Untitled Sermon

Not far from our home in Troutdale is a small tavern just as you come into town. Nothing fancy, but it is a cozy place to meet friends, and the food is good. Like many neighborhood saloons, it is cramped inside and certainly suffered greatly under Covid restrictions. Even before the pandemic, they built an outdoor area, fenced in with umbrellas shading the tables. The get lots of traffic driving by, so they often have a sign up advertising their special of the day. They also have a sign that says: “Patio dog friendly.” For those of us who are prone to criticizing bad grammar, it is something of an eyesore. We of course assume it means that you can bring your dog there, right? We add the missing “our” and “is” and interpret this sign as reading “Our patio is dog-friendly.” However, to those of us with active imaginations, it could also mean: “Our patio dog is friendly.” Certainly a selling point for us dog lovers, but not as likely to be taken as an invitation to bring your dog to share a pint after work.

We all know how divisive our world is today, to the point where we feel like we no longer speak the same language sometimes. Or more often, we speak the same words but they mean different things. What the speaker means when they say something is the exact opposite of what another person hears. Or certain people are heroes and saviors to some but are despicable to others. Those who agree with us are smart like we are, but those who see things differently are idiots. We have to be careful how we talk so as not to offend people by saying things we think are simple and clear, and some will take offense based just on how we look. Sometimes, depending on where we are, it is risky just to leave the house.

Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus sought to teach people about the Kingdom of God and who He was. Many were looking for a messiah with military power, the one who would overthrow the Romans and usher in a new age of self-rule for Israel. Others wanted proof and magic tricks. Few seemed to understood that Jesus was the Son of God until after His resurrection. He would say one thing, but most people would hear something else. He talked of heavenly things, they heard things in earthly terms. Many people took offense at what He said, especially the religious leaders, for He was a threat to their power and prestige. They only loved themselves, and clung to their power at all costs. Jesus spoke a truth that many didn’t want to hear, and He was killed because of it. He taught us to love God and love our neighbors above ourselves, and doing that is as risky now as it was then. When we sacrificially love all people regardless of who they are, some will not understand us and may even seek our harm.

My example of the Patio Dog sign is kind of silly, but a more serious example of possibly conflicting meanings and motives is the word “pride.” Pride can be good or bad. We take pride in our work and in our families, but we can also be overly proud, arrogant and conceited.

Those who seek to elevate themselves in the Bible usually are brought low. Paul tells us that Jesus brought Himself low, though God coming in the form of a man, dying a humiliating death on the Cross. But in doing so, God lifted Him up above all others, reigning over all Creation forever. He is now so far above us that we may be at a loss to how we can possible follow such a Lord, not knowing what we are to do in response. We may wonder what to do, what might our calling be?

The first step is to give our hearts totally to Jesus, and wait for His instructions. As 1st John says:

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. (1st John 3:23-24)

And then, as Jesus gave Himself for us, we are to others first. As 1st John tells us:

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us--and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. (1st John 3:16-18)

Here’s another word that can mean different things: love. I love chocolate, but it really doesn’t compare to love I have for my wife, even though she may question which I love more. Most folks think love is just a feeling, but true love leads to action. I will do things for my wife that I won’t do just to get more chocolate.

Love is also not just fuzzy and warm, but calls us to do difficult things. We know love in action, but what do you think “love in truth” is? Is it “tough love”? Is it staying true to Scripture when loving someone may tempt us to put aside the commands of Scripture? If one of our kids is doing something harmful, won’t we intervene in love even though they may get angry or defiant?

In our time as in Jesus’ time, many people seek to be famous and powerful. Some want the adoration, some the wealth, some the power. There have been many false messiahs, leading people astray and causing great damage. As followers of the risen Lord, we proclaim the one and only Messiah, the Good Shepherd, who sacrificed Himself so those who believe in Him might have eternal life. False messiahs expect others to lay down their lives for them, but only Jesus laid down His life for us.

When we try to go it alone, doing what we think is best without consulting God, we tend to get into trouble. We let our pride have control, pride in the negative sense. We rely on ourselves, rather than relying on God. We walk on our own, relying on our own power, rather than walking with God and allowing Him to take control.