July 17, 2011
Sixth Sunday of Pentecost
Galatians 5:22-23 Gods Word Bible
Luke 15:1-2 NRSV Bible
When Christians Are Un-Christian
There are so many people that we think of as role models in our lives. We read about them in the News Papers, hear about them on the news, there are movies made about their lives. It can get confusing some times because what we, as Christians think of role models, society tells us that we are wrong. We are told that the people we should look up to are those who make a lot of money, they are “pillars of society” (in societies eyes), they are “at the top of their game”, so to speak. Society’s way of thinking may be completely different than our own and we may be ostracized for who we believe as a good role model.
This is not a new problem, even in Jesus’ time there was a difference of opinion of who makes a good role model. . . .what type of character makes up a person who is a role model. Most in society thought very highly of the Pharisees and Sadducees. . . but we all know how Jesus felt about these pillars of society. So why is there such a difference between what society thinks and what Christians think about what makes a good role model for our lives? Which way of thinking is right and which way of thinking is a little off kilter? How are we to know which way to turn?
This week, we are starting our sermon series “When Christians Get It Wrong” by Adam Hamilton. Over the next five weeks we will take a look at just that and on week six we will look at when Christians get it right. . . when we are more Christ-like than when we follow the ways of the world. It will be tough some weeks as we look within ourselves at our own views and attitudes and some of the subjects we will be discussing may make us squirm, but my prayer is that we will emerge with a better understanding of ourselves and our thoughts and motives in life. . . a better understanding of why some young people say “I would be a Christian except for the Christians I know.” So let’s begin. . .
One thing that we need to look at is our attitudes towards others. Jesus had a lot to say about how we are to treat others. The Pharisees and Sadducees were some of the biggest offenders against how Jesus wanted others treated . I want you to take out the pew bible and turn to page 952 and ready with me Luke 15 verses 1-2 and listen to what they thought of others. It is one of those times when “Those People” were around Jesus. Let’s read the passage together. . .
Oh Dear! Oh My! Jesus was hanging around “those kind of people”. He was hanging around those “heathens” again! Not only is he hanging around with them. . . He’s actually eating with them! OK. . . I am making light of the religious leaders blindness but are there places or times in our lives that we don’t want to be “caught dead around those people”? Is there a certain type of people that we just won’t associate with?
Jesus goes on to tell the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. It is “those kinds of people”. . . it is “them” that really need to hear the Gospel of Grace. It is for just such a people that Jesus came down to deliver. Remember. . . we were once those kind of people. . . we were once the outcasts but through and by the grace of God, we are now part of the family. . . Is there someone in your life. . . is there someone you know who needs to hear that they are beloved and accepted just as they are? We all have our growing places but how can there be growth without “Son-Shine”, how can there be light if the Light does not shine in the darkness?
One of the number one reasons the younger generation is turned away from the church is because of the “us and them” mentality. Churches need to become more inclusive and less exclusive in nature. Adam Hamilton gives us some key attitudes that some churches have that need to be changed:
1. Wrong motiveswhat are some of the motives of the church now a days? Is it to make disciples or to make a social club?
2. Pointing out sins of others without seeing their ownwhat are churches concentrated on? Is the church a hospital for sinners or a country club for the saints?
3. Being two-facedis the church walking the walk or just talking the talk?
4. Majoring in the Minorsis the church majoring in the minors such as rules and regulations or is it majoring in peace and justice for all?
We are all working towards perfection, as John Wesley would say. We all have our faults and we will surely fall at times. But in looking at some of the reasons why others think of the church as hypocritical and unloving, we can have that wake-up call that we all need at times. When we as Christians get it right, we are inclusive of others that are “outside the church.” When we get it right people are drawn to not away from our faith. Are there those in our lives that we feel are “not worth our time?” Are there people that we would “rather not associate with?” Well. . . there was a time when you and I were on the outside but the love and grace of God was the open door for us to a new and radical way of living. . . One of love and acceptance. Think about it for a minute. . . if it wasn’t for someone caring enough about us in our lives. . . we too would still be one of “them”, on the outside looking in. . . just think about it. . .
Let us pray. . . (Prayer by Adam Hamilton)
Dear God, we want to be filled with your love and goodness all the time. But we’re not there yet, so sometimes we are tempted to fake it-and that can get ugly. Help us to live authentically in your love and grace, letting go of our need to look good even when we aren’t. Teach us to own our struggles and claim your power to transform us. Amen
Luke 15:1-2
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
“This man (Jesus) welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Psalm 92:1-2 (GOD’s WORD Translation)(Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “What kind of people did Jesus hang with?”
and sermon: “When Christians Are Un-Christian”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
A Handmaiden of the Lord
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 17, 2011
Sixth Sunday of Pentecost
&
church sign, “Hanging Out with Jesus”
July 17, 2011
&
Sermon series by the Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://adamhamilton.cor.org/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/RevAdamHamilton
http://www.abingdonpress.com/adamhamilton/forms/default.aspx?pageid=554&id=106
“When Christians Get It Wrong”
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Rev-Hamilton-When-Christians-Get-It-Wrong-1298797.htm
http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=6223
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEp5aGSwUmY
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Contact me at Ray
Foss for usage. See all 22,760+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
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