What is the test of sincere faith? Do we walk the talk? Do we practice what we preach? Do we expect others to measure up to a standard that we do not keep ourselves? Is our faith centered in success or service? The most important aspect of this test of sincerity is not how others measure up, but how we measure up in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Many of you remember the great Oliver Holmes character. Well, once he couldn't find his ticket when he got on a train. As he rummaged through his pockets and bags, Holmes was recognized by the conductor who said, "Don't worry, Justice Holmes, you don't need your ticket right now. Just send it to us later when you find it."
Irritated, Holmes replied, "Sir, the problem is not, 'Where is my ticket?" The problem is, "Where am I going?" A good question for each of us to ask ourselves, "Where am I going?" Are we going to be like the leaders of Jesus' day or are we going to be sincere in our faith and do our best to walk the talk?
God of all, forgive me when I fail to walk the talk, and help me walk in the steps of Jesus as I witness your love. In Jesus name, Amen.
Ron Newhouse
This is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.
Now that Jesus had answered the Pharisees question, Jesus had a question for them. "What do you think of the messiah? Whose son is he?" One of them proudly answered, "The Son of David." "How is it then," asked Jesus, "that David, by the Spirit, calls him Lord?" The Pharisees had no response for Jesus. They left him without saying another word. From that day on, Matthew reports, no one dared to ask Jesus any more questions.
Jesus was more than the Pharisees and the other religious officials expected. They had a fixed image in their minds of what the messiah would be like. Jesus did not fit that image. Jesus was also more than the people expected a messiah to be. They thought in political terms of a messiah who was a mighty warrior. Again, Jesus did not fit their image. Jesus was more than anyone expected. Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus' mission and authority came directly from God.
When we truly love God and our neighbors, then we will more fully understand the mission of Jesus Christ and the love God has for each of us.
Lord Jesus, your mission has never ended. May I continue your mission of love. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
I remember a story of a family who went to their grandparent's house for dinner. After watching the man bow his head and speak in a soft voice, the girl asked her parents, "What did Mr. Bryan say to his plate?" Jesus asked a similar question concerning the leaders of his day. They spoke not prayers to God, but empty words trying to impress others and trying to appear successful.
Jesus said in our scripture reading today, "They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have people call them rabbi." The religious leaders seemed to be more concerned about appearing to be successful than serving God's people.
I read once about James Moore, a minister, who was invited to participate in a "Career Day on Campus." He was to be part of a panel discussion. Panelists were to discuss, "How Faith Influences Your Choice of a Career." First, panelists were asked to introduce themselves and mention their particular vocations. It was all rather routine. One woman gave her name and said, "I'm an attorney." A man gave his name and said, "I'm in business and I own a computer company." A woman gave her name and said, "I'm in real estate." When it was Moore's turn he said, "I'm a minister." The person seated next to him was a doctor. The doctor's statement changed that mundane situation into a special and sacred moment.
He said, "We are here today to talk about vocation." He told them that the word vocation meant "calling." "Well," the doctor told them, "my calling is to be a Christian and one way to do that is through the practice of medicine."
James Moore reflected afterwards, the doctor's life was a success, but his priority was service. Jesus said, "All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."
Dear God, humble me, so that you will be honored. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have people call them rabbi.
What is your hope this morning? What are you planning your life on? Two verses are important here. 1 Corinthians 15:22, Paul shares, "As all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ." In I Timothy 6:17, I think it speaks to the heart of many people here in America. Paul writes and says, "Instruct those who are rich in this world that they do not fix their hope on the uncertainly of riches, but on God who richly supplies all our needs in Christ Jesus."
We have a choice. We can put our hope in the things of this uncertain world, or we can put our full hope in Jesus Christ who supplies all of our needs.
I remember reading about a church in Chester who had a large cross on top of the church, but unfortunately all the lights had burned out. The church members decided not to fix it. So one day, the pastor paid for an electrician to come after hours to get the cross fixed and working again. The pastor wanted the people of Chester who drove by on Route 320 to see that the cross was the real hope of the world.
Is your cross lighted today? Do the people you live and work with know the cross that shines through you? Or, are your light bulbs all burned out?
Dear God, help me to allow the cross of Jesus to shine through me. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
As all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.
How is your commitment? There is a story going around that makes a powerful point about where many of us are right now. According to the story, Pope John Paul II needed a heart transplant. There was much concern throughout the Roman Catholic world. Everyone gathered outside the Vatican screaming and waving their hands. "Take my heart, Pope, take my heart!"
Well, the Pope didn't know what to do, so an idea popped into his head. He asked everyone to please be quiet for a few minutes and he told all of them that he was going to throw down a feather. Whoever the feather landed on, he would take their heart for the transplant. Pope John Paul II then threw the feather down upon the people. Everyone was still screaming and waving their hands, "Take my heart, Pope," but with one difference: they were leaning their heads back and blowing the feather back into the air. "Take my heart, Pope (blow), Take my heart (blow)."
I hope our actions will not be the same as these people. I hope we will make a true commitment to God everyday of our lives.
Dear God, you have always been committed to me. May I also be truly committed to you in all the days you give to me. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
Every sabbath day Aaron shall set them in order before the LORD regularly as a commitment of the people of Israel, as a covenant forever.
In a PEANUTS cartoon, Lucy is berating Charlie Brown for losing the baseball game for their team. She says, "You blockhead! You struck out, and we lost the last game of the season!" Then she adds accusingly, "You were standing there thinking about your new girlfriend, weren't you?"
As Charlie Brown walks away, he mumbles, "I thought being in love was supposed to make you happy."
Well, love is an important part of happiness. Studies have proven that people in love are much happier. The same is true for people who get involved. They are much happier than people who complain, but never do anything to change the situation. What is your situation?
Dear Jesus, may I find true happiness in you. Amen.
What kind of attitude do we have about our work and the things we do in life? We may not like our boss or our working situation. We may not have much control over what we do. But, we do have control over our attitude. A positive attitude can make a big difference. And if we view our work and activities as a calling, then maybe someone for the first time may experience God's love and freedom in Jesus Christ through us.
Our jobs can be a vocation if we can see them as an extension of God's ultimate purpose. But, if our jobs are only a means of securing wealth, or passing time, or achieving status, they will eventually be a great burden to us. If, however, we can see them as an extension of God's plan for humanity--each of us doing our part to clothe people, feed people, teach people, and do thousands of other things to help one another, then we make God's world a better place. And we can get up each morning with enthusiasm believing that we are living God's call.
In our scripture reading today, Samuel was being called to be a priest of God. There may be some of us today who are hearing God's call to full-time Christian service. However, for most of us, we are being called to make our work an extension of our faith and love.
Loving God, help me to make my work a vocation in serving you and your people Amen.
Ron Newhouse
Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
We get caught up in all kinds of activities, but we need to continually ask ourselves "what is most important in my life? What do I really care about?" When we answer those two questions, hopefully it will say we are committed to God.
Jesus outwitted the Pharisees at their own game. Notice that after he told them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's," the Pharisees were speechless. They had no more questions for him. Matthew reports that "they were amazed; and they left him and went away." Many people never really discover the giving themselves totally to God. Like the Pharisees they hear the truth but go away without another word.
I receive much joy from serving God through the church. When someone moves into our community--there is a place here for them to worship. When someone walks into the church office during the week feeling the burdens of life--there is someone to talk too. When someone has many questions and is searching for meaning to their lives--the church is here to help them find answers and meaning. It is a joy to give ourselves fully to God.
God of all, in my time of need, remind me that true joy and healing comes from giving myself to you. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's.
Someone once reminded me, "The average pencil is seven inches long, and the eraser is only a quarter of an inch long - just in case you thought optimism was dead."
When we look at the troubles of our world and society, it may dampen our optimism, but today there is a great need for all of us to listen and follow God's call of love and peace.
Jesus certainly was saddened by the state of people's hearts and the condition of people's relationship with God. However, Jesus was clearly focused on God's ultimate plan of unconditional love. What greater hope and optimism can we have than when we focus on Christ, as the risen Savior, given in love!
Lord Jesus, help me to show your love each day by doing small acts of kindness. In your name I pray, Amen.
Ron Newhouse
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
I remember a story of a shipwrecked sailor who was alone on a deserted island for several years. To his great relief, he spied a ship on the horizon. He built a great bonfire to catch the crew's attention. Soon the ship was dropping anchor off the little island and a small rescue boat was lowered into the water. One lone crewman was in the rescue boat. He was carrying an armful of newspapers. "Read these," he said to the sailor, "and decide whether you want to be rescued." We do live in a challenging period of time, but we cannot hide in the wilderness. That won't solve our problems. God knows that truth, and Elijah knew that too.
What we do does make a difference. I remember an old story about three friends, none of whom could swim, who were in a boat. When they got out to the middle of the lake one of them took out a drill and began boring a hole in the bottom of the boat. The other two shouted, "What are you doing?"
"Mind your own business," said the one with the drill. "I'm drilling this hole beneath my seat alone. It has nothing to do with you."
"But," shouted the other two men, "we are all in the same boat!"
What a true and important statement, "We are all in the same boat." Our boat is this wonderful earth God has given us to live on. What we do does make a difference and what we do can be good or bad for everyone else. We cannot just hide in the wilderness and mind our own business.
God has called us, like Elijah, to make a positive difference in the lives of other people.
Dear God, grant me the will to make a positive difference. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
Then the word of the Lord came to him saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts, for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away."
When Elijah cried out that he was the only one left in Israel who cared, God said not true! God showed Elijah 7,000 persons who had not bowed down to Baal. Good people. Concerned people. Dedicated people. All they needed was someone to step out from the crowd and give them some leadership.
My friends, you and I need to recognize that in our own community and world, there are good people, dedicated people who do care about the same problems we care about. They are waiting for someone to step out and provide some leadership.
What is God calling you to do?
Dear God, move me in responding to your call. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.
We have a greater burden as God's people than anyone else on earth. We must always lift up a higher standard of living and loving.
In one of Garfield's cartoons he is shown resting droopy-eyed in his bed thinking to himself: "One of my pet peeves," he says to himself, "is people who never finish what they start." As he cracks a knowing smile, he says, "I do not happen to be one of those people." The last frame shows him under the bed covers saying, "My philosophy is, 'Never start anything.'"
"Never start anything" cannot be our philosophy as God's people. You see, we must care about our world because God cares. We must care about people because God cares. We must care about those in need because God cares. God cared enough about us to send a savior Jesus Christ. We must care too. We must care enough to make our church and community stronger. What is God calling you to do? Are you being called to help tutor a child struggling in with his or her education? Are you being called to be a Sunday School teacher? Are you being called to organize a neighborhood watch program or cleanup day? If you and I don't do it, who will? God is counting on you and me. We also can count on God to give us the resources we need to accomplish God's will.
God of all things, you can count on me! Amen.
Ron Newhouse
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Paul had spent much of his life trying to save himself through strict adherence to the Law. But somehow, this was not enough. It never is.
Robert Ingersoll was a famous agnostic. He enjoyed arguing, particularly with Christian clergymen. One day Ingersoll was conversing with Charles Horace Talmage, one of the great preachers of the day, about Connecticut's blue laws - laws forbidding certain activities on Sunday.
"Would you like to live in a community, Mr. Talmage," Ingersoll asked, "where not one cigar could be smoked and not one drop of liquor could be drunk?"
"Certainly," said Talmage, "that would be a social heaven."
"And you would like to live," Ingersoll continued, "where no one could play on the Sabbath day and where everyone had to go to church?"
"Yes, sir," Talmage declared, "that would suit me. It would be paradise to live in a community where everyone was compelled to go to church on Sunday, where no one could drink a drop . . . and where the law would make every person good . . . "
"And you think such a person would be a good Christian?" Ingersoll asked, "A better man than I am?"
"Why, of course," Talmage responded.
"Then," said Mr. Ingersoll, "I advise you to go to the penitentiary. At Sing Sing there is a community of fifteen hundred men and women governed in precisely that manner. They are all good by law."
Talmage learned a lesson that day. Being good simply because it is required has no saving power. That was a discovery that Paul also made - keeping the Law by itself would never fulfill his deepest need. Of course, Paul tried to keep the law, but he knew that true salvation comes from faith in Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus, thank you for saving my soul, so that I may know of God's incredible love. In your name I pray, Amen.
Ron Newhouse
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
I remember reading a story of a tour guide in Israel. He told his tourists that in the Middle East shepherds lead their sheep, instead of following them like they do in the English countryside.
When the tourists got to the countryside, they noticed a man driving a flock of sheep. The guide asked the man, "I have always been told that in the East sheep are lead not driven."
The man driving the sheep said, "You are right, but I'm not a shepherd. I'm the butcher."
There is a big difference between the interests of a shepherd and a butcher. Jesus is shepherd who has our best interests in mind.
Lord Jesus, thank you for having my best interests in your heart. Help me to follow you more closely. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.
The Readers' Digest had a story of a little girl a few years ago who was eating an apple in the back seat of the car. "Mommy," said the little girl, "why is my apple turning brown?" Her mother explained, "Because after you ate the skin off, the meat of the apple came in contact with the air that caused it to oxidize, thus changing its molecular structure and turning the apple into a different color."
The girl pondered for a moment and then said, "Mommy, what are you talking about."
It is sometimes a challenge to communicate to a young child. If you can appreciate that challenge, then you can appreciate the challenge of the first Christians who had to communicate to others the image of Jesus Christ.
It may not be easy to share a meaningful image of who Christ is in our world today, but we are nonetheless called to help others experience our savior Jesus Christ. When we do, we will give away the greatest gift anyone can receive.
Dear God, help me to effectively share your Son to someone who really needs him today. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
So that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.
Max DePree is chairman and chief executive officer of Herman Miller, Inc., the furniture maker which was named one of Fortune's ten best managed and most innovative companies. In his book, LEADERSHIP IS AN ART, DePree writes about his ninety-six year old father who was the founder of the company. Many years ago, when his father was still a young manager at the factory, a millwright died. The millwright was a key person who oversaw the operation of the factory. The entire activity of the operation depended on him. DePree's father was unsure of what to do when the millwright died, but decided he should spend some time with the family. There were a few moments of awkward conversation as his father tried to find the right words to say.
The widow asked if it would be all right if she read aloud some poetry. Naturally his father agreed. When the widow returned she began reading selective pieces of beautiful poetry. When she finished Max's father commented on how beautiful the poetry was and asked who wrote it. The widow replied that her husband, the millwright was the poet.
"It is...sixty years since the millwright died," DePree writes, "and my father and many of us at Herman Miller continue to wonder: Was he a poet who did a millwright's work, or was he a millwright who wrote poetry?"
Do we allow the poetry of God's love to shine through us?
Dear God, may I not just go through the motions of my daily routine, but may I let the poetry of your being glisten through me. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
"For 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.'"
Each of the workers in our scripture reading today received a different number of talents--one five, another two, and the third one. Jesus does not pretend in this story that all of us or the workers are alike. Everyone has different talents or abilities.
I remember a rookie police office who during an examination was asked what strategy he would use to disperse a threatening crowd. The officer wrote, "I would take up a collection." We don't all have the same abilities or talents. But when we collect all of our talents and put them together, we will fulfill the needs of our church and community.
There is a story of a little boy who was listening in on a conversation between his mother and grandmother. The young mother said to the boy's grandmother, "You're not old, Mom, you're only sixty-five." The boy, quite impressed, said, "Grandma, you've reached the speed limit!"
Are we pushing the limits of our gifts and talents?
God of all things, help me to push the limits in using my talents for your good. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. (Matthew 25:15 NRSV Bible)
Once there was a wealthy landowner, or "master" as he is called, who was about to go away on a long trip. Since he was going away for such a long time he decided to put his loyal staff in charge of everything he owned. Before he left he presented one of the servants with the unbelievable sum of five talents. To another servant he gave two talents and to the third servant he gave one talent. The servants weren't given any instructions on what to do with the talents or when exactly the landowner would return.
A talent was a tremendous sum of money. It represented the earnings of twenty or more years. The servant who was given five talents held in his possession lifetime earnings of five people. The servant who was given two talents had the earnings of two people. Even the servant who was given only one talent had an enormous sum of money.
Immediately after the master left on his trip the first two servants went to work. The one with the five talents and the one with two talents soon had doubled the money of their master. The third servant who was given one talent, however, "went off at once and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money." At an unexpected time the master returned and called in his three servants to give an account of how each used the talents entrusted to him.
What kind of account will we give to our master on how we have used our talents?
Dear Jesus, forgive me for not using my talents wisely. Help me to give freely of what you have given to me. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
A man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. (Matthew 25:14-15 NRSV Bible)
Annie Dillard was in the ninth grade. Like most people her age she was suspicious of the values and traditions of her parents. Her parents had been taking her to church ever since she could remember. Annie wasn't too sure she really wanted to be in church, but she went to church nonetheless because it was important to her parents. On a typical Sunday morning she was sitting in her usual place, the first row of the balcony in a large stone carved church in Pittsburgh. She enjoyed the balcony because she could watch the people below, the women in their fancy dresses, and the men in their stiff shirts and neck ties.
In Annie's opinion the people had gathered to remind God how hard they had worked and how few pleasures they took for themselves since the flood. The people were always looking around for an entrance to another life or at least an exit from this one.
Annie Dillard was at that age where she was quite sure of herself. She thought she knew better than anyone. On that Sunday she realized it was Communion Sunday. Annie always did her best to avoid Communion. To be honest the whole thing seemed absurd to her. Communion was something people did that had no real meaning. Annie wondered what Christ must have thought of the whole charade. She watched as the silver trays were passed out, with the cubes of bread and the Welch's grape juice. Then as she was looking around a strange feeling came over her. She saw her friends praying, even the boys she had seen at the ninth grade dance the night before. They were praying. It seemed almost unbelievable that they could take communion so seriously.
Then she watched as the adults prayed. Every head was bowed in the sanctuary; no one was moving. As she watched she was alerted to a new feeling, something she had never experienced before. "I didn't know what to make of this," she thought to herself. As the ushers made their way to the altar Annie Dillard realized that she knew most of the people present and, more importantly, she knew what they loved and she wasn't so sure it was God.
There in that old church she experienced the broken body and shed blood of our Lord and Savior. The people that she doubted came together as sinners in need of the bread and juice. That morning Annie Dillard realized why we celebrate communion. It's not because we deserve it. It's not because we have been so good. Rather we come to the Lord's table in need of something we cannot do for ourselves. We are offering ourselves to be part of the body of Christ--so that we can go out into the world that seems God-forsaken. Annie Dillard slowly realized this is not a God-forsaken world because God is present through His people.
Loving God, thank you for loving this broken soul. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
Take, eat; this is my body. (Matthew 26:26 NRSV Bible)
Several years ago, a friend and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. Arlene was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.
The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.
He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.
Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.
He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?
Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.
A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?
"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says."
She read the words "United States of America."
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?"
"No, keep reading ."
"In God we Trust?"
"Yes,"
"And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!
Dear God, in you I trust. Amen.
Ron Newhouse
Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. (1 Peter 1.21 NRSV Bible)
