Sermon: July 22, 2012

Ephesians 2:11-20

The Olympics are upon us.  Do you like the Olympics?  I love this stuff.
This will be the 30th Olympiad held since the modern Olympics began in 1896. Did you know that?  They will be held in London, starting with the opening ceremonies on Friday.  London now holds the distinction of being the first city to host the modern games three times, having previously held them in 1908 and 1948.  Did you know that?  
See if you know the answers to these Olympic questions:
Q: Why isn't sun-tanning an Olympic sport?
A: Because the best you can ever get is bronze. 
Q: Why did they send the Olympic judge out in search of the lost wedding ring?
A: Because he was a "medal detector." 
Q: Why does the Olympic torch always start in Olympia?
A: Because it's hard to put out a "Greece fire." 

:-)

Ok, they're corny and very bad.  But why not inject a little humor into what is actually a very serious event?

The Olympics are a serious attempt to show the possibility of peace between races, cultures and nations. At the very least, they're an important demonstration of how diverse people can work and play together harmoniously. 


Since the Olympics are British this time around, it seems only fitting that we should remember the great British movie from the 70s about a couple of Olympic runners.  How many of you remember the movie, Chariot's of Fire?  

Chariots of Fire is not only a movie about runners' dedication and the Olympics.  Set in 1924, there is a backdrop to this movie of antisemitism.  The friendship between a Jew and a Christian who compete fiercely on this global stage offer us a glimpse of hope for peace in the world.  

Here in this video clip, Eic Liddel is handed a piece of paper from an inspired American competitor.  On the piece of paper was a quote from 1Samuel, "Those who honor me, I will honor."  Liddell was not expected to do well in the 400 meter race against a heavily favored field.  But, he ran the race with the scripture quote in his hand, and won the race setting the world record.  

Whether its running, swimming, or boxing the goal in the Olympics is to compete fiercely ... but not kill each other. Peace is the overarching prize of the Olympics for all of us.

But, peace is an elusive prize.

When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians, he was addressing a group of Greeks who knew a thing or two about Olympic spirit -- the spirit of the ancient Olympics, that is.   Ephesus was a Greek city that existed for hundreds of years before being swallowed up by the Roman Empire.  Under the rule of the Emperor Augustus, it became the capital of a Roman province in Asia.  It grew into a prominent, prosperous and powerful city -- second only to the city of Rome.   Think of Ephesus as the London of the Roman Empire during this period.   If you watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on July 27, imagine Ephesus.  The city had an open-air theater that could hold 25,000 people and would have been a likely place to hold the ancient Olympic games.  

This sets the stage for Paul's letter, which is written to Ephesian Christians living among the rich and proud residents of a major capital city.  The people of this city have money and power and influence, like many of the people who will be gathering in London this week for the Olympics.  But Paul reminds the Christians, often poor and beleaguered, that worldly success often leaves one feeling empty, without a sense of inner peace.  

Peace is elusive because it is not something that can begin outside, or be created with laws and governments.  Peace must start from within, and then be shared.  
Paul knows the Ephesians are struggling with inner peace.  As cosmopolitan people, they are comfortable in international gatherings such as the Olympic games.  But even though they have money and power and influence, they feel cut off from a true relationship with God.  Paul reminds his readers that at one time they were without Christ, aliens and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.  He reminds them that nothing of a material nature can bring lasting peace and joy to the soul -- it doesn't work that way. 

Paul offers this solution to the Ephesians: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ," he writes. "For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us" (vv. 13-14).


When people come together in London from different races, cultures and nationalities, peace is not going to be found in a spectacular opening ceremony.  Similarly, when people of differing ages, sexes, educational levels, professions and political orientations gather in a church sanctuary, peace is not created by a well-planned service of worship.


Real peace is something Christ gives to us.  Breaking down walls of hostility and anger with his gift of forgiveness and grace Jesus binds us to himself, and his love for all of us.   In his Holy Communion he brings peace.  When his peace of Christ is shared, the bonds of difference and separation give way to a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.  

This is why its important and necessary for us to share the peace of Christ during worship.  Over my years as a pastor I have fielded complaints about this portion of worship.  I've heard people complain about it being unnecessary.  I've heard people say they think it is a break in the reverence and solemnity of worship.  I've even heard some say that they just don't like it because when at church they want to be left alone and don't feel like greeting people.  Trust me, we pastors hear it all!  ;-)


But, there is a reason why it is necessary to share the peace of Christ in worship.  If you follow the design and flow of our worship service, you will note something interesting about the placement of sharing the peace.  Up until that time in the service all the parts are things in which a person could participate completely on their own without even the awareness of the people next to you.  The sharing of peace, deliberately gets us out of that, and allows us to actually become the body of Christ together.  This is imperative before we come to the altar to receive the body and blood of Christ.  The sharing of peace is a demonstration of Christ becoming incarnate among us.

Peace is not something we can create or even hold onto.  It's far too elusive.  But, in the church, we are able to glimpse moments of true peace...moments that linger with us as proof that tearing down walls that divide us and building up community and family are indeed the will of God.

Olympic Peace comes from an Olympic Savior. When our faith in him opens the way for us to pursue peace with each other.  

Amen