We continue through our series on the "ministry of members," although I hope I have made the case that the expectations we have of members extends to any of us who are seeking to be disciples of Christ. One interesting aspect of this series - there seems to be a communal aspect in all the expectations. Even though we are looking at the expectation of a member, the expectations push us into relationship with others. I think I will explore that some more in this week's sermon.
I had picked the King David and Mephibosheth story specifically for this sermon, but then forgot about it until just before the worship service when I was talking to the liturgist about the different names in the lesson he was reading from 2 Samuel. I added those thoughts on the fly, so they were not as developed as they could have been.
“Yes, Yes, and Yes” Colossians 3: 12-17; SAPC, Denton; August 7, 2022; Richard B. Culp
12As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Introduction: As some of you know, I referee soccer.
through the years, being a minister who referees soccer has led to some interesting moments.
Pastoral care with other referees or sometimes coaches.
Difficult situations - an angry son of an older woman in the church (he was mad in part because his son (her grandson) had been red carded during the game) sending word through his mother that I was a better minister than referee, and that wasn’t saying much!
I had a church member who was really involved in soccer tell me he didn’t really like having me referee his kids’ games. why?
‘Well,” he said, “when you’re at the games, it makes me behave!”
I think he was kidding.
I remembered that conversation this week when reflecting on our expectation that members should live “responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life,” (G-1.0304, Book of Order)
Move 1: a reminder that much of our church membership is lived out in the world.
a. You join St. Andrew or attend St. Andrew or watch us on the live stream.
1. tied to this particular place.
2 opportunities to grow in our faith.
3. to engage in ministry and do mission - just this summer we have packed food bags and kits for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance right here in the confines of our buildings.
4. If the membership claim were only for the time spent at our physical plant, it would not make much of a claim on our lives.
b. But, much of our calling is lived out in the world.
1. our membership prepares us for living as disciples of Christ in the world.
2. We might remember that when Christ calls his disciples, he does not call them to an institution or a building, but Christ calls them to a new way of living.
c. it’s what happens when we follow a God of incarnation.
1. The God who says, “I want to be a part of your lives so much, I send my own Son to live among you” sends us into the world to model that same type of commitment.
2. To be with others; to share in their lives; to live out our calling in the thick of things that are happening in our world.
Move 2: Our behavior should match our identity.
a. that’s what Paul seems to be saying in his letter to the Colossians.
1. Verse 12 marks a shift from what they are not — enemies divided by their human identity — and what they should not do — practice idolatry and enmity — to who they are and how they should behave.
2. As ones God has chosen, set apart as holy and loved, they should make sure their behavior matches up with their identity;
3. As NT Scholar Amy Peeler notes, “their outside should match their inside.” (Amy Peeler, Associate Professor of New Testament,Wheaton College; https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/first-sunday-of-christmas-3/commentary-on-colossians-312-17
b. Thus, our ministry as members should incorporate all aspects of our lives.
1. King David remembers this as we heard in the story we read this morning from 2 Samuel. David is king, victorious in battle; does not need to care about anyone, really.
But he remembers his covenant with his friend Jonathon. A covenant modeled after God’s covenant with us. He remembers that God’s claim on his life demands he act. so he goes and finds Jonathon’s son, brings him into his household, and restores to him the property of his father.
Being a follower of God mattered in his life.
2. does being a member impact my personal relationship? yes.
2. does being a member come to bear in my family relationships? Yes.
3. When I am at work, should what I say or do be impacted by my being a member of St. Andrew? yes.
4. should my politics be guided by my allegiance to the God we know in Jesus Christ? Yes.
5. Should my cultural leanings be a reflection of my being part of the body of Christ? Yes.
6. is my social life an expression of my calling as a disciple of Christ. Yes.
c. That does not mean looking to God to justify the behavior we choose, but choosing our behavior based our calling as God’s people sent into the world to share God’s love.
1. Paul mentions several examples of living as followers of Christ.
2. Forgiveness probably gets the most words in this section.
3. Love is all-encompassing.
4. But I think we ought to remember his call to humility.
5. Too often, we Christians announce to the world that we have found the answer for what God wants and then in heavy-handed ways demand it of others.
6. It seems to me that humility, grounded in the cross, announces to the world that all of us are in need of God’s love and grace and that we humbly offer to join with our brothers and sisters in Christ to seek God’s will.
7. When you encounter another person, when you have a dealing with anyone at all, it is as if a question is being put to you. So you must think, ‘What is the Lord asking of me in this moment, in this situation?’ If you confront insult or antagonism, your first impulse will be to respond in kind. But if you think, as it were, this is an emissary sent from the Lord, and some benefit is intended for me, first all the occasion to demonstrate my faithfulness, the chance to show that I do in some small degree participate in the grace that saved me…” Gilead, Marilynne Robinson (124).
Move 3: It’s also about community!
a. Our English language does not easily distinguish between the singular you and the plural you.
1. Stan Mast points out that in the closing verses of this section of Paul’s letter, vss. 15-17, the Greek uses the plural you. (https://cepreaching.org/commentary/2015-12-21/colossians-312-17/; Stan Mast, Center for Excellence in Preaching; Calvin Seminary)
2. Maybe we could make it y’all!
3. And let the peace of Christ rule in y’all’s hearts, to which indeed y’all were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in y’all richly;. 17And whatever y’all do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
b. Our commitment to be a member may be personal, but it is not private.
1. We need each other to live out our calling as disciples of Christ.
2. Our calling sends us out to be in relationship with others.
Conclusion: We will finish our worship this morning with the Blessing of backpacks.
Really, the blessing of those carrying the backpacks.
People connected with this church,
People who learn about God’s claim on their lives here in this place
People who experience God’s love in this place.
People who are sent out into the world to live as God’s chosen ones in all the places they go, including the schools.
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