Sermons for the Month
Could it be "B"?
DATE: August 13th, 2006
SERVICE: 10th Sunday After Pentecost
TEXT: Ephesians 4:25-5:2“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
Whenever I preach a sermon series, as is the case this month, and each week builds on the previous week, I find myself wanting to give a little "quiz" to start - just to make sure we all are on the same page. But, I suppose a "pop quiz" in worship is not a particularly popular idea, so I decided to use a method of review from Confirmation Class. It's called Finkmania (I do not know why) and is modeled after the game show, "So You Want to be a Millionaire?" There are a series of questions with multiple-choice answers that often make it difficult to give a wrong answer. Here are the questions. 1. Paul begins Chapter 4 of his letter to the Ephesians with this request, "I … beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been __________________." Is the answer:
- (A) faxed
- (B) called
- (C) text-messaged
- (D) e-mailed
2. Paul encourages believers to be united in Jesus Christ, bound together in a common purpose and to strive for Christian __________________________. Is it:
- (A) reward points
- (B) maturity
- (C) frequent flier miles
- (D) fuel perks
3. Christian maturity involves being imitators of _______________________. Is the answer:
- (A) Martin Luther
- (B) Jesus
- (C) Janet Jackson
- (D) the current and previous Presidents of the United States
4. In the verses from Ephesians 4 that were read this morning, how we are to live is __________________________. Is it:
- (A) pie-in-the-sky
- (B) clearly stated
- (C) a fantasy
- (D) unrealistic
Now, concerning question #4, I certainly hope everyone got that one correct and said, "b". While it's true that, in the opinion of some people, Paul's request of believers is an unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky fantasy, the one thing it is, without a doubt, is clearly stated. There's no ambiguity in his statements concerning how Christians are, and are not, to live. We are not to lie, but we are compelled to speak the truth. It's OK to be angry, but not to sin. We are to seek reconciliation sooner rather than later. We are not to steal, but are to earn what we posses and share with those in need. Our words are to build up, not destroy. Our actions should please, not grieve, the Holy Spirit who is a work within us to keep us heading in the right direction. And, if all that is not clear, listen to verses 31 and 32. "Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together will all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, and God in Christ as forgiven you." In other words, be imitators of God. So, what we are to do is clear. It may not be easy, or always desirable, but it's clear. However, the thing that may not be so clear is why. Why are we to live in this way? If we think it's to guarantee our salvation, we have missed the point. If Paul is clear about anything it is that we are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And, if we think it's so that our lives will improve, we also have missed the point (although it's true that that is what may happen.) The reason Christians are to live in this way is so that we can be a transforming force in the world. As followers of Jesus we have a mission beyond ourselves; we live fully in the world but are not conformed to it. Instead, we transform it. I like the explanation that is given of this that is in the chapter on "Culture" in the book Adventures in Missing the Point. The author describes six patrons of a rather seedy club. One is looking for love in all the wrong places; he's flush with cash from a robbery. Another customer is looking for a dealer, she's an addict. The third guy wants an audience and probably will pick a fight to get one. That's the first group of three. Then there is the undercover police officer who wants to make an arrest and the journalist who is writing a story about the band that is playing that night. Finally there is a woman who is looking for her sister, an addict, and is hoping to convince her to go back to treatment. That's the second group of three. They all are in the same setting. But, the impact of it on them, and their interaction in it, is entirely different for the second three than the first three. (1) The difference is found in their purpose. It's not so much the place that is important, as is the reason for being there; that is what impacts what we do and say. So, being disciples of Jesus whose purpose it is to imitate him makes a huge difference in how we live. And, how we live impacts the people around us. We see the world with different eyes. Here's another example from the book. Two people go to the same movie. One person simply sees what's on the screen - beautiful bodies, impressive vehicles, amazing special effects - while the other person looks beyond all that and considers how what's on the screen measures up to what he or she values or understands as truth.(2) It's the same setting, same activity, but the people's purpose is entirely different. That's what Jesus meant when he said that we are to be the salt that flavors the world or the light that casts out the darkness. So, with all that in mind, are you ready for your final Finkmania question of the day? I wonder what letter will be the correct answer? Here it is:
5. As Christians face the challenges of day-to-day life they should:
- (A) isolate themselves and remain safe
- (B) be fully engaged, but with the purpose of imitating Jesus
- (C) get "sucked in" to the culture in order to more fully identify with other sinners
- (D) fluctuate between A, B and C, depending on their moods
Once again, "B" is not only correct, but an answer with the ability to transform. That IS the final (and winning) answer.
(1) Adventures in Missing the Point by Brian D. McLaren and Tony Campolo, Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI., 2003, pg. 132. AMEN
(2) Same as above, pg. 131.