Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls
Stories
Contents
"Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls" by David O. Bales
"Pauls’ Innards" by David O. Bales
"A Little Bit of Heaven" by Keith Wagner
"A Glimpse of Hope" by Keith Wagner
Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls
by David O. Bales
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus enters another Galilean village and he’s greeted by oppressed people. Romans occupy their land and strict religious leaders dominate their religion. Everywhere Jesus goes he struggles against disease and demons and also against these religious leaders who hold people in spiritual bondage by their fussy standards.
For whatever good reasons, Galilee’s strict religious folk insist that to be truly faithful to God people must live morally plus abide by dozens of non-moral rules. Jesus faces this at every turn. Such rules concern income people must contribute to the temple establishment; what day they worship and what they should and shouldn’t perform on that day; when to fast; what to eat, where and how they eat it, the vessels they eat it in, and the people they eat with.
Jesus is on a counter-mission throughout Galilee. He invites all people into God’s kingdom. He seeks those who can’t endure nit-picky rituals and who are considered outsiders by the strict religious group. Because they can’t meet their leaders’ standards, the common people wonder what God thinks of them.
When Jesus meets people wearied by oppressive religious rules, he prays for them. From his life with God he invites those who don’t measure up religiously to others’ standards. After praying Jesus summons them: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Oppressed people are attracted to Jesus as to a loving magnet. When people look in his face, they see his sincerity and concern. Jesus doesn’t lay a cruel load on them. He forgives them outright and fits them to be his partner in serving God. Jesus’ yoke isn’t like the burden that others place on the downtrodden. Jesus joins people to him in God’s love.
Jesus’ acceptance of just anybody got him killed; yet, his resurrection confirmed that his attention to the religiously wearied was God’s very care. Within about 400 years Jesus’ church became established, even powerful as Christianity was folded into the Roman Empire. Different strict religious groups appeared. Again, for whatever good reasons, some serious religious people claimed that to be a true Christian one need take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Some of them demanded that one must remain distant from others, even other Christians. Other leaders advised that one should eat as little as possible, seldom bathe, and wear rags.
To comfort people wearied by such religious propaganda spiritually Jesus arrived again just as in ancient Galilee. He continued to bring the same message of his earthly life. For those who didn’t keep stringent religious rules he invited them to come straight into God’s love -- and not through a packaged or hierarchical spirituality.
600 years after that another Christian movement occurred in Europe. It was for males. This strict interpretation of Christianity insisted that men now become soldiers and go to the Middle East to fight Muslims -- oh, yes, and to become rich with plunder. This was another powerful movement that dictated ahead of time what Christians should do if they wanted to be religiously confident. Those who died in battle were promised complete absolution and forgiveness of their sins.
To people oppressed by this religious system Jesus arrived again just as in ancient Galilee. The risen Lord Jesus, in their prayers if nowhere else, assured them of God’s love and invited them to “come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens.” Jesus didn’t bind them into a harsher, violent service, but freed them into his Spirit and his loving service.
Add another 900 years or so and in America other groups, for whatever good reasons, decided what real Christianity was. They disagreed with science -- not only scientific theories but the tangible, genuine conclusions of the body of scientists. They held women in subjection, frightened children with hell, and bullied people who didn’t interpret every sentence of the Bible as literally true.
Again the risen Jesus appeared to those oppressed by overly strict religious leaders. Spiritually Jesus arrived just as in ancient Galilee. He comforted believers who were harassed by know-it-all Christians, those confident they understood best what a Christian is, what a Christian should believe, and how a Christian must act. The Lord Jesus appeared to individuals oppressed by those who claimed too much certainty. He offered, instead, God’s love and the presence of his Spirit. He summoned people into his life and into his service. He still promised, “You will find rest for your souls.”
Jesus’ church limps along under successive blows of those who insist they are right and others are wrong. Jesus’ church survives although abused by strict believers who veneer their cultural convictions with Christianity. Some of these people desperately hold their brittle, private world together by insisting everyone share their views. Yet, their certainty about what are secondary matters makes others doubt if God loves them. Some are heresy hunters, others libertines. Some are conservatives, others liberals, but they burden those who come to Jesus by insisting that their brand of Christianity is the only right one.
In whatever our situation Jesus arrives again spiritually just as in ancient Galilee. He brings his comforting and energizing personal invitation. Through the crowds of religious know-it-alls he walks right up to each of us. He prays for us, offers us God’s love, and invites us not to a religious system or a religious ideology but to himself.
PREACHING POINT: Jesus frees his followers from all kinds of spiritual oppression.
* * *
Pauls' Innards
by David O. Bales
Romans 7:15-25a
In ancient Corinth just before dawn Dathan raced from the slave quarters to be first to arrive at his master’s shoemaking shop. He was waiting on the sidewalk when his master waddled toward him swatting at slaves who bustled by him. Dathan thought: It used to be every other night and thus every other morning. Now he drinks every night and we suffer every morning.
When the master met Dathan outside the shop, he said, “Where’s lazy Lucius?” They looked down the street and Lucius appeared around the corner and sauntered toward them.
“Hurry up,” the master yelled.
Lucius yelled back, “I could go faster if I had shoes.”
“Hurry.” the master shouted, “or I’ll have you whipped!”
Lucius sidled jauntily toward the shop.
“You get here at sunup tomorrow or I’ll sell you into the mines. Now hurry!”
“Why? You need me to fetch your chamber pot?”
This caused the master to shake violently. He was about to scream again when he looked as if he would faint. He turned and fiddled quickly with the large key to the stall. Dathan and Lucius, knowing what he needed, tugged out the wooden panels that opened their shop to the street and the master ran into the back room to vomit.
Dathan and Lucius wordlessly grabbed their work and set about supplying the empire with 500 pairs of military boots for legionaries supplied in Corinth. Nothing fancy here, Lucius claimed, just slip shod in this cobbler’s shop. The master said nothing as he staggered back and then into the street. Dathan assumed he was going next door to the wine shop to get morning help for his hangover.
As soon as he was out of sight, Dathan said, “Well, what did you think of Paul last night?”
“Don’t get excited, young man,” Lucius said. “I kept my part of the deal. You covered for me, I went to hear your favorite lunatic.”
Dathan’s hands fell to his sides. “You didn’t like Paul?”
“He delivered an earful, this short social nothing, hardly better than a slave -- in fact talking with us slaves -- pretending he knows the secrets of life and eternity.”
“He’s a Roman citizen,” Dathan said.
“A Roman citizen, so? He’s a tentmaker, hardly better than us. Such a smooth line, his being the slave of all. So pious ? just God’s tool ? as we’re just our masters’ tools.”
“Can’t you tell,” Dathan said, “he’s teaching us for our sake, not for his?”
“Sure, gives us a slice of the letter he’s writing to Rome, like that’s supposed to impress us.” He made a snorting noise. “You latch onto him because he’s a Jew and you were sold in Judea. You two have much in common. You’re both trying to make up for being so insignificant.”
Dathan, squinted and said slowly, “You sold yourself and your family into slavery to pay gambling debts. I’d think you’d want to hear what he has to say about true life.”
Lucius pointed to him with a boot in his hand, “You think this little guy brings good news, talking about sin, sin, sin everywhere? About as good news as me smashing your face with this.”
Dathan squared his body toward Lucius to defend himself if Lucius became violent. “That’s not the center of Paul’s message. He’s not saying we’re only sinful, just that we’re never good enough to be right with God.”
“He sounds as if he’s full of sin -- all through his innards and right up to the wafts of hair on his bald top,” he said as he patted his head.
“That’s not what he meant. Everyone else got his meaning. He wasn’t talking about just himself.”
“He was certainly talking about you.”
“He was describing each of us being unable to do the good we choose.” Dathan took half a step backwards, “like your being unable to stop gambling, although it ruined you.”
“You’re going to get this boot down your throat.” Lucius stepped into Dathan’s work space. “As for your bandy-legged Paul, he’d better guard his words. If he keeps jabbering about another lord fixing us, he’s going to find out why Rome’s been around 800 years. It’s not going to put up with dust like him.”
Dathan cringed. The discussion could go no further, but he said, “Rome’s power is the past. Christ is now and forever. Time will tell -- about God and each of us -- who’s right.
Lucius raised his arm to strike Dathan, but he glanced to the door and under his breath said, “Master.” They both appeared busy as the master entered.
“Right?” The master stumbled as rushed in the door. “Right? Now what are you two arguing about. Right? Who’s right about what?” He suddenly looked sicker and started again for the back room. He said over his shoulder, “If he says that Lucius is a donkey’s rear, he’s right.” The master didn’t make it to the back room in time.
PREACHING POINT: Paul describes the internal struggles of humans in order to portray our futile good intentions, our ultimate moral deficiency, and our need of a savior.
David Bales was a Presbyterian pastor for 33 years. He is a graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary. In addition to his ministry he also has taught college: World Religions, Ethics, Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek (lately at College of Idaho, Caldwell). He has been a freelance writer for Stephen Ministries. His sermons and articles have appeared in various publications. He is also author of several books. He can be reached at dobales.com.
* * *
A Little Bit of Heaven
by Keith Wagner
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Every year our family makes an annual pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina during the summer. We started the tradition almost 30 years ago. Since then, our family has grown. We now have seven grandchildren and some of my relatives come from Florida to spend the week with us. Over the years the number of "Wagners" has multiplied.
Everyone in our family looks forward to the week. We bask in the sun, walk on the beach, eat dinners out, play miniature golf and shop. For us the week is "a little bit of heaven."
It all started because my wife, Lin, saw an ad in a magazine and thought it would be a great family vacation. She was right, and the experience has grown and we have had many rich experiences. My wife always puts her family first. Like Rebecca, she is a model of servitude.
Heaven is like that. Just as Rebecca’s act of giving a drink of water to a stranger started a new relationship, my wife’s idea of a family vacation has grown over the years.
The first year we went to Myrtle Beach we all stayed in the same condo. At one point there were nine of us. I frankly can’t remember where everyone slept. But, somehow we found the room. Now, each family has their own place, since our numbers have grown. Looking back, I wonder how we managed. Perhaps since the experience is so "heavenly" no one cares.
To get to Myrtle Beach from Ohio is no simple task. It is an eleven hour drive from Springfield, Ohio. It is a long, tedious and sometimes a very warm trip, one that includes a road through the mountains of West Virginia. We pass through several large cities and sometimes there are traffic jams. Once you get to South Carolina there is only one road that goes to the beach. The traffic is usually bumper to bumper and it often moves at a snail’s pace.
Thankfully there have been many improvements to the highways to Myrtle Beach from the North and it is a much easier journey than it used to be. It is almost impossible for our large family to get together at the beach. These days our children and their families usually go on their own. In fact, in recent years my wife and I have traveled there separately. I go in the spring to play golf with a group of ministers while my wife goes in September with her very best friend.
Perhaps the reason folks might have trouble experiencing heaven is they are unwilling to change and grow. Rebecca left home, married Isaac, and together they built a great relationship.
We have learned over the years to travel light when we go to the beach or any other destination for that matter. When we pack for the trip, we then remove about half of what we have packed. I believe, the lighter the better. I believe that you can experience a little bit of heaven when you are able to let go of the excess baggage and travel light.
Traveling helps me to clear the air. I find trips to the beach refreshing and relaxing. I believe one of society’s greatest problems is the inability to relax. People’s lives are overbooked, therefore they need time away, time to retreat from their busy lives and release themselves from the anxieties of the day. Downsizing our lives gives us the opportunity to travel light and not be overwhelmed with excess burdens. Moving about, experiencing new places, new people and new ideas can help us to see more of the world God created.
My wife and I love to travel, especially abroad. We have been to Europe four times and spent time on cruises in the Caribbean. Our marriage has been enriched by expanding our horizons. And since we have moved several times we have continued to let go of both things and friends and embrace new circumstances. Rebecca left home and journeyed to a new land to be with Isaac. I believe that is what enabled them to experience a little bit of heaven in their marriage.
A little bit of heaven is waiting for all of us when we are willing to make the journey.
* * *
A Glimpse of Hope
by Keith Wagner
Zechariah 9:9-12
It has been my experience when people seek me for counseling they are not seeking advice or wanting me to fix their problems. They are in search of a glimmer of hope, some thread of light, a bit of sunshine in their world of darkness. That does not mean I cannot comfort them with some comforting words, however, sometimes not everything will be okay. The last thing people need is someone that discounts their despair. They need to be heard and go away with a glimpse of hope.
Zechariah was attempting to give his listeners a glimmer of hope. They were troubled, afraid, lacking in resources and vision. To give them hope he focused on the times ahead, when there would be “Joy and gladness.” In spite of their plight God would continue to hold them firmly in the grasp of divine grace.
When folks are overwhelmed and desperate they have tunnel vision and clouds of misfortune and sadness hinder their ability to witness a piece of the kingdom in their midst. Just when it seems that everything is going down the tubes, God breaks through and delivers a message of consolation with his faithful prophets.
One time I had my Christmas pictures developed. I really enjoyed the snapshots of my grandchildren and other candid shots of the family. While I was cleaning out my drawers over Christmas I found a panoramic picture of the Chesapeake Bay. Every year I go sailing on the Chesapeake. It is one of my favorite places on the planet. In that moment I became aware of the contrast between a snapshot of a family event as opposed to a scene that covers thousands of square miles. The reason people are without hope is that they see their lives through snapshots and not panoramic views. There is a much bigger picture of which we are not in control. When we are able to see the big picture we are in touch with the grace of God on a much larger scale.
By referring to his listeners as “Daughters of Zion,” Zechariah was reminding them of their roots. One time a young man in the community came to me for counseling. He said his wife had left him and he didn’t know how to get her back. It seemed impossible to resolve their differences but he still felt that there was a glimmer of hope and as long as that glimmer of hope existed he would have to try. He owed it to himself to make an effort. As we talked he told me of his roots. He and his two brothers attended a neighborhood church which strongly influenced his faith. His “living hope” was directly related to the faith he had acquired early in life. Without that he said he would have given up.
His marriage could fail and unfortunately it did. But in that moment he had hope. By recalling his roots and reaffirming hope he said he felt better. “Regardless of what happens,” he said, he could endure. When we try we have hope. Without hope we are desperate. Without hope we will likely crack under the pressures of life. Abandoning our faith will only make things worse.
Most everyone in Ohio, who are football fans, remember Woody Hayes, the immortal football coach at Ohio State. Shortly before his death he was interviewed by Bob Greene. He asked Hayes if there was anything more important than winning. Woody said, “Yes. The important thing is not always to win. The important thing is always to hope.”
Dr. Harold Wolff, of Cornell University Medical School, once conducted an investigation that involved 25,000 American soldiers who were imprisoned during WWII. Under terrible conditions, inhuman treatment and forced labor many died and just about all became sick. But Dr. Wolff discovered a few who showed only slight physical problems. One characteristic stood out among them. They all had above average ability to hope.
But, to simply “hope” is not enough. There must be some form of action. The prisoners didn’t sit and do nothing. They drew pictures of the girls they intended to marry. They drew pictures of their future homes. Some even planned and organized business seminars. Dr. Wolff concluded that it was hope that kept them well and in some cases, hope that kept them alive. Like Zechariah, they had a vision of “Joy and gladness in the times to come.”
Rev. Dr. Keith Wagner is the pastor of St. John's UCC in Troy, Ohio. He has served churches in Southwest Ohio for over three decades. He is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and has an M.Div. from Methodist Theological School, Delaware, Ohio, and a D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has also been an adjunct professor at Edison Community College, Piqua, Ohio. He and his wife, Lin, live in Springfield, Ohio.
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StoryShare, July 9, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls" by David O. Bales
"Pauls’ Innards" by David O. Bales
"A Little Bit of Heaven" by Keith Wagner
"A Glimpse of Hope" by Keith Wagner
Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls
by David O. Bales
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus enters another Galilean village and he’s greeted by oppressed people. Romans occupy their land and strict religious leaders dominate their religion. Everywhere Jesus goes he struggles against disease and demons and also against these religious leaders who hold people in spiritual bondage by their fussy standards.
For whatever good reasons, Galilee’s strict religious folk insist that to be truly faithful to God people must live morally plus abide by dozens of non-moral rules. Jesus faces this at every turn. Such rules concern income people must contribute to the temple establishment; what day they worship and what they should and shouldn’t perform on that day; when to fast; what to eat, where and how they eat it, the vessels they eat it in, and the people they eat with.
Jesus is on a counter-mission throughout Galilee. He invites all people into God’s kingdom. He seeks those who can’t endure nit-picky rituals and who are considered outsiders by the strict religious group. Because they can’t meet their leaders’ standards, the common people wonder what God thinks of them.
When Jesus meets people wearied by oppressive religious rules, he prays for them. From his life with God he invites those who don’t measure up religiously to others’ standards. After praying Jesus summons them: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Oppressed people are attracted to Jesus as to a loving magnet. When people look in his face, they see his sincerity and concern. Jesus doesn’t lay a cruel load on them. He forgives them outright and fits them to be his partner in serving God. Jesus’ yoke isn’t like the burden that others place on the downtrodden. Jesus joins people to him in God’s love.
Jesus’ acceptance of just anybody got him killed; yet, his resurrection confirmed that his attention to the religiously wearied was God’s very care. Within about 400 years Jesus’ church became established, even powerful as Christianity was folded into the Roman Empire. Different strict religious groups appeared. Again, for whatever good reasons, some serious religious people claimed that to be a true Christian one need take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Some of them demanded that one must remain distant from others, even other Christians. Other leaders advised that one should eat as little as possible, seldom bathe, and wear rags.
To comfort people wearied by such religious propaganda spiritually Jesus arrived again just as in ancient Galilee. He continued to bring the same message of his earthly life. For those who didn’t keep stringent religious rules he invited them to come straight into God’s love -- and not through a packaged or hierarchical spirituality.
600 years after that another Christian movement occurred in Europe. It was for males. This strict interpretation of Christianity insisted that men now become soldiers and go to the Middle East to fight Muslims -- oh, yes, and to become rich with plunder. This was another powerful movement that dictated ahead of time what Christians should do if they wanted to be religiously confident. Those who died in battle were promised complete absolution and forgiveness of their sins.
To people oppressed by this religious system Jesus arrived again just as in ancient Galilee. The risen Lord Jesus, in their prayers if nowhere else, assured them of God’s love and invited them to “come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens.” Jesus didn’t bind them into a harsher, violent service, but freed them into his Spirit and his loving service.
Add another 900 years or so and in America other groups, for whatever good reasons, decided what real Christianity was. They disagreed with science -- not only scientific theories but the tangible, genuine conclusions of the body of scientists. They held women in subjection, frightened children with hell, and bullied people who didn’t interpret every sentence of the Bible as literally true.
Again the risen Jesus appeared to those oppressed by overly strict religious leaders. Spiritually Jesus arrived just as in ancient Galilee. He comforted believers who were harassed by know-it-all Christians, those confident they understood best what a Christian is, what a Christian should believe, and how a Christian must act. The Lord Jesus appeared to individuals oppressed by those who claimed too much certainty. He offered, instead, God’s love and the presence of his Spirit. He summoned people into his life and into his service. He still promised, “You will find rest for your souls.”
Jesus’ church limps along under successive blows of those who insist they are right and others are wrong. Jesus’ church survives although abused by strict believers who veneer their cultural convictions with Christianity. Some of these people desperately hold their brittle, private world together by insisting everyone share their views. Yet, their certainty about what are secondary matters makes others doubt if God loves them. Some are heresy hunters, others libertines. Some are conservatives, others liberals, but they burden those who come to Jesus by insisting that their brand of Christianity is the only right one.
In whatever our situation Jesus arrives again spiritually just as in ancient Galilee. He brings his comforting and energizing personal invitation. Through the crowds of religious know-it-alls he walks right up to each of us. He prays for us, offers us God’s love, and invites us not to a religious system or a religious ideology but to himself.
PREACHING POINT: Jesus frees his followers from all kinds of spiritual oppression.
* * *
Pauls' Innards
by David O. Bales
Romans 7:15-25a
In ancient Corinth just before dawn Dathan raced from the slave quarters to be first to arrive at his master’s shoemaking shop. He was waiting on the sidewalk when his master waddled toward him swatting at slaves who bustled by him. Dathan thought: It used to be every other night and thus every other morning. Now he drinks every night and we suffer every morning.
When the master met Dathan outside the shop, he said, “Where’s lazy Lucius?” They looked down the street and Lucius appeared around the corner and sauntered toward them.
“Hurry up,” the master yelled.
Lucius yelled back, “I could go faster if I had shoes.”
“Hurry.” the master shouted, “or I’ll have you whipped!”
Lucius sidled jauntily toward the shop.
“You get here at sunup tomorrow or I’ll sell you into the mines. Now hurry!”
“Why? You need me to fetch your chamber pot?”
This caused the master to shake violently. He was about to scream again when he looked as if he would faint. He turned and fiddled quickly with the large key to the stall. Dathan and Lucius, knowing what he needed, tugged out the wooden panels that opened their shop to the street and the master ran into the back room to vomit.
Dathan and Lucius wordlessly grabbed their work and set about supplying the empire with 500 pairs of military boots for legionaries supplied in Corinth. Nothing fancy here, Lucius claimed, just slip shod in this cobbler’s shop. The master said nothing as he staggered back and then into the street. Dathan assumed he was going next door to the wine shop to get morning help for his hangover.
As soon as he was out of sight, Dathan said, “Well, what did you think of Paul last night?”
“Don’t get excited, young man,” Lucius said. “I kept my part of the deal. You covered for me, I went to hear your favorite lunatic.”
Dathan’s hands fell to his sides. “You didn’t like Paul?”
“He delivered an earful, this short social nothing, hardly better than a slave -- in fact talking with us slaves -- pretending he knows the secrets of life and eternity.”
“He’s a Roman citizen,” Dathan said.
“A Roman citizen, so? He’s a tentmaker, hardly better than us. Such a smooth line, his being the slave of all. So pious ? just God’s tool ? as we’re just our masters’ tools.”
“Can’t you tell,” Dathan said, “he’s teaching us for our sake, not for his?”
“Sure, gives us a slice of the letter he’s writing to Rome, like that’s supposed to impress us.” He made a snorting noise. “You latch onto him because he’s a Jew and you were sold in Judea. You two have much in common. You’re both trying to make up for being so insignificant.”
Dathan, squinted and said slowly, “You sold yourself and your family into slavery to pay gambling debts. I’d think you’d want to hear what he has to say about true life.”
Lucius pointed to him with a boot in his hand, “You think this little guy brings good news, talking about sin, sin, sin everywhere? About as good news as me smashing your face with this.”
Dathan squared his body toward Lucius to defend himself if Lucius became violent. “That’s not the center of Paul’s message. He’s not saying we’re only sinful, just that we’re never good enough to be right with God.”
“He sounds as if he’s full of sin -- all through his innards and right up to the wafts of hair on his bald top,” he said as he patted his head.
“That’s not what he meant. Everyone else got his meaning. He wasn’t talking about just himself.”
“He was certainly talking about you.”
“He was describing each of us being unable to do the good we choose.” Dathan took half a step backwards, “like your being unable to stop gambling, although it ruined you.”
“You’re going to get this boot down your throat.” Lucius stepped into Dathan’s work space. “As for your bandy-legged Paul, he’d better guard his words. If he keeps jabbering about another lord fixing us, he’s going to find out why Rome’s been around 800 years. It’s not going to put up with dust like him.”
Dathan cringed. The discussion could go no further, but he said, “Rome’s power is the past. Christ is now and forever. Time will tell -- about God and each of us -- who’s right.
Lucius raised his arm to strike Dathan, but he glanced to the door and under his breath said, “Master.” They both appeared busy as the master entered.
“Right?” The master stumbled as rushed in the door. “Right? Now what are you two arguing about. Right? Who’s right about what?” He suddenly looked sicker and started again for the back room. He said over his shoulder, “If he says that Lucius is a donkey’s rear, he’s right.” The master didn’t make it to the back room in time.
PREACHING POINT: Paul describes the internal struggles of humans in order to portray our futile good intentions, our ultimate moral deficiency, and our need of a savior.
David Bales was a Presbyterian pastor for 33 years. He is a graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary. In addition to his ministry he also has taught college: World Religions, Ethics, Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek (lately at College of Idaho, Caldwell). He has been a freelance writer for Stephen Ministries. His sermons and articles have appeared in various publications. He is also author of several books. He can be reached at dobales.com.
* * *
A Little Bit of Heaven
by Keith Wagner
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Every year our family makes an annual pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina during the summer. We started the tradition almost 30 years ago. Since then, our family has grown. We now have seven grandchildren and some of my relatives come from Florida to spend the week with us. Over the years the number of "Wagners" has multiplied.
Everyone in our family looks forward to the week. We bask in the sun, walk on the beach, eat dinners out, play miniature golf and shop. For us the week is "a little bit of heaven."
It all started because my wife, Lin, saw an ad in a magazine and thought it would be a great family vacation. She was right, and the experience has grown and we have had many rich experiences. My wife always puts her family first. Like Rebecca, she is a model of servitude.
Heaven is like that. Just as Rebecca’s act of giving a drink of water to a stranger started a new relationship, my wife’s idea of a family vacation has grown over the years.
The first year we went to Myrtle Beach we all stayed in the same condo. At one point there were nine of us. I frankly can’t remember where everyone slept. But, somehow we found the room. Now, each family has their own place, since our numbers have grown. Looking back, I wonder how we managed. Perhaps since the experience is so "heavenly" no one cares.
To get to Myrtle Beach from Ohio is no simple task. It is an eleven hour drive from Springfield, Ohio. It is a long, tedious and sometimes a very warm trip, one that includes a road through the mountains of West Virginia. We pass through several large cities and sometimes there are traffic jams. Once you get to South Carolina there is only one road that goes to the beach. The traffic is usually bumper to bumper and it often moves at a snail’s pace.
Thankfully there have been many improvements to the highways to Myrtle Beach from the North and it is a much easier journey than it used to be. It is almost impossible for our large family to get together at the beach. These days our children and their families usually go on their own. In fact, in recent years my wife and I have traveled there separately. I go in the spring to play golf with a group of ministers while my wife goes in September with her very best friend.
Perhaps the reason folks might have trouble experiencing heaven is they are unwilling to change and grow. Rebecca left home, married Isaac, and together they built a great relationship.
We have learned over the years to travel light when we go to the beach or any other destination for that matter. When we pack for the trip, we then remove about half of what we have packed. I believe, the lighter the better. I believe that you can experience a little bit of heaven when you are able to let go of the excess baggage and travel light.
Traveling helps me to clear the air. I find trips to the beach refreshing and relaxing. I believe one of society’s greatest problems is the inability to relax. People’s lives are overbooked, therefore they need time away, time to retreat from their busy lives and release themselves from the anxieties of the day. Downsizing our lives gives us the opportunity to travel light and not be overwhelmed with excess burdens. Moving about, experiencing new places, new people and new ideas can help us to see more of the world God created.
My wife and I love to travel, especially abroad. We have been to Europe four times and spent time on cruises in the Caribbean. Our marriage has been enriched by expanding our horizons. And since we have moved several times we have continued to let go of both things and friends and embrace new circumstances. Rebecca left home and journeyed to a new land to be with Isaac. I believe that is what enabled them to experience a little bit of heaven in their marriage.
A little bit of heaven is waiting for all of us when we are willing to make the journey.
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A Glimpse of Hope
by Keith Wagner
Zechariah 9:9-12
It has been my experience when people seek me for counseling they are not seeking advice or wanting me to fix their problems. They are in search of a glimmer of hope, some thread of light, a bit of sunshine in their world of darkness. That does not mean I cannot comfort them with some comforting words, however, sometimes not everything will be okay. The last thing people need is someone that discounts their despair. They need to be heard and go away with a glimpse of hope.
Zechariah was attempting to give his listeners a glimmer of hope. They were troubled, afraid, lacking in resources and vision. To give them hope he focused on the times ahead, when there would be “Joy and gladness.” In spite of their plight God would continue to hold them firmly in the grasp of divine grace.
When folks are overwhelmed and desperate they have tunnel vision and clouds of misfortune and sadness hinder their ability to witness a piece of the kingdom in their midst. Just when it seems that everything is going down the tubes, God breaks through and delivers a message of consolation with his faithful prophets.
One time I had my Christmas pictures developed. I really enjoyed the snapshots of my grandchildren and other candid shots of the family. While I was cleaning out my drawers over Christmas I found a panoramic picture of the Chesapeake Bay. Every year I go sailing on the Chesapeake. It is one of my favorite places on the planet. In that moment I became aware of the contrast between a snapshot of a family event as opposed to a scene that covers thousands of square miles. The reason people are without hope is that they see their lives through snapshots and not panoramic views. There is a much bigger picture of which we are not in control. When we are able to see the big picture we are in touch with the grace of God on a much larger scale.
By referring to his listeners as “Daughters of Zion,” Zechariah was reminding them of their roots. One time a young man in the community came to me for counseling. He said his wife had left him and he didn’t know how to get her back. It seemed impossible to resolve their differences but he still felt that there was a glimmer of hope and as long as that glimmer of hope existed he would have to try. He owed it to himself to make an effort. As we talked he told me of his roots. He and his two brothers attended a neighborhood church which strongly influenced his faith. His “living hope” was directly related to the faith he had acquired early in life. Without that he said he would have given up.
His marriage could fail and unfortunately it did. But in that moment he had hope. By recalling his roots and reaffirming hope he said he felt better. “Regardless of what happens,” he said, he could endure. When we try we have hope. Without hope we are desperate. Without hope we will likely crack under the pressures of life. Abandoning our faith will only make things worse.
Most everyone in Ohio, who are football fans, remember Woody Hayes, the immortal football coach at Ohio State. Shortly before his death he was interviewed by Bob Greene. He asked Hayes if there was anything more important than winning. Woody said, “Yes. The important thing is not always to win. The important thing is always to hope.”
Dr. Harold Wolff, of Cornell University Medical School, once conducted an investigation that involved 25,000 American soldiers who were imprisoned during WWII. Under terrible conditions, inhuman treatment and forced labor many died and just about all became sick. But Dr. Wolff discovered a few who showed only slight physical problems. One characteristic stood out among them. They all had above average ability to hope.
But, to simply “hope” is not enough. There must be some form of action. The prisoners didn’t sit and do nothing. They drew pictures of the girls they intended to marry. They drew pictures of their future homes. Some even planned and organized business seminars. Dr. Wolff concluded that it was hope that kept them well and in some cases, hope that kept them alive. Like Zechariah, they had a vision of “Joy and gladness in the times to come.”
Rev. Dr. Keith Wagner is the pastor of St. John's UCC in Troy, Ohio. He has served churches in Southwest Ohio for over three decades. He is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and has an M.Div. from Methodist Theological School, Delaware, Ohio, and a D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has also been an adjunct professor at Edison Community College, Piqua, Ohio. He and his wife, Lin, live in Springfield, Ohio.
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StoryShare, July 9, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
