"WE MODEL A CERTAIN WAY OF LIFE"
The French priest and paleontologist Teilhard de Chardin observed, “A presence is never mute.” What he meant by that is simply by existing, our lives constantly send messages to others. Messages about what we value most and consider truly essential. Messages about where our priorities and allegiances finally lay.
We rise on Sunday to drive to church. A neighbor peeks through the curtains and notices you dressed up and driving off to worship God. Hmmm, maybe I should consider that? A presence is never mute. You spend Thanksgiving serving the homeless in a soup kitchen and your coworkers learn of it. Why, he must believe in something more than football! A presence is never mute. You stand out by refusing to pile on as a nasty clique scapegoats some poor unwitting soul. Maybe the way to build up is not by tearing down another. A presence is never mute.
I begin here because today’s theme in our sermon series is that to be Christian is to be willing to influence the lives of others in the same way Christ influences us. Most of us wouldn’t blink an eye about this mandate to be a good example for our children. Shaping their character and faith is a cherished goal for most of us.
But many of us in the mainstream churches want to back off when it comes to shaping the lives of those not so close to us. We say things like, “Who am I to tell them how to live?” Still, Teilhard de Chardin has reminded us that it is not so much a question of whether we will influence others. A presence is never mute. The real question is how and in what direction we will influence those around us.
When Jesus chose his original disciples, we are told that they were selected with two reasons in mind. The first was “to be with him”. That focuses on the learning part of discipleship. The second reason they went about with Jesus was “to be sent out.” That focuses on the shaping or teaching role we have as his followers.
Not many of us easily perceive ourselves as shapers and influencers of others. Maybe imagining ourselves as teachers, we are too burdened with images of dry lectures droning before a bunch of drowsy, bored people in stifling rows of desks. But teaching happens in all kinds of ways. Think of the many dynamic ways Jesus got his message across. Telling enigmatic stories called parables that drew the listener in and offered a surprise ending. Putting the lowly—a child, a leper, a blind man, a shady lady—front and center and remarking how God restores. Noticing small acts of faithfulness and how good miraculously arises from them.
Guess what, friends. None of us is perfect. None of us is even close. But every one here this morning has good and growing areas of your life that please God. And these are areas of your life that could benefit others in getting closer to God. Jesus said, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit.” The fruits of our lives are not meant to fall in vain, but to nourish others. “Can a blind person guide a blind person?” Jesus asked. No, we need the seeing to guide the blind, comes the answer. And while no disciple is above the teacher, Jesus reminded us that everyone who earnestly follows him is like the teacher.
I had dinner on Friday night with a 28 year-old woman starting her UCC ministry on the
The first word is Example. When I meet with parents to plan a baptism, I remind them that they are the single biggest spiritual influence on their child’s life. I tell them that their child will hear and absorb what they say, more than they realize. But that their child will notice absolutely everything that they do. If the deeds we live don’t match the words we speak, credibility falters. This is true with all of us. Of course, none of us can completely match ideals we profess with the reality of life’s brokenness. But if we have enough character, others notice. They begin to say to themselves, I want what he has. If we manage to live with joy in the face of difficulty, people will notice and say, I want what she has. If we live serenely, not returning evil for evil as the gerbils of life chew on us, it makes an impression.
Example. If ours resembles Christ’s at all, we won’t look for chances to address others. They will find us. People will want to know what makes us tick. Sadly, ex-ample is as far as many mainstream Christians will go. But Jesus bids us farther.
The next word is Respect. We will not let someone influence us who would not first respect us. Probably the best, clearest, and easiest way to convey respect is to listen carefully to someone; truly to hear their story; earnestly to pay attention to formative life details. To honor their directions, interests, and backgrounds. As we ask follow up, they may share sensitive things about their past. As followers of a suffering servant Savior, we show humble respect by not judging them. As we listen, we can empty ourselves of judgment because we trust that God is equal to judgment and we are not. In a spiritual sense, respect means looking beyond any misdeeds and failures to see how God’s light shines within them. Isn’t this how we see Jesus approaching all manner of folks as spiritual Teacher?
The third word is Conversation. Once we have listened, remembering to ask about their spiritual influences through life, only then we do speak. As we do, we guard against saying too much too soon. If they have spoken of their doubts, we let them know that we, too, have doubts, and they gnaw at us. Is there anybody here who doesn’t have any doubts? Good. If they have spoken of their fears, we can let them know that life in communion with God, doesn’t mean fear magically disappears. Does anyone here live completely devoid of fear? No? Good. We have fears also, except we know that our fears have more than met their match.
Faith lives and breathes in dialogue. We enter the darkness of others and together seek the light. What light burns deep in your heart? What holy dreams have a grip on you? What lights up your eyes as you perceive God at work in the world?
The fourth word is Proclamation. Tell God’s story. If there is a part of the Bible you cherish, if you see God at work here in ways that move you, tell the stories. If you are too shy or intimidated, fearing that others will see you as predatory or overbearing, here is your fall back phrase, “Come and see.” Invite them to come here with you where Bible stories are taught and the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit is experienced at work among us. You don’t have to have mastered the entire Bible or the sweep of church history. You don’t need to be able to pray in fancy phrases. You need only be willing to say in simple, sincere language what Jesus means to you. How living out your life before God, with God as the only audience who ultimately matters, makes all the difference in the world. If you’re still working on being able to say that much, simply say, “Come and see.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. observed all that has to happen for evil to gain the upper hand among us is for the good people of the world to do nothing. We know that liars and criminals will gladly school others in hurt and mayhem. But are we willing to exert a counterbalancing influence for the godly and good? Nature doesn’t tolerate a vacuum. If we won’t say it, who will? It’s not that complicated. It’s truly as simple as four words: example, respect, conversation, proclamation. Amen.
“WE MODEL A CERTAIN WAY OF LIFE”
Summer Sermon Series:
Firm Foundations in the Spiritual Basics
Text: Luke 6.39-49
Rev. Dale B. Rosenberger
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Communion Sunday
August 5, 2007
