Sermons for the Month
We have ears, but are we listening?
DATE: 7-14-02
SERVICE: 8th Sunday After Pentecost
TEXT: Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23“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
"Let anyone with ears listen!" Jesus made all preachers happy when he spoke those words after he gave a sermon in the form of a parable. I like to think that he gave those who follow him permission to say, "Let anyone with ears listen!" Doing so is not always easy, especially since no preacher can speak with the same clarity and vision as was true of Jesus. Add to that the fact that there is a huge difference between listening and simply hearing sound. To listen is to discern the significance of what is said and to be affected by it. So, "Let anyone with ears listen!", implies much more than simply paying attention. It means that we listen to the word of God, we hear God's voice, and not only are transformed but become transformers. At the risk of sounding as if I'm simply rehashing my recent vacation to Alaska, let me tell you how I heard God's voice in that vast state filled with overwhelming beauty. It is estimated that people have live there for more than 11,000 years in spite of the harsh conditions. It is indeed a unique setting. While I was there I found myself in more than one unique situation, including a stay at a wilderness lodge that could only be reached by bush plane. There were no crowds; in fact on the first night only 10 guests were there. It turned out that I was the only one who signed up for an afternoon hike into the foothills of the Alaska range that surrounded the lodge. I assumed the outing would be cancelled, but instead found myself with a personal guide. Her name was Molly and she has worked as a guide for 12 years in various settings; there was no plant or animal that was unknown to her. We hiked across a swollen stream - it was about knee deep - up a stone-covered mountain pass, through narrow, muddy paths stepping around the footprints of moose, caribou and wolves to a point just before the real mountain climbing began. There the valley spread out before us, intersected by braided rivers. The mountains surrounded us on every side and wild flowers bloomed at our feet. And the word of the Lord that I heard as I stood there was that in the whole scheme of things we are miniscule specks and our time on earth which may stretch to 100 years is really just a minute. Such a realization might cause us to think that what we do really does not matter. But God's word to me that day was that we all are privileged to be a part of this vast and varied world and we should not take even one minute of that 100 years for granted nor waste it on meaningless pursuits. Our contributions do matter. So, "Let anyone with ears listen." We must listen for the voice of God - which comes to us in various ways but especially through Jesus - because it is those words that will help us set priorities and will guide our pursuits. The parable we read today tells us that we must be good soil, receiving God's transforming word, and then bringing forth a harvest that nurtures this world and the people in it. And, Jesus makes it clear what is NOT good soil. The heart that has received God's word, but has not allowed it to penetrate or to germinate, so that the seed is vulnerable and is quickly whisked away, is not good soil. Nor is the heart that is initially glad to receive God's word, but runs when the going gets tough. Once such folks realize the realities of being disciples, they are gone. They are long on excitement, but short on commitment. Then there is the heart that has been brushed by the word of God, but because that person refuses to take his or her focus off the pursuit of things they desire, and the anxiety such pursuit produces, the word yields nothing. It certainly is not good soil. The good soil is the one who hears the word of God, who truly listens, who takes it into the heart and lives by it, thus producing a miraculously abundant harvest. Did you notice that the parable implies that we have a choice concerning the type of soil that we will be? God provides the seed and the harvest; whatever happens to the seed, it's still good seed, and the harvest is enhanced by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our task is to be good soil, to listen to God's word, allowing it to flourish in us, so that we are transformed and add to the wonder of the world. Our contributions do matter. Let me tell you the story of Charles Sheldon who heard a word in the wilderness. In 1906 Mr. Sheldon - a Yale-educated Easterner - went to Alaska to hunt Dall Sheep. His goal was to add to his trophy collection and to turn a profit. But, he evidently heard something in that vast land, a seed was planted, and he came to love the place more than the sheep he would have bagged. He returned in 1907, scouted the area with a guide, and became concerned about the huge number of sheep and other wildlife that were being slaughtered by commercial hunters. Sprouting within him was a desire to preserve the natural rhythms of the land. So, he went to the United States Congress. In response to his efforts, Congress passed a bill in 1917 to establish Mt. McKinley National Park and Preserve. In 1980 the size of the park was tripled, and renamed Denali National Park. Charles Sheldon was one man who heard what I would describe as God's voice, since God speaks to us in many ways. He was good soil, a seed was planted and grew, he was transformed and the harvest produced has touched many lives. We too can add to the wonder of the world. It happens not just as we care for our planet, but also when people act with mercy, justice and compassion. When hope is restored and peace prevails the harvest is great. The seed - God's word - is of highest quality. The harvest is abundant, it can nurture the world. But what about the soil? How good is it? Can the seed of God's word be planted in us and flourish? It's a question each one of us must consider. "Let anyone with ears listen." AMEN