Royal Law of Love
Notes
Transcript
9/12/21
9/12/21
Announcements:
Church Board Meeting tomorrow evening at 7:00.
Bowling this Thursday at 6:30.
Next Sunday - All the things we missed - There is a sign-up sheet out in the foyer - We will be celebrating the things we missed over the last year and a half. Tailgate Sunday — wear your favorite team gear. In addition, we will be bringing food to celebrate the holidays we missed celebrating together.
Let’s watch this video. Books are available - please sign-up to join us in this journey of discipleship.
Oftentimes we begin our time of worship together with a missionary moment. We will see that a little later this morning. This is going to be a different worship experience for us today. I want us to start with this video. Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, and then he defined our neighbor by telling the story of the Good Samaritan. This video is a little different than our normal style, but I think there is some real depth of meaning in it. Let’s watch together.
Video: How to Neighbor
Yesterday morning, I sat down to drink my cup of coffee as the morning news was on the TV. Of course, yesterday was September 11th, and the 20th year anniversary of one of the darkest days in the history of our nation. The channel I was watching showed a montage of things that happened on that fateful day along with footage of their coverage of the day.
They prefaced the video by saying that it would contain some images and words that were not suitable for some viewers, and that they only broadcast it once a year so that we would never forget the attacks of that day.
I watched as the reporting of the events unfolded. In all truthfulness, I was not up watching that morning, because I had a terrible headache that morning and was sleeping in to try to get over it. Yesterday morning I watched as the planes were shown being flown into the twin towers in Manhattan, and the devastating things that occurred 20 years ago.
As it came to an end, I found myself sitting on my sofa alone - crying. The tears were flowing - I had seen it all before, I had cried about it before. But yesterday it all hit me pretty hard. I don’t know whether it’s because it has been 20 years, or because of the way things are returning to the way they were 20 years ago in Afghanistan. I’m not totally sure why it hit me so much harder this year than it has in some other years, but it did.
I determined that one of the reasons that I was in tears is because I got to thinking about how the response from people all over America was united. It was one of the few times in my life that I can remember politicians, no matter whether they had a D or an R by their name got along. The unity did not depend on the color of our skin - every person who came out of the cloud of ash and dust when the towers came down all looked the same color.
Then I got to thinking about how so many people turned to God in the midst of their suffering and pain. Churches were full all across America on that Sunday following the attacks. People were looking for some answers. My lament - my tears were mostly based in how divided and empty we have become over the past 20 years. The tears continued to stream as I thought about how we have done - the American church in response to the deep questions that people ask about life, and I came to the realization that we have not always done a very good job. People, not finding the answers in the church have turned to other sources for their answers.
I was in the middle of finalizing some things for this morning’s service, and I felt like the Lord was telling me that we shouldn’t do things as usual this morning. That’s why we have experienced worship in a little different way this morning, so far - and we are going to continue to do some things differently today.
Instead of music, this morning, we are going to major on scripture. It’s what I felt the Lord leading me to do.
So, what I would like you to do this morning is to think of what some of your favorite scriptures are that you turn to in times of stressful or difficult circumstances. Maybe you’ve had to rely on some of these passages on many occasions - even over this past year and a half as we have dealt with and continue to deal with a Global Pandemic.
I would love for you to come to one of the microphones and read the scripture that comes to your mind. I know this might be kind of awkward for those of you that are watching us on one of our livestreams, but if you are on Facebook Live, I invite you to type the passage below, and we’ll have somebody read it here for you.
While you consider what scriptures you would like to share, I would like us to watch this video together.
Sharing scriptures:
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.
We started a series last Sunday on Reflecting the Son. We are looking at the letter that was written by James, the brother of Jesus to the church that had been dispersed around the known world after the stoning of Stephen. James is known for insisting that if we are going to be followers of Christ, that we not only need to have faith, but we need to do something with our faith. Faith without actions is dead!
1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
I. Don’t Play Favorites
• The first thing James says is: “If you want your life to be reflection of the Son, don’t play favorites!”
• Don’t judge someone based on external appearances: tattoos & jeans versus shirt & tie. The church has not always been very good about this rule of thumb!
STORY: HIS NAME IS BILL:
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, conservative church. One day Bill goes there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are looking a bit uncomfortable. Bill gets closer to the pulpit and when he realizes there are no seats, he squats down right on the carpet. By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the pastor realizes that from way at the back of the church, an usher is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the usher is in his eighties, has gray hair and a three-piece suit. He is a godly man, very elegant, dignified and courtly. He walks with a cane he starts walking toward this boy. Everyone thinks, you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is silent except for the clicking of the cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't hear anyone breathing. They watch as with great difficulty the usher lowers himself and sits down next to Bill to worship with him so he won't be alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion. The minister says: "What I'm about to preach, you won't remember. What you just saw, you will never forget."
• Prejudice = to pre-judge. To judge someone before you know their character.
• ASK: How do people do this? Race, age, economic status, education, dress, etc.
• This doesn’t mean you have to be friends with everyone, but treat people respectfully.
II. Display Love for every neighbor!
James says it is the royal law found in scripture to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” What that means is that our love will be lived out in tangible ways to those we meet. Our good wishes and desires for others go nowhere if they are not accompanied by right action.
One of the most stirring indictments on the church ever penned was made by Charles Schultz many years ago. Snoopy is shivering out in a snowstorm beside an empty food dish. He was looking longingly, expectantly, toward the house. Lucy came out and said, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled!" And then she turned and went back into the house and slammed the door. In the last frame you saw a confused Snoopy looking toward the house, shivering and hungry and utterly baffled.
To make known the love of Christ takes more than words -- it takes action.
James takes this a step further when he says that faith without action is dead. It is not enough to wish someone well if we can help meet their need. As the old song by DC Talk says: Love is a verb - it requires action. James uses what we would consider to be an absurd example - if we would find someone without clothing or food, it is not enough to tell them good luck and send them on their way. Love would do what it could to meet the need.
The Son of God would do what He could to meet the need, and if we are going to be reflectors of the Son, then we would do likewise. Next Sunday, we are going to participate once again in Freedom Sunday. Human Trafficking is one of the scourges in our world. The Church of the Nazarene is deeply involved in the efforts to help those trapped in modern day slavery. I told you we would see a Missionary Moment later in the service - let’s watch this together.
Video: Shechem Home.
An old Scotsman operated a little rowboat for transporting passengers. One day a passenger noticed that the old man had carved on one oar the word “faith” and on the other oar the word “works.” Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man, being a well balanced Christian and glad of the opportunity for testimony, said, “I will show you.” So, he dropped the oar named “faith” and pulled the other called “works.” They went around in circles. Then he dropped the oar named “works”and began to pull the oar called “faith”, and the little boat went around in circles again---this time the other direction, but still in a circle. After this demonstration the old man picked up Faith and Works, and pulling both oars together, sped swiftly over the water, explaining to his inquiring passengers, “you see, that is the way it is in the Christian life. Dead works without faith are useless, and faith without works is dead also, getting you nowhere. But faith and works pulling together make for safety, progress, and blessing.
The Communion Supper, instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a sacrament, which proclaims His life, His sufferings, His sacrificial death, and resurrection, and the hope of His coming again. It shows forth the Lord’s death until His return.
The Supper is a means of grace in which Christ is present by the Spirit. It is to be received in reverent appreciation and gratefulness for the work of Christ.
All those who are truly repentant, forsaking their sins, and believing in Christ for salvation are invited to participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. We come to the table that we may be renewed in life and salvation and be made one by the Spirit.
In unity with the Church, we confess our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. And so we pray:
The minister may offer a prayer of confession and supplication, concluding with the following prayer of consecration:
Holy God,
We gather at this, your table, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who by your Spirit was anointed to preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, set at liberty those who are oppressed. Christ healed the sick, fed the hungry, ate with sinners, and established the new covenant for forgiveness of sins. We live in the hope of His coming again.
On the night in which He was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and said: “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, when the supper was over, He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.” Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Matthew 26:27–29, Luke 22:19)
And so, we gather as the Body of Christ to offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these your gifts. Make them by the power of your Spirit to be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ, redeemed by His blood.
By your Spirit make us one in Christ, one with each other, and one in the ministry of Christ to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, let us pray:
(Here the congregation may pray the Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Before the partaking of the bread, let the minister say:
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for you, preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.
Before the partaking of the cup, let the minister say:
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.