Responding to God’s Activity in the World through Service to Others

 “Responding to God’s Activity in the World through Service to Others” was preached at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, PA on November 13, 2022. You can hear/watch this sermon here, starting at 15:28.

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Scripture Text:
Matthew 25:31-46

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Today I’m going to talk about our mark of membership of “Responding to God’s Activity in the World through Service to Others”. What’s neat is we’ve seen these acts of service recently within our church community. We just finished a week of Family Promise providing food, shelter, and community to those in need. Last Sunday we had information and activities for children, youth, and adults on local food insufficiency. And today, we gave Bibles to our Pre-K, 3rd Grade, and Confirmation students as well as received new members. We are fulfilling the vows we made in baptism to serve others, as we will make those same vows later today. But service to others should also take place outside of the church, especially to those most unlike us. Even if it’s uncomfortable or difficult. This takes courage and community. So today, we are going to talk about that. But first, I want to share something with you. 

I love Halloween! 

For me, it’s not about the candy or the pumpkins, the spooky decorations or the tricks. I love the costumes. For one night of the year… or two or three, I love dressing up as someone else. In the recent years, I’ve been Bane, Stede Bonnet, Buzz Lightyear, David Rose, Cosmo Cosma, Pugsley Addams, Ron Stoppable, a monkey – just to name a few. And if you have any seen one of my costumes, you know that I give it my all. I put a lot of work into my costumes. And not to toot my own horn, but my costumes are so good that it is hard to recognize Taylor and much easier to see the character I’m dressed up as, that is if you know any of the characters that I named earlier. 

On a similar note, when I shaved my head last week, several of you told me after the service that when you first walked into the sanctuary, you thought we had a guest preacher because you didn’t recognize me. Two of you, while greeting me, even asked who I was! Thankfully we laughed when I reintroduced myself as Pastor Taylor. 

Sometimes we put on a mask, and it is more difficult for the outside world to see who we really are. Sometimes it’s a physical mask or costume like one we would wear on Halloween or to a Masquerade Ball. But sometimes it’s a different type of mask. 

Have you ever had an extremely bad morning and day and tried to hold it together? Maybe it felt like the world was crumbling down around you, but the last thing you wanted was for the world itself to know it. In front of your children, partner, or coworkers; you did everything you could to put on a smile for them but internally your spirit was suffering. 

We all know what it feels like to wear a mask; to hide ourselves away from the world. We’ve all had moments of incognito. Maybe it was done to protect them or to protect us, but we put on the mask and we could no longer be recognized. Even by the people who love us most, they couldn’t see us for who we really were or how we were feeling. 

This is also true for the God we worship. Sometimes our God is a hidden God. 

I believe it is pretty easy to search for and find God all around us… and I believe it’s just as easy to overlook God who is all around us. 

Close your eyes for a moment. Now picture where do you see God. Where do you see God. Where do you see God. 

For many of us, we picture this church, this sanctuary and these people. That’s where we see God. For others, we picture nature, we see God in the trees or in the sunset. I’m sure some of us thought of our families, we see God in the faces of our partner or in our children. I bet a few of us when picturing God thought of a memory, a moment of intense feeling, perhaps at a birth or a death. Maybe some of us pictured God on a throne in the clouds and maybe we saw Jesus on the cross. 

But I wonder how many of us pictured God in the hidden places or in the people we tend to avoid? Do we see God in moments of pain and suffering? Do we recognize God in moments or in people that make us uncomfortable? 

In Elie Wiesel’s Night, Wiesel writes about how his faith in God was transformed during World War II and his time in a concentration camp. Before the war, Wiesel is a young Jewish boy whose faith in God could not be shaken or even questioned. His faith in God is tied to his identity. But horrific moment after horrific moment, his faith is tortured. And in one of his lowest moments, as he is witnessing death by hanging before his very eyes, Wiesel wrote these thoughts: 

“Where is God? Where is He?” someone behind me asked. ..

For more than half an hour [the child in the noose] stayed there, struggling between life and death, dying in slow agony under our eyes. And we had to look him full in the face. He was still alive when I passed in front of him. His tongue was still red, his eyes were not yet glazed. Behind me, I heard the same man asking:

“Where is God now?”

And I heard a voice within me answer him:

“Where is He? Here He is—He is hanging here on this gallows. . . .”

I hate this story, but it is in this story that we should approach our Gospel passage today. 

Matthew 25 is one of the famous parables of Jesus. I’m sure the majority of us have heard this one before. I remember it enough to know that I preached on this exact parable about a year ago, although this sermon is much different. Until recently, this parable wasn’t a popular one though. Compared to parables such as the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan, I’m not sure if we naturally enjoy this one. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats is one of ultimate judgement, God’s judgement. And although God’s judgment in the Bible is restorative, which is to make something right, it doesn’t fully dismiss that parable or the consideration of God’s judgement at its foundation can be perceived as uncomfortable, or even painful. 

But yet, judgement is a dominant theme not found only in the Gospel of Matthew but in the whole Bible. And specifically, God’s final judgement of us and humankind is a reoccurring theme throughout the entire Bible in the Old Testament, all of the Gospels, the epistles, and in the final book of Revelation. 

Which means all God’s people, from the beginning of time to even now including us, have the question for God, “What is it going to be like at the end of the world?”

This was Jesus’ answer: 

Jesus replied, “I will tell you a story. It will be like this. There will be a ruler up in heaven and all the people of the earth will gather around him, and this ruler will divide the people into the sheep and the goats.” 

Now, if we were a disciple in those days, we would understand this metaphor immediately. At night, when the shepherds came down from the hills into the valleys, they would divide the sheep for the sheep pen and the goats for the goat pen. From afar, sheared sheep and goats look exactly the same. Like how a sheared Taylor looks like Uncle Fester  (Stephen’s words).   

But yes, from afar, sheared sheep and goats look exactly the same. But up close and upon inspection, it is quite easy to distinguish between the two. And so the shepherd would send the sheep to the right to the sheep pen and the goats to the left to the goat pen. 

As the disciples instantly understood this metaphor, Jesus would continue to explain how the ruler would divide the two, the parameters. 

The sheep would be sent into the heavenly banquet with their ruler because the ruler will say, “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.” 

The sheep, in their joy, would question this, “Master, what are you talking about? When did we do any of these things?” And their ruler will answer them once again, “Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.”

In a similar fashion, the goats will be sent away from their ruler because the ruler will say, “I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.” 

The goats, in their anguish, would question this, “Master, what are you talking about? When did we have the opportunity to do any of these things?” And the ruler will answer them once again, “Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.”

And I can’t help but to think, the goats in their final moment might say back to their ruler, “Lord, if we only would have known it was you, we would have treated you differently. If we only had known your true identity, it would have made all the difference. If we had only known it was you hanging in the gallows, if we had only known it was you behind the face of the refugee; if we had only known it was you in the black body shot in the street, if only we had known it was you on the corner experiencing homelessness, if only we had known it was you in the transgender woman assaulted, if only we had known it was you in the child starving, if only we had known it was you silently struggling and suffering; if we had only known it was you, it would have made all the difference.”

But friends, the difference for us, we do know. We must know. 

This parable shouldn’t strike fear in us in the sense that one day we worry whether God will send us to the right or to the left, or rather send us up or down. Rather, this parable motivates us, motivates all of us, to know that God is found in the faces and places of suffering people. After all, God’s judgement is restorative, to make something right, and this parable is an encourager for us to make something right. 

Sometimes, our God is a hidden God, but not to hide Godself from us but rather so that God can continue to dwell among us. Even in Jesus, God put on a mask, God went incognito was the Word was made Flesh. The hidden God walked among us. And even though Jesus did miraculous, loving teachings, preachings, and healings, we sentenced God to death because we did not recognize God in Jesus. Following that death, God was hidden in an empty tomb and an empty cross.

And even today, God is hidden is water and wine and bread. So it makes sense that our God hides Godself in people who are hurting. Because they need love and grace the most, God brings Godself into them. And because we also need love and grace, we are to bring ourselves to them. 

What strikes me in our parable for today is as both the sheep and goats are separated for their deeds, both are surprised. Both question when they did or did not serve their ruler. The sheep were not aware when they were generous. And the goats were not aware when they were selfish. 

I don’t know about the rest of you, but at the end of my life, I don’t want to look back and be surprised. So I’m going to err on the side of generosity to all people, especially those who need it most. It is then, and only then, that we will experience the full love of Christ found in a hidden God and found in a God that reveals Godself to us through others. 

Thanks be God for God’s Word given to us this day. Amen. 

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Lifting One Another up in Prayer, Mutual Concern, and Active Support

“Lifting One Another up in Prayer, Mutual Concern, and Active Support” was preached at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, PA on November 6, 2022. You can hear/watch this sermon here, starting at 30:27.

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Scripture Text:
James 5:13-20

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We live in a world where suffering abounds.

It’s sometimes hard to see the light or the hope when faced with this harsh reality, but it is true. We live in a world where suffering abounds.

The pandemic is still raging and its impacts are ongoing. There is war, famine, and forced displacement of citizens. Natural tragedies still rage on all of creation. Across the world and here in Lehigh Valley, children and families do not have access to food, clothing, or shelter. And we can all name someone who is currently experiencing disease, divorce, disaster, disappointment, desperation, or death. Maybe that person is us.

So yeah, we live in a world where suffering abounds.

And if you are anything like me, and I think you are as disciples of Christ, maybe your constant thought… or even prayer… is: Holy God, what am I to do amidst all this suffering?

We are approaching the end of our fall series: Together: Building a Home with God. At this point, we have covered the majority of the marks of memberships as found in our Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order. These are things that are required of us to do as members and disciples of the Church of Jesus Christ.

If anything, this series should have taught us that faith cannot be passive. To be a disciple of Christ, we are called to act and do. Every mark of membership has started with an action verb: demonstrate a new life, study scripture, work in the world, care for creation, support the church, proclaim the good news, live responsibly.

Even today’s theme is a call to action: “Lift One Another up in Prayer, Mutual Concern, and Active Support.”

Faith in and of itself is a call to action. As disciples of Christ, we need an active faith to navigate, heal, and prosper as we live in this world, especially because of all of the suffering.

Our scripture lesson today comes from the Book of James, and James as a Book is all about practical, down to earth, active Christianity. James, who some considered to be the younger brother of Jesus, was one of the first leaders of the early church. What made James unique is he wasn’t so concerned with deep theological truths or complex doctrines. James just wanted the followers of Christ to act; to do something with their faith. Specifically, he looked at what he called the “The Royal Law.” James taught his congregation how to live out Jesus’ words, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Some of James most notable teachings come from chapter two, where he strongly states that faith must be active and it is based on one’s works. James is the one who taught “Faith without works is dead” and one is “justified by works and not by faith alone”.

While some of us like the deep theological truths or complex doctrines – I do! – sometimes all we need is the down to earth, practical, day-to-day wisdom as found in the Book of James. Especially when asking the question: what am I to do amidst all this suffering?

And the end of James’ letter, the passage we heard from today, specifically addresses that question. James chapter 5, the end of his letter, the end of this book, talks to us about caring for the sick and suffering. And not just the strangers on the streets but the sick and suffering right here within our own community of faith. James calls us to care for the neighbors right here next to you. The people who are sitting right next to you in the pews.

Every congregation, including our own, has numerous people who are sick and suffering. I think that number is actually higher than any of us would suspect. We live in a society where even the best-intentioned people feel drawn to be superior over one another. To be honest with our sufferings or to share our vulnerabilities with one another is perceived as an act of weakness. That is true for me, and it is one of my greatest struggles.

But if we cannot name our sufferings with one another, what is even the purpose of being a church? What is the point of calling each other neighbors and friends if we cannot trust each other with the hardships each of us experience? What is the point of belonging to a community of faith if we cannot extend and receive compassion and healing from people who are suffering just like us?

And that’s why we turn to James. He reminds us that every church MUST be a healing community. We must care for the sick and the suffering. We are to pray for them/us. We are to anoint them/us. We are to confess and forgive them/us. We are to bring them/us who have wandered away back to this community to receive compassion and healing once more.

And if we do not care for each other, especially when people are at their lowest and even when they are least deserving of our love, then we have failed the very call to discipleship as a Christian community.

Think of Jesus. He came to live among us to do three great things: to teach, to preach, and to heal. And the three are woven together. Jesus said he was the bread of life because he fed the thousands who were hungry. Jesus said he was the light of the world because he healed the man who was born blind. Jesus said he was the resurrection and the life because he raised Lazarus from the dead. You cannot separate teaching and preaching and healing from one another. And Jesus instructed his disciples – us! – to also be teachers, preachers, and healers. And we can be! We have the power to be!

Because we are all made in the image of God and because God is our ultimate healer, we too ALL have a role as healers. Every one of us has a part to play. And it is the utmost importance that we each be a person of healing toward another in this congregation. Because if I am a healer to you in your suffering, you can be a healer to him in his suffering, and he can be a healer to her in her suffering, and she can be a healer to them in their suffering, and they can be a healer to me in my suffering. The cycle of healing is to be unbroken and infinite.

That is the vision of the Church God has for us.

And healing in a community – in this community – is relational. Healing is the relation of mind, body, and spirit. It in found in our relationships with each other and with God. Healing is connected to prayer.

Some of us have said or done something we regret, and we need to let go and forgive. Through prayer, God calls us to confess.

Some of us are in trouble or are experiencing some kind of difficulty. Through prayer, God calls us to intercede.

Some of us are sick and suffering. Through prayer, God calls us to heal and be healed.

Prayer is used seven times in our passage today. And it is found throughout the entire Bible. Christians are supposed to be people of prayer. That takes time, concentration, focus, and energy. And when prayer becomes an actual spiritual priority, it moves beyond just words and into action.

I’m sure you have noticed my recently shaved head. A few weeks ago, my cousin was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. My cousin is my age, with a newly born baby boy. We have a small family with only 7 of us cousins including me and my two brothers. Growing up, our families were inseparable. While we have gone our own ways in adulthood, that bond will never be broken. His mom, my aunt and Godmother, when she called to tell me of his diagnosis asked for my prayers. Of course, I would add my cousin to my prayers. I would also add his family – my family, our family – to my prayers. My uncle, who is also my cousin’s uncle, organized a fundraiser. $50 would be donated for every person who shaves their head. So that’s what we did. All of us in our family plus many others. And in the last couple of weeks, I have talked with my cousin, my aunt, my uncle, my whole extended family more so than I have this entire year.

Because I’ve learned when you pray for people daily, you also want to chat with them. You find time to check in with them and see how they are doing. At the core of your being, you want to be in relationship with them. To show care and compassion for them. To provide whatever support they may need. And so you do. That is practical, down to earth, Christianity.

So what are we to do amidst all this suffering?

We live an active faith. We pray, we show concern, compassion, and care, and we provide support. We heal and be healed. We trust in a community that receives our own suffering with open arms and loving hearts. We love our neighbors as ourselves.

Will you pray with me?

We confess to you, O God, that our lives are filled with sickness and suffering. We acknowledge that each of us are in need of your healing. Send your Holy Spirit to us and through us. Let us heal and be healed through the presence of Jesus Christ. May we live as your Church, now and forever more. Amen. 

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