Need A Lift?
Sermon
Sermons On The First Readings
Series I, Cycle C
Journalist Bob Garfield researched health articles in The Washington Post, USA Today, and The New York Times. His research showed that, according to so-called experts,
• 59 million Americans have heart disease
• 53 million suffer migraines
• 25 million people have osteoporosis
• 16 million struggle with obesity
• 3 million have cancer
• 12 million have severe disorders such as brain disease.1
The results are that 543 million Americans are seriously ill, which is shocking in a country whose population is only 266 million people. Garfield's response to this was, "Either as a society we are doomed, or someone is seriously double-dipping."2
I don't know the answer to this discrepancy, but it appears that our whole country is weighted down by personal challenges. For some, it is one or more of those illnesses which we are forced to deal with day in and day out. For others, it is a deep sadness or depression. And for most, it is the nagging stress of life which leads to illness or depression. It seems that everyone is a statistic. Everyone has some personal problem or challenge with which they have to cope. Therefore, most of us don't run the race of life, we crawl it, and we consider ourselves successful if we just survive to see another day.
Perhaps in our more courageous moments we question in protest: "Is there more to life than just trips to the doctor and avoiding as much pain as possible? Is not life more than just eating, drinking, sleeping, and trying to stay healthy? Is not life more than survival? Is it possible to lift myself above the day-to-day grind? Is it possible to elevate myself beyond mere existence?"
Our text gives us some clues about being elevated above the stress pool of life. At a glance, this text is exactly what we want. An outer-circle disciple of Jesus named Tabitha had become ill and died unexpectedly, and the Apostle Peter arrives with a big S on his chest and rescues Tabitha by bringing her back to life. Sounds good, doesn't it? It would be so nice to have someone like Peter who would come and rescue us from our problems. But the text reveals more than a miracle of resuscitation. If we look closer, we can see that we too can be lifted up by following the examples of the characters in this text.
I am sure Peter had his own challenges, but they did not stop him from seeking to reach out and help, heal, and bring someone back to life. In fact, when Peter was called to revive Tabitha, he was literally healing a man in another city. He could have claimed his good deed for the day or the week and explained, "I can't be everywhere all the time or everything to everyone. I need some personal time." Who would have blamed him for that? Yet the text clarifies that when Peter was asked to help Tabitha, he did not hesitate; he went "without delay." Peter must have received joy from lifting up others.
I would venture to say that all of us would be a great deal happier if we would not dwell on our problems. For when we dwell on our problems, they become much bigger than they are in reality. As a result, we don't have challenges; our challenges have us. The best way to rise above this self-defeating behavior is to move our attention away from ourselves and onto others. For when we focus our attention upon others, we remove ourselves from our problems and gain perspective. We discover that our problems are not as overwhelming as we first believed them to be. And it is in this discovery that we find strength because we realize that we can do more than just exist, we can make a difference in people's lives.
However, there is a deeper discovery to be found in helping others. When we are generous, we understand in a profound way that we were not made to live only for ourselves. We were made by a loving God for the purpose of loving others. Once we come to this realization, we become in tune with the very spirit of our existence. For when we give ourselves away, we find our ultimate fulfillment because we are living the gracious life for which we were destined. Jesus said it this way, "Those who lose their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).
Miss Thompson found her life. She was a teacher who had a poor student in her class named Ted. He was very sloppy in appearance -- expressionless -- unattractive. All of his classmates did not hesitate to remind him of his eccentricities. Miss Thompson did not either as she took her red pen and placed Xs beside his many wrong answers. But Miss Thompson did not fully appreciate the kind of world in which Ted was living. All she had to do was read his records:
1st grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, but (has) poor home situation.
2nd grade: Ted could do better. Mother seriously ill. Receives little help from home.
3rd grade: Ted is a good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.
4th grade: Ted is very slow, but well-behaved. His father shows no interest whatsoever.
Christmas arrived. The children piled beautifully-wrapped gifts on Miss Thompson's desk. Ted brought one too. It was wrapped in brown paper and held together with Scotch tape. Miss Thompson opened each gift, as the children crowded around to watch. Out of Ted's package fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half of the stones missing, and a half-filled bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker, but Miss Thompson silenced them by splashing a droplet of the perfume on her wrist and letting each one smell it. She also put the bracelet on.
At day's end, after the other children had left, Ted came up to her desk and said, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And the bracelet looks very pretty on you. I'm glad you like my gifts." As soon as Ted left the room, Miss Thompson began to cry and asked God to forgive her and change her attitude.
The next day the children were greeted by a new Miss Thompson, a teacher reformed and committed to loving each of her students, especially the slow ones, especially the Ted's of the world. As a result of Miss Thompson's loving care, Ted began to show great improvement. By the end of the year, he actually caught up with many of his classmates and even moved ahead of some.
Time passed and Miss Thompson had heard nothing from Ted. Then, one day, she received the following note:
Dear Miss Thompson:
I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class.
Love, Ted
Four years later, another note arrived:
Dear Miss Thompson:
They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.
Love, Ted
And four years later:
Dear Miss Thompson:
As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year.
Love, Ted
Miss Thompson attended that wedding and sat where Ted's mother would have sat. The love and generosity she had shown that young man entitled her to such an honor.3
It is amazing what can happen when a little love and encouragement are shared. It can literally elevate a life far beyond its potential.
Do you know anyone who is dead? Oh, they may still be breathing, but they have no life. Perhaps it is someone like Ted, a person who has been beaten and bruised by life and is only a kind word away from succeeding. Maybe it is someone like Tabitha, who has worked herself to death, and all she needs is someone to watch her children for a little while so she can get some rest. Maybe it is a neighbor who lives alone and doesn't receive any phone calls or visits anymore, and his/her life is as empty as his/her home. Maybe it is that youth in your neighborhood or school who gets bullied all the time. Maybe it is that discouraged employee who is only one compliment away from elevating his/her attitude and turning his/her performance around. Maybe it is your spouse who longs to hear the words, "I love you," or "You look very nice today." Maybe it is a recent graduate who had big dreams, but he/she was shot down by a cynic. It does not take much to bring them back to life: just a little love and encouragement, just a touch of generosity will do.
What does this encouragement and love look like? Children are the best teachers in this realm. They are wiser than we realize. A group of four- to eight-year-olds were asked the question: "What does love mean?"
Rebecca, age eight, said, "When my grandmother got arthritis, she could not bend over and paint her toenails anymore, so my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Billy, age four, said, "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Chrissy, age six, said, "Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Terri, age four, said, "Love is what makes you smile when you are tired."
Danny, age seven, said, "Love is when Mommy makes coffee for Daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay."
Bobby, age five, said, "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Nikka, age six, said, "If you want to learn how to love, you should start with a friend you hate."
Jenny, age four, said, "There are two kinds of love. Our love and God's love. But God makes both kinds of them."
Noelle, age seven, said, "Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day."
Tommy, age six, said, "Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Jessica, age six, said, "You really should not say, 'I love you,' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."4
Yes, we do forget. But my hope is that from this day forward we will remember. To help you remember, think of one person you could love this week -- one person you could encourage this week -- one person you could take to lunch and really listen to them because no one else does -- one person you could write a note to and tell them how wonderful you know they are -- one person you could encourage with the words of Peter: "Get up! I want you to know you are worth something to me, and you are worth everything to God." This person may be your spouse. This person may be your child. This person may be the neighbor you see at the mailbox every day. This person may be your employee. This person may be the waiter or waitress at a restaurant. Whoever and wherever they are, let them see the love of God reflected in you!
I read of a father who often reminds his children: "Your life is God's gift to you. What you do with your life is your gift back to God. So do something great for God with your life."5 That's good advice. So do something great for God. Make a difference to others by lifting them into life. For when you do, you too will be lifted up from your problems and brought back to life. You will experience the ecstasy of generosity because you will feel a little like how God feels when we allow him to love us. And when these sacred moments of generosity occur, I believe God smiles, for he sees the world the way he created it to be.
Years ago, a new breed of horse was tested in Canada. Researchers discovered that one horse could pull an eight-ton load. When they teamed two horses together, they anticipated that the horses would pull sixteen or eighteen tons. To their great surprise, the team pulled thirty tons! It is the principle called synergism. "The law of synergism states that two or more objects working together can produce a greater effect than the objects working independently of each other."6
Our text reveals to us the law of synergism, which is how God planned for human beings to live. Everyone in the text is helping one another. The disciples call for help. The widows show their love and appreciation for Tabitha as they present the tunics she had made for them. Peter arrives and with loving, healing hands revives her. Then Tabitha returns to her work of charity with greater passion and love than ever before. Peter receives hospitality from a leather worker named Simon and stays and rests there for a little while. Soon he leaves in order to help the next person in need. The people in the text were all working together, helping each other. This is a beautiful picture of the way life ought to be. This is the picture of the way your community should be. This is the picture of the way the Church ought to be. This is the true picture of the way God created the world to be.
A few years ago, an unusual event occurred at the Special Olympics in Seattle. Nine mentally and physically challenged Olympians assembled at the starting line of the 400-meter race. The gun went off, and they ran as hard as they could. About half-way through the race, one boy stumbled and fell, hurt his knee, and began to cry. The other eight runners heard the boy crying, and one by one they stopped running and went back to help him. They picked him up and gave him reassuring hugs. Then they linked arms and finished the race together. The judges were confused about who was the winner. But after some discussion they decided to award all nine runners a gold medal. For, truly, they were all winners.7
Imagine what we would accomplish if we were willing to help one another up. Imagine the lives which could be changed if every member of the church was willing to allow the love of God to flow through them in order to bring the dead to life. Imagine how different the world would be if we became concerned not about winning the race, but helping others to finish it. Imagine, imagine, just imagine how it feels to run hand in hand toward the finish line, knowing no one is left behind.
____________
1. Quoted in John Ortberg, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2001), p. 132.
2. Ibid.
3. Charles R. Swindoll, The Quest For Character, pp. 178-181. Copyright 1982 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan.
4. From Internet for Christians Newsletter, January 28, 2002, www.gospelcom.net.
5. David C. Cooper, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success (Atlanta: Discover Life Ministries, 2000), p. 75. Used by permission.
6. Ibid., pp. 9-10.
7. Ibid., p. 10.
• 59 million Americans have heart disease
• 53 million suffer migraines
• 25 million people have osteoporosis
• 16 million struggle with obesity
• 3 million have cancer
• 12 million have severe disorders such as brain disease.1
The results are that 543 million Americans are seriously ill, which is shocking in a country whose population is only 266 million people. Garfield's response to this was, "Either as a society we are doomed, or someone is seriously double-dipping."2
I don't know the answer to this discrepancy, but it appears that our whole country is weighted down by personal challenges. For some, it is one or more of those illnesses which we are forced to deal with day in and day out. For others, it is a deep sadness or depression. And for most, it is the nagging stress of life which leads to illness or depression. It seems that everyone is a statistic. Everyone has some personal problem or challenge with which they have to cope. Therefore, most of us don't run the race of life, we crawl it, and we consider ourselves successful if we just survive to see another day.
Perhaps in our more courageous moments we question in protest: "Is there more to life than just trips to the doctor and avoiding as much pain as possible? Is not life more than just eating, drinking, sleeping, and trying to stay healthy? Is not life more than survival? Is it possible to lift myself above the day-to-day grind? Is it possible to elevate myself beyond mere existence?"
Our text gives us some clues about being elevated above the stress pool of life. At a glance, this text is exactly what we want. An outer-circle disciple of Jesus named Tabitha had become ill and died unexpectedly, and the Apostle Peter arrives with a big S on his chest and rescues Tabitha by bringing her back to life. Sounds good, doesn't it? It would be so nice to have someone like Peter who would come and rescue us from our problems. But the text reveals more than a miracle of resuscitation. If we look closer, we can see that we too can be lifted up by following the examples of the characters in this text.
I am sure Peter had his own challenges, but they did not stop him from seeking to reach out and help, heal, and bring someone back to life. In fact, when Peter was called to revive Tabitha, he was literally healing a man in another city. He could have claimed his good deed for the day or the week and explained, "I can't be everywhere all the time or everything to everyone. I need some personal time." Who would have blamed him for that? Yet the text clarifies that when Peter was asked to help Tabitha, he did not hesitate; he went "without delay." Peter must have received joy from lifting up others.
I would venture to say that all of us would be a great deal happier if we would not dwell on our problems. For when we dwell on our problems, they become much bigger than they are in reality. As a result, we don't have challenges; our challenges have us. The best way to rise above this self-defeating behavior is to move our attention away from ourselves and onto others. For when we focus our attention upon others, we remove ourselves from our problems and gain perspective. We discover that our problems are not as overwhelming as we first believed them to be. And it is in this discovery that we find strength because we realize that we can do more than just exist, we can make a difference in people's lives.
However, there is a deeper discovery to be found in helping others. When we are generous, we understand in a profound way that we were not made to live only for ourselves. We were made by a loving God for the purpose of loving others. Once we come to this realization, we become in tune with the very spirit of our existence. For when we give ourselves away, we find our ultimate fulfillment because we are living the gracious life for which we were destined. Jesus said it this way, "Those who lose their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).
Miss Thompson found her life. She was a teacher who had a poor student in her class named Ted. He was very sloppy in appearance -- expressionless -- unattractive. All of his classmates did not hesitate to remind him of his eccentricities. Miss Thompson did not either as she took her red pen and placed Xs beside his many wrong answers. But Miss Thompson did not fully appreciate the kind of world in which Ted was living. All she had to do was read his records:
1st grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, but (has) poor home situation.
2nd grade: Ted could do better. Mother seriously ill. Receives little help from home.
3rd grade: Ted is a good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.
4th grade: Ted is very slow, but well-behaved. His father shows no interest whatsoever.
Christmas arrived. The children piled beautifully-wrapped gifts on Miss Thompson's desk. Ted brought one too. It was wrapped in brown paper and held together with Scotch tape. Miss Thompson opened each gift, as the children crowded around to watch. Out of Ted's package fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half of the stones missing, and a half-filled bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker, but Miss Thompson silenced them by splashing a droplet of the perfume on her wrist and letting each one smell it. She also put the bracelet on.
At day's end, after the other children had left, Ted came up to her desk and said, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And the bracelet looks very pretty on you. I'm glad you like my gifts." As soon as Ted left the room, Miss Thompson began to cry and asked God to forgive her and change her attitude.
The next day the children were greeted by a new Miss Thompson, a teacher reformed and committed to loving each of her students, especially the slow ones, especially the Ted's of the world. As a result of Miss Thompson's loving care, Ted began to show great improvement. By the end of the year, he actually caught up with many of his classmates and even moved ahead of some.
Time passed and Miss Thompson had heard nothing from Ted. Then, one day, she received the following note:
Dear Miss Thompson:
I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class.
Love, Ted
Four years later, another note arrived:
Dear Miss Thompson:
They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.
Love, Ted
And four years later:
Dear Miss Thompson:
As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year.
Love, Ted
Miss Thompson attended that wedding and sat where Ted's mother would have sat. The love and generosity she had shown that young man entitled her to such an honor.3
It is amazing what can happen when a little love and encouragement are shared. It can literally elevate a life far beyond its potential.
Do you know anyone who is dead? Oh, they may still be breathing, but they have no life. Perhaps it is someone like Ted, a person who has been beaten and bruised by life and is only a kind word away from succeeding. Maybe it is someone like Tabitha, who has worked herself to death, and all she needs is someone to watch her children for a little while so she can get some rest. Maybe it is a neighbor who lives alone and doesn't receive any phone calls or visits anymore, and his/her life is as empty as his/her home. Maybe it is that youth in your neighborhood or school who gets bullied all the time. Maybe it is that discouraged employee who is only one compliment away from elevating his/her attitude and turning his/her performance around. Maybe it is your spouse who longs to hear the words, "I love you," or "You look very nice today." Maybe it is a recent graduate who had big dreams, but he/she was shot down by a cynic. It does not take much to bring them back to life: just a little love and encouragement, just a touch of generosity will do.
What does this encouragement and love look like? Children are the best teachers in this realm. They are wiser than we realize. A group of four- to eight-year-olds were asked the question: "What does love mean?"
Rebecca, age eight, said, "When my grandmother got arthritis, she could not bend over and paint her toenails anymore, so my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Billy, age four, said, "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Chrissy, age six, said, "Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Terri, age four, said, "Love is what makes you smile when you are tired."
Danny, age seven, said, "Love is when Mommy makes coffee for Daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay."
Bobby, age five, said, "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Nikka, age six, said, "If you want to learn how to love, you should start with a friend you hate."
Jenny, age four, said, "There are two kinds of love. Our love and God's love. But God makes both kinds of them."
Noelle, age seven, said, "Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day."
Tommy, age six, said, "Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Jessica, age six, said, "You really should not say, 'I love you,' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."4
Yes, we do forget. But my hope is that from this day forward we will remember. To help you remember, think of one person you could love this week -- one person you could encourage this week -- one person you could take to lunch and really listen to them because no one else does -- one person you could write a note to and tell them how wonderful you know they are -- one person you could encourage with the words of Peter: "Get up! I want you to know you are worth something to me, and you are worth everything to God." This person may be your spouse. This person may be your child. This person may be the neighbor you see at the mailbox every day. This person may be your employee. This person may be the waiter or waitress at a restaurant. Whoever and wherever they are, let them see the love of God reflected in you!
I read of a father who often reminds his children: "Your life is God's gift to you. What you do with your life is your gift back to God. So do something great for God with your life."5 That's good advice. So do something great for God. Make a difference to others by lifting them into life. For when you do, you too will be lifted up from your problems and brought back to life. You will experience the ecstasy of generosity because you will feel a little like how God feels when we allow him to love us. And when these sacred moments of generosity occur, I believe God smiles, for he sees the world the way he created it to be.
Years ago, a new breed of horse was tested in Canada. Researchers discovered that one horse could pull an eight-ton load. When they teamed two horses together, they anticipated that the horses would pull sixteen or eighteen tons. To their great surprise, the team pulled thirty tons! It is the principle called synergism. "The law of synergism states that two or more objects working together can produce a greater effect than the objects working independently of each other."6
Our text reveals to us the law of synergism, which is how God planned for human beings to live. Everyone in the text is helping one another. The disciples call for help. The widows show their love and appreciation for Tabitha as they present the tunics she had made for them. Peter arrives and with loving, healing hands revives her. Then Tabitha returns to her work of charity with greater passion and love than ever before. Peter receives hospitality from a leather worker named Simon and stays and rests there for a little while. Soon he leaves in order to help the next person in need. The people in the text were all working together, helping each other. This is a beautiful picture of the way life ought to be. This is the picture of the way your community should be. This is the picture of the way the Church ought to be. This is the true picture of the way God created the world to be.
A few years ago, an unusual event occurred at the Special Olympics in Seattle. Nine mentally and physically challenged Olympians assembled at the starting line of the 400-meter race. The gun went off, and they ran as hard as they could. About half-way through the race, one boy stumbled and fell, hurt his knee, and began to cry. The other eight runners heard the boy crying, and one by one they stopped running and went back to help him. They picked him up and gave him reassuring hugs. Then they linked arms and finished the race together. The judges were confused about who was the winner. But after some discussion they decided to award all nine runners a gold medal. For, truly, they were all winners.7
Imagine what we would accomplish if we were willing to help one another up. Imagine the lives which could be changed if every member of the church was willing to allow the love of God to flow through them in order to bring the dead to life. Imagine how different the world would be if we became concerned not about winning the race, but helping others to finish it. Imagine, imagine, just imagine how it feels to run hand in hand toward the finish line, knowing no one is left behind.
____________
1. Quoted in John Ortberg, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2001), p. 132.
2. Ibid.
3. Charles R. Swindoll, The Quest For Character, pp. 178-181. Copyright 1982 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan.
4. From Internet for Christians Newsletter, January 28, 2002, www.gospelcom.net.
5. David C. Cooper, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success (Atlanta: Discover Life Ministries, 2000), p. 75. Used by permission.
6. Ibid., pp. 9-10.
7. Ibid., p. 10.
