Sermon for January 27, 2019

Third Sunday After Epiphany

Text- I Corinthians 12:12-27

Title: “Called As Partners in Christ’s Service”

 

 

This letter was written by the Apostle Paul, the most influential missionary that there ever was. He wrote this letter to the church he founded in the city of Corinth which was a large, bustling city, comprised of people from many other countries and cultures, religious traditions and norms. Paul wrote this letter in response to the reports he had received regarding how the church had been doing after his departure from them.

Both a sense of hyper spirituality and pagan worship were influencing the members of this church. So, Paul now addresses them, reminding them of their role as individual Christians and also their goal as a Christian church.

Now, we do not have the problems that this original church had. But I love that we can learn something from this far from perfect church. The portion we just read is very well known. Paul uses the example of the human body to make an analogy of a church.

Basically, he reminds them that although each part of a body has different functions not one part is more important than the other. Moreover, he goes on to say that no matter who they are- Jewish, Greek, slave or free, they are all equal and all made to drink of the same Holy Spirit.

What do you think he meant by saying drink of the Holy Spirit?

Well, according to the classic commentator, Matthew Henry, he believes that “being animated by one Holy Spirit, makes Christians one body.”

I must pause here. Because much has been said and taught about the Holy Spirit which has caused some confusion over the years by many in the Church. It is almost easier to speak of what the Holy Spirit isn’t than what it is. The Holy Spirit which at one time was referred to as the Holy Ghost, unfortunately, is not a ghost. The Holy Spirit is the third person in the trinity and is God’s presence and power in the world. The Holy SPirit is what gives us the desire to worship and serve in God’s name. The Holy Spirit is the part of God that gives us the gifts to serve, to worship, and to be filled with God’s joy.

Some would say that you do not in fact have to refer to the Holy Spirit as a separate thing, so some people now refer to the Holy Spirit as just Spirit or Holy Spirit, leaving off the clause, “the” therefore making it more accessible and user friendly, sort to speak.

Sadly, in the main line Protestant tradition, I do not think we have placed enough importance on the Holy Spirit, while there are other traditions that probably place too much importance on the Holy Spirit.

But, notice that Paul simply reminds them that they are indeed meant to drink of the Holy Spirit- in other words, go to the Holy Spirit and be quenched by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s go back now to Paul stating that all are equal members of the same body. Recently, as I was hanging a picture up on my wall I recalled how during that vacation I managed to sprain my ankle. I was on vacation in lovely Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I had been given the opportunity to stay at a lovely cottage which was only a five-minute walk from the ocean, for free! My mom and niece had flown out there to spend the week with me. It was a new experience for all of us to be that close to the ocean for a whole week.

Well, on one morning, we were rushing to leave and I quickly put on some sandals that I normally didn’t wear because they weren’t too comfortable or functional. They were cute but not really meant to be walking around a lot in. (You know the kind of sandals I’m talking about, ladies.) Well, I jumped off the deck and onto to grass, wanting to rush to the car.

I didn’t notice there was a small whole in the grass and managed to sprain my right ankle. All I remember is that I experienced the sharpest most horrible pain I had ever felt before, in my life.

My mom had to drive me to a nearby UCC church that lent out crutches to vacationers and I went to see a doctor in an emergency room. Sure enough, they said it had been fractured several places but not broken. I remember they said it would have been better had it been broken than just a sprain as it would have healed better and quicker.

Well, I didn’t believe them. I figured if I did all that they told me to do- ice it, bandage it, keep my weight off to it, begin to go see a physical therapist, that it wouldn’t be a big deal. I would heal and go on with my living.

Ha! I lasted a good 4 months not being able to walk right. The pain persisted. The physical therapist told me to go more often. I used crutches longer than I wanted to. I could’ve drive comfortably… One of my co-workers had to help me get in and out of the car every day…My neighbors helped with groceries. Oh brother! This was not how I had wanted to spend that summer at all!

I remember trying to compensate. I put more weight on my other leg but that only managed to make my left hip hurt. I was a mess. What I thought was a simple injury wasn’t at all. I learned that summer how important my ankles were, my legs, my hips, and yes, my body, in general.

I say this long story to tell you that I could appreciate what Paul says here when I think about that summer. We need our whole body to function well. Every single part of our body is indeed, important. Any of you who have had an injury or who live with on-going pain in some part or parts of your body know what I am talking about. Indeed, after I turned 40, I realized that I couldn’t just take me body for granted.

It suddenly mattered what I ate, if I slept enough, what I drank, if I exercised or not…I never took my body for grant it after that, not any one part of it.

Well, we are indeed, all equal members of this body of Christ. God is the head of the body but We are all needed.

Today we will meet as a body of Christ during our annual meeting.

What an opportunity it will be to celebrate all that this body of Christ has done and will do. What an opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves as individual parts of the body of Christ to God’s service. What an opportunity ask God in prayer to keep this body of Christ healthy, able to work in one accord, not against itself in any way. It is an opportunity to lift up the fact that indeed it takes every member of this church to make this church work in the manner in which God has called it to work.

Now, I want to ask you a question. What part of the body of Christ are you? Using the analogy of a body. Are you an arm? Are you an eye, an ear, a leg, or maybe an organ like the heart or the lungs? What part of Christ’s body of this church are you?

You might not be able to answer that question but it is a fun one to contemplate. Not only is it fun but it invites us to give God thanks that we, although are unique and different from one another, we are all each and every one of us needed.

You’ve heard me say that one of my favorite theologians is Henri Nouwen who wrote the following about community. It might help us to reflect further on how each part of the body of Christ is important.

“Community is like a large mosaic. Each little piece seems so insignificant. One piece is bright red, another cold blue or dul green another warm purple, another sharp yello, another shining gold. Some look precious, others ordinary. Some look valuable, others worthless. Some look gaudy, others delicate. As individual stone, we can do little with them except compare them and judge their beauty and value. When, however, all these little stones are brought together in one big mosaic portraying the face of Christ, who would ever question the importance of any one of them? If one of them, even the least spectacular one is I missing, the face is incomplete. Together in the one mosaic, each little stone is indispensable and makes a unique contribution to the glory of God. That’s community, a fellowship of little people who together make God visible in the world.” (From The Only Necesary Thing by Henri Nouwen. Crossword Publishing Company. New York, 1999.)

I pray that we can continue to grow as a healthy body of Christ. That we can be patient when one part of the body is hurt or weak. That we can care for each and every member as if we were caring for ourselves.

This requires patience, respect, and love. Then, let us rejoice that God, being the head of this body of Christ is with us, directing us, giving us wisdom and purpose. Let us not get tired of lifting one another up in prayer, in friendship, in partnership so that indeed all parts of this body can work as God wants it to work. Amen.

 

 

“God is Love”

Sermon for January 20, 2019

Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend

Text is 1 John 4: 7-12,16-21

 

Some of the most famous scriptures is found in this portion of John’s letter. It is simply jam packed with a lot of important theology that has become core to our faith as Christians.

One might say that the whole of the Christian faith is found in this portion. John sums up what, (with time), became to be known as- classic atonement theology. Thi is the belief that Jesus came to die for our sins. That he was sent from God to live, die and be sacrificed for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to pay the ultimate price.

Now, notice that John couches this atonement theology around the teaching that God is love and that it was out of God’s love that God chose to do this, for us. Moreover, that God loved us SO much that God would indeed Sacrifice God’s only Son for us.

Again, all of this is couched around love. And love is what I want us to focus on this morning. But, before I do, I must confess that this is no small undertaking. Not because I do not know what love is or believe that God loves me and God loved humanity so much that God sent God’s son, Jesus Christ for us. Of course, I believe all of that.

What is difficult about this portion is not only the enormity of the content of the message but that every single verse is packed with some incredible meaning and truth.

Look at it (please open your Bibles.) Take a moment. Read some of the verse over again to yourself. What stands out to you? Then, keep reading. What else stands out to you? So much, right? Maybe all of it?!

If you are like me, I ended up loving every single sentence and verse in this portion.

Now, I have heard and have read and have studied this portion of scripture many times. Again, it is pretty famous. But, to read it in light of ALL that has been happening in our world and in our country and in light of the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s birthday- well, that is very significant as well.

And so, I begin by confessing that I will not be able to do this scripture justice today. There is no way. However, I trust that God’s Holy Spirit will use this sermon to at least begin to speak to you about the beauty and the enormity of this scripture verse and the huge significance and ramifications it might have for you as an individual and as a member of a family of faith, of society and of the world, as well.

Right away, John does not waste time- He states, “beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God.”

Wow, the order of the day was for the early church (who would have heard this scripture read out loud) to receive this very important instruction- which was to love one another.

Fine, then John goes on to base this instruction on the revelation of love through the person and the work of Jesus Christ.

Then, he goes on to say that indeed, if God is Love, then we ought to love as well. That because God lives in us, love is made perfect through us.

And I want to pause right there. I was so taken aback when I read and studied this portion again. Because what popped out to me is when John is states that “God’s love is made perfect through us.” Could that mean then that somehow God’s love, although is perfect already, does not become real and tangible and perhaps even MORE perfect until God’s love is worked through us and shared with others?

Think about it. If God, who is perfect and loves us, gives us love and then that love is made perfect “through us” then that must mean that somehow God needs us to carry out this love.

That is humbling and yet amazing, isn’t it? That God needs us to do God’s work in the world. Yes, God can do anything God wants to do but God’s needs us- as flawed and as imperfect as we are to be God’s love in the world. To show others what God’s love looks like. God does this to allow us to bring positive change and healing in this world.

You see, God needed to show us what God looked like and so God sent Jesus Christ. Then once the Holy Spirit came upon Him and filled the disciples on that day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled them and they in turn were able to do God’s work in the world.

Many centuries later, we are products of those disciple’s ministry and then the product of other disciples and so on.

Someone we knew showed us what God’s love looked like, (spoke to us, yes), but also showed us what love looked like. I want you to think of who that person (or persons) were who showed you what God’s love looks like; someone that not only told you that God loves you but showed you what God’s love is all about.

Was it a parent? Was it a youth minister? A Sunday school teacher? A neighbor? A significant other? A friend in school?

Who showed you that God is love and that God’s love is made real in the way that people love one another- with respect, kindness, patience, honor?

For me- it was my parents and then I would have to say it was my teachers at my Lutheran grammar school, I attended. Later, it was Sunday school teachers and youth group ministers. God used all of these people to show me that God’s love is made real in the world when I chose to love someone. When I serve someone else. When I do random acts of kindness not out of self-gain or ambition or conceit but because it is the right thing to do.

Friends, you have shown God’s love to one another for many years here. I now join you. You have seen God’ love in the way that you serve God together in this church, in this community and throughout the world with your tithes, mission money, collections, donation, in how you chose to speak to one another with kindness. In how you greet one another. In how to work side by side with one another, in your hugs, in your kind notes, in your prayers for one another, in going out of the way for one another. You are already doing the work that God has called you to do as a community of faith.

However, on this Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend I want to challenge you to do even more. Show radical love to someone you don’t like. Be love to someone who seems loveless. Show forgiveness to someone who has hurt you. Chose not to hurt someone who has hurt you. Be kind to someone who is usually unkind to you. Speak to someone who looks different than you. Chose to believe that people are just doing the best that they can instead of demand that they do things perfectly the first time around. Be patient in your dealings with someone who might not work or think or act as quickly as you.

Who is it in your life that God is calling to love? Who is it in your life that you might have written off as an enemy but God is reminding you through this scripture that if you say you love God (whom you have not seen) you can’t go on hating someone that you have seen?

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s central message was love. He was able to be the leader that he was and preach, teach, demonstrate, motivate, non-violence because he continued to focus and live out this commandment- to love one another, no matter how vile, and horrible someone behaved toward him and the people that looked like him.

Friends, we are called today, perhaps more than we have (in any recent years) to choose love, to act on love, to show great love for another. Because if we do not hate wins, sin wins, evil wins, and we- humanity will in turn lose.

We will lose all that we hold most dear- democracy, independence, freedom, real security, basic human dignity.

And then let us not forget that love does cast out all fear. Then fear and fear mongering will never win. That is not love.

I remember meeting a young woman who had parents whom she feared. Not out of respect but out of real fear. She did not act normally. She could not socialize like the rest of us. She never seemed happy. It was fleeting. She was afraid of everything and everyone it seemed. She did not love herself because those who were supposed to love her did not show her love. They showed her fear, instead.

Then when I was a little older, I came across young women who feared their boyfriends and later their husbands. I came across people who were straight, others who were gay who lived with partners who were abusive. They were told that that was love- if they did and acted like their sick partner demanded that they act and behave, or dress. But that was not real love, that we control, that was fear, that was manipulation, that was being a bully.

Then when I began to work, I came across a boss who spoke very unkindly toward his workers. He did not do so toward me because he knew my parents. At first, I thought I was lucky. Sometimes I thought I was special. But then I realized that as long as he treated others with disrespect it didn’t matter how he treated me. I couldn’t go on pretending all was well, when my co-workers were suffering.

Later, I learned what racism and discrimination were- when people made fun of my parent’s accent and assumed that they were unintelligent b/c they spoke with an accent.

I lived it first hand when professors told me that they didn’t expect me to do well because after all I had attended public schools and I was a daughter of immigrants. This, from professors at the Christian university I attended… And so, because nothing was expected of me, I performed very much below my potential. I wasn’t the excellent student I had been in high school or later in seminary where I had teachers who believed in me, who respected me, who loved me.

Indeed, nothing good come out of fear, out of hate, out of control manipulation, disrespect, discrimination, or racism. We live in a world full of examples of that. Let us make the difference. Let US be the ones to show our co-workers what love looks like. Let us be the one to show our classmates what love looks like. Let us show our family members what love looks like. Let us be the Church that shows this community what love looks like.

“God is love and those who love God must love their brother and sisters also.” Amen.

 

 

 

Sermon for

Epiphany Sunday

“Traveling Wisely”

January 6, 2019

Text is Matthew 2:1-12

 

Today is Epiphany Sunday when the Christian Church marks and celebrates the journey of the Magi, (also known as the “3 Wise Men”) to Jesus’ home and the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentile world.

 

Traditionally, this story has been clumped with the birth of Jesus, as if it had happened all at the same time. Now, we don’t actually know when it happened but only that it happened sometime within the first two years of Jesus’ life. Today we have an opportunity to glean something new (I hope) from this well loved story.

 

First- please notice that these wise men had a mission. They were set out to find the Messiah. I love that. They were focused, determined, persistent, curious and even bold (so bold they went right up to the leader of all leaders- Herod to ask him about this Messiah).

 

Seems to me that we can learn from these wise men how we ought to be during this coming year as well! Now if you’re like me, I start off every year with a well intentioned New Year’s Resolution and then by week 4 or 5 (if I’m lucky to last that long) suddenly the resolution isn’t followed any longer.

 

So this year I thought I would do something different- and I’m going to take a note from the Wise Men’s play book for it. They took their time- it took them nearly 2 years to get to Jesus! How many of us are in a rush to get somewhere, to accomplish something, to see results- fast and now! I know I am that way- (i.e. impatient). In fact, I must be KNOWN for my impatience because on a recent Christmas, one of my gifts from my mom was a plaque that says “Love and Patience works miracles.” In fact, I remember, when I was unwrapping it my mom read it for me, emphasizing the word, “PATIENCE.” As in, “Love and PATIENCE works miracles.”! Um, thanks Mom! J

 

So yes, we live in an instant gratification, instant results, fast-paced, “got to have it now” world, don’t we? Where everything is at our disposal so much so that taking time to think, study, contemplate a decision, create something, learn something –all of it is “supposed to go fast.” And yet that isn’t always possible. So the magi remind us to take… our… time…!

 

 Secondly- they studied. They were known to be scholars. They were men who studied the stars and the sky who were also men of faith, who believed that a Messiah would indeed eventually be known, at sometime and some place, in the world. This reminds me that I need to study God’s word more often; not just on a Sunday or not just when I’m about to write a sermon.  Actually, if I am honest when I’m not studying God’s word, on a regular basis, I feel off balanced. Don’t you? A biblical scholar I love to read is Eugene Peterson who likened reading God’s word just as important as it is to eating food and drinking water. He states that if we aren’t reading and feasting on God’s word, we will not thrive in the world.  We will not be strong in our lives, in our decisions, or in our relationships. So, let’s be wise like the wise men and study His word.

 

Thirdly- the magi’s mission required determination, boldness, discipline, and courage. They set out to find the Messiah. I wonder how many of us are eager to “find Christ” again AND again in our lives?

 

It is like any relationship, really. If we do not work at the relationship, or tend to it, or simply spend time with that person, it just won’t grow. It grows stale and flat. So it is with our relationship with the Lord. In doing so, we become eager to “FIND” Christ over and over again in our lives, in order to worship and honor Him, over and over, in our lives!

 

But let’s go back to this word mission- I wonder: do you have a mission? Do you have a purpose for your life or the life of your family this year? If not, ask the Lord what it should be. The Wise Men were open and therefore sought out the path for their journey, which, God had given to them. We must do so, as well.

So, again, what is your mission? If you haven’t had an opportunity to ask yourself that question, then I invite you to do so this morning.

 

Go ahead and ask Him- “what is it that YOU, Lord want me to focus on this year?” Is it about a relationship that needs to be worked on more intentionally? Is it the courage to face an addiction or unhealthy behavior that is hurting you? Is it to spend more quality time with your spouse and/or your children? Is it to find ways in which you can be a better disciple in the world? Is it to take better care of your body, which is after all the temple of God and therefore deserves the best care possible?

 

Notice too, that the Magi set out with courage, boldness, persistence and determination. In fact, they had enough courage to ask King Herod, (who was already known for being fierce and dangerous), the whereabouts of Jesus. Moreover, they had the courage to travel a great distance and even to change their plans once they learned they should not return to King Herod, afterwards. In other words, they were obedient to God’s instructions and their obedience gave them courage.

 

Lastly, the magi traveled together. It doesn’t say that they went separately. It says that they arrived together. We need people to travel life’s journey with us. Of course, we have been taught that if we are really strong or really smart we don’t need anyone else. We should be able to do it all on our own.  Yet, we have examples from scripture over and over again how team work was necessary. Jesus and His disciples had to work together. The Apostle Paul had leaders helping him to establish churches like Timothy and Phoebe. Moses had Aaron and Joshua… The Magi had each other.

 

Friends, we are meant to travel through life with others. We can, of course, get on each other’s nerves one in a while but at the end of the day, like or not, we need one another. We are NOT meant to travel alone. We are meant to share each other’s burdens, joys, hopes, and plans. We need one another in order to build the kingdom of God and in order to be His church, the body of Christ.

 

So, let us celebrate the wise men and their courage, the things they taught us through their journey and their love they showed to Jesus. We may not have gold, frankincense, or myrrh to give to Jesus but we have our gifts, our talents, and certainly our treasures, to give to Him by giving of our best selves to our families, to our church, and to the world.

 

Let us do so joyfully! Amen.

Sermon: Good Things Happen to Those Who Wait and Worship

December 30, 2018

Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista, UCC

Rev. Elizabeth Aguilar

Luke 2: 25-38

 

I have a confession to make. I have preached on Simeon and Anna many times. I just love this scripture reading and I have enjoyed preaching about it, meditating on it for my own spiritual growth.

I wonder, what did YOU notice about this story? What caught your eye about it? For me, I feel as though there is much happening all at once and so there is much we can focus on today! Of course, we can’t be here all day so I will focus on a few things which I hope brings you reflection and insight on your own walk of faith.

 

First of all- notice that both Anna and Simeon are of a certain age bracket. They aren’t young by any means. Anna’s age is named, in fact, to be that of 84 years old. Simeon, on the other hand, we are not too sure of his age BUT we can gather he is older as well by the mere fact that we are told he has been waiting for a promise made to him about seeing the Messiah before his death has occurred.

So right away we see that both have this in common. They are older. (I like to say older but wiser, by the way.) But more importantly, they have some other things in common. Namely- they are both very faithful followers of God. They spend their days in the temple it says. Simeon is called righteous. And if you look even closer to scripture (verse 27) it says that he was guided by the Holy Spirit to go into the temple that day, at that time.

Anna is not only worshiping at the temple day in and day out, we are told, but she also fasted and prayed a lot. So we get the picture- these are too older but wiser folks who take their faith, including worship, prayer, fasting seriously! Wow! I want to be like them when I’m older!

Notice though that there is yet something else they have in common- after both met Jesus for the first time, what was their reaction? Were they uninterested? Bored? No! With both of them we are told that they “praised God” and that they both had plenty to (quote) “speak about the child.”

Lastly, both had their promises made to them come true! What was that promise? That someday they would indeed meet the Messiah and they know that the day has finally come. They must have felt so honored,  so blessed, so thrilled!

Now, I am no grand-parent but my mom is and I have certainly met many other grand-parents over the years. And I can tell you that they are pretty darn thrilled when they meet their grand-children for the first time. They are ecstatic! They show off pictures on their phone, they face time with them, they send pictures, they want to hold and kiss and just be with their grand-children as much as possible. Some of you know what I’m talking about, right?

Well, imagine now that you are Simeon or Anna- You are not just meeting any baby, and not your grandson of course (which would be thrilling as it is) but you are meeting THE MESSIHIA! The Christ child himself!

Moreover, what you have been promised long before is actually coming true! And here is where I need to pause. Because I think we can learn a few things from Simeon and Anna already.

First- good things happen when we come to worship and put our faith into action by praying, worshiping, and fasting. Our worship time is not in vain, in other words. GOOD things happen when we worship! Many these days believe that they can worship God in nature or perhaps by watching a preacher on television. I think God can speak to us by those means. Of course, so. However, something important happens when we worship with others in corporate worship, together that doesn’t when we are alone.

Secondly- unlike our culture and society that praises youthfulness we are reminded that older can really be better! In their older years they are given the gift of meeting the Messiah. They are able to see for themselves that God’s promise for His people and for them as well has come true! And in their older wisdom they know that waiting has not been in vain!

Next- we learn that they in fact, not only get to meet Jesus but they have something important to say about Him to anyone who will listen! Remember, both began to “praise Jesus!’ So, I’m taking that as a clue as well that we are meant to praise Jesus; be happy, be joyful, be excited about being in His presence.

Thirdly- they did not give up on their hope that some day their promises would come true. They didn’t just wait and do nothing. They spent their time waiting, watching, and hoping that God would come true and God did!

In my years of ministry as a pastor but certainly as a chaplain I have learned that everyone is waiting for something. Some are waiting for a resolution to a problem to come about. Others are waiting for results of medical tests. Some are waiting for their marriage to either get better or for God to let them know it’s time to walk away. Some folks are waiting and hoping for peace in our world, especially as terrorists threats become not only threats but actuality… Some are waiting for healing of physical problems, others healing for emotional problems. . Some are waiting for a new job or for a new room to open at an assisted living facility. The point is that we are all waiting for something.

But, I think HOW we wait is important. How we wait for that “Fill in the blank” thing to occur matters. Do we wait with expectation and trust? Do we wait with a negative outlook? Do we wait hoping and praying? Or do we wait giving into despair?

How we wait matters…Friends, I want to encourage you all to be like Anna and Simeon- they waited by worshiping, by praying, by fasting. They waited in community. They waited in hope and with a positive attitude. And when what you are waiting for comes true- my prayer is that you can share it with others because that is how we encourage one another! We grow in hope about our own situations when we hear how God is working in someone else’s life!

I don’t know what you are waiting for. But you and God knows. My faith tells me that God will show you a resolution to it in God’s perfect time and perfect way. But in the meantime we are called to wait to hope and trust.

Amen.