Known For...

For those of you that have not joined us for worship before, I want you to be aware that we go about things a little differently here. What I mean by this is that often I will engage the congregation during the sermon and get input from them. Why do I do this? The answer is quite simple. It is to keep you awake. No, not really. The real reason is that if you all are included in the sermon, then you will have ownership in the process and hopefully it will be easier to remember and draw strength from later on in the week. The purpose of the sermon is not so that I can extrapolate nuggets of wisdom, and that you can be enamored with my vocabulary, theological discourse, or elaborate diction. The purpose of the sermon is that we will be reminded of the truths of God, and find tools that we can put in our packs to help us in the journey of faith. So, join me for a few moments, as we learn from each other, at this time...and in this place.

Each of us calls a certain place "home". Perhaps we have always lived there, or maybe we have moved many times. As we think about the place that we call home, I want us to consider the thing that the town is known for. An example is when you think of Venice, images of gondolas and romantic boat rides come to mind. What is it about where you come from that is important?

(Congregational input begins here) Greer is known for BMW manufacturing, although one time it was textiles. Recently George Clooney made a movie there. Lexington is known for BBQ. Thomasville was known for furniture production, but a lot of that is now done overseas. Gray, Maine has a monument for a confederate soldier. This is the only confederate soldier buried in the New England states. (Many other people shared their stories about their home town, and then I began again.)

In a town named Gaffney, SC they are known for a huge water tower of a peach. Gaffney has many peach farmers that provide succulent juicy fruit to the town. As an homage to those hard working farmers, the Peach Tower was built in the early 1980's. It took five months to design and mold the steel for the project. A foundation containing 10 million pounds of concrete had to be poured. One and one half miles of welds had to be made, requiring that welding rods had to be delivered to the site by the ton. A stem 12 feet long and 18 inches in diameter was added to the top. A huge leaf, 60 feet long, 16 feet wide, and weighing 7 tons was applied to one side. A huge cleft along the entire height of the "peach" was created through false work steel paneling applied to the sphere of the tank. This monster of a peach is the claim to fame for the town, as it is right off the interstate. If you are ever on I-85 in the upstate of SC, you will see it and be amazed. Locals even laugh at it a bit. From certain angles, it looks a bit odd and obscene. But yet, that is the monument of Gaffney, South Carolina.

In our text for today, Jesus speaks of Jerusalem. Let us look to the scriptures as we see what they are know for.

Luke 13:31-35
Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'

So, much worse than the Gaffney peach...Jerusalem is known as the place that murders and stones the prophets. During this Lenten season, where we focus on the sacrifice made by Christ, we are reminded of the pivotal role of Jerusalem, and the mission of Christ. In the next few weeks, we will revisit Jerusalem, and focus on the statement made by Christ. He had a work to do, and on the third day...he finished that work.

What is Myrtle Beach known for? The answer depends on perspective. When I was Senior in high school, it was known as the place where graduates pilgrimage to blow off steam before entering college or the work force. For many snowbirds, the beach is a place to escape the harsh northern winters. For many golfers, Myrtle Beach is a place for the endless search for 300 yard drives and below par scoring.

What about Apache? What are we known for?

What about our hearts, what are they known for?

I pray that we are known as ones that Jesus was actually able to scoop up, like a hen gather us, and protect us and allow us to grow and mature. Just like those chicks would be dead without the hen. We too are in the same condition without Christ. As we grow to maturity, my prayer is that we are known as those who scoop up others that need nurture and protection.

Jesus is known for the scars that he bore for us, he is known for the reappearance on Easter morning, he is known as Saviour and Lord.

From BBQ, to Peaches, to Murderers, to Furniture...what are we known for?