Sermons for the Month
In 2004, What Must We Do Because Of Whose We Are?
DATE: January 4th, 2004
SERVICE: The Epiphany of Our Lord
TEXT: Matthew 2:1-12To 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 must we do because of whose we are? That's the question that I raised and promised we would consider as this New Year begins. What must we do because of whose we are?
Let me bring us all up to speed concerning the origin of that question. Last Sunday the Gospel lesson was about the 12-year-old Jesus remaining behind in the Temple following the Passover celebration. His parents believed he was in the company of those traveling back to Nazareth and did not miss him for a day. When, after days of searching they found him in the Temple, conversing with the teachers, they expressed considerable frustration.
Jesus was amazed at his earthly parents' response upon locating their misplaced son. He asked them, "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? (Luke 2:48). I noted in the sermon that the 12-year-old Jesus was clear about his identity as the favored one of God, and about his mission. He knew what he must do because of who (and whose) he was.
What about us? Does the fact that we have found favor with God through Jesus make a difference in our lives? Does it change our priorities and enable us to face challenge?
What must we do because of whose we are? As we consider that question today we move back in time from last week's focus, back to Bethlehem where Joseph and Mary have remained after Jesus' birth. Most scholars think that Jesus was at least a year old when he was visited by travelers from ancient Persia who we call Magi or Wise Men or Kings.
We usually think of them as astrologers because they observed the stars. It also has been said that they were skilled in philosophy, medicine and were interpreters of dreams. Whatever the case, what we do know is that when the unvarying order of the heavens was broken by the appearance of a brilliant star at the time of Jesus' birth they believed it was an announcement of something special.
They knew the Jews were waiting for a Messiah, a King, so they set out to fi nd him and do the politically correct thing by honoring the child with gifts. There are many interesting details in this story, but as I considered today's theme - What must we do because of whose we are? - there were two things that caught my attention.
It's interesting to note that the Magi were Gentiles - non-Jews - who were changed by this experience. Evidently they too found favor with God because these visitors, who were considered non-believers, actually listened to God's leading and went home by another way. By doing so they did not betray the child Jesus to King Herod who had every intention of killing him.
So, one of the things we must do because of whose we are is to listen for God's leading and respond.
Also, we suppose that the story of their journey was told back in Persia; that's why this celebration came to be called the Epiphany of Our Lord. The word epiphany means manifestation or revelation; in the Magi's visit Jesus Christ was revealed beyond Bethlehem, beyond the Jews, to all people.
It's clear, then, that a second thing we must do because of whose we are is to share our story of being changed by Jesus, but not just with our family members or friends. We are to reveal Jesus to those who are beyond the walls of our church family.
So, because of whose we are - God's forgiven children - we are given the amazing opportunity and responsibility to be led by God and to share God's love.
I saw that happen in two specific ways in our congregation as 2003 drew to a close.
One is the Heifer Project International project which we celebrated the completion of during 9:15 a.m. worship last Sunday. In 16 months - with the help of many congregation members and because of matching funds from Thrivent - our children and youth raised $5000 to purchase an Ark of animals that will be given to people throughout the world, including our own country.
Can you imagine the ducks, the chickens, the rabbits, the cows, sheep, goats, pigs and even water buffalo that we provided which will give struggling families the means to feed themselves? And, those who receive the initial gift will pass on their animals offspring to others in need. For these folks, the animals we provided will be a new beginning.
The second way our congregation is responding to God's leading, and reaching out, is through the CD created by the Flashlight Band, the group that provides music leadership at the 9:15 a.m. worship service. This project required an enormous amount of time and effort of band members.
Whether or not you enjoy the style of music the band provides, I hope you see the value of this project. The purpose is not entertainment, but outreach. I commend the band because from the beginning the goal has not been to say, "don't we sound good", but to create an outreach tool.
The good news is that between budgeted funds and the sale of the first 100 CDs - and we do thank those who purchased them - all expenses for this project have been covered. That's why I'm encouraging everyone to take home - without charge - at least one CD to give away. When you come across someone who does not have a church home you can give them a CD and an invitation to visit.
Indicate that the music on the CD represents what we do at one worship service, but we are a place filled with talented people and there are other options too. Be positive about your church because by doing so you are being positive about your faith and about your God!
All of this is, in part, what we must do because of whose we are. Listening to God's leading, responding and sharing the Good News of God's love in Jesus requires focus, energy and creativity. The two projects I just mentioned certainly did not just happen; people made sacrifices to make them happen.
We pray that in 2004 we will see more and more and more ministry exploding out of this place as we - corporately and individually - take seriously the question, "What must we do because of whose we are?" "What must I do because of whose I am?"
Think about it pray about it and listen. Then next week, when we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, come ready to affirm your own baptism and to commit yourself to the ministry of Jesus Christ in the year to come. AMEN