GET INTO THE BOAT

 

GET INTO THE BOAT!

It was sometime in the 80s. We were living in Omaha and I decided to paint the trim that ran under the roof of our home. I could do this with a step-ladder for most of the house, but on the north side, the peak of the roof was 29 feet high and my fear of heights was a huge problem. I would approach the ladder with a great deal of bravado- nothing to be afraid of- and rush up the rungs with my paint brush in hand. But as I neared the top, my legs froze and I hugged the ladder. When I finally made it to the top, I would reach out with one trembling hand and paint another inch or two of the trim… before I scampered back to the safety of the ground.

I was terrified! Scared to death, and I have never gotten over it! My late brother, Randy, on the other hand, was afraid of the sea…thalassophobia which seemed to call to him when he was on the shore. And it is this fear- thalassophobia- that many people in the ancient world had. Several ancient cultures had flood stories and many people in that time believed in sea monsters and other sources of danger. On the 5^th day of creation, Gen. 1:21, God created the great sea monsters, and except for Noah and his family, God destroyed humankind with the great flood. Jonah tried to run from God, but he was returned to his starting place in the belly of a “big fish.” With God on his side, Moses divided the sea, which allowed the people of God to escape from the Pharaoh. Otherwise, the great sea would’ve kept God’s people in slavery.

The sea was a mysterious and threatening thing for sailors and passengers alike, and this was certainly the case with the Sea of Galilee… where sudden, strong, and short-lived storms often occurred. This brings us to our passage today. After Jesus finished teaching about the kingdom of God, He said, “Let’s go to the other side”… of Lake Gennesaret (another name for the Sea of Galilee). Let’s get into the boat and go to the other side, and he meant “now,” without returning to Peter’s home and preparing for the trip. Jesus meant that they should get into the boat “now.” So they got into the boat, not long before a “great windstorm arose and their boat was filling with water.” The disciples were bailing out water and becoming increasingly frantic- so they woke Jesus up and questioned whether he even cared if they died. Rather than responding to such a question, Jesus rebuked the wind and the storm subsided. It was over. Everything was fine, and Jesus asked two questions: why are you so afraid, and have you still no faith? According to Mark, when Jesus calmed the sea, the disciples were filled with great fear yet again, asking one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Well, I hope each of you will give some thought to this brief passage, What did it mean? What does it say to us? And I will start with 5 observations of my own:

1.    The disciples were professional fishermen. They were the sons of professional fisherman, and they must have been familiar with the sudden storms that arose on this sea. So, why were they so terrified? Maybe it was their experience that gave birth to their fear.

2.    Getting into the boat is half of the battle. Unless we get into the boat, we will not experience the journey and we will never grow to be the men and women we were called to be. God calls and we respond… or not. We get into the boat… of not, and if we don’t go, we will miss out on all the things we might have see and all the blessings we would have received.

3.    Going to the other side can be a frightening thing! Who or what is on the other side? Will I be harmed or changed in ways that I don’t want to be changed? Will I be liked or will I be treated with disdain? Will the experience be worth the uncertainty that I will endure?

4.    Who was it that questioned whether Jesus cared? What kind of a question is that? I’ve been in my share of storms- you have too- and I’ve prayed to my Lord! I’ve sometimes wished that God would have said “yes,” instead of “no.” or “now,” instead of “later,” but I’ve never thought that God didn’t even care.

5.    Who is this man who can calm the sea and wind? This is a great question. Who is this man who has authority over the forces of nature? At its core, FAITH is more a matter of trust than intellectual assent. Faith is living as if what we claim and hope for… is true. Faith is actually believing that God’s eye is on the sparrow and that God has the whole world in His hands. If we can get a firm hold on the fact that the man who is sleeping in our boat… is GOD, we can rest easy and get a little sleep ourselves, If Jesus is God, we have nothing to fear! Nothing at all! Absolutely nothing! Amen!

 

 

WHOM SHALL I SEND?

 

WHOM SHALL I SEND?

 

Well, summer is upon us, and next Sunday, we will begin our worship hour at 9:30. it's also Memorial Day weekend, and once again we are called to honor those who gave their lives by answering our country's call to love freedom more than life. When I was in Rock Island, we conducted dozens of funerals at the Arsenal, and while I was waiting for the service to begin, I would sometimes walk around the graves… and take in the courage, the grace and the holiness of it all. Many “ordinary” men and women have given their lives so that we can live our lives in freedom, and we recognize them today!
      But we are also gathered to thank those who answered God’s call in their own lives- giving their time, their tears, their prayers, and their labor… ministering to others… because they were called to! In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah was in the temple when it was suddenly filled with the presence of God. Angels showed up and Isaiah was overwhelmed by a feeling of unworthiness. He was justified by the touch of a hot coal and then he heard God asking, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us!" And Isaiah shouted out, "Here I am! Send me!" Send me to go to where I don't know and use me for as long as you please. Send me! You know the Bible includes several "call" stories- Jonah, Samuel, and Paul among them- but I want to focus on God's call in our lives… because we're all being called to serve.

Each of us is called to do something that needs to be done for others in Christ’s name. Some of us are called to preach, some are called to teach, and some are called to sing or play music... and if God is calling you to do such things, you ought to do them. However, most callings have nothing to do with a far away mission fields or church stages. Let me mention Tammy Boggs, CL Palmer, Bill Seelye, and all of those who worked on building and grounds over the years. They served our Lord by keeping our lights on and our doors open! And I want to mention the servants who feed and clothe our neighbors, year after year, without much fanfare, because they have heard God’s call. And I think of those who host are church fellowship events- who set the beautiful tables and bring the food for our Seder meal, and who carry food and the tables across main street, so that we can serve ice cream and pies to the good people in Knoxville!   

      In Rock Island, we had three church members who attended funerals for people in our church and others whom they knew. No one asked them to do it. It wasn't official, but there they were- Vic, Dianne, and Don- at funerals big and small, to pay their respects, offer a little love, and to do what God had called them to do. In Rock Island, we also had a number of women who spent hours making Prayer Shawls for members and friends of the church, and here in Knoxville we have a vibrant Quilts for Valor ministry. And I must mention our Resale Shop because it's such an exciting place. Stop in, tell others about it, and don’t forget to thank those who give of their time and of themselves to receive gifts that God’s people donate, stock the shelves and fill our clothing racks, and staff the store… which is often crowded and filled with chatter.

      But what about you? What is God calling you to do? God is calling each of us through 1) our prayers; 2) our Bible studies; and 3) the issues that affect the lives of the people we know here. Get into prayer, get into study, and get into community... and you will have a much better chance of hearing God’s voice. God is calling us through 4) skills and talents that God has given us; 5) the events and issues that make us angry and break our hearts; 6) our tears and our own broken places; 7) and the causes that we are passionate about.

      Since I was a counselor for the Iowa Commission of the Blind in an earlier life and since Sherry worked for Access Living in Chicago for years, we are quick to notice things like ramps and large print Bibles. Some people don't give these things much thought, but they are passionate about poverty, gun violence, or drunk driving. Some people have a passion for inviting new people to church, others have a passion for reaching members who've drifted away, and still others don't give either group much thought. As a people we're blessed with different gifts, different stories, and different voices... and we will be stronger if each one of us responds to God when He calls us.
      In the year that someone I loved or something within me died, I was in church, as I had been a hundred times before, when I became aware that God was calling me. I'm not sure why I hadn't heard it before, but I heard God's voice just as clearly as I hear any voice. He was asking "Whom shall I send?" and "Who will go for us?"... and although I've never been one to get involved too deeply, I found myself raising my hand as if I was back in school. "Here I am," I cried, as I waved my hand in the air, "Here I am, send me!" On this Memorial Day, as we honor those who gave their lives in response to our country's call, let us open our own hearts and minds to God's call in our own lives. Each one of us has something to do for God- something that will bless us and some part of the community. Listen now.... listen and pray. Listen and pray, kiss a burning coal if you must. Then raise your hand and say, "Send me, Lord!" Amen.

 

BE LIKE MIKE

 

“BE LIKE MIKE”

 

Christians plant seeds and trust God with the rest. Some of the seeds we plant will fall on hard or shallow ground; some will be overwhelmed by weeds; some will blossom… but we are called to plant seeds of faith and hope as we walk through life. Some of these seeds are planted with words- with Scripture, prayer, and encouragement. Some of these seeds are planted by sharing spiritual insight and/or Biblical knowledge. But most of them are planted by men and women who share their love and faith with acts of service, love, and kindness.

 

Today, I want to lift up Mike Kelley because he planted more seeds for Christ- every day, in acts of compassion and love- than anyone else I’ve ever known. Mike Kelley was the “real deal.” He worked tirelessly to help others (without regard to status, color, and anything else) experience God’s love. Mike didn’t preach sermons, but he delivered a thousand through acts compassion and kindness! Mike didn’t attend Bible study and probably would’ve nodded off if he had. I don’t think Mike could’ve found some of the books of the Bible without looking up their page numbers… but in his life, he actually looked after the widows, welcomed strangers, fed the hungry, and did whatever he could for people in need.

 

Mike Kelley planted seeds for Christ everyday! He did more for me and Sherry than I can mention here, but he did the same for many, many others- individuals, families, and organizations (like church, Crime Fighters, and Rotary). He gave rides (to church and to other places). He repaired things that needed to be repaired. He helped people move and he often did most of the work. He built things that others wanted built. He delivered food, served food, and cleaned up… before he delivered the leftovers to others in need. He visited lonely people and greeted everyone with heartfelt enthusiasm, to let them know that God is with them. I knew Mike well for 25 years and I never heard him say or do anything that would degrade or harm anyone at all. Mike was something of a celebrity in Peoria and he received many awards and accolades. They were all richly deserved, but I think that Mike’s greater “awards” live in the hearts of those whom he loved and served!

 

Today, our focus is on our lectionary passages in Mark 4. Our focus is on scattering seeds of love and grace as we walk though life. Our focus today is on planting seeds of faith as we walk along. Some of us plant seeds by telling our stories of rebirth; some of us plant seeds by writing thoughtful books; some of us plant seeds by financing ministries that do God’s work; some of us plant seeds by providing food, clothing, and shelter to people who need to experience God’s grace; some of us plant seeds by accepting others as we find them; some of plant seeds by fighting for justice; some of us plant seeds by listening, maybe crying with, people whom Christ puts in our lives; some of us plant seeds by praying with and… for others; some of us plant seeds by forgiving others; some of us plant seeds for Christ by simply showing up or being present.

 

We’re are called to plant seeds of love, grace, and faith for Jesus, and in some ways, that’s about all we are called to do. In a sermon preached on March 10, 1522, Martin Luther preached about seeing the growth of the reform movement, saying, “I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philip and Amsdorf, the Word did everything.” Well, it seems that Luther was a seed planter too! We moved three or four times in Peoria, and Mike Kelley helped us three or four times… and he helped us in important and sacrificial ways. Mike and Linda owned a demanding business and they were committed to many other causes and needs, but… at 10, 10:30 at night, or so, when Sherry and I were sleeping, I would hear Mike’s big truck pull into our drive, and then I listened as he loaded whatever we needed removed (which was usually a lot)… and drove away!

 

Another seed, another sermon, about God’s love in action, another reminder that Christ is at work in our lives in ways big and small. It was just Mike Kelley doing what Mike Kelley always did. If you can preach like Luther, then preach like Luther. But if you have a boundless commitment to showing others- all others- that God loves them… be like Mike! Amen!