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Good and Faithful

11/22/2017

Judges 4: 1-7; Matthew 25:14-30:

What are you thankful for? I invite you to take out your insert in the bulletin. Right now, write down without too much thinking, three things you are grateful or thankful for. Did you find it? Now go. Let me know when you are done by looking up. So, what did you write? What are you thankful for? (get responses)

What are the most common answers? (family, friends, faith church, home, food….etc.). These answers tend to be the most common given in an exercise like this. It’s right that they are, because these responses describe our immediate experience of life. Family, friends and faith form the fabric of our lives. The love we find there creates the fuel which propels our living.

Our lessons today invite us to explore thankfulness from a different direction. The Scriptures strive to open our hearts to be thankful for not only what we receive, but for what we are able to give back. We are called not just to be thankful for the blessings in our life, but fundamentally for the ability to be a blessing to others. To be thankful that we can give. To be thankful that we can serve. To be thankful that we can make a difference by reaching out, caring for others through our presence and resources like money, food, books that we share. Pastor and author Mark Batterson puts it this way: “When God blesses you financially, don’t raise your standard of living. Raise your standard of giving.” Mother Teresa, or now, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, also adds, “it’s not how much we give but how much love we put in our giving.”

We must put our whole heart in our acts of giving.

Here’s the question for us to ponder today: have we ever thought that our ability to give is a blessing? Do we believe that it is a privilege to share what we can with charities and people in need? Do we know that giving should not only make us feel good but it is fundamental signpost of a mature life, a whole life, a life that points not inward but outward, seeking to make life better for others. In the act of giving we receive. Proverbs (11:25-26) teaches: “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself or herself be watered.”

The story about the judge Deborah, or Devorah, is a tale about mighty giving – not of money so much as of self. Before there were kings in Israel, God would raise up judges, part prophet, part military leader, part legal leader, to rescue the people of Israel from a series of oppressive enemies. Most of all judges strove to bring the people back to God.
Deborah is the first and only female judge in Israel, and the only judge called to be a prophet. She is one of these characters who shows us how to give. Deborah was a leader, a mediator, counselor, and adviser of the people when God calls her to further action while the Israelite were oppressed by the Canaanites. This oppression lasts for twenty years – half a lifetime in the ancient world -- because the people of Israel deserted their God and started worshiping other false gods.

Now, twenty years is a long time in the ancient world. The average lifespan, given disease and accidents, was about 35-40 years. So, the oppression the Israelites faced was half a lifetime. It was half of the time of the forty-year wilderness journey. Deborah worked long through those difficult times, dark times, for the people. God leads Deborah to take on the role of military adviser. It is Deborah who summons the military leader Barak to go to battle. She gives orders like a general. Barak agrees to go only if Deborah goes with him. Deborah agrees with no thought to her own safety, and she goes to the battlegrounds.

Because Deborah uses her intellect, her discernment, her leadership skills on behalf of the welfare of her community - remarkable as a woman in the male-dominated ancient world - she helps to bring about the end to an era pf oppression. Deborah models for us to be bold in the face of need, for we too live in difficult times, in dark times. Deborah is an example for us to be unafraid, to shine boldly. Deborah encourages us to use all of ourselves, all the gifts at our disposal, to be leaders of justice and mercy. Deborah is even cited as an example in this weekend’s New York Times article on Judge Rachel Freier, considered to be the first female Hassidic judge in the nation.

Our gospel lesson, the parable of the talents, reinforces this summons to give of ourselves into the world. On the surface it sounds like a parable about making money and huge profits. It seems to teach us that not making a profit is bad. In fact, it is not only bad, but lands you in hell. The third slave - who didn’t invest the money entrusted to him - is judged lazy and wicked, and sent to the outer darkness, amid weeping and gnashing of teeth. Where’s is the compassion in this story?

Jesus, however, is not really talking about money. The talents represent our faith, our very selves, our abilities in addition to our financial blessings. Jesus describes in this parable, faithful action in the world verses playing it safe and hiding away. The one-talent slave is consumed with fear. The one-talent slave is the only one who articulates how he feels about the master. Because he’s afraid he stays inward focused. He withdraws from the world. He buries the talent in the ground, where it can’t be seen, touched or spent. He ignores the real possibilities of engagement. So, the money cannot be engaged in the life of the community. It stays one talent.

The two-talent and five talent slaves do not let fear guide their actions. They immediately get to work and invest their money in the world. They are outward-focused. The talent they invest in the community doubles for both of them – a fantastic amount. This pleases the master. He calls them good and trustworthy, or faithful slaves.

Jesus is telling us in this parable that we are created to give. Each of us, created in the image of God, a God who empties Godself utterly for us and creation. So, we too are meant to be grateful givers. God, like the master in the parable, invests incredibly in all his servants. Jesus calls us to follow the two- and five-talent slaves. The gifts of our monies, our love, our skills have the potential to expand exponentially in the world. Jesus further explains it this way earlier in Matthew: “so, that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45” God’s giving is indiscriminate and nonjudgmental. So too we must expand our giving horizons so our gifts are used for reconciliation and healing.

This Sunday the stewardship season begins at Union Church. Today, the week before thanksgiving, and a week before the retail madness of Christmas sets in, we are called to give. God calls us to give, to give to others in need-- to causes, but also to our faith community -- because giving is the foundation of our identity as Christians. We are asked to support the church, so we can be collectively active in the community. In doing so we emulate the love of God and the teachings and saving acts of Jesus. Like Deborah we are called to invest ourselves in the world in unique and creative ways to bring wholeness around us. Like the two-talent and five-talent slaves we are called to invest ourselves, so that our giving plants seeds and grows exponentially. As we make out our Christmas lists during the next month, let Union Church, and other worthy causes be at the top of the list. Just make a list to include organizations doing good in the world, a separate gift list that doesn’t involve getting back in return. We need to pledge not only our money, but our time and of our abilities.

How many of us remember the humorist Erma Bombeck? She was known for her funny and insightful newspaper columns and books back in the days. One example of her wisdom comes from a column thirty years ago:

I always had a dream that when I am asked to give an accounting of my life to a higher court, it will go like this: "So, empty your pockets. What have you got left of your life? Any dreams that were unfulfilled? Any unused talent that we gave you when you were born that you still have left? Any unsaid compliments or bits of love that you haven’t spread around? "
And I will answer, "I’ve nothing to return. I spent everything you gave me. I’m as naked as the day I was born."

Is your pockets full of unfulfilled dreams, unused talents, bits of love or unsaid compliments? Now is the time. Empty your pockets and give. Give generously. Be one of a kind, like Deborah, whose giving made her one of 12 judges in the bible. Be like the two and five talent slaves who threw themselves with abandon in the world. This giving season, know the true blessing of giving; in doing so become a good and faithful servant of the Most High, our Divine Giver. Amen.

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Whom Shall We Serve?

11/15/2017

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Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Matthew 25:1-13

There once lived a man who was the stingiest and paranoid guy around. All his life, every time he got paid he cashed his paycheck, took 300 dollars and put it under his mattress. Then he got sick and was about to die. As he was dying, he said to his wife, "I want you to promise me one thing." "Promise what?" she asked. "I want you to promise me that when I’m dead you’ll take my money from under the mattress and put it in my casket so that I can take it all with me.” He died, and his wife kept her promise. She went in and got all that money the day he died, went to the bank, deposited it, and wrote out a check and put it in his casket."

It is said that shrouds do not have pockets and never do we see a u-haul attached to a hearse. The only thing we can take with us is what we give away – or as author Louisa May Alcott puts it: “Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go.”
For the past two months we have been following the way of love, and its companions of trust, faith and mercy and service. We have been followed the people of Israel as they have traveled from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. It has been a journey fraught with anxiety and fear of the unknown. The people, used to the confines of slavery, grumbled and complained at the slightest struggle, fearing the lack of water and food. Like a disgarded lover, they were suspicious of God. Yet God was faithful and provided every step of the way. Today, we heard Joshua stand before the people one last time and ask, “Whom shall you serve? Will we remember God’s favors when we are settled in, enjoying our new home and its bounty? By the same token our gospel readings have seen Jesus challenged and questioned by suspicious leaders, every time Jesus has turned the tables, getting people to think more deeply and to root their lives in the love of God and neighbor.

For the next several weeks, leading up to Advent at the end of November, our texts ask us to explore our level of commitment to love God and to put God first in our lives and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It coincides with the season of giving thanks, getting ready for Thanksgiving, and for the gift-giving madness that Christmas has become in many places. In most churches it is stewardship season – a time where congregations and friends are asked to make a pledge for the following year, so budgets can be set, mission giving determined and giving priorities set. Union is a church at a pivotal time in its life so this time of discerning investment is critical to our future.
        Today, Joshua asks us: whom shall we serve? Additionally Jesus warns us against becoming like the “foolish bridesmaids” who fail to do what is required; they become actually useless-- according to the original Greek -- they failed to care for their lamps, their light properly. The illustration is stark, the questions direct. Who are we serving? Are we living every day, or are we hoarding life, stuffing it into a mattress for some far off rainy day.

There is enormous potential in Union Church – potential to deepen our love of God, for outreach into Bay Ridge, for serving each other and growing in the faith. Do we want to make this vision real and do we want to be a part of it? This is are ongoing question, a question we will address head on over the next few weeks as we prepare ourselves for Thanksgiving, for Advent, and for the long-anticipated season of Christmas.

        Many progressive churches loathe to appear materialistic or overly focused on money. They find stewardship campaigns awkward. We are apologetic about asking for money to pay the bills. It all feels unspiritual. We are not trained to address money matters. I never learned about paying bills, giving away money neither at home or in church. Yet fundraising drives are taking place all around us – I must throw away about 15 requests for everyone I respond to. So today I would like for us to reflect on the spirituality of money.
God doesn’t have a problem with money or in asking people to give of themselves. Scriptures teach us that “Everyone shall give as s/he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which he has given you.”

If we choose to serve God, our commitment must be reflected to a significant degree in local ministry, our church. As unglamorous as it is, we have to pay the heat, the light, the taxes, the repairs, the staffing of this congregation. We pay for worship and pastoral leadership, for mission that we participate in here in this place, locally, city-wide, national and international, in addition to donations of food and clothing. To give you a sense of the challenge we face: out of a budget of almost $226,000, Union receives has so far received $20,000 in pledges and plate offerings. Collectively we give about 10 percent of what it takes to run this church. Even those of us who are numbers-challenged can conclude this is not a healthy long-term situation. It is not healthy for the church to depend on its dividends from its investments. It is not healthy for us to think our investments are there to cover what we each should individually give – especially when there are mission and redevelopment needs. Finally it is unhealthy for us to give nothing or a token amount. Our personal spiritual growth requires that we practice giving. Jesus did not call us to raise our standard of living, but our standard of giving.

        Many of our families are squeezed with high rents, high costs of living; others are living on fixed incomes. We all understand this. However, everyone can give. If we were truthful with ourselves, some of us we will acknowledge we could be giving more.

        Joshua puts it to us: who will we serve? The questions are clear: Does Union Church make a difference in your life? Does progressive Christianity, as represented by Union Church matter to you? Is this the kind of community you want your children to which you want your children/your neighbor’s children raised?   We need to reflect carefully on these questions on these questions for the next several weeks. Jesus is calling us to be wise bridesmaids, bridesmaids who made sure their lamps could shine at midnight.   If the church is not making a faith difference then frankly, we need to change, or you need to go somewhere else.   If Union, however, does make a difference for you, then if you wish to grow in faith, giving financially, of time and other talents is part of a mature spiritual life to which each of us are called.

We need to shine. We need to bring forth our light, to the glory of God. Over the next several weeks I challenge us to several goals: that we have 100% in giving to our stewardship campaign. Give what you can. When you get your pledge card, pray and challenge yourself to increase it, even if it’s a baby-step. But make a pledge to give. Giving changes our lives and it will change the church.

The second way to shine is to get involved. For Advent, I challenge us to come to church every Sunday. Make church a priority. If for some reason you are away then go to the local church. Stay connected to faith, to a spiritual community, to God. One hour a week is not a lot. So get involved. Bring in food for the hungry. Take the food to the food pantry. Visit a home-bound person. Take on coffee hour. You are needed. There’s a place God has made for you to give and shine. Find it and plug in.

The third challenge during this stewardship season is to invite someone to come to church with you. If Union makes a difference in your life, if God’s love has touched you, why not share it? We live in a mobile society, families and individuals are constantly on the move. So we need to keep building up this family of faith. Let your light shine by bringing someone here to experience God’s love and opportunities for spiritual growth and service. You will be more blessed for it.
Listen to this statement very carefully:

Dedicated to the teachings of Jesus Christ, Union Church is an open, accepting community where people find fellowship and support. Jesus Christ calls us to love our neighbors, enacting faith through service. We believe this service is joyful and done by: working for peace and justice; supporting the needs of individuals in our church, local community, and the world; celebrating people of all ages and abilities in the life of the church and equipping them for service in our world; and sharing of our financial stewardship, resources and time with neighbors in need. We are a warm and diverse congregation who find inspiration in worship through music, art, and the creative gifts that are in each of us.

Do you believe this? Let’s make it happen. So give. Get involved. Invite someone. That’s how we serve. That’s how we keep our lamps burning bright. Amen.

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The Marathon of Faith

11/7/2017

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Luke 19:1-10
Speaking on behalf of the Union Church community, it is so wonderful to be here with the saints of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church -- all friends gathered here today -- to enjoy together the New York City Marathon and cheer on all the runners-- and to celebrate all the saints who finished the great marathon of life -- and to cheer each other on in the race that is set before each of us.

This marathon, which snakes its way through the five boroughs on a 26.2 mile course, is a great metaphor for life. The 48,000 runners we are about to cheer on come from all walks of life, all ages, with varying abilities. Some are elite athletes like Geofrey Mutai and Edna Kiplagat (both from Kenya); like American long-distance runners Amy Hastings and Jason Hartmann – all who manage to complete this race in slightly over 2 - 21/2 hours.

On the other hand, there are ordinary people, people with challenges, people who like challenges. People like Michael LaForgia, a double amputee who barely survived bacterial meningitis. He’s out there. His goal is to show people that anyone, regardless of physical capabilities, can achieve greatness.

There’s Brooklyn’s own Bryan Steinhauer, who was the victim of a brutal beating that left him in a 3 month coma -- no mobility-- not expected to talk again. His recovery has been slow and hard. He’s out there. Running for the Team, Minds over Matter, Bryan’s in it to give to other people the chance he had to recover.

There are people like Kristy Wassenaar, whose daughter Kelcey was diagnosed with lymphoma in High school. There’s Meredith Simmons running to combat rheumatoid arthritis. There’s Jen Correa, who lost her home to Hurricane Sandy last year. There’s Good Shepherd’s own --Anthony Stevens -- on-site counselor for the Lutheran Counseling Center running for the Wounded Warrior Project. Well over 100 Teams are out there, raising close to 7 million dollars for charity.

Imagine all the hours of training, effort, dedication that this race represents. The failures, injuries and setbacks. The determination not to quit, despite the physical discomfort. Overcoming limitations, some self-imposed, other physical. Facing obstacles of the mind that say -- give up! You’ll never complete this. Staying the course even when every muscle of your body cries out in fatigue and pain. Staying the course, on will power, on faith, on the training ingrained in every fiber of your body-- because someone in need depends on you – and there are millions of people out there, lining the course, cheering, believing in you, telling you – keep on! Keep on!

We are here today also to celebrate a different marathon – the marathon of faith. Our course is not measured in miles but in countless acts of mercy, forgiveness and selflessness in good times and bad. Our training is not predominately exercises of the body, but in discipline of worship, prayer, study, and charity. Our race is not for one day out of the year, but every day, of every year, of our lives.   We run not just for ourselves, but for Team Jesus -- for all people who feel lost, alone, ostracized – so that they might experience love, acceptance and hope in their lives.

Our gospel lesson introduces us to one of our Team mates – an unusual man named Zacchaeus of Jericho. Zacchaeus’ name means “pure,” but by many accounts Zacchaeus was anything but pure. Zach was the chief tax collector of a well-to-do district, Jericho. Jericho was the hub of several important trade routes – making it a significant import/export site for the ancient world. Marc Anthony once presented Cleopatra with Jericho as a gift -- with Arabia thrown in.

Lucky Zacchaeus built his wealth by co-opting the Roman system of taxation and boldly making it work for him. The Romans wanted a tax quota, and once that was satisfied --- the tax-collector could charge whatever he wanted. So Zacchaeus, a Jew, could exhort money and seize goods from fellow Jews. He and his cohorts could stop a person and assess duties on nearly everything in his possession. A cart, for instance, could be taxed for each wheel, for the animal that pulled it, and for the merchandise that it carried. As a result, Zacchaeus grew fabulously wealthy. His community resented him, envied him, ostracized him, declared him a traitor. In face of all the criticism, Zach maintained his status through boldness, drive, and ambition.

This boldness served Zacchaeus well. The disapproval of the crowd, his small stature, didn’t keep him away on that momentous day that Jesus came to Jericho. Zacchaeus couldn’t press through the crowd so he did the next best thing: he climbed a tree so that he could see Jesus.   How many wealthy men would make themselves look foolish in this way? Imagine the fine clothes he would be wearing – what rich man in his right mind would risk getting dirty, getting his tunic torn, have curses or stones hurled at him to be seen in a tree? Why didn’t Zacchaeus send a servant to do the work for him? It is plain: Zacchaeus had to do this himself. He had to see Jesus with his own eyes. Obstacles meant nothing to him. Why Zacchaeus was so keen on seeing Jesus, we don’t know.

What we do know, in the passage preceding today’s lesson, Jesus had restored sight to an unnamed beggar, a blind man (Luke 18:35-43) on the outskirts of Jericho. The crowds tried to silence the beggar away. But he persisted. What do you want me to do? Jesus asked him. “Lord, let me see again!” and so word got out. So what did Zacchaeus want to see? Did Zacchaeus wonder, if Jesus would heal a beggar, would he also heal a rich man, equally cast off by the people? We don’t know what ran through Zaccheaus’ mind on that day. All we know is in his cleverness; he found a way to see Jesus. He conquered his obstacles, even though he was short in stature. He climbed that sycamore tree. He went out on a limb. He didn’t care who saw him, or what they said. He was going to see Jesus.

Imagine Zacchaeus’ surprise when Jesus noticed him, called him by name, and declared: “hurry and come down, Zacchaeus; for I must stay at your house today.” Jesus elects to stay at the sumptuous home of the districts most notorious sinner. The people grumble and complain – how is it that Jesus would go to the home of this sinner, and have table fellowship with him?

Jesus proposes forgiveness and acceptance on the scale the religious management can’t fathom. Jesus’ act of generosity unleashes an equally open-hearted, response from Zacchaeus: “Look, half my possessions, Lord, I (will) give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Zacchaeus commits to a standard of restitution that is even greater than Jewish and Roman law. His detractors grumble, wondering how Jesus chose table fellowship with such a sinner. But Jesus declares: today salvation has come to his house.

Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus demonstrates how God’s love should blow open our lives. It should free us from sin. From negative thinking. From focusing on judgment or what others think -- from giving in to the obstacles that would keep us from seeing Jesus. Zacchaeus shows us how to find Jesus – Jesus who restored physical sight to the blind beggar and a spiritual sight to the wealthy Zaccheaus. Jesus, who comes to us today, asking us what he can do for us? Jesus, who initiates an invitation to stay with us, to eat with us – a Jesus who first sees us, sees through us, and restores our ability to see the world as God sees it – in all its potential, in all the opportunities for love and service that exist – to see, really see – the people around us. That’s what our marathon of faith is about – learning to see – risking to see – even if it means climbing out on that limb.

Today’s marathon is a triumph of 48,000 lives, 12,000 volunteers, over 2 million spectators – who – for a number of hours – come together and confront a world that tempts us to think: it can’t be done, keep quiet, stay back, we’re too old, we’re too young, we can’t make a difference. Despite the threats – or fears of the attacks – the drive to overcome adversity today prevails. So what if there are people who think you’re an outcast. Don’t be afraid to stand out. So what if people label you – you know who you are, so don’t forget it. So what if people stand in the way. See that tree? Climb it.

Team Jesus, today is our day to stretch ourselves in spirit—to take the challenge – stand out -- to be hospitable – to be generous -- to bring restoration, to glorify God. To help others catch that glimpse of Jesus and find wholeness and acceptance in his name. That’s our Team. Don’t be afraid to stand and be noticed.

        Some of the ancient church legends say that Zacchaeus was surnamed Matthias, by the apostles, and it was Zacchaeus who took the place of Judas Iscariot after Judas died. Some say Zacchaeaus was the first bishop of Caesarea. We really don’t know. What we do know is that seeing Jesus changed Zacchaeaus’ life, and he used his money, his talents for building up the vision of Team Jesus on earth. A vision that stretched down through the centuries. A vision that finds us here today. A vision that says to each of us –Team -- run for the outcasts, run for those who have lost their way, run for who’ve never seen Jesus. If the course gets difficult, painful, frustrating – don’t worry. We’ve got each other – we’ve got the great cloud of saints cheering us on – and we’ve got Jesus – our companion, our goal, our coach – alongside us and calling us forward – until we cross that finish line. Amen.

According to Clement of Alexandria, in his book Stromata, Zacchaeus was surnamedMatthias by the apostles, and took the place of Judas Iscariot after Jesus' ascension. Luke told us that Matthias in the beginning was with Jesus since the baptism of John (Acts 1:21-23). John also told us that later many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him (John 6:60-66). The later Apostolic Constitutions identify "Zacchaeus the Publican" as the first bishop of Caesarea (7.46).

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Practicing Vision

11/1/2017

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Luke 18:9-14; Joel 2:23-32

While many of us have visions of candy and costumes in our heads in our heads these days, we are sitting here today because of a different kind of vision. On October 31st, 1517, the Professor and pastor Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, setting forth a vision of a church that needed healing and reforming.   He disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money – called indulgences in his day. He also denounced other corrupt practices of the papacy, especially the doctrine of infallibility of the pope. He argued that the Bible is the central religious authority and that humans may reach salvation only by their faith and not by their deeds.   Eventually Martin Luther went to trial for heresy in 1521. Called the trial that led to the birth of the modern world, Luther was ordered to recant his writings under threat of excommunication (and unspoken, threat to his life.) It is at this trial where Luther refused to recant and uttered these now famous words: Unless I am convicted of error by the testimony of Scripture or by manifest evidence...I cannot and will not retract, for we must never act contrary to our conscience....Here I stand. God help me! Amen!"    This powerful vision of reforming the church, preached in earlier times notably by Francis of Assisi, John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, Peter Waldo, Erasmus, Joan of Arc, Teresa of Avila, -- eventually led to a new movement called the Protestant Reformation, of which we are direct heirs.

        The Protestant Reformation, which we celebrate today, finds us now at another impasse. It is said that at least 85% of mainline churches are plateauing, declining, dying or in some state of transition. A major shift is underfoot.   What will emerge is anyone’s guess. What is clear that change and transformation begins with a vision.

Scripture is full of visions to build on. Look at our readings today. Are churches today more like the tax collector in Jesus’ parable, recognizing itself as a community of sinners, dependent on the mercy of God, and serving through the grace given us by Jesus Christ? Are churches tuned into the hurt and rejection people carry, and recognize its call to proclaim the message of forgiveness and reconciliation? Or have churches become Pharisee churches; reciting beautiful prayers, grateful we’re law-abiding citizens, able to fast, follow the ten commandments and give generously of our money. Jesus asks us which person in the parable displayed the vision, the traits—of a church community that God finds acceptable.   Are we a repenting, open to grace church -- or a complacent church? Are we a church, like prophet Joel describes: a people that rebounds from the drought -- the plague of locusts -- from a time of famine and loss -- to a new time, a time of dreams and vision, to a time of the outpouring of Spirit on all peoples? Are we stuck in loss, of old dreams of what we once were, devoured by struggle, plagued by a famine of spiritual habit, unable to move forward?

Churches need to have a vision to thrive. Proverbs 29:18 tells us:” Where there is no vision (revelation from God), the people perish, blessed is the one who keeps the law.” Vision is forged in searching God’s word, in embracing the promises God speaks to us – and reveals to us how we are to proceed

Even Jesus had a vision statement that guided his ministry. He proclaimed it the first time he preached in Nazareth: (Luke 4:18) when he quoted from the prophet Isaiah:   “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.  He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus’ life was grounded and directed by this vision. That’s what made his work powerful, effective; clear for all to see whether they liked it or not. The clear vision that Jesus lived awakened the hunger for good news, liberation, healing, for the experience of favor in people’s hearts. The question for us, how close does our vision align with the vision of Jesus?
        Let’s look at it from another angle. The opening line in Presbyterian Church Book of Order, (one part of our constitution) describes the mission of the church – but sounds like God’s vision statement: It states: “The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God – Father Son and Holy Spirit – creates, redeems, sustains, rules, and transforms all things and all people.”

        Vision drives us, inspire us and point us to the direction we must go, and keep us focused. Visions often seem impossible, larger than life– but that is good, because it makes the Holy Spirit the agent of power –not us. Vision leads to mission . Without action, a vision is just a fantasy. Vision with action however, can change the world. Experience the power of these short, bold vision statements:

Oxfam: A just world without poverty: Feeding America: A hunger-free America : Human Rights Campaign: Equality for everyone: Habitat for Humanity: A world where everyone has a decent place to live: San Diego Zoo: To become a world leader at connecting people to wildlife and conservation: In Touch Ministries: proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people in every country of the world:.

We’ve been talking this past month about how to make our church a spiritually evolving church. How we ourselves tap into the source to be spiritually evolving people. We’ve looked at practicing faith, gratitude, commitment and now vision. They are incorporated in the vision of Jesus, and by the vision of our very constitution -- as we are guided to find our unique vision, our message to proclaim.   Vision gives us a compass. Vision keeps us connected and focused on Jesus – not ourselves. Vision makes our dreams bigger than our memories. Vision gives us a purpose and destiny. Having a vision, that incorporates our faith, the power of mercy, and activates our commitment, is powerful. Such a vision transforms.

Today, we are facing a new reformation. Churches and faithful people are faced now with revitalizing Jesus’ movement. We are being moved out of the complacency of a Pharisee church to a “tax-collector church” -- a church that knows its need for God, is transformed by the mercy of God, and sent forth to serve. There is a vision unfolding around us if we would dare to see it. It looks something like this: faith communities evolving beyond labels (catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran), finding commonality, and even giving greater respect to the faiths of the world. We are discovering a world of seekers from all paths people who define themselves as spiritual, not religious.   We are discovering more Internet users are searching for religious and spiritual information online – relying on all forms of social media.

Today, Vision is calling us to follow Jesus every day of our lives; and be of service to each other and our communities. Through his own vision statement, Jesus models the path of transformation that enables us to live in the world in a new way – a grace-filled way, filled with humility. We are discovering the need for reclaim creative devotional lives, and a wide variety of spiritual tools. To find innovative uses of space and gathering places. To engage seekers who desire to supplement their disciplined study of the Bible, relevant to the needs of the day – open to the explorations of other sacred texts and the wisdom of many traditions. We are discovering the old-age need to tame the mind and purify the heart. We are called to read the signs of God's presence in the texts of our own experience. We are called to engage a world that seeks active contemplatives and contemplative activists. There is a strong vision for forgiveness, connection and justice – love enacted in the world – to: serve the poor and helpless, to practice nonviolence and take stands against war, to advocate for and protect our environment, to seek ways to end the growing gap between the rich and the poor. These are glimpses of the vision of the emerging church.

On this reformation day, we are called to consider the emerging visions for the church. New configurations of spiritual communities are emerging. God has promised to pour out God’s spirit on all flesh.   So today our spiritual imperative is to claim the dreams and visions God is placing in our hearts.   The great abolitionist, humanitarian, and visionary, Harriet Tubman: once said:

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Don’t be afraid to dream. Don’t stifle the vision that is emerging around the world, among many peoples, in much different way. Rooted in the very vision of Jesus, inspired by the vision of our own church constitution, let us capture the Vision – full of mercy, gratitude, commitment to what matters – make our declaration to the stars – for here we stand – and like Martin Luther –God will help us. Amen.

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/harriettub310306.html#ZcRiYgtKD8iipeed.99
http://www.jokebuddha.com/joke/Ten_guidelines_for_enlightenment#ixzz2ikNxcGIT

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