2021.06.13 Why Am I Here?

Why Am I Here?

Pastoral transition is a nerve-wracking time. The pastor wonders if his or her ministry style will be accepted at the new appointment. The church wonders what's gonna change … what's gonna be different? Invariably, things are definitely going to change, and one of the changes that is immediately apparent is simply the personality of the person leading the congregation.

So, I know as I say farewell, your head is likely swirling around questions about the future.

What's the personality of "the new guy gonna be?"

What’s his family like?

IU or Purdue? (Or Louisville?)

Before Jesus left his disciples, he taught some of the most important bits of his teaching. I’m no different.

College – Free meal and talk by someone

Last Lecture series

This could be considered my “Last Lecture”

Sometimes we get distracted by all the workings of the church and forget our mission!

When I arrived, I told you that my first and last sermon would be the same sermon. So, this sermon is basically the same as I preached July 11, 2014, and I hope it helps you recognize who you are as you face the transition you’re facing.

As I begin, I’d like to help you to imagine a scene from a tv show:

"The West Wing" – "Let Bartlet Be Barlet"

[original air date, April 26, 1999]

President Bartlet has been taking the easy road to try and ensure reelection instead of doing what he believes is right. The staff's morale is plummeting. His poll figures are dropping drastically. He is losing political battles all over Washington because he refuses to take a stand on any issue for fear that he’ll lose the next election.

After a downer of an episode, in the final scene … dejected staffers awaiting the Chief of Staff who is meeting with the President about being more overt in his positions.

The President decides to return to his moral center … his mission! As the Chief of Staff returns to the staff waiting room… he tells them the president’s decision.

Leo: And we’re gonna lose some of these battles, and we might even lose the White House, but we’re not gonna be threatened by issues. We’re gonna put them front and center. We’re gonna raise the level of public debate in this country, and let that be our legacy.

[turns to Josh] That sound all right to you, Josh?

Josh: I serve at the pleasure of the President.

As the camera pans to each staff member, one-by-one each member of the President's inner circle echoes the statement, "I serve at the pleasure of the President."

Leo: Then let’s get in the game!

Why Am I Here?

There is something to be said for serving at someone else's pleasure. There is something honorable about standing up for what's right even in the face of opposition and possible defeat!

In today's passage of Scripture, Paul gives us a few simple instructions:

Don't be selfish

Why are you here?

Any number of reasons, but it's gut-check time.

We “Church folk” spend an awful lot of time trying to tell the truth safely. Why? The truth itself is dangerous, why would any of us think telling the truth would be safe in this sinful world?

Our Life Together: "I'd give anything..." "No you wouldn't!" [awkward pause] “What do you mean?” “If you really would give ANYthing to be up there, you would’ve already given it, and you WOULD be up there playing like that.”

We want the result without the work that makes it happen.

Don't think only about your own affairs

How many times have any of us made a decision by asking, "What do I want?"

This is changing, and must continue to change if the global Church is going to survive.

We are starting to ask, "What does God want?" FIRST!

"regard one another as more important than yourselves;" (2:3)

"Don't think only about your own affairs"

Consider what’s best for the mission instead of what’s best for you!

Everything we do today is worship of the Father. If any of us receive a blessing, it's the gravy, not the meat! The meat of today is honoring Yahweh with our worship!

He is the center of attention at all times, or he should be!

The Father is the audience of our worship, not you … not me … not ever.

This is not my day of honor, and I refuse to be the center of attention … and I hope you do too!

We are here to respond to God's unconditional love for us and all of humanity.

If you are here serving at your own pleasure, you are in the wrong building today.

"Don't think only about your own affairs"

Your attitude should be the same Christ Jesus had

humility … even humiliation for our benefit

Are you willing to be humbled for the benefit of others?

How about humiliated?

Now is the time to do an attitude check ... Is your attitude the same Christ Jesus had?

What does that look like?

In human form he obediently humbled himself

obediently humbled himself

John 8:28 "I do nothing on my own initiative..."

John 12:49 "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.

Paul tells us to submit to the authority placed over us in two different places.

As pastor … who is my boss? Two answers ...

In the United Methodist Church, the pastor's boss is the District Superintendent.

In a very real sense, though, I answer to God the Father.

We didn’t read that far, but Paul concludes this section of his letter with these words: “...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

… to the glory of God the Father

This is a sad, yet joyous day ...

This is a celebration of our time together and God's faithfulness through our journey.

There is only one reason I would teach a hard teaching as my last words for you … for the glory of God the Father.

We show up to:

pray together in fellowship

respond to God's grace and the Truth of His Word

honor God by bowing our hearts to Him in submission to His Holy Spirit's influence

The Holy Spirit can and does work regardless of our submission...

but why would any of us want to resist Him and make His job harder in calling us all to a deeper relationship through Jesus Christ?

After all we've experienced, don't you want to work WITH the Holy Spirit to create the atmosphere where God's presence is felt?

You can produce that atmosphere regardless of who occupies this pulpit, and regardless of where you are.

Time, place and circumstance are not relevant.

Only the condition of our hearts is relevant

“The Father is looking for those who will worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Don't be selfish

Don't think only about your own affairs

Have the same attitude as Christ Jesus

Be obedient and humble

And do all for the glory of God the Father

God has great plans for St. Mark’s! THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE IS NOT FINISHED WITH THIS CHURCH!!!

You (collectively and individually) are worthy of His love, not because of what you have or who you are or what you've done. You are worthy of His love and relationship with Him simply BECAUSE HE SAYS SO, and nothing will ever change that!

You deserve the love of Christ because the Father says so! So, let THAT be your driving force.

So let me ask again … why are YOU here?

In my best moments, my driving force is quite simple ...

I serve at the pleasure of the King of Kings!

How 'bout you? [Ask a few people]

Let's get in the game!