Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sermon, "What a privilege", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH, September 16, 2012

September 16, 2012
Sixteenth Sunday of Kingdomtide
Worship Theme: The Responsibility of Privilege
Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9 Common English Bible
James 2: 1-5, 8-10, 14-19 The Message Bible
Mark 8:27-38 The Message Bible

What a privilege!

A reading from the Gospel of Mark. . . chapter 8. . . verses 27-38. I am reading from the Message Bible this morning. Listen for a word from God for you and me, the children of God. . . Here ends the reading of the Gospel of Mark.

I love the phrase, “what we are is a gift from God and what we become is our gift to God.” It really makes me think about my life. Am I living up to what God would have me being? Am I using the gifts that God gives me to the best of my ability to honor God? Am I being “responsible” with what God has given me? It is a privilege to me to be called by God but am I living up to that responsibility? As the say: “with privilege comes responsibility.” Am I using my privilege to God’s glory or my own. . . ?

I have been hearing a lot in the news about the “Christian guy” who burned the Qur’an as part of his “remembrance” of 911. And of how he is promoting this video that is now getting people killed because of it. And he calls himself a Christian? How in the heck is that in any way Christian? How is he taking on the responsibility. . . no, the privilege of being called Christ’s follower. . . a Christian? How loving and compassionate is that? He and people like him are one of the reasons that people turn away from Christianity. . . of being a Christ follower. These are not actions to give glory to our God and King. These are actions that cause Him to weep. . . and he calls himself a Christian!

We, as Christians, have great privilege. Our God is a loving and compassionate God and we bear the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, in what we call ourselves. What we are and what we have gives us an obligation to be and to use what we have to the glory of God. If we are children of God, we have honor, status, and the highest privilege, but at the same time we have a responsibility to live and serve as a child of God. Unfortunately, in society today, you don’t see this type of living. It seems to be a place that the privileged take it for granted and “lord it over” the under privileged around them. . . they take advantage for themselves over those who have not. . . But we are called to live a different type of privileged life. So. . . what does privilege in the kingdom of God look like? What does our privilege call us to be and do? How can we honor our God?

The privilege of being a Christian demands obedience to God. It the Gospel reading this morning, we heard Jesus talk about what that obedience looks like.
• Let Jesus lead your life  In order to be a follower we actually have to let Jesus lead. We must trust that He knows the way and that He can be trusted. Even if we don’t see the road ahead, He does and will lead us in the way we should go.
• Don’t run from suffering  We more than likely be called to suffer in some way or another. We may lose friends and family because we follow Christ. But Jesus will be our strength in times of trial and suffering. He will help us through. . . and when we come out on the other side, we will be changed. . . be more Christ-like in our walk.
• Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed about our new name we have been given or of the One who gives it to us  never be ashamed to admit you’re a Christian or be embarrassed. . . shout it from the roof tops. Be proud to stand among the saints of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Honor God in all you do and say.

The privilege of having faith demands having works also. The James Scripture this morning talked about how the two work together. Now we know that we are not saved by works but we are saved by grace. But. . . but. . . that grace. . . that love of God. . . that compassion from God. . . that salvation through Christ that we receive, how can we not be so grateful that we produce fruit. . . produce works. . . for God. If someone gives you something just because they want to . . . not because they have to but for the sheer joy of it. . . are you not move by the gesture and want to do something nice in return? Well it’s the same way that our gratitude to God works. We want to give something back because of all that He has done for us. Now that’s works that have an eternal affect. Fait works side by side. . . like Ying and Yang. . . one produces the other.

The privilege of being rich demands sharing with the poor. The Proverbs from this morning talks about what we need to do with our riches. Now you may be saying to yourself “I have no money to share with others. I barely get by on what I do have. In this economy how can Pastor Ruth be talking about us giving money to those in need, I am in need myself.” Well. . . being rich to some has everything to do with money but we are so much more rich in the grace of God. We have riches to spare. When we share our love of God, when we share our testimony or story, when we share our talents and time. . . we are sharing the riches of our lives. It’s not all about the “Benjamin’s” it’s all about the richness of love in our lives. We have the riches of Solomon in our Lord. . . thank you Jesus!

Beloved church. . . sons and daughters of the High God. . . ambassadors of Grace, we the most important privileges in our lives. . . to be called a Child of God. And with privilege comes responsibility. We have the responsibility to follow what God has told us and continues to tell us in His Word. We have the responsibility to carry out the “Family Business” with love and compassion. We have the responsibility to be the hands and feet of Christ. And we have the “awesome” responsibility to share the riches that have been bestowed upon us. Privilege. . . it not just a word, it’s also a responsibility. Christian. . . it’s not just a name by which we go by but it’s a way of life that we live. Faith. . . it’s not just a feeling it’s also an action by which we work in the kingdom of God. How will you use your privilege and act on the responsibility given to you by and through our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ?

Amen!
September 18, 2012
Worship Theme: The Responsibility of Privilege
Mark 8:27-38 (The Message Bible)
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9 (Common English Bible)
James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18 (The Message Bible)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer (Abington Worship 2012)
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23)
Message for children
by Muffie Sheehan
about CROP Walk (9/29/2012 in Concord, NH)
and sermon – “What a privilege!”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
September 16, 2012
Sixteenth Sunday of Kingdomtide




All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 21,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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