TRINITY SUNDAY

                     May 30, 2010

the Rev. Ken Kroohs

(Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Ps. 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15)

JESUS NEEDS YOU !

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, High Point, NC


 

MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH ... AND THE MEDITATIONS OF ALL OUR HEARTS ... BE ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU --- OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REDEEMER AMEN

 

    You may have noticed that I do not preach about secular holidays. That’s not because I don’t respect the various purposes. It is simply that once you start with secular holidays there are few Sundays left to focus on Christianity!

 

    If you talk about Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Presidents Day, Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, July 4th, Labor Day and then add mothers day, father’s day, and much more important — grandparents day! If Hallmark continues we will need to recognize 2nd cousin three times removed day! (I have no idea what that means by the way.)

 

    So, I tend to stay away from those while preaching. I do try to make sure they are acknowledged during the prayers of the people.

 

    That all is a lengthy caveat to explain why I will slightly bend my rule today!

 

    As I was reflecting on our lessons I saw a connection with Memorial Day. Memorial Day is when we recognize and appreciate the sacrifice made by those willing to give their all for a cause .... a reason. Veterans who returned alive also gave up a significant portion of their lives to do what they felt was right.

 

    Back to that in a minute — Today’s Gospel lesson continues what we heard last week on Pentecost Sunday. Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit ... about how He, Jesus, will depart but will send the comforter, the teacher, the empowerer — the Holy Spirit.

 

    During this teaching we heard last week, Jesus said two particularly interesting things. Jesus said He will do anything we ask in His name. Most people understand that to mean “anything consistent with the ministries God has for us” ... and not necessarily to win the lottery three weeks in a row!

 

    Jesus also said that we will do even greater things then He has done. Most people understand that to refer to the length and breath of our ministry. Jesus worked in a very small corner of the world for 3 years. We, both ‘we’ individually and ‘we’ all Christians – have a life time and a much greater number of people to work with. Therefore, it is possible we can do even more than Jesus did.

 

    In essence Jesus says we will be given whatever we need to accomplish the ministry. ... The question therefore, is whether or not we will respond. We will accept the responsibility.

 

    The link with Memorial Day and Veterans Day? ...... We can only live out our ministry — our God given responsibility — if we are willing to sacrifice the other things that are taking up our lives. ..... The Veterans, some here today, left family, careers, salaries, hobbies, left everything to serve a greater cause.

 

    A true Christian must do the same. We must be willing to give up much that has filled our lives. We must sacrifice much that has filled our lives if we are to truly live as a Christian.

 

    Understand, I do not mean we forget our families or give up on our jobs ... or for that matter, give up what we enjoy doing. For the major part of our lives it is more about our focus, our intentions. For the major part of our lives it is about where we place our emotional priorities. Where is God on that list? More specifically, where is the ministry God gave us on that list?

 

    While we were away Shirley and I kidded some about how we would use our millions if we won the lottery — which is unlikely because we never buy a ticket! .... How would you use your millions if you won the mega-million jackpot? .... Is God’s ministry even in your dreams?

 

    The issue is not that we should know what is always the perfect decision. The point is that we all need to take the time to set our priorities ... to decide what is most important. Otherwise those decisions are made by other influences. If we don’t decide for ourselves than the decisions are made for us.

 

    If I had allowed other forces to make my decisions I would have spent many more hours at my secular jobs rather than with my kids or at church. .... If I had allowed other forces to make my decisions I would have spent money on various things rather than tithing back to God. ... If I had allowed other forces to make my decisions my life would be very different ... and I believe, much worse.

 

    We need to focus on what really matters, and accept that will change our lives — our priorities. We need to decide what really matters and then sacrifice – give up -- what matters less.

 

    Notice I said “matters less” and not “does not matter” and especially not “is evil”. We do things, we spend money because at some level we think investing that time and cash is important. We might never have thought it through, but we have made that decision.

 

    One of the most difficult things for people to accept is that it is impossible to not make a decision. Sitting still is as much a decision as moving forward. Every moment we make decisions — mostly without any real deliberation. We seldom truly think through the things that are driving our lives.

 

    When God asks us to do a ministry — however that request reaches us – maybe an individual says something, may the church, maybe a news article, maybe a dream — however it happens whenever God asks us to do a ministry we have to make a decision. Frequently we decide to ignore God. Sometimes we look for a way to minimize — do as little as possible. Occasionally we decide to give it a try while leaving ourselves an escape route. Seldom do we say, “here I am Lord – send me”.

 

    So the first step in our process is to be willing to think – to ask questions .... the first step is to be willing to consider that every action of our lives is part of our life with God. Sometimes it is a good part, sometimes not, but it is always a part.

 

    When we first try to think about God’s plan for us, God’s desires for us, we find it tiring and confusing to think these things through. We can quickly become discouraged and upset — thinking it is too much. Over time the process becomes more automatic and easier – never easy but easier.

 

    I suspect if many veterans had truly known what basic was like they would have thought twice! But once the exercise and routines became more natural, it was not as hard.

 

    The question is: What happens when we see the Christian recruiting office? Do we turn in and sign up like the veterans did knowing we are giving up some parts of our lives for better things?

 

    The biggest difference between the military recruiter and the Christian recruiter may be that the Christian recruiter can promise a good life ... a satisfying and joy filled life. NOT a frustration free or easy life!!! Believe me – not that at all!!

 

    But still I can promise you it will be a life of satisfaction and joy knowing that we have done a tiny bit to build a better world. We have done a tiny bit to glorify God through our actions. We have done a something to help bring closer the kingdom of God.

 

    Those are good feelings. Like the veteran we can know that what we sacrificed was the lesser for the greater good. We can be happy with our decision.

 

    When we decide to join God’s forces, to join the battle against the evil in the world, to join the effort to make the world a better place we have choices. Like the military recruiting office where we can choose between Army and Navy, between pilot and tank driver, the Christian recruiting office has many pathways. Maybe we are to help house the homeless, maybe to feed the hungry, may to teach the young, and to be more generous in our financial support.

 

    And like military service the basic training is only the beginning. The military maintains the physical training. We need to maintain our spiritual training of prayer, worship and study.

 

    Remember the old recruiting posters — Uncle Sam needs you! I thought about having a version on the wall with “Jesus needs you!” across it! OK, corny, but accurate.

 

    It does raise the question about what do we believe is worth signing up for? What is important enough for us to change our lives for?

 

    My first week in college all the men had to attend ROTC indoctrination. We had to listen and then as we walked out the recruiting officers were there to sign us up.

 

    Imagine as you come forward for communion that God’s recruiting officer is there. You are allowed to receive communion, God’s gift to us, no matter what you say to the recruiter. ....... So, what will you say?

 

             AMEN

 

We have previous sermons on our website. To read an earlier recent sermon just enter: www.st-christopher.org/sermon.html.

 

CLICK HERE TO RESPOND: I would enjoy reading your comments about this sermon. Please feel free to discuss content or presentation. (If you wish to use another email system send your comments to: ken@st-christopher.com)