Sermon Sampler (October 18th) - Humility

Driving is a fundamental right of passage for any American teenager (as well as the opportunity to take advantage of seemingly limitless freedom) and I remember my first drive like it was yesterday. I was very, very, VERY excited about driving! I had studied the rules, critiqued my parents driving, and even received a pair of "driving" gloves. So when I took that written test and received my learner's permit, I was ready to go. My father wasn't so sure, but reluctantly he let me get behind the wheel and away we went.

Things were going swimmingly, until I reached a 3-way stop. As I approached the sign, two other cars, from the other two directions, also were approaching. The three of us stopped at roughly the same time, and not wanting to take any chances, I waved them both on. Then I noticed another car to my right, and not wanting to have any confusion I waved that car on as well. As the car to my right was proceeding, a car on my left was pulling up to the sign, and slightly unsure of my own ability to maneuver our 1988 Oldsmobile station wagon through the intersection I waved her along as well.

It only took a few moments of this, before a line had formed behind me, and people were growing impatient. My father informed me that I could not stay there all day long, but would eventually need to get going. I was afraid, and not so confident anymore. I offered to let my dad slide over, but he suggested that I just take it nice and slow. So with great trepidation and almost no use of the gas pedal I slowly and cautiously idled the car through the stop sign and around the corner. Once we reached our destination I told my dad I'd had enough driving for the day, and that he could drive us home!

This funny (and embarrassing) story illustrates quite well a phenomenon that afflicts all of us at one time or another, namely getting in over our heads. I had taken on more than I could handle, and was made aware of this fact quite resoundingly at that stop sign! The same can be said for a man named Job, who was upset with God, and then reminded (not so kindly) of his place by God (see Job 38:1-7). Job's problem was he was hurt and upset, and he thought God was being unfair. Job figured that if he was in charge things wouldn't be so terrible, and he wanted to let God know this. When confronted by God, it was made clear to Job that God was God and Job was human. In other words, God wanted Job to worry about human things, and let God take care of the God things.

We too can act like Job. Sometimes a person might be apt to look around at all the pain and suffering in the world and declare that if only he or she was in charge things would be different. It's easy to look at a hurting loved one and proclaim if only I could heal them, then things would be better. Others are like my grandfather and look at the world and proclaim that the world's going down the tubes. If only he or she were in charge, then they would teach those "teens/kids/people/whoever" some respect and how to behave. Other people look at the pain and the suffering, or the seeming chaos of things and declare that the problems are too big, that there's nothing they can do.

God's answer to all of these people, is the same answer given to Job, God is God and we are people. God will take care of the God stuff, and we have to focus on doing our part (or taking care of the human stuff). In other words, God says "I'm God. I'm here for you. I'm in control, so don't worry."

All of us get in over our heads sometimes. All of us are tempted to look at things and either wish WE were in control or become overwhelmed by the size/number/complexity of problems. But we always need to remember that while we do have a part to play and we can make a difference, we are still humans and God is still in control. God is God, God is with you, and God is in control so don't worry.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor John

Weekly Thoughts

So I was sitting in my office...looking at the SNOW outside (come on...snow on October 16th!) and reading one of the four (or five, or six) books that I'm attempting to read, when the author mentioned the demolition derby. I don't know about you, but I love the demo derby! I have a good friend, who always goes, and as often as I can I tag along. The demo derby is great because the people there are doing the opposite of what you're "supposed" to be doing with a car. Instead of driving nicely, yeilding the right of way, they are smashing into each other! It's loud, exciting, often muddy, and sometimes a little scary. What a rush, right!?

Well that author (Jim Walker: Dirty Word: The vulgar, offensive language of the kingdom of God) suggests that God's Kingdom (also known as the Church) should be like a demolition derby! He starts out by talking about Dale's Cone of learning which reports that the least efficient way to teach someone is through verbal communication (talking to them) while the best way to teach a person is by letting them do it themselves. Dale's Cone of learning asserts that a person taught verbally (think sermon, lecture, etc) will only remember %10-%20 of what their taught, while someone who's taught by doing will retain a whopping %90 of the information!

From here the author claims that while we in the Church seem to think that worship services, sunday school classes, and sermons are the best way to teach others to be Christians, the truth couldn't be more opposite. He says the Church should be like a demo derby, where everyone is allowed to actually get into the car and drive it (even if they hit a few curbs and dent a fender or two).

What do you think? Should the church be like a tour bus where everyone sits nicely in their seats and has a teacher, pastor, or other "super christian" tell them about God, or should we all be allowed to get behind the wheel and experience God for ourselves? If you think the latter, then what are you doing to get behind that wheel? What can I do to help you get started? Let me know...

Grace & Peace,
Pastor John