In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. I first want to thank Fr. Robinson, our vestry, and you my brothers and sisters, for allowing me to take a sabbatical over these last three months.
You do know I was away for three months—right?
It is a long time to be away, but for both Gail and me, it was a very rewarding and healing time, both spiritually and physically.
It was a time to disconnect from everything else to focus on my life in Jesus, my life with Gail, and my life in ministry.
This time was particularly special because I was able to spend so much time with the best friend I have in this world, my wife Gail.
In Gail’s words, it was the best summer we have ever had together. So Gail and I thank you for that wonderful and gracious gift.
Part of the sabbatical was spent at a retreat center in Divide, Colorado which conducts retreats specifically designed for pastors and their wives.
Every day we had presentations that raised questions for us like: where are we in our personal walk with the lord, where are we in our marriages, where are we in ministry?
Time was spent in reflection and prayer. We had time talking about these issues as a couple, and over the seven days we had four counselling sessions to help us work through some of these issues. This was an extraordinarily rewarding time. There was some work involved, though. Two of the particularly harder questions that I wrestled with were first: Who am I? And secondly: What is at the center of my life?
Who am I?
What is at the center of my life?
These questions caused me to mine deeply into my life and soul. I discovered a number of things about myself, some of which were painful to acknowledge, some encouraging, and some enlightening. And all of which I will continue to deal with in life.
I came to understand that these are the core questions about life—the answers to which reveal the true foundations of our lives; they reveal to us, what we believe to be our true purpose in life.
Who am I? What is at the center of my life?
As I read the scripture texts appointed for this Sunday, I could not but help see, in those three readings, those same issues raised again. Who am I? What is at the center of my life?
In the Old Testament , we hear the prophet Amos proclaiming to Israel- the northern kingdom—a warning of God’s impending judgement.
Amos saw Israel’s society and community on its last legs, but nobody else did. Israel was experiencing a time of affluence and political strength; a time of national stability and expansion. Things were good. It was a very religious time—the religious centers were thronged, the appointed sacrifices were properly made.
But as national security grew, wealth increased and lifestyle and living standards improved for many, something happened.
Seduced by the things of this world, greed replaced grace, self-sufficiency and selfishness replaced humility and mercy. Love for money and self, consumed their love of God and his people. Things of this world crowded God out of the center of their lives and culture.
Religious practices became perfunctory. Those with wealth cheated those who did not. Those with authority abused those without. Those with status looked down and demeaned those who had none.
They forgot who they were, and whose they were. They moved God from the center of their lives and replaced him with other things.
As God’s people they ceased to act and function as God’s people, so when the rest of the world looked upon them, they saw nothing different, nothing that would cause an interest in the God whose people they claimed to be.
Thus Amos’ warning.
In the epistle reading for this Sunday, we hear Paul encouraging young Timothy as a pastor and leader in his ministry. The church at Ephesus is beset by pressures to compromise the gospel of Jesus Christ both from the culture outside because of moral issues—how they act, and heretics inside—what they believe.
Timothy is to call the church to live as they are supposed to –in accordance with who they are as Christians–to have their love for Jesus at the center of their lives—to be a worshipping community focused upon God, and reflecting that love for Jesus in living peaceable and Godly lives.
He calls them to act and behave as followers of Jesus, to be different than the world, because the world is watching. God wants all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth. And this community, this church, is called to witness about Jesus, to show Jesus to the world.
In the gospel lesson Luke records a parable of Jesus in which Jesus warns his followers of the distinction between his kingdom and the world. He says there you can serve God, or the world, but not both.
He reminds us that we have no claim to what we have. The steward supposed he had authority to use his master’s goods to his own benefit. When he was found out, he immediately began to bring income to his master, made friends for himself, and raised up his master in the eyes of his creditors. Shrewd indeed.
He reminds us that what we have, be it authority or wealth or position is not ours, it belongs to God and we are held accountable for how we use the things of this world.
We are not to use it to raise ourselves above or abuse others. Whether it be position or wealth or power, it is to be used to bring glory and honor to the owner, to God, not ourselves.
So who am I? What is at the center of my life?
Amos reminds us and warns us that as the Church we are the people of God, a community set apart for him; that our identity is thus to be found in relationship with him, and so how we treat each other in that community is part of who we are.
Paul reminds us that our lives are to be worship—what we do, what we have and who we are is to be brought before God every day, that the world may see the difference that Jesus makes in our lives, and hopefully draw others to him, that potentially, all will be saved through him.
In the parable Jesus reminds us that following him is a decision that makes a distinction between the things of this world and his kingdom. He reminds us that we are but stewards of all he has given us, be it wealth, position, authority. And we are called to use all in our life to bring glory and honor to him.
So as we go about our lives this week, think on these readings, consider those questions:
Who am I?
What, or who, is at the center of my life?
Consider Amos’ admonition about how we are to live as God’s chosen people, hear Paul’s encouragement to live life as worship, contemplate Jesus’ parable about how we relate to the things of this world.
It could be a life changing exercise.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen!
Sermon preached by the Rev. Richard C. Marsden
The Church of the Redeemer
Sarasota Florida
18th Sunday after Pentecost
18 September 2016