Rights

Proverbs 14: 29

James 1: 19-20

Matthew 5: 38-42

Rights

Mark Twain once said this about the Bible: "I have no problem with those parts of the Bible I don't understand. It's those parts of the Bible I do understand that gives me fits." The passage that we are going to study certainly fits into that category.

This passage illustrates something I bet most of you have never thought about before. One of the easiest things in the world to do is to become a Christian. It is ridiculously easy. All you have to do is confess you are a sinner, repent of your sin, believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sin and was raised from the dead, and surrender your life to Him as your Lord and Savior; and you become a Christian immediately and instantaneously. There is not an easier thing in the world than to become a Christian. But at the same time, one of the most difficult things in the world is to be a Christian, and you're going to see that illustrated this morning.

What Jesus says is totally antithetical to the typical attitude in America. Rights are considered as American as apple pie. This is a country where citizens have rights. The best known part of the Constitution is the Bill of Rights. I'm all for the right kind of rights, but today rights don't so much protect the innocent as they promote the guilty. If you're going to be a real Christian you're going to have to give up some rights.

Bill Walton learned that to play basketball for John Wooden you had to give up some rights. Coach Wooden had a rule against facial hair. If you played for him no facial hair was allowed. After a ten day break from school, Bill Walton came to practice wearing a beard. Coach Wooden walked up to him and said, "Bill, have you forgotten something?" Walton replied, "Coach, if you mean the beard, I think I should be allowed to wear it, it's my right."

Coach Wooden said, "Do you really believe in that?" He said, "Yes, I do, very much." Coach Wooden looked at him and said, "Bill, I have great respect for individuals who stand up for those things in which they believe. I really do. If you believe that is your right, I would die for your right to defend that right." Bill Walton said, "Thank you, Coach." Then Wooden said, "I just want you to know the team is really going to miss you."

We've all heard the expression, "Do your duty." Jesus once again tells us something that no human likes to hear. He is tells us, "Do what is not your duty," and "Do more than your duty." That is going the second mile. What does this mean?

First, it means we must be willing to get worse than we deserve in this life. That is very unfair in our way of thinking, but think about the life of Jesus. Think of his death. Think of how he was treated. Fair?  And remember his words to us, “If any person wants to follow me, he must say 'No' to the things he wants. That person must accept the cross that is given to him, and he must follow me.”  It means giving up our rights to God.

Following Jesus does not always get us what seems fair or what we deserve in this life. For Jesus' true followers, the cross is not a piece of jewelry or even a symbol; it is a lifestyle. It is the willingness to follow Jesus in every way -- including the way of the cross if necessary. For us to do that, we must surrender our selves and be willing to give our lives for the needs of others. We must have unflinching loyalty to God no matter the cost. More than just a burden to bear, "our cross to bear" is a total buy in to the life, character, and way of Jesus. That is not easy, and all of us will fail at that often.

To do more than duty is to give more than asked, go further than required, grant all that is needed. When we look at what Jesus willingly did for us, we come to realize that there are no acceptable minimums when it comes to serving God. Jesus gave his all, and God asks for our all as well.  He gives us our lives. We owe our live to him, not out of duty, but out of gratitude.

We do have the right to turn away from God. We have that free choice. But if we choose to follow Christ, we choose to give up all rights. There can be no middle ground. Jesus makes that clear, and that is what Mark Twain was referring to. Jesus makes it clearly understood we must give up all rights to God. To gain our life we must lose it for him.

Shortly after the battles that ended the American Revolution, but before the peace had been negotiated, George Washington was with his troops in Newburgh, New York. But they began to grow very restless because they hadn't been paid. Washington had begged the Continental Congress to do what they said they would do and pay the soldiers, but they refused.

Some of the officers began to organize a rebellion. They talked about marching on Philadelphia, which was at that time the seat of the reigning national government, and overthrowing that government and letting the army rule the nation.

With the fate of America in the balance, George Washington made a surprise appearance before these officers. After praising them for their service and thanking them for their sacrifice, he pulled from his pocket a copy of a speech that he wished to read. But then he fumbled with a paper and finally reached for a set of reading glasses-glasses those men had never seen him wear before. Washington made this simple statement: "I have already grown grey in the service of my country, and now I am going blind."

Historian Richard Norton Smith wrote: "Instantly rebellion melted into tears. It was a galvanizing moment, and the rebellion ended.”

The rebellion was put down because they had seen before them a second miler. Becoming a Christian is one thing; being a Christian is another one. Every chance you get for the glory of Jesus, for the goodness of others, and because of the grace of God, give up your rights to govern your own life, and go the second mile.

Amen

Valentines

 Isaiah. 54:10

1 John 4:15-17

Luke 9: 23-26

Valentines

On February 14, the business of Valentine's Day is to ardently pursue love interests and warmly renew those already in progress.

Daniel Webster, a 19th century lawyer and statesman, was courting his wife-to-be, Grace Fletcher. One day as he was sitting with her holding skeins of silk thread that needed to be untangled, he suggested, "Grace, we've been engaged in untying knots; let us see if we can tie a knot which will not untie for a lifetime." They stopped right then and tied a random silk knot that would be almost impossible to untie. Afterward, Grace accepted Webster's proposal of marriage.

 
After they passed away, their children found a little box marked "Precious Documents." Among the contents were letters of courtship and a tiny silk knot—one that had never been untied.

As best is known, Valentine, or more properly, Valentinus, was a holy priest in Rome, who, along with Saint Marius and his family, assisted those who were martyred during the persecutions of Claudius II. Although it was a crime to do so, he married Christian couples and gave aid to those being persecuted. He was caught, taken to prison to be forced to recant his faith. Nothing could make him do so. During this time however, Emperor Claudius took a liking to him, and they became friends of a sort. However, Valentinus made a huge error:  He tried to convert Claudius, whereupon Valentinus was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs, stoned, and then beheaded on February 14, in the year 269.

Much about St. Valentine, and how many St. Valentines there were, remains a mystery.. Whoever he was, Valentine really existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

It is said that while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

He is the Patron Saint of engaged couples, bee keepers, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travelers, and young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses. His name, derived from the word “valens”, means worthy, strong, powerful. From that same root word comes our word” valiant”

I was in Wal-Mart several weeks ago and walked by the card section  as they were putting out all the Valentine’s cards and stuff. There were cards of every size, shape, and color. Some were simple and others ornate. Some were talking cards, or musical. And there was a Valentine for everyone there, not just for the person you love, but for anyone you might think of.  Millions have been purchased and sent or given this week, and will be given yet today and tomorrow.

As I stood there looking at all those cards and the people buying them, to give to family and friends all over the world, the thought occurred to me.  God sends Valentines too. Valentines are messages of love, right? Who loves more than God. And each o f us is God’s beloved.. Every day is Valentine’s day for God, who shows us his love in so many ways every moment of our lives if we but look and listen. Take a breath. Every breath  is a Valentine from God. Every sunrise, every sunset. Every moonlit night, every warm spring day.  Every meal, every walk you take, every hug from a friend,. Every second of our lives is a Valentine’s gift from God.

Here, in this Bible is a collection of the most wonderful Valentines ever written or given. Here are love letters  from God to you and to me - for us to read over and over, to cherish...and find strength...and hope...and the reassurance that we are loved. Even when it may seem the world is against us, we are loved. God’s Valentines are given to you because God loves you more than you can know. If you ever forget that, just pick up your collection of God's Valentines and turn to most anyone of them.

The greatest of all Valentines comes from the very heart of God, overflowing with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and life abundant and eternal...You see, God was not satisfied with just words on paper. Instead, God gave us all the best, the sweetest, the most wondrous gift of all: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John. 3:16)

As Jesus admonishes us, we must not be ashamed of a relationship with him. Some people are ashamed of themselves and believe God cannot love them. That is not true—God loves each of us regardless of our faults and sins. We must not let our shame prevent us from turning to God and accepting his love.

Unfortunately there are too many who consider themselves Christians who act as though they are ashamed to admit it. They seem ashamed to speak of God’s love, and to often are ashamed to show God’s love by their actions. Sometimes it is dangerous to stand up against injustice, hatred, and prejudice. Sometimes it is difficult to oppose the world’s view of things. Sometimes it’s difficult to proclaim the truth of God’s Love. But that is what St. Valentinus did. And that is what we are called by God to do as well, without shame.

I love Charlie Brown cartoons. There is one where Lucy stands with her arms folded and a resolute expression on her face, while Charlie Brown pleads with her. "Lucy," he says, "you must be more loving. The world needs love. Make this world a better place, Lucy, by loving people.”

“You blockhead Charlie Brown”, said Lucy. “I love the world  It’s people I can’t stand.”

Aren’t you glad doesn’t just love the world as a whole, but loves you as an individual and wants a personal relationship with you? Aren’t you glad God is willing to give you gifts of love, even when we tend to treat his creation badly, and sometimes treat others badly too? Aren’t you glad every day, every moment is Valentine’s day for God, and that you are his Valentine?

How have you extended God’s love to someone else this week?  Your prayers for those four you have pledged to pray for are Valentines.  Your prayers are a way to extend God’s love to those four. The more of God’s love you show others, the more of God’s love you will experience for yourself.

How have you experienced God's love recently? 

Persistent Prayer

Psalm 5: 1-5

Romans 8: 22-27

Luke 18: 1-8

Persistent Prayer

The United Press International once reported about a young Taiwanese man who wrote his girl friend 700 letters in two years, asking her to marry him. His persistence finally paid off.....for her. She married the mailman who had delivered those 700 letters.

For 14 years, a group of pious women had asked their priest to say the 6:00 a.m. mass every day "for a special intention." As the years went by and they kept asking for the same intention, the priest finally asked them what impossible thing they were asking God for that hadn't been granted in 14 years. They replied as one, "We've been praying for you to be transferred." So persistence in prayer doesn't guarantee the results the prayer wants.

The parable of the widow and the unjust judge is a classic story of a persistent nagger and a naggee. Only Luke tells this story about nagging raised to world-class, full-body-contact pestering. It could well be played for laughs if the point were not so deadly serious. A widow seeks justice in some unspecified suit. She nags an amoral judge day and night until he gives in and to get rid of her rules in her favor.

God's purposes are often thwarted by unjust judges, dictators and their like. But it is important still to persist in prayer, not so much to persuade God but because prayer impassions us. True prayer is not a spiritual sedative. It is, to put it simply, an impassioned cry for a better world, and God hears such crys.

Jesus’ parable is as much about prayer as about persistence. It is about our call to be constant and faithful and steadfast in our prayers. The widow does not pray to win the lottery or to be young and beautiful again or to be successful in business or tennis or to have her husband back. She prays for what she knows in her heart to be right:  justice against her opponent. And the unjust judge finally grants her justice. Jesus asks the obvious question: "And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night?" Then he answers his own question: "I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them."

It is God's connection to our humanness that makes him subject to others' ability to answer prayer. But this in its turn implies a blessedness in every thing, every person, every action - that even the most stubborn slob, like the judge in the story, might have the capacity to serve God's purposes if for the wrong reasons. And if another person might answer our prayer so God can use us to answer others' prayers, if we permit.

God seems always elusive, and when we think of answers to prayer there is always the possibility that others or we ourselves have supplied them.

There was once a widow who lived in a tiny shack with her little child. She was very poor and very devout. She used to have heated discussions with her landlord who argued that prayer was pointless for if God answered prayers the woman would not be so poor. As it was he, the landlord, was far wealthier than the woman and had never said a prayer in his life. One day the landlord was passing the woman's house when he heard her praying aloud, explaining that she had nothing left to eat and no money to buy bread. The man decided to teach her a lesson. Rushing home he returned with a loaf of bread, which he flung through the window.

A few minutes later the woman burst out of her door and called to the man. 'Now I can prove that God answers prayers; I was praying for food and suddenly this loaf of bread appeared.' 'Not at all,' he laughed, 'it was me who threw the bread through the window, not God. Look, you can see the price label from the supermarket!' 'Well then,' said the woman, 'it is a double blessing, because not only did I receive bread when I asked for it, but God used you, an unbeliever, as an instrument of his mercy.'

Who answered the prayer? Was it the man, or was it God or was the woman in part the answer to her own prayer? Or could it have been all three? Prayer is not a spiritual sedative, nor is it a warm bath - it is a part of the process by which we in our need reach out to others in their need. Although we may not always recognize it, we want them, they want us; self-interested love on the one hand calls forth self-giving love on the other. And mixed up with it all is God. And while some people, along with God, anticipate our needs before we ask, others like the unjust judge need to be cajoled, persuaded and pestered. But it is worth it, not only because our persistence feeds our passion and passion feeds our action, but also because in this way others, even if unwittingly, play their part in the purposes of God.

If a crooked judge who neither fears God nor respects anyone finally grants justice because of persistence, how much more quickly and lovingly will God respond to our prayers? But sometimes the answer comes slowly. Sometimes it seems not to come at all.

Late in his life, Winston Churchill went back to his old school to speak to the boys of a new generation. He went to the podium, paused as if to gather his thoughts. Then he said, "Never give up." Another long pause was followed by, "Never give up." The third pause ended when he said, "Never give up." And he sat down.

We are not permitted to give up on our prayers. The act of praying in harmony with God’s will opens us to being transformed by God into those who have the power to turn the world around, to open it to the indwelling truth of the God who loves us and promises to answer our prayers.

A final word about persistence and about praying persistently, from Guido, a 12th-century Carthusian monk:

“Lord, how much juice you can squeeze from a single grape.

How much water you can draw from a single well.

How much fire you can kindle from a tiny spark.

How great a tree you can grow from a tiny seed.

My soul is so dry that by itself it cannot pray;

Yet you can squeeze from it the juice of a thousand prayers.

My soul is so parched that by itself it cannot love;

Yet you can draw from it boundless love for you and for my neighbor.

My soul is so cold that by itself it has no faith;

Yet by your power my faith grows to a great height.

Thank you for prayer, for love, for joy, for faith.

Let me always be prayerful, loving, joyful, faithful.”

Amen.

Simple Rules

Leviticus 19: 17-18

Galatians 5: 15-16

Mark 12: 28-34

Simple Rules

John Wesley, and his brother Charles unintentionally founded Methodism, a movement which swept England in the 18^th century and moved to North America at the same time and was responsible for a movement of faith across this country which has never been matched since. At one time there was a new Methodist Church being opened in this country every day. Still, today, every county in the United States has at least one United Methodist Church. No other denomination comes close to that. That is our heritage. A heritage of powerful faith, coupled with social action.

It was because of  John Wesley’s influence that England was spared a horrific revolution like that which occurred in France. It was written that the Methodist evangelical movement with its emphasis on helping those in need in England,  “was the chief influence that prevented our country from starting along the path of revolutionary violence…”

In his book, ENGLAND BEFORE AND AFTER WESLEY: THE EVANGELICAL REVIVAL AND SOCIAL REFORM which documents this period of England’s history, the author Bready described, and I quote, “the deep savagery of much of the 18^th century”, which was characterized by “the wanton torture of animals for sport, the bestial drunkenness of the populace, the inhuman traffic in African Negroes, the kidnapping of fellow-countrymen for exportation and sale as slaves, the mortality of parish children, the universal gambling obsession, the savagery of the prison system and penal code, the welter of immorality, the prostitution of the theatre, the growing prevalence of lawlessness, superstition and lewdness; the political bribery and corruption, the ecclesiastical arrogance and truculence, the shallow pretensions of Deism, the insincerity and debasement rampant in Church and State – such manifestations suggest that the British people were then perhaps as deeply degraded and debauched as any people in Christendom.”

But then things began to change because of Wesley and Methodism: Slavery and the slave trade were abolished, the prison system was humanized, conditions in factory and mine were improved, education became available to the poor, trades unions began, and a middle class developed and grew.

John Wesley was a man who valued social justice, and was involved deeply in all the social issues of his day. He had taken courses at Oxford University in medicine and first aid, and was an accomplished botanist who knew all the medicinal plants and their uses.  Even as a student studying for the priesthood, Wesley proceeded to venture into London during much of his free time and work with the poor, providing medical aid where he could. 

Wesley and his Methodists worked hard to raise the money to provide food and clothing for the poor.  One idea that Wesley introduced interest-free loans to the poor in London, “rescuing them from lenders demanding extortionate interest that would have compounded their distress.” That practice has been revived with great success in India and parts of Africa. In addition, Wesley’s Methodists devoted themselves to helping the poor to find jobs. In a time and place in which many viewed poverty and sickness as an indicator of how worthless a person was, Wesley preached God’s love for all mankind and expected those who listened to him to practice unrestricted love for one’s neighbor.

The impact of Wesley upon England’s slave system had much to do with it being abolished. Long before the Quakers introduced anti-slavery legislation to Parliament, Wesley was convinced that slavery was a terrible blot upon mankind.  In 1774, Wesley wrote Thoughts upon Slavery, an essay widely published that presented his case for abolition.  Wesley’s opposition to slavery heavily influenced abolitionist members of Parliament such as William Wilberforce.  In addition, several Christian slaveholders, in direct response to Wesley, emancipated their slaves..

Wesley laid out his view of stewardship of  in his “Sermon # 50: The Use of Money.”  In what quickly became known as the maxim: ”earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can,” Wesley expected  his followers that they be good stewards of their wealth. Wesley himself had earned quite a bit of money from his published writings, and yet lived and died in poverty. Wesley never allowed himself to become wealthy.

Wesley’s rules for his followers were simple. First, Do no harm. Second, Do good.  And, third, Love God.  We could of course expound on each of these, and in coming weeks we will. But intuitively, each of us, if we are prayerful people who truly want to do God’s will, knows what each of those simple rules mean. They are not easy rules. They lead to some difficult decisions a times. But their deeper meanings can be found in the gospels, in the words and actions of Jesus. If we were to obey them, we would find the world becoming a better place, as did England in the 18^th century.

Although times have changed, human nature has not, and the overall circumstances of human life today in this country closely resemble that of Wesley’s time. We would do well to look at the roots of Wesley’s faith and his understanding of what Jesus calls us to do, because I believe Wesley’s approach to living out his faith would do much for our community and our nation today.