Sermon on Hebrews 11.29-12.2

Pastor Jennifer Garcia

Do you ever get those back-to-school nerves?

That fluttery feeling in your stomach, maybe your heart beating faster, maybe feeling a little sweaty, or maybe your shoulders creeping up toward your ears a little bit?

Or if you have a job, maybe you get a case of the “Sunday scaries,” where you’re feeling the pressure of the workweek inching its way into the end of your weekend or the end of a vacation?

All the new-ness of the first day of school can seem overwhelming and scary. Or exciting. Or a mixture of all of those feelings.

And because everything is so new, even if you’ve gone to school before, it can feel like you’re alone. You’re not there with your family, you’re in a new place with new people. You’re not sure what the rules are yet or if you’ll like your teacher.

That can be really scary.

In our Bible reading today, we heard the writer of the letter to the Hebrews talking to a group of early Jesus followers who were also scared.

They had a lot of difficulties in their lives. People didn’t understand Jesus followers, so they picked on them and made life difficult and even dangerous for them.

These early Jesus followers were feeling alone and were getting frightened. It seemed too hard to follow Jesus, so they were giving up.

So, the writer of this letter was reminding them that they weren’t alone.

They weren’t the only ones who had hard things happen to them.

And they weren’t the only ones who had experienced God.

The writer reminds them of their ancestors in faith, stretching all the way back to Abraham and Moses.

These were people who had to wait a long time for God’s promises to come true, people who did hard and scary things, because God asked them to.

But they were never alone. God was with them.

God parted the Red Sea so that God’s people could get away from the Egyptian army safely.

When the Israelites came to the Promised Land and found the city of Jericho, they were scared, because its walls were strong. They weren’t sure God’s promise would come true. But God caused the walls of Jericho to crumble, because God keeps God’s promises.

God used Rahab, an unlikely hero, to hide and protect the Israelite spies who were scouting out the Promised Land. And Rahab became a direct ancestor of Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews reminds the audience that they are in a long line of people who faced hard and scary circumstances but who were faithful. And God was faithful to them. They were not alone.

And neither were these early Jesus followers that the letter was written to. They had generations and generations of people of God cheering them on.

And so do we.

Children of God, we too are part of that long line of faithful people who faced hard and scary circumstances.

Whether we’re facing

1.    the start of a new school year,

2.    bullying—in person or online, at school or at work

3.    difficult conversations amid polarized viewpoints and scapegoating,

4.    the soul-sucking realities in our world today of climate change, white supremacy, or othering of any kind,

we can feel alone and hopeless.

But our reading today reminds us that we are not alone in trying to be faithful when things are hard.

Our ancestors in faith trusted that God would keep God’s promises.

And they kept following God, even when things got hard.

Now, you don’t have to get very far in the Bible to see that our ancestors in faith weren’t perfect in their faith. Far from it.

Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands instead of waiting for God’s promises to come true.

Moses didn’t want to do what God asked.

When God asked Jonah to go to Ninevah, Jonah ran in the other direction and ended up in the belly of a whale.

David, the man after God’s own heart, did some pretty messed up things.

So much of the Bible records the very human pattern of alternating between swearing up and down that we will trust God forever and getting nervous and taking matters into our own hands.

We are in a long line of people who try to trust God and fail miserably. We are all saints and sinners at the same time.

That’s where Jesus comes in. He is the “pioneer and perfector of faith.” That means he goes first—we have him as an example. And also, when we inevitably waver in our faith, he completes our faith for us.

The Holy Spirit works in us to create faith, to allow us to keep trusting in God even when things get hard.

Faith isn’t something we do on our own.

Faith is something we do together with God and with each other.

So,

We have God instilling and perfecting our faith,

We have a huge crowd of ancestors cheering us on,

And we have each other.

Which gets us back to the start of school.

Whether you’re getting ready to start school again or facing another workweek or whatever challenges you’re facing, you’re not alone.

You’ve got God, your ancestors, and everyone here cheering you on.

We want to do something special today for our young folks who are going back to school so that they will remember how much everyone here loves them.

I want to invite all the kids who are here up to the front, and please bring your backpacks if you have them today.

As we start a new year at school, I want to give you this special backpack tag so that whenever you look at it you can remember God loves you and is always with you, no matter what.

___________, this school year, may you be curious and kind, gentle and strong, brave and loving.

Grown-ups, if you have brought a laptop case or something you use for your vocational life, I invite you to hold it up, or just hold it in your hands, and receive this blessing:

In everything you do, may you be curious and kind, gentle and strong, brave and loving.

We have also collected school supplies to send to local classrooms so that everyone can have what they need to learn. Thank you for your generosity and for recognizing that we are cheering each other on, not just here in this space, but cheering for our neighbors too.

Let us pray:

God, our friend who is always with us, be with us through it all.

Be with us as we ride the bus.

Be with us as we walk.

Be with us as we buckle seat belts, zip-up jackets, and tie shoes.

However we get there, and whatever we wear,

bless this journey into something new.

For the grown-ups going back to school or going to work,

With-Us God, be with them too.

Thank you for our teachers, helpers, caregivers, and leaders,

and for all they do to help us learn and grow.

God, our friend who’s full of wonder, fill their hearts and bless their hands.

Amen.

First Lutheran Church

August 7, 2022 – The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. … By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore, from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Sermon “By Faith”

Pastor Greg Ronning

“People get ready, there’s a train a comin’.

You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board.

All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’.

Don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.”

“People Get Ready” Curtis Mayfield, 1965.

“All you need is faith. ”Curtis Mayfield’s hit song from 1965, “People Get Ready,” echoes the theme found in today’s lesson from the Book of Hebrews.  In recounting the story of Abraham and Sarah, the author of Hebrews encourages us to live “by faith.” “By faith” Abraham and Sarah set out for the promised land not knowing where they were going. “By faith ”they waited patiently on the promises of God, as sojourners, as strangers in a strange land. “By faith” even though they were beyond their childbearing years, “as good as dead,” they hoped and believed that one day their descendants would be as numerous “as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”

“All you need is faith,” but what is faith?

Sometimes faith is reduced to the list of things in which we believe.  Sometimes faith is relegated to confessing the historic creeds of the church.  “I believe in God the father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. ”As Lutherans we probably would add the words of Luther’s catechism, words we memorized in confirmation, answering the question, “What does this mean?” and responding, “This is most certainly true.”  Sometimes faith is diminished to confessing creeds and assenting to doctrines, affirming who we believe Jesus was, and what his death and resurrection might mean for us and for the world.

And all that just might be a small part of our faith but confessing the creed and knowing my good Lutheran theology, in the end - just isn’t enough.  Having my faith all worked out in my “head, ”having a systematic and intellectualized faith, is not enough by which to live!  When the rubber hits the road, when I find myself between a rock and a hard place, when I need to be empowered, when I need to be impassioned, when that train comes down the track, when I want to hear those diesel engines hummin’; I need something more than a faith that lives solely inside my head, I need more than a list of the things that I believe. The conductor on that “train that’s comin ’”doesn’t want a “ticket,” he doesn’t want my “baggage, ”he’s looking for something else.  Something that I possess that is more precious than my perfected doctrinal statements.

The author of Hebrews defines faith this way, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ”I imagine that most of us are familiar with this verse, this biblical definition of faith; but to be honest it’s not a very concise definition, it’s almost more of a riddle, it needs a lot of unpacking, and thus, sometimes, it’s not always helpful in a practical way.

So, what is the author of Hebrews trying to tell us about faith?  As I mused over that text this week, in preparation for this sermon, the phrase that jumped out at me, the phrase I found helpful, was, “things hoped for.”  Faith belongs to “things hoped for.”

“Hope,” at least metaphorically, does not belong to the head but to the heart.  So it is that faith, the faith which we live by, the faith that empowers us, does not come from the set of beliefs that we ascribe to in our heads, but rather from the passion and dreams, “the hope,” that emanates from our hearts.  Paul Tillich, one of the leading theologians of the 20th Century defined faith as “the state of being ultimately concerned.”  Faith is not a static thing, like a list, but rather a dynamic thing, something that energizes and moves us. Faith flows from our ultimate concerns, from our deepest passions, from our human compassion, from the things that matter most, from the depths of our hearts.  And such faith demands a response, such faith calls us into action. Faith is not something we sit with, but rather something we run with!

Each of us has been given the gift of faith, each of us can find in the depth of our hearts that ultimate concern which stirs up the image of God in which we were created, and the Kingdom of God that lies within us.  The call to live “by faith,” is the call to go deep inside and discover that passion by which God is calling you to be a part the Kingdom that is at hand and the Kingdom that is coming again even now.  To live “by faith” is to discover your unique calling, that which God has laid on your heart, that which is of “ultimate concern,” to you, the righteousness of God for which you hunger and thirst; -that which compels you into action.

This is the story of Abraham and Sarah.  Our text highlights three components of the story …

One: “By faith Abraham obeyed …”In the twelfth chapter of Genesis God calls out to Abraham, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”  And in faith Abraham obeys this calling, packing up and leaving his home, his land, his extended family, and his friends, leaving it all behind, to seek after the promise of God.  He does not do all this - certain of the outcome, but he does all this “by faith,” faith that by definition includes a portion of doubt and a portion of fear.  Abraham and Sarah do not make this decision in their heads, for the mind could never make such a poor decision, but rather from the heart. When God calls out to us to live “by faith,” don’t expect it to be a rational experience that makes complete sense; instead expect it to rise up from a struggle in your heart, an uncomfortable feeling in your stomach, a summons from which there is no escape. “By faith” Abraham and Sarah set out for the promised land not knowing where they were going.  “By faith” we are called to set out on “ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through events unknown.”

Two: “By faith (Abraham and Sarah) stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, …)  “By faith,” Abraham and Sarah overcame over their doubts and fears and did as God commanded.  And for many years the dream did not manifest itself.  They lived as sojourners, strangers in a strange land, they lived in tents without a “foundation.”  Faith is not magic.  Faith does not make life easy. In fact, you might argue that those who live “by faith” choose the harder way, “the road less traveled.”  To live “by faith” is to be called into a long unknown journey that demands patience, the ability to embrace “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ”When God calls us to live “by faith” we are not being called to live without doubt, but we are called to live with hope in the face of doubt, patience in the presence of skepticism, and endurance even in our weakness.  “By faith ”Abraham and Sarah waited patiently on the promises of God, as sojourners, as strangers in a strange land.“ \By faith” we are called to be “strangers in a strange land,” citizens of a kingdom that lies deep within us, waiting for the kingdom that is at hand.

Three: And finally, “By faith (Abraham) received the power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren.”  In the fifteenth chapter of Genesis the Word of the Lord comes to Abraham in a vision, the Word of the Lord brought him outside and invited him, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” … “So shall your descendants be.”   God has a way of doing things in unconventional and unexpected ways.  “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah 11:1) “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43) Even though the scriptures describe Sarah as “barren,” and Abraham as “good as dead,” God is able to bring about the gift of life – in, with, and through - them!  Those who live “by faith” will experience the unconventional nature of faith, the unexpected presence of God.  “By faith ”Abraham and Sarah believed in the day when their descendants would be as numerous “as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”  “By faith” we are called not to second guess or limit the work of God because of our own perceived shortcomings but to be reminded that our faith, our passion, our ultimate concerns are “treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Each of us has been given the gift of faith, within each of us God has placed an ultimate concern which belongs to both you and to the Kingdom of God.  Therein lies the soul of who you are truly meant to be in this world, the joy of life.  Be not afraid, discover the passion that lies deep inside your heart, your faith, and let it call you out into the world with the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Doubt will enter your mind, faith and doubt must do their dance, but be of good courage and circle back to your heart and choose to live “by faith. ”The faith with which you have been gifted! May the love of Christ strengthen you as the journey before you begins to unfold this very day.

“People get ready, there’s a train a comin’.

You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board.

All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’.

Don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.”

Amen.

Sermon on Luke 12:13-21

Pastor Jennifer Garcia

This is a challenging story.

It would be easy to try and soften it or do interpretive gymnastics to try and make this parable feel nicer.

Similarly, when people interpret the passage in 1 Timothy (6:10) that says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” as “it’s the ‘love of’ money, not the money that’s the root of all kinds of evil,” I’ve always felt it’s a bit of a cop-out. If we didn’t love money, we wouldn’t be trying so hard to explain away difficult teachings about it. And Jesus talked a lot about money. He referenced money more times in the Gospels than any other topic. There’s a lot to talk about.

I want to challenge us today to take a hard look at this parable without shying away from it or trying to soften it. Let’s let these hard words work on us. 

Now, before we start talking about money and death—two of the most taboo subjects in our culture—let’s take a couple breaths. I invite you to take a deep breath—in through your nose and out through your mouth. Again. Good.

Our story begins with Jesus being dragged into a family disagreement. A man approaches Jesus and wants him to make his brother share their inheritance.

Jesus refuses to get involved in the dispute and instead warns against “all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

Then, he tells a parable—a teaching story that leaves the audience unsettled.

He tells of a wealthy farmer whose land is producing abundantly. This isn’t a Cinderella story of someone down on their luck who wins the lottery. This farmer is already rich and about to get richer.

He has the enviable problem of having such a big harvest that he has nowhere to put it. So, he has a business meeting with himself in which he decides that he will have his barns demolished and even larger ones built. And then, he’ll be able to rest on his laurels and “relax, eat, drink, and be merry.”

I’m reminded of an alleged quote by John D. Rockefeller: when a reporter asked him how much money was enough, he said, “Just a little bit more.”

The rich farmer was already rich. He didn’t need this harvest in order to “relax, eat, drink, and be merry,” if that’s what he wanted to do. The parable isn’t about someone who is finally relieved of the burden of poverty. The farmer already had enough to live comfortably on but was subject to the need for “just a little bit more.”

That’s not how the abundance of the Reign of God works. The Reign of God is built on relationships, not hoarding possessions for oneself.

The rich farmer was enviable by society, but his life was focused on possessions. You can see his inward focus in the way he talks to himself:

“’What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul…’” You get the idea.

He was curved in on himself. He had no consideration for how his choices would affect others. He seems not to have thought about his relationships with others at all.

And what God tells the farmer reflects that: “’This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’”

Presumably that wouldn’t be as ominous a question if the farmer had a family to pass on his possessions to, or a chosen family, or a community that he cared for. But his self-focus seems to indicate that he was the only one he was planning for.

Jesus doesn’t tell us what the farmer’s reaction was to God’s words. We don’t know if he felt fear about dying, disappointment that his plans came to nothing, or regret that he had no one to honor his legacy.

We do know, though, what people’s most common regrets are today.

The top 5 regrets of people who are dying, according to author Bronnie Ware from her time working as a palliative caregiver, are:

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

A lot of these regrets involve relationships with others. And all of these speak to knowing one’s priorities in time to live into them. These are regrets, because people don’t always spend time figuring out what’s most important to them until it’s too late to change things, just like the farmer in the parable.

I don’t have specific answers for what your priorities should be or how you should use your money or what you should plan for your future. But, here are a few things to consider:

1. Who is important to you? What relationships are most important in your life? Who do you want to support, encourage, or care for? What communities could most use your help?

2. How can you think in terms of abundance instead of scarcity? What resources do you have? How can you think creatively in using what God has given you?

3. What opportunities do you have to be generous? Who can you be a blessing to? How can you give to others as God has given to you?

As for specifics for your situation, you’ll need to have that conversation with God and perhaps with the people in your life. These are questions that deserve to be considered carefully over time.

Let’s take some time this fall to open up space for these conversations.

We’re going to do a series called Last Things First, where we can start thinking about these taboo subjects of death and money together as a church family. 

I’ll be leading a book study on Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande, a doctor who talks about how our medical system is built to keep people safe and alive as long as possible but isn’t necessarily as concerned with what makes life worth living. If we don’t decide for ourselves early what’s important to us, others may end up making those decisions for us, and they may not make the decisions we would like.

Here's a short video of the author describing what a difference knowing your core values makes in the course of end-of-life care. (https://youtu.be/LcPqcrZPFBc)

In addition to the book study, we’ll do a series of workshops that will help us know what decisions we can make: things like advanced directives, planned giving, and funeral planning. If you have ever handled the details after someone’s death, you know what a gift planning these things in advance will be for your loved ones. It’s never too early to start thinking about these things. We don’t know what the future holds for us, but we can spend time figuring out our priorities, which will help us live the fullest lives possible. More details about the series to come.

Jesus warns against being turned inward and driven by the accumulation of possessions in today’s parable. Instead, we can turn outward, trusting God’s abundance (which is about relationships, not things), opening our hands in generosity to the precious people God has surrounded us with.

This is only the beginning of figuring out how to do that. Let’s keep talking, thinking, learning, and encouraging each other as we work on these questions together. Jesus has a hard teaching for us today, but God has surrounded us with people who can journey together toward the abundance of the Reign of God. You are not alone, beloved child of God.