Aug 18, 2019           Disciples of Christ                                         

A few months ago, a colleague of mine was talking about a dispute that some of the church members were having. It seems that the church had received a large gift, and the minister wanted the congregation to do more than just put it in the bank for the future, she wanted them to do some kind of ministry in their community. A ministry that would make a difference in people’s lives, and make the church stand out in the community as productive members of the community.

As she advocated for this before her church and ministry committee, she spoke about how Jesus would want the church to work for even a little bit of the kingdom of heaven to be realized on earth, and to be a part of their community. In response to this plea, on of the members replied, “don’t bring Jesus Christ into this, this is about preserving our church!” My colleague thought about this for a moment, and replied, “Of course, I have to bring Jesus Christ into this, this is what I have been called to do, it’s who I am, and it’s who we are all called to be.”

In the last two weeks, we have been reading Jesus, Sermon on the Plain, from the gospel of Luke. Last week, Jesus told the people that where their treasure is, that is where their hearts will be set. Jesus also alluded to the leaders of Judaism, both religious and political leaders, as thieves who were stealing the kingdom of heaven out from under the people. In this Jesus was asking the people to choose between the kingdom of heaven that he offered, and the kingdom of men, which they offered.

In our gospel lesson this morning Jesus tells us that making that choice will not be easy, especially if it involves religion or politics. It will not be easy, because it will not just separate them from people in their communities, but because it will create divisions within their own families. But the choice is necessary, because it makes all the difference in who we are, and in the world in which we live.

I remember as a child growing up, that I had all the same questions that kids have today when it comes to church. Do we have to go to church every Sunday? Do we have to go to Sunday School or Confirmation? Do we have to give a tithe of what we earn each week? Do we have to go to youth group? Do we have to go on mission trips? “Yes”, my mother would answer, “because we are Christians.” And to my parents, being a Christian made all the difference, in who they were, and in the lives and world in which they served.

In our world today, there are a great many people who have made this choice, and they are proud to be Christians. To be clear, I am not talking about politicians trying to win votes, or the latest crazed Christian caraciture on television or some HBO special. I am talking about the everyday Christians you can find in a church on Sunday morning, or find working in a soup kitchen, or a food pantry, or visiting shut-ins, or raising funds for ministries overseas, or even to tuckpoint the steeple on a church.

I’m talking about Christians who are welcoming to strangers, who help those who are in need, who advocate for all to be treated fairly and justly. I’m talking about Christians, who know that being a follower of Jesus Christ is not easy, that it involves sacrifice – in remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made for us, that it involves humility, and the acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, rather than ourselves, or some other deity. I’m talking about Christians who aren’t perfect, but at least they are trying, and in the trying they have grown closer and closer to God. In a way, being a Christian is the road less taken, but it is a road that leads to life, even in the midst of death!

That’s why I like the reading from Hebrews this morning. Instead of one long reading of the glorious accomplishments of all the great kings and hero’s of Israel. We get this broken list of imperfect heroes, of Rahab the prostitute, of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthat, and David. Of heroes who conquered, but also heroes who suffered and died. And finally, we get to Jesus, not who won a kingdom on earth, and overthrew the romans, but one who won the kingdom of heaven, and stands ready to give that kingdom to all who believe in him. For through faith in Jesus Christ, whatever the world throws at us, we will know God’s presence among us, and we shall one day stand before the throne of God!

And that’s the Good News of Jesus Christ!