I Just Want to Belong

Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14

First Lesson: Acts 7:55-60

Challenges:

Our first lesson takes us on a one-way trip to "Out of Context Land."   First of all, let's just say hypothetically that you keep the lesson exactly AS IS: who is this "he" who is filled with the Holy Spirit and gazes into heaven? You, the pastor, will know but chances are 99% of people will not. Besides, it's such a short lesson by the time people become acclimated to what is happening it will be over.  I'd say either give some background before it is read or just don't read it. 

Opportunities:

We quite often talk about effective preaching/communicating and how it will reach people. There are dozens if not hundreds of books on the subject...I'm reading one right now. Sometimes this really helps: other times it can be discouraging, like we are searching for an elusive treasure.  This lesson gives me perspective: was Stephen's communication effective? You could argue (I guess) that it was TOO effective: his listeners certainly got the message, they just didn't like it!  If anything, it's a good reminder that it's not always about numbers...holding this sermon in tension with Peter's Pentecost Sermon is a good idea.

Also, keep an eye on this Saul guy mentioned in verse 58: interesting things might happen with him.

The Good News: 

In Stephen we have an individual who was so connected with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit that he was able to peacefully (despite the situation) give up his spirit after asking forgiveness for the ones who were stoning him. I have heard it said that "happiness" is contingent on circumstances but that "joy" comes from the Lord. While it doesn't actually use the word "joy" here I believe this applies to Stephen.

Psalm: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

Challenges:

Any time that the word "hate" is used it will probably get some attention. Hate is a strong word and this psalm uses it (verse 6).  People might ask you what it means to "hate" and will curious about how God could hate things, since in other places the Bible says that God is "love." Think a bit about how you would answer this question.

Opportunities:

These are valuable words to "get to know" and become familiar with.  Seeking refuge...a rock of refuge...rescue...deliverence...be gracious to me...these are words and phrases that are uttered by people in great need. There is a great comfort in turning things over to God: committing our spirit into God's hands.  We all face plenty of trials and challenges and one of the things that makes each of these trials harder, darker, or more hurtful is a sense of loneliness...the feeling that I'm on my own with this.  I know that when I feel lonely or "on my own" everything seems worse, harder, more insurmountable, etc.  This psalm gives us words of a person who probably felt similarly.  Their words can become our words.

The Good News: 

At the very least, it is comforting to know that we are not alone in feeling alone. That's no small thing.  Other people, thousands of years ago, and thousands of miles away felt the same way.  It reminds us that there are people in our own time and our own places who feel the same way.  As we read the rest of Scripture we hear about a God who reaches out to help those who are lonely and in need of help.

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:2-10

Challenges:

Wait what? Some where destined to disobey the word? What's up with that?  (See verse 8) Are they (and we) just pawns in this whole cosmic game of God's? I'm kind of joking here, but this is actually a rather serious situation. You might know and interact with people who feel that they are destined to disobey God and it really, really bothers them.  One of the amazing aspects of my tradition's theology is the idea that we cannot believe in Christ and come to him on our own but that they Holy Spirit calls us through the Gospel. This is beautiful and amazing...but it can also be troubling. Does this mean that the Holy Spirit only calls some people through the Gospel? Why do some people NOT believe? Was that the Holy Spirit's choice? And how about these people verses 6-8? Did God really destine them not to believe? These aren't rhetorical questions: I'm genuinely puzzled and concerned.  If you have an answer, let me know!

Opportunities:

There are plenty of strong images and analogies here: do you pick just one or use a bunch? Spiritual milk: there's nothing like watching a hungry baby finally get a chance to eat. Or maybe the living stone/corner stone image. If you have construction people in your congregation, you could interview them during your sermon about building practices and what makes things come together. In my own town, one of our downtown, Main Street buildings has be condemned and will probably have to be torn down. One of the walls is in danger of collapsing and that weakens all of the other walls. There's an illustration there.

The Good News: 

It is highly probable that the people who are hearing/reading this epistle don't "belong" in other parts of their lives. Chances are they are not rich, wealthy, influential, connected, whatever. Some of them are certainly slaves.  It is very, very hard to NOT belong...especially if you are in the presence of those who do.  Verses 9 and 10 assure them that the DO, in fact, BELONG. They are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.  I'm sure this would appear to be laughable to many in the ancient world...and our own world for that matter. Just about as laughable as a Crucified Messiah.  And yet, there is hope and belonging and new life in these words.  There is good news.

Gospel: John 14:1-14

Challenges:

And here is another "little talk" from Jesus.  We have another "I Am" statement and we have some puzzled listeners (if you didn't know it already, these would be great tip-offs to show that it's the Gospel of John.  It is just possible that many people will hear this and go into a "funeral mindset." While this isn't necessarily bad, it's always good to consider if you are going to use that tendency or try to take them somewhere else. Also, here is another statement of Jesus that can sound EXTREMELY exclusionary: something to talk about and deal with. (Look at last week's blog-post for some thoughts on that).

Opportunities:

When I hear this text my mind quickly goes to a dear friend who is now a member of the church triumphant. Don would often come up to me and say in a deep, booming voice, "Aw pastor, I was just reading John 14 again...doesn't get any better than John 14 does it?  He was a big-hearted man who had a way of making people feel like they belonged, like they had a place. He led worship services in local nursing homes and really connected with the residents to the point that he was asked to do many of their funerals. Here Jesus is talking about taking his followers, his friends, to a place (in time, space, whatever) where they belong. Don lived out that value: I bet you know someone (or more than one) who does in your life.

The Good News:

As I said in the challenge section, you have some common themes from the Gospel of John: Jesus saying some big things and his listeners not getting it. Since we've been talking about belonging quite a bit today, here's something very, very good. Jesus doesn't say, "Wow, you don't get it do you? I guess you're not part of the 'in' crowd, you are one of the cool people..." or whatever it is the cool people say. No, they are still in: bumbling and all. He even says to these disciples who don't get it that those who believe in him will do greater works than "these." He doesn't say, "those who have a proper theological understanding" or "those who score a 75% or higher on my quiz, or "those who never screw up...well at least not BAD enough..." Nope, it's those who believe. If there is indeed an "in" crowd and an "out" crowd, the line is drawn in a way that our world could not expect it at all.