Good Morning Children of God!On this Mother’s Day weekend I would like to begin the message with a prayer which is part of a larger prayer written by Daniel Darling.
Gracious God, on this day for honoring mothers, may we love and cherish your special agents who have given birth to us, who have nurtured us, and who have prayed for our well-being. May our hearts overflow with gratitude to you, who formed and knitted each ouf us in our mother’s womb. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Here is your Sunday’s Message. It is also attached to this email.
May 10, 2020
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life with all the world, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
Second Reading 1 Peter 2:2-10
Gospel John 14:1-14
Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
On Mother’s Day it is hard not to think about home. In my own experience, both as a son and as a husband, it was Mom who made the house a home. This was done by decorating and furnishing, cooking and cleaning, establishing fun rituals, and most of all, by loving. My Mother-in-Law had a sign in her house that read, “Home is where the heart is.” In my experience, Mom is the heart of the home.
The scriptures assigned for today tell us that God is building a house and making it a home. The word “house” can refer to a building but it also can mean a family or dynasty. The house God is building is for the children of God. Jesus is the foundation and cornerstone of this house. He is the heart that makes God’s house a home.
1 Peter 2:9-10 reminds us that God chose us to be his people. Each one of us is a “living stone” being “built into a spiritual house.” This metaphor drives home our inter-connectedness, our unity in diversity, and our being a part of something which is much bigger and more important than ourselves. We are a part of God’s house; the family of God. This family spans the generations. It is not bound by human-drawn lines of division. It flows from and rests upon the cornerstone and foundation of Christ, it’s heart.
Love makes a house a home. I pray that you have had that experience with your earthly family. Jesus has made sure that this is the case in your spiritual family. God’s love for us has been especially made known through Jesus. Through him we know that the Father loves us. Jesus loved us so much that he died for us. He conquered sin and death for us. He has promised us a place in the Father’s house. That means we exist in order to be with him forever. The children of God are built into a spiritual house which feels like home because God loves us.
Your house is supposed to be a castle. Sir Edward Coke of England wrote in 1628, “For a man’s house is his castle and each man’s home is his safest refuge.” This legal principle is now well established in Western civilization. It also holds true for our spiritual house. Our life with God and with one another is to be a safe place; a place free of condemnation and hopelessness. Psalm 31:3 makes this plea to the Lord, “Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; for the sake of your name, lead me and guide me.” Jesus is the answer to this prayer. A mighty fortress is he; a safe place offering protection from life’s storms and relief for troubled hearts. He leads and guides us to our loving Father saying, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Acts chapter 7 tells the story of Stephen, the first follower of Jesus known to be martyred. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus had made himself at home in Stephen’s heart and Stephen understood that he had a home with Jesus. In the midst of being persecuted Stephen had a castle to keep him safe. Jesus was a tower of strength for Stephen even as stones rained down upon the follower. Stephen entrusted his spirit to Jesus and emulated his Savior as he used his last breath to beg the Lord to forgive the wrongdoers. Though Stephen died, he was very much alive to Christ. One’s home with Jesus is eternal.
The word “martyr” derives from the Greek word “martyras” which means witness. In his last minutes of life on earth, Stephen left a powerful witness for the ages. He was a picture of calm during a chaotic sequence of events. His calm was the fruit of a peace he had from sharing a home with Jesus. As he placed his spirit in the hands of the Lord, Stephen testified to the grace and greatness of Jesus by asking for the persecutors to be forgiven. Stephen’s death was a lasting testimony to faith and love. His last acts glorified the Father.
Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 One such “greater work” which Jesus foresaw was the dying testimony of Stephen. The followers of Jesus have been created to do such works. They are chosen to “proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 Our lives are to be dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus and telling of his death and resurrection for the salvation of the world. That is the true meaning of greatness.
Like with Stephen, Jesus has made himself at home in your heart. You have been chosen to belong to the family of God. As in any family, that means reaping the benefits of belonging while assuming the responsibility of contributing. Having a faith in Jesus which is active in love is a beautiful benefit that comes with belonging to him. Stephen showed us the strength, courage, and calm that comes with that benefit. That is why we are well equipped to handle the chaos of the virus-era in which we live. Within the family of God, we are part of something which is much bigger than ourselves and together we are able to take on challenges that are bigger than any one individual. Importantly, we can make meaningful contributions to the family and the world by loving, supporting, and praying for one another. All of this we can still do while forced to be apart.
The Kingdom of God is a house that Jesus is building out of people. He has made the Father’s house a home, through love. You have a place in God’s home and in God’s heart. Your times are in his hand. (Psalm 31:15) With the life he has given you, emulate Jesus, proclaim the mighty acts of God, and glorify the Father. Oh yes, and give thanks for Mom. Amen.
The Church’s One Foundation Samuel J. Stone
The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is his new creation by water and the word. From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.
Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth, her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth; one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses with every grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder this world sees her oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up “How long?” and soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
Through toil and tribulation and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace forevermore; til with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blessed, and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Yet she on earth has union with God, the Three in One, and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won. Oh, blessed heavenly chorus! Lord, save us by your grace, that we, like saints before us, may see you face to face.
Stay safe dear Family of God and be blessed,
Pastor Bill