Monday, July 26, 2004

Prayer • July 25, 2004

Hosea 1:2-10 • Psalm 85 (UMH 806 • Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) • Luke 11:1-1

Sermon by Michael R. Martin, Certified Lay Speaker
First United Methodist Church of Saranac Lake, NY

The issue of prayer is a simple one. Prayer is talking to God. Prayer involves several elements including thanksgiving, praise, and confession. There are names you may sometimes hear for two types of prayer: "intercessions" and "supplications". Intercessions are prayer-requests for others (*Entreaty in favor of another, especially a prayer or petition to God in behalf of another), and supplications are prayer-requests for ourselves (*to ask for humbly). I didn't call these "two special types of prayer because for the most part, prayer is prayer. And to pray is to talk to God. When the disciples questioned Jesus about prayer, they were asking for an understanding of how to pray and what to pray for. Jesus teaches them both a form of prayer, what we call The Lord's Prayer (in this case Luke's version) and a story of persistence in prayer. Some folks use this reading to suggest that we need to PESTER God with our prayer requests, but certainly at the very least we are being instructed to talk frequently with God.

American Christians, that is us, don’t pray like this at all. American Christians knock on God’s door once a day (knock once on wood pulpit or communion table) whereas Jesus taught that we to knock often and long. Research has found that the average American Christian, that is you and me, prays four minutes a day and the average American pastor prays seven minutes a day. There is an enormous contrast being the teachings of Jesus about prayer (knock, knock, knock, knock, knock) and the prayer life of American Christians (knock).

Why is this? Pastor Edward F. Markquart of Grace Lutheran Church on the West Coast gives us four reasons why American Christians don’t pray much.

First, American Christians are very busy. The richer a culture is, the less time it has for prayer because money and wealth gives one so many opportunities to be busy. We are so busy, we just don’t have time to pray. In the life of a busy American Christian, the first thing to be let go of is one’s prayer life. We are all busy people, and the first thing to go in the life of busy people is our prayer life.

A second reason that American Christians don’t pray very much (e.g. four minutes a day) is that we don’t believe prayer does that much good. For many Americans, prayer is essentially talking to yourself; prayer is positive pep talk; prayer is psychological motivation to be a better person.

A third reason that American Christians don’t pray very much (four minutes a day) is that American Christians often believe that a good God should protect them from the disasters of life, from cancer, car accidents and coronaries. When God doesn’t protect their friends and family from cancer, car accidents and coronaries, then there must not be a God.

A fourth reason that American Christians don’t pray very much is that we don’t walk closely with God. To have any close relationship, you need to talk often and deeply. You can’t have a close relationship with anyone without persistent intimate conversation. That is just the way it is with marriage, family, friendship, and God. Four minutes a day is not much intimate conversation with God. It’s not by accident that nearly every time I share with you I encourage you to read your Bible. Prayer and the study of the Scripture and the reading of Christian literature is our only way to have an intimate relationship with God. God wants that relationship with you as much as you need it from Him.

Pastor Markquart, concludes that for these reasons and more, American Christians ultimately conclude that prayer doesn’t work, that it is like star gazing, that it doesn’t change the nature of things. And so our society concludes that prayer doesn’t work. Our society: that is addicted to sex and violence, that our televisions are filled with so much sex and violence that we have actually become numb to it. Our society: that is filled with broken down marriages and broken down families. Our society: that has the highest rate of people in prison in the industrial world. Our society: that has twenty percent of our children living in poverty. Our society: that has the largest economic difference between the rich and the poor. Our society: that is known world wide for our moral decadence and spiritual poverty. Our society then, with all these things, concludes that prayer doesn’t work. It is like finding a drunken alcoholic on the street and asking him, “Does alcoholic treatment work?” and he replies, “O no. Not at all.” So it is with asking American Christian who pray four minutes a day, “Does prayer work?” And the American Christian replies, “Well, I don’t think so.” If you ask Christians in South America, Asia and Africa about the effectiveness of prayer, they answer, “O yes. Prayer works enormously well.” Ask Minnie what about the prayer life of the Africans sometime and listen to what she tells you. You don’t ask for a drunk for advice about drinking and you don’t ask American Christians for advice about prayer.

Jesus was not at all like this. Prayer was enormously vital to him. And so it should be with us. So, how do you pray? Well, the bible tells us. . .

In Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus instructs the disciples in prayer etiquette, saying "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

I don’t know about you, but I HATE praying aloud in a group setting. But I think it gets easier over time. But praying aloud or alone, I consider the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospels as somewhat akin to a prayer outline. We address the Father with respect and give praise and thanks. We make requests. We ask that in all things they be His will, not ours. And we ask for forgiveness of our inevitable human failings. In our home, we are fortunate to often share dinner meals together, and most nights make it a point to sit down at the table and dine. We take turns saying grace before we eat, and it has evolved into its own special prayer, so that if any of us were to say this prayer, it would go something like this: “Heavenly Father, we thank you for this beautiful day. We ask that you be with (insert loved one’s name here) and watch over him or her as she or he goes through their (whatever). Bless this meal that it may nourish us and bless this home and family. Amen.”

There is a great scene in the film Bruce Almighty when God, played by Morgan Freeman, asks Bruce, Jim Carrey, to pray. If we had the capabilities here, I’d love to be able to play just that brief, wonderfully moving scene for you. Maybe now that the lift is done, that can be our next project, bring our worship services into the 21st Century. At any rate, in this scene in Bruce Almighty, God has asked Bruce to pray, and Bruce prays haltingly: “Um, Lord, feed the hungry and . . . bring peace to all of mankind.” and asks "How's that?" to which God replies "Great . . . if you want to be Miss America.'' God than asks "What do you really care about?'' Bruce says the name of his estranged girlfriend, who left him because he was being such a jerk. God asks if Bruce wants her back, but Bruce says “No, I want her to be happy, no matter what that means.” He asks that she find someone to give her all the love she had deserved from him, and who will always see her the way he does now, through God’s eyes. “Now that’s a prayer,” God responds.

Does God answer prayers ? You bet he does! I couldn't give you scientific proof, but I am certain that God has been working in my life for many years. An example of answered prayers: a year ago, almost to the day, my baby sister was diagnosed with rapidly an aggressive, fast moving metastatic melanoma. The prognosis was quite grim. Her chances of even living long enough to see her daughter married just last week were very slim. Just several weeks ago she got the news that she was in complete remission, thanks to excellent treatment at Dartmouth-Hitchcock & many many prayers. This is not to say that your life will be easy or you won’t experience hardships. Answers to prayers are not always what you expect, for God works in accordance to his will. But prayer is a vital part of our conversation with God.

So, here is my list of prayer guidelines:
  1. Prayer early, Pray often - Doesn't have to be special time or place - use any time you've got: in the car, wherever.
  2. Praise God and be thankful for all that is good in your life - this also serves to get you recognizing the good even what things seem to be falling apart. My sister, even when her future was very uncertain would say what a blessing her sickness was since it brought my family closer.
  3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help for yourself and others. Recognize that God's will may be different than yours, but ask & know He has a plan that most certainly includes you.
  4. Don’t worry about the words. God knows your heart. The act of prayer simply shows your loving commitment to Him.
  5. Most importantly, pray from your heart.

Michael R. Martin – July 25, 2004
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM

*Definitions: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition: College Edition Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin company. All rights reserved.

Monday, July 12, 2004

Three to Love • July 11, 2004

Amos 7:7-17 • Psalm 82 • Colossians 1:1-14 • Luke 10:25-37
Sermon by Michael R. Martin, Certified Lay Speaker
First United Methodist Church of Saranac Lake, NY

In Luke this week, we come (once again) to the familiar parable of the good Samaritan. Now Luke has turned from mission and discipleship, which has been our focus in readings and the message over the past few Sundays, to basic attitudes the disciple is to possess. In a series of three passages he addresses attitudes toward neighbor, spending time with Jesus and prayer to God. There is an important connection here. How we respond to our neighbor and how we walk with God are integrally connected. Both Jesus and the lawyer connect these two concepts in this week’s reading.

As it starts, we have a Jewish lawyer asking Jesus: "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied by asking the lawyer what the scriptures said and the lawyer replies with the Great Commandment of Deuteronomy: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

The story of the Good Samaritan is a familiar one, and it teaches us who is our neighbor and how to treat our neighbor. In those times, as now, there was the concept of neighbor and non-neighbor, us and them. Or should I say us versus them? Through this parable, Jesus tells us to treat everyone as a neighbor. There is no US and THEM. Not only that, we are to love our neighbor, that is to say EVERYONE, as we love ourselves. And the tremendous power of the story back then was this: nowadays we think of “good Samaritan” and we think “Oh, well, a Samaritan is good.” But the truth of the day was that to a Jewish scribe a Samaritan would have been the exact opposite, a notorious "bad guy" and traitor. So the HERO of this story was a bad guy. Culturally he was the last person expected to be hailed as an exemplary neighbor.

Ethics, how we conduct ourselves, how we treat others, our neighbors, is not an abstract question of options in a particular situation; it is a matter of character developed through a walk with God and a focus on Jesus. I am reminded of an incident that I experienced this past week, a lesson in ethics.

Marlene & I were in Yorktown Heights in Putnam County, working on a project I have to help clean up a lake. On this particular trip we were looking at storm sewers, drains and underground pipes, that dump polluted stormwater into the lake. After visiting the main problem area at the lake, a large storm drain that was adding pollutants to the lake, we decided to find the Town Hall since my client had said that the Town had a map of the storm sewers. We could use the maps to determine how big of an area was contributing to the problem.

Well, finding the Town Hall was an adventure. Yorktown is a large town, and that part of the state has lots of roads, lots of traffic, and more than their share of dangerous intersections. Some helpful folks at the local fire station gave me directions and we set off. After several missteps, we knew we were close. We drove by the Town Garage and continued on, finally coming to the Town Hall. The parking lot was full, but inside it was very still. We could see folks in various offices, behind windows, talking among them selves. As you first walk into the building, a sign directs visitors to the building directory, I guess so you can find where you need to go with out disturbing anybody. Marlene and I studied the directory and decided that the engineering department, which included environmental issues and mapping, was the place to go. According to the directory map, the engineering department was in the basement, so we set off, found the stairs, and hidden behind a corner, found a very uninviting closed door marked “Engineering.” I opened the door, rather hesitantly, and went inside. Two women were talking. One looked my way and I told her we were looking for storm sewer maps. She quickly pointed to the other woman, and turned away. The second woman looked at me, and I repeated that we were looking for storm sewer maps. “Well, that is two separate things,” she replied rather haughtily. She obviously misunderstood me, thinking I was referring to storm sewers (storm drains) and sanitary sewers as one. “OK,” I explained, “we are looking for storm DRAIN maps.” “You have to go to the Highway Department. We do sewers here, they do storm drains there.” Now, Marlene and I know that while Highway Departments often CLEAN storm drains, it is usually the engineering department that creates and maintains the maps. But we set off to the Highway Department. Of course, at the Highway Department, we were told that all mapping was done at the Engineering Department back at the Town Hall. Back through all the traffic and REALLY dangerous intersections from whence we came.

So back we went. And I nicely said to that same secretary that the Highway folks said the maps were here. Fortunately, as she was denying it, someone over the wall heard her, came out, and brought us back to where he did the mapping. As this fellow explained, they did the mapping but the highway department was given the software to look at it too. And over the wall we could hear the secretary say something to the effect of “See, I WAS right.” Well, we got what we needed and more from the gentleman who came and rescued us from that secretary, but here attitude bothered me all the rest of the day. I wasn’t so much mad at her treatment of us, but saddened by her attitude. To this woman, it mattered more that she was right, could justify herself to herself right or wrong, than whether she was nice to us, or helpful, or learned something new. She was the “Anti-Good Samaritan” and it seemed it would probably take some serious shock to change her ways.

The lawyer in Luke brings forth one of the most abstract, but important, questions we can wrestle with: What is the goal of life. Humankind has struggled with this question throughout its history. Many people engage in such a quest whether they have religious interests or not. Most of us sense that power and possessions are really meaningless life goals. We sense that there is something more. But beyond that, we often draw a blank.
Ephesians 1:11-12 It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
I’ve started reading a book called The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren – This is NOT a self-help book, as the author is quick to point out. The premise of the book is that if you want to discover your life's purpose, ask God. The book is a 40 day journey, each chapter seeking to focus your thoughts on the meaning of life. Chapter two, for instance: "You are not an accident. Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, he expected it."

Rick Warren writes: "The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people for thousands of years. That's because we typically begin at the wrong starting point — ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like What do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future? But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose. . . Contrary to what many popular books, movies, and seminars tell you, you won't discover your life's meaning by looking within yourself."

The author continues: "The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose."

I’d like to end with a verse from Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
To that, I would only add this: There are always those people out there who are a challenge to love. But one of the hardest things some of us struggle with is loving and accepting ourselves. After all, God didn’t want us loving our neighbor as ourselves if we don’t like ourselves, don’t take good care of ourselves. The bible tells us to love one another, love your neighbor. Please be SURE to include yourself in this equation. Love GOD, love yourself, love your neighbor.

Michael R. Martin – July 11, 2004
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM

Monday, July 05, 2004

Independence Day • July 4, 2004

2 Kings 5:1-14 • Psalm 30 • Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 • Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Sermon by Michael R. Martin, Certified Lay Speaker
First United Methodist Church of Saranac Lake, NY
• In loving memory of Ed Rhodes•

Luke 10: Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-two

Our gospel reading today recounts Jesus recruiting and sending a large number of new disciples ahead of him. Depending on which bible translation you read, the number of disciples is either 70 or 72. For consistency, I will be using 72, the number in my NIV translation. This story takes place right after Jesus had conversations with the several reluctant disciples we talked about last week, those who would follow Jesus after they had taken care of other matters, to which Jesus replied that nothing was more important than this calling, that nothing come before God.

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. “When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.' But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near’ . . . . "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

In Luke 9, our Gospel reading over the past two weeks, Jesus sent the twelve ahead of him, two by two. Now, in Luke 10, 72 new recruits, new disciples, are sent out by twos. The number twelve would remind the hearers of the twelve tribes of Israel, while the number seventy-two would remind hearers of the Gentiles. The Jews believed that there were 72 nations traceable back to Genesis 10. The progression from twelve disciples in Luke chapter 9 to the 72 disciples in Luke chapter 10 hints that the Gentiles or all the nations, not just those who considered themselves “God’s chosen,” would be recipients of the gospel. As these new disciples were sent, Jesus used two metaphors to prepare them for their mission:
• Harvest and laborers – the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few; there are many to be saved and so few disciples
• Lambs and wolves – I am sending you out like lambs among wolves; this task will not be easy. In fact, going forth will be at times quite dangerous. Just imagine yourself a cute fuzzy little lamb hopping around the pasture, and behind every boulder, every tree is a big wolf, lying in wait, long toothy jaws snapping in anticipation, just waiting for that tender morsel to skip on past.

So Jesus has told the disciples there is much for them to do, and it will be dangerous. Yet he also told them to take nothing with them. The community would care for them. Matthew 10:9-10 recounts this same event and provides Jesus’ reasoning. Jesus instructs his disciples in Matthew
"Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep."
Later on, in Luke 22:35-36, Jesus refers to these very instructions & instructs his disciples to do just the opposite as he prepares them for the coming of Judas & his betrayal:
Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one."
But for now, early on in his journey to the Cross, Jesus sends them empty handed so that the good people of the communities they visit have the opportunity to take them in and feed them. Jesus is saying: we do not need anything to be a disciple, except a trust in the Lord that he will provide. Go out into the world prepared only to preach the Good News and all else will be provided.

Jesus’ guidelines for discipleship were simple:
• Go where they were received.
• Remain in one place and eat what was set before them. In other words, don't move around seeking a better deal - take what ever is provided, lest they be accused of being opportunistic.
• Do the works of Christ and proclaim the kingdom of God in places where they were welcomed.
• Wipe the dust off their feet in protest against places where they were rejected.

Make no mistake, however. Jesus never said that to be a disciple for Christ would be a picnic. In fact, we are repeatedly told just the opposite. In today’s reading, Jesus likens it to being a lamb among wolves.

I believe that we, as modern day disciples, can act with this same trust, that we can proceed armed only with God’s Good News and our needs will be taken care of. All that is required of us is FAITH. I am reminded of Joshua 1:9 –
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
But do we, as modern day disciples, have the same power to heal as Christ gave the 70? I suppose it depends on how you look at it. We DO have the power to comfort and to trust God’s will, and to help others come to know Christ so that they to might trust in God’s will. And the power to comfort, to love with compassion, should not be taken lightly. I believe that God’s love and the Holy Spirit, which fills all believers to overflowing, is channelled to those we comfort if we do so with a pure heart, without motive or thought of self. And bringing someone to peace who is troubled, sick or in pain, bringing that person to acceptance of God’s will, IS healing. I think of our pastor visiting the aged and infirm at Uihlein and how appreciative they must be, I think of Cindy Smith visiting those of us who find ourselves rooming at the Adirondack Medical Center and how thankful the patients must feel. And I think of Ed, gleefully recounting the travels to the White Mountains of NH in his early life to my son Mathew and me when we dropped by during one of his recent stays at AMC, and I think of Ed this week, to weak to even speak, barely able to keep his eyes open. I see the twinkle in his eye and the smile on his face as I played and sang a few songs for him; how he clearly said my name, “Michael,” and “thank you” when I got up to leave – I’m not sure who was healing whom, but that is the wonderful thing about sharing Christ’s love – the more you give, the more you receive back. It is a well that will never run dry.

In the Gospel, Jesus instructs his followers in missionary technique and he gives them authority over all spirits. When the 70 returned, they were excited -- even the demons submitted to them! Jesus both encouraged and warned them. Yes, they had authority, but their salvation was cause for greater rejoicing. The disciples were instructed not to rejoice in their power over the spirits, but rather rejoice that their names are written in heaven.

Today, our nation celebrates its independence – fireworks and “hurrah!” for we are a great nation. There will be beer drinking and barbeques, a nation rejoicing. But you and I, the Body of Christ, let us celebrate our TRUE independence: independence from SIN by Christ’s suffering for us on the cross; independence from worldly worries having FAITH in Christ the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

As we read in Nehemiah 8:10 –
"Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Rejoice! These good things are promised to us, given to us, ours for the taking. Take it! You deserve it, you are worthy of it. Take it all! Let THIS be your Independence Day. Rejoice that your name is written in heaven!

Oh yeah. And just one more thing:
As we are reminded in Paul's letter to the Romans (chapter 12: 13)
"Share with God's people who are in need."
Now that you HAVE your independence, go OUT THERE and share it!

Michael R. Martin – July 4, 2004
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM