Second Presbyterian Church

"Fruits & Foundations:
Preaching From the Gospel of Luke"
June 6, 2004

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Sermons Homepage » Sermons for 2004 » Sermons for June 2004 » Sermons from the Series on Luke

#21 in the Series on Luke
The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.

• Psalm 18: 1-28
• Luke 6: 43-49

We are now covering the last sections of the Sermon on the Plain, as found in the 6th chapter in Luke. The next chapter in Luke has several healing stories, followed by a series of parables. Now the last two points of Jesus in this chapter have to do with who we are and how we behave. Are we thorn and bramble bushes that produce more thorns and brambles? Are fig trees or grapevines that product sweet, nutritious fruit? What exactly is our foundation? Is it laid upon rock, or is it sinking in sand? I believe the main theme is something like this: as human beings we speak; we say things. And, as human beings we obviously have attitudes and behaviors. The question arises, as I understand it, are these two aspects congruent in our lives? Do our attitudes and behaviors speak the same message as the actual words we use? And are these attitudes and behaviors consistent with the Christian faith?

Let me give you a personal example. As with many people I have struggled with arrogance. Being arrogant is not what it's trumped up to be; it is merely the defense of someone who is afraid of being inferior. Or, if you feel inferior inside you will tend to act superior in public. Over the years I have prayerfully grappled with my sense of inferiority and it's accompanied arrogance. The result has been to get in touch with the shame and humiliation that I can feel if I am wrong. For some reason to be wrong was a shameful experience for me when I grew up. Now, I know better. I can face the fact that I don't have to be right about everything and what a wonderful grace that experience is, since it is absolutely impossible to be right about everything! That need, to be right about everything is the arrogant defense of the fear of the humiliation of being wrong. You can perceive the idolatry in this defense when you realize that the only One who is right all the time is God, not me, not anyone else.

The point is this: as a minister it is impossible to have my actions congruent with my words if I cannot deal with my issues of arrogance. Jesus has helped me with this. He has assured me that I am valued and loved, regardless of how wrong I am. He has forgiven me for the times I tried to be God by trying to pretend that I am right all the time. And he continues to forgive me when I slip into that old defense once in a while.

My fruit is more consistent with a heart that seeks to love God and love neighbor. My behavior is more consistent with the command to Love and love neighbor. It is not perfectly consistent, nor will it ever be, until the Lord returns and fully redeems His creation.

What about you, how is your journey coming? Are your words in agreement with the messages of your behaviors? If you are like me, each one of you has not yet fully arrived. If you are like me, each one of you can benefit from continuing to pray for God's help to have the courage to live a life that is consistent, in agreement with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Part of the beauty of the church, the gathering of Christians, is that we can be supportive of one another's struggles to live the Christian life. We can help one another when someone slips up and goofs. We can help one another when we are vulnerable and need nurture, rather than judgmental condemnation.

The second image is similar. This image is one that makes a lot of sense if you are in the building business. I don't know much about that business, but I do know that no matter how wonderful a house is, it is not much good if its foundation is not solid.

About 8 years ago Marcia, Christine and I went to Germany to visit some friends. While there we visited the castle/fortress named Burg Eltz. It was built sometime in the 10 hundreds (11th century). It was built on the flood plain of the Mosel River in the Eifel Region of Germany. When observing Burg Eltz I felt the strongest impression of strength and permanence that it exuded. It was stone upon a foundation of stone. It was built upon a huge boulder. Even after over 900 years of existence it stood, tall and strong. It seemed to say, "Just try and knock me down!" The words of Martin Luther's famous hymn came to mind, "Ein Feste' Burg is unser Gott," "A Mighty Fortress is our God." Stone castles or fortresses were common in Luther's day. So it was only natural that he would use an image of his time to communicate a divine theme, or message. For our God is a mighty fortress.

But the image Jesus used is more universal, especially for east coast residents who are familiar with the force and onslaught of hurricanes. How many times have we seen pictures of homes on the beach being destroyed by the tidal surge of a hurricane? It is an awesome, though not pleasant, sight. There is no question that the force of the water will prevail.

The image is powerful and it is true. As believers we are going to be exposed to spiritual storms and floods. How is our foundation? Is it built upon sand or stone? Are we persons who say, "Lord, Lord," then go and do as we please? Or are we people who not only say, "Lord, Lord," but also go about and obey and do what Jesus has commanded us?

To put our faith into practice is only possible with the surrender of our lives and wills to God and to depend upon Him for the strength to be faithful. This is the only way we can be faithful. This is the only way we can be truly obedient to Christ. This is the only way that our lives shall be consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the only way that we can withstand the onslaught of storms that shall come our way.

Yet, when we do this, not only as individuals, but also as a congregation, we are allowing ourselves to become pliable to the will of God. We will be able to discern God's will for our congregation. We will be able to accept the bountiful resources that God wills for our mission, not to just exist, but to minister to our community and the world. God shall provide whatever it shall take for us to go out and present and become the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community and our neighbor. God will not provide for us to just exist and preserve ourselves. The Lord doesn't want a museum, He desires and wills for us to become a vibrant, Spirit filled presence that demonstrates God's presence to those to whom we reach out and minister.

Again, this is something that is impossible for us to do, unless we are willing to rely upon God's strength, and not ours. We must trust Christ for our resources, for with Christ all things are possible. Amen.

The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.