Initiative
Commentary
Many who read this column have the cart before the horse when it comes to matters of initiative. That is especially true in matters relating to God. We imagine that if we are good enough we will be blessed; if we have faith enough things will happen; if we pray enough answers will come; if we repent enough we will be forgiven; if we do enough we will be rewarded. God is on our leash. He is at our beck and call. The other day I saw a new billboard outside our city, declaring that we all needed to get on our hot line to God and lay down our requests.
Rereading today's Scripture lessons and most others is very instructive.
The entire biblical record is a record of God taking the initiative, making the first move. It is he who gives us life and enables us to give it to him in return. He forgives and thus makes repentance possible. He is involved in our lives and offers us prayer as a way to keep our lives open before him. He has done more for us than we can ever deserve, and accepts our puny efforts to respond as sufficient.
Everywhere we turn we find stories of a God coming to his people; seeking to take unmerited, undeserved, unearned action - action out of sheer grace, which is meant to overwhelm and dominate us and make us his own. When we know that, then we can respond in joy, as Paul asked the Corinthians to do, and as must have been the case that day the little girl awakened and the woman stopped bleeding.
OUTLINE I
The Basis of Stewardship
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Introduction: Take time to read the material that precedes this selection or you may wander off the subject. It is clear that Paul is hitting them up to share in the offering which is being gathered for the needy disciples in Jerusalem. Seems like a good place to consider a stewardship sermon. And Paul is a good man from whom to take a model. Look how he begins.
A. A Positive Word. Why do so many of us imply that our people are stingy cheapskates, and believe that we have to push the guilt and fear buttons to raise money? Not Paul. There must have been some skinflints in Corinth, but he gives all a pat on the back.
B. An Open Door. Paul is not demanding. He does not take advantage of his position.
C. Gratitude. See what has been done for you. Respond to that. You got more than you deserved.
D. Thanksgiving. They are to focus attention on all that has been given them, not only in the spiritual area, but in everyday blessings as well. God has something to do with that, too. The response is sharing.
Conclusion: Everybody comes out blessed.
OUTLINE II
No Favorites?
Mark 5:21-43
Introduction: Let's begin our consideration of this Scripture by forgetting that it was written down in the late 60s for the purposes of the early church, and follow it back to its origins. Let's simply look at it as it happened. In the first place, one of the rulers of the synagogue comes to Jesus. You can just see the people parting to let this powerful and high-placed man get through. Surely Jesus will cater to him. And, it seems he did. But then comes "a woman." No status. No title. No special marking. Just a woman. And Jesus has time for her.
A. No Favorites. It is clear that to let this report exist as it is tells us that Jesus moved easily among the high and well-placed and among those on other levels. They were all the same to him. All were children of God and that made them equal. For him to stop and consider that woman, was not a put down or attempt to level the ruler of the synagogue. It was simply the way it was in his mind and heart.
B. All Favorites. There is the point. It is not that he sees us all on the lower rung of the ladder. Rather, that all are on top of his agenda. God generally comes off thinking more of us than most of us do. I suggest a rereading of Psalm 8. There we are told how much God thinks of us.
OUTLINE III
Teachers Can't Raise the Dead
Mark 5:21-43
Introduction: It interests me that the key to this passage comes right at the beginning. "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" There you have it. The religious leaders of the day were ready to give him that title. I imagine it must have been a bit grudgingly. After all, where did he get his teaching? Nevertheless, they had to admire him and to admit his abilities and insights. But the point is that they would go no further. Teachers can't raise the dead.
A. But Messiahs Can. That is surely the message embedded here. Remember, it is Mark who is always having the crowd or some bystander ask the question, "Who is this?" That is the question to keep in mind as you read all that Mark has to say. But there is something more here.
B. A Sleeper. Coma? Who knows? What matters here is that the claim for a miracle is hardly made. Maybe Jesus just noticed something others did not. Perhaps he was more perceptive. The point is that the writer had no need to make more of it than he did. It is enough. The impression has been made. Those who have been asking who he is now must deal with what they have seen.
Conclusion: Note that throughout this scene are the concerned religious leaders, the curious bystanders, the anxious father, and a tormented woman. Jesus is the only "cool" person here. That is because he knows who he is.
