Sermon by Michael R. Martin
First United Methodist Church of Saranac Lake, NY
Luke 12:32-40 (NRSV)
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Watchful Slaves (Be Ready for the Lord's Coming – NLTse)
"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."
Jesus uses mini-parable to talk about our personal salvation.
Sell your possessions and give alms (give to the needy) – similar to the story of the rich man asked to sell everything to get to heaven (easier for a camel to slip through the eye of a needle). Not necessarily literal: but if it doesn’t mean to sell everything you own, it means to give until it hurts – give of your money, give of your talents, give of your time to a personal relationship with Jesus, give of your time to mission.
If you knew a burglar was coming tonight, you'd get your house in order to prevent a break-in (lock doors, lights on, sit up all night watching w/phone in hand, etc.)
Bible tells us Christ will come again to judge the living & the dead
- Hebrews 9:28 (NLTse) so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
- 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLTse) I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
- 1 Peter 4:5-6 (NIV) But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
- John 12:47-48 (NLTse) I will not judge those who hear me but don't obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken
If you knew Christ was coming tonight, or tomorrow, or a week from Tuesday, what would you do differently?
There are at least three kinds of serious responses to this question
- I’m not going to change a thing: I'm nice to my neighbors, I pray daily, read & study the scriptures, help out the church and church mission, been on every church committee there is and chaired one or two -- you see the problem here? At the very least, a person with that response has some issues with pride & humility.
- I’m not going to change a thing: I've been so rotten that it is too late -- while it is never too late, it is a sin to have heard the gospel and God's great commandment and not put it to action in your life.
- I’d better get busy: sure, I've been pretty darn good but I am only human & I'd better spruce things up for my Lord & Savior.
Book of Discipline 2004 Edition
Introduction
- "The Discipline is the book of law of The United Methodist Church. It is the product of over 200 years of the General Conferences of the denominations which now form The United Methodist Church."
- "The Discipline [i]s the instrument for setting forth the laws, plan, polity, and process by which United Methodists govern themselves remains constant. … We do not see the Discipline as sacrosanct or infallible, but we do consider it a document suitable to our heritage. It is the most current statement of how United Methodists agree to live their lives together. It reflects our understanding of the Church and of what is expected of its laity and clergy as they seek to be effective witnesses in the world as a part of the whole body of Christ.
- 120. The Mission— The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs.
- 122. The Process for Carrying Out Our Mission— We make disciples as we:
- — proclaim the gospel, seek, welcome and gather persons into the body of Christ;
- lead persons to commit their lives to God through baptism by water and the spirit and profession of faith in Jesus Christ;
- nurture persons in Christian living through worship, the sacraments, spiritual disciplines, and other means of grace, such as Wesley's Christian conferencing;
- send persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, being and becoming a"compassionate, caring presence, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel; and
- continue the mission of seeking, welcoming and gathering persons into the community of the body of Christ.
- 125. The Heart of Christian Ministry — The heart of Christian ministry is Christ's ministry of outreaching love. Christian ministry is the expression of the mind and mission of Christ by a community of Christians that demonstrates a common life of gratitude and devotion, witness and service, celebration and discipleship. All Christians are called through their baptism to this ministry of servanthood in the world to the glory of God and for human fulfillment.
- 127. Ministry as Gift and Task — This ministry of all Christians in Christ's name and spirit is both a gift and a task. The gift is God's unmerited grace; the task is unstinting service. …
- 128. Faithful Ministry — The people of God, who are the church made visible in the world, must convince the world of the reality of the gospel or leave it unconvinced. There can be no evasion or delegation of this responsibility; the church is either faithful as a witnessing and serving community, or it loses its vitality and its impact on an unbelieving world.
- 131. Mission as Active Expectancy — The ministry of all Christians consists of service for the mission of God in the world. The mission of God is best expressed in the prayer that Jesus taught his first disciples: Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as in heaven. All Christians, therefore, are to live in active expectancy: faithful in service of God and their neighbor; faithful in waiting for the fulfillment of God's universal love, justice, and peace on earth as in heaven.
- Pending this time of fulfillment, the ministry of all Christians is shaped by the teachings of Jesus. The handing on of these teachings is entrusted to leaders who are gifted and called by God to appointed offices in the church: some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12). For these persons to lead the church effectively, they must embody the teachings of Jesus in servant ministries and servant leadership. Through these ministries and leadership, congregations of the church are faithfully engaged in the forming of Christian disciples and vitally involved in the mission of God in the world.
- 132. Calling and Gifts of Leadership —"The United Methodist Church has traditionally recognized these gifts and callings in the ordained offices of elder and deacon. The United Methodist tradition has recognized that laypersons as well as ordained persons are gifted and called by God to lead the Church. The servant leadership of these persons is essential to the mission and ministry of congregations. They help to form Christian disciples in covenant community within the local congregation through spiritual formation and guidance for Christian living in the world."
- 137. Ordained Ministry — Ordained ministers are called by God to a lifetime of servant leadership in specialized ministries among the people of God. Ordained ministers are called to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world and the promise of God for creation. Within these specialized ministries, deacons are called to ministries of Word and Service, and elders are called to ministries of Service, Word, Sacrament, and Order ( 332). Through these distinctive functions ordained ministers devote themselves wholly to the work of the Church and to the upbuilding of the ministry of all Christians. They do this through the careful study of Scripture and its faithful interpretation; through effective proclamation of the gospel and responsible administration of the sacraments; through diligent pastoral leadership of their congregations for fruitful discipleship; and by following the guidance of the Holy Spirit in witnessing beyond the congregation in the local community and to the ends of the earth. The ordained ministry is defined by its faithful commitment to servant leadership following the example of Jesus Christ, by its passion for the hallowing of life, and by its concern to link all local ministries with the widest boundaries of the Christian community.
- 140. Definition of Clergy— Clergy in The United Methodist Church are individuals who serve as commissioned ministers, deacons, elders, and local pastors under appointment of a bishop (full- and part-time), who hold membership in an annual conference, and who are commissioned, ordained, or licensed.
- 141. Employment Status of Clergy — Ministry in the Christian church is derived from the ministry of Christ ("301). Jesus makes it clear to us that he is a shepherd and not a hireling (John 10:11-15). Similarly, United Methodist clergy appointed to local churches are not employees of the local church, the district, or the annual conference. It is recognized that for certain limited purposes such as taxation, benefits, and insurance, governments and other entities may classify clergy as employees. Such classifications are not to be construed as affecting or defining United Methodist polity, including the "historic covenants that bind annual conferences, clergy, and congregations, episcopal appointive powers and procedures, or other principles set forth in the Constitution or the Book of Discipline (see e.g., ½ 301; 328-329; 333-334; 338; 340). In addition, any such classifications should be accepted, if at all, only for limited purposes, as set forth above, and with the full recognition and acknowledgment that it is the responsibility of the clergy to be God's servants."
Section V. Church Membership
- 218. Growth in Faithful Discipleship —"Faithful membership in the local church is essential for personal growth and for developing a deeper commitment to the will and grace of God. As members involve themselves in private and public prayer, worship, the sacraments, study, Christian action, systematic giving, and holy discipline, they grow in their appreciation of Christ, understanding of God at work in history and the natural order, and an understanding of themselves.
- 219. Mutual Responsibility — Faithful discipleship includes the obligation to participate in the corporate life of the congregation with fellow members of the body of Christ. A member is bound in sacred covenant to shoulder the burdens, share the risks, and celebrate the joys of fellow members. A Christian is called to speak the truth in love, always ready to confront conflict in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
- 220. The Call to Ministry of All the Baptized — All members of Christ's universal church are called to share in the ministry which is committed to the whole church of Jesus Christ. Therefore, each member of The United Methodist Church is to be a servant of Christ on mission in the local and worldwide community. This servanthood is performed in family life, daily work, recreation and social activities, responsible citizenship, the stewardship of property and accumulated "resources, the issues of corporate life, and all attitudes toward other persons. Participation in disciplined groups is an expected part of personal mission involvement. Each member is called upon to be a witness for Christ in the world, a light and leaven in society, and a reconciler in a culture of conflict. Each member is to identify with the agony and suffering of the world and to radiate and exemplify the Christ of hope. The standards of attitude and conduct set forth in the Social Principles "(Part IV) shall be considered as an essential resource for guiding each member of the Church in being a servant of Christ on mission.
Section I. The Meaning of Ordination and Conference Membership
- 303. Purpose of Ordination
2. Ordination is fulfilled in leadership of the people of God through ministries of Service, Word, Sacrament, and Order. The Church's ministry of service is a primary representation of God's love. Those who respond to God's call to lead in service and to equip others for this ministry through teaching, proclamation, and worship and who assist elders in the administration of the sacraments are ordained deacons. "Those whose leadership in service includes preaching and teaching the Word of God, administration of the sacraments, ordering the Church for its mission and service, and administration of the Discipline of the Church are ordained as elders.
. . .
4. The effectiveness of the Church in mission depends on these covenantal "commitments to the ministry of all Christians and the ordained ministry of the Church. Through ordination and through other offices of pastoral leadership, the Church provides for the continuation of Christ's ministry, which has been committed to the church as a whole. Without creative use of the diverse gifts of the entire body of Christ, the ministry of the church is less effective. Without responsible leadership, the focus, direction, and continuity of that ministry is diminished…"
And what the Book of Resolutions has to say:
Book of Resolutions
Introduction
The Book of Resolutions, 2004, published by The United Methodist Publishing House, is primarily a reference tool for church members and leaders. The Book of Resolutions, 2004, collects in one volume all current and official social policies and other resolutions adopted by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. These resolutions are:
- Official policy statements for guiding all the work and ministry of The United Methodist Church on approximately 200 subjects;
- Educational resources for The United Methodist Church on many of the important issues affecting the lives of people and all God's creation;
- Guides and models for helping United Methodist members and groups relate a lively biblical faith to action in daily life;
- Resource materials for persons preparing public statements about United Methodist concerns on current social issues.
22. Support for Clergy Families
- Over the last many years, clergy and their families have continued to express serious concerns for the stresses they bear in their congregations and districts. This phrase, "life in the fishbowl," describes how pastor and staff therapist Frank J. Stalfa sees the lives of clergy and their spouses and family members in our local congregations. The image is painfully accurate about the situation filled with unrealistic expectations, virtually nonexistent boundaries for privacy and personal time, disrupted lives, crisis in careers and educational programs, unending demands of congregational needs, and pressure for spouses and "PKs" (preacher's kids) to be perfect, "model" Christians.
- The roles of clergy spouse and family "are unique and frequently taken for granted. These roles are, nonetheless, critical to the success of the clergy's ministry. Sustaining the emotional, spiritual, physical, and economic health of our clergy families is a ministry to be recommended to every congregation and district.
- We can support our clergy families by doing the following:
- First, examining our own attitudes, "perceptions, and expectations and identifying where we are unrealistic
- Asking ourselves the questions that will identify any sexism or racism in our expectations and assumptions: If this clergy spouse/family member were another gender or another race, would I have the same expectations? Would I make the same assumptions?;
- Remembering they are human and have their own personal and professional lives;
- Regularly clarifying and keeping our expectations realistic, recognizing that pedestals are for statues;
- Avoiding stereotypic demands of a clergy spouse as an extension of the clergy or as another professional at the service of the congregation.
- Whether Christ returns in judgement today or after your life has slipped beyond its earthly veil, these are the days & this is the life for which you will be judged
- There is no such thing as a passive Christian - it is an oxymoron.
- Sunday worship together, what Wesley (others?) called corporate worship, is a necessary commitment, a blessing to share. But it is not meant to be your one interaction w/Christ nor is it meant to be your one action for Christ.
- Proverbs 11:24-25 (NKJV) There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.
- Personal worship is also a necessary commitment - daily conversations with God through prayer & reading/studying the Bible
- The Christian life is summed up in Hebrews 13:1-5 — hospitable to strangers, mindful of sufferers, purity in marriage, simplicity in lifestyle.
- Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
The bible is very direct in how we should treat/interact with our church leaders
- Heb 13:6 (NIV) Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
- Heb 13:17 (NLTse) Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
Michael R. Martin, Certified Lay Speaker
August 12, 2007 • First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM
