asks him, "Weren’t you with him too?" And Peter denies it. But the little girl is insistent, and this time she speaks up, and talks to some of the crowd, "This fellow is one of them." Again, he denied it. But now the others look at Peter, and they recognize him. Now he is truly alone as people begin to see who he is, "Surely, you are one of them." And Peter’s final response is "I don’t this man you’re talking about."Just a short time ago Peter had been with Jesus, with the disciples when he was the only one bold enough to declare, "You are the Messiah." Now, alone in the courtyard, Peter - the one who knew Jesus better than anyone else - the one who knew his true identity before anyone - declares, "I do not know this man."What changed? How could Peter be so different? What was different? He was alone. He was alienated. He was isolated. He was picked out of the crowd and left without any help or support. His savior was there being beaten and all he could think about was his own fate. He succumbed to the fear and saved his skin. But really, can you blame him? He was alone. I can’t help but wonder where the other disciples were. Apparently they were not brave enough to even come see what was happening. But Peter, the Rock, had wavered. He allowed the fear to overtake him - because he was alone.We admire our heroes because even though they are alone, they are able to be brave. Most people - even Peter - can’t be so brave when they are alone. That is why it is so important to gather together. We gather this morning to worship, but we also gather as a community to remind us that we are not alone.When we gather as a church we know that there are others like us. There are others with fears and doubts. There are others who are sick and in need of care. And at the same time when we gather we know that there are others who are brave. There are others who we can depend on, who can support us. And we gather not only as a local church, but as the United Methodist Church. The cross and flame is a symbol found around the world. We gather as a Vermillion River District, with help and resources from Pontiac and Bloomington and Kankakee. We gather as an Illinois Great Rivers Conference, with Springfield and Peoria and Mount Vernon and the Quad Cities. We gather as the United Methodist Church, with people across the world in all inhabited continents. As a people of faith we come here and we a part of something bigger than ourselves. Bigger than these walls. And we know that we are not alone - we do not need to be. There is no need for a Lone Ranger. Yes, we can admire our heroes - but we also feel a little sad for them., because we know that there is no need to be alone. We know that there is no need for the masks and the secret identity.We, like Peter, surrounded by his friends can declare "Jesus is the Messiah." When we are out in the world, and the little girl says, "Aren’t you one of them?" We can stand firm, knowing that we are not alone and declare, "Yes, I am. I know Jesus, and he is the Messiah. He is my source of life and grace."That is why gathering is so important. It teaches us that we are not alone. We draw strength from the community. We draw strength from each other. That is why it so important to continue to gather - not just on Sunday mornings. That is why we have Bible studies. That is why we have times of fellowship. That is why we have supper together. That is why I want to gather at the basketball court on Wednesday nights. That is why I want to gather in the fellowship hall around Bear games on Sunday afternoons. That is why we will celebrate Rally Day on September 10. We come here to be strengthened by the community - to feel God’s grace through one another. To feel God’s love through the warm smile and gentle embraces. To feel God’s acceptance with people who know we are all but sinners walking together on this journey. To be empowered by the family, so we can go out and live the way Jesus would have us live. That is why we come here, so we can go out there and not hide in the corner hoping no one will see.We come here so we can remember that we have strength, so when someone asks, "Aren’t you one of them?" We don’t have to be alone and fearful like Peter. We can stand firm and say, "Yes, I know Jesus." We come here so that we can feel the grace of God, and when darkness surrounds us we can say, "Yes, I know Jesus." We come here so that we can know the Kingdom of God, and when the world beats us down and looks like there is no hope, we can say, "Yes, I know Jesus." And if you can say that, even in the midst of darkness and despair. If you can say that, even in times of sickness. If you can say that, even in the dark and fearful times, then no darkness can overcome your light, no fear can overcome your hope, no death can overcome your life. Know that Jesus is the messiah. Know that Jesus is the chosen one of God. Know that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and declare it boldly as only one with strength in numbers can declare it. Amen.

Means of Grace: The family table

Scripture: Exodus 24:3-11; Mark 14:17-26Title: Family mealThis past week Sarah and I enjoyed our first official "Meet the McCoys" event. We had a wonderful time. On Thursday we were taken to McDonald’s Restaurant in Fairbury. We had some very good broiled chicken and soup and then went to someone’s home for some delicious cookies and coffee. The food was good. We were both stuffed after lunch, and the cookies and sherbert that we had for desert were all homemade - and you could tell. It was a great meal, but the best part about it was not the quality of the food. The best part about it was the chance to sit down and get to know some women from the church a little better. And I think my favorite part was when we went back to one of the ladies’ homes. We sat around her dining room table and shared much more than cookies. We shared stories, we shared memories, and we shared a lot of laughter. There’s just something about gathering at a family table that is special.The family table is a special place. That is why we wanted to have the Meet the McCoys parties. We wanted the chance to get to know some people. We wanted a chance to develop real relationships with people. It is impossible to really get to know somebody in this hour at church. You may feel like you know me from a few weeks of preaching, but I don’t get to know you any better. But I feel having personal relationships with as many people from the church as possible is extremely important. So we want to gather together in fairly small groups, preferably at a family table. And I cannot tell you how excited we are that we have several meals planned.To me, the family table is one of the most important pieces of furniture in a home. Our table is a pretty simple table. It is fairly dark brown wood. It is oblong, and has one leaf. It seats six, but we only have five chairs. I still call it the kitchen table, even though it has not been in a kitchen in years. It’s in our dining room, and looks kind of small in that big room.Most people have a kitchen table. It is really the most basic furniture possible. I’m no anthropologist, but I would imagine that most every culture, going back very far in the history of humanity, has had some form of table. Think of your own table. What’s on it right now? On ours is some mail, the newspaper, two candlesticks, a napkin holder. It has a little bit of a mess on it, but nothing that couldn’t be picked up quickly. What are some things that you do at your table? In the last week, we have paid bills, played cards, written notes.I said that I call our table the kitchen table even though it has not been in a kitchen in years. That is because for many years before it came to our apartment in Saint Louis, it was the kitchen table at my house. It was the place we shared many meals, but it was much more than that.It was the place that we made candy every Christmas. It was where we colored eggs every Easter. It was where I did the really important homework - the research papers and the projects. It was where I sat to talk to my Mom as she did dishes. It was where my brother and I would play board games sometimes. It was where my sister saved my life when I was choking on a hot dog when I was three years old.The kitchen table, the family table - is much more than a table. It is the center of the home. Every home has levels, and when you visit a home, you get closer and closer to the heart of the home with each level you pass. The first level is the simple property line. A talk out in the yard is a friendly talk, but it is not particularly intimate. No one sits down. No refreshments are offered. It is a temporary relationship, and both parties know it. The front porch is the next level. Here there might be seats. A drink may be offered. Still though, there has been no real breach of privacy. The next level is inside the door. This might bring you to a more comfortable seat like the couch. Here a snack may be offered. This visit might last a little longer. The relationship is a little more permanent. But once you reach the table, this is a higher level of intimacy. This is really the highest level of intimacy you can expect when you visit someone’s house. Here a whole meal may be shared. Here time is going to be spent. This is the heart of the home - the place where so many memories have been created, and now the visitor is a part of those memories.Having someone into your home is a special event. It is a chance to show hospitality. It is a chance to share a place that is special to you with someone else. When we share our family table with others, we cannot help but leave that time a little closer. Having a meal together at a restaurant is nice, but being in someone’s home -- you can feel the spirit of that home. There is no greater place to build a relationship with someone than at a family table.And I think Jesus knew it. Jesus was desperate to share a closer relationship with his disciples. The whole purpose of his life was to bring people together. People have a knack for dividing each other. We divide by gender. We divide by class. We divide by nationality. We divide by the way we look. We divide by the way we dress. We divide and we divide and we divide, and all Jesus did was go around breaking down those divisions. He broke down divisions between race and ethnicity, and class. He broke down the ways we divide each other, and he did it with a table.What was so scandalous to the leaders at the time? He ate with those people. The leaders dedicated their life to putting up dividers, and he broke down the barriers in the most powerful way he could - at the table. Jesus did his ministry at the table. He ate with people. It was such a simple thing, and yet it was enough for people to want to kill him.Jesus dedicated his life to breaking down barriersbetween people. And he did it by being relationship with others. In his life he wanted nothing more to have a relationship with people. And when it came time for him to die, when he knew it was coming to an end. When he knew he was going to be betrayed and arrested he didn’t go out and preach to thousands. He didn’t go to the crowds and seek one last audience. He didn’t go out and perform one last miracle. He wasn’t looking for a farewell tour or a grand finale. When he knew it was coming to an end, all he wanted to do was share a meal with his friends.So he and his friends gathered and shared a meal. They gathered around a table, and this wasn’t just any table - it was so much more. It was the Lord’s Table. He wanted them to remember this meal. More, he wanted them to remember their relationship. He wanted them to remember all the barriers that he broke down. He wanted them to remember what he taught them about how to love one another and how to love God. He wanted them to remember everything they had been trough, everything they had seen. So he broke bread, and he told them to remember him. And he poured out the cup, and he reminded them of the covenant they shared, and he told them to remember him. In the end, he shared a meal with his friends - but it was so much more than a meal.So now we are offered to join in this meal. We are offered the bread and the cup, and yet we are offered so much more. Some things haven’t changed. We’re still really good at dividing each other, and Jesus still wants nothing more than for us to be together. He wants more than anything for us to be in relationship with each other, and with him. So Jesus still offers us this meal. There is so much going on in this meal that I couldn’t begin to explain it all. It is rich with metaphor and symbolism, but the best way that I can explain it is that it is the family meal.Think of how special it is to be invited to someone’s home for a meal. Think of the way a relationship is changed in a real and powerful way when you eat at someone’s table. Think of the people you have eaten with, the memories that were made during those times. Above all, think of the relationships that are forged at a family table. Then remember that when we come to this meal, we are coming to the Lord’s Table.When we come to the Lord’s Table we develop our relationship. We as Methodists may not believe that the bread and wine become physically the body and blood of Jesus, but we do believe that something real and powerful happens here. We share a meal with our Lord and barriers are destroyed. We encounter God through the bread and the cup.There are a lot of questions that people have about Communion. Should children do it? Well, I cannot think of a family that gathers for a meal and does not include the children. Some argue that children can’t know what is going on in Communion, so they can’t take it seriously. Well, I wonder if any of us really know what is going on in Communion. I’ve been studying it for some time now and I cannot tell you exactly what happens. And I also know that children might not know what is going on when they are included in it, but they definitely know what is going on when they are left out of it.Others ask if anyone should be able to take Communion? The table is the Lord’s Table, this is not my table. This is not the church’s table. This is not the Methodist table. It is the Lord’s Table, and anyone who belongs to the Lord can come. And that is also why we as Methodists drink grape juice on not wine. We partake of the vine, but do not allow it to be fermented because we want all to be able to come, and the presence of alcohol could keep some away.Some wonder if they are worthy of Communion. The answer to that is easy - no. None of us are. None of us are worthy to eat at the Lord’s Table, and yet all are invited anyway. And that is grace. All are invited to come and experience God’s grace. All are invited - regardless of age or class or gender or race or "worthiness."Now we are getting close to the time when we will share in the Lord’s Supper. We will come to the table and share in the family meal. We will eat the bread and we will experience the body of Christ. We will drink of the cup and we will experience forgiveness. When we come to the table, we come to God. The Lord’s Supper is a means of grace. You can feel the grace of God in the bread and the wine. So come to the table, the Lord’s Table, the family table. Come to the feast. Come to grace. Come to Christ. Come. Oh, and after you have come, go find someone that hasn’t been home for awhile, and bring them back to the table next time - there’s plenty for everybody

Means of Grace: A bike ride

Series: Means of Grace - Prayer Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15 Title: A bike ride through the corn I don’t really have a sermon for you this morning. Instead, I want to tell you about something pretty ordinary. On Thursday I went for a bike ride. When I left I had a lot of things on my mind. I was feeling a little stressed, and I hoped that the ride would clear my head. I came out of my garage and turned right on Division. As I headed south I passed the library right away, and I remembered that I have an overdue book. A little farther along I passed the Duffy-Pills Funeral Home. I had been there earlier in the day and thought of the four men I met there, and of their father. I thought of Paul Martin and his life spent in Chenoa. I learned that day that all of Paul’s boys were baptized and confirmed in this church. They are now all adults and seem to be good men. I thanked God for this church, and the wonderful privilege it is to serve here. Before I got to Rt. 24 I passed the Kridners. The garage door was open, and I slowed down to see if George was there. For a second I thought I saw him, then realized that was the cut-out of Mark McGwire. I thought of Terry. I was happy that she seemed to be getting stronger. I thanked God for the healing that is happening in her body, and asked that she continue to gain her strength. Soon, I was across Rt. 24. I noticed two houses next door to each other, one with a Mets flag, and one with a Cardinals flag. I wondered which of them put their flag up first, and I made a mental note to go out and get a White Sox flag. Soon I passed the elementary school. I saw the name on the scoreboard and wondered who that was. Once I was out of town, I got off my bike. I made a quick seat adjustment, and took a look at the water tower before heading off into the country. When I ride out in the country, I always know I won’t get lost as long as I can see the water tower. I live right across the street from it, you know. Well, I got going pretty fast. The sun was to my right. So was the interstate. I could see the trucks speeding along, traveling down one of this country’s major arteries, stretching from Chicago to New Orleans. As I was heading south I wondered what was ahead. I went two country blocks and stopped at an intersection and thought for awhile. When I stopped I took a good look around and was awestruck by what I saw. I hear people from other states talk about how boring it is to drive through Illinois. They say its so flat and ugly. I cannot disagree more. I think this is the most beautiful place I can imagine. I looked out and could see green for miles and miles. Amongst the vast ocean of green were some silos, a few houses and a few patches of trees. I was awestruck by the beauty of the corn and bean fields and the big blue sky patched with puffy white clouds. All I could hear were birds singing. God’s creation was spread before me and I was left almost breathless. I thanked God for creating the birds of the air, and for the bountiful fields laid out before me, and I set out on my adventure. I looked back and could still see the water tower, but I couldn’t read it anymore. I realized that I had no idea what was directly south of Chenoa, so I decided to turn left. I put the sun to my back and got going again. As I was riding, I got to a point where there were cornfields on my right and left and I realized something. When you’re on a country road between two corn fields in August in Illinois, you can’t see anything accept in front of you and behind. Its like riding in a hallway. In other words, the water tower was out of sight. And I couldn’t help but get a little nervous. That water tower, my water tower, was my anchor. It was my north star. It was my compass. And I knew that as I rode, I would keep getting farther and farther away from it. I thought of all the times in my life - and I’d guess you’ve had times like these too - when you started down a path and you weren’t sure where it would take you. We all have our water towers. We all have our ways of getting home, back to where it is safe and people love us. But there are times when you can’t see the water tower. You’re not exactly sure where you are going, but you know you can’t turn around. You’ve ventured out on your own a little too far, and its hard to get back. Prayer can help bring you back. Some might say that God is the water tower, but that’s not exactly right. You can always see God. No matter how high the corn is, God is never hidden. All we have to do pray, and God can help lead us back to the place where we can see our water tower again, and then we can get back home. Eventually though, I reached a bean field, and I could see my water tower again. As I was riding I thought more about prayer. I thought of one of my favorite songs. It is a Garth Brooks song, and it goes, "Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." That makes for a good song, but I’m not sure that it makes good theology. Sometimes unanswered prayers hurt. Sometimes it seems that we can pray and pray and pray. We can pray earnestly and sincerely, and with true faith and God still does whatever he feels like anyway. One time I was listening to a Christian radio station and they started a time of prayer. They were taking call-in prayer requests. I didn’t call in, but I had a prayer request. I prayed that God would heal my aunt. She was sick with cancer, and had been struggling for a long time - most of her life really. I prayed for God to heal her. I believed it could happen. I had read the stories of Jesus healing. I believed it could happen still. I knew God could heal her if God wanted to, and I couldn’t think of a reason why God wouldn’t want to. I cried there in my car. I pounded the steering wheel and I begged, "God heal her. I know you can, please heal her." She died a few weeks later. Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayer? Well, I’d rather not have that gift. After that I couldn’t help but wonder, "What’s the point?" If God is going to answer some prayers, and not answer others, it seems like God pretty much does whatever he wants to. If we pray for something, and it happens, then we thank God for the power of prayer. If we pray for something and it doesn’t happen, then we just chalk it up to "God’s will." That’s troubling to me. I can’t be the only one that has thought of this before, "If God is going to do ‘God’s will’ no matter what, what’s the point of praying?" Well, that’s a good question. But as I came to an intersection I stopped and I wondered if there is actually a problem with the question. The question presumes the idea that God "does" everything. As if everything that happens is the will of God. Was it the will of God that my aunt had cancer? Is it the will of God when a child dies in a tragic accident? I’m not sure that the God of our Bible is a God that controls everything from on high like a puppet master. Some of God’s greatest gifts might be unanswered prayers, but God’s greatest gift of all was the gift of free will. Because with that gift came an authentic relationship. With that gift came our choice to follow God or not. Without choice, we are but puppets, and we would be no more capable of love then a dummy loves the ventriloquist. But we are capable of love. We are capable of choice. As I stood at the intersection I thought about which way I should go. It was my will that made me turn north, back toward home. I could have chosen to keep going, but I knew that I would probably get too tired if I did, and that I might not get home before dark. Was it God’s will for me to turn back toward home? Well, it is probably the decision God wanted me to make, but it was my decision. Aren’t our lives like that all the time? We have choices to make. Every choice we make there is probably a choice that God would like us to make. There is a choice that will move us toward the greater good - and this is God’s will for us all. Then there is the choice that will move us away from the good - we call these choices sins. Sometimes its obvious which is which. Sometimes it is much, much harder. I didn’t have to say a prayer at that intersection to know that turning left was the good choice. But there are times when it is not so clear. So our ongoing challenge is to know the will of God, to understand what God would have us do. When we face tough decisions, when we face challenges, when we face our fears, when we face tragedies, when we face the world and all the world throws at us, we long to know the will of God. Prayer helps us get closer to God - Prayer helps us to know what God would have us do. After a couple of miles I turned west. I made sure to head west before I got back to Rt. 24 - Now, the first time I went for a ride I got to the point where the only way I could figure out to get back to town was on Rt. 24, and if you want to have a quick lesson in prayer, try riding a bike on a highway with 20 ton trucks screaming past you at sixty miles an hour. So I avoided that path, and headed west on a much safer country road. The sun was in front of me. So was a long steady incline. It was tough. My legs were starting to get tired. My backside was starting to get sore from the seat. My face was dripping with sweat. My heart rate was increasing dramatically. I wondered when the incline would ever stop. I wondered if I was going to make it. Eventually I did, and I started to go down the hill. I picked up speed and shifted gears. I kept pedaling and soon I was going quite fast. The corn stalks were whizzing by me. Bugs were hitting me in the face and the wind was rushing through my hair. It was exciting, exhilarating, and a little scary. It was fun. As I allowed myself to slow down I thought more about our path in life. There are times in our life that are the fast times, the joyous times. The times that are exhilarating, exciting, and a little scary. The times that are fun. And it is easy in those times to just let everything fly by and miss it, but prayer helps to slow us down. Prayer lets us realize how good things are. Prayer helps us appreciate the grace and blessings in our life. But sometimes we are going uphill. Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes we wonder if we are going to make it. There are times when it seems like it would be easier to give up. Have you had those times in your life? Are you living through one right now? There are times in life when we wonder how we are going to make it, and yet we somehow keep going. We keep going by God’s grace. We keep going through prayer. So I thought again of my aunt. And I remembered her struggle. I remembered her fight. It was uphill. And I remembered how she never quit. I remembered how she kept going - she kept fighting - she kept laughing - and she kept loving. She loved until the very end - and she taught us all how to keep going. And I remember wondering at the time how she did it. She was powered by something I couldn’t explain. She was powered by God’s grace. She was powered through prayer. As I was coming back north, I could see my water tower. I was getting hungry. I was tired and sore. After a short time I could read the words. I knew that when I got home I still had a lot of things to do. But as I looked at my water tower I smiled. I knew that the church I served and the home I loved were right across the street from it. I felt warmed by the idea that the water tower was closer every second. When I got home I realized that I had spent the last half hour in prayer. Somehow the stress and the things I had to do did not seem to loom so large. They did not seem to matter quite so much. I had spoken to God and heard God’s reply on those country roads. It was just me, my bike and God and I knew that even though I ended up in the same place as when I began, I had somehow grown closer to God. God had led me through quite a ride. God was there in my thoughts of the Martin and Kridner families. God was there as I was awestruck by the beauty of the countryside. When I got a little nervous, and wondered if I would find my way home, God was there guiding me. At the intersections, as I pondered which way to go God helped me decide. On that hill, with my legs burning and heart pounding, God helped me keep going. Going back down, as I picked up speed, God was speeding along with me. On my way home, reflecting on it all, God warmed my heart. All along I prayed, and with every pedal, I came closer to God, and I was given God’s grace.

Means of Grace: Tumbleweed or fruitful tree?

Series: Means of Grace - Bible Scripture: Psalm 1 Title: "Tumbleweed or fruitful tree?" I’ve been talking the last few weeks about grace. I talked about what grace is and why it is so amazing. I am convinced that grace goes against our society’s values, but that it is exactly what our world needs more than anything. God’s grace is a powerful thing, and it is something that really cannot be explained properly. It is something that can only be experienced. So I am talking about different ways that you can experience grace. Last week I talked about worship, and that our primary job as a church is to worship in a way that helps people encounter God, to help people feel grace. Worship in and of itself is meaningless, idle chatter, unless people feel the presence of God. This week I am talking about the Bible. It too is a means of grace. People may wonder what the Bible is, why it is so special. The answer is simple. It is a way for people to encounter God - it is a means of Grace. But like I said, grace is not something you can always explain. It is something that you feel. So I decided I would tell you a story of a time that I experienced grace through the Bible. After I graduated from Illinois Wesleyan, I moved to Edwardsville. I was a graduate assistant sports information director there for two years. During those two years I did a lot of growing up, and I cherish the experience of living on my own for two years, but at the time it was very difficult. I was farther away from home than I had ever been. This was the first time that I lived with someone that I did not know. It was also the first time I lived in a city I had never been to. I was terribly lonely because I knew no one, and the most important person in my life at the time - Sarah - had two years left in college 150 miles away. I remember a very numb feeling. I was going through the motions. I went to class. I went to work. I watched TV. I tried to make some new friends, but I was mostly sad most of the time. Every once in awhile I would think about picking up my Bible. The thought would just come to me, but I wouldn’t feel like getting up, or I would decide to read some of my homework instead, or I would just watch more TV. I can’t really explain why I wouldn’t read my Bible, but every time I felt a strong desire to read it, for some reason I resisted. I was suffering through a general lethargy - going through the motions without much life - just looking forward to the next time I could see Sarah. Then one day I was doing some pushups, and while lying on the floor I noticed my Bible. It had been pushed under the bed. So I reached in and picked it up. I had put it off long enough, so I decided to start reading. I didn’t know where to begin, so I started from "In the beginning..." I read a few chapters, marked my page and went on with my day. I decided to read it every day. I would read a few chapters a night in the midst of my reading for school. This went on for about a week when something powerful and totally unexpected happened. I was reading in Genesis 29 about Jacob - who would later be called Israel. He would become the father of 12 sons, one of whom was Joseph. Anyway, I was reading about how he met Rachel, the woman he loved. In the story he is living with his uncle Laban. He had to get away from home because he was afraid that his brother was going to get him for stealing his inheritance. While there he meets Rachel, and he falls for her immediately, and wants to marry her. But Laban does not want him to marry Rachel, so he makes Jacob work for him for seven years. And then I read verse 20 of chapter 29, "So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her." The moment I read that verse, something powerful happened. There in my bed in Edwardsville, I experienced God’s grace. I was given a peace I had not felt since moving to that place. Nothing had changed about my situation. I still had no close friends near me. My family was still 300 miles to the north. Sarah still had two year left of college. Nothing about my physical circumstances had changed, and yet my world was transformed through the Scripture. In that moment, I entered the story and made it my own. I felt connected to this story about Jacob, willing to work for the woman he loved. God spoke to me through the story and told me that things would be all right. Jacob worked for seven years, but it seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. I knew I would work for two years separated from Sarah, but in that moment I knew that it would seem to me but a few days because of the love I had for her. In that passage I encountered God. I was given grace. I was given peace. I knew that our love would endure. I knew that I was there for a reason. Did I still miss her? Of course. But I was given the grace to be able to live with missing her. I was able to take what had been a painful situation and make it into a positive. Now seven years after that I can look back and see great value from those two years. I learned a lot about cooking and laundry and budgeting and paying bills. In those two years I found a church home on my own for the first time. I began the process toward the ministry. In those two years Sarah and I learned that we could live apart from each other - but also learned that we didn’t really want to. Very shortly after my time in Edwardsville we were married, and my sister read that obscure passage from Genesis at our wedding. This is just one story about how I once encountered God through the Bible. I wonder if any of you have had a similar experience with the Bible. Has there been a time when you read from the Bible and came to a new understanding about something in your life. A time when you read the Bible and found peace and comfort in times of desperation. A time when you read the Bible and encountered God. I would venture to guess that has happened to many of the people here. That is the power of the Bible. It is a means of grace. When you read the Bible, you are given an opening to the Spirit. You are given an opening to God’s will. It is a way to encounter God in a real and powerful way. To know the Bible is to know the will of God. That is why we call it the word of God. We call the Bible the Word of God, but such a phrase can mean a lot of different things. We need to be careful. The Bible is a powerful tool, but it must be used cautiously. It must be used reverently and above all, it must be used intelligently. For one person to claim to know the Bible, and then dictate their will to others is inappropriate and dangerous. The Bible can be used for much good in the world. When the Bible is used as a means of grace, then it can help make us whole. It can heal. It can comfort. It can restore. It can liberate. But the Bible has also been used wrongly. It can be used for self-indulgence. It can be used to support tyranny. It can be used to oppress others. In the history of the world, much evil has been done in the name of Christ, supported by words in the Bible. Such evils as the Holocaust, the subjugation of women, the American slave economy and ongoing racism all have been called sanctioned by the "Word of God." And don’t think those things are all a part of the past. We must be as careful as ever of ways that people promote injustice in the name of our Bible. One way to guard against such misuse is to use more than just the words on the pages of the precious book. Certain words, taken out of context, can be found to support just about anything. When we use the Bible, we must allow ourselves to be informed by the many that have come before us. The tradition of the church universal, and the tradition of the United Methodist Church must be valued. We cannot pick up the Bible and dismiss the work of Augustine, Clement, Luther, Wesley, and scholars of today like Marcus Borg and John Cobb (another Methodist). We must use also our ability to reason. God gave us minds for a purpose, and I believe that the more we use intellect to probe the Scriptures, to understand the variances of translations, to know the time from which the stories came, to know who wrote them, and why and for what purpose, can only deepen our understanding and appreciation of the Bible. And we must trust our own experience of the holy. There are times, like my moment in Edwardsville, when we come to an understanding that cannot be described or explained in any way other than, "I feel it." The Bible is to be read in light of the tradition that comes before us. It is to be read with an analytical mind, with the power of reason to draw understanding from it. And it is to be read with feeling, open to an experience of the Spirit that can touch and heal in real and powerful ways. The Bible, when used properly, can be a way to encounter God. It is a means of grace. That is what we read in Psalm 1. Happy is the one who dwells on the law of the Lord. Many think of this as more Old Testament legalism. But that is not a fair way to judge the Psalm. We have to remember that the Bible was not written in English. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew. When we focus on the word "law," most people don’t know that the word in Hebrew that we get "law" from is "Torah." Torah is an interesting word. It does mean law, but it means so much more. The Torah is actually the first five books of the Bible. Yes, it certainly contains laws, but it also contains stories. Within the Torah are stories of Creation, of Noah’s deliverance from the flood, of Abraham’s family and faith. Within the Torah are stories of the Hebrews being freed from Egypt. The Torah is full of stories of God saving the people. God saves Cain from those that might be looking for vengeance. God saves Noah from the flood. God saves Abraham from inability to have a son. God saves Jacob from bitter sibling rivalry. God saves Joseph from his spiteful brothers, and saves the Hebrews from a terrible famine. God saves the Hebrews from the oppressive Pharaoh and finally saves them from disorder and anarchy by giving them the law. The Torah is full of God’s saving grace. It includes law, but it also includes instruction on how to live according to God’s will. So when the Psalmist writes happy is the one who delights in the Torah. This no unfeeling, dogmatic, legalistic plea to obedience. Happy is the one who delights in the Torah is about grace. When one meditates on the Torah - on the will of God - they are like a tree planted by the stream. This poetic language describes someone that has been given grace, someone that is productive, fruitful and healthy. The one who delights in the Torah - the one who reads and engages the Bible - is one who encounters God. The one who delights in the Torah is one that uses the Bible as a means of grace, and is made whole, who is comforted, and full of life. When I first moved to Edwardsville, I felt a lot like the chafe. I could be pushed and moved by any wind. I went around without feeling, without energy, without purpose. I was separated from my roots, and felt as if there was no source of life. I dwelled upon all that was wrong, all that hurt and all that was good in my life. But then something happened. I picked up the Bible. I began to read the Torah, and suddenly I was made whole again. I was like the tree planted near the water. I found the source of life, and knew that I had a purpose. I knew that I had love in my life, and I knew that with God I would be able to endure. Too many Christians are like the chafe. Do you feel that way sometimes? Do you feel like you are being blown in every direction? Pushed by this wind, then this wind, tossed and turned and unable to stop and catch your breath. It is a common ailment in modern society. There are so many winds. There are so many storms. There are so many things that distract us from what is good and life-giving. If that is how you feel, stop trying to fight the wind. Instead, search for the water. Become like the tree near the water. Delight in the Bible of the Lord. Go to its pages and read. It doesn’t matter where. If you like poetry, read the Psalms, read them out loud. You will encounter every human emotion. You will encounter love and gratitude; but you will also encounter fear and anger. If you like stories, read Genesis. Read about the many ways that God has saved. Read the Gospels. Encounter Jesus again. Each of the four gospels we find in our Bible tell of Jesus from a different perspective. They were written at different times, for different communities and have different theological bents to them. Or pick up an Upper Room in the narthex and read it every day. Or come to a Bible study. Right now, we really have only one, but there will be more offered in the fall. I love teaching, and I hope all of you will participate in a Bible study either during the week or on Sunday morning this fall. I cannot tell you how powerful it can be to engage the Bible with another group of people. It can be difficult to read sometimes, but when you do it with others, you end up helping each other out, and coming to deeper knowledge, and more profound encounters with God. The Bible is a wellspring. And to leave it alone on your shelf collecting dust is to ignore the greatest source of energy available to you. Delight in the Bible. Allow it to be your source of water, your source of life. Encounter God through the words of the Bible. Go to the Bible, go to the water, and be the tree planted near the stream. Will there still be winds? Of course, but your roots will run deep, and no matter how strong the wind blows, you will be safe, and fruitful, blessed, happy, and whole. Amen.

(I am deeply indebted to Dr. Clint McCann for this sermon. A Psalms scholar and professor of Biblical Theology at Eden Theological Seminary, Dr. McCann was a tremendous influence on my academic career. His works include A Theological Introduction to the Book of Psalms and the Psalms article in the New Interpreters' Bible)