Sermon (Feb. 25/Lent) “Crosses of Jesus: The Jerusalem Cross” by Rev. Robert McDowell

    

February 25/Lent, 2024

Rev. Robert McDowell

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

     Of all the different symbolic crosses of Jesus, perhaps the Jerusalem cross is the most important one for the church.

     

     Of course, all of the variety of crosses that we are looking at each Sunday during this sermon series, have a common thread – that Jesus Christ died on a cross for the sins of the world.  That, in and of itself is wonderful news!  It’s why we refer to our faith as “good news,” to know that the God of all creation has sent Jesus Christ to be our redeemer, our deliverer, and our Savior.

     

     But the particular cross that we are looking at today, the Jerusalem Cross, is in my estimation, the most significant one of all even as important as they all are.  The reason for this is because the Jerusalem cross that reminds us that the good news of our faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves but is meant to be shared and celebrated with the entire world.

     

     You will notice that the Jerusalem cross consists of a large cross in the middle with four smaller crosses surrounding it.  In this particular style of cross, the large middle cross symbolizes the presence of Jesus Christ, while the four smaller crosses symbolize the task of the church to share the good news of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the world.

     And this is why this particular type of cross is called the Jerusalem cross.  The Christian faith began in Jerusalem since that is where Jesus was crucified on a cross and was resurrected to new life.  But then Christianity gradually extended to the whole world through the faithful witness of the early church.

     

     This cross is also called the Jerusalem Cross because it was used on the flags of the Crusaders during the Middle Ages when they left Europe to try and recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land and put it under Christian control again.

 

     The Jerusalem cross is important for us to think about during the Season of Lent, because it reminds us that our faith in Jesus Christ is too wonderful to be kept to ourselves.

     

     Have you ever had something to say that was so wonderful that you couldn’t keep it to yourself?  Have you ever wanted to shout at perfect strangers some great news?

 

     A friend told me about a time when he stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few things.  As he was heading toward the aisle where soups are sold, he noticed a man going up to strangers and talking to them.  He thought to himself, “Oh, I hope he doesn’t say anything to me.”  

 

     But, sure enough, he started heading right toward him!

 

     He thought to himself, “What would cause this man, who looked to be somewhere in his mid to late 20s, to be OK with going up to complete strangers, and telling them about something without knowing what their reaction might be?  What was his urgent message that he just had to share with everyone shopping at the grocery store that morning?”

 

     Well, it turned out that he was representing a new business that had just opened in town.  And this young man told him how this new business could really be helpful to him, and that if he would go to that business later in the day, he would get a free pizza!!  He then handed him a piece of paper with the name of the business the address of the business, and the free pizza coupon.

 

     My friend said that he didn’t take him up on his offer of the free pizza, but the important thing about that day for him wasn’t that he chose not to visit that new pizza business in town. The important thing for him was that this guy was willing to share something that was so important to him with complete strangers.

     

      I see lots of people like that. How about the guy who is willing to dress up like the statue of liberty and stand outside in bone chilling wind to get you to come in and get your taxes done there? That’s dedication!

 

       Or sometimes I see a person standing near a busy intersection, wearing a costume like a banana suit, or a big chili pepper, trying to get my attention to come and check out the store they’re representing.

     

     Someone told me that near where he lives, one of these costume-wearing-guys stands near a road waving to the cars going by, dressed up as a large drink cup with a huge straw coming out of his head!

     

     Now, I know, they’re not doing this for free.  But you couldn’t pay me enough to do what they’re doing.

     

     You have to respect someone who is willing to wave his arms around while wearing a hamburger suit.  I mean, that takes some courage and boldness.

 

     And all of this reminds me of what people must have thought of those early Christians when they first started going around the city of Jerusalem telling people about a Messiah who was crucified, dead, and then raised from the dead. 

 

     In my mind, there’s no comparison between a person wearing a hamburger suit, and the early Christian on the streets of Jerusalem telling people about a crucified and risen Messiah.  

 

     The disciples of Jesus had it a lot harder in my opinion. I mean, we’ve all seen a hamburger, and most of us eat them from time to time. But not many people in the history of this world have even seen someone who was dead and is now alive again.

 

     But this is the news that those early Christians wanted to tell everyone they could, and this is what the early church did.  They boldly shared the good news to all who would listen that the God of all creation had defeated sin and death at a particular time in history by sending Jesus who died on a cross, rose to new life, and ascended to heaven to rule as King over all of creation.

 

     And of course, just like cars speeding by people wearing costumes, or shoppers who walk past people trying to get you to try a new perfume at the mall, not everyone responded to the good news that those early Christians were sharing.  

 

     Some people totally ignored them and dismissed them.   Other people laughed them off. Some even reacted with insults, and in some cases, physical violence.  

 

     But some – -- some responded and believed.

 

     Why would people respond favorably to news like this?  Our Gospel reading this morning tells us why.  This passage is one of the few New Testament passages where we are told that there was an actual, audible voice from heaven.  And this voice says, “I have glorified it, (meaning God’s name) and I will glorify it again.”

     

     And the way that Jesus would glorify God’s name would be through his death on the cross.  Knowing that he was about to give his life in order to glorify God’s name, the Gospel writer John tells us that Jesus’ soul was troubled, which shows us Jesus’ humanity as he anticipated what was about to happen to him.

     

     This passage of scripture helps us have a deeper glimpse of who God is.  Here we see a God who is willing to go to great lengths, indeed, the greatest length, even sending his own Son to experience death on a cross, for the sake of the world.

 

     And because Jesus was determined to do whatever it took to glorify God’s name, even if that would mean a painful death on the cross, Jesus says in our scripture reading, “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.”  

 

     Jesus’ death on the cross would mean that the powers which had usurped the world and laid it to waste --- those evil forces that have trampled on the poor, and have exalted themselves as kings, lords and even as gods – all of them would be judged, condemned, and driven out.  

 

     Not because Jesus would pick up a sword and use violent means against them, but through Christ’s sacrificial death and victory over death on the cross, they would be defeated!

     

     This is why Jesus says in our Gospel reading for today, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

  

     If that’s not worth sharing with the people around us, I don’t know what is. If that’s not worth telling complete strangers, I don’t know what is. If that’s not worth going to the four corners of the world to proclaim, I don’t know what is.

     

     It’s through the cross, that people are drawn to Christ.  It’s through the good news of the cross, that death and sin have been defeated.  The cross is the good news of our faith.  And it’s meant to be shared.

     

     One of the many reasons why I am proud to be a part of the United Methodist Church is that our denomination is presently sharing the good news of the cross of Jesus Christ in more than 125 countries around the world through our General Board of Global Ministries.  

 

     Thanks to your generous support each year throughout our denominational apportionment giving, we support missionaries all over the world, including many right here in the United States.  These missionaries are sharing the good news of the cross of Jesus Christ, and thanks to your generous support, people are being drawn to Him.

     

     As we journey through this Season of Lent and think about what Jesus Christ did not only for us, but for the whole world by dying on a cross, think of some ways that God might be calling us to share this good news with others. 

 

     One of those ways is very simple but also so meaningful. It’s by sharing with others those times in our lives when we have experienced God’s presence in a very real way. Where have you send God at work? Share those moments with the people around you.

 

     As William Temple, archbishop of the Church of England once said, “The church exists for the people who are not already in it.”

 

     This is why we have the Jerusalem cross.  So that we will never forget that the message of the cross is not meant to be kept to ourselves, but to be shared with the whole world - all four corners of the world:  North, South, East, and West.

 

     Thankfully, this cross that has four crosses around it, won’t let us forget.

Sunday (Feb. 25/Lent) Pastoral Prayer

Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

Gracious God, just as the cross of Jesus has been our morning star shedding beams around us, lead us to share that same love and mercy with the people we encounter. 

 

May the same self-giving love of Jesus lead us to be witnesses of your good news stretching out to the four corners of the world, the four corners of our nation, the four corners of our local community, and the four corners of our homes. Wherever we go, remind us to share the love of Jesus with others, through our words, and even more importantly, through our actions. 

 

Today, we are especially grateful for those who have shared the good news of Jesus’ love with us; Sunday School teachers, pastors, parents, grandparents, and friends. Thank you for your cross which always reminds us that your love is too wonderful to keep to ourselves. It’s meant to be shared. 

 

As we think about spreading your love throughout the world, we are even more mindful of United Methodist missionaries who are serving in more than 125 countries. May they know of our love and prayers for them as they share the good news of Jesus in a variety of cultures, languages, and nationalities. 

 

We also lift up to you those who are in need of your love this day; the people on our church’s prayer list, those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, friends and family members who have health concerns, and so many other people who are on our hearts and minds this day. 

 

In this season of Lent, keep us near your cross for it truly is a precious fountain free to all, a healing stream flowing from Calvary’s mountain. We pray this in the name of Jesus who died on the cross for the sake of the world and who invites us to pray together…

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sermon (Feb. 18/Lent) “Crosses of Jesus: The Latin Cross” by Rev. Robert McDowell

February 18/Lent, 2024 Sermon

Rev. Robert McDowell

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

     At seventy-eight years of age, a well-known woman goes on one of the greatest journeys of all time.  Her destination?  The Holy Land.  Her mission? To find the actual cross upon which Jesus was crucified.  

     After many setbacks and disappointments along the way, she at last arrives at a spot where legend has it, she discovers three crosses upon which two thieves and Jesus himself were believed to have been crucified approximately three hundred years earlier.  She is aided in her search by pagan shrines which had been erected on top of Christian holy sites back in the 2^nd century.

     As the story goes, she was able to figure out which of those three crosses was Jesus’ cross in a most interesting and unusual way.  She had all three crosses placed on a girl who had recently died and was on her way to be buried.  Once the cross of the Lord touched her, she was raised from the dead.  According to this story from Christian tradition, this woman who had journeyed a great distance, had discovered the cross on which Jesus was crucified.

     On September 14, the year 326, the church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, built where Jesus had been crucified and where what was believed to be the true cross of Jesus was discovered, was officially dedicated thanks to this woman’s brave pilgrimage.  To this day, on the Christian calendar, September 14 is known as Holy Cross Day.

     Unlike Good Friday which is a day to reflect on Jesus’ suffering and death on that horrible instrument of execution, Holy Cross Day on September 14 is a day for Christians to see the cross as a symbol of triumph, as a sign of Christ’s victory over sin and death, and a reminder of his promise, “And when I am lifted up, I will draw all people unto me.”

     That seventy-eight-year-old woman who made the long and dangerous pilgrimage to find Jesus’ cross was Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine who was the first Roman Emperor to confess the Christian faith.

     During these next several weeks leading up to Easter Sunday, like Helena back in the 4^th century, we too are invited to take a long journey during this Season of Lent to explore the meaning and symbolism of the cross of Jesus Christ.

     And to do that, I have put together a sermon series that focuses on six different looking crosses of Jesus which have been widely used over the course of Christian history.  My goal in this sermon series is deepen our understanding of what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross and then rose again. 

     This morning, I’m wearing what is probably the most common looking cross of Jesus – the Latin cross. It’s also the type of cross that is often used on church altars and necklaces.

     Next Sunday, we’ll focus on the Jerusalem Cross.  And for the remaining four Sundays in the Season of Lent, we’ll turn our attention to the Tau Cross, the Celtic Cross, St. Andrew’s Cross, and on Palm/Passion Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, we’ll conclude our series by reflecting on the meaning of the Crucifix.

     So, let’s get started by thinking about the cross I’m wearing today – the Latin cross.  I have a hunch that many of us own a Latin cross and some of you are wearing one of these crosses even as we worship this morning. This is probably the most common of all the crosses we will be focusing on during these six weeks. 

     It’s known as the Latin cross, but it’s also referred to as the Roman cross.  And it’s very appropriate that this is the most popular cross today since it was also the most popular shape of cross during the first three centuries of Christianity.  

     We know this because this particular type of cross has been found on ancient coins, medals, and ornaments and there are descriptions of this type of cross in Christian writings dating all the way back to the 2^nd century.

     If you look closely at this cross, there are a couple of other things that probably stand out.  We notice that the two side arms are of equal length while the lower arm is twice as long as the other three.

     Most scholars believe that it was on a cross that looked just like this Latin cross as far as its proportional dimensions go, that helps us to get a mental picture in our minds of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.

     The Romans would force their prisoners who were to be executed to carry the cross-beam part of the cross to the place of their crucifixion, while the vertical pole would be ahead of them waiting for the prisoner to arrive after that long and difficult walk.

     And most likely, it was on a cross like this that Jesus was crucified on the day that we now call Good Friday.

     The Romans used this cruel crucifixion method of having a criminal die a slow death on a cross as a way of deterring people from upsetting the status-quo of the Roman Empire.  It was savage.  It was brutal.  And it was long and painful.  

     As we picture the shape of this Latin cross which we believe to be the shape of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified, it might also be helpful for us to picture a sign that was put on the cross above Jesus’ head by the Roman soldiers.  

     And the whole point of that sign was to state the reason for the crucifixion.  In Jesus’ case, the sign that was placed above him read, “Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews.”  This inscription was written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.

     If we fast forward about a thousand years after Jesus’ crucifixion, we find that the primary language of the church was Latin, and because people were very familiar with the Latin part of the phrase, “Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews” it became customary for artists to abbreviate that rather lengthy Latin phrase to simply include the letters, INRI.  

     So, when you see those letters on the cross, that’s the shortened version of “Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews.”

     Because the Latin cross is the most proportional shape of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, there are many churches which have sanctuaries built in the shape of the Latin cross.  

     I remember officiating at a wedding in a church located in Indiana which was built in the shape of the Latin cross.  And it was very moving for me to think of how that congregation is shaped by Jesus’ cross every time they gather for worship.

     As we continue to think about the powerful symbolism of the Latin cross and how the shape of it is the closest resemblance of the actual cross of Jesus, I want to say a brief word about the meaning behind why many Christians find it helpful to make the sign of the cross.

     It’s been my experience that a lot of Protestant churches, including our own United Methodist denomination, have kind of distanced themselves from this ancient and very meaningful practice, which is very common among Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopalian, Roman Catholic, as well as other Christian faith traditions.

     But even if we might not use this practice on a regular basis or even at all, the symbolism behind it is very meaningful.  If you might not be accustomed to this practice, I invite you to try it with me right there in your seat.  

     Open your right hand, and with your right hand open, have your thumb, and your next two fingers touch together at their tips. And after you have those three fingertips come together, simply have your last two fingers, fold down onto your palm.

     The three fingers that come together at their fingertips remind us of the doctrine of the trinity, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  And the last two fingers that get folded down onto your palm represent the two natures of Christ – his divine nature and his human nature because we believe Jesus was both fully divine and fully human.

     And to make the sign of the cross, you put your right hand in that position which I just mentioned.  First three fingers together at their fingertips and the last two fingers folded down on your palm.  

     And from there, you simply take your right hand and touch your forehead and you think to yourself, “in the name of the Father,” and then you touch your sternum in the middle of your chest, and you think to yourself, “in the name of the Son.”  

     And then you touch your left shoulder and say, “in the name of the Holy Spirit.”  And then you touch your right shoulder and say, “Amen.”

     So you get something like this…(DEMONSTRATE)

     Now, you might have learned how to sign the cross a little differently and that’s OK since there’s variations to this, but it basically has the same meaning. You’re making the sign of the cross and it can help you remember that Jesus died on the cross for you.

     Now if you’re a little uncomfortable with making the sign of the cross because it wasn’t how you were raised or whatever, it might be helpful to remember that we use the sign of the cross more often than we might think.

     For example, at our Ash Wednesday service which we held this past week, when people come forward to receive the imposition of ashes on their foreheads, its in the sign of the cross as a reminder of our mortality but also as a reminder that through the cross of Jesus Christ and what Jesus has done for us, God offers us forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.

     Another time that we might receive the sign of the cross on our foreheads is when we have a renewal of our baptismal vows.  In our theology of baptism which we share with several denominations of the Christian faith, we believe that baptism is primarily about God’s faithfulness toward us.  And since God never breaks his promise of being faithful, we believe that it’s not necessary to be rebaptized.

     Instead, we offer opportunities to renew our baptismal vows.  And sometimes, pastors will invite people in a worship service to come forward to a bowl of water and the sign of the cross is marked on our foreheads and we hear the words, “Remember your baptism and be thankful.”  

     The anointing of oil for those who are ill will also often include the sign of the cross on the person’s skin, helping us to remember that the healing presence of Jesus Christ is with us during our times of need.

     So, that’s some information about the first two meanings of the Latin cross – that is, it’s the most popular shape of all the crosses and it’s the closest resemblance to the cross on which Jesus died.

     But I just want to point out that this Latin cross, as you notice, is empty.  Jesus isn’t on the cross.  If we know the ending of the Gospels, we know that Jesus died on the cross, but that wasn’t the end of the story.  We believe that after he died, he was placed in a tomb and on the third day, he was resurrected, and was given a new body that would never experience death again.

     The Latin cross reminds us that we worship a risen Lord, but it also reminds us that it came with a price – the price was Jesus’ own death to take away our sins so that we might receive God’s salvation and be made whole.

     In I Corinthians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul writes, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”  And the reason that the cross can make a difference in our lives is because Jesus was raised three days later on that first Easter Sunday.

     Several years ago, a man is getting ready to head off for work.  He is anxious about many things and on top of that, he’s late for work.  

     And as he stands in front of the mirror in his bedroom and puts on his necktie, he can’t help but notice, as he looks over at his closet, that his little three-year-old daughter has taken the shoestrings out from several of his shoes. 

     All he can think about is how this will make him even more late for work.  As he continues to put on his tie, he feels a tug on his pant leg.  Annoyed and still in a hurry, he says, “Sweetie, daddy doesn’t have time for this.  We’re going to be late getting you to day-care.”

     She tugs again at his pant leg and again he says, “Please, not now, honey.”  She taps him on the leg yet again, and this time, she points toward the middle of the bedroom floor and with her eyes beaming, she says, “Daddy, look!  I made Jesus’ cross!”  

     And sure enough, there in the middle of the floor were two of the shoestrings she had taken out of a pair of his shoes.  She had one over top of the other, forming the shape of Jesus’ cross.

     Thanks to a little girl who reminded her daddy of the importance of Jesus’ cross, somehow, all of those many distractions and worries didn’t seem as important anymore.  In that unexpected holy moment, that shoestring cross reminded him that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior.

     And you know what?  That day ended up being one of the best days of my life.

Sunday (Feb. 18/Lent) Pastoral Prayer

Sunday, Feb. 18 (Lent) Pastoral Prayer

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

O God, as we begin the Season of Lent, thank you for your cross in which we glory because it shall never fail or forsake us. Lo! It glows with peace and joy. 

 

We pray that our focus on your cross during these 40 days will lead us into a deeper appreciation for what you have done for us when you offered your life for the sake of the world. As our hymn writer, John Bowring so beautifully expresses, may we each glory in the cross of Christ. 

 

Your cross is what reminds us that you gave your all for us. Your cross is what reminds us that we are each a blessed, beloved, and beautiful child of God and there are no exceptions, asterisks, fine print, or loopholes. 

 

May all of the different shapes of crosses that we focus on during these six Sundays of Lent; the Latin Cross, the Jerusalem Cross, the Tau Cross, the St. Andrew’s Cross, the Celtic Cross and the Crucifix, remind and reassure us that there is nothing that can ever separate us from your great love for us through Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Today, we lift high the cross because it is the supreme symbol of your redemptive love for the world. We lift high the cross on behalf of those who are on our hearts and minds this day; those on our prayer list, those we have named, those who are in need of healing, those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, those who are feeling alone, those who are in need of guidance, those who have overdrawn bank accounts, those who are without hope. We pray that your cross which glows with peace and joy would remind all who see it of just how much you love them and care about their needs.

 

We pray all of this in the name of Christ who died on the cross, who rose again, and who invites us to pray together…

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sermon (Feb. 14/Ash Wednesday) “Oh, Bless Your Heart!” by Rev. Robert McDowell

February 14, 2024 (Ash Wednesday Sermon)

“Oh, Bless Your Heart”

Rev. Robert McDowell

    One of the things that I love about living in the south is in all the different meanings of the phrase, “O bless your heart!” And of course, each meaning is based on your tone of voice and what you emphasize when you say this phrase.

     In the north, it only had one meaning when we used it. It’s used as a way of showing empathy and concern for another person. “Oh… bless…your…heart.”

     But I have learned that this phrase can also be a way to express your amazement at how someone can be so incredibly out of touch with reality. When you say the phrase with this meaning in mind, you have to add a sarcastic grin when you say it, something like this… “Oh, bless your heart.”

     These different meanings in how we use this phrase reminds me of all the different meanings when we refer to the word, “heart.” The way we can use the word “heart” in everyday language can also be problematic. 

     For example, when a cardiologist is talking about your heart, he or she is probably referring to the organ in your chest that pumps blood throughout your body. 

     When a therapist is referring to your heart, he or she probably is using that word to refer to your deep-seated emotions, as in the question, “what is your heart telling you to do?”

     Another meaning of the word, “heart,” is when you might be going through a difficult time and a good friend of yours says, “Take heart and stay strong. You’ll get through this.”

     So, when we hear a scripture reading like the one that was just read for us from Jeremiah, chapter 17 where it says, “The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse – who can understand it,” we need to ask ourselves what the person meant by referring to the heart.

     When we hear or read scripture passages like this Jeremiah passage, we always run the danger of taking these verses out of their original context. And when we do that, it’s like the different meanings that are possible when someone says, “Bless your heart.” Did that person mean it in a genuine way where they have empathy and sympathy, or did they say it in a sarcastic way?

     So, what did Jeremiah mean when he says in verse 9 of our scripture reading that “the heart is devious above all else; it is perverse, who can understand it?” In the biblical world, the word, “heart” didn’t just refer to our feelings like we tend to mean it today. The word, “heart” referred to someone’s actions, intentions, and motivations. 

     And Jeremiah was also saying these words during a specific context when the Babylonian Empire was threatening to invade Israel. There were some people in Israel who weren’t heeding the warnings of the prophets during this national crisis, and they wanted to take matters into their own hands instead.

     So, what does this scripture mean for you and for me? Well, as we begin this Season of Lent, this is a time for us to examine our hearts, meaning our actions, intentions, and motivations, and to see if they are helping or hurting us to trust God in a deeper way.  

     We are invited to ask some tough questions of ourselves like, “what are some bad habits that are unhealthy and preventing me from reaching my fullest potential in living out who God has called me to be?”

     “What are some spiritual disciplines of my faith that I have been neglecting to practice in my daily routine, like spending time in prayer, reflecting on scripture, attending worship, and serving others?”

     “Have I hit a plateau in my faith where I am no longer open to other peoples’ perspectives and unique experiences in how they see God and seek to live out being a disciple of Jesus? Have I become too tunnel visioned in how I approach my faith?”

     “What are some things in my life that I need to let go like resentment, past regrets, impatience, control issues, stubbornness, closed-mindedness, a quick temper?” 

     And then of course, as good Methodists, we always need to be asking this question that John Wesley encouraged his early Methodists to think about often and that question is “How is it with my soul?” Or on this Valentine’s Day, we might change that a little bit to “How is it with my heart” in the way that Jeremiah is meaning it from our Old Testament reading. 

      And again, that would include not just our feelings, but also our actions, intentions, and motivations, and do they line up with who God is calling me to be?

     I believe these are the questions that Jeremiah would have us ask about our hearts as we begin this holy season of self-examination. Notice that just after Jeremiah refers to the people’s hearts as being devious, he then says, “I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.”

     This verse from Jeremiah is a wonderful description of the importance of observing the Season of Lent. It’s to allow the Lord to test our minds and search our hearts according to the fruit that we are producing.

     When we read about the people of Israel throughout the Old Testament, we can see how sometimes their hearts were right with God and at other times, they were not lined up with God’s desires and purposes. Just like the people of Israel, we also experience the ebb and flow in our faith. Sometimes our hearts can be producing wonderful fruit and at other times, they can deceive us to the point where we are no longer placing our whole trust in God. In other words, we are all a work in progress. 

     So, the issue isn’t if our hearts are always bad and deceitful, or if our hearts are always good and fruitful. It’s more about what is my heart like right now, in this very moment and in this season of my life. Is my heart humble, loving, gracious, generous, and open to who God is calling me to be?

    I think it’s great that Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday fall on the same day this year because it reminds us of why Jesus died on the cross for our sins and for the sins of the world. Listen again to these words from our Gospel reading. “For God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

     God’s love was displayed most fully through Jesus’ death on the cross for the sake of the world. The cross is the ultimate symbol of our faith because it reveals to us the great lengths that Jesus was willing to go on our behalf. 

     OK, commercial time. For our Sunday worship services during the Season of Lent, we will be looking at 6 different crosses of Jesus and how each of these crosses help us to see just how much God loves us. Beginning this Sunday, we will focus on the Latin Cross, which is the most common shape of all of the crosses. 

     For the remaining Sundays in Lent, we’ll be looking at the Jerusalem Cross, the Tau Cross, the St. Andrew’s Cross, the Celtic Cross, and then on Palm Sunday, we’ll conclude this series by focusing on the Crucifix. I hope you will appreciate this series on the 6 different crosses of Jesus as much as I have enjoyed preparing for this sermon series. 

     My prayer for all of us during this Season of Lent is that this series will help us to examine our hearts in light of the cross of Jesus. May God truly bless each of our hearts. And in case you’re wondering, I really do mean that. 

     May God bless your heart. 

Sermon (Feb. 11/Transfiguration Sunday) “Glimpses” by Rev. Robert McDowell

February 11, 2024 Sermon

“Glimpses” by Rev. Robert McDowell

Transfiguration Sunday

    Transfiguration Sunday is one of the more significant Sundays on the church calendar and is known as a high holy day. White and gold are the colors for this day which means that it is a really important day for us to recognize and celebrate. 

     I think it’s great that people are getting together later today for Transfiguration parties. People will be having chicken wings, subs, chili, and all kinds of snacks just to celebrate the occasion. It’s become so popular that a lot of people even refer to it as a Super Sunday!

     Today really is super because today we remember when Jesus took the disciples up a mountain, and he was transfigured right in front of them. His clothes became dazzling white. And then out of nowhere, Moses and Elijah, these two ancient biblical heroes appeared next to him. That must have been an amazing scene and a super experience!

       James, Peter, and John don’t know how to react to all of this. It catches them off guard. 

     Think about it. Peter, James and John were able to experience this very holy moment and they didn’t know how to respond or what to do in that situation. And then we’re told that Jesus didn’t want them to tell the other disciples about what had happened.

     So, we’re left with the question why Jesus didn’t want the disciples to tell anyone about that incredible experience that they witnessed on the mountain. Why would Jesus put a damper on this experience?

     I can’t imagine keeping something as incredible as this to myself. How did Peter, James, and John manage to keep a straight face when they came down from that mountain.

     “Hey, how did it go up there? Why did Jesus want you to go with him?”

     “Oh, it was no big deal. He just wanted to show us something.”

     “What did he show you?”

     “Oh, just this spot on the mountain where the light can get really bright. He wanted us to see it. That’s all.”

     I don’t know how they were able to not tell the other disciples especially since they were still trying to figure out what just happened.

     Peter, James, and John got a glimpse of heaven on that mountain. They actually were able to see two Old Testament heroes standing there next to Jesus. I would have been asking for their autographs and I know for sure that I would have tried to get a group photo. This would have definitely been posted on Facebook and Instagram.

     It’s not easy for me to live in the moment. I want to capture it with a photo or be able to record beautiful music at a concert. And I think the reason for this is because I want to share these special experiences and moments with others. They are too wonderful to keep to myself.

     But on the other hand, while I’m reaching for my smartphone to take the picture, I run the risk of missing that experience for myself. And sometimes, that heavenly moment is already over as I fumble around for my camera app. 

     I don’t know how long this heavenly transfiguration on the mountain lasted. The way that it’s described, it doesn’t seem like it lasted more than a minute and maybe not even that. 

     Every so often, we experience heavenly glimpses in our day-to-day living. These are holy moments when it feels like heaven opens up and shines upon us. We don’t know what exactly to do. Peter wondered if they should build booths to mark the spot where this took place. And just like that, it was all over.

     But what wasn’t over was the memory of this experience that they would be able to take with them. Even though they received just a small glimpse of God’s light shining upon them with these ancient figures from the past, that powerful moment reassured them that Jesus was truly God’s own Son. 

     I’ve had people ask me why God doesn’t make it easier for us to know for sure that God is real. That’s a question I sometimes ask as well, especially during those times in my life where I am in need of some reassurance in my faith. 

     I guess there’s two ways of looking at this. We can either be disappointed that these moments don’t happen nearly enough or, or … maybe it can motivate us to become even more alert and ready to be open to these holy moments in our lives. And maybe they happen more often than we realize, and we end up missing them. 

     Maybe we’ve been conditioned to not see them. There’s a thought for us to ponder. 

     Now, for sure, Peter, James, and John, couldn’t have missed that transfiguration moment because it was so dramatic. Yes, it was brief, but the shining light, the appearance of Moses and Elijah next to Jesus, and that voice from heaven all made this impossible for them to miss. But the truth is that we also have those mysterious holy moments that are sometimes dramatic and sometimes not as dramatic. 

     Or maybe that’s not a good way of putting it because any glimpse of heaven, any holy moment, whether it be dramatic or not so dramatic is a special gift reminding us that God is present in our day-to-day living. And maybe we shouldn’t worry too much about categorizing which of these glimpses of heaven have been more meaningful. In other words, let’s not rate them and make a top ten list. 

     They all are unique and sacred opportunities for us to know that God is not only real but is also actively present in our daily lives offering to us these holy moments.

     I was conducting a graveside service on a chilly and overcast spring day. The ten or so people who were there were bundled up, protecting themselves from the cold chill that was sweeping over us on the top of that cemetery hill.

     I was using the graveside ritual that I always use. The prayer had the line, “Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity.” 

     I then concluded with a benediction and when the service was over, the widower, a soft-spoken elderly gentleman, was sitting in the front row of chairs there by his wife’s grave. And right after that benediction, he slowly looked up at me and it was obvious by the look on his face that he wanted to tell me something important.

     After a few seconds of collecting his thoughts he pointed above me and said, “The sun. The sun came out from behind you just when you were saying the closing prayer. It was so bright and warm.” After saying this, he stared ahead processing what he had just told me.

     He then very carefully stood up, grabbed his cane, and as he was walking away, I could hear him repeating, “It was the strangest thing. It was the strangest thing.”

     I will never ever forget the look on this man’s face. He had experienced a transfiguration moment and I’m not sure that any of us who were there at that graveside experienced it in the same way that he did. Maybe we weren’t as spiritually alert in that moment as we could have been or maybe, that holy moment was specifically meant for him only and because he shared it with us, it left a lasting impression on us as well. 

     This is why it’s important for us to share these God moments with others. And sometimes we need others to point us to the presence of God’s heavenly light especially when we are turned the other way. 

     These holy moments often come to each of us in brief glimpses and when we do recognize them, it seems like time stands still.

     During the early part of the pandemic when many of our churches weren’t not able to have in-person worship, Sunday mornings were just not the same. I totally understand why we needed to do it from a health perspective, but it was so weird for many of us to not be able to be in church together. 

     Early one Sunday morning, I remember driving into the town where my church was located to buy a cup of coffee at a nearby coffee shop. I remember feeling down and discouraged. 

     I went in, bought my coffee and got back into my car. And as I started to drive out of my parking space, I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw the most beautiful sight behind me. There in my mirror I could see the early Sunday morning sunlight shining so brightly behind our church steeple which was just a block away. 

     And of course, I just had to pull over in the next parking space, get out of the car, and take a picture of that moment which ended up being a picture that I would later share with the congregation. 

     You might thing this is a little weird, but it was like my church building was saying to me in that transfiguration moment, “Robert, the light of Christ and his church is still shining brightly.” And as I stared down at our church, I actually said out loud, “Amen, church building, Amen!”

     And after I took the picture, I just stood there staring at that glorious light shining through our building. I remember thinking how I was probably the only one taking in that holy moment.

     I felt a little bit like the disciples who didn’t know exactly what to do. Peter wanted to build booths. I wanted to take a picture. 

     That moment of transfiguration led me to pray for my congregation as I drove home that morning. My discouragement gave way to a sense of peace because of that little glimpse of heaven, God’s light shining through the darkness of a global pandemic. 

     Looking back on that God moment, I’m wondering how many of these moments I might be missing just because I’m not paying attention.

     So, on this Transfiguration Sunday, let’s give thanks to God for the many little and not so little ways that God is shining in our lives, especially when we are least expecting it. May these holy glimpses of heaven shine upon you as you go throughout your week. And whenever we do notice them, may they lead us to say with Peter, “It is good for us to be here.”

Transfiguration Sunday (Feb. 11) Pastoral Prayer

Sunday Pastoral Prayer

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

February 11, 2024 

O God, thank you for that first verse of our prayer hymn to help us to express that which is many times inexpressible. “How can we name a Love that wakens heart and mind, in dwelling all we know or think of do or seek or find? Within our daily world, in every human face, Love’s echoes sound and God is found, hid in the common place.”

 

Glimpses of your heavenly light shine brightly upon us just like it did for Peter, James, and John on that mountain so long ago. Thank you for awaking our hearts and minds to catch a glimpse of your light even when coming out of that coffee shop. Thank you for awaking our hearts and minds through the unexpected breaking of the clouds at the top of a cold cemetery hill. Thank you for awaking our hearts and minds when your light shines through a friend who is takes the time to listen to you share your heavy heart of grief. 

 

You are a God who is more than able to shine brightly through any darkness, challenge, or sadness we may be facing. You are a God who is able to hear the joys and concerns that are on our hearts and minds today and offer healing, guidance and comfort. You are a God who knows just the right amount of heavenly light we need that will awaken our souls and draw us closer with you. 

 

On this bridge Sunday in which the past several weeks of the cold winter season is about to give way to the new season of Lent, awaken us to become even more aware of your glimpses of heaven that are all around us. Continue to awaken our hearts and minds to see your presence at work, at home, or in the street.

 

We pray this in the name of Jesus, the Light of the world who taught us to pray together saying…

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sermon (February 4) “A Voluntold Calling” by Rev. Robert McDowell (Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC)

February 4, 2024 Sermon

“A Voluntold Calling”

Rev. Robert McDowell

     Maybe you’ve heard of the story about the man who told his wife that he didn’t want to go to church that morning. 

     She asked him why he didn’t want to go, and he said, “well, it’s kind of boring and there’s some things I can get done here at the house if I don’t go.” And his wife said, “No, I think you should go to church with me today.” He said, “Give me one good reason why I should go?” And she said, “Because you’re the preacher!” I thought of that joke when I was reading our I Corinthians scripture reading for today. 

     I get it. As a pastor, I’m supposed to be here. I have a responsibility. We Methodist preachers serve under the appointment of a Bishop. 

     Our job description includes working on Sundays and holidays. Those are non-negotiable. It’s what we preachers do. 

     I think this is what Paul means when he writes in verse 16 of our I Corinthians scripture reading this morning; “I’m obligated and would be in trouble if I don’t preach the gospel.” Notice that Paul also uses words like being “forced” to do it and being “charged with a responsibility.”

     But I don’t think that Paul is only referring to the obligation he has in being an apostle. I think that he is writing to the Corinthians to have them think about their own individual callings to follow Jesus as well. When Jesus calls someone to be one of his disciples, this means that we have an obligation, an obligation to live out each of our unique callings. 

     Have you ever volunteered to serve in some kind of ministry in the church? And let me ask you this; have you ever been “voluntold” to serve in some kind of ministry? You know, where someone tells you to serve because you weren’t at the meeting. 

     Now, this is tricky because while it can be good that someone wants you to get involved, if you don’t have a passion to serve in that ministry or some of the gifts needed for that ministry, that could end up being a stressful experience. Or, who knows, serving in that ministry might reveal a passion and gifts that you didn’t know you even had!

     Being voluntold isn’t always a bad thing. It can be the beginning of a fruitful and fulfilling ministry that you may have never experienced without someone coaxing you to serve in that way.

     I remember the first time I served on a committee in the church. It was in my home church during my teenage years. After I was confirmed and joined the church, somebody from the Nominations Committee called me to see if I would serve on the Health and Welfare Committee. 

     They said that this committee was in charge of providing congregational care for those members of the church who were homebound or in nursing homes. My mom was also on the committee, and she probably had something to do with me getting that call.

     At the first meeting, we were all given names of people to visit and send cards to during the year. I was paired up with my mom and we went together to visit the people on our list. 

     I was surprised at how much I enjoyed those visits. They also appreciated knowing that the church was reaching out to them. Looking back on that experience, I really think that this was an early seed that God planted in me that would lead to a calling in my college years to become a pastor. 

     That voluntold experience was an important part of my calling to become a pastor but also in what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It doesn’t always work out this way when we are voluntold and that’s OK. For example please don’t volunteer me to make crafts or to do any home improvements. I’m probably not your guy. 

     Even though Paul uses words like “responsibility” and “obligation” in writing about his calling as an apostle, that doesn’t mean that it’s not fulfilling or meaningful for him. It very much was!

     And what made it meaningful for him is that God had entrusted him to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. This is what makes Paul’s ministry a “voluntold” ministry. 

     He had voluntarily responded to God’s calling because the gospel changes lives, including his own. The gospel is what frees us from our sins. The gospel is what leads to a life that is filled with peace and hope. 

     What a wonderful reminder this is for each one of us to remember why we do what we do. Our ministries, as unique as they each may be, are all meant to help the church to share the good news of Jesus Christ. 

     Ministry in the church can be both an obligation and rewarding at the same time because it is through our sharing of the good news of Jesus that we can be part of the building of God’s kingdom here on earth. And what a wonderful mission to have in life, to be a partner in making our communities and our world a better place. 

     Joni Mitchell, the 1960s folk singer and songwriter tells the story of a clarinet player she had noticed who was standing by the side of the road in a busy city. She says that he wasn’t like the others who played music in a mediocre and bored sort of way just to get some change from people who walked by. 

     She said this clarinet player was a brilliant and very gifted player. He would stand there on that busy street pouring out this beautiful music that you could tell was coming from his very soul. And he wasn’t collecting any money. He was doing it for free. 

     Joni Mitchell says that this experience humbled her because as a professional musician, she has been used to singing in big concert halls that comes with a large car to take her back and forth as well as all the money people pay when purchasing tickets to hear her perform.

     Seeing that very musically gifted clarinet player playing beautiful music without any intention of earning a reward showed her an authenticity which she fears, her own work had been starting to lack. Here, he was playing for free and and she noticed that maybe his music was echoing, embodying, and celebrating a deeper freedom as a result. 

     I believe this is a little of what the Apostle Paul is describing when he writes about being free in order to share the good news of Jesus with others. His work as an apostle wasn’t just an ought and a should. His work as an apostle was deeply meaningful and purposeful. 

     Paul’s ministry can be described as a wonderful blend of both responsibility and freedom where like the violinist, his ministry was echoing, embodying, and celebrating a deeper freedom as a result. 

     This freedom in living out his calling is why Paul writes in verse 19, “Although I’m free from all people, I make myself a slave to all people, to recruit more of them. I act like a Jew to the Jews, so I can recruit Jews. I act like I’m under the Law to those under the Law, so I can recruit those who are under the Law.”

     Paul calls his ministry to both Jew and Gentile“recruiting” but maybe we can also call it “voluntelling,” because Paul was wanting as many people as possible to know, embrace, and live out the good news of Jesus Christ. 

     Maybe this is why we sometimes find it difficult to find enough volunteers to serve. We’re good at volunteering people, but not so good at helping people to see how serving in ministry that matches your particular gifts and passions is one of the most fulfilling things we can ever do.

     I remember hearing about a church that was in need of a new Holy Communion steward at their church. Their current communion steward had served in this ministry for the past several years and she felt led by God to move onto a new ministry in the church. 

     Her job was to fill those little cups with grape juice and prepare the communion bread by cutting it into several bite-size pieces. And since this was a large church, this project took a couple of hours because of all of the cups and pieces of bread she needed to prepare each time they had communion. 

     The church put an announcement in the newsletter about their need for a new communion steward but there was no response. They ran it again with still no response. After the 3^rd time without a response, they had the pastor announce this need during worship and still no volunteers. 

     The pastor then thought of a great idea. Holy Communion is too important to not have this role filled so he asked the current steward if she would write a little personal article about what preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Communion has meant to her over these years.

     Here is what she wrote: 

     “For the past ten years, I have had the privilege to prepare the Sacrament of Holy Communion for our congregation to receive each time it is available during Sunday worship. This ministry involves coming to the church the day before to fill up all of the little communion glasses and slice several bite size pieces of communion bread so it’s ready for Sunday morning.

     It has been a joy to do this all of these years because I can’t think of a better way to serve God and the church then by preparing this holy meal that will help the people who receive it to know that Jesus died on the cross for them. I love seeing the smiles on the faces of the people as they receive the Sacrament. And to think that I had an important role in helping to make this possible has been an incredible blessing to me.

     Contact me if you are interested in serving in this ministry.”

     That week after her article appeared, several people volunteered to be the new communion steward. 

     Sometimes, all we need to do is to share the why behind the ministries that we do. And how wonderful it is when new ministries get started. 

     I’ve heard something similar from volunteers who cook meals for the needy, tutor children in schools, take a meal to someone who is grieving, send out cards to people just to remind them the church is praying for them, trim bushes around the church building, make worship banners for the sanctuary. 

     A voluntold calling is when we find a ministry that matches our gifts and passions and enables us to serve in such a way that we know, embrace, and live out the good news of Jesus Christ. 

     While cajoling, elbow twisting, and even pleading, might lead us to say yes to serving the Lord, what’s even better is when we experience a freedom in living out the unique calling that God has placed on our hearts. 

     It’s a freedom that led Paul to write these words in verse 23 of our I Corinthians reading: “All the things I do are for the sake of the gospel, so I can be a partner with it.”

     What a joy it is to be a partner for the sake of the gospel.