The Core of Construction sermon 3-20-2011

Recently, the difficulties and dangers of  Japan’s nuclear power plants after an earthquake rocked the region have prompted the US media to talk about our own nuclear plants.  Are they really safe, what happened at Three Mile Island, and why did the Japanese build near an earthquake fault line?

Last week we talked about the solid rock of a love relationship with Jesus as the only wise way to build a lasting faith life.  Jesus’ words were about salvation, but we made application to how we must found our spiritual lives after we accept Christ.  We also talked about how a life so built would be able to withstand the rains of temptation, the tsunamis of our past sins, and the buffeting winds of change that blow upon all of us.

This week we want to continue to use a current event in Japan to remind us of how we must live our lives as those founded upon the right foundation.

First, a solid foundation will allow a building to fulfill its purpose.  Japan’s Fukushima power plant was not built as a monument to technology or to industry.  It was not built because a bunch of Japanese needed a job and were put to work.  It was built to fulfill a specific purpose: Provide electricity.  We also as Christians can fulfill a specific purpose if we’re founded upon the Rock.  There are several purposes mentioned in Scripture for a Believer, but here are three that I think are powerful.  First, we are called-even predestined-to be like Christ.  Rom. 8:29 talks about how we were predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ before the world even began.  Knowing who would accept Christ, God set it up that we would then go on to be like Christ.  Secondly, in I Corinthians 1:2, it says we are called to be saints.  Our purpose is to be set apart to glorify and serve Christ!  And we are called to be holy and blameless according to Ephesians 1:4, a text full of wonderful instructions about our personal and corporate purpose as a Christian.

These things deal with our personal purpose as a Christian.  When we consider our “together” purpose as a body of Believers, we realize that we can’t be effective as a church if we aren’t right as individuals.  Ephesians 4:2 says that we are to be completely humble and that we are to bear with each other in love!  I know there are people in every church that are tough to work with.  They say things that sound critical.  They aren’t easy to work with.  Their personality is sorta offputting.  But we are to bear with these folks.  As is the case in so many circumstances of the Christian life, love must be the rule.  A further instruction comes from Rom. 12:3.  It says we are to have a realistic view of ourselves.  A realistic view means that we shouldn’t think more highly of ourselves than we ought, and it means that all of my brothers and sisters in Christ are therefore teamates on a level playing field; we have all been saved by His grace and not by any merit of our own. 

Second, a solid foundation will allow a building to provide a service and meet a need.  The nuclear power plants in Japan exist to provide reliable and inexpensive electricity.  When I lived in Brazil, it wasn’t uncommon to hear a RAH!  in the town when the power would suddenly go out.  At around 6 pm or so, a large amount of people were taking showers, and since the hot water was electric, it would often cause the power to fail for a few minutes. Once we are founded upon the Rock, we will be able to serve others and meet needs as well.  One thing we are certainly to be doing is making disciples.  Mark 16:15  commands us to go out and make disciples.  Another way in which we can be meeting needs is to participate in strengthening the body; helping to teach the Word by words and deeds, and by encouraging those around us.  Ephesians 4:12 and 29 talk about this, and hold up as a goal the unity and maturity that are to be the marks of a Godly church.  What a way to serve others, by contributing to their maturity by building them up in grace!

Third, a solid foundation will allow a building to withstand meltdown and guard against potential harm toward others.  In Japan, there is potential to spread radiation to many citizens and harm an important piece of infrastructure- hopefully that won’t happen.  If we are rightly built on the Rock, we’ll be able to avoid meltdown in the body of Believers, and avoid harming the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  I John 4:19 states that real love exists because He first loved us.  Remembering this will orient our vertical relationship correctly with Jesus.  This relationship will keep us from being motivated by selfish ambition (Don’t you realize who I am at this church?), holding up tradition over Spirit-led living (We have always done it that way!), and the temptation to set an old wrong right by having our own way in a situation (that person wasn’t treated right back then, so…).  Similarly, we can have a good horizontal relationship going with God’s people when we submit to one another.  That’s the command in Eph. 5:21.  Just before the specific instructions for husbands and wives in ch. 5, is the simple but profound individual command to submit to each other.  You don’t have to be a pastor to realize that this command is ignored many times to great detriment in the church.   What a simple thing to say, but a difficult thing to do!   Oh, if God’s people would only submit to each other out of reverence for Christ!  The heartache that would be avoided, the integrity of God’s work that would be maintained, the meltdown of churches that would have never happened!  We all know plenty of stories about how this command is ignored.  Unfortunately, full-time Christian servants end up bearing the awful brunt of these difficulties.  They are like the “Fukushima fifty”, those engineers, scientists, and plant worker heroes that are exposing themselves to radiation to protect their fellow citizens!   We also can avoid damage to others’ faith by living with integrity for the Lord.  Paul speaks to Timothy of those in the church who shipwrecked their faith by abandoning faith and a good conscience (they kept on sinning).  Paul also speaks of the anticipation of crowns for Godly living and service.  When we don’t  live as Christians in an overt way, we can’t expect to receive a crown.  So, the idea is to avoid causing shipwreck and avoid being a covert, innefective Christian.  There was video of helicopters in Japan dropping water on the Fukushima reactor to cool it.  Much of the water dissipated before ever getting to its target.  That can be like our testimonies; they are there, but they thin out in the air of everyday life.

Christian, live out your purpose now that you’re founded upon the Rock!   It’s great to build your faith life so that it is incorruptible, now live it out as an incorrigible follower of Christ, fulfilling your great purpose as an individual and as part of the church!

Torrid Waters, Solid Ground sermon, 3-13-2011

It seems that no natural disaster lives in the popular imagination like a tsunami.    Especially after the amazing footage we witnessed with the Indonesia disaster when tens of thousands or more were swept out to sea.  Maybe it’s the contrast between the destructive power of water and the way it’s a part of the beautiful scenery that we enjoy and the fun we have boating, swimming, or waterskiing.

These days we are seeing its destructive powers on display again in Japan.  Filthy, debris-filled waters flowing across fields and roads carrying houses, cars, and rubbish.   Anyone can see an even more dramatic effect of the power of water when they visit the Grand Canyon.

Water and its power to destroy and threaten is also a powerful Bible motif.  In Genesis, the flood is God’s judgment and it comes upon the whole earth, extinguishing all life except what is preserved on the ark-a picture of salvation.  In the flood, salvation is pictured as by God’s grace through faith.  The Red Sea crossing by the Israelites is another powerful Bible story.  Salvation was accomplished by God’s grace through faith.  Look at Matthew 7:24-27.  It’s a story related by Jesus using common weather scenarios that everyone could understand, and it spells out the dangers of water and wind and offers a wise way to withstand it.  In the passage, Jesus has just explained (7:21-23) that not all who speak and act in God’s name will join Him in eternity.  He was saying that it’s not enough to do good, moral things in the name of God.  It’s not enough to live life having a logical, rational worldview that there is a benevolent, creative force up there and that Someone demands that we be good.  No, Jesus says, the truly wise man not only hears what God reveals about Himself, but acts upon it in obedience.  This is what Noah and Moses did, the two players in the events mentioned above.  In Heb. 11:7 and 26, both men are praised for hearing God’s instructions and commands, exercising faith (taking God at His Word), and continuing on by remaining faithful to see God’s work completed (heir of righteousness, looking to the reward).

Jesus is talking in Matt. 7 about salvation.  But I believe an effective application can be made to Christians when it comes to the principle of wise building.

Here are some observations about Christians who build their daily lives on the rock of a love relationship with Jesus:

They can withstand the rains of temptation.  Temptation takes many different forms and comes at us on many different occasions.  Let’s consider three types of temptation: Questions, propositions, and passions.  Questions come into our hearts and minds about the truths of God’s promises.  Just like the Devil put the question to Eve of “Did God really say…”, we too have to resist the temptation of questioning the truth of God’s promises.  “Propositions” means the subtle suggestion that what I choose to look at, play at, or spend time doing is harmless to me and others because it involves my mind and not my actions.  And “passions” I think, is the ever-present temptation to insist on my rights, my just rewards, and the respect and regard that I deserve.  This focuses our attention on “number one” and not on others. 

Christians can withstand the floods of sinful consequence.  Guilty feelings and bitter, angry emotions about our past missteps and the wrong choices of others threaten to eat us alive.  The images from Japan of mucky waters full of floating debris serve as a good metaphor for the way in which the past can inundate and threaten to harm us.  Here comes a neighbor’s recliner into the yard of your life.  It reminds you of hateful words between you and a loved one years ago in a living room, and how that exchange has shaped your relationship ever since.  Now there’s a car from a nearby parking lot coming toward you.  It reminds you of how someone ran over your innocence once, and it can never recover.  In another corner of the yard of your life stands what’s left of an old bureau with a mirror on top.  When you look in the mirror, you’re reminded of how you are utterly unable to be the person God wants you to be; you’re a failure, prone to repeat the same nagging sins that seem to have been with you forever.

Christians who are founded upon the rock can withstand the winds of change.  Ephesians warns about the winds of change in doctrine, but there are also changes that whip into our lives and threaten to blow us away.  Health changes and we don’t feel as good as we used to.  Relationships change so that the son or daughter who would listen to us before, has decided that the old wisdom just isn’t cutting it anymore.  And jobs change, paying us less than we feel we’re worth, and with hours that are slowly battering away at our energy and youth.  Our emotions change a lot.  Sometimes we don’t feel saved and we think that maybe God is so far away that we may never rediscover Him.

As the faithful heroes of old did, we must act in faith, taking God at His Word and claiming His promises.  That is what it means to build our Christian lives upon the rock that is Jesus Christ.  That means that we turn our eyes on Jesus and open up His Word.  His promises and the revelations we find about His character and His great love for us will allow us to withstand the constant rains of temptation, remain firm in our faith even when Satan wants us to believe we are a failure, and stand firm when buffeted by the winds of change.

If we don’t found ourselves on the Rock of a love relationship with Jesus Christ we will be swept away by the rain, floods, and winds.

PScott

Valentine Valet

We were given an ’89 Skidoo snowmobile.  It had plenty of life left in it and formed the perfect starter snowmobile for my 13-year old son.  The seat needed some work, however.  It was ripped, cracked, and foam was showing through, spoiling an otherwise perfectly good winter toy.

Like many wise Mainers, in seeking to fix the defects I turned to the great practical wisdom of my forefathers.  I utilized something that Ben Franklin his own necessity is the mother of invention self would have appreciated.  I’m refering of course to Duct Tape.  Rolls of it.  An otherwise backwoods snowmobile can be turned into something acceptable with the right Duct Tape artistry.  You’ll have the mutual respect of all (3.5) good, frugal Mainers who make do with their old Skidoos no matter what the condition.

However, I left one little flap of dilapidated vinyl unsecured and that was all it took for our dog Daisy to exploit.  She had little bits of foam and vinyl all over the yard in no time.  It was a mess.

Solomon’s wedding-day vehicle had no such defect.  In Song Ch. 3:6 we read about the warrior-guarded, luxury-appointed limocouch that spirited Solomon to his beautful bride on their wedding day.  I don’t know about you, but I was sputtered to my wedding day in a ’62 Chevy II.

His vehicle was guarded by mighty men, was decked out with cedar, gold, silver, and purple fabric, and it even smelled good!

How’s our marriage vehicle?  Do we take time to adorn the way in which our marriage moves with gilded accents, with the aroma of fine woodcraft, or with luxurious fabric?

I’m reminded of the different love languages at this point.  Do we spend time with her; simply listening to what is important in her world?  Do we make a point of complementing him on a job well done, or a task done without prompting?  Have we simply gone out and gotten a gift for them for no reason at all?

Solomon’s ride was guarded by mighty men.  They were not sauntering along knawing on Bubblelicious or texting their friends.  Their swords were at their sides and they knew how to use them.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they could’ve pulled off a Clint impersonation if someone had illicitly approached:  “You feelin’ lucky today?”

Do we guys station mighty men around the vehicle that is our marriage?  We should post Integrity, Selflessness, Impulse to Flee, and Loving Example all around and keep them sharp.

We need to be alert to flapping fabrics that might lead to damage of our marriage vehicle.  Unguarded flirtations, compromised thought lives, and just plain indifference are potential hazards.  Our vehicles can be repaired by possessing a renewed spirit, reading God’s Word, and allowing our eyes to be opened to our God-given roles and their crucial importance.  And that’s a lot stronger than Duct Tape!

America Won’t Run Over Dunkin’

I feel it is my civic duty to point out that workers who are trying to bring better roads to Maine and the nation must be protected.  Driving in Lewiston, Maine the other day, I noticed someone walking down a busy street near a road-construction zone carrying a box of Dunkin Donut Munchkins. There was no sidewalk and she was walking the wrong way, too.   I also noticed that people were more than polite to give her a wide berth and didn’t indulge in any sub-standard driving.  In fact, I noticed drivers being extra careful to avoid running over a pedestrian in their rush to get to Dunkin’ Donuts… Ah-I mean-work.
Since America supposedly runs on Dunkin’, I propose doing something for our  many road-construction people faithfully holding up traffic all over this great land. 

The most basic improvement necessary is the replacement of orange construction cones with a simple box of donuts. 

After all, people carelessly brush and sometimes even run over on purpose those conical clones.  No one in their right mind would run over a box of cream-filled, glazed, and chocolate donuts.  Unless of course, they were eating a cream-filled donut and that free-fall filling came squirting out onto their lap-or holy cruller-their Blackberry! 
This measure would not only cut down on the sky-rocketing cost of cones, but ensure that our road-construction comrades would be safer.
The other measure is one of simple scare tactics.  I believe that an appropriate message-and by that I mean one that will frighten the fruit filling out of people-will be all that is necessary to curb dangerous driving around these public servants.
I propose outfitting every worker with orange shirts that have white lettering on the front and back that says:

IF YOU SO MUCH AS CREATE AN UNREASONABLE BREEZE AROUND ME YOU WILL BE BANNED FOR LIFE FROM DUNKIN DONUTS IN ALL 50 STATES AND IN EVERY COUNTRY THAT HAS THEM

I believe the extensive lettering required to do this would be more than worth it when it comes to preserving the life of our fellow-Americans.

To glaze over these two common-sense ideas would be a slam dunk for the powdered sugar-induced decay that has set in on our driving habits in these sensitive zones.

This concept strikes me as especially necessary in Massachusetts.  Not only is there construction in the Boston area 365 days a year, 24 hours a day for approximately 378 years now, but there is a Dunkin’ Donuts every 425 feet.  Couple this knowledge with the caffeine and cakey consistency of their driving habits, and well, potential havoc awaits.  I have it on good (my own) authority that several workers have been hit by inattentive drivers as they went about their business.  Maybe that’s where the idea for Boston Creme came from…
I will be dutifully submitting my ideas to the legislative branch of this great country.  After I go get a vanilla cream-filled donut.
pScott

Accented Path

I took some time last week to go to the local lookout spot.  It’s a little cliff called Barry’s Ledge, and the trail to it winds through the typical Maine woods kinda beauty and corkscrews around to the top which is maybe 7 or 8 hundred feet high.  Toward the top in a stand of Hemlocks, was a beautiful red Maple being struck by the afternoon light.  What a contrast and what a reminder of why I love the Maine woods-especially in Fall.  On the brown trail were occasional red leaves that gave a great contrast to the pine- needle- blanketed trail. 

God showed me in that moment of hiking and photographing that the trail of life was much like the one before me. 

The red leaves reminded me of how at intervals Christ’s blood can make the trail before me one of victory, assurance, and rest.  Victory because when I am tempted in some way, remembering Christ’s sacrifice causes me to contemplate the love that made that happen.  Assurance because in times of doubt and downheartedness, I remember that Christ’s sacrifice placed me in the heavenlies and gave me a pure heart.  And rest, because when I am unable to be all that I should be, I am forgiven; my sins separated from me as East is from West.

I am going to travel most effectively on the journey when I contemplate the wonderful contrasts on the path provided me by Christ and His shed blood.  He travels with me.

Psalm 139:3 ” You scrutinize my path and my lying down,  and are intimately aquainted with all my ways…”
pScott

Internal Melody

Recently, our 6-year old daughter Emma  has started playing the violin.  I guess she had seen her teacher playing one, and ever since, she has been passionate about her “glass” instrument.  She started walking around with a metal hanger and a bic pen, announcing that she was playing the violin!  I guess a lot of kids have imaginary friends, and so this is just a little bit different-it’s an imaginary instrument!

Eph. 5:19 talks about how Christians should be communicating with each other:  With Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.  We are to be singing too.  And then the inside attitude that we are to possess is mentioned.  We are to be “making melody with our hearts to the Lord”.

What if the song playing inside our heart was one of sweet music, a silent melody that issued from happy Christlike joy and gratitude? You know, the music of a heart that isn’t hung up on negative things and bitter feelings?

That would be incredible, sweet, and so refreshing.  And it would prompt big smiles and joyous comments, just like it has with Emma.  It would end up a great silent symphony of harmony among Christians!