OPENING PRAYER
Liturgy of Malabar, 5th century
Grant, o Lord Jesus, that the ears which have heard the voice of your songs may be closed to the voice of dispute; that the eyes which have seen your great love may also behold your blessed hope; that the tongues which have sung your praise may speak the truth in love; that the feet which have walked in your courts may walk in the region of light; and that the bodies which have received your living body may be restored in newness of life. Glory to you for your inexpressible gift, Amen
CALL TO WORSHIP
O for a world where everyone respects each others ways,
where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.
o for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved;
where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.
HYMN NO. 14 FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Guide us, o God, by your word and spirit; that in your light we may see light, in your truth find wisdom, and in your will discover your peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
SCRIPTURE READING ROMANS 12: 9-21
SERMON WHEN HUMBLE HEARTS GIVE
Do you remember as a kid going on vacation, the long ride in the car? And to avoid hearing, “Are we there yet?” for the 100th time, our parents said let’s play a game and try to see how many different states we can find on license plates. Well, Rose and I still do it, but with Covid, and vacations on hold, these road games are now being played on the way to Creamy Valley in Woodstown, or with friends socially distanced on the deck. One of our favorites has been, if you could bring back a deceased vocalist or group for one more concert, who would it be? For Rose, it’s John Denver, for me, Roy Orbison. But it is always interesting to hear others choices and it does make for a conversation starter…
Some games like this are fairly easy to comply with – favorite book, movie, tv series, pizza – come on now, mushroom and anchovy (maybe not for all), but you get the point. But there is one question which is a little more difficult to pin down easily – what is your favorite scripture or passage from the Bible?
Now to many, some will pop right into your head, maybe because you have the saying on a wooden block or a hand painted plate at home, and you see it constantly. For example, Be still and know that I am God. That’s a good one, and for a reason; but the reason defines a particular situation or mood that calls it to mind – no doubt a time when we are stressed, anxious or deliberating a specific action that we must take and are fraught with indecision.
We may also call to mind, Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid — another verse for comfort and peace we call upon so often. We could add, with Christ all things are possible, the 23rd Psalm, or Psalm 1 on the life of a faithful person. There are so many choices, and with good reason, for the Bible is indeed a treasure box of literary and spiritual imagery to help and guide us. And to be with us and comfort us, and assure us of God’s presence in our lives.
Often, we hear people speak of the day or moment when Jesus came into their lives as their personal savior. Recognizing that first awareness of the majesty and presence of God is a watershed moment in our life to be certain, though specific references for Jesus asking us to do this, in a solely personal way, are hard to find.
But not hard to find are the many references to the wonderment of being a part of God’s family, brothers and sisters in his name. One such is the apostle Paul in his first Timothy saying, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, and especially for those who believe.” This is a deep assurance of the glory of a relationship with our Lord, one that is not simply personal, but communal; one that asks us to look beyond ourselves.
And that leads us to today. There are a number of passages which I always want to check the box on my favorite list – one certainly being the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus reminds us who we are as His children and what we are called to do as His children. I have always felt that if I had to ask someone who was a non-believer to read just one passage in scripture that might truly touch their heart, it would be the Sermon on the Mount. But make no mistake about it, today’s scripture is high on the list as well. And one of the reasons must be that it speaks of love, kindness, forgiveness and mercy. Those are four character traits any of us would love to have people call to mind when thinking of us and our journey here on earth.
I also believe that this passage has such power and strength as a lesson for us, indeed an assignment for us, an assignment that Paul shares gladly, but tells us that this is an assignment from our Lord Jesus Christ. This is not just a lifestyle guideline or request. It is a commandment from Jesus. It is nothing like the lists of rules and laws in Leviticus, which would produce anxiety, stress and fatigue in just reading them all. No this is the refresher commandment following up on Christ’s teaching, where we are to put our words into practice, our thoughts into deeds, and our lives in to being wholly committed to loving God and our neighbor.
Look how it starts: love must be sincere. Now that would make a great little wooden plaque on the coffee table, by the bed, or in your school locker, but more importantly, one that was etched in your heart. For being sincere is not that easy, it’s difficult to just do it on our own, but, we are not on our own and with Christ in our hearts it can become as natural as breathing.
Sadly, most of us have learned how to pretend to love others, how to speak kindly, avoid hurting one’s feelings and appear to take an interest in them. We may even become skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of other’s needs; or learn how to feel indignant when we learn of an injustice.
But God calls us to the real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness. Sincere love requires concentration, effort and patience. When we are called to sacrifice time to help others, we must stop and realize that we are not giving up our time at all, for time is not ours to give. Instead we will now realize that we are sharing our time with someone who needs it and needs it badly. We need the humility to realize as well, we are only one of God’s children, and when Christ calls, we can truly give and give with humble hearts. This may demand time, commitment, money and a deviation from the day or week we had planned. We will become a better person, but more important, we can help others become better people as well. Our love will be genuine, and if we truly wish to be a disciple of Christ, what better way. People will not know we are followers of Christ by our words or proclamations. They will know we are Christians by our love.
And, again is the comforting awareness, that we are not alone. For no individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ does, so while this scripture speaks of our individual commitments, it also shows us the hope and the promise of the collective gifts of those gathered in His name and what that promise can mean to so many out there. So many, in such great need.
Returning back to the scripture – honor one another above yourselves, never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with Gods people who are in need.
The lectionary always provides a list of hymns to accompany scriptures, but as I was working on this sermon, I realized that this service could have been a choral fest, for how could we read this part of the scripture and not hear the words, “joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, God of love, hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away; giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day”.
I know, we are virtual, and things are a little different. We sing at home, but it’s not with the same impact as we do in church. But do yourself and your family a favor, if you don’t have a hymnal at home, google the lyrics to Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. Go online, find a choir singing this and sing along with them. Tell me you don’t feel better. Tell me you didn’t sing it in the shower or have it in your head all day. Tell me this doesn’t help you feel God’s presence and want to make someone else feel better as well.
You know, it can be hard to be a follower of Christ. Not so hard to follow his words, but very hard to follow his path and live out his words. Through Paul’s writings in Romans, we are given some clear instructions on what to do, and my friends, there is not a lot of ambiguity here.
Bless those who persecute you. Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
Okay, let’s see, rejoice with those who rejoice. I can do that. Mourn with those who mourn. Not a problem. Now, what were those other requests you had. First of all, again, they are not requests. They are mandatory to be a true follower of Christ.
A lot of us have no problem with some of Jesus’s commands, but then we stop. Take for example, do not be proud, be willing to associate with people of a low position. This one really struck home to me as currently I am reading a book called Caste, The Origins of our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson.
To call it one of the most impactful books I have ever read would be a gross understatement. It is not an easy book to read, for it makes us examine the culture of our nation and the origins of the caste society we created. We normally, in hearing castes, think of India, but castes appear in every nation. When you think about how Native Americans and minorities have been regarded since 1619, when you realize that many things did not begin to change for 350 years, and when you compare this to the words in today’s scripture, the contrast is frightening. It has caused me to really examine so many things, but has also made me realize how important my, and our faith is. How important it is to not just speak it, but to live it. Only then can it truly come alive.
There can be good news, for remember, we are followers of Christ, and his life, his message, his death and resurrection and his unending love and grace are the definition of hope. And hope combined with faith give us assurance as we move on.
And move on we shall do. This scripture from Romans is not an impossible task, for it is filled with so many great possibilities. It gives us opportunities to not only enrich our relationship with our Lord, but to help others do the same as well. Even a difficult task is not a burden when we have joyful and loving hearts, and when we realize that He, that we so much want to follow, He took on the ultimate burden for all of us and has freed us to go forward in his name.
What a difference when we live for others and not just for ourselves. What a blessing to offer time to our neighbors, our friends, and yes, even our enemies. What a joy to have the holy spirit help us provide comfort for the lost, the sick and those who mourn.
As we said last week, how good it is when we all get along. We all share, so that we can truly praise the beauty of the body of Christ.
How beautiful when humble hearts give, the fruit of pure lives that others might live.
How beautiful, how beautiful indeed. Amen
ANTHEM HOW BEAUTIFUL – Twila Paris sung by Wendy Hill
HOW BEAUTIFUL THE HANDS THAT SERVED
THE WINE AND THE BREAD AND THE SONS OF THE EARTH
HOW BEAUTIFUL THE FEET THAT WALKED
THE LONG DUSTY ROADS AND THE HILL TO THE CROSS
HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THE BODY OF CHRIST
HOW BEAUTIFUL THE HEART THAT BLED
THAT TOOK ALL MY SIN AND BORE IT INSTEAD
HOW BEAUTIFUL THE TENDER EYES
THAT CHOOSE TO FORGIVE AND NEVER DESPISE
HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THE BODY OF CHRIST
AND AS HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE
WE OFFER THIS SACRIFICE
THAT WE WILL LIVE JUST AS HE DID
WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE, WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE
HOW BEAUTIFUL THE RADIANT BRIDE
WHO WAITS FOR HER GROOM WITH HIS LIGHT IN HER EYES
HOW BEAUTIFUL WHEN HUMBLE HEARTS GIVE
THE FRUIT OF PURE LIVES SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE
HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THE BODY OF CHRIST
HOW BEAUTIFUL THE FEET THAT BRING
THE SOUND OF GOOD NEWS AND THE LOVE OF THE KING
HOW BEAUTIFUL THE HANDS THAT SERVE
THE WINE AND THE BREAD AND THE SONS OF THE EARTH
HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THE ODY OF CHRIST
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN NO. 300 WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT
BENEDICTION AND SENDING
Go out into the world in peace; have courage, hold on to what is good; return no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak, and help the suffering; honor all people; love and serve the lord, rejoicing in the power of the holy spirit.
May the lord bless you and keep you
May the lord be kind and gracious to you
May the lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.