"Rachael Rayisms"
A sermon preached by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp at Edgemont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) based on James 5:13-16.
As many of you know I am a huge fan of the Food Network Channel. And I always find it interesting that when you meet someone who is a fan of the Food Network they are quick to tell you which shows and chiefs are their favorites and which aren’t. And, of course, it never fails, when someone learns that I am a fan of the Food Network they will inevitably ask me the question, “Do you like Rachael Ray?”
And certainly it is a good question. I mean, after all, where would the Food Network be without Rachael Ray? It seems that she has become the “poster child” for the Food Network Channel. She has a huge fan-base, a faithful and loyal following. Not only has she made a successful career on the Food Network, but also on ABC with her popular Day-Time Talk Show – The Rachael Ray Show. In fact, she has received several Daytime Emmy Awards.
But undoubtedly, she is best known for her "Rayisms," which are abbreviated phrases or sayings that she has come up with and uses ALL THE TIME!!! These "Rayisms" are loved by some and detested by others. I have to admit they tend to be a little corny sometimes, and they have a tendency to get on my nerves. But such phrases include: “Delish” for delicious, or “sammies” for sandwiches, or “YUM-O” for yummy, or, “mmmm” for mmmm, I had to throw that one in there, and, of course, my personal favorite: “E.V.O.O.” which stands for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Now, moving on from Rachael Ray, I must say I am a fan of olive oil, as well. In fact, I use it in all of my cooking. Not only does it add a wonderful flavor and is “delish,” but it is also healthy and beneficial to you. Olive oil has been around for nearly 6,000 years. In fact, the olive tree originated in Asia Minor and spread from there as far as southern Africa, Australia, Japan and China. Olive oil is used throughout the world. In biblical times, Palestine was a major producer of olive oil. In fact, there are many references in the bible to olive trees and olive oil and olive presses.
And certainly, olive oil is used for a host of things, such as: cooking and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and soaps; it was used as fuel for traditional oil lamps and, as modern science has discovered, the olive tree and olive oil actually slow down the effects of aging. And, of course, who could forget, oil is used in Greco-Roman wrestling.
I remember when I was young, every summer we would join a pool in our neighborhood and we would spend a lot of time in the summer swimming. And every year, on the Fourth of July, they had what was known as a greased watermelon contest, in which oil was rubbed all over a watermelon, and it was then thrown into the middle of the pool. And there were two teams on opposite sides of the pool and we had to swim to the middle and try to carry the watermelon back to our side. It was difficult to do, but it was fun.
Several months ago, my friend Shannon, who is here this morning, brought his children, Reese and Dylan over to play with Miriam and Elijah. Shannon brought with him a slip-and-slide. And, I had the bright idea to cover the slide with oil to enhance the slipping and sliding. I had so much oil on it that you couldn’t stand up on it without falling.
But in our Scripture Lesson this morning, we see that olive oil is also used in the work and ministry of the church! Without a doubt, the bible is full of symbolism and, sometimes, we miss those symbolisms and, as a result, miss out on an important truth. For instance, the olive plant is often seen as a symbol of salvation and of God’s covenant relationship. The olive plant is, without a doubt, a strong and durable plant. In fact, you may recall that just before Noah came out of the ark he set a dove free to see if there was any dry land, and the dove returned with an olive branch. Today, the olive branch symbolizes peace. But in the bible not only did it symbolize peace; but it also symbolized God’s salvation and God’s covenantal relationship. I think it is interesting to note too, that the olive branch can grow in places where no other plant can grow. It is a very durable plant. So true is God’s covenant and promises.
Throughout the Old Testament we see oil being used for holy purposes. For instance, when a prophet or priest, king or leader was called and installed, he was anointed with oil to consecrate and sanctify him unto God. And in the same way, the oil of God’s Spirit consecrates and sanctifies us – sets us apart as the chosen people of God!
Oil was used to keep the lamps burning in the Holy Place, and it was vital that they should never run dry. And in the same way, without the oil of God’s Presence and Spirit in our lives and in our churches we become spiritually dark and dry!
In biblical times, oil was used for medicinal purposes. It was believed that oil healed and cured diseases. Sadly, some Christian communities and believers use this passage to deter the use of modern medicine and treatments, but that is clearly not what James is advocating. If anything, he is encouraging the use of medicine – for oil was used for medicinal purposes in biblical times, and he would have known this. You see, friends, we must not fail to see that God works through modern medicine, doctors and science to bring about healing in our lives and in our world. We must not fail to see these methods and practices also as God’s miracle of healing.
One of the greatest ministries of the church is holy unction – or, anointing with oil. We use oil for baby dedications; for installing leaders in the church such as Elders, Deacons and Pastors. We use oil to anoint the sick and dying. We visibly and outwardly anoint with oil as a sign or symbol of the inward anointing that comes from God’s Spirit.
Now friends, keep in mind, James is not saying that we must have oil in order to experience the presence and power of God. Rather, oil is a visible and outward symbol of God’s presence. It is a reminder that God’s Spirit is with us and that just as oil enlightens and lubricates, so God’s Spirit illuminates and eliminates the friction in our lives. The oil is a reminder, that our lives – every aspect of our lives, from our prayer life, to reconciliation or confession, to healing both spiritual and physical, to our daily routines should be anointed by the Spirit of God.
As we have been talking in my church school class from our study on the book The Shack, we live in a hurting, broken and fragmented world: from broken homes, to shattered relationships, to damaged emotions. And as the people of God we long to help, we long to offer a healing touch. And, as the Church, we have that touch! James reminds us that we have that touch – it is God’s touch, and that God touches the world, that God touches the wounded and the hurting, the broken and the fragmented through us! Healing and wholeness comes only from God’s Spirit at work in us and through us. Healing and wholeness comes when we are released from those things that bind us and hold us captive by asking and experiencing and extending forgiveness. Healing and wholeness comes through prayer – by praying for the needs of others, by praying for the needs of our world, by praying for ourselves. Healing and wholeness comes through the ministry of reconciliation. And we are called to be ministers of this healing and wholeness. Indeed, oil or, better yet, God’s Spirit is a condiment for every believer’s life and work, and we have this condiment – we have this gift! And so, I pray that we will seek to share this spiritual condiment with the world – that through us, healing and wholeness may be experienced! And the people of God said, “Amen!”
And certainly it is a good question. I mean, after all, where would the Food Network be without Rachael Ray? It seems that she has become the “poster child” for the Food Network Channel. She has a huge fan-base, a faithful and loyal following. Not only has she made a successful career on the Food Network, but also on ABC with her popular Day-Time Talk Show – The Rachael Ray Show. In fact, she has received several Daytime Emmy Awards.
But undoubtedly, she is best known for her "Rayisms," which are abbreviated phrases or sayings that she has come up with and uses ALL THE TIME!!! These "Rayisms" are loved by some and detested by others. I have to admit they tend to be a little corny sometimes, and they have a tendency to get on my nerves. But such phrases include: “Delish” for delicious, or “sammies” for sandwiches, or “YUM-O” for yummy, or, “mmmm” for mmmm, I had to throw that one in there, and, of course, my personal favorite: “E.V.O.O.” which stands for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Now, moving on from Rachael Ray, I must say I am a fan of olive oil, as well. In fact, I use it in all of my cooking. Not only does it add a wonderful flavor and is “delish,” but it is also healthy and beneficial to you. Olive oil has been around for nearly 6,000 years. In fact, the olive tree originated in Asia Minor and spread from there as far as southern Africa, Australia, Japan and China. Olive oil is used throughout the world. In biblical times, Palestine was a major producer of olive oil. In fact, there are many references in the bible to olive trees and olive oil and olive presses.
And certainly, olive oil is used for a host of things, such as: cooking and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and soaps; it was used as fuel for traditional oil lamps and, as modern science has discovered, the olive tree and olive oil actually slow down the effects of aging. And, of course, who could forget, oil is used in Greco-Roman wrestling.
I remember when I was young, every summer we would join a pool in our neighborhood and we would spend a lot of time in the summer swimming. And every year, on the Fourth of July, they had what was known as a greased watermelon contest, in which oil was rubbed all over a watermelon, and it was then thrown into the middle of the pool. And there were two teams on opposite sides of the pool and we had to swim to the middle and try to carry the watermelon back to our side. It was difficult to do, but it was fun.
Several months ago, my friend Shannon, who is here this morning, brought his children, Reese and Dylan over to play with Miriam and Elijah. Shannon brought with him a slip-and-slide. And, I had the bright idea to cover the slide with oil to enhance the slipping and sliding. I had so much oil on it that you couldn’t stand up on it without falling.
But in our Scripture Lesson this morning, we see that olive oil is also used in the work and ministry of the church! Without a doubt, the bible is full of symbolism and, sometimes, we miss those symbolisms and, as a result, miss out on an important truth. For instance, the olive plant is often seen as a symbol of salvation and of God’s covenant relationship. The olive plant is, without a doubt, a strong and durable plant. In fact, you may recall that just before Noah came out of the ark he set a dove free to see if there was any dry land, and the dove returned with an olive branch. Today, the olive branch symbolizes peace. But in the bible not only did it symbolize peace; but it also symbolized God’s salvation and God’s covenantal relationship. I think it is interesting to note too, that the olive branch can grow in places where no other plant can grow. It is a very durable plant. So true is God’s covenant and promises.
Throughout the Old Testament we see oil being used for holy purposes. For instance, when a prophet or priest, king or leader was called and installed, he was anointed with oil to consecrate and sanctify him unto God. And in the same way, the oil of God’s Spirit consecrates and sanctifies us – sets us apart as the chosen people of God!
Oil was used to keep the lamps burning in the Holy Place, and it was vital that they should never run dry. And in the same way, without the oil of God’s Presence and Spirit in our lives and in our churches we become spiritually dark and dry!
In biblical times, oil was used for medicinal purposes. It was believed that oil healed and cured diseases. Sadly, some Christian communities and believers use this passage to deter the use of modern medicine and treatments, but that is clearly not what James is advocating. If anything, he is encouraging the use of medicine – for oil was used for medicinal purposes in biblical times, and he would have known this. You see, friends, we must not fail to see that God works through modern medicine, doctors and science to bring about healing in our lives and in our world. We must not fail to see these methods and practices also as God’s miracle of healing.
One of the greatest ministries of the church is holy unction – or, anointing with oil. We use oil for baby dedications; for installing leaders in the church such as Elders, Deacons and Pastors. We use oil to anoint the sick and dying. We visibly and outwardly anoint with oil as a sign or symbol of the inward anointing that comes from God’s Spirit.
Now friends, keep in mind, James is not saying that we must have oil in order to experience the presence and power of God. Rather, oil is a visible and outward symbol of God’s presence. It is a reminder that God’s Spirit is with us and that just as oil enlightens and lubricates, so God’s Spirit illuminates and eliminates the friction in our lives. The oil is a reminder, that our lives – every aspect of our lives, from our prayer life, to reconciliation or confession, to healing both spiritual and physical, to our daily routines should be anointed by the Spirit of God.
As we have been talking in my church school class from our study on the book The Shack, we live in a hurting, broken and fragmented world: from broken homes, to shattered relationships, to damaged emotions. And as the people of God we long to help, we long to offer a healing touch. And, as the Church, we have that touch! James reminds us that we have that touch – it is God’s touch, and that God touches the world, that God touches the wounded and the hurting, the broken and the fragmented through us! Healing and wholeness comes only from God’s Spirit at work in us and through us. Healing and wholeness comes when we are released from those things that bind us and hold us captive by asking and experiencing and extending forgiveness. Healing and wholeness comes through prayer – by praying for the needs of others, by praying for the needs of our world, by praying for ourselves. Healing and wholeness comes through the ministry of reconciliation. And we are called to be ministers of this healing and wholeness. Indeed, oil or, better yet, God’s Spirit is a condiment for every believer’s life and work, and we have this condiment – we have this gift! And so, I pray that we will seek to share this spiritual condiment with the world – that through us, healing and wholeness may be experienced! And the people of God said, “Amen!”
posted by Pastor Christopher @ 11:47 AM
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