I've been either away on vacation or busy with personal matters for the last few weeks. So, after a bit of a delay, It's good to be back to my routine.
Also, I'm very pleased that nearly 130 people are regularly reading my blog. I'd like to know your comments on the things your reading if for no other reason than feedback on how this new idea is working. So, please feel free to leave your comments on the blog. If you're reading these in an email, just click the link at the top to go to the blog itself and then look for the comments icon at the bottom of each post. If you prefer to leave a private message, you can do that by clicking my email address at the top of the blog page.
God Bless,
Sermon from August 12, 2012
Read Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Over the last couple of weeks, unless you were literally under a rock, you had the privilege of witnessing two of the greatest in history in their sport; Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt.
Most athletes dream of winning a gold medal, BUT NOT 18 OF THEM! That's just mind-boggling. Add in the non-gold medals and we had the privilege of watching the most decorated swimmer in history. Then, turning over to the track events, there's Usain Bolt; appropriately named because I think he could outrun a lightning bolt. Usain Bolt, the only man ever to win gold in the 100 meter, and the 200 meter dash in two successive Olympics. Hands down, the fastest man ever.
Such overwhelming athleticism from these two individuals had many in the media referring to them as "naturals". I heard one commentator speak of Usain Bolt as the "most naturally gifted sprinter ever". Similar comments have been made about Michael Phelps. When interviewed, however, both of these athletes refer to the countless hours of practice and training they've devoted to their given field. They graciously thank the coaches and family members that have made it possible for them to achieve their goals.
This raises a question, does it not? Are there some people who are "naturals"?
This message is my attempt to debunk the myth that there are naturals.
Think about it...doesn't the term "natural" indicate that a person is born with the ability to do something without needing to be taught or trained in any way? If this were true, then Usain Bolt, from the moment the doctor snipped the umbilical chord, should have been able to hop down onto the floor and take off runnin' lickety split through the hospital hallways. :-) My guess is that did not happen. Why? Because first someone had to teach him to walk.
The truth is, there are really only two things that we are naturals at doing.
First, we are naturals at breathing. That's right...we take it for granted because it occurs so naturally, but in order for us to breath there is a miraculous amount of things that must happen in the proper order. Every one of us is born with the miraculous ability to breath. Did you know that in the Bible the ancient word for breath is the same as that of the Holy Spirit. That's not to say that the Holy Spirit and the breathing we do are the same thing, but it is to say that there is an ancient connection between breathing and the primal gift of life given to us by God. In Genesis 3, the Bible refers to the beginning of human life as the moment when God breathes into Adam. Life's breath is, then, a spiritual thing. Also, we use language today that resonates with this same ancient understanding. When God's Word speaks to us, I mean really speaks to us...we say that we are inspired by God. That word, inspire, literally means to take in breath. I don't think it is much of a stretch to say that each breath that we take is a reminder of the presence of the Holy Spirit...the very breath of life that inspires and sustains life. So, we could say then that we are born with the natural gift of experiencing life spiritually. We are born with a natural ability to believe and trust in the giver of life's breath, in other words, God has created us with a natural ability to believe.
Second, we are naturals at crying. None of us had to be taught to cry. It comes natural to us to cry out for help, food, comfort etc. But, from the moment we are born, who are we crying to? I find it interesting that the most basic expression of prayer in the Bible is to "cry" out to God. Still today, even without being taught, we are capable of prayer. So, ....
We are born with a natural ability to believe and trust.
And, we are born with a natural ability to pray.
Everything else must be taught and practiced.
People don't win Olympic medals because they are naturals at swimming and running. They win medals because of countless hours devoted to practice.
Likewise, people don't become Christians because they are naturals at Christianity. Christianity doesn't come naturally, it must be taught and it must be practiced.
This is what Paul is telling the church in Ephesus. Now that they have come to know Jesus, and what he has done for them they need to practice this new way of life.
Christianity is one of practice and devotion. We're not expected to be perfect, we're only expected to keep practicing.
People often complain that the churches are full of people who are 55 and over on Sunday mornings. Maybe, this is simply because those who are older have been practicing longer, and they're just starting to get a few things right. :-) I say that in jest, of course. But it does make you wonder for a moment.
So, ask yourself, what do I need to practice?
Paul refers to a short list:
1. Speak the truth to one another for we are members of one another.
Is honesty something you need to practice? Have you been truthful to the ones you love?
2. Be angry, but do not sin.
Oh, this is a tough one. Anger is considered by psychology as a false emotion. In other words, when we feel anger, what we're feeling is actually a mask or a defense mechanism for some other deeper hurt or fear. Anger, then, isn't truthful to our psyche and when not held in check tends to produce behaviors that we regret. Paul says that anger gives opportunity to the devil. In other words, when we're angry at someone, our actions toward that person tends to be sinful. Understand what's beneath your own anger, why certain things anger you, what is the deeper hurt that is being triggered. "Don't let the sun go down on your anger", Paul says. Practice ways of understanding it, before it becomes a doorway through which we let the devil in.
3. Don't be thieves. Pretty simple, huh? Remember, Paul is writing to people who are Christians just like you. Why would he accuse Christians of stealing, if he wasn't aware of them doing so? Today, dare I say, the church is filled with thieves. People come every week to take from the church the sacraments, the Word, the fellowship, and the ministry without every planning to volunteer or to contribute in any meaningful way. They drop a few dollars in the offering plate as if to complete a transaction for services rendered. It's consumerism of the church, and it robs the church of its potential. When pastors and those in leadership of the church begin to solicit for more people to come and participate in such thievery the church is robbed of its truth and relevance. If you've been a thief of the church, maybe its time to practice a bit more discipleship, and charity.
4. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth.
How many times has this happened to you? You're driving along, and someone gets irritated with your driving...maybe you cut them off by mistake or something. Then, the other driver decides to use this moment to vent a bit of their own frustration. They "let corrupting talk come out of their mouth...or their finger". But, then the person passes you...and on the back of their car is this little fish symbol. Ugh! That person needs to practice what Paul is referring to here. Do you?
5. Lastly, do not grieve the Holy Spirit.
I call this the No Whining Clause. Because the times when we grieve the Holy Spirit are times when we are whining about following the direction the Holy Spirit is calling us to go. Your alarm clock goes off on Sunday morning, and your heart says to your head, "But, I don't wanna get outta bed." You feel your heart nudge your head during the pastor's invitation for volunteers, and you say to yourself, "But, I don't wanna help those people." You name it, when the Holy Spirit calls we are good at whining about it. Have you been whining instead of following lately?
Christianity...not the religion, but honest to goodness following Christ...doesn't come naturally. We have to practice. It's a lifetime of practice.
But, fortunately, just as Olympic athletes are the beneficiaries of great coaching, God has given to us a great coach. As a matter of fact, he's one who has already completed the race of life and won. God gives him to us and calls us to practice by doing what Jesus does.
Why do you think the Jamaicans have the fastest sprinters right now? It's because they have Usain Bolt teaching them what he does. They come to him with questions, and he says, watch and follow me.
Jesus is like that for us,
So, as we practice this game of life, this challenge to be better humans...he says to us I am the expectation of the Father's humanity for you. Watch me, and follow me.
Watch how he prays
Watch how he serves.
Watch how he cares.
Watch how he loves.
Watch how he gives.
Watch how he dies.
And then practice, practice, practice!!
Christianity does not come naturally to any of us, it's a practice.
And so we have the church...the place where we come together to practice. What a gift it is!
For here we learn that we do not practice alone. Here we learn that we have Christ from which to watch and learn what humanity truly looks like.
And, we have the promise of forgiveness, and eternal life to cling to as we practice.
So, go today and practice.
Amen.
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