Sermon for Proper 9B
Judy
Dear Friends,
This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Troublesome People” or “Like Water off a Duck’s Back!” and deals with all the lessons. Here it is:
Happy 4th of July week-end! If you went to the fireworks last night or had people at your house, I’ll bet you encountered some troublesome people either coming or going. If you tried to sleep last night, I’ll bet you heard some terrible people with 3 AM firecrackers and 4 AM gun shots! This morning we heard of one of the more painful times in Jesus’ life. He went back to his hometown, Nazareth, probably to see his family and close friends- especially those he’d grown up with. He had preached, healed, and done other wonderful works for strangers; and for quite a while he’d probably longed to go home and reach out and touch those he had loved since childhood, but it wasn’t to be. Instead of welcoming him home, their response was- “Who does he think he is?!” Isn’t he just Mary’s son” (not naming his father- thus signifying his was an illegitimate birth)? “Isn’t he just a carpenter? Who is he that we should listen to him?” In fact, the Gospel of Luke tells how they got so mad when he preached that they tried to throw him over the cliff and kill him. What a disappointing, sad reception! Jesus had his share of dealing with difficult people, and so do we. That’s what I’d like us to think through this morning. If we are going to be true to our Lord, how does Jesus want US to deal with the difficult people in our lives?
Did you hear the story of Old Fred, who was in the hospital and desperately ill? All his family and friends were gathered around his bedside. Realizing how serious the situation was, they sent for his pastor. As his pastor said the prayers for the dying, Fred suddenly started to motion for something to write on and with, so his wife handed him a piece of paper and a pencil. He wrote quickly, handed the pastor his note, laid back with a loud sigh, and died. At the funeral, Fred’s pastor realized he was wearing the same jacket he had worn in the hospital, so the pastor put his hand in his jacket pocket and retrieved the note, written by his dying friend. He told the congregation what had happened, and then what a great Christian man Fred had been. “I know,” said the pastor, “whatever brother Fred wrote will enlighten and strengthen us.” Opening the note, he read aloud, “Help! You're standing on my oxygen hose!” Talk about troublesome people! So who are the troublesome people in your life, and how do you deal with them?
Our Old Testament lesson was about David, who became Israel’s mightiest king. You can bet David had troublesome people in his life! Before David became king, he was hired by King Saul to play music on his harp to soothe Saul’s nerves. Do you recall how, one day as David was playing- doing the king a favor yet- Saul threw his spear at David, barely missing him? Maybe the troublesome people in your life are those you originally tried to help, as David tried to help King Saul. Or perhaps they are people who have power over you, like a boss or a social worker, who use their power to misuse you- again as King Saul did to David.
The epistle is part of a very painful letter St. Paul wrote to his Corinthian church. Some members of this church considered themselves such “super-Christians” that they thought they knew everything. They even questioned Paul’s authority as a bishop. Maybe the troublesome people in your life are “know-it-all Christians” who lecture you and tell you that you’re going to hell if you don’t believe exactly as they say you should. Remember, the Episcopal Church is a thinking person’s church. Jesus died to take away your sins, not your mind.
We mentioned the gospel earlier- when Jesus’ own family and close friends refused to accept him. In fact, as you recall- a bit earlier in Mark’s gospel we hear how Jesus’ mother Mary and his brothers had come while he was preaching to take him home, because they thought he was crazy. Perhaps the troublesome people in your life are people in your own household or some of your most trusted friends.
So how should we handle such people? Take Jesus’ advice. His culture said, “Shake the dust off your feet.” Our culture means the same thing, but puts it this way: Let their insults be like water off a duck’s back. Give them to God, love them, keep praying for them, and keep your own life on track.
Evil temptations to avoid:
- REVENGE: you’ve heard, “I don’t get mad; I get even.” That’s for the devil’s folks, not us- because we’re on God’s side. No revenge.
- BITTERNESS: exactly whom are you trying to hurt. A poisoned spirit only hurts YOU! Don’t dwell on the evil that people have done to you. Instead, focus on how you have remained a free-spirit in the Lord.
- MOODINESS: You know how Bill+ and I frequently used to go out to lunch together. I remember us having a new but rather nice young waitress. When we commented on how pleasant she had been, she responded, “You’re lucky I didn’t wait on you yesterday! I was in a terrible mood!” Don’t be like that! A bad mood is not an excuse; but it is the devil’s playground. Control your moodiness, and see the doctor if you can’t. Stay positive.
- QUITTING: Jesus didn’t quit, he tried again in the next town...and the next town...and the next...and the next- until he finally ended up on the cross. Don’t quit.
- SELF-DOUBT: Again- Jesus could have believed them and started to doubt himself. You are made in the image of God. Error-analyze what you’re doing, and then keep on keeping on.
And how do you have the power to do these things? Some of our members have had absolutely terrible things happen to them. Two members have lost nephews and one member lost a brother to homicide! How do you not let this destroy your life? Did you hear the prayer someone prayed? “Dear God, so far today I've done all right. I haven't gossiped. I haven't lost my temper. I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent. I'm very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on, I'm probably going to need a lot of help. Amen.” How can you possibly give the troublesome people in your life to God, love them, keep praying for them, and keep your own life on track? Paul has the answer in our epistle today. We heard him quote God’s promise (as true for us as it was for Paul): “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2nd Corinthians 12: 9a). We can’t control how troublesome people treat us, but we most surely can control how we respond. Did you notice the thought for the week: “Be fishers of men (and women and children). You catch ‘em; God will clean them.” Don’t worry how much cleaning some of these troublesome people will require. Just give them to God- they ARE his business. 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