Reflections on "The Gift of Music" 1 Samuel 16: 14-23

Our worship service today began with a hymnsing and finished with a good-bye to our very talented organist.  it seemed fitting to go back in the David story and tell of his ability with the lyre.  As I was preaching the sermon, it occurred to me that preaching about music is a bit daunting given the music personnel in the congregation, including multiple music professors from UNT and the Dean of the school of music.  By the time I had that thought, it was too late!

I think if I preached it again, I might add a story from the Civil War or WWI about soldiers from different sides joining in song during breaks in the battle.  It would the added another aspect to the power fo music.

The cartoon used in the conclusion probably did not fit, but I liked it so much I forced it into the sermon.

“The Gift of Music”  July 22, 2018, SAPC, Denton; I Samuel 16: 14-23; Psalm 33: 1-3

I Samuel 6: 14-23  Now the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord now command the servants who attend you to look for someone who is skillful in playing the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will feel better.” 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him to me.” 18 One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the Lord is with him.” 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David who is with the sheep.” 20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a kid, and sent them by his son David to Saul. 21 And David came to Saul, and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. 22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Introduction:  Long before DVD players were built into the back of a seat in front of you; long before portable TVs with VHS players built-in; long before CD players; way back in time, the Culp family had a tape player in their car;  not an 8-track player, mind, you, but a tape player.  

when we drove the kids around, the options were conversing with your parents (nope); playing word games (we did that for a few hours o the trip);  or listening to tapes (the preferred choice most often).

One tape played again, and again, and again.  “the Wee Kids Bible Songs” (in full-disclosure, I saw a CD of these songs advertised not too long ago and bought it, so the sounds of the songs still ring out in my car some days).

One of the songs has stuck with me, and I find myself singing it every once it awhile.  it goes like this.

Little David, play on your harp, Hallelu, Hallelu,

Little David, play on your harp, Hallelu.

Notice it is not about David and his slingshot killing Goliath; not about David the great king; it’s about David and his musical abilities.

David had many gifts, one of which was his ability to lpay the lyre, although translated in songs and biblical text as harp. It was a lyre.

On this Sunday morning we have sung some of our favorite hymns and when we say good-bye to our organist Sam, reflect a bit about music.

MOVE 1:  Music plays an important role in the biblical texts.

a.  celebrations

1. when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea leaving the Egyptians and slavery drowning in the waters, first Moses and the Israelites sang, and then his sister Miriam grabbed the tambourine and they sang another song of triumph praising God for rescuing them.

2. Likewise, after Jael had killed Sisera, the enemy’s general, Deborah and Barak sang a song regaling the listeners with the story of their victory.

3. a few weeks ago, we read where King David celebrated with music and dance when the ark was returned to Jerusalem.

4. The Psalms are full of song and dance.

5. music expresses praise of God; joy for living as God’s people; celebration after momentous events.

b. the story we read this morning,  David uses music to soothe the evil spirits in Saul.

1.  One of three introductory stories about David.  

2. One story is about David in the fields watching sheep; one is David killing Goliath; and now this one shares his musical abilities.

3.  Important to who he was.

4. musical talent that also soothes King Saul.

c.  According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn as they left the Last supper.

d.  How does music connect with you?

1.  Certain songs that are your go-to when feeling down and need to be soothed?

2.  Songs that express your joy and celebrations?

Move 2:  Music can move us to places where we imagine the possibilities beyond our reach, which invites us to the realm of the holy.

a.  Martin Luther, the Great Reformer once noted that  ”Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” (Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/entertainment/galleries/nine-quotes-about-god-and-music.aspx?p=10#bxrWDgi5j38lcOPq.99)

1.  Music allows us to tell stories and theological truths in ways that mere speech cannot access.

2. Karl Barth, the 20th century Reformed theologian, was one asked if he could summarize his theological perspective.  He answered with the first line of hymn he learned as a child: “Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so.”

3. barth wrote and spoke lots of words, brilliant words that shaped theology as we know it, but he turns to a simple hymn….

4.  Does any hymn capture the mystery and beauty of the incarnation better than “Silent night,” or the joy of that moment better than “Joy to the World?”

c. Music and also capture our hopes and dreams about God.

1.  Frederich Buechner, the Christian write, tries to describe why people show up for worship.  he writes:  they arrive with “the hope that somewhere out of the words and music and silences of this place, and out of a mystery even greater than the mystery of the cosmos itself, a voice that they would know from all other voices would speak their names and bless them." Frederick Buechner, A Room Called Remember (San Franciso: Harper and Row, 1984), 32-33. as referenced by Ted Wardlaw in Journal of Preachers, “Preaching Hope in a Time of Discouragement,” Volume XXXVII, Number 4, Pentecost (10).

2.  I suspect you have experienced that here in this Sanctuary with the hymns sung, or listening to anthems, soloists, or instrumental music.

3.  this congregation has a long tradition of very fine music.  

4.  Not for the sake of playing good music, but to glorify God and invite people to imagine the possibilities of what God is doing in their lives and the world.

5. Sam has done that for us with his organ music over the last couple of years.  I suspect on more than one occasion you have been swept away as you marveled at the music he has played.

6. Swept away to that holy place where God roams and calls us to imagine a new way of life and living.

 Conclusion: Jeff Snider, our director of music, shared this cartoon with me:  imagine a bar, more like a dive, with a little stage.  A spotlight on the singer, who looks a lot like King David, dressed in sort of a blend between Israeli king and ‘70s hippie. The David look-alike is at a mike with his lyre.  He looks out at those gathered in the bar and says:  “Here’s a little song I’ve got for you.  I call is Psalm 23.  I hope you like it.”

Music - the gift that invites us to see God’s glories and imagine the possibilities of what is calling us to do.

Reflections on "When You Need a Friend" 2 Samuel 7: 1-17

Working through the King David texts has made me shift the focus at times to the people who interact with David.  Nathan is best known for his role in confronting David about Urriah's death (later in 2 Samuel), but Nathan plays a similar role in this story.  I was struck by how Nathan was initially supportive, but then heard from God and then shared with David the news God did not want David to build the Temple. One of David's great attributes that is emerging as we work through these stories is his vision for what is next, but he tempers that vision with a willingness to iisten and take corrective action when his vision fails.  

The sermon began with the idea that David needed a friend (see sermon title for proof), but the sermon moved in a little bit different way as I worked on it.    

“When You need a Friend”  July 22, 2018, SAPC, Denton; 2 Samuel 7: 1-17

2 Samuel 7: 1 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”

4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders[a] of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15 But I will not take[b] my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me;[c] your throne shall be established forever. 17 In accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

Introduction: the Psalmist reminds us of the important role King David played, both in that immediate moment in Israel’s history, but also in connection to the promise God makes to God’s people.

The passage from 2 Samuel we read this morning reveals an interesting moment in David’s rule.  A time when David had a grand vision for what he could do for God; a time when Nathan called him to rethink that vision.

 let’s look at how Nathan and David interact in this story.

Move 1:   First of all, Nathan.

a. this is the first time we meet Nathan in the biblical texts.

1. some scholars call this section the Oracle of Nathan (Ralph W. Klein Christ Seminary-Seminex professor emeritus of Old Testament Lutheran School of Theology, http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2528)

2.  G H Jones has under- taken the most complete study of the prophet, and compiled a variety of opinions on his role and personality Nathan is variously described as an enigmatic 'counselor', 

a 'public functionary at the royal court', 

an ‘indigenous Jebusite court official' co-opted into the new regime, 

a 'minister with special responsibilities in the immediate entourage of the king', 

a 'person involved m a political intrigue for whom the label "prophet" is a misguided addition', 

and not least, 'a typical political schemer who depended entirely on human means to achieve his purpose.  (“NATHAN PROPHET, POLITICIAN AND NOVELIST?”

Keith Bodner, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

September 1, 2001, 43-54, 43)  

3.  We probably call him prophet, but think David would call him friend; the kind of friend we all need.

a  Nathan supports David

1.  Easy to agree with the king, I suppose, but nathan’s first response is wholehearted support of David’s idea to build a Temple to house the ark.

2.  We need people in our lives to support us, to hear our dreams and respond with enthusiasm and encouragement.

3.  SYW talent show.  Rule that everyone gets a standing ovation.  Imagine, you can risk sharing your talent because you know that the group will support you.

4.  As I observed the talent show, I know that some of those sharing their talents would not have done so at any other place.  Support allows 

5. We need friends we can count on to support us.

6. In fact, we need to be the kind of friend to others who know they can count on us to support them.

b.  But Nathan is also a truth-teller.

1. After giving his support to David’s vision, God sends word to Nathan that God does not want David to build a temple.

2.  We know other prophets, not the great ones like Isaiah, Jeremiah, but prophets of other kings, would tell the kings whatever the kings wanted to hear.

2.  But not Nathan.

3.  Nathan steps up and tells David the truth - God does not want you to build the Temple.

4.  That takes guts.  

5. Imagine having to tell you boss that her great idea is not so great after all.

6.  or, telling a friend who enthusiastically has shared with you his plan that you don’t think his plan is such a great idea.

7. Easy to skip the conversation, or avoid it.

8. But Nathan steps up, and “in accordance” with all that God told him, “Nathan spoke to David.”

c.  Most of us need a Nathan in our lives.

1.  it’s easy to find people to share with us in superficial ways.

2.  People who easily agree with us when it is easy to support us.  

3.  But when the conversation is going to be difficult, they disappear.   

4.  Nathan is a true friend to David because he offers a clear assessment of what David has in mind, even when the assessment is contrary to David’s vision. 

5.  I was in a prayer group in seminary.  Started out with chain letters. went to email.  Supportive.  Shared ideas.  challenged each other.  the others have died or retired, and I miss it.

d. Important role of our church community

1.  To surround us with people who will speak the truth in love.

2. who care enough and want to help us grow in who are enough to take seriously our hopes and dreams.

3.  My  Name Is Bill, susan Cheever:  Early in the AA development, Wilson was offered the opportunity to move the program permanently into a facility and become staff counselor for alcoholics.  He thought he heard God’s voice telling him to do so.  That night when he gathered at a meeting with other recovering alcoholics, he shared his news and they talked him out of it.  It began what is called the “group conscience” (142-143).  

We need people in our lives to tell us the truth; we need to be people willing to risk telling others the truth.

Move 2:  David had many great attributes on display in this story.

a.  Great warrior; great leader; political savvy. We see it on display as he envisions what is next in his role as elder of God’s people.

b. But he also displays a great gift - he listens.

1.  He  listened to his friend Nathan.

2.  He did not have to listen.  He was king.  he could easily have dismissed Nathan.

3.  But he chooses to listen, to hear these hard words, to recognize their truth.

c. Not only do we need good friends to tell us the truth, but we need to listen.

Move 3:   Final thought on being a good friend from this text.

a. David  wants to be a good friend to God, if you will.

1.  Give back to God.

2.  Honor God.

3.  Build God a house..

b. but something in the asking does not sit right with God.

1. Maybe it’s still too much about David.

2. Maybe the time is not right.

3.  All we know is that God does not accept David’s offer of a “house” or “temple.”

c.  But God makes David an offer.

1. A similar offer, in some ways.

2.  A play off the Hebrew word “house” (bayit), which  has three meanings in Hebrew.  It can mean “house,” “temple” or even “dynasty.”  David had wanted to build a house that is a temple for the Lord.  God, however, stunningly reverses roles by promising to build the “house” that is a dynasty for David.  God rejects “temple,” but promises “dynasty.” (http://cep.calvinseminary.edu/sermon-starters/proper-11b-2/?type=old_testament_lectionary, Doug Bratt, Calvin Seminary)

3.  God will provide a dynasty

4. In the short run, the Israelites thought the dynasty was the long rule of David and then the prosperous reign of Solomon, David’s son.

5.  we recognize that God’s promise did not culminate in Solomon’s reign, but in the coming of Christ.

6. When it comes to having a friend, David and the generations that come after, will discover the enduring friendship of God that still claims us today.  Amen.

conclusion: 

Reflections on "The Ark" 2 Samuel 6: 1-20

Another week with a  text I have never preached.  The sermon led me to doing some research on the ark (well, I consulted Harper's Bible Dictionary), and I ran across an interesting article by Tom Long on preaching difficult texts.  The challenge is how to not dismiss the death of Uzzah or be so turned off by it that the story gets lost.  

I had the idea to have the imaginary conversations before each section as a way of inviting the listener into the story in a  way that made the people and their actions seem like real human responses.  not sure how it worked for the listener, but I have some fun with that part of the sermon.  

“The Ark”  July 15, 2018, SAPC, Denton; 2 Samuel 6: 1-20

12 It was told King David, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; 13 and when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16 As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

17 They brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the Lord. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts, 19 and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat,[g] and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.  

Introduction:  this may be old news to some of you, but here are a few reminders about the Ark, or what is also known as the Ark of the Covenant; or the Ark of Yahweh, or if you are from a priestly tribe, the Ark of the testimony.

The Israelites believed the Ark, by whatever name, contained the presence of God’s.  At least once Moses actually addressed the Ark as God (Numbers 10: 35-36) and the Philistines equated the ark with God (1 Samuel 4: 6-8).

Sometime during the reign of Solomon, King David’s son, the Ark was transferred into the Holy of holies of the new Temple Solomon built for God and the ark became stationary, like a throne on which God sat.

But before that moment, the ark was carried by God’s people.  It led the people through the wilderness; it was carried as the Israelites marched around Jericho before the famous conquest of Jericho; often, the ark was brought to the Israelite camp before an important battle; it was carried from place to place and kept in a tent.

the portability of the ark suggested  God went with the Israelites.  Wherever they went, the presence of God was with the,

As we might expect, the Israelites had elaborate rules for carrying the ark.  they used poles inserted in rings on the ark to carry it because no one should or could touch the ark containing the presence of God.  Only the Levite priests were allowed to even carry the poles (Background information was supplemented by information from Harper’s Bible Dictionary).

Prior to the story we read this morning (go back to the 4th chapter of I Samuel), the Ark had been captured by the Philistines in the battle when the priest Eli’s two sons Hophni and Phinehas were killed.

the philistines placed the ark in a temple next to a statue fo their God, and in the morning the statue was knocked over, bowing down before the Ark.  The Philistines put their statue back in place, but the next morning it was back on the ground, this time with the arms and the head cut off.

When bad things kept happening to the Philistines in the city where the captured ark was kept, it was moved to another city, which then suffered.

finally, the Philistines decided having the ark with the presence of God caused two many problems, so they sent the ark back to the Israelites.

Now that David has gained total power, he goes to get the Ark.

This morning, we get a glimpse of what happens to the ark at this juncture in its story.  

I want to reflect on two aspects - Uzzah’s death and David’s actions - and to begin each section, we will hear a conversation never heard before…today. 

Move 1:   We begin with Uzzah

the following conversation between the brothers Ahio and Uzzah probably did not take place, but it could have…maybe.

Hey Ahio, my brother.  I have this great idea.  why don’t we use one of the ox carts to transport the ark.  In fact, we could call it an ark cart!

Uh, Uzzah, my brother.  Aren’t there rules for how we are supposed to carry the ark?  it’s a holy thing.  Presence of God.  Follow the rules for dealing with the presence of God.  

Ahio, my brother, rules, schmules.  there are a bunch of rules about how to carry it, who can touch it, but those rules are from another time. A time before we had a cart on which to carry the ark. We are the new generation.  We have a new cart.   The old rules no longer apply.

Well, Uzzah, I hope you are right.

Trust me, I am dead right.

Well, Uzzah got the dead part correct! 

a.  Difficult text - Tom Long, renowned preacher and professor of homiletics uses this text as an illustration of difficult texts to preach!

1.  From our vantage point, Uzzah’s death comes across as another senseless death in an Old Testament story that has little in common with the world as we know it.

2.  Why should Uzzah be struck dead for reaching out keep the ark from falling off the ox cart.

b.  hard to understand, but recognize that tensions being lifted up in this part of the story between what Uzzah represent and the ark?

1. Uzzah stands for new technology.  Uzzah stands for those who think God needs a little help.

2. the ark is the presence of God.

3.   does new technology, like an ox cart, change how the Israelites dare to approach God?

4.  Does the presence of God need Uzzah’s help or is God sovereign and in charge? (Both Eugene Peterson, First and Second Samuel, Westminster Bible Companion, 161 and Tom Long “The Fall of the House of Uzzah . . . and Other Difficult Preaching Texts

by Thomas G. Long

Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey; ournal for Preachers, 7 no 1 Advent 1983, p 13-19; 16 reflect on these issues).

c.  We live in a different time.

1. we are not a minority religious groups struggling to maintain our identity as the chosen people of one God.

2. We no longer have an ark that carries the presence of God.

3.  Nor the demands of how to care for an ark.

4. But we know the struggle.

5. the struggle to live under the sovereignty fo God.  We much prefer to face a problem with an “i got it God. Maybe you can help me next time!”

6.  Or we turn to God in prayer so God can reveal to us how the position we have or the choice we have made can be ratified by God.

7.the text is asking us:  are you going to be Uzzah and begin with your technological advances and your belief that God needs your help?  Or are you going to begin with God and let God guide and show you how to use technology and how to follow God’s desires for your life?

what is our staring point?

move 2:  What about David?

The following conversation between David, and well himself, probably did not take place, but it could have….maybe.

David, you’re looking good big guy.  Got the king of Israel and King of Judah thing down.  Love the power synergy of ruling both kingdoms.  

Self, I am doing pretty well, if I do say so myself.  do you like the way I sort of brought back the ark, but when there seemed to be some trouble around Uzzah’s death, I left it in the kingdom, but not quite with me in Jerusalem.  pretty slick move, don’t you think?

David, you are one smooth king.  But, have you noticed that Obed-Edom is really prospering with the ark in its midst.  What do you think about getting that for Jerusalem?

Self, you are always one step ahead.  it’s time to bring that ark home to Jerusalem, and with it all the good things God has for us!

a.  David understands the importance and power of the ark, but he’s been hedging his bets. 

1. Bring the ark back, sort of, but leave it somewhere else. 

2.   Don’t give yourself over completely to being in the presence of God because it might cause a problem.

b. But when it it looks like the ark is bringing some good stuff where he left it, David rushes to get the ark to Jerusalem.

1. we get the sense that David is less concerned about honoring God and more concerned about what will benefit David the most.

2. Not David’s greatest moment.

c.  Again, the text points out a tension  - this time between our desire to serve God and our desire to  gain riches?

1.  there are a lot of places where that is not a tension, where the gospel is proclaimed as little more than a get-rich scheme.

2. Give your life to Jesus and the rewards, defined as material possession, will come flowing in to you.

3. Or you want to be wealthy, believe in Jesus.

4. David finds himself in that tension - does he want the ark of God in Jerusalem because he desires to be in the presence of God, or does he want to the ark with him because it enriched the last people who had the ark?

5. we know that tension.  we live in it, finding ourselves challenged again and again - should we pursue riches give our lives over to God.

d.  of course, we know the God who comes in Christ.

1.  in the coming of Christ, we discover God’s invitation, not to know riches, but to know Chirst, who is God’s presence in our midst.

2.  In the coming of Christ, we hear God’s  invitation, not to pursue wealth and material possessions, but to have a personal relationship with Christ, who is God’s presence in our midst.

     

conclusion:  Baptism - at the heart of baptism is the question, “Who is your Lord and Savior?”

The question is not:  Do you need a lord and Savior when you have technology?  Or how can you help God be God?  Or who can make you rich and give you lots of possession.

No, the question is “Who is your Lord and Savior/“

To which we stand and answer for ourselves and for and with those being presented for baptism:  “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.”  

Go and follow him.