“Our Extended Family”
November 5, 2023
Dear brothers and sisters, grace and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Being the son of a pastor, I remember a few of my dad’s sermons growing up. One in particular was from when I was maybe about eight or nine, and my dad stood up in the pulpit and asked everyone, point blank: “Why did you come to church?” So, following in my father’s footsteps, I’m also going to ask all of you the same question: Why did you come to church? Is it simply a habit you’ve had for almost all your life? Is it to see your friends and family? Is it because you want a good influence for yourself or your family? In my case, I could simply say, because it’s my job. Yeah, except… There’s a lot more to why we’re here than any of the reasons which were just mentioned. Here's the real reason: Jesus has brought us here. He’s used all the things we’ve mentioned, but He’s brought us all here together. And He’s brought us here for a special reason: to help us worship Him, and become like Him. That’s why of our family members and friends from the past, many of whom we commemorate in the slide show today, came to church. And this, consistently throughout our history, has been the reason we, and our extended family as brothers and sisters in Christ, have come to church.
When I was writing down the names of the previous pastors of this congregation who are now with the Lord, for inclusion in the slideshow, it occurred to me that many of these pastors, and I, have probably preached the same message for the past century and a half: the peace and comfort that comes from knowing and experiencing the love of Jesus. The Prophet Isaiah proclaims, in Isaiah 26:3, which also happens to be one of my personal favorite verses:
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts you.” This perfect peace is what is called Shalom, which means something more than just a calm feeling, or an absence of conflict: it is the peace that comes from knowing God is here, is in charge and in control, and He cares. You are invited, if you want to experience this same kind of peace, to open your hearts to God today, and invite Him into your heart, to take control of your life, especially any struggles you may be having, and let Him work His power to turn your life around. Invite Him to help you steady your mind on Him, and all your other problems, distractions, and troubles will wither in the presence and power of God, who can overcome anything for you.
This Shalom kind of peace, is also one which we believe will happen, and is even possible now, for the wider world. We have hope not only for the future, but for the present. In a world which is torn apart by political, social, and religious division, we can offer hope for both the future and the present: that this division can be overcome, and we can, by the power of Jesus and by focusing only on Jesus, live in peace, unity, and harmony with each other. In a world where chaos, oppression, and injustice at times seem to reign, we have an alternative vision, one which was revealed to St. John in today’s Second Reading from Revelation: healing for all the nations comes directly from God. There will be a country, the Kingdom of God, coming where, even as the Prophet Isaiah says, there will be no more oppression, because everyone will walk in the ways of God’s laws, and show mercy, compassion, and kindness to each other. There will be a place where there will be not even be any more night, because every day will be one of joy in the presence of God. This is the eternal salvation of which we hear in the Bible today, and which all those who have gone before us now enjoy. There is only one way to be saved and be assured of the promise of eternal life, and that is through faith in Jesus, trusting and believing in Him as Lord and Savior. Look at the person next to you, and look around you: these are the people you’re going to be spending eternity in heaven with. This is your extended family right here. And, there are many others whom we may not expect will be with us in heaven, for any reason, but the reality is that the only thing that saves us is the death of Jesus on the cross, and His resurrection. That means that everyone, regardless of any other factors, who believes and accepts Jesus as Savior, will be saved. And everyone here with us today, who has come to worship Jesus, has this same promise and assurance, which will never be taken away.
But we are here to do more every than week than just sing and pray: we are being prepared for service. In our worship service, we offer both praise and thanksgivings to God, which is our way of serving Him in the hour of worship. Then, we are sent out to serve God by providing necessary services to our neighbors during the rest of the week.
Actually, especially in this day and age, we are to think of ourselves as being missionaries. Now, usually when we hear the word “missionary,” we think of someone going overseas to a tribe of people to try to convert them to Christianity. And that’s partially true. However, missionaries do more than just go and tell people about Jesus, hoping they’ll become Christian: missionaries also provide necessary services. And they do so as a way of acting out the Beatitudes, which Jesus tells in today’s Gospel reading. In many parts of the world, people need clean water, so certain missionaries go with a special mission to provide wells and working water systems to places which lack clean water. In many other parts of the world, people lack enough food to be able to feed themselves and their families, so missionaries bring food to them. One group that does this is Hands Against Hunger, which, every year, we help pack up food for to send both overseas and locally – and they also provide chemicals which make dirty water clean. In certain places, people lack adequate medical care, so certain other missionaries go as medical professionals to help provide healing services. Still other missionaries go to help rescue and foster children whose parents have either died or are absent, and even rescue them from being exploited by human trafficking, forced labor, or prostitution. Others go as teachers, teaching in schools for both children and adults, to help them further their education and further help them contribute to their communities and countries. Some who are pastors who to help train other people who are either already pastors or want to become pastors. The point is that missionaries do more than just try to turn people Christian by talking: missionaries provide necessary services, and good and effective missionaries always do so unconditionally. That means, providing these services without trying to force anyone to go along with them, but simply acting like Jesus on behalf of Jesus: providing services simply out of love, care, and compassion for people, wanting to help them in their every need. And, nowadays, in some cases, you apparently don’t even have to leave where you are to become a missionary. When I was in Southern California before coming here, for example, I was contacted out of the blue by a pastor in Pakistan who wanted me to lead a weekly Bible study for his house church. So I did – on Skype. But even so, you still don’t need to go overseas to be a missionary: you have a mission right here in your own community. And what is your mission? What is your particular gift? Where do you see a need from your neighbor, or with a group of people, that needs to be met? Is there someone who needs to be fed? Help give them food – either on your own, or by volunteering with a group like CAMP or Sonshine in a Bag. Is there someone who needs help in school? Offer to be a tutor. Is there someone who needs special comfort, especially after going through a hard time or trauma? Be with them to offer a comforting an encouraging word, and just to let them know you’re with them, you care, you support them, and you’re there for them no matter what – and, of course, pray with them. Is there someone who needs mercy – that is, someone who needs to know they’re still included, loved, and accepted even when they’re rejected for any reason? Be their friend, accept them, include them with your family and circle of friends. Or, if you know someone who’s feeling guilty and ashamed, either because of something they’ve done, or something that’s been done to them, let them know God has forgiven and accepted them. Our friends, neighbors, and communities need us, us as Christians, more than ever to provide these services on behalf of Jesus. While our goal is not necessarily to fill our church seats, we are still the catalyst, the means, by which Jesus can accomplish great and powerful things. Just as Jesus provides us the bread and wine as the means of His working His power in us in Communion, He sends us as being the means of working His power, love, and mercy to everyone as missionaries for Him. And, if we think of everyone as being part of our family, especially our extended family, it will be even easier for us to go where Jesus sends us and do what He wants us to do for people.
So, here we are: in church. And why did we come, and why are we here? Literally, we’re on a mission from God. It’s the same mission our extended family in the past carried out, and it’s the same one we have today. We, as the saints of today, have the same calling as the saints of past: to go where Jesus sends us, tell others about Him, and act on His behalf. So, with hope for the present and future, and with courage from the power of Jesus, let’s go out on our mission – to love, serve, and be Jesus to everyone.
Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
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