"The God in You!"

A sermon preached by Rev. Christopher E. Yopp and based on Acts 17: 22-31 and John 14:15-21.

I read an interesting story behind the great blues master, Jimmy Reed. In listening carefully to his recordings, occasionally you can hear in the background the faint voice of a woman citing in advance the lyrics to the song.
It is said that Jimmy Reed was so absorbed in the bluesy beat and the throbbing guitar riffs of his music that he simply could not remember the words to his own songs. He needed help with the lyrics, and the woman’s voice was his wife, helping him through the recording session by whispering the upcoming stanzas into his ear as he sang.
Now, whether or not this story is true, certainly, as Christians we can see how it beautifully relates to our Gospel Lesson this morning.
Jesus tells his followers that the role of the Holy Spirit is, in effect, to whisper the lyrics of the gospel song in the ears of the faithful. Someone once said that the primary task of the Holy Spirit is reminding the faithful of the truth, jogging the memories of the followers of Christ that they might become Christ-like.
You may recall in our Gospel Lesson last Sunday, Phillip said to Jesus; "Show us the Father." And Jesus said; "He who has seen me has seen the Father." Without a doubt, in Christ we see God. It is in the person of Jesus Christ - the Word made flesh, that God is reveal to us more fully. And certainly, it is in reflecting Christ that you and I reveal God to others.
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad, who is a professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City makes an interesting connection to the last scene of the musical, Camelot and our Gospel Lesson this morning. She writes; "In the last scene of the musical Camelot, King Arthur spins out a song filled with memories of what had been the most idyllic place on earth. Alone on stage, the broken, forgiving king begs us to remember: ‘Ask ev'ry person if they've heard the story, And tell it strong and clear if they have not, That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory Called Camelot? Don't let it be forgotten that once there was a spot For one brief, shining moment That was known as Camelot.’
Keep the story going begs King Arthur. Pass it on to your children and your children’s children; and in the very remembering, you will keep the dream alive. In the midst of the despair around you, recall this time, this special place. And perhaps, who knows, perhaps, this one brief, shining moment will come again.’"
We’re tempted to hear Jesus singing King Arthur’s song as he gathers with his disciples in the upper room. But, you know, friends, Jesus did not sing that song. Jesus didn't call the disciples to hold up his life as a fleeting memory but as a living presence. Jesus says; "I will not leave you orphaned, I am coming to you."
Our Gospel Lesson is a continuation to last week’s Gospel Reading, which is part of Jesus’ "Final" or "Last Discourse." In that dialogue, Jesus is preparing his disciples for the time
when he will no longer be with them in the flesh. We can imagine their sense of broken-heartedness. But Jesus assures them that even though their relationship is changing, it is not ending. Even though he will no longer be with them in the flesh, physically; they will remain connected to him, spiritually. For he is sending the Holy Spirit - the Parakletos - "the one who walks alongside of," a Comforter."
C. Williams Nichols tells the story of a young Chinese Christian student named Lo, who ran home overwhelmed and excited from a Bible study one evening. He declared to his mother, as he came through the front door, that he just learned that his name was in the Bible. When she expressed her doubt, he proudly opened his Bible to the text in which Jesus affirms; "Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Indeed, Lo was right: his name was there, and so is yours and mine. Jesus says to each of us; "I am with you always."
Rosemary Radford Reuther, a church historian, said that there are two things the church must do: first, the church must pass on the tradition from one generation to another. As in King Arthur’s song; "Ask ev’ry person if they've heard the story, and tell it loud and clear if they have not." Tell the story of Jesus to your children and your children’s children. And secondly, the church must be open to the winds, the breath of the Spirit by which the tradition comes alive in each generation. That is where our story is much different than Camelot. The church doesn’t just celebrate the memory of Christ, we celebrate the presence of Christ in the person and power of the Holy Spirit.
And it is the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in us that allows us to do the first - to become a witness to others. You see, just as Jesus was a reflection of God, so we must become a reflection of Jesus to others.
Certainly, this is what Paul did in our First Reading. Here, we find Paul in Athens. Certainly, as Paul walked through the city of Athens he couldn’t help but be impressed and, perhaps, somewhat intimidated by the majestic power of this world center of learning and culture. The Acropolis, with its pagan temples, towered over the city and witnessed to the religious influence and tradition that held this city in its grips. Surely, Paul must have felt threatened.
Nevertheless, Paul went to the marketplace of the city and began to share the gospel with the common people who customarily came there to buy and sell. But we are told that some philosophers heard of Paul’s teaching and invited him to come to the Areopagus to argue his case before the highly educated and philosophical men of the city.
The Areopagus was just southwest of the Arcopolis in Athens and was a hill called the Hill of Ares or in Latin, Mar’s Hill, after the god of war. This was where court was held concerning questions of religion or morals.
Paul, standing before them, said; "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship..." And then Paul used a wonderful opportunity given to him to share his faith. He said; "I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’"
Tradition has it, that in the 6th century B.C. a poet from the island of Crete named Epimenides turned aside a horrible plague from the people of Athens by appealing to a god of whom the people had never heard. An altar was built to honor this god, whom the Athenians now called the "Unknown God." Thus Paul began his presentation of the gospel by appealing to the natural revelation and to certain philosophies from the Athenian poets. Then Paul proceeded to tell them about Jesus Christ and the gospel.
Now some scholars argue as to whether or not Paul’s missionary trip to Athens was successful. But nevertheless, it must be conceded that Paul did not leave Athens entirely without converts. But the lesson becomes clear, and this is where the Holy Spirit comes in: we must be ourselves, speaking a language we know, and relating what we have found to be true in our own experience. For it is such a witness that encourages others to listen.
Paul reminds us, as Jesus did, that we are God’s offspring – that we are not orphaned, but we belong to God in and through Christ.
I want to close with one of my favorite stories, that I know I have shared with you before, that is told of a little boy who was staring at a big picture of Jesus on the wall in his Sunday school class. Finally, he turned to his teacher and said to her: "You know, teacher, it seems that if Jesus lives inside of us, he’s going to stick out somewhere." How true that is! Is Jesus "sticking out" in you? Do others know of your faith, and love and good works for Christ? Do others see Jesus in you?

"Recognizing Who and Whose We Are"

A sermon preached by Rev. Christopher E. Yopp from John 14:1-14 and I Peter 2:2-10.

Eric Clapton, which some argue is the greatest living rock guitarist, wrote a touching song about the death of his 4 year old son who fell from a 53rd story window. Following the death of his son, Clapton took nine months off and when he returned his music had changed. Many authors, poets and musician will tell you that out of tragedy their best work produced. The hardship had made his music softer, more powerful, and more reflective. Perhaps you have heard the song he wrote about his son's death. It is a song of hope:

"Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on,
‘Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven.
Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day,
‘Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven.
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please.
Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven."

When you think of the word "home" what comes to mind? Maybe you think of a building, made with wood and plaster or, perhaps, brick and mortar. Maybe you think of home as a shelter from the storm, a place of refuge and safety – a sanctuary, if you will. Maybe when you hear the word "home," you think more of the hopes and dreams of the people who inhabit a home – a place where people build and share a life together - their hopes and hurts, their joys and sorrows. Maybe when you hear the word "home" you think of a place of comfort and rest, peace and security. Certainly, the word "home" conjures a lot of different ideas and images.
Some say home is where the heart is. Others say home is where you hang your hat. Robert Frost, one of my favorite poets, once wrote, "Home is the place, where when you have to go there, they have to take you in."
Somehow, someway, home has a special place in the human heart. It seems as though we are all longing for a place to call home. Many of you probably know the traditional folk song, entitled; "I Want to Go Home" or perhaps you are more familiar with the version by Van Morrison. At any rate, the lyrics read:

"I want to go home.
I feel so broke up, Lord,
That I want to go home."

These lyrics also express the deepest longings of the human heart and they, in many ways, resemble one of my favorite sayings of St. Augustine; "You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you."
A pastor once asked his congregation on Sunday morning; "How many of you all want to go to heaven?" All but one elderly lady in the back of the church raised their hands. After the service the pastor approached the elderly lady and asked why she didn’t raise her hand. He said; "Don’t you want to go to heaven?" She said, "Well, it all depends on just how soon were you aiming to make this trip?"
In our Gospel Lesson this morning, Jesus speaks of "home". In fact, he says; "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may also be." What words of comfort and assurance – words of peace and security! No wonder these words often find their place in Funeral and Memorial services.
These words come from a section of John’s gospel known as the "Final Discourse". In it, Jesus is preparing his disciples for the time when he will no longer be with them in the flesh. We can imagine their sense of broken-heartedness. But Jesus assures them that even though their relationship is changing, it is not ending. Even though he will no longer be with them in the flesh, they will remain connected. Jesus is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house where they will remain united to him forever. They will become one, in the truest sense imaginable, with him.
I came across a cartoon strip sometime back in a Christian magazine, that featured a long line of persons standing at the pearly gates, St. Peter was welcoming each person standing in line. As each person comes up to Peter, they are asked the denomination that they belonged to on earth. "Catholic," says the first. "Baptist," says the second. The next two say, "Methodist" and so on. Each person was then pointed toward a door with the name of their denomination inscribed above and walked through that door. But the way the cartoonist drew the picture, you could see not only what was on this side but you could also see what's on the other side of the doors. In fact, all the doors were a part of the same facade; they all opened to one and the same place - heaven.
I’ve reminded you before of the wonderful Hebrew picture that Jesus was painting for his disciples of the insula here. Keep in mind, it was customary that after the marriage arrangement was made between the parents of the bride and groom, for the bridegroom to build on to his father’s house, and once the construction was complete he would go for his bride and take her back to the place he had prepared for her. But the concept of the insula was a home with many rooms built onto it. As the family expanded and the sons would marry, they would build onto their father’s insula. And this is the picture Jesus paints for us - it is a beautiful picture of unity - "In my Father’s house are many rooms" - a big insula, and "I [the Bridegroom] go and prepare a place for you [my bride], and I come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also."
Our true home, as Jesus reminds us, is with God - our Father and Mother, the Creator, our Redeemer and our Sustainer of us all. And, John reminds us, that it is Jesus who comes from their very bosom of God who has prepared this place for us in God’s home, in God's heart. You see, our true home, ultimately, is not a place, but a relationship - a relationship with God through Christ.
Now while the disciples are still trying to absorb all of this, Jesus tells them; "And you know the way and to the place where I am going." And Thomas voices the question everyone is silently asking; "Lord, we don't know where you are going, and how can we know the way?" And Jesus responds, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..."
Now, without a doubt, these words are both astounding, not to mention, troubling for some. They are astounding because Jesus used the sacred and forbidden-to-be-spoken name of God for himself. Here Jesus utters the words; "I AM". Keep in mind, this was how God had revealed God’s self to Moses through the burning bush as "I AM..." And here, Jesus affixes these words to himself. This is one of the many "I AM" statements of Jesus’ recorded in the Gospel of John. And, no doubt, those who heard him make this affirmation would have automatically thought of the theophany - that revelation of God’s-self to Moses in the Burning Bush. The religious leaders would have considered this to be blasphemy. This was the holy and sacred name of God, a name that was so holy that it wasn’t pronounced, and Jesus said; "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." If you know me, you will know the Father... whoever has seen me has seen the Father."
As Disciples we often think of Jesus first as human, and then find in this individual the most complete, the most serene, the most thoroughly moral personality the world has ever known. His life was a life "full of grace and truth." It is supremely the place in which we see God, not simply in the organization of the cosmos or in the moral order but in the mercy, the love, the compassion, the honesty, the will of this one who is Word made flesh and reveals to us God.
The Maronite Church has an interesting view of God that I think most share. Their church affirms "God is mystery. Since there is a great distance between Creator and creation, no person can fully grasp God. All language about God is limited. The process leads to mystical union - the more one loves God, the more one encounters God. This God of mystery is revealed through Creation, through Humanity, through Scripture and through the person and Spirit of Christ."
A few years ago Calvin & Hobbes were my favorite cartoon characters - Calvin, the hyper-active little boy with a wild & vivid imagination, & his companion, Hobbes, a tiger. Well, in one cartoon Calvin and Hobbes were lying in the shade of a tree on a summer afternoon discussing the important things of life. Calvin says, "What if there is no heaven? What if this is all we get?" Hobbes answers, "Well, if this is all we get I guess we’ll just have to accept it." Calvin replies, "Yeah, but if I’m not going to be rewarded for my good deeds, I want to know it now."Jesus shifts his focus by reminding his disciples and us of our responsibility, he says; "Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and greater than these, because I go to the Father." These works are fueled by the one whom Jesus promises in verses 25 through 31, the Holy Spirit. You see, as Jesus reminded his disciples in those verses he wasn’t about to leave his disciples nor us ,as orphans. This relationship wasn’t ending, it was changing. And even though the fullness of this relationship is yet to come, Jesus reminds us that we can know the reality of this relationship now. We experience a foretaste of this eternal "home" now through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit - the Comforter - the parakletos - the one who walks alongside of us.
Both John and Peter offer a lofty vision and challenge for the church today. Peter tells his readers that they are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people of his own," who will proclaim the praise of God.
Perhaps, some of you are familiar with Canaan Valley, West Virginia. It is a high mountain valley. It is, in fact, the largest and highest mountain valley east of the Rockies. This valley offers a beautiful display of rock and stones that have been chiseled and chipped by decades of wind erosion, these granite goliaths are more like sculptures than stones.
Ask any geologist would tell you, stones speak. They tells us so much about the environment, about history and about creation. What do stones tell us? Stones are hard and unyielding, yet they are also strong and enduring. They can hold up the walls of our civilizations, or they can crash and crush the very shelters we have created. We give precious stones as tokens of our love and fidelity. We hurl stones in anger and hatred.
The Hebrew people understood the witness that stones have. We read that when something great happened within their community they would erect "living stones" as a way of memorializing an event or a place.
Jesus’ very trade growing up was a tekton. Now traditionally some translate this as a "carpenter" - one who works with wood, but tekton literally means a "craftsman" of any kind. And given the environment in which Jesus lived, most scholars agree that Jesus probably worked with stone, more so then wood. And what a beautiful thought! It adds new meaning to our reading from the first epistle of Peter. This one who worked with stone - Jesus, has chiseled and chipped the Church, you and me, into a living stone, that we might, as living stones were for the Hebrews, become a witness to God’s greatness and love.
Jesus says in John’s gospel; "I am the way, the truth and the life." You know, friends, when we follow the "way" of Christ, when we live the truth of his life, then we will truly experience and share in the life of Christ.
In our Lectionary Readings Jesus reminds us first of whose we are. We belong to God, a God who desires to have a relationship with us - a God who desires to establish a home with us. You see, we can never know who we are, unless we first know whose we are. And once we realize whose we are, then we are reminded of who we are - living stones! "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." Therefore, may our lives reflect both whose and who we are! Amen.