Sermon for Easter 2B
Judy
Dear Friends,
This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Doubting Thomas” or “Out of Sight- Out of Mind” or “Your Mother’s Faith Won’t Save You” and deals with the all the lessons. Here it is:
Happy Easter! Yes, it’s still the Easter season and will be for 43 more days. As you recall, last Sunday I reminded us that this is a Good Friday world, but the Easter promise is that God has already overcome. In this world of difficulties, fear, frustration, and death- it looks like evil has the last word- but it doesn’t, because the Lord has overcome. In the middle of the mess, Jesus calls our name like he called Mary’s Magdalene’s name; takes us by the hand; and walks us through it. By God’s grace, there is absolutely no situation so hopeless that God cannot use it to empower us and glorify himself. Even death itself is swallowed up in victory, because it is the gateway to heaven. Yes, that’s God’s Easter promise to us.
This last week really pointed up the Good Friday reality of our world. Two murder victims are in the bulletin- one from Saginaw and one (family of one of our members) from out-of town; more shootings by police officers of unarmed African-American men; and the list goes on and on. All of these people were younger than I am; many are younger than most of you are. We really don’t expect someone younger than we are to die, but no one has a claim on life. Not one of us, even the youngest child, has even the slightest idea about how much longer we have of this life (I just did a memorial service for a 48 year-old father/grandfather)- which brings us to the point of this sermon. It’s not just Thomas- each one of us absolutely must develop our own personal relationship with Jesus. Each one of us absolutely must put our money where our mouth is and walk with God. Your mother’s faith won’t save you- only a faith of your own is enough to get you through the hard times and on to eternal life with our Lord.
I’ve mentioned this before, but it really made an impression on me. Some time ago, I mentioned how ghastly it was for Judas to betray Jesus, then asked if it’s possible for people today to betray Jesus, and if so- how. One of our very perceptive members quickly answered- “Oh sure- out of sight; out of mind!” Do you know, that person was right! The opposite of faith is NOT doubt; it’s indifference- an attitude of “I don’t care” or “I’m too busy to bother with Jesus and church right now.” Then when the hard times come (as they come to everyone), we haven’t developed the spiritual relationship with our Lord to survive with power. How do you protect yourself? Here are four ways- each one from the Bible lessons today.
FROM THE ACTS LESSON- don’t be stingy and let money and possessions be your god. You can’t take it with you, and they wouldn’t do any good anyway! Did you hear of the man who figured out a way to get his gold to heaven? As he walked in those gorgeous gates dragging his huge stock of gold, the angels just shook their heads. “The very streets are paved with gold up here!” they said. “Why in the world would that foolish man drag in more paving bricks?!” Your money and possessions won’t save you; only your faith and absolute trust in the living Lord will.
FROM THE PSALM- don’t let squabbles between family members get you down and poison your spirit. There are two problems with family- we don’t get to choose them and they usually know us well enough to really pull our chains! Give them to God and forgive.
FROM THE 1ST JOHN LESSON- live what you believe. If you’re not living it, you really don’t believe it. Actions speak louder than words.
FINALLY, FROM JOHN’S GOSPEL- don’t make Thomas’ mistake. Do you know what it was? If he had been with the fellowship of disciples on Easter day, he would have seen Jesus too. Keep the Sabbath- don’t miss church. Our culture has six days (plus the powerful tool of the television set) to tattoo its values of me, my, mine and buy, buy, buy into your very soul. Let God undo the damage and give you an attitude adjustment every Sunday. What frequently happens to AA members when they stop going to meetings? What frequently happens to Weight Watcher members when they stop going to meetings? The same thing happens to Christians when they stop going to church- out of sight, out of mind- and they slowly drift away from their source of power. The trouble is- the drifting happens so gradually we don’t notice it- like the frog and the boiling water. If that frog started to jump in the pot, he’d sense the danger as soon as his little toe touched the edge and he’d escape. If, however, he starts in the pot and then the water gradually comes to a boil, he doesn’t notice the danger and the next thing you know- he’s frog stew.
As we prayed in this morning’s collect, may God empower us to show forth in our lives what we profess in our Easter faith. Amen.
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org .
Blessed preaching,
Judy Boli
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw, Michigan