Angels

When I first planned our February sermon series, I had the idea of closing out the series talking about homelessness. I was prepared to talk about that but something happened Wednesday night as I sat in Bible Study. I don’t know if it is something that was said by the group, by Adam Hamilton, or John Wesley but it felt like a 2x4 hitting me. As we discussed some things from this past weeks chapter I Angels changed. It changed in a way that was unexpected but also I think needed, not just for me but for you too.

In order to get into the message let me remind you of the quotes that have become part of this series. Bonhoeffer said “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Dr. King said “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I think these quotes hit home for us as a church and our discussion from Wednesday. As I said a couple weeks ago, I believe John Wesley would have completely agreed with Bonhoeffer and King and then turned and challenged the church to follow their lead. But, what was it that brought a change to my sermon, and what does that have to do with Angels and our scripture for the day? Let’s turn to Matthew chapter 5 verses 1-12 and begin our discussion.

Matthew 5:1–12 KJV 1900

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Each week, we have read this scripture from a different translation. For me it helps us hear Jesus speaking to us differently each time. This scripture is a call for a change in attitudes toward the Kingdom of heaven and those who are around us. Jesus recognizes everyone in a different way and welcomes them to be part of the Kingdom. We are called to do the same. This means we cannot outcast others but should be seeking out the outcasts.

To change our attitudes. That must have been and still be tough for Jesus. As humans we are pretty set in our ways and beliefs. But, Jesus tries to change our attitudes throughout the Gospels. Almost every one of his parables is about changing our attitude toward something, especially our attitude or view of the Kingdom of Heaven. What was it on Wednesday night that brought a change to the sermon and my attitude?

On Wednesday night we talked about faith and works and which was more important. It is the age old argument brought on by and . If you read these verses at face value they are saying two different things but we have to understand that they are saying very similar things to different communities. James is telling his readers, your faith leads you to do works. Works can be done without faith but it is impossible to have true faith without works. Paul says we are saved by faith not works but, again, our faith leads us to do good works. One community probably was boastful about their works but they did not have faith in God. They trusted their works would save not their faith. John Wesley believed that our faith should lead us to reach out to those who were in need. He and the first Methodists did this, they went to prisons, fed the poor, clothed the naked and were kicked out of churches for challenging parishioners to do the same.

What really led me to the change is a question that Marty asked the group. He asked, this is a Todd paraphrase, “if you were to give Concord UMC a grade on our works, what would you give?” The first couple answers were a 6 on a scale of 1-10. Then the last answer was a 4. Now, I ask you the same, How would you rate our works? I only have 4 options A) 1 - we don’t do anything, B) 4 - a lot of room to grow but we are doing, C) 6 - doing well with room to grow, D) 10 - We do extremely well. I’ll give you time to answer. And show the results in a second. Let’s see the results, interesting.

For me

For me, I would say we are a 4. I believe we are doing some but we have room to do a lot more. We are a very giving church when it comes to missions but it is easy to give money toward something but not to do works. We talked about Rise Against Hunger back in October where outside of my family, there was no one from Concord UMC there. That is the works that we need to be doing. We need to be more involved with helping the those in need. We need to offer mercy in person not just through our funding. I have to say, we had a function for the UMW but even if they did not have that function I would say all that would have shown are the ones who show for other things like that event. We do well to show up here at the church when there is work to be done but that is not what Jesus spoke of when he said you clothed me, you fed me, you gave me a drink, and so on.

Friends, I love how Alabama puts it in there song, “Angels among us”. “They come to you and me in our darkest hours.” We are called to be the angels among the world. Offering hope in times when there seems to be no hope. But, we cannot do this by sitting on the sidelines and just putting money into the offering plate. That is remaining silent in the face of evil. That is allowing an institution to speak up while you sit quietly in the comfort of your home. That is allowing another group to act while you do the fun things you like. Jesus did not call his followers to sit on the sidelines, he called them to be part of the game. Wesley called the parishioners to be active in serving the needy and also supporting causes to help end the issues of hunger, homelessness, and other needs.

Each of us have experienced an Angel in our lives at some point. The unexpected phone call when we were down. The letter from a friend when we felt like no one was there. The meal when we didn’t have the energy to cook. I could go on and on. It is time we began to step up and do works, not to be recognized, not because we feel guilty but because our faith in Jesus leads us to do works. Friends, we are called to be agents of change in the world. That means we are called to act on our faith. It is time for Concord UMC to move on that scale from a 4 to a 5 and work toward that 10. How you may ask. Well, volunteer at places of need. Go to Two Shirts Thrift Store and take them items but then ask about volunteering. Go to Villa Rica 1st UMC with items for the food pantry and ask about volunteering. When we do a collection of items, offering to deliver it. Lately Emily has been the one making these deliveries but what if one of you did. Where your Concord shirts when volunteer and it is allowed. This reminds people that the church cares.

Angels are among us friends, are you being an angel with your actions? God is calling each of us to go, will you answer, Here I Am, Send Me? As I prayed and thought on this sermon Wednesday night and Thursday morning, I was led to change the hymns around and have our hymn of commitment be Here I Am, Lord. I felt it a great response to our faith in Christ and our call to speak up and act upon these issues. God is calling friends. Turn with me to page 593 in your hymnal or to the screen and begin to respond. The altar is open for pray and meditation during the hymn. If you need to kneel and pray as you hear the words, you are invited.