Sermon - 2017-11-12
We don’t know the day or the hour. Oh, how different we would live our lives if we did know the day and the hour of the end. The rhetoric that we hear on the even news stirs within us a reminder that we are mortal. That even here in the United States of America, we are not free the power of death. The tragedies of fatal shootings, stabbings, and other violence comes over the news and we are stricken with fear.
For many of us, we begin to look back at the good old days. It was not like this years ago. Remember the days when the children would play down at the park, that people would get together and really care about their neighbors and those days when everyone went to church. Why is the nation so bad right now and what it we can do to take it back there? Then comes the finger pointing of where are we to point the blame. Who or what is the problem in our nation.
Yet, none of this truly solves the problem. None of this truly brings about a change for the better in our community, nation or the world. The real solution that will bring about change and bring us to a better community and nation begins:
I say all of this not as a political statement, or siding with one side or another. Rather, I view this as the preparation that God is calling us to do in preparation of the coming Christ. Remember those bridesmaids, who had extra oil so that their light would shine. This is the calling of Christians to be prepared to shine the light of Christ for his coming. So who needs to be doing the work mentioned above? That’s right, you. You are being called to be a disciple, to have conversations with neighbors and people who you may encounter. To share in the events of others and invite people who you may not normally invite to reach out to them. This includes meals and celebrations.
All of this may sound small and insignificant, however, it also has a big impact upon the way we live our lives, the way we view our neighbors and above all, what it is we are suppose to do in our faith journey every single day.
For many of us, we begin to look back at the good old days. It was not like this years ago. Remember the days when the children would play down at the park, that people would get together and really care about their neighbors and those days when everyone went to church. Why is the nation so bad right now and what it we can do to take it back there? Then comes the finger pointing of where are we to point the blame. Who or what is the problem in our nation.
Yet, none of this truly solves the problem. None of this truly brings about a change for the better in our community, nation or the world. The real solution that will bring about change and bring us to a better community and nation begins:
- Conversation - It is only through conversations that we truly get to know one another and realize what it is we have in common and above when someone is struggling.
- Events in life (good and wholesome fun) - Getting to have shared experiences draw us closer together. It is through interaction that we learn better ways of doing things together.
- Eating - It is amazing that through a meal, we are able to share who we are, be nourished for the work ahead and also we share a time that gets us to really unites us (There is a reason that Jesus shares a meal with his disciples
- Conflict Resolution - We are going to have conflicts but they do not need to separate us. We need to take things not so personally and focus on ways of healing.
- Viewing one another as a family - if we did this, yes there would be squabbles as siblings do but if we are doing the work of the first four then this one would help us to be more solid.
I say all of this not as a political statement, or siding with one side or another. Rather, I view this as the preparation that God is calling us to do in preparation of the coming Christ. Remember those bridesmaids, who had extra oil so that their light would shine. This is the calling of Christians to be prepared to shine the light of Christ for his coming. So who needs to be doing the work mentioned above? That’s right, you. You are being called to be a disciple, to have conversations with neighbors and people who you may encounter. To share in the events of others and invite people who you may not normally invite to reach out to them. This includes meals and celebrations.
All of this may sound small and insignificant, however, it also has a big impact upon the way we live our lives, the way we view our neighbors and above all, what it is we are suppose to do in our faith journey every single day.
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