Sermons for the Month
Unlikely Candidates for New Ministries
DATE: July 22nd
By: John Maroni
TEXT: Genesis 18:1“To all of you Saints here this morning, grace and peace to you from God our Father, from His Son, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. AMEN
What never seizes to amaze me about God is how uses ordinary objects. The introduction to our lesson insert reads, "God speaks and acts through ordinary means in order to reveal extraordinary gifts." For example, in the sacrament of Holy Communion, it is through perishable bread and wine that the Christian community receives imperishable nourishment. Human language, via the scriptures, prayers, and hymns -- proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Like a master potter who uses common clay, God uses common people to create magnificent works that show the world His glory.
I've always wondered, why did Jesus leave his church in the hands of common people? The church is the most important institution in the world, carrying the responsibility of proclaiming the gospel to all humanity. If God was concerned about the church maintaining the purity of the gospel, why did he not find a better way to organize and oversee the work of the Church? What about angels? Angels are pure in thought and motives. Angels exist only to serve God, deliver his messages, and do His work. Why wasn't the arc angel Michael or Gabriel given the keys to the Kingdom. Why is it left in the hands of men and women? When we are so prone to failure.
But, it is women and men that God uses, not angels. It was Peter and the disciples, common fishermen, common craftsmen, people who denied Christ during his trial and execution. People who had faults and shortcomings, these were the individuals called and chosen by God to be His voice, hands, and feet on Earth. ABE & SARA
In Genesis, we read the history of Sarah and Abraham, two individuals who made a covenant with God. They would walk with the Lord and keep his commandments, and in return their children would be multiplied. How this must of pleased Abraham and Sarah, knowing that God was going to give them a child. But, the cause of their grief would not be what God promised to do, but when he would fulfill the promise. Time passed, the months turned into years and the years into decades. They grew old, and still no child. In their 90's, they became unlikely candidates of giving birth to a new child.
Perhaps they began questioning God. Why did he change our names, adding to both names the same Hebrew letter? Abram (high father) became Abraham (the father of a multitude). Sarai (my princess) to Sarah (a princess), signifying that from her should come the Messiah.
But, as time went by Sarai remained barren. Growing impatient, they turned to Hagar, who was not barren and seemed to be more qualified for carrying out God's plan. Seeing the lack of faith in Abraham and Sarah, God sent three angels were sent to confirm the promise that a son would be born to Sarah. But, how could this be possible when they had "grown old?" CAUSE OF GRIEF (NAMES)
Perhaps their very names became causes of grief. Why should Abraham be called the father of many nations, when his wife remained without child? Sarah, like many women, desired nothing more than to give her husband a baby. The Bible records her laughing when she hears the angels tell her husband a son would soon be born. Perhaps their words cut into her feelings. No doubt Sarah believed "I am too old and past the natural childbearing age, especially having been barren and unable to give Abraham even one child. God must be mocking me." And so Sarah laughed cynically. Perhaps her outward laughter served to cover up her inward feelings of depression and sorrow.
Looking at the facts, we can understand Abraham's impatients and Sarah's sarcasm. "We're 90 and gong to have a child. How can this be?" The human desire think rationally often interferes with our faith in God's abilities. We see the circumstances, I'm too old, it's never happened before, or I'm too ordinary to be used by God. Abraham and Sarah talked themselves out of God's promises.
What Sarah did not realize is she was a perfect candidate to participate in God's plan. Her human inadequacies meant nothing to God. Her age and bareness meant nothing to God. In her old age, the Lord blessed her with a son and a holy nation was born. The family tree of Sarah would grow for generations and include the descendants from Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob (Israel) to David all the way to Jesus Christ. God's plan was bigger than Sarah's imagination. What God has in store for you and your family, is above what you could ever imagine! Sarah was destined to become one little piece in God's master plan! MARY
Does Sarah's story remind you of another women used by God to give birth to a Son? Mary's circumstances were a little bit reversed. Instead of too old she was too young to feel of any value to the works of God. How could she give birth to a Son if she was a virgin and unmarried? If Mary relied on human reason and logic she would have laughed cynically at the promise of God. But through Mary, inabilities were overlooked, and the ministry of Jesus was born.
SO what is your excuse for not getting more involved in the working of the Church? What is preventing you from starting a new work? Are you too old, or too young? Are you inadequate? Are you shy? DO you feel there is too much wrong doing in your life? Answer yes to any of these questions, and instead of being ruled out as a candidate, you will have just volunteered yourself to the service of God. God's not looking for perfect people to start and participate in new ministries. If He was a perfectionist like some of us are, there would be angels in control of every ministry team. But, it pleases the Lord, and he delights in using ordinary objects and unlikely candidates. ONE BRICK
Look how beautiful our sanctuary is today. Our sanctuary can be an illustration of God's master craftsmanship. Now zoom in on one brick. Does it look very important? Could the sanctuary get by without it? Maybe. When you view yourself as one small brick in a large project, it's easy to feel insignificant and unneeded. ONE MEMBER
Now look at one member of the Church, does this look like the body of Christ? You can't see the total work of the church by examining one life. It's when you set back and look at the Macro or big picture, then you can see the working of God. If you zero in on me alone, your going walk away worried about the future of the church. But the awesome thing is that I am not alone, but we have millions of fellow Christians. Look at us individually and you will see common ordinary people. But, when our efforts are combined collectively the mysterious works of God take place. KEN NOUSE
Before Ken Nouse passed away, he gave birth to a new ministry. Rather than feeling his duties to God and Church were finished, he started building one final project. The Hospice Soup Ministry will continue to operate as long as Faith Lutheran Church exists (or at least while Sally . . .). Can I invade your privacy for a moment and ask, "What work for God will you leave behind?" ELDERLY IN SOCIOLOGY
In sociology, I learned of two types of societies and their attitudes toward the elderly. In the first, seniors were deeply respected. Men and women would go to their seniors seeking counsel and wisdom, before any important decision. In other societies, the elderly were compelled to feel they could no longer contribute, sometimes feeling more a burden then a helper. In American culture, we seem to be slowly drifting to the latter. The elderly are often set aside in facilities. They receive few visitors, and wrestle with feelings of inadequacy, asking the question, "What work for God would I be suitable to do?" In the midst of our fast paced busy schedules, shut-ins become shut out. GRANDPA
My grandfather spent his last three weeks inside a Veteran's Hospital. Making my final trip over there, I realized Butler, PA is only two hours away. I thought of all the days I wasted doing trivial tasks, caught up in the rat race of getting ahead. And all the while, I was missing golden opportunities of seeking advice and counsel from one of the greatest men I will ever have an opportunity to have a relationship with.
One final thought, I ask you to remember the elderly. Take time out and visit a loved one. Maybe God is pricking your heart today to begin a new ministry to these valuable members of our community.
Let us pray, Master Craftsmen, we are common people living ordinary lives, yet we make ourselves available to you and the working of your church. Bless those who feel they are unlikely candidates, and begin in them a new ministry. All things are done for your glory.
AMEN