How do WE Worship?

Preached at Hallam and Martell UMCs, August 19, 2007.

When I say the word worship, what comes to mind? Is it what happens at church? Is it a kind of music? Is it going to church? Is it studying and listening to the Word of God? Is it a noun or a verb? Over the next few weeks, I would like to explore our concepts of worship. Why? Because I believe our relationship with God directly affects every aspect of our life. Not just our church life, which I know that you would agree with me on, but every aspect of our lives. Our relationships with each other, our work, our financial decisions, even our recreation.

I want to challenge you a bit this morning by asking you to honestly evaluate your average Sunday morning. Do you roll out of bed with a sense of anticipation—or obligation? Do you fret about what you are going to wear to church—whether it is appropriate or not? Is the atmosphere in your car on the way here pretty tense, and then it suddenly changes when you walk into the church? Do you like the early service because it leaves you the rest of the day to do other stuff? Do you wonder what to pray about during silent prayer? Do you leave church without having sensed the presence of God?

I’d like to invite you to turn in your Bibles with me this morning to Isaiah, chapter 1. In this passage God calls out to the heavens and the earth and tells all creation that he has rejected the nation of Israel—his children, his chosen people. He then turns his address to the people of Israel and tells them why and what they must do to remedy the situation.

The problem is that we don’t have to stretch too far, theologically speaking, to put those who follow Jesus Christ—those who have been grafted into the vine, in the same position. We can look at what Isaiah refers to as the nation of Israel, and substitute our name or denomination or even church in the text.

Look with me at vss. 11-15. The people were doing everything they thought they were supposed to do. They were making sacrifices, on schedule, for all the things that they were supposed to. They were tithing! They were following the law laid down for them—why would God refuse their sacrifices? Because right acts from wrong hearts are never acceptable to God. Even the right form is unacceptable if they are merely forms—their sacrifices were not made from a repentant heart, their were to spare themselves the punishment of God—that’s nothing more than bribery, and you can’t bribe God.

They were observing the special holidays: for us that might be observing Lent or Advent, or even making sure we come to church most Sundays. Yet God was tired of it because they were simply following the law, not truly worshiping.

They were even praying. And God said Yet God wants more than just going through the motions. What God was rejecting here was mechanically responding to what we have been told that we are supposed to do.

God wants more.

God desires a change of mind. Look at vs. 16. Isaiah tells them to “stop all this evil.” They are to wash and make themselves clean. This isn’t a change in the order of worship—it was a change in them—on the inside—that makes their worship acceptable to God.

God desires a change in action—specifically to help those who are oppressed, to give orphans theirrights, and to defend widows—actions of justice. This is not just stop what you’re doing, it is stop doing evil, and do what is right and just.

God desires a change of heart. God said “Let’s settle the matter” You are stained with sin—deeper and darker than any dye or color. But God holds the door open and says “I will wash you clean.” Yet there is a change of heart required—The Good News Version says “If you will only obey me…,” but every other version out there adds more depth to it. God tells the people “if you are willing and obedient.” . In contrast, He tells them that they will not prosper if they “refuse and rebel.” Feel the difference there? Their hearts had to be right—not just their actions. Think about what Jesus said in Matthew 7:22—that many will say, “Lord, Lord, in your name we spoke God’s message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!” But God will turn them away—I never knew you.

So its not the offering, the sermon, the music, or even the fellowship with each other that make what we do on Sunday morning worship. It is not the bulletin style, the order of worship, whether we pray the Lord’s Prayer, or anything like that. It is what is in YOUR heart. Worship is not a matter of what you do as much as it is a matter of who you are.

Look at it this way. If you were going to visit the President of the United States, you wouldn’t just show up would you? Wouldn’t you want to be informed, to ask good questions, be prepared to have a conversation? Well, you are meeting here with the Creator of the Universe—shouldn’t he get at least as much preparation?

So how do we prepare? Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior for the forgiveness of your sins? That’s the washing Isaiah refers to, and because of Jesus we know what he meant. Second, closely examine yourself—better yet, ask God to reveal to you the things which separate you in worship. Pray the prayer of David (Psalm 139:23-24), “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Think about the songs you sing. Consider the words and make them the prayer of your heart. Join in the prayers of others. As you hear their requests, join with them in lifting them up to God. Show how you value God’s word—pay attention to what the Word says—in study, or even listening to a sermon, take notes. I’ve given you some other ideas that might take you a little deeper there on the bulletin. Consider your heart and live out your worship.

One final thing—don’t leave today without getting something out of worship—and remember you get out what you put in. Put in your heart.

Soaring to New Life with God

Preached at Hallam and Martell UMCs August 12, 2007.

Scoop: This week, we have been exploring wonderful Bible stories and the sport of hot-air ballooning. We have all been learning about soaring to new heights…with God! Now I know that you parents are anxious to hear about everything we learned this week, so I want to introduce to you someone the kids have been learning from all week. Please meet Skylar, the scampering, skimming, scholarly, skillful, and squealing sky squirrel!

(Skylar squeals and appears)

Skylar: Hello, friends! My name is Skylar the Sky Squirrel—I’m an expert at flying, floating, and having fun!

Scoop: I’m glad you’re here today, Skylar. There are a lot of people here today want to know what we have been talking about this week.

Skylar: Well, let’s get started! We’ve been learning about God’s love, folks!

Scoop: That’s a great place to start, Skylar! Soaring to new heights with God means having a strong relationship with God. What did we learn on our first day?

Skylar: Some of you have seen a hot air balloon in the sky. But I bet there is something you didn’t notice—something very important. There are people who follow the balloon in a car or truck. They are called the chase crew. Their job is to know where the balloon is at all times.

Scoop: That’s right, Skylar. We learned that following is very important. On our first day at VBS, we learned about Abraham and how he followed God. On the second day we learned…

Skylar: We learned that hot air ballooning requires us to trust something we can’t see—the air inside the balloon that lifts the balloon high in the air.

Scoop: We also learned that trust was a vital part of the story of Joseph. All through his life he always trusted God.

Skylar: On day 3, we learned that balloonists usually fly in the early morning hours—that’s when the wind is the calmest. And we learned that being calm and quiet and listening is important in our relationship with God.

Scoop: In learning to listen to Jesus, we learned about Mary and Martha, and how important it is to take time to listen. Now, on day 4, we learned how the pilot of the hot air balloon has to go around obstacles like trees, wires, mountains, or buildings.

Skylar: We also learned that the obstacles we face aren’t always on the outside—sometimes we need to repent of the things that separate us from God, and each other.

Scoop: Finally, on Friday, we learned about Peter and how he was called to serve.

Skylar: So this week we have learned that God wants us It would be great if we could do that every day! Hey Scoop, why don’t you talk to these folks a little more about Peter and what Jesus calls us to do?

Scoop: Alright, Skylar. Why don’t you just relax for a while, and maybe we’ll see you later?

Skylar: OK, Scoop! See you later, folks!

This past week at VBS, I have watched as the kids have been encouraged to follow, to trust, to listen, to repent, and to serve. And in some cases, I have even seen them put it into action!

You see, God has been working through those who have been ministering to the children all week. I have seen children learn in games and through stories, show creative streaks in crafts, rejoice and dance in song, and celebrate with snacks!

I have to share with you one particular story of God at work this week. A little girl was dancing during music time and fell, hurting her finger. The tears just rolled down her cheeks as she cried. I asked her if she would let me see her finger, if she wanted some ice, if she wanted to sit on the pew, all to no avail. All she was going to do, it seemed was cry. At this point, I called the other kids over to gather around her and told them that because we had been talking about prayer all week that it was time to pray right now for their friend. Together, we prayed that her finger wouldn’t hurt anymore and that she would know how special she was to all of us and to God. I said amen, and looked at her as she looked at her finger in amazement. She began to laugh and we celebrated together.

The last day we focused on the Bible passage you heard earlier. The children were told that Jesus told Peter to serve those around him with the words “Feed my Sheep.” I would like to suggest to you that those words take on particular meaning when you explore the Greek that this passage was originally written in.

In our English translation, we lose sight of the questions Jesus asked, Peter’s answers, and Jesus’ commands. Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep three times, but he uses a different word the first time. Instead of adult sheep – probaton – Jesus uses the word that describes a very young sheep, a lamb – arnion.

It has been suggested that Jesus asks this same question of whether he loves him three times in order to help Peter fully understand the forgiveness Christ has given to him. Remember Peter denied Jesus three times the night he was betrayed. Do you remember who asked him the questions? Peter’s denial begins in John 18:17 as he is asked by a slavegirl if he knows Jesus. The word translated slavegirl here refers to a very young girl, what we might consider a child. The other two times he is asked by others in the courtyard, and by the servant of the high priest.

But remember our focus on the command “feed my sheep?” I want to suggest to you that Jesus was forgiving Peter for the betrayals of that night, and further, giving him a mission of service. The first was to children and teens—the young girl who asked Peter first, to which Jesus replied “feed my young sheep.” The second is to those who are our peers—those who were gathered with Peter in the courtyard, and the third is to those whose status in society may be different from ours, the poor and the oppressed, the servant of the high priest. In reference to both of these groups, Jesus gave the command, “feed my sheep.”

So how do we apply that in our world today? How do we “feed his sheep?” As followers of Christ we are called to minister to each of these groups of people. The young—maybe that means VBS, or Sunday School, being an advocate for children, or simply helping them to grow in the right direction. Our peers?—that might mean meeting together for worship, or in a small group, discussing how God is working in your lives. Those other than our peers?—that might be ministries providing food for mission programs or sending care packages to service members.

No matter the ministry, we are called to participate and to pray. We are called to serve—to Feed His Sheep. And I promise that when you do, you will be exhilarated—you will soar to a new life with God!

Preached at Hallam and Martell UMCs August 5^th, 2007.

As most of you know, I spent last weekend in Chadron at the Walk to Emmaus. I had a wonderful time and God was active and moving while I was there. But I have to tell you about my trip there.

So there I was, in my pickup on the way to Chadron. I was focused on the trip, I knew where I was going, and I knew what time I had to be there. But, somewhere between Grand Island and Kearney, my pickup started sputtering. I decided to stop in Kearney and replace the fuel filter. While I was underneath, I noticed that the transmission was leaking severely. I had replaced a seal there some time ago, but since the output shaft was worn, it still leaked. I went back into the parts store, bought some grease and put it in, and was back on the road.

A little further down the road, west of North Platte, I heard a strange sound underneath my pickup. I pulled over to check it out and my exhaust pipe had fallen off and was dragging! I pulled it off, through it in the back of my truck and kept going—I was on a schedule!

Aren’t the problems I had with my pickup similar to life in the church? Sometimes it seems as though things and people keep falling off. You are sometimes afraid that you might not make it to the next destination. But you will make it, you just have to keep eyes focused on where you’re going. That’s what Paul said in his letter to the Colossians: So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4).

All the things that went wrong with my pickup could have been avoided with a little regular maintenance—just like the church, and honestly in our own personal lives. Think about the things that went wrong:

The fuel filter plugged. In order for the pickup to run right, you need a steady flow of fuel. We need a steady diet of Holy Spirit to run right. How do we get that? Through steady diet of bible study.

I had a bad seal on the transmission. In order to find out that the level of grease was low, I had to stick my finger in and poke around a little. In our own lives, we need to have a little self-examination. We need to open up our hearts and minds and ask the hard questions: do I spend enough time in prayer; Do I need to study more; have I wronged anyone; do I need to forgive someone, etc. Further, we need to have prayer in our life because it is the grease that makes life work—so add some today!

My exhaust fell off. The exhaust pipe makes sure all the noxious fumes from the engine are safely out of the vehicle—without it, poison builds up in the cab—and it will kill you! Paul addresses this as well: Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things -- anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:5-10).

In our personal life, there are things like Sin, and foul thoughts and attitudes that, if we don’t get them out of our lives, will build up and kill us. In the church, we have the same things: our attitudes, actions, if they are not in check, guided by the Holy Spirit, will build up and kill the church! Confession makes sure all the poisonous thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and words are safely out—you are forgiven, alive and free.

This morning you have an opportunity

- To change the filter - commit to dedicate time to study

- To check the transmission - spend time in prayer

- To make sure the exhaust is secure - to confess and repent

The opportunity for all of this is right here, at the table of our Lord.