Up to the Distinction

Up to the Distinction

A sermon delivered by Rev. Peter T. Atkinson

March 24, 2019

at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Zuni, Virginia

Isaiah 28:16-19

Ephesians 2: 19-22

Let us pray,

Help us to see despite our eyes

Help us to think outside our minds

Help us to be more than our lives

            For your eyes show us the way

            Your mind knows the truth

            Your being is the life.

Amen. 

Lenten Discipline – Reached the crucial moment

The most important because it is in many ways where we are as a church, as people, as a nation

The moment when we look to shift from Discernment to Resolution

Have you ever been there?

ON the precipice of action – that undiscovered country from whence no man comes –

Any one recognize the quote – the source – Hamlet – To be or not to be

High point of Western literature – is about this moment – what am I supposed to do and be?

And what happens next after the decision is made --- right it is daunting because the only thing that is true about action – is that the results are unknown.

In many ways it is easier to keep seeking, keep discerning. . . there is safety in the questions and danger in the answers.

But how many people of the people you look up to. . . because they are resolute

Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice
And could of men distinguish, her election
Hath seal'd thee for herself; for thou hast been
As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing,
A man that fortune's buffets and rewards
Hast ta'en with equal thanks: and blest are those
Whose blood and judgment are so well commingled,
That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger
To sound what stop she please. Give me that man
That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him
In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,
As I do thee.

We recognize it, we value it, but we tend to be more like Hamlet than Horatio

Because it is hard to know for sure. . .

During the Lenten Discipline these sermons have worked as introductions to the week

What I tried to do was create last step checks to make sure our discernment is true. . . and that is to set them up against Jesus. And what he says about discipleship

For no matter what we do, we must have Christ in all of His fullness be at the center of it all.

Look at these scripture passages first the Old Testament

Isaiah 28: 16-19

¹⁶ So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it
    will never be stricken with panic.
¹⁷ I will make justice the measuring line
    and righteousness the plumb line;
hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
    and water will overflow your hiding place.
¹⁸ Your covenant with death will be annulled;
    your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.
When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,
    you will be beaten down by it.
¹⁹ As often as it comes it will carry you away;
    morning after morning, by day and by night,
    it will sweep through.”

Sure foundation – tested stone – corner stone

Such is Christ

Now look at what Paul has to say in his letter to the Ephesians 2:19-22

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

No longer, but fellow citizens, God’s people, members of his household

Look at the foundation apostles, prophets, and Christ Jesus himself the chief cornerstone

Look at what he says about the building – whole building – joins together – rises – becomes holy temple in the Lord

And not just the building – but “you too” us too – built together to be come a dwelling of God by the Spirit

What a promise, what a responsibility, what a distinction to live up to. . .

So discernment to resolution is important but it must be up to the distinction, must be built on the sure foundation. . .

But what does that require. . . ?

What about that choir anthem – uplifting and inspiring and powerful huh

The first time I heard it I hated it. . . and maybe for the same reason that so many liked it

It very much appeals to what we at some level wish Christianity was

Simple and easy – that if we just stand up, and not compromise and fight

At first that was all I heard --  a therapeutic anger anthem, to make us feel good about the fight

We weren’t made to cower, we were made to stand

Stand for what is holy let us stand for what is right

Live our lives, as a beacon in the night

No we will not compromise

Again my first impression, but I have to admit that it has grown on me

I want to use the scene of Jesus trial and arrest to get at what I mean = about how discernment and resolution require more of us

Matthew 26:47-56

Jesus Arrested

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Judas – what he wants – Jesus to stand not compromise and take the romans down – Jesus doesn’t

Sword – Can you stand up for Jesus with no sword?

¹⁵ Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisonerchosen by the crowd. ¹⁶ At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. ¹⁷ So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” ¹⁸ For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

They choose Barabbas

Jesus always loses this trial

We wish it were not so, we would fight to make it not so, we scream to the wind, wanting to make a stand – not compromise, and let the church arise, wishing it was not so, but it is

And thank God

Because of the Cross and its empty tomb

How does this reflect our standing in todays world? –

It means discernment is hard, I wish it wasn’t, but it is. . . it seemed easier when the times were simpler, but it wasn’t, actually

But the song is right we shouldn’t compromise, but that doesn’t mean we don’t compromise, by standing and fighting,

It means we don’t compromise on what exactly is the foundation and cornerstone of our faith

Jesus Christ – he calls us to carry our crose

It is this we cannot compromise on

And our discernment and resolution must be connected inseparably from Jesus Christ –

We need to be uncompromised to the ways of Jesus Christ – and not fall into the ways of the world

Even if our hearts are trying to protect what we think is Jesus

So I said the song grew on me and it did, because I could see it in this light. . . and in this light was there any better way to get at this important distinction

What did the trick was the “Let the church arise part. . . ‘

And the internal verses

All the trouble in these times doesn’t catch Go by surprise

He’s still sovereign. .

It is a prayer, not a call to arms. . .

Let the church arise – the let – suggest that it isn’t a call to arms, it’s a call to discern

It says answer when he calls. . .

Are we called to yell and scream and fight in the same way that others fight?

Spaceballs – Evil will always triumph because good is dumb. . .

Yes, but sin is arrogant. . . and over reaching. . . it grabs a sword and fights

Jesus puts down the sword and picks up the cross and stands for the world to see atop a hill called Calvary – that is the beacon in the nigrht and it pierces through the darkness.

May we remember it and hold it up ---