Are They These?

Living the Words on the Page

Living the Words on the Page
for Gabrielle
May 25, 2019

“I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength,”
I must say you’ve chosen great words of power.
Do you want to know the key to unlocking those words?

Because you know those words are meaningless,
At least they are on their own. They are simply
The markers, the reminders, the mere mention
Of the power lurking within them, and they feel good,
Sound good, look good, written, engraved, printed,
Stuck on a bumper, or hash-tagged and shared,
But they are only words.

They are like the words on your diploma:
Gabrielle Frances Jackson, High School Graduate.
Just some words on a page, marking truth,
Job done, box checked, rite of passage passed.

But depth lies underneath and inside words.
You know this better than most because
You took a different journey from most of us,
And your paper reads the same as ours does,
But it represents for you a story, of struggle,
Triumph, fear, failure, fighting, friendship,
Worry, panic, patience, peace, prayer, love.
Life. Don’t flee from it. Embrace it. All.

The key to the meaning of words is the life behind them.
I can do All things through Christ, who gives me strength.
Live these words. Embrace All the things you are doing
Because Christ has given you strength to do them.

These words are not for some future thing left undone,
Leaving All undone and untried because you fear failing,
Knowing such failing could cost you Your faith, and you
Hold your faith tightly in your hand, protecting it at All
Cost, but inside you know that doing such is not to use
Faith at All, leaving it only as words, remembered, but
Left there on the page, like they’re placed inside a tomb.

No, roll the stone away, let them live through your moments,
Each moment, All moments, and then, and only then
Will you find the strength to do All things. . . Right now,
This moment, and always. Living the words makes them
Living words...

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 ---

Discernment: What Now?

What Now

A sermon delivered by Rev. Peter T. Atkinson

March 24, 2019

at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Zuni, Virginia

Romans 12: 1-2

Jeremiah 31: 31-34

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. 

Where we’ve come – sin and doubt

Conversion – Hineni – Here I am

Acknowledgement of God – There is a God

He created me – and the rest of the world where he put me – oikos – genesis 1 – house perfectly

He redeemed me – I am saved – through faith

He sustains me – through the indwelling holy spirit

All of this from just, saying Hineni – Here I am – for it is also saying, there you are

But then what? What happens now?

I saw a sign on a church on the way to Suffolk yesterday – Life is Short, but Eternity is Long

And that is the long and the short of it – salvation, death, heaven

But life isn’t that short, and with eternity squared away, there is much to do and be here

One of our Psalms we prayed this week, brought something to the table. . .

Psalm 130 – it’s the one with Out of the depths I cry,

and keeping a record of sins, who could stand who could stand

and my favorite phrase, more than the watchmen who wait for the morning. . .

must be the psalmists too-repeats it twice

but jammed in between all that beautiful and memorable turns of phrase is an important line

Especially with regards to the question – what now?

But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

Forgiveness – so that. . . with reverence, serve you

We as created, redeemed, and sustained souls, with much to be grateful for

Stand with a purpose and calling to now serve God

But how? By doing what? By being what?

The process through which we answer this important question is called “discernment”

Discernment is our theme for the week

What happens because the stone has been rolled away?

What happens because our fishing net has come back full?

What happens because Jesus has called us to be his disciples?

What happens now?

How do we find out?

So this becomes a how to sermon. . . Maybe

Ok, are you ready to take notes? I mean this important stuff. . .

Ok so what you have to do is --- praying style, Yoga style, Priest Style,

Should I Listen?

When I shut off all sounds

And there is nothing

Left to drown

Out the nothing,

I can hear something.

I can’t help but wonder

If the something

Is just more thunder

I have to get past

To hear something else. . .

Something more?

Did my heart just shake,

Or was what I felt

Only an earthquake,

And not silent nor still

Enough to be true?

I breathe, taking it in,

Letting it out,

We’re supposed to relax

And let go.

Something says, “Get Up.”Should I listen

Or stay here and wait

Until I hear more?

Great song – Bang a Drum

I went to see the preacher
To teach me how to pray
He looked at me and smiled
Then the preacher turned away
He said if you want to tell him something
You ain't gotta fold your hands
Say it with your heart
Your soul and believe it
And I'd say amen

Discernment is kinda like that. . . There really isn’t a prescription I can give you

Because of course it is possible right? To come to know what God is calling you to do?

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Listen to that language – transformed by the renewing of your mind == be able to test and approve what God’s will is == his good, pleading perfect will

That’s it that is discernment! So it is possible . . .

Why is it important? Don’t we already know? Don’t you think after 2000 years we’d have it figured out yet. . .

Many think so – and many have thought so – and many aren’t afraid to tell you, and many haven’t been afraid to tell you. . .

Parents – Imma do it this way because my daddy and my momma did it this way, and of course the Bible says, Honor your Mother and Father, true it does, and actually it goes one further

Proverbs 1: 8-9

⁸ Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
⁹ They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck

but it also says,

 ⁵² From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

In another part Jesus talks about how family needs to be left behind. . .

Ok, but what about the moral teachings and the law – Consistency there

But Jesus has run in after run in with the Pharisees – claiming a law beyond what was written

Healing on the Sabbath – You can’t do that, it’s in our scriptures, but Jesus does, appealing to something beyond the letter

Think of all the times Jesus starts a phrase with You’ve heard it said, but I tell you – and in each Jesus raises the stakes to some higher level of truth, some higher level of discernment

So there is some contradiction there, and some confusion, some call to beyond the words. . .

And we should remember how confused disciples were all the time. . . again and again they bumble

But yet somehow, discernment must be possible – through what Paul calls the renewing of our minds. . .

And the Word of God is a place we must go, but we have to avoid proof texting and look at greater truth in context and counter balance. . .

That’s good because the world is just as confusing – TV News – contradicting opinions

How do I know what to watch? How do I figure out which is true? How do I get beyond my own Confirmation Bias – Just like proof texting – we look for what agrees with us

How can any of it be possible to get at the truth?

But again we find the Word of God telling us it is:

Jeremiah 31: 31-34

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
    and with the people of Judah.
³² It will not be like the covenant
    I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
    to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
    though I was a husband to them,”
declares the Lord.
³³ “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
    after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
³⁴ No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.”

It is written on our hearts, there  is a renewing of the mind. . .

So let’s recap

No way to hold our hands or our body

What our parents taught us may have been wrong

We look to the Bible it is the Word of God, it has the answers,

but they are confusing contradictory and challenging – and the lure of proof texting is always there

And the world, well. . . obviously. . .

But we can discern the will of God, with the transformation and the renewing of our mind

And we have the new covenant written on our hearts. . .

It is there, but how do we get at it with so much that leads us from it into confusion and worse delusion – we think we are right, but we are fooling ourselves, mistaking our eyes and our will for God’s

What is delusion – The missing Axe

Do we think based on what we see? Or do we see based on what we think? – Both – thus Delusion – how do you get out of delusion -

Calvin – Knowing God and Knowing yourself are connected

1^st truth – you are removed from the truth by Sin, and helpless on your own – You can know that by looking at yourself – he says this is what you learn first

This is how you get out of delusion – doubt yourself – question yourself – question even your deeply held notions about God. . . I have faith that God will show up and replace them. . . we need not fear the void – it doesn’t exist. . . we’ve already faced it. . . so with faith boldly question – you’re not really questioning God, just your former understanding. . . weighed against God’s perfection. . . its ok. . . it is

Second truth you find looking into yourself – you also as a child of God are the height of God’s creation – thus knowing yourself tells much about God, too, in his greatness. . . and other people, and history, and life itself. . . learn what can. . . and have it lead you to God. . .

This isn’t the first sermon I gave called “What Now” the other was last fall – and similarly we were looking at what comes next after being reconciled to God --- in that I quoted Brian Blount, the president of the seminary

Our goal, we should preach, is not to die and get to heaven, with our loved ones hopefully trailing in our wake. Our goal, we must preach is to live into the war raging all about us,

And then he said we do that by being vulnerable to God

Vulnerable – as in everything that we do, is listening, discerning, bringing us closer

Have God present in all that you do, in your search, in your life

Because the myth of discernment  is you do it once and your done. . . like filling up the tank

No it is an ongoing process, a closeness, a connection. . . or as Dr. Blount said a vulnerability

Jesus says Ask, Seek, Knock – but the verb tense is best translated as ask and keep asking

And we can begin by studying ourselves. . . or as Calvin says descend into yourself

So study yourself – why are you the way you are? Why do you think what you think?

How free are you? Or does everything you do have some kind of cause?

Its ok if your lost – follow the discipline this week, and you’ll got through this pattern

Look for those causes – in order to help you this week I broke it into 3 categories

External

Internal

Experiential

You’ll find each one this week, with Biblical connections as well as positive and negative examples of each

Like “Foolish men learn only from experience, wise men learn from other peoples experience”

Or ‘Every one you will ever meet knows something you don’t”

Those are calls to External

But what about

“There is a voice inside you that whispers all day long, “I feel this is right for me, I know that this is wrong, no teacher, preacher, parent, friend or wise man, can decide what’s right for you, just listen to the voice that speaks inside”

But what about

The only source of knowledge is experience or Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgement. . .

There is wisdom in all of these – and it seems finding a balance of them helps in discernment

Why is it important?

Because there is a giant lack of discernment in this world. . . a lack of mindfulness, a lack of thinking, a lack of humility – one could make the argument that it is truly at the heart of many of the world’s problems--- and it is a problem of the Right and the Left, The Churched and the Unchurched, too much herd following, not enough personal discernment:

 

 

So we do important work this week. . . I’d love to talk with anyone who has questions. . . there is nothing more important, and it isn’t a week long thing, but a life long thing, but like all things, it must begin somewhere. . . let’s search together.