Scriptures: John 13:34-35; I Corinthians 13
A sermon by Rev. R. Franklin Gillis, Jr.
Love is the most popular theme for songs, poems, movies, and stories. Who doesn’t enjoy a love story with a happy ending? What more could possibly be said about love that hasn’t already been said? Yet the concept of love is one of the most confusing and often misused words in the English language. We usually think of love in terms that has to do with emotions and feelings about someone or something. But for Christians, it is much deeper than that. The heart of the gospel centers in the word love.
One of the best attempts to describe the nature of love was provided by M. Scott Peck in his book The Road Less Traveled. Dr. Peck defines love this way: “The will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.” To live and love like Jesus is about growth toward Christian maturity and the goal of faithful discipleship. That’s why we need to learn and apply the lessons about love from Jesus.
Scribbled on a wall along with other graffiti were these words: “Love is the answer!” Someone had written under it, “What is the question?” And then someone else wrote a response offering the answer: “What gives meaning to life?” Good point! Can you imagine what life would be like void of love and relationships? Love is central to the life God desires for all of us. That’s why it is important for us to understand what Jesus taught about love Against the background of all that we have read, heard, and experienced about love, if we want to be faithful disciples, we need to consider what did Jesus taught about love so we will get it right!
The first lesson from the gospel of John is this: Love is a new command-ment. It is not an elective. While gathered with his disciples in an upper room. Jesus told them: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another…” He offered a simple but clear directive: to love one another. But the love he was talking about was not the sentimental kind, but the self-giving kind. It was a deep, abiding, life changing kind that he had shared with them and others. That’s why he added to this new commandment… to love “as I have loved you.” Those words add a whole new understanding. How did Jesus love? Unconditionally, not selective, not expecting anything in return. That’s quite different from how many people are taught and act. Many think love can be conditional and selective. Selfish love is offered with the desire of receiving something in return, motivated by the question, “What can I get out of this”? But Jesus redefined love as a selfless act, motivated by the question, “What can I do for others?” He wanted his disciples to understand that love was more than some emotional feeling. The Greek word used here is “agape”, which translated means a “self-giving for the good of another.” It is about relationships. It is about reaching out to those who need to know they are loved. It’s about selfless living and giving, not selfish desires.
A woman shopping in a mall took a break and went into a coffee shop. She bought a cup of coffee along with a bag of cookies and a magazine which she placed in her purse. She discovered that all the tables were filled but one at which a man sat reading a newspaper. She seated herself in the opposite chair, pulled out the magazine and began to read it and drink her coffee. After awhile she looked up to reach for a cookie from the bag on the table, only to see the man across from her also taking a cookie. She glared at him, but he smiled at her, and she resumed her reading. Moments late she reached for another cookie just as the man also reached for one. To her surprise there was only one cookie left. Angrily she stared at the remaining cookie, whereupon the man reached into the bag, took out the last cookie, broke it in half and offered her a piece. She grabbed the cookie and stuffed it into her mouth, the man smiled again and got up and left. The woman was furious as she finally rose from the table to leave. She opened her purse to put away her magazine. Then she saw her bag of cookies, and realized that she had been helping herself to cookies that belonged to a gracious stranger. She had experienced a simple lesson in love. Sometimes love is simply sharing what we have with others. Jesus taught us that love is motivated by self-giving, not selfish desires.
In examining Jesus’ behavior we discover another lesson: Love is a verb – and expression of a Christ-like action toward another. Jesus shows us that love is not how we feel, but what we do. The most beautiful stories in the gospels are love stories—stories of Jesus reaching out to persons in loving ways: the woman at the well, Zacchaeus, the tax collector, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha, to name only a few. As we examine these stories the nature of Jesus’ love becomes clear. The kind of love we are to live is action-oriented behavior which addresses the needs of others, even though sometimes risk may be involved. Jesus’ kind of love which we are called to live involves compassionate, responsible actions toward others.
After hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast, many well-meaning Christians volunteered to be a part of the recovery mission efforts. Most of the volunteers were ordinary persons who simply wanted to help. Many United Methodist from Virginia took vacation time and spend their own money to travel to Mississippi to lend a hand in the clean-up and restoration efforts. In fact, mission teams are still going. Similar things have happened recently as a result of the earthquake in Haiti. Many miraculous stories of transformed lives have come out of such responses to needs of others. But the greatest transformation has been experience by those who went to be “Christ at work” addressing the needs of others. One team member of volunteers was interviewed by a reporter who asked, “Why did you volunteer to be a part of such an undertaking?” And the volunteer replied, “Because we are called to love one another, and especially those in need. Hopefully in some small way through simple acts of love and helping hands we restored hope and let them know that love is alive and at work in the world.”
Jesus drove home the importance of his new commandment to love by reminding his disciples that love is the mark of true discipleship. He said it this way: “By this all will know you that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Sentimental songs about love are simple reminders that people need love, but they don’t always define what that love involves. But Jesus has through his life and teachings. Perhaps you remember the song made popular a few years ago by Stevie Wonder: “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” But God did more than just “call” to say He loves us. He sent his son that we might know the depth of His love, and so we could learn from him how to love.
A parishioner once made a felt banner for me. On it are the words of Brother Adrian who expresses the challenge of faithful discipleship. He wrote these words about Jesus: “He came singing love, he lived singing love, he died singing love. He rose in silence. If the song is to continue, we must do the singing.”
Are you willing to keep the song alive by living the new commandment? “Love one another, as I have loved you... by this all will know you are my disciples I you love one another.” That’s what Jesus taught us about love. May God help us to faithfully live love as his disciples today.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Hope In Times Of Despair
Scripture: Romans 8:18:25
A sermon by R. Franklin Gillis, Jr.
Hope is a virtue deeply rooted in the Bible. It comes out of the many stories of crisis, despair and difficult times, and reveals how people of faith deal with adversity.
I recall reading a story that came out of World War II. A submarine had sunk in the Atlantic. Rescue teams went down in search of survivors. Locating the sunken sub, the frogmen listened outside the hull for any signs of life. Then one of them heard a tapping noise. Closer listening revealed that what he was hearing was a message in Morse code. Someone trapped inside was desperately trying to communicate. As each letter was tapped, the frogman translated: “I S T H E R E A N Y H O P E. The message was a question, “Is there any hope?” The frogmen quickly tapped a response: “Hope has arrived!”
Given the numerous problems we face in our nation and world, many are asking that same question today. “Is there any hope?” Certainly people affected by the disaster in Haiti, want to know. Persons who have lost their jobs and homes, and much of their savings want to know. Those who face major health issues and life-threatening diagnoses want to know. And those for whom life has lost meaning and purpose want to know. There are times in all of our lives that we ask that same profound question: “Is there any hope?”
So what leads one to have hope in times of despair? To find an answer to that question we must define hope as a Christian virtue, a spiritual gift from God. Hope is not simply wishful thinking. It is the focus on the positive energy that gives us strength to face life’s realities. Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that a desired outcome is possible, or that events will turn out for the best. Hope is grasping the ultimate truth about God’s grace and love revealed in Jesus Christ that sees one through every stage and phase of life’s journey.
In the Acts of the Apostles we are reminded that the Apostle Paul suffered many hardships during his life as a missionary. Yet he was steadfast in proclaiming a message of hope. This is what he wrote to the church at Rome: “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8, selected)
A little over a year ago, moments after flight 1549 departed from the airport, these words spoken by the captain came over the intercom to the passengers: “Brace for impact!” Many of those passengers believed it meant to prepare for their final moment here on earth. But it wasn’t. Most of us saw what happened when the plane came down and landed in the Hudson. To our amazement many are now affirming that there was “hope in every breath” in those final moments before the plane’s crash landing. Now that a year has past, what has been called the “miracle on the Hudson” is being revisited by the survivors and stories being written and shared. There appears to be a consensus expressed by many: “The plane crash gave us hope and a renewed appreciation for life.” That day in those final moments before the plane hit the water many turned to God in prayer. Looking back on that experience, passenger Don Norton expresses it this way, “No matter what our challenges or struggles may be, it really doesn’t have to be so bad, so hopeless. We can still get up every day and appreciate the sunshine, and the rain. We can still breathe. We can still love.”
And as we all know and many of us saw, that plane skidded to a safe landing on the icy cold waters of the Hudson, guided by an experienced pilot. Ferry boats immediately came to their rescue as the anxious passengers waited on the wings of the plane. All 150 onboard that plane survived. It was indeed “the Miracle on the Hudson.” Dorothy Firman and Kevin Quirk are the authors of a new book, Brace for Impact: Miracle on the Hudson Survivors Share Stories of Near Death and Hope for New Life. In their research they learned of countless amazing acts of courage, grace, selflessness, and compassion. They wrote: “Something was guiding them, some force that brings out the best in the human condition. Many wondered if this was this some kind of sign. At our country’s time of economic turmoil, struggle, pain, and uncertainty, could this have been a signal that someone or something was looking out for us? That there was reason to hope? That something good really can come from something that looks bad – very, very bad?”
Having recalled that day’s event and the aftermath, caused me to think that in a way we are all “survivors” of sorts. We have faced life’s difficulties, challenges, battles and defeats. We’ve faced (or perhaps are facing) dark moments, and a situation when conditions appeared to be bleak. Most of us I suspect have had moments when we, like the passengers of flight 1549 have needed to “brace for impact” to survive. In such times we, too, have sought hope. And we have survived, by the grace of God! We, too, have been touched by grace. We have had compassionate hands reaching out to us in difficult times or wrapping us with care and support. We have been granted second chances. Hope appeared in some form through grace to enable us to not only survive but to thrive. That’s how hope works!
Edward Mote was a cabinet maker who became a Baptist minister where he served for 26 years in Sussex, England. In 1834 he was inspired to write the words to the hymn “My Hope Is Built.” The Sunday after he had written a couple verses and the chorus, following worship a parishioner informed Mote that his wife was very ill and asked him to visit. That afternoon Mote went their home. It was his usual custom during such a visit to sing a hymn, read a portion of scripture and offer a prayer. However, he failed to bring his hymn-book, but he did have with him the words from the newly written hymn, so he offered to sing it. The parishioner’s wife was deeply touched and appreciative of the song. Her positive response inspired Mote to write two more verses when he returned home. He had a thousand copies printed and distributed, and it soon became one of the most popular songs of its day. The message was clear and offered a word of hope for his dying parishioner. It has done the same for countless others in despair through the years.
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus’ Name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
In times of despair, God is still performing miracles. The miracle on the Hudson is but one example of many. Miraculous stories are now coming out of Haiti and there will be many more in the days ahead. That will remind us of hope in times of seeming hopelessness and despair.
So God’s word to us today is this: “Hope has arrived!” It lifts us up when we are down. It provides encouragement in times of distress. It has the power to overcome doubt and conquer fear.
And that is the good news. Hope will see us through, no matter what! Our hope is built on that promise through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! So we sing with the saints of old: My hope is built on nothing less…” Thanks be to God for this spiritual gift that keeps on giving, no matter what life may bring our way. Hope abides! In the end, there is victory! God has the final Word. Thanks be to God!
A sermon by R. Franklin Gillis, Jr.
Hope is a virtue deeply rooted in the Bible. It comes out of the many stories of crisis, despair and difficult times, and reveals how people of faith deal with adversity.
I recall reading a story that came out of World War II. A submarine had sunk in the Atlantic. Rescue teams went down in search of survivors. Locating the sunken sub, the frogmen listened outside the hull for any signs of life. Then one of them heard a tapping noise. Closer listening revealed that what he was hearing was a message in Morse code. Someone trapped inside was desperately trying to communicate. As each letter was tapped, the frogman translated: “I S T H E R E A N Y H O P E. The message was a question, “Is there any hope?” The frogmen quickly tapped a response: “Hope has arrived!”
Given the numerous problems we face in our nation and world, many are asking that same question today. “Is there any hope?” Certainly people affected by the disaster in Haiti, want to know. Persons who have lost their jobs and homes, and much of their savings want to know. Those who face major health issues and life-threatening diagnoses want to know. And those for whom life has lost meaning and purpose want to know. There are times in all of our lives that we ask that same profound question: “Is there any hope?”
So what leads one to have hope in times of despair? To find an answer to that question we must define hope as a Christian virtue, a spiritual gift from God. Hope is not simply wishful thinking. It is the focus on the positive energy that gives us strength to face life’s realities. Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that a desired outcome is possible, or that events will turn out for the best. Hope is grasping the ultimate truth about God’s grace and love revealed in Jesus Christ that sees one through every stage and phase of life’s journey.
In the Acts of the Apostles we are reminded that the Apostle Paul suffered many hardships during his life as a missionary. Yet he was steadfast in proclaiming a message of hope. This is what he wrote to the church at Rome: “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8, selected)
A little over a year ago, moments after flight 1549 departed from the airport, these words spoken by the captain came over the intercom to the passengers: “Brace for impact!” Many of those passengers believed it meant to prepare for their final moment here on earth. But it wasn’t. Most of us saw what happened when the plane came down and landed in the Hudson. To our amazement many are now affirming that there was “hope in every breath” in those final moments before the plane’s crash landing. Now that a year has past, what has been called the “miracle on the Hudson” is being revisited by the survivors and stories being written and shared. There appears to be a consensus expressed by many: “The plane crash gave us hope and a renewed appreciation for life.” That day in those final moments before the plane hit the water many turned to God in prayer. Looking back on that experience, passenger Don Norton expresses it this way, “No matter what our challenges or struggles may be, it really doesn’t have to be so bad, so hopeless. We can still get up every day and appreciate the sunshine, and the rain. We can still breathe. We can still love.”
And as we all know and many of us saw, that plane skidded to a safe landing on the icy cold waters of the Hudson, guided by an experienced pilot. Ferry boats immediately came to their rescue as the anxious passengers waited on the wings of the plane. All 150 onboard that plane survived. It was indeed “the Miracle on the Hudson.” Dorothy Firman and Kevin Quirk are the authors of a new book, Brace for Impact: Miracle on the Hudson Survivors Share Stories of Near Death and Hope for New Life. In their research they learned of countless amazing acts of courage, grace, selflessness, and compassion. They wrote: “Something was guiding them, some force that brings out the best in the human condition. Many wondered if this was this some kind of sign. At our country’s time of economic turmoil, struggle, pain, and uncertainty, could this have been a signal that someone or something was looking out for us? That there was reason to hope? That something good really can come from something that looks bad – very, very bad?”
Having recalled that day’s event and the aftermath, caused me to think that in a way we are all “survivors” of sorts. We have faced life’s difficulties, challenges, battles and defeats. We’ve faced (or perhaps are facing) dark moments, and a situation when conditions appeared to be bleak. Most of us I suspect have had moments when we, like the passengers of flight 1549 have needed to “brace for impact” to survive. In such times we, too, have sought hope. And we have survived, by the grace of God! We, too, have been touched by grace. We have had compassionate hands reaching out to us in difficult times or wrapping us with care and support. We have been granted second chances. Hope appeared in some form through grace to enable us to not only survive but to thrive. That’s how hope works!
Edward Mote was a cabinet maker who became a Baptist minister where he served for 26 years in Sussex, England. In 1834 he was inspired to write the words to the hymn “My Hope Is Built.” The Sunday after he had written a couple verses and the chorus, following worship a parishioner informed Mote that his wife was very ill and asked him to visit. That afternoon Mote went their home. It was his usual custom during such a visit to sing a hymn, read a portion of scripture and offer a prayer. However, he failed to bring his hymn-book, but he did have with him the words from the newly written hymn, so he offered to sing it. The parishioner’s wife was deeply touched and appreciative of the song. Her positive response inspired Mote to write two more verses when he returned home. He had a thousand copies printed and distributed, and it soon became one of the most popular songs of its day. The message was clear and offered a word of hope for his dying parishioner. It has done the same for countless others in despair through the years.
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus’ Name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
In times of despair, God is still performing miracles. The miracle on the Hudson is but one example of many. Miraculous stories are now coming out of Haiti and there will be many more in the days ahead. That will remind us of hope in times of seeming hopelessness and despair.
So God’s word to us today is this: “Hope has arrived!” It lifts us up when we are down. It provides encouragement in times of distress. It has the power to overcome doubt and conquer fear.
And that is the good news. Hope will see us through, no matter what! Our hope is built on that promise through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! So we sing with the saints of old: My hope is built on nothing less…” Thanks be to God for this spiritual gift that keeps on giving, no matter what life may bring our way. Hope abides! In the end, there is victory! God has the final Word. Thanks be to God!
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