AfterWords: “Old Stories, New Life: God’s Call”

 

Isaiah 6:1-8

Some calls we don’t want: The IRS, the boss on a weekend, the teacher after we’ve had a bad day at school, the “robo call” or marketing call. Perhaps it’s because of the negative calls like these that we don’t want to hear from God…? Or, maybe the examples in Scripture kind of terrify us.

In Isaiah 8, we hear Isaiah’s call—smoke, fire, seraphim, and more! Perhaps we have bumped into other great calls in Scripture: Abraham’s call in Genesis 12 – “I am going to make a new nation out of you” …no pressure; Moses’ call in Exodus 3 – “My people are in bondage in the most powerful kingdom in the world, and I’m using you to set them free” …again, no pressure.

In the New Testament, God continues to call people, and some of those calls are no less dramatic that the Old Testament: Paul’s call - Damascus Road experience is incomparable; Peter, James, and John’s call – “Follow me and fish for people...” (be prepared to leave it all!)

Perhaps because of these somewhat overwhelming, life-altering calls, we are reluctant to even listen to hear if God is calling us to something in our lives. We may not even want to dive into the disciplines of prayer and Bible study because God might just call us to something!

When I was 18 years old, I was called to Christian ministry after a time of searching and making sense of life. My call story is my story. Too often, we think someone else’s call is going to be a pattern of how our call plays out. We fear that God is going to call us to something we don’t want to do or think we cannot do.

I’ve learned at least two things about God’s call in our lives as followers of Jesus. First, God can put new desires, hopes, and dreams into our lives (see Psalm 37:4). Second, God equips us and enables us to do what we’re called to do: Abraham was unable to have children, yet God gave him children; Moses was not able to speak clearly, so God gave him a spokesperson, Aaron; Paul did not have a heart for others and had nothing to do with Gentiles, and God gave him a heart for others—especially Gentiles.

God may call us to do … or God may call us to be. One of my favorite call stories is found in the Gospels—Matthew 11:28.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus calls us to himself—not to a task, not to a job. Jesus calls us to simply be with him.

Listen for God’s voice—it comes to us in song, in prayer, in Scripture, and in the voices of those around us. Listen for God’s voice—it brings our lives us purpose, direction, and meaning. Listen and respond—God is putting new dreams, hopes, and desires in your life, and God will give you everything you need to do what He calls you to. “If God calls you to it, God will take you through it.” Listen and respond—God may be calling you to action, or God may be calling you to rest.

Whatever the call is that comes to us, God is moving you and me closer and closer to the better life God has for us, and God will use us to touch the lives of others. God calls. We can respond. Amen

Sunday, November 17, 2024
“Old Stories-New Life: God’s Call”
Watch/Listen: HERE

AfterWords: “Old Stories-New Life: God’s Persistence”

 

Jonah 1:1-17

I. Jonah’s Story – Are you familiar with Jonah’s story? Here’s what happens:

Jonah is called to go and preach to the great city of Nineveh…and promptly turns around and goes in another direction. Caught in storm at sea, he is thrown overboard and ends up in the belly of the fish. There, Jonah prays, repents, and goes to Nineveh. The city repents and turns to God. But, Jonah is angry and resents God for doing what God does best—God is good. The story in Scripture doesn’t really end—it’s open-ended with no resolution.

II. Our Story – we, too, are Jonah. Jonah is not an example for us; he is an example of us. God calls us as well. Perhaps we’re not called to preach to a city but called to be kind to a co-worker, to make peace with a family member, or to follow God into missions or ministry. Whatever the call, at some time in our lives, we have heard the call or felt the nudge of God’s Spirit, and we took off running in the other direction.

Perhaps we didn’t take a ship to a place like Tarshish. Perhaps our “Tarshish” was a coffee shop, a new office, a transfer, or weekend office duty. Maybe it was ESPN—anything to keep from having to talk, or to listen. We have run away—geographically or internally.

And, like Jonah’s story, the ending of our stories is simply unsure. TBD.

III. God’s Story – We may hear Jonah’s story, see ourselves in this story, but we often fail to see our amazing God in this story. Let’s take a look.

After God calls Jonah and he runs away, what does God do? God doesn’t let go. God is persistent. God stays with Jonah. When Jonah gets on the ship and starts across the sea, God is with him. When the storm hits and Jonah is thrown overboard, God is there to catch him. When Jonah cries out in prayer, God hears him. When Jonah goes to preach in Nineveh, God is there and gives Jonah the message to proclaim … and God hears the repentant cries of the people and saves them. And, when Jonah is angry, God is right there … talking with Jonah and listening to Jonah. God is persistent. God does not let go of Jonah…or us.

IV. Why is God Persistent? – Why does God stick doggedly to Jonah? Why is it so important for Jonah—Jonah!—to preach to Nineveh (and not someone else)?

When God calls Jonah to do something, when God calls or nudges us to do something, God may change the situation or the people God calls us to, but God definitely wants to change us. God wants Jonah to do this because doing this will impact Jonah’s life. God wants you to respond to the calls and nudges in your life because God wants to touch your life, change your life.

V. God Stays with Us – At the end of the story, Jonah remains a bitter man. He is seemingly unchanged. Nineveh has changed. Even the sailors on the boat are changed. But Jonah? Not yet. Still, God is there with him. And, God is with us. No matter. Our God is a persistent God who loves us deeply, who longs for our change more than anything. This is Good News for us today.

 

Sunday, November 10, 2024
“Old Stories-New Life: God’s Persistence”
Watch/Listen: HERE

AfterWords: "Old Stories-New Life: God's Provision"

 

I Kings 17:1-16

We begin a new series as we move into November—a look at some of the ancient stories from the Old Testament…stories that we give new life by coming back to them, that give us new life as we see them in new ways. Today, as we look at this brief narrative from the life of Elijah, we discover something of God’s provision.

Elijah prophesies in the northern kingdom—Israel. King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, have ignored God, chased false gods, and gave grief to anyone who served the One True God. So, Elijah prophesies, against their reign.

In the passage we come to today, Elijah prophesies a coming drought, a drought God hopes will turn Ahab back to God. So, Elijah predicts the drought, and God sends him to a stream where he’ll have water, and ravens will bring him food. The drought comes in earnest, and even the stream dries up. God sends Elijah out of Israel to Sidon, to the city of Zarephath to a woman whom God will use to keep Elijah alive. Provision.

What we find in the Old Testament is often a hint of things to come, of what God is yet to do in the future. This story of physical provision—food and water for the hungry and thirsty—is amplified in the New Testament, in the life and teachings of Jesus. In fact, we find that Elijah and this very incident shows up in Jesus’ ministry.

Jesus is just entering his ministry, he arrives at his hometown, Nazareth. At synagogue on Saturday, they hand him the scroll to read. And, the reading he selects is all about God’s provision, found in Luke 4:

¹⁸ “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,
¹⁹     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Talk about ‘provision!’ Wow. That’s provision at a whole new level.

Then, Jesus gets to Elijah—looking back on God’s provision. God provides not only for Elijah but also for the widow and her son—a broad provision that crosses lines of race and culture and religion. We find that Elijah’s story is a preview of the broadness of God’s grace.

Our God is a God of provision in all areas of our lives when we live into the faith, hope, and love of our God. And, God makes it all possible through Jesus Christ.

Sunday, November 3, 2024
“Old Stories-New Life: God’s Provision”
Watch/Listen: HERE

AfterWords: "A Church Strong: We Love Our Church"

 

Colossians 3:12-17

Why do we love our church? What is there to love? And, how do we create and sustain this loving atmosphere? This week, we bring to a conclusion the “A Church Strong” series as we celebrate the opportunities for service and ministry through our congregation, as we remember those things that we love about our church.

The Apostle Paul is also interested in a ‘church strong’ as he writes to the Christians at Colosse, Thessalonica, Ephesus, and other churches. And, as any good writer or teacher, when he wants to emphasize a point in his letters, he uses the most common tool of all: repetition. In the passage we read today, Paul repeats three ideas, concepts, elements. Let’s take a look.

First of all, in v.13, Paul repeats the importance of forgiveness. As a healthy congregation, forgiveness must be a part of daily life. As mere mortals, human beings, we are going to offend one another—no doubt. Over 99% of the time, we will do so unintentionally—a word hastily spoken, a simple but unexamined act. Those offenses separate, weaken, and divide us. And, the unforgiven offense can have farther reaching effects than we often realize. We must be forgiving.

Next, Paul talks about the “peace of Christ” and that we’re a people of “peace.” Our gatherings are to be marked by peace. When we step into the gathering of God’s people, we should be stepping into a place free of anxiety, a reunion wherein we leave the stresses of life outside—or at least find relief inside! This is the “peace of Christ”—a peace that you and I as Jesus-people bring to the gathering and share with those around us. You and I become agents of peace, so we must come together wishing peace on those around us, and we must act in a way that promotes peace.

Finally, in the final verses of this passage, Paul talks about thanksgiving and gratitude. The people of God are a thankful people. Our natural response to the world around us often is to notice what we don’t have, what we lack, what we wish we had. Paul reminds the Colossian church and us to choose gratitude and thanks. And, when we stop and consider, God has provided so much. We have received much, we have a lot. Or, maybe we haven’t. Still, we must express gratitude and thanksgiving for that which we have.

As we worshiped today at McAllen First UMC, we shared almost 40 video clips that we gathered over the last three weeks in which people expressed why they love our church or something they love about our church. We also recognized that many of us came into this congregation because someone invited us. As a church strong, we are committed to inviting people to come into the family of faith while we continue to reach out to and go out into the communities around us as we live out the faith.

 

Sunday, October 27, 2024
“A Church Strong: Story”
Watch/Listen: HERE

AfterWords: "A Church Strong: Story"

 

Mark 5:1-20

When we join the church, we vow to take on five ‘holy habits,’ five practices that will strengthen both our own spiritual lives and the life of our congregation: prayer, presence, giving, service, story.

If you’ve grown up in the United Methodist Church, you will know that ‘story-telling’ is not in the liturgy of joining as found in the United Methodist Hymnal (p.48). There, we find only the first four. So, why have I (and others) added story? Telling ‘the Story’ (of Jesus) and telling our stories of faith are part and parcel of the Christian faith; this is something we have been expected to do from the beginning.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). How do we “make disciples”? We tell the Story and we tell our stories of faith. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). What do witnesses do? They tell what they have seen, experienced. So, from the beginning, we who follow Jesus, we who claim to be Christians, have been a story-telling people.

In that dramatic story from Mark 5, we see clearly that Jesus wants us to tell our stories. After encountering the demoniac—the man possessed of multiple demons, Jesus expels the demons, and the man is in his right mind for the first time in years. In appreciation and gratitude, the man wants to go with Jesus, to stay close to Jesus. But, Jesus says ‘no.’ Rather, Jesus says to him, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you…” (Mark 5:19). Go home and tell your story.

When we read a little more closely in the New Testament, we find that those who tell their stories tend to tell their own story—what happened to them—and they tell their stories at the invitation of the listener. That is, besides the story of Jesus, they don’t tell other people’s stories, and they don’t rush in tell their story when no one wants to hear it. We would do well to follow this pattern as well.

The good news is that people around us invite us to tell our stories (or the Story) all the time. We just don’t recognize the invitation. Few if any say, “Hey, tell me your story.” Instead, the invitation to tell our stories sounds more like this: “I just don’t know what to do about this situation…” or “Why do things like this happen…?” When people around us—family, friends, co-workers, classmates, neighbors—earnestly say something like this, they are inviting us to tell a story, to step into their pain, their questions, their lives. These kinds of statements/questions reveal and invite us beneath the surface of their lives. This becomes a chance for us to tell a story.

Our stories of faith may include Scripture passages that have had a great impact on us in a difficult time. They may include songs, prayers, Bible class discussions, readings, movies, and more. Whatever way God spoke to us, helped us, guided us—these are the things we include in our stories.

Our stories may or may not have a significant or immediate impact on the listener. In my own experience, the culmination of many stories is what impacted me. No single story usually moves me. Rather, the cumulative power of stories over time has moved me closer to God, more deeply into the life of faith. So, our story to one person on one occasion may have little to no significant impact. But, it may be a seed that contributes to a future harvest in that person’s life.

More importantly, like prayer, presence, giving, and service, making story a part of our ‘holy habits’ does impact our lives. Telling the Story and our stories moves this faith ‘thing’ from Sunday mornings into our daily lives. And, as with all of these holy habits, we are changed.

Listen to those around you and learn to recognize those quiet, subtle invitations to tell your stories. Then, tell a story from your own life… “tell them how much the Lord has done for you.”

Sunday, October 20, 2024
“A Church Strong: Story”
Watch/Listen: HERE

AfterWords: "A Church Strong: Talents"

 

1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7

Just a few weeks ago, we began this journey of looking at the habits we vow to take up as members of the United Methodist Church: Prayer, Presence, Tithes, Talents, and Story.

As we engage in the habit of prayer, as we talk to God on behalf of our congregation, as we pray for one another, we are changed. Our relationship with God is changed, our relationships with each other are changed, we are changed.

As we become more and more present, whether in Sunday worship, Bible study classes, small groups or other gatherings, we are changed. We gather to give thanks to God, to receive mercy, and to encourage one another. When we do these things, we are changed.

As we develop a habit of generosity, our attitudes towards our money, our values, our reactions and responses to needs around us all change. As we give regularly and move slowly but surely towards the ‘tithe’ God dreams of from us, we are changed…and in turn begin to change the world through our giving.

Today, we look at using our talents, gifts, skills, and abilities. God is the Giver of our talents and abilities. Some of us are born with gifts and skills. Some of us work hard to develop skills and abilities. Some of us supernaturally blessed with gifts from God’s Spirit. No matter how they come to us, no matter when they come to us, the talents, skills, and abilities are gifts from God.

We need to remain aware of something that Paul impresses on the Corinthian church: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:7). “…For the common good”—we are gifted not to make us great or in order to just celebrate ourselves. We are gifted that we might contribute to the “common good.”

This flies in the face of our present culture, a culture that celebrates the great “I.” With the advent of the smartphone and its rear facing camera, we have become a world focused on ‘self.’ The implication is that we are the center of the universe…and we happily oblige to such a notion. Paul’s counter-cultural words remind us that we are gifted and equipped in order to work with if not serve others. We come together, bringing our gifts, talents, skills, and abilities together … for the common good.

Through the years, some congregations—by intention or by accident—have forbidden some people to exercise their gifts. “You want to sing? Well, we really have a tight group already, but if we need you, we’ll let you know….” Or “Oh, thank you for offering, but we’re good now. If need anyone else on the committee, we’ll let you know.” Everyone should be given the opportunity to use their gifts and talents. And for those who don’t know their gifts and abilities, the congregation must help people find and use them.

In the end, when everyone in a congregation lives out of their strengths, when all use their God-given talents, abilities, and skills, we see a “church strong”—a congregation that works together and that is better able to shine the light and love of God into the world.

Sunday, October 13, 2024
“A Church Strong: Talents”
Watch/Listen: HERE

AfterWords: "A Church Strong: Giving"

 

Malachi 3:6-10

Many of us are very familiar with Malachi’s words about giving: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it” (Malachi 3:10). The call here—echoed through much of Scripture—is to give a tithe, a tenth, ten percent of our income, resources to God. Jesus echoes the same in Luke 6:38, and Paul calls for to give cheerfully in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.

So, if Scripture is so clear on the issue—give a tithe to God, be generous towards God—why are we so reluctant to give? E. Peterson suggests, “Most people’s lack of generosity is due not to money problems but to greed problems…value problems” (from On Living Well). Could it be that the ancient, thoroughly human sin of greed holds us back from generosity? Are we afraid to give…afraid that we’ll run out of money if we give to God? Anne Frank, the voice of a child really, reminds us, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” So, why do we not give generously?

Perhaps it is because we do not really know or understand why we give. Yes, God has called us to be generous. Yes, we want to obey. But, we want to know, why? It is a fair question.

First of all, let’s answer this: Does God need our money? Does God really need your money or my money? Does God wait anxiously, hands wringing, every Sunday around 11am to see if enough will come in to make things happen in this world that He has created? The answer: God does not need your money nor mine. God is the Creator of the universe. God lacks nothing. Now, if that is the case—and I believe with all my mind and heart this is the case—then why does God ask us to give?

When we look back at what we’ve covered thus far in this series of sermons, we find that we’re called to prayer. Prayer changes everything…and it changes you and me. We are called to and invited to be a people of presence—present in worship, Bible studies, or small groups. Being present changes us…shapes us, molds us. And guess what—giving, being generous, changes us, shapes our attitudes, realigns our values. God calls us to give because we giving changes us.

When we reject lives of generosity, of giving, we struggle against the fabric and flow of the universe, for our God is a giving God. God has given us life, has given us everything. In fact, “God so loved the world that he gave….” He gave. And, as long as we reject giving and generosity, we struggle again the stream of this reality, against the flow of God’s creation.

If you have not been a giver by habit, your first step is to develop a habit of giving. If you have already developed the habit of giving, then it is time to move towards giving a tithe—make it a one-year or two-year goal. If you are already tithing, look for ways to go above-and-beyond. God invites us to be a people of generosity, of giving. When we embrace this holy habit, we align ourselves with God’s reality…and we open ourselves to being changed, transformed more and more into the best versions of ourselves. Decide today to embrace and embody the holy habits that make for a ‘church strong.’

Sunday, October 6, 2024
“A Church Strong: Presence”
Watch/Listen: HERE