JEREMIAH 15:15-21
PSALM 26:1-8
ROMANS 12:1-8
MATTHEW 16:21-27
8:30a.m. Service
Sermon – August 28,
2005
Romans 12 is wonderfully significant and cannot possibly be explored fully in one or two sermons any more than Yellowstone National Park can be fully appreciated in a couple of afternoons. We can, however, “catch some of the mist from Old Faithful”, so to speak, this morning, and like the magnificent geyser, this chapter (and the whole of Romans) dependably rewards those who take time to be in its presence.
The first
verse is the hinge of the Letter to the Romans, moving from “dogmatic theology”
to practical theology, or ethics, although in Paul one always implies the
other. One cannot be a true Christian
only on some abstract, intellectual level: our faith, to be real and genuine,
must be reflected in our lives. By the
same token, the kind of dedication, strength and self-sacrifice which growing
as a Christian requires make little sense unless based on an understanding and
acceptance of basic Christian theology.
So, Paul appeals to Roman Christians “by the mercies of God” to
therefore ”present your bodies as a living sacrifice.”
“The mercies
of God” are the mercies which God has already shown to us: his amazing grace to
offer us forgiveness and new life when we were living in broken relationship
with God, with our fellow human beings, with all of Creation and even with our
true individual selves. God did not
merely convict us of pride, rebellion and sinfulness and sentence us: God in
Christ took upon himself the sin of the world that we might have a second
chance, free from sin’s crushing weight.
Therefore, because of God’s amazing
grace, loving us because we needed it and not because we deserved it, we should
respond to God with our whole selves
“which is your spiritual worship”, says Paul.
With our
whole selves – that is the meaning of “to present your bodies as a living
sacrifice.” Paul denies some ancient
Greek pagan thinking that “worship” was simply an intellectual, abstract
exercise with no connection to ethics or any behavior. Paul also is clear that just going through
the motions of ritual worship – as some ancient Israelites had done, as
criticized by the prophets – was also not acceptable.
No: for
Christians, intellectual devotion to God, communal worship and generous giving and
ethical behavior by individuals and the Christian community were indivisible. All are necessary to be “holy and
acceptable to God.”
And as we do
this – or attempt to – we are not to get “stuck up” – “not to think of yourself
more highly than you ought to think,” as Paul puts it. At the same time, we should not wallow in
self-abasement, because everyone has been given gifts by God,
gifts which we use in our total worship of God – on Sundays and everyday of the
week.
Paul gives a
sampling of these gifts – which were and are not limited to members of
the clergy! Prophecy: speaking God’s
word to a current situation in the world today or someone’s life today. Ministry, here meaning practical service to
others, represented by but not limited to deacons. Teaching – and not just the paid professionals. Exhorting or encouraging anyone can, like Barnabas,
catch someone doing something right and encourage them! Giving: generosity of time, talent and money
makes so much happen within and by means of the Christian community. Diligent leading – the best kind. Being compassionate: more valuable than gold.
All of
us have within us at least one of those gifts – perhaps several – which
we already are using or could use to the glory of God and to the well being of
all people. So faith is, so to speak,
an “individual” activity; our faith is revealed in what we think, what we feel,
what we do, and how we treat others 24/7, not just for one hour a week.
But faith is
also a “team” activity: as Paul reminds us, “We, who are many, are one body in
Christ, and individually we are members one of another.” No one has all the spiritual
gifts, but within a community there may be a number, which can be brought
together and multiply each others’ strength in service to God and all human
beings.
So this week,
think of the mercy God has shown to you. Think of your God-given gifts, including perhaps some you haven’t
thought of before. Give thanks to God
for the ways you already use your God-given gifts in service to others and ask
God to show you new ways – or new circumstances or situations – in which you
can shine!
Not all of us
are called to make prayer our lives, but all of us are called to make our lives
into prayers, by worshiping God all through the week with all that we have, all
that we do, and all that we are. Amen!
(The Rev.) Francis A. Hubbard