Some of my sermons could not be preached at the First Baptist Church, or First Methodist Church, or while wearing a formal, black Genevan Gown in the First Presbyterian pulpit. Each week, I try to share my life and attempt to find out what God is saying to us all through those events. This week, has been a bit awkward.
I visited my mom this past week, and not too long after arrival, I noticed a large knot. It kept getting larger and became throbbingly painful. I knew that I needed to go to visit a local doctor, but since I did not have one of my own, the urgent care clinic was my destination.
Now this seems like a pretty simple and straightforward story, but from the sermon title, you will quickly understand that this was not a pleasant experience for me. The bump was in a "sensitive" spot, below the waist that generally is not viewed by a lot of people. If you need more info, it was front side, below waist, awkwardness. Now, we are on the same page. See, I told you this sermon would not "fly" at a formal church. (Laughter erupts)
So, once I get in the room, I tell the nurse what is going on. Her reply, "Oh my!" Just what I was thinking myself. She said, "The Doc will be right in to check that out."
He came in and move me to a surgical area. He did what docs do with lumps in that area, and then he called the nurse in to help with the gauze packing and taping. He gave me instructions, gave her instructions and left the room.
I could hear the buzz of the fluorescent lights as the awkwardness enveloped us.
She said, "I see that you are from Myrtle Beach, What brings you here?" I felt like she was wanting to make small talk. Although I was in no mood for talking at all, especially after the shot I had just received. I explained that I was visiting my mom and that she was so happy to be spending time with my 6 year old son. Hoping this would end the small talk, but quickly finding out that the person gawking at a place ungawked at often was quite the chatterbox.
"So what do you do, at the beach?"
I visited my mom this past week, and not too long after arrival, I noticed a large knot. It kept getting larger and became throbbingly painful. I knew that I needed to go to visit a local doctor, but since I did not have one of my own, the urgent care clinic was my destination.
Now this seems like a pretty simple and straightforward story, but from the sermon title, you will quickly understand that this was not a pleasant experience for me. The bump was in a "sensitive" spot, below the waist that generally is not viewed by a lot of people. If you need more info, it was front side, below waist, awkwardness. Now, we are on the same page. See, I told you this sermon would not "fly" at a formal church. (Laughter erupts)
So, once I get in the room, I tell the nurse what is going on. Her reply, "Oh my!" Just what I was thinking myself. She said, "The Doc will be right in to check that out."
He came in and move me to a surgical area. He did what docs do with lumps in that area, and then he called the nurse in to help with the gauze packing and taping. He gave me instructions, gave her instructions and left the room.
I could hear the buzz of the fluorescent lights as the awkwardness enveloped us.
She said, "I see that you are from Myrtle Beach, What brings you here?" I felt like she was wanting to make small talk. Although I was in no mood for talking at all, especially after the shot I had just received. I explained that I was visiting my mom and that she was so happy to be spending time with my 6 year old son. Hoping this would end the small talk, but quickly finding out that the person gawking at a place ungawked at often was quite the chatterbox.
"So what do you do, at the beach?"
I sighed and replied, "I am a chaplain."
"Well, let me ask you a question chaplain--Do ya mind?"
Since I was being held captive, I had no choice--"No, that is fine, go ahead."
"Well, I was married for 30 years and my husband cheated on me. We divorced and a year later he got prostate cancer. I think he got what he deserved. Yep, I think God punished him because of what he did. What do you think, Chaplain?"
Now, I am in trouble, she has me in a precarious situation. Before I tell you my response, I ask you, "What would you say?"
Well, the scripture speaks to us about things such as this. In the form of a Narrative, we learn about the kind of relationship Jesus wants with us. Let's look closely and see what there is to learn.
Luke 10: 38-42
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The nurse that was patching me up, was a Martha. Her idea of rightness with Jesus was being busy doing good things. Martha was expected by the society in which she lived to be about working and preparing. She became indignant when Mary was comfortable sitting in the presence of Christ. A relationship with Christ is not about DOING, it is about BEING. We are to BE His.
On the way home from the upstate, a jeep passed me going super fast. It had written on the back and sides, "My soldier is coming home today." I am not sure of the drivers name, but she reminded my of Mary. With every part of her being she longed to be in the presence of the ONE who loved her. He was hers, and she was his. It is all about the BEING!
Now, BEING in Christ should lead to an outpouring of DOING. But we can never base our worth to God on how faithful we are. If that is the case, then our salvation is a work. That would make the work of Christ on the cross to be insignificant. But if our relationship with God rests firmly in our BEING one that Christ redeemed...now that is where TRUTH stands.
Because we are redeemed, then our lives should reflect love, grace and forgiveness. But because of Christ death, when God looks at us, He sees Perfection. Jesus blood, covers us, he took the wrath of God for us. See...it is all about BEING his.
So, what did I tell the nurse? What I just told you, in a simpler form. Relationships are never easy, we all fail each other--even when having the greatest and best of intentions. Sickness is an effect of living in a sinful and fallen world, and that God is not a scorekeeper. If God did keep score, none of us would be spared. Jesus already paid all that debt for his children.
I went back in a few days later. The lady was a different person. She seemed to be free from her anger. When she patched me up after the doc checked me out, she said, "Where do you preach, Chaplain."
I answered her, wondering what was next.
"I will check you out when I come to the beach," was the reply.
The Gospel--the Naked truth of the love of Christ--is the only way to "expose" us to the lavish love of God.
That, my friends is Good News.
"Well, let me ask you a question chaplain--Do ya mind?"
Since I was being held captive, I had no choice--"No, that is fine, go ahead."
"Well, I was married for 30 years and my husband cheated on me. We divorced and a year later he got prostate cancer. I think he got what he deserved. Yep, I think God punished him because of what he did. What do you think, Chaplain?"
Now, I am in trouble, she has me in a precarious situation. Before I tell you my response, I ask you, "What would you say?"
Well, the scripture speaks to us about things such as this. In the form of a Narrative, we learn about the kind of relationship Jesus wants with us. Let's look closely and see what there is to learn.
Luke 10: 38-42
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The nurse that was patching me up, was a Martha. Her idea of rightness with Jesus was being busy doing good things. Martha was expected by the society in which she lived to be about working and preparing. She became indignant when Mary was comfortable sitting in the presence of Christ. A relationship with Christ is not about DOING, it is about BEING. We are to BE His.
On the way home from the upstate, a jeep passed me going super fast. It had written on the back and sides, "My soldier is coming home today." I am not sure of the drivers name, but she reminded my of Mary. With every part of her being she longed to be in the presence of the ONE who loved her. He was hers, and she was his. It is all about the BEING!
Now, BEING in Christ should lead to an outpouring of DOING. But we can never base our worth to God on how faithful we are. If that is the case, then our salvation is a work. That would make the work of Christ on the cross to be insignificant. But if our relationship with God rests firmly in our BEING one that Christ redeemed...now that is where TRUTH stands.
Because we are redeemed, then our lives should reflect love, grace and forgiveness. But because of Christ death, when God looks at us, He sees Perfection. Jesus blood, covers us, he took the wrath of God for us. See...it is all about BEING his.
So, what did I tell the nurse? What I just told you, in a simpler form. Relationships are never easy, we all fail each other--even when having the greatest and best of intentions. Sickness is an effect of living in a sinful and fallen world, and that God is not a scorekeeper. If God did keep score, none of us would be spared. Jesus already paid all that debt for his children.
I went back in a few days later. The lady was a different person. She seemed to be free from her anger. When she patched me up after the doc checked me out, she said, "Where do you preach, Chaplain."
I answered her, wondering what was next.
"I will check you out when I come to the beach," was the reply.
The Gospel--the Naked truth of the love of Christ--is the only way to "expose" us to the lavish love of God.
That, my friends is Good News.
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