Sermon - 2018-06-10 - Relationship Sunday
Relationship Sunday
Looking at today’s Scripture readings, one thing stood out to me as the focus of all of them. Relationships. However, in these Scriptures, we get the truth. We do not get an idealized relationship, something that we can dream about but never achieve. Yet, we also realize the history of how relationships are hard, but partly because we make them hard. It is partly because we are now in a broken world, and there are factors that are outside of our control that we need to be aware of.
Let’s start with the Genesis account. Adam and Eve have both eaten from one of the trees from which they should not have eaten. They knew the rules. What they should not do and yet, what did they do? They went ahead and did it. Not only that, but they ran away from God and the situation in fear. When they are confronted with their wrongdoing; they attempt to pass the buck, or explain how someone else is really to blame. Even blaming God. They didn’t think they should be punished. Please note, they do not face the FULL consequences. When God tells Adam and Eve about the tree and that they should not eat of the fruit, God told them that the people would DIE. Instead, God showed his grace to them. They were sent out of the Garden of Eden and out into the world. Not only that but now suffering and strife enter into these relationships.
In your own relationships or actions, today, do we see any parallels? I know it is easier to focus on the other person’s relationship, but as people of God, we are called to Confession, self-reflection on how we have contributed to the wrongdoing in the world. Have you ever run away from a situation out of fear? Have you ever tried to explain how someone else is really at fault and not you?
Moving to the Psalm today, we hear how our own relationship with God struggles and the distance we feel from God sometimes within our lives. We long for that closeness with God that Adam and Eve had back in the Garden of Eden. We long for what was but is no longer. The Psalmist is giving us words for when we struggle; when we find ourselves in strife in our relationships, especially with God. These words remind us that we are not alone in our struggle, but our struggle with God is something that echoes in the lives of each of us because we are fallen creatures.
Jumping to the gospel, we hear and see that Jesus draws attention and names the outside forces that are influencing our relationships. What is the very thing that we should take notice of? What would be helpful in resolving and even reconciling our relationships with others? Jesus makes us look at our own actions and those of other people. Whoever does the Will of God is your family, your brother, and sister. When we strive for the same goal. A goal greater than yourself goal. A goal which is God’s Goal. Then you find reconciliation because God is in your relationship.
Even Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, emphasizes that we should not be so focused upon ourselves for there will come a day in which we will end. Our feuds, our strife, our glory, all of those things shall fade away. We should be focused upon what is eternal and what is beneficial for those who are around us. When we are not having to worry about ourselves but about those around us, then we see people around us who are actually taking care of us, and we do not have to worry about ourselves.
Now, this roller coaster of relationships is not an actual roller coaster, because we do not see when we are going up or when we are falling. Yet, what we do see is that we are not in this journey of life and faith alone. God himself has come to us and shares himself with us on this roller coaster, his very life. Opening our lives to Christ gives us a glimpse of what we could have and calls us to strive for the Kingdom of God.
Looking at today’s Scripture readings, one thing stood out to me as the focus of all of them. Relationships. However, in these Scriptures, we get the truth. We do not get an idealized relationship, something that we can dream about but never achieve. Yet, we also realize the history of how relationships are hard, but partly because we make them hard. It is partly because we are now in a broken world, and there are factors that are outside of our control that we need to be aware of.
Let’s start with the Genesis account. Adam and Eve have both eaten from one of the trees from which they should not have eaten. They knew the rules. What they should not do and yet, what did they do? They went ahead and did it. Not only that, but they ran away from God and the situation in fear. When they are confronted with their wrongdoing; they attempt to pass the buck, or explain how someone else is really to blame. Even blaming God. They didn’t think they should be punished. Please note, they do not face the FULL consequences. When God tells Adam and Eve about the tree and that they should not eat of the fruit, God told them that the people would DIE. Instead, God showed his grace to them. They were sent out of the Garden of Eden and out into the world. Not only that but now suffering and strife enter into these relationships.
In your own relationships or actions, today, do we see any parallels? I know it is easier to focus on the other person’s relationship, but as people of God, we are called to Confession, self-reflection on how we have contributed to the wrongdoing in the world. Have you ever run away from a situation out of fear? Have you ever tried to explain how someone else is really at fault and not you?
Moving to the Psalm today, we hear how our own relationship with God struggles and the distance we feel from God sometimes within our lives. We long for that closeness with God that Adam and Eve had back in the Garden of Eden. We long for what was but is no longer. The Psalmist is giving us words for when we struggle; when we find ourselves in strife in our relationships, especially with God. These words remind us that we are not alone in our struggle, but our struggle with God is something that echoes in the lives of each of us because we are fallen creatures.
Jumping to the gospel, we hear and see that Jesus draws attention and names the outside forces that are influencing our relationships. What is the very thing that we should take notice of? What would be helpful in resolving and even reconciling our relationships with others? Jesus makes us look at our own actions and those of other people. Whoever does the Will of God is your family, your brother, and sister. When we strive for the same goal. A goal greater than yourself goal. A goal which is God’s Goal. Then you find reconciliation because God is in your relationship.
Even Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, emphasizes that we should not be so focused upon ourselves for there will come a day in which we will end. Our feuds, our strife, our glory, all of those things shall fade away. We should be focused upon what is eternal and what is beneficial for those who are around us. When we are not having to worry about ourselves but about those around us, then we see people around us who are actually taking care of us, and we do not have to worry about ourselves.
Now, this roller coaster of relationships is not an actual roller coaster, because we do not see when we are going up or when we are falling. Yet, what we do see is that we are not in this journey of life and faith alone. God himself has come to us and shares himself with us on this roller coaster, his very life. Opening our lives to Christ gives us a glimpse of what we could have and calls us to strive for the Kingdom of God.
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