Sunday November 30, 2008 – First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 64:1–9; Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19; 1 Corinthians 1:3–9; Mark 13:24–37

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

Calendar
We begin a new church year. November 30 is the first Sunday in the liturgical year and lectionary cycle B of the Christian calendar.
November 30 is also United Methodist Student Day, with a special offering designated.
December 1 (Monday) is World AIDS Day.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the First Sunday of Advent, Year B (November 30, 2008) (Purple or Blue)

• Isaiah 64:1-9: The prophet calls for God to appear decisively, to "tear open the heavens" so the nations would tremble. He also confesses the need for such decisive intervention -- the utter sinfulness of humanity, even of those who are part of God's covenant. Finally, he changes metaphors -- from earthly catastrophe to remaking pots, begging God to be merciful when God comes.
  
• Isaiah 64: God's appearance is so intense that it is like a consuming fire that burns everything in its path. If we are so impure, how can we be saved? Only by God's mercy. God is the Potter, We are the Clay
  
• Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 (UMH 801). The people cry out for restoration from the midst of exile. "Restore us, Lord God of hosts. Shine the light of your countenance upon us, that we may be saved!"
  
• Psalm 80 [Theme:] A prayer for revival and restoration after experiencing destruction. God is our only hope for salvation. Life Application Study Bible.
  
• 1 Corinthians 1:3-9: In the midst of offering a greeting to the Christians in Corinth, Paul points to the end -- the coming Day of the Lord -- to call them to continue to grow and be faithful in using their spiritual gifts.
  
• 1 Corinthians – Paul gives thanks to God
  
• Mark 13:24-37: Jesus' description of the end and his clear instruction always to be on watch for signs of it.
  
• Mark 13:24 – Jesus tells about his return
  

Isaiah 64:1-9 (NLT)

1 Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down! How the mountains would quake in your presence!
2 As fire causes wood to burn and water to boil, your coming would make the nations tremble. Then your enemies would learn the reason for your fame!
3 When you came down long ago, you did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations. And oh, how the mountains quaked!
4 For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!
5 You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways. But you have been very angry with us, for we are not godly. We are constant sinners; how can people like us be saved?
6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
7 Yet no one calls on your name or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore, you have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins.
8 And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.
9 Don’t be so angry with us, Lord. Please don’t remember our sins forever. Look at us, we pray, and see that we are all your people.

1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (NLT)

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul Gives Thanks to God

4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mark 13:24-37 (NLT)

24 “At that time, after the anguish of those days,
the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
28 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The entire thirteenth chapter of Mark tells us how to live while we wait for Christ's return: (1) We are not to be misled by confusing claims or speculative interpretations of what will happen (Mark 13:5,6). (2) We should not be afraid to tell people about Christ, despite what they might say or do to us (Mark 13:9-11). (3) We must stand firm by faith and not be surprised by persecutions (Mark 13:13). (4) We must be morally alert, obedient to the commands for living found in God's Word. This chapter was not given to promote discussions on prophetic timetables, but to stimulate right living for God in a world where he is largely ignored.
Life Application Study Bible.

Mark: These verses refer to the Second Coming of Christ.
• It was a common belief that the appearance of God would disturb nature (verses 24-25). This was seen in an incident in Exodus, where the appearance of God was accompanied by thunder or fire on the mountain and great fear.
• Verse 30, which says that this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place, was particularly disturbing to members of the early church who expected the Second Coming of Christ to take place during their lifetime.
• Verses 32-37 remind us all to remain alert and vigilant because no one knows the exact day or time when Christ will come again.

(Mark 13:37) Watch (gregoreuo): to keep awake, to stay alert, to be watchful and sleepless, to be vigilant. It also includes the idea of being motivated, that is, of desiring, of holding and keeping one's attention (mind) upon a thing. Watching also has the idea of being alert at the right time. It is at night that one really needs to stay awake and watch for the thief (cp. 1 Thes. 5:4-9).

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Cor. 16:13).
"Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thes. 5:6).
"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" (2 Tim. 4:5).
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (1 Peter 4:7).

Matthew 26:41 (NLT)

41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Mark 13:33-34 (NLT)
33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! 34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
Mark 13:36 (NLT)
36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.

What is Advent?

(Wikipedia)Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming") is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, in other words, the period immediately before Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western Christian year and commences on Advent Sunday.
Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second coming of Christ.
The theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas. With the view of directing the thoughts of Christians to the first coming of Jesus Christ as Saviour, and to his second coming as Judge, special lessons are prescribed for each of the four Sundays in Advent.

Advent was formerly penitential, hence the traditional alter color is Purple as in Lent, but there is a growing interest in and acceptance of the color blue as an alternative. The United Methodist Book of Worship of 1992 identifies purple or blue as appropriate colors for Advent (224, 226, 238). The genesis of the introduction of blue into the liturgical colors comes from continued reflection on the calendar of the Christian year, particularly on the season of Advent. Here is how the reasoning goes: Advent is a season of preparation that anticipates both Bethlehem and the consummation of history in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Since this anticipation is characterized by hope -- in contrast to the repentance characteristic of Lent -- the color for the season should not be purple, with its mood of solemnity and somberness, but blue with its hopefulness. Admittedly, there is a some subjectivity in linking colors with certain moods.

An appropriate epistle for any Advent Sunday is Romans 13:11-14 (NLT)

11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

The first Sunday of Advent is November 30 this year, and we move into Year B of the lectionary. During this year of the three-year lectionary cycle, we will read through Mark's gospel, engage the stories of David's family, and spend considerable time in the epistles of Ephesians, Hebrews, and James.

But during Advent in particular, we focus on endings to come that bring the hope of new beginnings. And during Year B, since we are working with a gospel that has no stories about the birth of Jesus, the focus on endings is perhaps the most insistent, and in December in North America, perhaps the most difficult to manage against the "Christmas" practices and expectations of culture and many a congregation alike.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Second Coming

The biblical doctrine of the end times (called eschatology, from Greek eschata, “last things”) refers to the time and events of the consummation of God’s redemptive activity. Holy Bible, New American Standard.

It involves the “last” or “latter days” (e.g., Isaiah 2:2), the Day of the Lord (e.g., Amos 5:18-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:2), the “age to come” (e.g., Ephesians 1:21; Hebrews 6:5), the “last days” (e.g., 2 Timothy 3:1), the “last time” (Jude 18), and the “last hour” (1 John 2:18). Holy Bible, New American Standard.
The Second Coming of Christ (a phrase not found in the Bible) is expressed by the apostles in the following special terms: (1) "Παρουσία, Parousía" (parousía), a word fairly common in Greek, with the meaning "presence" (2 Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:12). More especially it may mean "presence after absence," "arrival" (but not "return," unless this is given by the context),The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

Repeated Promises Of Coming
Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with promises of the Second Coming of Christ. There are 1,845 references to it in the Old Testament, and a total of seventeen Old Testament books give it prominence.
Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318 references to the Second Coming, or one out of 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. The four missing books include three which are single-chapter letters written to individual persons on a particular subject, and the fourth is Galatians which does imply Christ's coming again.
For every prophecy on the First Coming of Christ, there are 8 on Christ's Second Coming.
Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.

Matthew 24:27-31 (NLT)

27 For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. 28 Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. 29 “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

Revelation 22:7 (NLT)

7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”

Revelation 22:12-13 (NLT)

12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Purpose of Second Coming

Matthew 16:27 (NLT)

27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

Matthew 25:31 (NLT)

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)

5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

Preparation for Second Coming

Matthew 24:44 (NLT) (readiness)

44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Luke 12:35-36 (NLT)

35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.

1 Corinthians 1:7 (NLT)

7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)

5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NLT)

23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

Titus 2:12-13 (NLT)

12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

1 Peter 1:13 (NLT)

13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

1 John 2:28 (NLT) Living as Children of God

28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

Why Hasn’t Christ Returned?

Matthew 24:36 (NLT)

36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)

8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

Biblical Details about the Second Coming Of Christ

• We do not know when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36)
  
• Christ’s return will be unmistakable (Mark 13:26-27)
  
• Christ’s return will be joyous for those who are ready (Luke 12:35-40)
  
• The Second Coming will be a time of judgment on unbelievers (John 12:37-50)
  
• At Christ’s second coming we will be with him forever (John 14:1-3)
  
• The promise of Christ’s return (Acts 1:10-11)
  
• Believers will be resurrected and given glorious bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
  
• Christ’s return will be visible and glorious (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
  
• At Christ’s return, Christians who are dead and alive will rise to meet him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
  
• Continue to serve God as you await the Second Coming (1 Peter 4:7-8)
  
• Patiently await Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:8-13)
  
• Jesus is coming soon (Revelation 22:20-21)
  

The Events of Christ's Return

1. Christ will return visibly, with a loud command.
   
2.  There will be an unmistakable cry from an angel.
   
3. There will be a trumpet fanfare such as has never been heard.
   
4. Believers in Christ who are dead will rise up from their graves.
   
5. Believers who are alive will be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ.
   
6. While Christians have often disagreed about what events will lead up to the return of Christ, there has been less disagreement about what will happen once Christ does return.
   

Life Application Study Bible.

What Does This Mean to Us, Today?

• Matthew 24:3 (NLT) How Should We Live
  

3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

• We must be preparing ourselves so we will be ready for the second coming of Jesus.
  
• We should be aware of the signs of the Second Coming, but realize that these signs are easily misread.
  
• We are to continue to do the important work that needs to be completed before Jesus returns. (discipleship)
  
• We can be sure that Jesus' return will be universally unmistakable.
  
• We keep working, realizing that we don't know exactly when Jesus will return.
  
• We remain prepared, realizing that each day is the possible day of Jesus' return.
  
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NLT) 
  

6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.

• We are to keep busy because neither Jesus' delay nor his imminent arrival should be an excuse for idleness.
  
• John 12:48 (NLT) What Will Happen
  

48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.

• Jesus' second coming will have a different purpose than his first coming. The purpose of Jesus' first mission on earth was not to judge people, but to show them the way to find salvation and eternal life. When he comes again, one of his main purposes will be to judge people for how they lived on earth.
  
• John 14:2 (NIV) 
  

2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

• At Jesus' second coming, we will be with him forever.
  
• 1 Corinthians 1:7 (NLT) 
  

7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• At Jesus' second coming, we will fully experience the reality of our salvation.
  
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NLT) 
  

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

• Jesus' second coming will include the resurrection of believers who have died.
  
• Jesus' second coming will signal victory.
  

I want to wrap this up with a little reflection. When I was a teen, I went to a Baptist Youth Group on a regular basis. I went there out of my interest in God, but also out of my interest in a certain girl who also attended. My bible from that period is chock full of underlined verses, in a multiverse of colors. I can remember my girlfriend used to pass me love notes, saying things like “See you in the rapture.” I don't think we really knew what that meant.

Just recently, my wife and I went out to a restaurant to attend a surprise 50th birthday party of a good friend. We arrived early, since my vehicle is quite distinctive and we wanted to be able to park it somewhere out of  sight. As we waited, more and more people arrived and we all waited, talking excitedly in small groupd scattered around the room. The appointed hour of my friend's arrival came and went. Folks began to get antsy after about 15 minutes, and still no birthday boy. Well, he finally arrived, only about 25 minutes late and a good time was had by all.

But that got me to thinking. What if it had taken an hour, two hours, three hours, a day, for my friend to arrive. How many would still be waiting? And if anyone was still waiting after a day, a week,  a month, how EXCITED would they still be about the anticipated arrival. I suspect it would take far less than a day for everyone to drift away and get on with their lives.

That is what it is like waiting for Jesus. We've been told he is coming. It could be soon. Two thousand years later, how excited are YOU?

Michael R. Martin – November 20, 2008
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM

As The Farmer Scatters Seed . . . • July 13, 2008

Genesis 25:19-34; Psalm 119:105-112 or Psalm 25; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

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

Matthew 13:1-9 (NRSV)

The Parable of the Sower
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with ears listen!"

The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

We have entered in our readings into the “season of parables.” Now, there is no such thing as a season of parables on any clerical calendar that I am aware of, but our readings over the next weeks will re-introduce us to many of these teaching stories. This parable of the farmer sowing grain onto four soils is the first of Jesus’ many parables recounted by Matthew. It takes place on the shores of Sea of Galilee. It is said in some gospel translations that a boat was always kept ready and waiting, and here Jesus takes to the boat perhaps that he might better be seen and heard by the immense crowd that had gathered. Keep in mind that this parable is shared at time when Jesus faced opposition. Parables, like satire and other relatively obscure forms of speech, are frequently used when straightforward speech could be life threatening. Parables are still used today as a rabbinical teaching tool (in Hebrew, parables are often called meshalim). I would say that there are two main questions for you to keep in mind as we explore these parables in our readings in the weeks to come:

• First, what is the main point of the parable?
• and most importantly, how does this parable speak truth to you, today, in our time, in your life?

I often wondered if Jesus decided to use this particular parable first as a lesson in parables – he certainly spells this one right out for us; or perhaps Matthew chose it as something easy to cut our teeth on. It is a simple, straightforward story. It was very applicable to the agricultural life of the times, so it was accessible to the people – they could easily understand the imagery, as I think we still can today. Who here hasn’t at one time or another broadcast grass seeds over the soil, or perhaps fed chickens by broadcasting feed, as pastor Linda used to love to recount? So we can identify with that farmer, sowing seeds.

Just in case you have never sowed seed or fed chickens, I have a modern day equivalent parable for you – recount the hydroseeding out in front of our house. Road construction nearing completion, some areas top soil, some still stony sandy soil, some areas pavement, some concrete curbing. Nowadays, road crews use hydroseeder to sow seeds over large expanses. . .

So, in front of our house, some of this mixture was sprayed onto our paved driveway, some was sprayed onto the sandy rocky subsoil, and some was sprayed onto the clean, rich loamy topsoil. Yesterday it rained. Yesterday it rained a LOT. Most of the seed mixture on the driveway washed away, but some is stuck in little cracks where the pavement meets the concrete curb. The seed mixture stuck pretty well on both the sandy soil and top soil. The sun will come out, the seed will sprout – what do you suppose is going to happen to the grasses that start growing? The grass stuck on the pavement will grow, tucked into the spray mixture, but the roots will have nowhere to go, and soon the sun will wilt them and they will die. The grass mixture on the sandy, rocky subsoil will also sprout, the roots will take hold, but the sand will hold little moisture. So although these grasses will grow, they will not thrive. Ah, but the seed that landed where it was meant to land, on the rich loam, it will sprout, the roots will reach down into a soil that holds moisture for it and the grasses will do well here.

So, there is the parable, for the old-time farmer or modern soil conservationist in you. But the easy thing about this parable – it’s a pretty short hop to see how this story can relate to God’s word and our mission as disciples. Believe me, some of the parables are not so easy to decipher, to relate to our own lives. But here, we have God’s Word -- the seed, and God’s disciples – the farmer, and the people of the world – the soil. We are not the seed, YOU are not the seed. The Good News is the seed! And although you and I are in the world, we are not the soil, WE are not the soil. We are among God’s chosen people, YOU are among God’s chosen people. God has nurtured your life from before you were born, and made you who you are, and led you, to this very here and now. God’s seed has been planted and tended and taken root in your heart and soul. YOU, my good friends, are farmers. Or, if you’d rather, you are the person directing the nozzle of the hydro spray truck – it IS after all a heck of a lot more efficient!

"Precision Farming" In Millennium

As we enter the millennium, a new system of crop management called "precision farming" is bringing agriculture into the Information Age

Precision farming is based on the idea that no two clumps of dirt are alike. The "modern" agriculture of the last 50 years has tended to treat whole tracts of land, from back porch to fence post, as great, homogenous plots of potting soil. Some areas end up overfertilized; other don't get enough herbicide. Still others get the wrong seed variety, so costs soar and crop fields suffer.

Precision farming delivers more personalized attention. As Daney Keppel of the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultant says: "If you spoon-feed each plant based on what it needs, it'll probably do better."

The technique employs such innovations as Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), computer mapping systems, and a Star Trek-like crop monitor that uses beams of light to get a reading of "plant health." The technology is allowing farmers to collect and absorb unprecedented amounts of data about their fields and crops, and to tailor their husbandry to the findings.

Lasers measure field topography—the hills and valley—and multiple soil samples are analyzed for fertility, salinity, pH and a dozen more obscure properties. Satellite images are used to pinpoint problem areas in the fields. Every sandy patch, strand of Russian thistle and shortage of phosphorus is recorded with GPS locators and plotted out on maps so that the same area can be monitored year after year.

At harvest, electronic yield monitors built into combines automatically log the weight and quality of the crop.

As any farmer knows, you have to have two things first and foremost to grow a crop. . . good soil and good seed. Our mission, then, is to tend to the soil so that it is ready to accept seed, and plant seeds wherever and whenever we can. The nice thing about being God’s farmer is that you don’t have to do it all. You may never know the fruits of your labor, but perhaps that little bit of soil you cultivated in someone was just the planting bed needed for the next farmer that comes along. And after that farmer, someone did a little watering, then someone took out a hoe and did a little weeding. And before you know it, we’ve got another honest to God farmer on our hands!

I’ll reiterate what I said a few weeks back. We sit in this church at a time of incredible opportunity and challenge. We are by and large not happy with the way things are going, we have an inspired church council willing to evaluate change, and we have a new pastor who comes to us loaded with experience and energy and ideas. None of us is here by accident, nothing that has come before is wasted. I want to see this church bursting with farmers who come eagerly in each Sunday to get a little well deserved watering and tending so they can take it right back out their into the fields.

Can you IMAGINE what that would be like? How exciting that would be?
I know I am preaching to the choir here, or auctioning to the farmer, or whatever. I wish I could teleport our entire membership into this room right now and give them the same story. If I could teleport our membership here, I suspect we’d have mixed company -- farmers of all types and soil of various qualities -- but that’s ok, too. The body of Christ is made of many parts, each with a special purpose.

I am blessed that I can come here and worship with you, that you come here and worship with me, that we can worship together as often as we do. I am ready to do more.
I won’t ask for a show of hands, but if you are ready to do more, pray with me.

Heavenly Father, Creator God, continue to keep our church under your careful guidance. I praise your glory and am ever thankful for the gifts you have given me. I offer myself to you, Lord, in service. Guide me, Lord, that I might give what is most needed, where it is most needed, when it is most needed. Continue to water those of us gathered here with your blessings, Lord, that we continue to grow in your love. And, as always, I ask that all things be your will, Lord, not mine.

Amen

Michael R. Martin – July 13, 2008
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM & 10AM

Weeds & Waste Places • July 20, 2008

Genesis 28:10-19a; Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

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

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (NLT)

Parable of the Wheat and Weeds
24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’

28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Explained
36 Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”

37 Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. 39 The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.

40 “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

Jesus explained that the kingdom grows quietly and abundantly, yet evil still exists in the world. Jesus gives the meaning of this parable in 13:37-43, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seeds are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil." That the enemy came while everybody was asleep does not indicate neglect on anyone's part; that he went away does not indicate his absence. Instead, these details merely highlight the stealth and malicious intent of Satan (the enemy, "the evil one").

The "weed" Jesus referred is generally considered to be darnel, AKA darnel rye-grass or cockle (Tare in old bible translations) (Lolium temulentum), a weedy plant that looks very much like wheat in the early stages of growth, but becomes distinguishable when the heads of the wheat appear. The seed is not poisonous but it is often infected by a fungus which is very toxic. Darnel is a member of the rye-grass family and occurs throughout the US, where it is generally considered a noxious weed. The plant stem can grow up to 1 meter tall, with inflorescence in the ears and purple grain. It grows plentifully in Syria and Israel. It usually grows in the same production zones as wheat and is considered a weed. The similarity between these two plants is so extensive that in some regions cockle is referred to as "false wheat." It bears a close resemblance to wheat until the ear appears. The ears on the real wheat are so heavy that it makes the entire plant droop downward, but the "false wheat", which ears are light, stands straight. Interestingly enough, this weed is related to perennial rye grass, which is heavily planted as lawns and ground cover.

Jesus' hearers would have understood how no one would have noticed the weeds until the plants came up and bore grain. Only then would the weeds appear. A heavy infestation of darnel (indicated by it being "sowed" among the grain) would cause the roots of both plants to become entangled. To sow darnel in a person's wheat field was punishable by Roman law. This was a known practice in ancient warfare and feuds—destroy a nation's (or person's) agricultural base and his military might would also be destroyed. The presence of Satan's children among God's people would also serve to weaken them. Because no one recognized the weeds, both grew at the same time. This real-life situation gave Jesus' hearers a picture of God's kingdom growing and thriving alongside evil in this world.

On Noxious Weeds

Because of my work in lake management and county soil & water conservation districts across the United States over the past twenty years, I have become quite familiar with weeds. A weed is simply a plant that grows too abundantly where it is not wanted. Most distressing to the environment is the non-native invasive species. These are plants that don’t normally grow in the US and grow so well that they quickly overtake native species, disturbing and sometimes destroying the natural environment once they get introduced. Many weeds were introduced in the 1800s, when enthusiastic botanists brought to the US examples of new plants found in Europe and Asia. Plants such as Eurasian milfoil, which chokes lakes, ponds and waterways across the US, including most of NY and a number of popular lakes here in the Adirondacks. One small fragment of this plant can start a whole large colony within a year or two and entirely take over a lake in less than five years. This plant is a perennial, and is so hardy it even continues to grow under the ice.

One invasive plant, purple loosestrife, can produce up to 2.7 million seeds per plant yearly and spreads across approximately 1 million additional acres of wetlands each year, with an economic impact of millions of dollars.

A terrestrial plant, the giant hogweed, is a member of the carrot family, related not only to that favorite food of cartoon rabbits, but such common roadside plants as Queen Anne’s Lace and yarrow. Looking much like a giant Queen Anne’s Lace 2 ½’ in diameter, the plant grows 8 – 15’ high, with a 5’ wide deeply divided leaf. : Hogweed is a public health hazard. Giant hogweed produces a clear, watery noxious sap that causes severe photodermatitis in humans and animals, meaning the skin becomes so sensitive to ultraviolet light that skin contact followed by exposure to sunlight produces painful, burning blisters that may develop into purplish or blackened scars. This can be long-lasting, even permanent. Contact with the eyes can cause temporary or permanent blindness. This plant is known to occur in fields and waste places in New York. My baby sister had it growing in her garden in Laconia, NH.

Some high percentage of what we consider wild flowers are what we botanists call naturalized escapes. In other words, someone planted them in their flower garden and they spread into the wild and became established there. The percentage may be as high as 80 – 90 percent. Read any good botanical guide, such as Newcomb’s wild flower guide or local reclusive genius Michael Kudish’s Guide to the Flora of the Adirondacks and you’ll begin to realize just how many wildflowers are indeed escapes and naturalized plants. The other thing one quickly learns is that many of the common, meaning abundant, plants grow in what botanists call disturbed and waste places. This doesn’t mean trash dumps, but anywhere the earth has been disturbed and the natural plant community destroyed. Examples are railroad beds, edges of parking lots, abandoned farm fields.

This is a good lesson for us, if we consider God’s master creation, the human, to be like the plant community. Many people are naturalized escapes, growing in places where they find themselves. A high percentage are weeds. Unlike the Wheat and Weed parable, which spoke of a specific weed, not all weeds are bad. Many are pretty to look at – in fact, if it weren’t for the “weeds,” including the naturalized escapes, we wouldn’t have a very diverse population – of humans or wildflowers. But some of the weeds are very bad.

Here we have another parable where Jesus through Matthew provides an interpretation. Jesus spoke this words while at the sea. There he spoke publicly to the crowds. Jesus' movement back into the house signifies a movement away from the crowds and to private discussion with his disciples. Jesus described the identity of the important parts of the parable of the weeds recorded in 13:24-30. Jesus explained to his listening disciples that the good seeds are believers, sown by the Son of Man in the field of the world. In this world also existed those who were not children of the kingdom; thus, they were children of the devil, sown by him into this world. At the end of the age, the angels would come and the harvest would begin.

GOD DOES THE WEEDING

Jesus' reference is to the kingdom of heaven and is not limited to the church. However, the church is in the world as well as in the kingdom of heaven, so the truth also applies. There are good seeds and bad seeds, children of God and children of Satan, in the church. At first glance, the works of each may be difficult to distinguish. Jesus appealed to us to be appropriately inclusive (we should avoid exclusiveness and arrogant separatism). We should strive for unity with others even when it may present the risk of "weeds." The work of judgment is God's. Yet we must not be naive. Satan has a strategy and his children are at work.

The young weeds and the young blades of wheat look the same and can't be distinguished until they are grown and ready for harvest. Weeds (unbelievers) and wheat (believers) must live side by side in this world. God allows unbelievers to remain for a while, just as a farmer allows weeds to remain in his field so that the surrounding wheat won't be uprooted with them. At the harvest, however, the weeds will be uprooted and thrown away. God's harvest (judgment) of all people is coming. Make yourself ready by remaining faithful to Christ and obeying him.

13:40-42 "Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

At this harvest, God will separate his people from Satan's people. As the harvesters collect the weeds into bundles to be destroyed, so Satan's works and Satan's people will be thrown into the furnace of fire. According to the Life Application Bible, the "furnace of fire" is not a name for hell but is a metaphor for final judgment. Jesus often used the term "weeping and gnashing of teeth" to refer to the coming judgment. The "weeping" indicates sorrow or remorse, and "gnashing of teeth" shows extreme anxiety or pain. Those who say they don't care what happens to them after they die don't realize what they are saying. God will punish them for living in selfishness and indifference to him. Jesus, who has already identified himself as the Son of Man, revealed that he will inaugurate the end of the age and the final judgment.

TRAGEDY OF EVIL

Followers of Jesus do not fear God's final judgment, but we must respond to it with

• tears, for the separation and suffering that will fall upon evildoers. We must never gloat over or feel indifferent to the fate of those facing judgment. God mourns over lost souls, and so should we.
• sharing the gospel, since many need to hear and all who respond in faith will be saved from judgment. Christians ought to always be witnessing people.
• lifelong service, because no matter what your job, profession, or education, all you do should be dedicated to God. God uses your work to advance his kingdom and overcome evil.

13:43 "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!"NRSV Reflecting words from Daniel 12:3, Jesus described the final glory of the righteous: "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" (NIV). Those who receive God's favor stand in bright contrast to those who receive his judgment. The "kingdom of their Father" is another name for the kingdom of God and heaven. Heaven will be a glorious place! The message is vitally important, so anyone with ears should listen!

Michael R. Martin – July 20, 2008
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM

On Love • August 31, 2008

Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 105; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28

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

We have a selection of good lectionary readings for this week.

In Exodus, we have the story of Moses and the Burning Bush

In Matthewm Jesus predicts his death (“From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!””) and says those immortal words tos Paul: “Satan, get thee behind me!”

And Romans is about love. When I first started working on this week, I figured love would be an easy topic to tackle. But Nooooooo!

Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) – Love

        9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
        14Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
        17Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
        19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
        “I will take revenge;
        I will pay them back,”
        says the Lord.
20Instead,
        “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
        If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
        In doing this, you will heap
        burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

In this reading from Romans, Paul exhorts the Christian communities at Rome to live out together what it means to be one body in Christ -- loving one another, respecting and forgiving one another, loving and reaching out in care to enemies, and blessing even those who persecute them. Even as Christ overcame the power of sin and death in his incarnation, life, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection, so his body, the church is called to overcome evil with good.

The New Living Testament entitles this passage “Love” and starts out “Don’t just pretend to love others.” The New Revised Standard Version calls it “Marks of a True Christian” and begins “Let love be genuine.”

In my approach to this topic, I first located a definition of love, in Wikipedia:

Love represents a range of emotions and experiences related to the senses of affection and sexual attraction.[1] The word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure to intense interpersonal attraction. This diversity of meanings, combined with the complexity of the feelings involved, makes love unusually difficult to consistently define, even compared to other emotional states.

As an abstract concept love usually refers to a strong, ineffable feeling towards another person. Even this limited conception of love, however, encompasses a wealth of different feelings, from the passionate desire and intimacy of romantic love to the nonsexual. Love in its various forms acts as a major facilitator of interpersonal relationships and, owing to its central psychological importance, is one of the most common themes in the creative arts.

Next, in my approach to understanding the subject of love, I collected a diverse group of quotations and reflecdtions on the subject.

The Persian (Iran) viewpoint:

Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth "you owe me".
Look what happens with a Love like that!
- It lights the whole Sky. (Hafiz)

and

The children of Adam are limbs of each other
Having been created of one essence.
When the calamity of time afflicts one limb
The other limbs cannot remain at rest.
If you have no sympathy for the troubles of others
You are not worthy to be called by the name of "man".

From the Greeks, we learn about special types of love. Much like the Eskimo is said to have numerous words for snow, the Greeks covered love. But I focused on the purest form of love, agape.

Agape (ἀγάπη agápē) means love in modern day Greek. The term s'agapomeans I love you in Greek, and sounds quite romantic. The word agapo is the verb I love. It generally refers to a "pure", ideal type of love rather than the physical attraction suggested by eros. However, there are some examples of agape used to mean the same as eros. It has also been translated as "love of the soul".

In the New Testament, agapē is charitable, selfless, altruistic, and unconditional. It is parental love seen as creating goodness in the world, it is the way God is seen to love humanity, and it is seen as the kind of love that Christians aspire to have for one another. I was exposed to this special selfless love on my Walk to Emmaus and was further warmed by agape as a servant on a number of Emmaus teams.

Christians believe that to Love God with all your heart, mind, and strengthand Love your neighbor as yourself are the two most important things in life (the greatest commandment of the Jewish Torah, according to Jesus - c.f. Gospel of Mark chapter 12, verses 28-34).

Paul the Apostle glorified love as the most important virtue of all. Describing love in First Corinthians in a poem made famous by so many weddings, Paul wrote,

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." - 1 Cor. 13:4-7 (NIV)

John the Apostle wrote these words, popularized at football games and sports arenas around the world,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." - John 3:16-18 (NIV)

John also wrote,

"Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Saint Augustine said that one must be able to decipher the difference between love and lust. Lust, according to Saint Augustine, is an over indulgence, but to love and be loved is what he sought for his entire life. He even said, “I was in love with love.” Finally, he did fall in love and was loved back, by God. Saint Augustine said the only one who can love you truly and fully is God, because love with a human only allows for flaws such as, “jealousy, suspicion, fear, anger, and contention.” According to Saint Augustine to love God is “to attain the peace which is yours.” (Saint Augustine Confessions)

Christian theologians see God as the source of love, which is mirrored in humans and their own loving relationships. Influential Christian theologian C.S. Lewis wrote a book called The Four Loves.

Pope Benedict XVI wrote his first encyclical on God is love. He said that a human being, created in the image of God who is love, is able to practice love: to give himself to God and others (agape), by receiving and experiencing God's love in contemplation (eros). This life of love, according to him, is the life of the saints such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is the direction Christians take when they believe that God loves them.

Some Love Quotations:

"Attention is the most basic form of love; through it we bless and are blessed." - John Tarrant

"Love stretches your heart and makes you big inside." - Margaret Walker
"Love has no awareness of merit or demerit; it has no scale... Love loves; this is its nature." - Howard Thurman

"Love is more than three words mumbled before bedtime. Love is sustained by action, a pattern of devotion in the things we do for each other every day." - Nicholas Sparks

"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven." - Karen Sunde

"Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence." - Erich Fromm

"In the final analysis, love is the only reflection of man's worth." - Bill Wundram, Iowa Quad Cities Times

"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile." - Elizabeth Browning

"To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering one must not love. But then one suffers from not loving. Therefore to love is to suffer, not to love is to suffer. To suffer is to suffer. To be happy is to love. To be happy then is to suffer. But suffering makes one unhappy. Therefore, to be unhappy one must love, or love to suffer, or suffer from too much happiness. I hope you're getting this down." - Woody Allen

"The more I give to thee, the more I have.'' - William Shakespeare

"Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.'' - Mother Teresa

The key ingredient in interpersonal relationships is love—God's love (agape). This kind of love is a self-sacrificial love, a love that cares for the well-being of others. All the gifts that are exercised in the body should be expressed in this love. This love is the most accurate indicator of spiritual health in the body of Christ. To the Ephesians Paul wrote, "Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" (Ephesians 4:15-16 NIV). Believers have God's love within because "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (5:5). For our love to be different from most of what is called "love" in the world, it must be genuine—without hypocrisy, deceit, falseness. Sincere love is genuine love. Jesus was referring to this kind of love when he said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35 NIV).

Agape received a broader usage under later Christian writers as the word that specifically denoted "Christian" love or "charity" (1 Corinthians 13:1–8), or even God (1 John 4:8, Theos ein agape, "God is Love"). The New Testament provides a number of definitions and examples of agape that generally expand on the meanings derived from ancient texts, denoting brotherly love, love of one's spouse or children, and the love of God for all people.

The Christian usage of the term agape comes almost directly from the canonical Gospels' account of the teachings of Jesus. When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus said, "'Love (agapao) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love (agapao) your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-41)

At the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:

You have heard that it was said, 'Love (agapao) your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love (agapao) your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?

GENUINE LOVE

Most people know how to pretend to love others—how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of others' needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice. But God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond politeness. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ in your town does. Look for people who need your love, and look for ways you and your fellow believers can show your Christian love to others.

Romans 12:10a
• NIV: Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
• NLT: Love each other with genuine affection.

I am a bit of a poet and a songwriter, although I don’t really demonstrate those talents here on Sunday mornings. Most of my stuff is a little dark – the pain of lost love or unrequited love. Romantic love can be quite painful. The most powerful love I ever felt was when my daughter was born, our first child. My wife experienced a extremnely prolonged labor with our daughter two weeks overdue. She tried to accelerate the process by mowing the lawn on a hot summer day. We went to see the movie Terminator, thinking that a scary movie might kick something into gear. After several attempts to induce labor, my daughters heartrate began to drop precipitously, and so she was born by Emergency Cesarean Section. Perhaps all other parents can empathize how the first time I saw my little girl, the first time I held her, I was filled with a powerful, overwhelming love that penetrated ever fiber of my being. I can still call upon that earth-shattering, life-changing moment. I know that when my son was born 18 months later, I was again filled with the awe and wonder of it all, but I don;t remember ever feeling so overwhelmed with love as I was the day Emily took her first breath. 

Imagine if we could generate that kind of agape love - powereful, unearned and unconditional - for strangers, for our enemies. In the words of that great R&B hit composed by Herb Alpert, Sam Cooke and Lou Adler and performed by Sam Cooke, “What a wonderful world it would be.”

Michael R. Martin – August 31, 2008
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM

Jesus Walks on Water • August 10, 2008

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28;Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33

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

Matthew 14:22-33 (NLT)

Jesus Walks on Water
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! ”

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.

“Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

~~~
Christ had to constrain His disciples to leave and go to the other shore. They argued against going. There were several reasons why the use of constraint was necessary.

First, right after Christ had fed the crowd, they wished to take Him by force and make Him King. Christ knew the popular view of Messiahship. The Messiah was to lead Israel in revolt against the Roman conqueror, freeing the people and establishing a theocratic government, that is, the rule and reign of God over all the earth. The disciples were caught up in the excitement. Christ had to send them across the lake and disperse the crowd in order to calm the disciples and keep them from making a serious mistake. Of course, Christ knew that they would be fighting a storm, and having to strain against a storm and fight for survival would calm their excitement. His calming the storm would also prove His Messiahship and again show that He was in control of all things. It would show that He knew the best way to proclaim His Messiahship.

Second, it was time for Christ to move on, for others needed His ministry. He wanted the disciples to make use of what little daylight remained for crossing the lake.

Third, and so important to see, Christ needed time alone for prayer.

Fourth, and just as important, Christ wanted the disciples to begin learning one of the most important lessons of their lives: His presence would always be with them, not necessarily His physical presence, but His spiritual presence. What they needed was great trust in Him.
The Lord's presence makes all the difference in the world.

1. Preparation, Personal— Prayer: Christ's presence is assured by personal preparation. This fact is demonstrated by what Christ Himself did, and the lesson is forceful. He got alone for prayer. There are times when long sessions of prayer are needed—no matter the circumstances. If Christ sensed the need how much more should we.

Christ sent the disciples across the lake and dismissed the crowd; then He got alone to pray. So much had happened, Jesus was just drained and exhausted. The tempter had confronted Him once again, offering the easy way to secure the loyalty of the people (see Deeper Study #1—Matthew 4:1-11,. The people were ready to acclaim Him king, but He knew that human proclamation was only the way of the devil. He had to secure salvation for men through death and the resurrection. He needed time alone with God.

• He needed to be renewed and strengthened. He was physically exhausted.
• He needed to recover a clear perspective of His mission. He was mentally exhausted; His mind was so tired, it was probably like ours after intensive thought and labor—foggy.
• He needed to be recharged with God's power and with the singleness of heart to do God's will. So much power had gone out of Him He was spiritually drained.

Several lessons on prayer can be gleaned from this experience of Christ.

He prayed on top of a mountain. The believer who stands on top of a mountain and thinks, viewing the awesomeness of the country below, sees the massiveness of God: His power, majesty, and glory. The believer gains a new perspective of God and man.

Christ prayed in the evening. The evening is a tender and warm time, a time when a person who has worked ever so hard is very much aware of being drained and needing renewal. It is a time when a review of the day and a look ahead to tomorrow can take place. Christ prayed all alone; He needed to share with God face to face.

He prayed "until the fourth watch" (3-6 a.m.), probably seven or more hours.
He prayed in a storm. A storm arose at some point, apparently long before 3 a.m. or the disciples would have already crossed the lake. The importance of prayer to Christ is strikingly seen in the fact that He prayed for so many hours in the midst of a storm.

Thought 1. We are mere people. We get tired so frequently; exhausted so often; tempted so much; pressured so tightly; strained so painfully. We fight to keep our minds on Christ and struggle to maintain a moment by moment consciousness of His presence. We war to keep at our task. Such takes its toll, wears us down mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Our only hope is to learn that Christ's presence, a consciousness of His presence, is assured by prayer—much prayer. We must learn to spend much time alone with God.

Thought 2. A dedicated person lives in a mad rush and is attacked time and again by distraction after distraction. It is impossible to remain strong and faithful to Christ without getting alone for prayer and renewal. Such is the way God has chosen to teach us to trust. We are not self-sufficient. If we want the assurance of His presence and if we are going to do what He has sent us into the world to do, we must spend time alone with Him.
This is one of the basic laws of spiritual growth and ministry.

Christ's presence conquers fear. This is the point seen in the storm and the disciples' experience in the storm.

1. 1. A storm arose while they were crossing the lake. The word "tossed" (basanizomenon PWS: 4019) means to be tossed about with great force. The picture is descriptive: the boat was tossed about so ferociously that it was in pain and anguish. The storm arose while the disciples were working. They were doing exactly what Christ had told them to do, but the storm still came. How true of life: storms come upon the just as well as upon the unjust (Matthew 5:45).
2. 2. Jesus went to the disciples, but note how: He walked on the sea. However, He did not go to them immediately. Why?
3. a. Because He needed to teach them to trust Him and to obey His command no matter what happened to them. They were doing what He had told them to do, so they could trust His care and His will.
4. b. Because He needed to teach them to go about conquering the storms of life by using their own skill and strength. They needed to learn to use all the gifts they had in struggling against the storms of life. He would step in only after they had done all they could. Once their own strength and skill had been exhausted, the praise for salvation would go to God and His delivering power, not to man.
   
5. 3. The disciples were stricken with fear, they thought they were seeing a ghost. The physical and mental condition of the disciples is important at this point. They were physically exhausted, having struggled against the storm for hours, and they were mentally drained from using all the skill at their disposal. Their lives were threatened, and they were struggling for survival. All of a sudden out of nowhere they saw a figure, an apparition (ghost) walking on the water. They were frightened, perhaps bordering on going into shock—perhaps thinking that the "death angel" or a premonition of their death was at hand (Peter's impulsive request seems to indicate this). Then all of a sudden a voice shouted out: "It is I; be not afraid." Exhausted, frightened, shocked—fearing and struggling for their lives and being face to face with a real apparition—the disciples were suffering an almost unbearable experience.
6. 4. Jesus gave assurance of His presence. Christ's sudden presence on the water was a great encouragement to the disciples, yet they were not quite sure it was Him: "Lord, if it be thou." His words and His presence are a marvelous revelation of His care and power to save us through the storms of life (see Deeper Study #1—John 6:20).
   

Thought 1. We should not turn back when storms arise, no matter how terrible the trial (cp. Matthew 13:5, 21). Christ is able to take the trials of life and make opportunities out of them. They give us experience in the life of faith.

Thought 2. This is human distress at its height, a terrifying experience. The thrust of the point is clear: we are helpless when caught in the greatest storms of life. Christ's presence alone can save us through those storms. His presence alone can conquer our fears and give us hope and security.

Thought 3. Storms can be moments of sorrow, self-conflict, temptation, decision making, or any adverse circumstance. Christ is ever so near and ready to help those who will call out to Him. His presence is most assuring, comforting, and strengthening to the true disciple.
Peter's faith faltered. Peter saw Jesus, his hope of being saved. He knew Jesus cared and loved and had the power to save him. He had his eyes upon Jesus. It was when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm that his faith began to weaken and he began sinking. Note that Christ saved him despite weak faith: "Lord...help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24). There is some faith in the cry, "Lord...help."

Thought 1. There is a picture of salvation in this scene. A man's hope is stirred: Christ's presence can save him. He asks to join Christ and Christ commands "Come." The man begins to walk toward Christ, passing over the turbulent waves of life. All of a sudden, he turns his attention away from Christ to the storms of life and begins to sink. He cries out in desperation, "Lord, save me," and Christ reaches out and saves him.

14:30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"NRSV Peter started to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the high waves around him. His faith wavered. His faith was strong enough to trust that he could walk on the water. But when he realized that he was in a terrifying storm, his faith did not stand up to the storm. Although we start out with good intentions, sometimes our faith is weak.


Michael R. Martin – August 10, 2008
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM

Freely Give • June 15, 2008

Genesis 18:1-15; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8 (9-23)

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

Matthew 9:35-10:8 (NLT) The Need for Workers

³⁵Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. ³⁶When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. ³⁸So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Chapter 10 Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

¹Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. ²Here are the names of the twelve apostles:
first, Simon (also called Peter),
then Andrew (Peter’s brother),
James (son of Zebedee),
John (James’s brother),³
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew (the tax collector),
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,
⁴Simon (the zealot ),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
⁵Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, ⁶but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. ⁷Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. ⁸Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

I am not going to read through the rest, but there is a further parenthetical reading continuing through Matthew 10:9-23, where Jesus gives detailed marching orders to the disciples. What to wear, what to take with them – really what to NOT take with them, how to act, how to enter each city. At one point, Jesus says to the disciples (Matthew 10:16), “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”

Matthew 9:36 (NLT) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Wherever Jesus went, crowds gathered.

But when Jesus saw these multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them. In the NLT, the crowds were “confused and helpless,” other translations have the people as “weary and scattered.” The word for "weary" can also mean "troubled," "bewildered," or "despondent" - synonyms that stress man's helplessness without God. Jesus considered the Pharisees to have failed in leading the people to God, who were therefore left without a shepherd.

Jesus looked at the crowds following him and referred to them as a field ripe for harvest, but the laborers to bring in the harvest are few. These "laborers" were the disciples, then few in number. Jesus commanded his disciples to pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers. The "Lord of the harvest" refers to God. The verb translated "send out" is a strong term, meaning to "thrust forth." In this context it speaks of a strong push to get workers into the field. These laborers must warn people of coming judgment and call them to repentance. Many people are ready to give their lives to Christ if someone would show them how. We are to pray that people will respond to this need for workers. Often, when we pray for something, God answers our prayers by using us. Be prepared for God to use you to show another person the way to him. The reading continues in Chapter 10 which describes this mission and what it will involve in more detail.

In Chapter 10, Jesus sends out the 12 disciples. Though this was the first time they went out on their own, they had been given authority from Jesus to carry on the work of preaching and healing.

Matthew 10:1 (NLT) Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.

These twelve men had Jesus' authority over the forces of evil. Jesus empowered his disciples to drive out evil spirits. The disciples could speak the word, and God's power would cast out the demons. Jesus also gave these disciples power to heal every disease and sickness. It was important that they have these powers because Jesus was extending his mission through them. Jesus directly confronted demons and sicknesses. The disciples carried Jesus' purpose and his power.

The list of Jesus' twelve disciples does not give us many details—probably because there were not many impressive details to tell. Jesus called people from all backgrounds and occupations—fishermen, religious activists, tax collectors. He called common people and uncommon leaders; rich and poor; educated and uneducated. Today, many people think only certain people can follow Christ, but this was not the attitude of the Master himself. God can use anyone, no matter how insignificant he or she appears. When you feel small and useless, remember that God uses ordinary people to do his extraordinary work.

Matthew 10:5-6 (NLT) ⁵Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, ⁶but only to the people of Israel

"but only to the people of Israel"— God’s lost sheep.

Jesus' command to go rather to the lost sheep of Israel , who would have been the Jews. This was their short-term mission to Galilee. Later, these disciples would receive the commission to "go and make disciples of all nations"

Our reading ends with these words from Christ Jesus: “Freely you have received, freely give.”

You may recall that a few years back my baby sister, Thia, had been diagnosed with an aggressive metastatic melanoma, already at Stage 4 by the time she saw any doctors. Through it all, Thia worried a lot, but not like you might think. She worried of course about leaving her three daughters, two who were at home and one soon to be married. But mostly she worried about leaving behind a world where so few people knew her Lord and Savior; she worried about leaving behind a job unfinished. Through prayer and faith and advanced new treatments at Dartmouth-Hitchcock she was put into remission, with frequent extensive check-ups – first monthly, then every other month, then every three months, every six months – each visit a long day of tests and followed by an agonizing wait for the results.

On June fifth, I received this email from Thia.
______________

Hi Family,

I spent a long day at Dartmouth today for my 6 month check-up and this marks the 4 year anniversary of remission and the big milestone of 5 years since recurrence! I do not have to go back for ONE WHOLE YEAR!

I have a small bump that is not too suspicious that needs to be biopsied, but everything looks great.
Thank you for all the major support to us during that very difficult year and I know you all rejoice with us at this good news. I love you all!

Thia

______________

and she closed her email with this bit of scripture:

Psalm 126:3 "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

______________

You can imagine how this news has been greeted by my family, my mother. But the real story is that of a young woman who, facing near death, knew how much she had received that her only desire was to continue to freely give, above all else.

Whatever our present condition or state of mind may be, we all have and continue to freely receive the bounty of a loving God. Knowing that, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us, reflecting on the strength of those like Thia, should it be so hard to freely give?

Should it be so hard for each of us to freely give?

It should not.

It should not.

In response, let us sing together “Freely, Freely” UMH389

Michael R. Martin • June 15, 2008
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM

Evolutionary Theology: How to Love God and Scienc

Food for thought
- Michael R. Martin -

Evolutionary Theology: How to Love God and Science

From "Wired Science" By Brandon Keim December 04, 2007 | 10:57:42 AMCategories: Evolution, Religion

Jesus, meet Darwin.

In the aftermath of a Texas education official's dismissal for promoting evolution, I spoke yesterday to Michael Dowd, a leading proponent of evolutionary theology.

According to Dowd, science and religious faith are not mutually exclusive. Instead, the scientific process is a tool for understanding reality -- and at the heart of that reality is evolution, operating at multiple levels, from the sub-atomic to the human to the cosmic.

Dowd, who professed sympathy for intelligent design supporters but criticized their reactionary, circle-the-wagons approach to modernity, doesn't think evolution is mechanistic or pointless. He sees a universal evolutionary trajectory from disorder to order, simplicity to complexity and brutality to cooperation -- and that, he believes, is the grand narrative that will sustain the science-friendly religions of the 21st century.

"Evolutionary theology offers a third way. Rightly understood, evolution is as sacred and meaningful as any of the creation myths," said Dowd, who quoted biology titan E.O. Wilson, sometimes called Darwin's heir: "The evolutionary epic is prolably the best myth we'll ever have."

A formal Wired News Q&A should be coming out soon. In the meantime, here's some outtakes from our conversation.

On the nature of God: "Evolution theology offers an undeniable God. Nobody would ask, 'Do you believe in water? In life? In the universe?' Those are absurd questions." Instead, said Dowd, "God is another word for universe, and the divine imperative is evident in the properties of emergent and symbiotic systems."

On the current cultural landscape: "Up until now, there's been this big gulf. On the one side are creationists. On the other are the new atheists, Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris and Dan Dennett, who say that you have to reject religion completely in order to accept evolution."

On Dawkins and the New Atheists: "I'm grateful that they're doing what they're doing. They're plowing the field. There's a hunger in Americans for a meaningful, inspiring way of thinking about what science is revealing to us. Dawkins let me reprint [in Thank God for Evolution, Dowd's new book] a letter he wrote to his 10-year-old daughter."

On the New Atheists' potential alienation of religious believers: "It's probably true, but it's understandable. They're trying to combat otherworldly, supernatural, mythic understandings of religion. They're accurate in some of those assessments. But they're not critiquing a sacred view of evolution. Many have publicly supported us. Richard and my wife [acclaimed science journalist Connie Barlow] have known each other for years."

On his reception by religious believers: "There's an interest in this. People are finding that it opens up new ways of thinking. Studying evolution is like following cosmic bread crumbs back to God. The details of evolution, understood in an inspiring way, reconnect us to the whole, to ultimate reality."

On apocalypse: "Dinosaurs are here to teach us things, not test our faith. And contrary to popular belief, these aren't the end times for humanity. They're just the beginning. Dinosaurs were here for 175 million years; humans have only been here for three million. And when we look over the course of evolutionary history, one of the patterns we see is that breakdowns, chaos and bad news keep catalyzing creative transformations. Throughout the history of the universe, the primary driver of evolutionary theory is chaos and breakdowns. The chaos in our time, the challenge in our personal lives, the challenges of species in the next decades -- these will be evolutionary catalysts that call us to greatness, that call us to make changes that could have taken hundreds of years. I find that more inspiring than the literal interpretation of any creation story. I don't think there's anything more exciting than the time we're living in now."

On Joel de Rosnay's postulation of man's future as cybiont, or an amalgamation of humanity, technology and nature as one synergistic organism: "It's one of the more inspiring visions. Life keeps finding ways to cooperate in larger symbiotic wholes. It's like we're creating a new cell at the scale of a planet. That seems to me an inspiring vision that many people can understand both theologically and religiously. There's an illustration in my book -- more complex forms of life going up a staircase. The neanderthal's standing behind a guy in a suit, saying 'I was wondering when you were going to notice that there were more steps.'"

On original sin: "Original sin is traditional language pointing to something fundamentally true: all of us have inherited proclivities, a nature we didn't choose, and live in a world different from where they evolved."

On Heaven and Hell: "I don't have to die to go to a place called Hell. If I'm surrounded by bitterness, arrogance and judgemental violence, stuck on my addictions, then I'm in hell now. And if I'm surrounded by love, generosity and care, then I'm in a place called Heaven."