Why It Matters

Rev. Charissa Clark Howe

Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

Deuteronomy 30:11–20

Psalm 119:1–8

Sirach 15:15–20

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Handout

Welcome, Announcements, Joys, and Concerns

Passing of the Peace

Hear the good news of salvation: Jesus died to show God’s love. Such great kindness! Such great mercy! Come to us from heaven above.

Jesus Christ, how much I love you! Jesus Christ, you save from sin! How I love you! Look upon me. Love me still and cleanse within.

All the sins I have committed to my saviour now I bring. I bow down with tears of anguish; Christ forgives and so I sing:

Jesus Christ, how much I love you! Jesus Christ, you save from sin! How I love you! Look upon me. Love me still and cleanse within.

Preparing our Hearts

Call to Worship Adapted from

Leader: Happy are those whose lives are faultless, who live according to the law of the LORD. All: Happy are those who follow God's commands, who obey God with all their heart. Leader: They never do wrong; they walk in the LORD’s ways. All: LORD, you have given us your laws and told us to obey them faithfully. Leader: How I hope that I shall be faithful in keeping your instructions! All: If I pay attention to all your commands, then I will not be put to shame. Leader: As I learn your righteous judgements, I will praise you with a pure heart. All: I will obey your laws; never abandon me!

Give to the winds thy fears: hope and be undismayed: God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears, God shall lift up thy head.

*Hymn #gtg815 ph286 Give to the Winds Thy Fears

Through waves and clouds and storms God gently clears thy way; Wait patiently; so shall this night soon end in joyous day.

*Call to Confession

Leave to God’s sovereign sway to choose and to command; so shalt thou, wondering, own God’s way, How wise, how strong God’s hand!

On God the Lord rely, and safe shalt thou go on; fix on God’s work thy steadfast eye, so shall thy work be done.

“Forgive your sins as we forgive,” you taught us, Lord to pray, but you alone can grant us grace to live the words we say.

*Corporate Prayer of Confession (Sung prayer will be followed by silent prayers of confession)

How can your pardon reach and bless the unforgiving heart that broods on wrongs and will not let old bitterness depart?

In blazing light your cross reveals the truth we dimly knew: what trivial debts are owed to us, how great our debt to you!

GTG444 PH347 Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive

Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls and bid resentment cease. Then, bound to all in bonds of love, our lives will spread your peace.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen, Amen.

*Assurance of Pardon

*Gloria Patri #581

Musical Meditation Emsworth/St. Andrew's Vocal Ensemble: Troublesome Times

Witnessing God's Work

Prayer for Illumination

Psalm 119:1–8 ESV

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

Deuteronomy 30:15–20 ESV

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Sirach 15:15–20 NRSV

If you choose, you can keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice. He has placed before you fire and water; stretch out your hand for whichever you choose. Before each person are life and death, and whichever one chooses will be given. For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and sees everything; his eyes are on those who fear him, and he knows every human action. He has not commanded anyone to be wicked, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.

Why It Matters

One of the things that binds my friend, Alan, and I in friendship is our shared love for the book of Deuteronomy. It’s not commonly what people think of when they think of their favorite parts of the Bible. It’s a great book, though. There is so much historical background in it and set up for the things we see Jesus do and say later on in the gospels. And it’s such a loving gift! God gives the people these guidelines for how to live with each other.

We have parameters! And those parameters say that other people matter - our interactions with the world around us matter. The things we do and say in the world make a difference to the well being of the entire community.

In , this sermon by Moses is preached just as the people are about to cross over into the promised land. But, he is telling them that when they get where they want to go, there is a way they are to behave that they have to be ready for. The reason they’ve been stuck wandering so long is because they have been slow to hear God’s message. Moses tells the people, “You don’t want to listen to God? That’s on you then, when things go badly. Because if you want to make it to the promised land and live the sort of abundant lives that God makes available to us, you have some guidelines to follow.”

One of the reasons, I suspect, that many people do not find Deuteronomy as wonderful as I do is because it’s got lots of law in it. And we don’t really much like being told what to do. The people Moses was leading surely didn’t and we are not too different from them at all. We also don’t much like the idea that if we don’t toe the line, God’s going to punish us. I used to read as a kid and think, “Who wrote this crazy poem?! I hate having rules!”

We’re so used to our civil crime and punishment system here in the US, that the word “law” or even the word “rule” has a negative connotation. Not negative in that we think that we shouldn’t have law, but negative in that it’s a list of “do nots”. So we hear about law in scripture and it sounds like a cosmic list of do nots - the things God says we don’t get to do. Or if we do them, we’d better have a good lawyer on retainer.

We gravitate toward Jesus’ summary of the law in :

Matthew 22:37 ESV

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Matthew 22:37–40 ESV

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:

And that is a great passage. It’s a key passage. But we tend to read that and say, “Whew! The ‘do not laws’ don’t matter as long as we love people.” I implore you not to read as an excuse to ignore Deuteronomy and Leviticus. When we do that, we miss the point that the old law: Deuteronomy - Leviticus - those are just a long version of saying, “Be nice to everyone, guys.” They are ways toward living peacefully and happily with one another. There is something so special about knowing how much God cares about even the smallest interactions we have with others that just blows me away.

When our new dog, Pecas, came home a few months ago, we were very diligent in how we introduced him into the house. We already had the three cats who had only ever met one dog in their lives. Moses had actually met two. We know that because when he came to us as a tiny feral kitten, he had a pretty nasty dog bite wound. We wanted to make sure the dog and the cats all learned to live together peacefully and without anyone being hurt or scared or left out. Especially knowing Moses’ traumatic history with dogs.

The first step was that Pecas was always on a leash and someone was always holding the other end of the leash. Always. Unless he was in the fenced back yard where no other animals live, he was always on a leash or in his crate. This way he couldn’t wander off and do something stupid while we weren’t watching. For those of you who haven’t lived with dogs before, most dogs in the world are absolutely prone to wandering off and doing something stupid when you aren’t watching.

You want to see change for the better in the world? Be ridiculous, shocking examples of change here first. You can only change you.

After a while, we were able to keep Pecas on a leash, but not hold it. That way, if he did forget the rules about chasing cats or jumping on people, we could stomp on the leash really quick to stop him in his tracks. We didn’t have to do it often, but it was a helpful reminder to him to pay attention to us and a reminder to us to keep an eye on him as he learned the rules of the new house.

Now, after a few months of training and those first few weeks of leashed training in the house, his manners are pretty good. He only chases cats if they start it. He occasionally picks up a shoe or slipper like he’s going to chew on it, but he’s nearly always glued to someone because we did such a good job of convincing him he’s part of the pack. So we know right away when he’s got something he shouldn’t and we can ask him to hand it over. . . which he does. Sometimes he gets excited and jumps on company, but when we say, “Off!” he gets down and remembers his manners.

A few months later and not only is Pecas not chasing cats, but the cats are starting to trust him more and more. They will happily be in the same room with him with no signs of fear, unless he’s really wound up for whatever reason. And they will even sit on the same couch or bed with him if there is a person on that couch or bed that they also want to be with.

It was hard for him to learn to stop chasing cats. “Learning good impulse control” is how his obedience trainer and I talk about it. For a while, and even every once in a while still, you could see the concentration on his dopey bulldog face. He wanted to chase the cat. Chasing the cat would be so great. But I had told him that he wasn’t allowed to. He had a rule. And the rule didn’t make much sense to him. But now, it’s not so hard. It’s become just part of how he is that he doesn’t chase the cats. And the cats are becoming his friends. Slowly, but surely, they are all started to figure out how to live together: happy and healthy.

Someone asked me the first week we had Pecas in the house, “Don’t you think it’s harsh that he’s always on the leash?” And I explained that it felt less kind to everyone to let him learn bad habits that could be dangerous to him or the rest of the family. The leashed introduction did a few things: it taught him that he is part of the family. Where we go, he goes. It was good bonding. It also gave him physical feedback when he forgot the house rules so he got a reminder before something bad happened - like getting his face smacked by a scared cat. It also gave the cats the clear message that we cared about their safety. Yes, we brought a great big new dog into the house, but we weren’t going to let him chase them. The rules weren’t just about him: they were about everyone in the family.

It also gave the cats the clear message that we cared about their safety. Yes, we brought a great big new dog into the house, but we weren’t going to let him chase them. The message was clear: we want everyone here in this house to be safe and happy. We want them all to follow the rules not because we like having someone to boss around, but because they are all safer and happier when they have some guidelines for how to live with each other. Sure! Chasing cats is fun. . . if you’re not the cat.

The message was clear: we want everyone here in this house to be safe and happy. We want them all to follow the rules not because we like having someone to boss around, but because they are all safer and happier when they have some guidelines for how to live with each other. Sure! Chasing cats is fun. . . if you’re not the cat.

God’s message in giving us the law is not that God likes to have someone to boss around or that God likes punishing people. The rules aren’t about each of us as individuals. The message is this: sometimes, the things we do are harmful to the physical, emotional, or spiritual well being of the people around us and God doesn’t want any harm to come to us. So here are the sorts of things that hurt people: don’t do them. Don’t do things that are harmful to you and the people around you and the whole community will be happier and healthier as a result.

I like this paraphrase of Moses’ sermon that we read in Sirach:

We also don’t much like the idea that if we don’t toe the line, God’s going to punish us.

We don’t usually read from the Apocrypha in the Presbyterian tradition but

Sirach 15:15–20 NRSV

15 If you choose, you can keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice. 16 He has placed before you fire and water; stretch out your hand for whichever you choose. 17 Before each person are life and death, and whichever one chooses will be given. 18 For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and sees everything; 19 his eyes are on those who fear him, and he knows every human action. 20 He has not commanded anyone to be wicked, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.

Simple does not always mean easy.

We all have a choice. We can choose life - for ourselves and the community around us - even when it means learning to change the way we normally operate, or we can choose to chase the cat. The more we look at the ways our own actions affect those around us, the easier it becomes to think about those we’re in the world with as we make our choices. And before you know it, dear ones, you might just find that you have become friends with the cat.

. . .

Deuteronomy tells us that when our hearts aren’t in the right place, when we haven’t made God the focus of our hearts and actions, other idols will take that place of honor in our lives and that’s what sets us on that path of being mismatched inside and out. These “other gods” are not generally actual idols today. They take other forms like membership numbers and program quality, money and prestige, political affiliations, nostalgia, power, social image, social media, television, the need to be “right” or have the last word, belonging to the “right” church, following the “right” pastor or religious leader, and so very much more.

The first step in making that choice is choosing to trust that God works through those who follow Christ and Christ alone.

Thank you for taking me up on that cha

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move. Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art, And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

Renewal is a choice. It is a choice that you all are given as a community. It’s not my choice. It’s yours. I am thrilled to lead that charge. And I think that Epiphany is EXACTLY the right time of the church year to take that choice on. But I cannot make that choice for you.

We need epiphany. The scriptures that we read this time in the church year are about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and revelation to the world. But we aren’t just celebrating Jesus’ ministry and revelation way back in history.. We are celebrating the ways that we continue Jesus’ ministry and revelation now. Epiphany is not just a celebration of something that happened once upon a time, but a celebration of something that started at the manger and continues today through the work and mission of the church.

Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King? All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind. I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling: Oh, let me seek Thee, and, oh, let me find!

The first step in making that choice is choosing to trust that God works through those who follow Christ and Christ alone.

*Declaration of Faith Apostles' Creed

Last week, we talked about being salt and light and how all of our pious religious celebration is nothing if it doesn’t change how we interact in the world. We can certainly apply this directly to how we use the church calendar and seasons. Each season in the traditional church calendar calls us to focus on a specific way of being and interacting. If we talk about the revelation of Jesus in the world without participating in revealing Jesus to others, it’s pointless chatter.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh; Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear, To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh; Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love, One holy passion filling all my frame; The kindling of the heav’n-descended Dove, My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

In today’s passages, we see a continuation of that same theme. We can act in any kind of way good or bad, but if our heart is in the wrong place, our actions are empty. We have to be congruent inside and out. You can avoid murder and assault, but if you so much as have hate in your heart, you’re still missing the point. You can stay away from adultery, but even thinking lustfully about someone shows there is still something awry in your heart. You can follow the law’s letter on allowances for something like divorce - the example Jesus uses, but if you’re just using the law’s loopholes for frivolous purposes or your own whims and gains, you are still breaking the law in your heart. If there is quarreling, bickering, petty arguments in the church, as there were in the church in Corinth, you are still letting culture and sin run the way you operate.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Sharing of our Tithes and Offerings

As disciples, we have to practice true righteousness, not just outer righteousness and not just going through the pious motions of religious gathering and discipline. It’s not just not doing things because they are wrong, it’s not doing things because they are no longer part of who you are. When our inner self and our outer actions are disconnected, we fail to be truly righteous and we put the gospel light under a basket.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

*Prayer of Thanksgiving

Our passage in Deuteronomy goes on to instruct the people how to move forward if they want to survive for the sake of their children and grandchildren. If you want to dwell in the Promised Land, God tells the people of Israel, choose life. Then you and your descendants will live and thrive in the Promised Land.

Sending

. . .

Like the murmur of the dove’s song, Like the challenge of her flight, Like the vigor of the wind’s rush, Like the new flame’s eager might: Come, Holy Spirit, come.

This is where I say, “Don’t panic.” I am not saying that as a small church, we have no hope. This doesn’t mean small churches are sunk. It just means we have to change our mindset and our focus. Renewal is a choice. It is a choice that you all are given as a community. It’s not my choice. It’s yours. I am thrilled to lead that charge. And I think that Epiphany is EXACTLY the right time of the church year to take that choice on. But I cannot make that choice for you.

To the members of Christ’s body, To the branches of the vine, To the church in faith assembled, To her midst as gift and sign: Come, Holy Spirit, come.

With the healing of division, With the ceaseless voice of prayer, With the power to love and witness, With the peace beyond compare: Come, Holy Spirit, come.

May the peace of our Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing, once again into our doors.

Sending Song #600 “Amen” (sing three times)

Amen

The first step in making that choice is choosing to trust that God works through those who follow Christ and Christ alone. Choosing life means choosing our identities in Christ. Choosing life as the church means that we visibly and publicly follow Christ. We do not belong to Paul or to Apollos. We do not belong to the republican party or the democratic party. We have to reconcile, make peace, etc to make that happen. We have to be righteous above and beyond the call of the law - both in our hearts and in our actions.

FOR EMSWORTH: As you depart, please share signs of Christ’s peace with one another.

Postlude

So, how do we choose to follow Jesus and the abundant life he offers during Epiphany? That’s a pretty tall order. Deuteronomy says that we choose life by “ loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him.” It can be hard to hear God’s voice in our loud and cluttered world, though. Everywhere you turn, there are headlines and books and television and cultural stigmas and categories and stereotypes and “the way things are done” and just noise, noise, noise! It’s difficult to hone in on God’s voice in the midst of all that. And it’s difficult to hone in on God’s voice when we don’t always know how God is going to speak to us on a day to day basis. That’s another one of the reasons church seasons are so important. They help to focus us.

FOR EMSWORTH: As you depart, please share signs of Christ’s peace with one another.

I’m going to offer you today one small way of practicing listening. It is simple, but powerful. It is something that everyone from the very young to the very old and everyone in between can do. I honestly don’t know if it’s an old tradition that has resurged in recent years or a brand new one that ties beautifully into the old practice of church seasons. Either way, it’s pretty cool.

We don’t usually use the Apocrypha in the Presbyterian Church, but it’s still sometimes listed in the lectionary. These are the old

As I mentioned before, Epiphany starts when Jesus’ birth is revealed to the wise men. God spoke to them in a very interesting way - through a star.