Following Jesus

Preached at All Saints Chapel
on 27 June 2010
Proper 8C

Luke 9:51-62 - When the days drew near for him to be taken up, Jesus headed towards Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because he was going to Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

There’s a little song that we sometimes sing called “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” which goes like this…

I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind be, the cross before me,
The world behind be, the cross before me,
The world behind be, the cross before me,
No turning back, no turning back.

This little song speaks of the decision to follow Jesus no matter what; but making the decision to follow Jesus can be difficult. It requires considering all the different influences and priorities and pressures that we face in this life. It requires embracing the notion that Jesus and living in the path of his teachings, is more important in my life than any else in my life. This is not fanaticism, but rather a level of devotion and commitment that says I need to balance my life, and all the other decisions and priorities of my life around Jesus, and what He expects from me, what he has commanded me, what he has taught me.

Making Jesus the center of our lives – not in a fanatical, fundamentalist, guilt-ridden, extremist sort of way, but in a quiet, resolved, joyful, and determined way – can be very powerful, can bring great peace, and can in fact be very liberating; because, as I’ve said, when we decide to follow Jesus – really follow him, we then begin to measure our responses to each and every situation that life presents us, against what Jesus has taught, has commanded and expects.

We see that in the Gospel Lesson today, as several different individuals approach Jesus about following him as one of his disciples; and while the circumstances of each persons life – and Jesus’ response to them – may on the surface appear to be hard and harsh, Jesus is trying to demonstrate through these extremes, the every day struggle we all face when we decide to follow Jesus.

The first person who comes desiring to follow Jesus is told – “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of man has no place to lay his head.” On the surface it appears that Jesus expects this man to live hand to mouth, almost as a homeless person. But is that what Jesus is really saying? On the surface, perhaps, but that places us in the position having to choose between two different extremes. Yes, following Jesus does require great determination and sacrifice and commitment, but does it require us to give up our homes and jobs? No – I don’t think so.

I believe Jesus is trying to demonstrate for us the concept of depending upon him, of relying on him for all we need in life, and to balance the decisions and priorities of our every day life against that thought. He had already said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and everything else you need, will be provided…” I think the more practical application that we can take from this is not to abandon our homes and jobs, but rather to consider how we use our time, how we use our resources, and how we use our talents for God. What are the priorities in our lives – to live comfortably? To amass as many gadgets and gizmos as we possibly can? To keep ourselves entertained and distracted? Or do we measure our goals and priorities against what God expects, and use our time, talents and resources in such a way as to honor him, promote the Gospel, and care for others? Is our life so out of balance that we don’t have time for God and Church, don’t have resources to contribute in order promote the Kingdom of God, and don’t use our talents and gifts for his glory and the welfare of others? We don’t have to face the BIG decision and choose between two extremes, but we do face the every day choices of what is going to keep me from living my life the way God intends for me to live it – honoring him with my time, talents, and resources? Are my priorities aligned with what Jesus expects and am I going to make the every day decisions based not on guilt and fear, but on love and a joyful desire to follow Jesus – first?

The second person comes to Jesus seeking to be a disciple, but asks first to go and bury his father, which seems like a reasonable request. But he hears these words, which again may seem hard and harsh – “Let the dead bury their dead?” In what appears to be an extreme response, Jesus is really saying, “We do what we want to do, any excuse will do.” If indeed this young man’s father was dead, why was he hanging around in town with this crowd, gawking at Jesus, and trying to see what was going on? Why wasn’t he at home, attending to the legitimate needs and concerns of his family? He made the conscious decision to go hang around town, and do his own thing, but when pressed for a commitment and a decision, his reaction essentially was – “Oh, I loved to, but… my father’s dead, so I need to take care of that.”

We do the same thing. We do what we want to do, and when confronted with a decision - if we don’t really want to do something, we come up with what we think is a really good excuse. It’s like two guys who went fishing on a Sunday morning. As they sat in the boat, one guy says, “I feel a little guilty about not going to Church this morning.” The other guy says, “Well… I couldn’t go to Church this morning because my wife was sick.” Hmmm… Couldn’t go to Church, but could go fishing. How many times have we used similar excuses for not doing what we SHOULD do, but then find a way to do what we WANT to do? You get up on Sunday, and one of the kids or grandkids has a headache, so everyone stays home from Church. And, since the decision to stay home from Church has been made, dad decides to leave mom with the sick child and take the others to the park. Or mom decides to leave dad with the child, and take the other kids swimming or shopping. Jesus does not expect us to neglect the legitimate needs and issues in our lives, but he does want us to recognize that we do what we want to do, and any excuse will do in order to justify that choice we make. In deciding to follow Jesus first, we can address the legitimate things and even crises that life throws at us, and do without guilt… but that we also need to recognize that not everything is a crisis nor is everything a reason or an excuse for not doing what we should in following Jesus.

The third person seeking to follow Jesus says, “Let me go home first, and say goodbye to everyone…” to which Jesus responds, “No one who puts their hand to the plow and turns back is fit for the Kingdom of God.” In this extreme response, Jesus is saying, “You can’t go back.” Gosh, does that mean I can’t even say “goodbye” to my family and friends in order to be a disciple? No… Jesus is not saying that. What he is saying, is that once we decide to really follow Jesus, and make him first in our lives, that the conventions and social obligations we place on ourselves take second place. In short, Jesus is addressing the peer pressure, and even family pressure that we often face in our decision making process. This sometimes means that saying “Yes” to Jesus also means saying “No” to family and friends.

When everyone decides to have a birthday party on Sunday morning, or shopping, or a party very late on Saturday, or going to the amusement park or swimming on Sunday instead of Saturday, we are faced with the dilemma of disappointing our family and friends whom we see or disappointment Jesus whom we cannot see. We don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, don’t want to offend anyone, so we go right along with the crowd – be they family or friends. And once we establish that precedent, essentially that Sunday mornings are wide open, and Church and Jesus are optional, we place ourselves in a more difficult position with our family and friends, which it makes it that much harder the next time, to say “No, I’m going to Church.”

But, once we have decided really follow Jesus, not out of guilt or fear, but out of love and a genuine desire to honor him; and we learn to say “No” to our families and friends when what they want interferes with what we need, and we establish the precedent that for example, on Sunday mornings, and even on Wednesdays and other special days – we are going to Church, then our family and friends may not like it at first, but if they truly love you, they will respect that choice you have made. Not as a fanatic, but as a devoted follower of Jesus. Sure, many of your old friends will not understand; and even members of your family will at times question it; but once we make the decision, you can’t turn back.

And if we do try to turn back, then we open ourselves up for another kind of scrutiny – “I thought you had to go to Church?” And we undermine all that we tried to establish in making Jesus first.

These responses of Jesus may seem extreme on the surface, but they reveal something much more common, much more ordinary in how we order our lives, and live our lives for Jesus. If we evaluate our walk with Jesus in light of what he expects, then we will learn to rely on him, trust him, and be and do more of what he wants us to do and be. We will make a difference in this world, which leads us the glory of the next... in heaven.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

My Dad - A Poem for Father's Day

This is a poem I wrote several years ago for my dad. He passed away in October 2009. Happy Father's Day DAD!!!

When I was small,
He seemed so tall,
A giant whose voice
Could be heard by all;
His steps would echo,
His arms so strong,
And nothing he did
Could ever be wrong.
“He’s a genius” I thought,
Way ahead of the crowd,
He was my dad,
And I was so proud.

When I was a teen,
He seemed kind of mean,
Not very smart,
And not very keen;
Yes, he was tall,
But still kind of plain,
No titles or honors
Accompanied his name;
"He's just my dad,"
I would say with a wink,
Now I was the genius,
Or so I did think.

When I was adult,
And my flag I unfurled,
I set our ready
To conquer the world;
As I traveled and studied
And earned my degree,
Something remarkable
Had happened to me;
As titles and honors
To my name I accrued,
True love and respect
For my Dad was renewed.

My dad is much older,
And his age he now shows,
But also his wisdom
And the things that he knows;
I remember the lessons
He once gave to me,
Of hard work, and patience
And honesty;
And I teach these same lessons
To my own little lad,
For time has moved on,
And now I am the dad.

Mark W. Leavell, Th.D.,
Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved

Who Do You Say I Am?

Preached at All Saints Chapel
Proper 7C
20 June 2010

Luke 9:18-24 – Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They answered, "John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God." He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

How many know who George Washington was? How about Woodrow Wilson? Do you know who Booker T. Washington was? How about Fredrick Douglas? Do you know who Babe Ruth was, or Joe DiMaggio or Michael Jordan? How about Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, George S. Patton, or Dwight D. Eisenhower? How about Emilia Earhart, Florence Nightingale, or Susan B. Anthony?

No, this is not a history lesson this morning – for which the kids who just finished another school year are most happy. The names I have mentioned are those of famous men and women; names that we are somewhat familiar with. Most of us know these names, and we may know what they did that made them famous; but whilst we may know their names, know what they did, do we know THEM? Do we really know WHO they were – not just WHAT they were?

Were these famous men and women good people or were they just good at what they did? Besides knowing facts of what they DID, do we know who they WERE – as people, as individuals? Were they arrogant or humble; short-tempered or patient; kind and compassionate or pushy and intolerant? Were they warm and friendly or cold, indifferent and distant? Were the understanding and forgiving or hard and uncaring?

Were they the kind of folks that we would want to have over for dinner as friends, or have over for a dinner party in their honor? Would we want to go fishing or shopping with these famous men and women, or keep your distance, like we do with so many folks with similar characteristics? Are they the kind of folks we could call up and share our concerns, joys, and sorrows, and they in turn give us a cheerful smile or warm embrace, or would we talk about them the way we do so many others?

That’s the problem with historical figures – they are famous for what they did, but often we know so very little of who they were apart from their deeds. For example, we know that Ulysses S. Grant was a great general, a great leader of men, and who rallied the Armies of the Republic to end the War between the States, but he was also a man who drank to excess, chased after women, used the foulest language imaginable, and had little patience for anyone – except himself – even when he was President. Is THAT the kind of person you’d what your daughter to bring home to meet the family as her fiancé? Probably not.

Or how about Babe Ruth – one of the greatest baseball players ever! But did you know he was an orphan, grew up in a catholic orphanage in Maryland, and was famous both as a kid – and an adult – for fighting with anyone and everyone? He also ate like a pig, swore like a sailor, drank like a fish, and smoked like a chimney? Is that the kind of person we would like our son to grow up like? Probably not.

So many famous folks in history sound like the kind of folks we’d like to know, because we know what they DID, and we admire their accomplishments and achievements; but when you look closer, look past what they DID and see who they really WERE – we discover that they were folks just like us – with issues, problems, and bad habits which would make us less than eager to be best friends. Apart from their deeds, they were the kind of folks we usually try to avoid, try to disassociate ourselves from, and tell our kids not to be with or be like. So long as we stay focused on the historical aspects of their life, focus on what they did and not on whom they really were, then we can continue to admire them. We love the history of great men and women… but can do without the humanity of these same great men and women.

Unfortunately, that is how so many folks approach Jesus Christ. They view him from an historical perspective rather than a personal one. They know the historical Jesus – that he was born in a barn, walked on the water, healed the sick, fed thousands from almost nothing, and even raised the dead – but whilst knowing know what he DID – the still don’t know WHO IS. For them, Jesus is the Savior of the World – from an historical perspective, and not from a personal encounter as Savior of their souls.

This lack of the personal encounter with Jesus – the lack of really getting to know Jesus and experience him on a personal, daily basis, is what makes Christianity so difficult for so many. Because they understand the historical, it can all be very dry. They don’t read the Bible because it’s difficult to understand. They don’t go to church because it’s boring. They approach this whole question of Christianity and Jesus Christ as if they were obligated to do so, like a kid going to school and having to sit through History Class. They fail to move beyond the historical and even religious aspects of Jesus, in order to make that personal connection with Christ and experience what he came to share with us.

In today’s Gospel lesson, the Disciples are having the same kind of problem. Jesus wants to know what people are saying about him; who they think he is. Right away, the Disciples start sharing what they’ve heard the people around them saying, referring to the great historical figures that have been mentioned. The people could easily associate Jesus with Elijah, Moses, or some other great prophet of the past, but were having a little difficulty in associating Jesus as anything more than that… more than just another great historical teacher and leader come to share some message of deliverance.

When Jesus asked the Disciples directly who they thought he was, again, they struggled with this question – was he in reality just another great historical and epic figure, or was he more? It is then, during this struggle for an answer, that Peter stands up and declares emphatically - “You are the Messiah of God!”

Peter had begun to make the personal connection with Jesus – not for what he could do, but for who he really was. He had begun to move past the historical to the personal; and THAT my friends, is where we all need to be as well.

It may be well and good that we can recount the details of Jesus’ life, can recall his miracles, and it may be wonderful that we can even recite many of his parables and teachings; but not until we embrace Jesus for WHO his is, and begin to live out the teachings he gave us, that we can fully understand and appreciate and even love this same Jesus Christ on a personal level.

Being a Christian is more than knowing ALL ABOUT Jesus; Christianity is all about KNOWING Jesus – personally.

And when we move from the historical Jesus to the personal Jesus, we then discover the path that God intended for us to follow in order to know real love, real peace, and real joy in our lives – because that is what the personal Jesus brings us when he brings us personal salvation.

And once we establish that personal encounter with the personal Jesus, once we really get to know him, know what who he is, what he expects from those who do know him, then we can more easily hear and apply the lessons he teaches, like the difficult one that we’ve heard today -
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”

For those whose faith is limited to the historical Jesus, these words often seem hard and even harsh; but for those of us who have placed our faith in the personal Jesus, who have made that personal encounter with WHO Jesus IS - these words inspire us to greater devotion, greater service, greater love, and a greater desire to really follow him in the way he has shown us. We WANT to follow him and be with him, so we joyfully do what he expects us to do.

So many folks struggle in their faith journey, especially when they hear words like – commitment, sacrifice, self-denial, taking up the cross, living completely and totally for Jesus each and every day, because they look at Jesus much the same way they look at George Washington or Frederick Douglas or Babe Ruth or Florence Nightingale. They like the historical Jesus and they love the stories, but chafe and struggle at the thought of walking WITH Jesus every day and doing things Jesus’ way.

When we can stand up like Peter, and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah of God – and make it all very personal, then we unlock the door to the salvation that God intended for us to have, which also brings so many other blessings. But these blessings only come when we embrace the expectations; the peace and joy we so desperately seek can only be ours when we allow the historical Jesus to become our personal Jesus – and then pledge ourselves to live for and with this personal Jesus every day.

That was the difference in Jesus’ day as well. There were lots of great prophets and teachers, even those who declared themselves to be the Messiah; but when those disciples embraced WHO Jesus was and not just what Jesus did or could do, they then turned he world upside down and Christianity spread like a wildfire! People could experience God on a real and personal level… not just an historical one or even religious one. That connection – that personal encounter with Christ is what changes lives and can still change the world – in and through us – if we, like the disciples can make that same personal connection with Jesus.

So let me ask you the same question Jesus asked the disciples: “Who do you say that I Am?” Who is Jesus to YOU? Is he the focus of your religion or the focus of your faith? Is he the object of discussion, or the object of devotion? Is he the center of Christianity or the center of your life? Is he just the historical Savior of the world, or is he your personal Lord and Savior? Is he the Head of the Church, or the head of your home and family?

Let me encourage you to allow the Jesus you know with your head, to become the Jesus you know and love with your heart. Make the personal connection to WHO Jesus Christ is, and that will in turn motivate you to make the personal commitment to Jesus; and then – you will begin to experience all that he can DO in your life. Amen.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Forgiven

Preached at All Saints Chapel on 13 June 2010
Proper 6C
(2 Samuel 11:26-12:15 / Galatians 2:11-21 / Saint Luke 7:36-50)

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

To begin my homily this morning, I want each of you to recall in your mind all the money you owe different folks, be it your mortgage, car payments, credit cards, student loans – every penny you owe to anyone on planet earth. Now… if I paid off your mortgage off, paid off your car payment and all your credit card debts, no questions asked – what would your reaction be? Would you be grateful? Would you be my friend? Would you be willing to help me if I needed help with something? Would you remember my birthday? And what if I told you that if you got into financial trouble again I would write another check, and pay it off – no questions asked. What would your reaction be then? Not only are your original debts paid-off, but all your future debts as well.

I dare say you’d be more than grateful, more than willing to be my friend, more than eager to lend me hand and help me with something, and not a single birthday would pass without some token of respect, love, gratitude and appreciation. I would be honored in your life and in your family forever, because I saved you from bankruptcy, made sure you had a place to live, and secured you future by paying off all your debts, and providing for any future problems you may encounter.

Now… I want each of you to think for just a moment of all the bad things you’ve ever done, all the things you may be ashamed of in your life, all the hateful words you may have said, and all the insensitive attitudes and grudges and spiteful things you’ve done to others. Think for just a moment of all the lies you’ve ever told, the curses you’ve uttered, the stupid arguments and fights you’ve had with loved ones, the commandments you may have broken, the hypocrisy you may have demonstrated, and the impatience and unwillingness to treat others as you want to be treated. Think of all the selfish acts, the self-righteous attitudes, the intolerance for others, and even the indifference you may have shown towards God, his Word, and his Church.

Now… ask yourself, if you had to pay $10 a piece for everything on this list, how much would you owe? Ten dollars for every curse, every argument, every lie, every immoral act, every indecent word, every vengeful and hateful act, every commandment you’ve broken, every stupid and shameful thing you’ve ever said, thought, or done – how much would you owe? The total amount due would be pretty staggering, wouldn’t it? If it were due today… could you pay it? There’s no federal bailout money to help you; and no family or friends to help you either – because they all have to pay too. You are on your own with this huge debt. AND unless you pay it, you will be judged and locked up for the rest of your life and then some? What would you do? What could you do?

Now… listen to these words: “If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness.” We often say these words during the Mass as we prepare to confess our sins, but these words are more than just a preparatory phrase for some formal act during worship; but rather, they demonstrate the very heart of God’s grace, God’s love, God’s generosity, and God’s willingness to forgive us – not of just the small things – but of EVERYTHING!

For those of us who claim Christ as Savior, these words mean that God has forgiven all those bad things you were just thinking about that you have done in your life. God has erased all that you would owe if you had to pay $10 for every one of those things on your list. In his goodness, in his generosity, in his compassion, in his mercy, God has declared your account “Paid in Full” because Jesus, by his death and resurrection has paid your account himself. That’s pretty staggering too, isn’t it?

Yet, despite all that God has forgiveness us, we sometimes fail to demonstrate same attitude and same gratitude towards God that we would show towards someone who paid off our mortgage, cars, and credit cards? Understanding just how much God has forgiven us, how much God does for us, how much God provides for us, and how much God is willing to keep doing for us, why do often fail – or refuse – to honor him, and do the precious little he asks in return? Why too, do we often fail to demonstrate this life of forgiveness and grace by refusing to forgive others and extend to them the same level of understanding, patience, and generosity that Christ is trying to communicate to us through what we have read this morning in the Gospel lesson?

Oftentimes, our approach to God and his expectations of us are met with scorn, indifference, flat out refusal, and excuses. Oftentimes when presented with opportunities to serve God and demonstrate our gratitude, our faithfulness, our joy and our love for God by serving him, we grumble or complain.

The one thing about Christianity that distinguishes it from so many other religions is that while there is indeed judgment and punishment for our misdeeds and refusal to obey and comply with God, our faith, and our level of obedience and service and commitment is supposed to be motivated – not by fear – but rather by love and by a sincere, overwhelming sense of gratitude to God for canceling our debts, forgiving our sins, providing for our needs, and assuring us of everlasting life.

Much more can be accomplished with love, gratitude, and enthusiasm as the motivators, than could ever be done through fear and guilt.

The women in the Gospel lesson today did what she did – not out of fear or selfishness – but out of gratitude, humility, and love for Jesus. The Pharisee was motivated by pride, ambition, selfishness, and what others might think of him.

Let me ask you – what is your motivation for doing, serving, giving, and living for Jesus? This is NOT a sermon about giving - as I don't preach on giving. This is a sermon on the Heart. And the question we need to address is this: Is your motivation a genuine and sincere and overwhelming gratitude and love that realizes that IF you had to pay, you couldn’t and that Jesus could and DID?

What motivates your attendance, your giving, your level of participation and service in and through Church? Is it fear – the fear of judgment, the fear of what others might say or think about you? Are you motivated by duty, obligation, pride, ambition or even selfishness? Maybe you lack any real motivation and are just going through the motions.

God has done so much for us. He has forgiven of so much. Shouldn’t we then demonstrate just how grateful we are, and make the decision that we are going to do, serve, give, and live in such a way that honors Christ and recognizes all that God has done and is doing for us?

Today, let these lessons touch your heart, and show you where you might be lacking, where you need to improve, where you need to make some changes – both in your attitude and gratitude towards God and even in your attitude towards others. Let your motivation be love; and in so doing, you will be putting in practice in a practical way the Great Commandments – to love God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love others as much as you love yourself.

This is the key to joyful, grateful, exciting Christianity. Amen.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Signs and Wonders

Preached at All Saints Chapel on the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost
(6 June 2010)

In the Name of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.


In today’s lessons, we see several events that defy all human logic or scientific explanation. Such events are called miracles, because they demonstrate the power of God.

In the First Lesson, God miraculously demonstrates his power to provide by providing Elijah a place to stay; and then demonstrates his power to provide and sustain for this widow woman and her son by providing them with enough to eat during a severe drought and famine. God then demonstrates his power over life and death when, through the Prophet Elijah, he raises the widow’s dead son back to life. That’s pretty impressive stuff, isn’t it!

Then in the Gospel Lesson, we see even more impressive stuff – when Jesus himself demonstrates his power as God’s Son, by raising another widow’s son back to life. What is striking about these miracles is not that they happened, but the reaction of the people in response to each of these miracles. Let’s take a closer look.

In Elijah’s miracle concerning the grain and oil, which kept them all fed and alive during a severe drought, there was little or no recorded reaction from the widow; it’s as if she just expected it to happen, almost taking it for granted that every day, there’d be enough to eat. She went about her daily life, business as usual, cooking and preparing meal after meal, without an apparent second thought to the fact that there would be enough grain and oil for that day.

But then something happens that does cause a reaction – her son dies. Her reaction was a lot different. She begins to blame Elijah and even God, for allowing it to happen. It is not until Elijah raises her son back to life, that she is prepared to recognize God’s power, when she says, “NOW I know that you are a man of God, and the word of God in your mouth is true!”

Never mind that she’s been eating and surviving for years, blessed by the same power and word of God to miraculous fill her stomach. It’s not until she sees something really spectacular that she believes.

The same thing happens when Jesus raises the man back to life. There Jesus is, preaching, teaching, healing, walking on water, feeding thousands from almost nothing, and a hundred other amazing things. Yet it is not until he raises this dead man back to life, that the people are ready to declare, “A great prophet has risen among us!”

I guess if you’re a prophet or even the preacher or teacher, and you want to be taken seriously by people, you have to do something really dramatic, almost miraculous, like raising people back to life, before people will really believe in the power of God, or in the Word of God. That is exactly what is happening in these two stories.

The widow in the first lesson was completely unimpressed by the fact that God was providing for her needs each and every day. Was it was a miracle that she was being fed? Yes… but just an ordinary, everyday kind of miracle – and she missed it! She overlooked the everyday miracles, and failed to see the power of God at work in her life. It is not until something spectacular, something flashy and amazing – like raising her son back to life – that she recognizes and acknowledges God’s power and God’s provision in her life. The same thing happened to Jesus!

People are impressed by the flashy, the glamorous, the spectacular, the grandstanding and mega events, and the really BIG miracles. Most people overlook the little miracles that take place in their lives each and every day that speak to the power of God, and his ability to provide for us and take care of us. They live like the widow, almost feeling entitled to these every day miracles, without even the slightest recognition of the power of God, or the provision of God in their lives.

Many people go about their daily lives with barely the first thought of God. They seem to take it all for granted… or even have the expectation that God’s power and provision is some sort of right. Many people go about their daily lives as if God owed them something… without giving God any acknowledgment, thanks or praise; and this entitlement mentality as crept into people’s attitude towards the Church. They expect the Church to be all and do all these things, provide programs, feed them, care for them, entertain them, and be available 24-7 to respond like a combination ambulance service and social services department – as if it were owed to them – as if it were an entitlement.

It’s because, by and large, as modern Christians, we have become Consumers of Religious Goods and Services and essentially abandoned the Scriptural model of being Producers of Good Works and Makers of more Disciples. We are Consumers instead of Producers; and we fail to recognize and respond to the power of God in our lives, fail to recognize the every day miracles all around us… and we clamor and demand and expect more and more and more from God, and even from his Church – without the slightest thought or desire to surrender to God, to devote ourselves to God, and to live our lives for God, or demonstrate our faith in God in and through his Church.

Our approach to Faith, and God, and his Church are the similar to our approach to how we shop, which store we like, or which restaurant we choose. So long as the store or restaurant has the right selection, good environment, good service, and friendly staff – we will continue to patronize that store or restaurant, and even encourage others to go there. And, so long as the Church has good programs, a comfortable environment, excellent services and entertainment, and a friendly staff, we will continue to go there and even invite our friends. So long as God is providing our basic needs in a timely way, and not imposing too many expectations on us, then we are happy to be Christians. See the similarities? That is the thinking of a Consumer, not a Producer; because at the heart of it is ME – what I want.

I want a thick steak. I want a new sweater. I want to feel good when I leave Church. I want a good program to be provided for ME and my kids… instead of “How can I help develop a good program for OUR kids and the Families of OUR neighborhood?”

And we go on every day, and so long as we have a job, or a little money in the bank, or a decent place to live, or plenty to eat, or enough time to do what we want when we want, then God is really good. We feel good about God, feel good about Faith, feel good about the Church. We sing a little louder, say “Amen” a little stronger, shake hands with the preacher a little longer, and content our selves with that smug sophistication of a good shopper, that we’ve made the right choice in choosing God, choosing faith, and choosing to be a part of his Church.

However, when we lose our job, or are running a little short on cash, or struggling to make ends meet, or struggling in our relationships, or our kids get in trouble, or the car breaks down again, or someone gets sick, or even when someone close to us dies… then suddenly God is a toad, Jesus is a fraud, the Bible is a lie, the Preacher is a jerk, and the Church doesn’t care about anything but my money, has too many expectations, doesn’t appreciate me, and doesn’t give me that warm and fuzzy feeling that I used to get and need to have in order to assure me that all this religion, faith, Jesus, God, and Church stuff is really right and really real.

Remember the lessons… So long as he widow was eating, she was happy and content… almost complacent about the power of God that was being manifest right in front of her eyes each and every day. But… the moment her son died, she started blaming God and calling the prophet names.

If people really recognized God’s work and God’s power that is manifest in their lives each and every day; if people were really thankful and aware of how much God takes care of them each and every day; if they saw the everyday miracles all around them – even when things are tough, when life kicks you in the teeth, then they’d stop finding fault with the Church, stop belly-aching about God, stop griping about the preacher, stop grumbling about what they don’t have, and stop murmuring about things they don’t like such as obedience, devotion, commitment, and responsibility. If we would recognize the every day miracles all around us, then we’d start living as Producers of Good works and Makers of more Disciples, instead of living as Consumers of Religious Goods and Services. We’d live for God each and every day – completely and totally and without any hesitation or any apology – even when faced with life’s uncertainties, difficulties, illnesses, and even death.

This gratitude, this contentment, and this recognition of the provision and power of God in all the little miracles that we experience in our daily lives, would express itself in a renewed devotion to that same God, a cheerful willingness to do what he expects us to do, and a joyful service as a true disciple and follower of Christ in and through His Church; and we would work to make a difference in the world around us.

We wouldn’t need to be constantly amazed and bedazzled by the spectacular, the flashy, the exciting, the entertaining. We’d live in that quietly assured and contented place, confident of God’s love and care for us. It would change our lives, and motivate us to lead others to experience and share it as well.

The point of these two lessons, I believe, is to make us aware of just how selfish and even short-sighted we sometimes are, concerning God’s power and provision in our lives; and to help us see the signs and wonders that fill every moment of every day in our lives.

For example, it was a miracle that we all woke up from sleep this morning. Think about that… God could have allowed each and every one of us to die in our sleep last night. But have we thanked him for bringing us in safety to this new day, or did we just grump around in our usual morning way, without a second thought to the alternative of not being alive?

Every breath we take is a miracle from God the Creator. Think about that… the exact mixture of oxygen in the atmosphere, the proper breathing apparatus in our chests which enable us to consume and exchange this oxygen, and fill our bodies with the breath of life. It’s a miracle, for God holds your next breath in his hand.

And consider this… despite the tough economy and bad times we all face, not a single person here is starving to death this morning. Sure, we may be ready to each lunch again, but we’re not really hungry… not really starving to death. God has provided us with so much wonderful and different kinds of food, and we abuse our bodies with so much over consumption.

Yet, whilst we fill our guts, we grumble when there isn’t any more pie or cake, or we don’t have the right brand of cookies in the cupboard, or the meat isn’t tender enough to our taste, or the bread is a little stale, or the coffee is too strong, or there’s no sugar for my coffee. My friends, it’s a miracle that we even have food.

And think about this… look into the face of that little person in your life, that you call son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter; and consider the miracle of life itself. Consider for a moment, how God created us in his own image; gave us souls; and breathed into us the breath of life. And despite the difficulties that arise when trying to raise that little person, think of all the love and joy and wonder that little person brings to your life… and just how empty your life would be without them. Their life is a little miracle… and as they grow and learn, your life will be blessed by all the other miracles that will follow…. When they learn to count, when they bring you that first dandelion flower, when they reach up and take your hand as you cross the street, and run to you with arms wide open for the best hug in the world.

My friends, we are surrounded by miracles from God’s hand… each and every day… from the sunrise each morning, to the birds singing in the trees, to the clouds floating over head, to the rain that waters our gardens and yards, to the strength we have in our bodies – despite the aches and pains, to work, and play, and enjoy this miracle we call life.

And yet, on top of all this, there is one more miracle that we so often take for granted… the miracle that Saint Paul talks about in the second lesson today – how God because of his love, saves our souls through the power of Christ. That is the miracle of all miracles…. That we, the rebellious and hardheaded children of God should still taste eternal life through the merits of Christ and the salvation he Jesus brings us.

So don’t wait for the spectacular response to some crisis in your life before you are willing to recognize God’s power and provision. Don’t wait for some grandiose demonstrations of God’s power before you are willing to give in to God and sing his praises.

Don’t be a greedy, selfish, demanding, ungrateful, and indifferent consumer of all that God has provided – including spiritual things. Chose to live each and every moment praising Him for the signs and wonders he performs all around us... each and every day. Discover the joy and wonder of God’s hand at work in the world around us, and let that joy and wonder motivate you to a truer, deeper love and devotion that finds its expression as a Producer of good works in God’s Name.

And when life does get tough… and it will and does… you’ll be better able to cope with it because you’ve placed your confidence in the miracle working wonder God, and in his Son – Jesus Christ our Lord.

Signs and wonders… they’re all around us, if we will but open our eyes and take them all in… instead of taking them all for granted. Amen.