Sermons — First Lutheran Church Fullerton

FLC

July 9, 2023

FLC

July 9, 2023

First Lutheran Church

July 9, 2023 – Pentecost 6A

Romans 7:15-20, 25a - I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. … Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Matthew 11:28-30“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

“The Yoke of Christ”

Pastor Greg Ronning

This old heart, is tired and I don’t think I can take anymore

This old heart, is lonely, down and out on the floor

This old heart, is yours now, I surrender, open the door

I don’t understand my own actions, I don’t understand the things I do

There’s a darkness that whispers in my ear

There’s a darkness that knows all my fears

This old heart, is tired and I don’t think I can take anymore

This old heart, is lonely, down and out on the floor

This old heart, is yours now, I surrender, open the door

I used to think I didn’t need anyone, I used to think I was so strong

I was gonna climb that ladder to heaven

I was gonna rise up out of my sin

This old heart, is tired and I don’t think I can take anymore

This old heart, is lonely, down and out on the floor

This old heart, is yours now, I surrender, open the door

Oh wretched one that I am, Who will rescue me from death?

“Come to me,” I hear the voice say

“Come to me, I will show you the way.”

This old heart, is tired and I don’t think I can take anymore

This old heart, is lonely, down and out on the floor

This old heart, is yours now, I surrender, open the door

“Come to me all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

For those of us with tired, lonely, - old hearts, those of us who struggle with life and faith, today’s Gospel is certainly good news – “come to me,- I will show you the way.”

This wonderful promise, spoken by Jesus, found in today’s Gospel, is in many ways a direct response to all the “angst” expressed by St. Paul in today’s epistle from the book of Romans, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate;” finally concluding, “O Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

I don’t know about you - but today’s scripture readings resonate deeply within me. I can feel the struggle, the turmoil, the ethical and the spiritual “angst” in St. Paul’s words, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ….” And so it is that my “tired lonely old heart” longs for rest, for peace, for a “yoke” that that is “easier” and a “burden” that is “lighter” than the burdens I seem to always be carrying around with me.

“I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” I imagine that Paul’s confession rings true for almost all of us as we struggle with everything from the simple everyday things in life, to the more complicated things, and even those things that are more “ultimate” in nature.

Theologian Bruce Epperly writes, “While we may not share Paul’s understanding of sin as a force that possesses us, warring in us contrary to our highest desires, - we recognize the reality of sin, embodied in the interplay of family of origin, genetics, environment, economics, gender and sexuality, and personal decision-making. The heaviness of the past, confirmed by thousands of habitual responses, can seem to overcome our best intentions.”

“We do not do what we want, but we do the very thing we hate.” We want to eat foods that are healthier for us, but we can’t resist the easy foods that jump out at us while we are shopping. We want to embrace a healthier lifestyle, but we can’t seem to find that thirty minutes a day for exercise. We want to spend more time with our families, but the lure of work and other self-imposed “responsibilities”entrap us. And our smart phones make it “too easy” to check just one more email or take that quick look at Facebook which inevitably leads to yet another hour of wandering deep into the digital world of the Internet. We want to stay sober or virtuous, but temptation is constant and overwhelming. We want to reach out to the poor and vulnerable, but we are afraid to give and share too much, we worry about scarcity and security.

The list goes on and on and on. We each have different lists, but we all seem to have that list of “things we do not want to do,” even things we “hate,”things that for many, and often complicated reasons, we cannot stop doing. Epperly concludes, “We are a bundle of ambivalent feelings.”

Yes, St. Paul’s words, “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate;” are very familiar words that express the human condition. And it’s frustrating, it’s exasperating, it’s aggravating, it’s annoying; and it can become depressing, debilitating, disheartening, - a heavy burden to bear. In desperation St. Paul finally cries out, “O Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” And I know where he’s coming from, I know how he feels, I know what it’s like, because - I’ve been there, I am there, and unfortunately - I will be there again. Perhaps you know that feeling too?

Thankfully Paul’s story does not end “there,” it does not end in self-pity, it does not end in hopelessness, it does not end with a broken heart - that is unable to “dance to the flute” or passionately pursue its vocation “as if it were possessed!” No, Paul’s great “angst” is instead interrupted by a voice, a soft yet strong voice, a still small voice, a familiar voice, the voice of Christ, “Come, - come to me, - come to me and I will give you rest.” “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

“My yoke is easy.” At first glance Jesus’ promise of a “yoke” doesn’t sound attractive, it doesn’t sound like such a good deal. You see, a yoke was a device primarily used to connect two beasts of burden together for the purpose of pulling a plow or a wagon. (Not my idea of light and easy.) The yoke was a symbol of obedience and hard work. And for many it was a symbol of slavery, - perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “the yoke of slavery.” So “no thanks” on the whole yoke thing, I already feel like a beast of burden, that doesn’t sound like “easy,” it doesn’t sound “light,” and it certainly does not sound like “freedom” from my struggles.

This idea of taking on a “yoke” is especially hard for those of us who have grown up in a society that emphasizes individuality, independence, - and the myth of the rugged individualist who is able to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.“I don’t need anyone,”“I am strong enough to do it all by myself.”

Yet, that’s what Jesus offers us. So, we need to take a closer look at the invitation. And that’s when we once again realize that Jesus is not a simplistic answer,that Jesus is not a magical answer, that Jesus is not a “personal” answer, that Jesus is not a quick fix. No, Jesus, following Jesus, practicing the faith of Jesus, - is actually quite radical and extremely counter cultural. It demands a surrender, in particular a surrender to the American myth of individualism, a surrender to selfish control, a surrender to isolation. It demands a surrender “into” community, into relationship, into dependence on others, into the body of Christ – which is the yoke of Christ. And ironically it is this kind of surrender, the willingness to be yoked in this manner, which leads us to true freedom, that peace that passes all understanding, and a place where life’s burdens are lighter. Lighter because they are shared with each other, lighter because they are shared with Christ.

The yoke of Jesus is an invitation to turn away from our fallen desire to be in isolation - and to put one’s “self” deeply into the family of God. It’s an invitation to reconnect to the body of Christ, - that expression of God powerfully manifest in this world. It’s an invitation to exchange independence for interdependence. It’s an invitation to replace fear with grace. It’s the invitation to place your “self” into a community that will in turn increase your faith, make you stronger, and allow you to more fully live out your great calling in life.

The simple truth is that our hearts just weren’t made to do the hard work of “life” - all alone. Our hearts were not made out of stone but rather a tender vulnerability that needs – that demands - a deep connection. Our hearts were not made to beat alone - but rather to beat in rhythm with others, to share the dance of life, and in doing so - to open us up to the very presence of God, which is the body of Christ. This is the “yoke” we have been invited into, the yoke that is easier, a yoke that shares life, a yoke that, once again, ironically, makes life more abundant.

Once again Theologian Bruce Epperly, sums it up well, “Healing of mind, body, or spirit, is never an individualistic enterprise. We need a beloved community of friends and family and the unmerited grace of God. Paul cries out, “Who will save me?” And, then, responds doxologically, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” We might also add, “Thanks be to God who places us in the body of Christ and among friends and loved ones who accept and challenge us!”

So let us give thanks to God, to the God who has placed us here in this place, to the Spirit who in the waters of baptism has placed us here side by side as brothers and sisters, and to Christ who has yoked us all together. Yoked together in order that we might know love, that we might understand grace, that we might experience healing, that we might be transformed, that we might be made strong in sharing each other’s burdens, all that we might live out our own unique calling, as individuals and communities of faith. As I like to say - it’s always good to be with “faithful people doing faithful things.” It makes life a little easier, it makes the burdens lighter, and the joy more complete. Amen.

FLC

July 2, 2023

FLC

July 2, 2023

First Lutheran Church

Pentecost 4A + July 2, 2023

Matthew 10:40-42"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

Sermon “The Vision of Sir Launfal”

This morning I would like to share with you a short story based on the poem, "The Vision of Sir Launfal,” written by James Russell Lowell, first published in 1848.

***

It was a perfect day in June, one of those days when heaven reaches down and touches the earth. It was warm and fresh, the hills were green, the flowers were in bloom, the birds were singing. All of creation was bright and alive.

It was a perfect day for Sir Launfal to begin his quest. Sir Launfal was a grand and noble man, he was the Lord of the county, and his quest was holy and pure. Today he would mount his trusty steed and go out in search of the holy grail, the very cup that our Lord used "In the night he was betrayed," the cup that held the saving blood of God.

Sir Launfal put on his finest clothes, bright colors that represented his family, his land, and his faith. He then carefully put on his armor, the bright polished silver of a great knight. He strapped his golden sword to his side, and grab his shield, adorned with his proud and noble crest.

As he stepped out into the day, the sun danced upon him. The call went out to lower the drawbridge and open the gate, Sir Launfal mounted his horse and paraded out of his castle. The people cheered their Knight as he made his way out into his adventure.

When he arrived at the gate Sir Launfal became aware of a leper standing at the side of the road. The man was so foul and bent that Launfal's flesh began to crawl. The man appear to Launfal as a blot on the beautiful summer morning.

In scorn he tossed the man a piece of gold and rode off on his holy quest.

The leper did not stoop over to pick up the gold, he only muttered to himself, "He gives nothing but worthless Gold."

Sir Launfal searched far and near all summer long but had not found the holy grail. And now the warm breezes of summer were being replaced by the cold winds of winter. Flowers gave way to snow flakes. The birds were gone, but still Sir Launfal searched and searched.

Finally, one day he noticed that his bright and fine clothes were now tattered and torn, thin and faded, his once bright and shiny armor no longer reflected the sun, but instead was giving way to rust. And Sir Launfal noticed that he had become a bit bent and gray. Winter had taken its toll. The proud and noble Knight was gone, all that was left was a tired and hungry man. His quest had made him nothing more than a beggar.

Soon it was Christmas, Launfal found himself suffering and alone. That night he had a dream. He dreamed that he was returning to his castle, it was summer again, everything was bright and warm like that day that he left. And as he approached the gate to his castle he recognized the leper, the one to which he had thrown the gold piece to on the day that his quest began. This time Sir Launfal felt compassion for the man who once made his skin crawl. Deep in his soul he knew more about suffering and poverty. So this time Sir Launfal stopped. He reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a cup and plate. He pulled out a scrap of bread and put in on the plate, he then walked over to the stream that flowed outside of the castle and filled the cup with water. He then reached out and gave the cup and the plate to the foul and bent man.

And as the beggar received the cup and the plate, the Leper began to change. A light shone down, and the beggar became bright and tall, fair and straight. And the simple cup and plate turned to gold. The Leper spoke, "Do not be afraid, it is I. You have found the Holy Grail for which you have been searching.

The Crust is my body broken for thee

This water my blood shed for thee

the Holy Supper is kept indeed

When we share with another in need

Not what we give, but what we share

for the gift without the giver is bare

He who gives of himself feeds three

Himself, his neighbor, and me

Sir Launfal awoke from his dream, he knew that the holy grail for which he was searching waited for him at home, just outside his castle.

It is now said that in the county of Sir Launfal- there is no poverty. The castle gates are open wide, and all are welcome to feast inside.

Let those who have ears, hear!

Poets, writers, and theologians, Mythology, suggest that the Holy Grail is “an object or goal that is sought after for its great significance,”“something that you want very much but something that is very hard to get or achieve.” Something worth seeking after with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and even all your resources!

What is your Holy Grail? And more importantly, what’s the Holy Grail that God has invited you to seek out? To seek out with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and even all your resources!

This morning we are reminded that the Holy Grail is not something that is found by climbing high mountains, achieving advanced spiritual enlightenment, - by undertaking a holy quest. But rather it is something you already possess, something that is very near to you, something that exists in “your ordinary,” perhaps in the least of these who surround you every day; something you can put your hands on in the simple act of giving, especially in the giving of your self.

Let those who have eyes, see, and let those who have ears, hear!

And finally, as we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July,I am reminded of another poem, the poem found on the Statue of Liberty, “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazurus (1883)

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles.

From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

May it be so. Amen.

FLC

June 25, 2023

FLC

June 25, 2023

First Lutheran Church

June 25, 2023+ Pentecost 4A

Sermon

Pastor Greg Ronning

Today’s appointed gospel reading features some of those so called, “hard sayings” of Jesus.Jesus proclaims, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39)

Can you hear the good news of the Gospel? Perhaps not, - certainly not at face value. These are just hard words to understand. What in the world is Jesus trying to tell us?

Theologian Debie Thomas offers us some good insight into today’s Gospel text, “It’s important to remember that when Jesus speaks of division rather than peace in this Gospel, he’s being descriptive, not prescriptive.” In other words, Jesus is not commanding us to go out and break up our families, to set fathers against sons and mothers against daughters. Jesus is not calling us to stir up conflict for conflict’s sake. However, Jesus is warning us that those who follow him, those who choose to be his disciples, those who choose to pursue the Kingdom of God will undoubtably, unfortunately, find themselves in conflict with the world around them.Jesus is inviting us into a life of ultimate concern, to a life that is meaningful, to a life that is purposeful, a life so passionate about grace, mercy, forgiveness, justice, peace, and love that everything else - just doesn’t matter. And that reality, that place of faith, often puts us into conflict with “the way things are,”in conflict with a world, with systems, with economics, with politics, with careers, with relationships, that do not ultimately value grace, mercy, forgiveness, justice, peace, and the unconditional love of Christ.

Theologian Willian Danaher comments on today’s gospel reading from Matthew, “To be a disciple is to make a deliberate break with the world we know in order to live according to the new world that Jesus is bringing into being. This break with the old world inevitably involves conflict, even violence. Therefore, the decision to be a disciple is not something that happens organically or in the normal course of events. It is a moment in which we decide to stand with Jesus and for Jesus regardless of the outcome.”

Such is the story ofSaint Francis. Francis was born into a family of privilege and wealth in thirteenth century Italy. His father was a very successful cloth merchant. Accordingly, as such, Francis lived a rather carefree life.(Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous) He was always happy, by all accounts he was charming, and everyone seemed to like him. However, a life of “living it up” was eventually tempered by the horror of his experience in war, a subsequent grace filled encounter with a leper, and a vision in which God called him to rebuild a local church that had fallen into disrepair. Francis’ encounter with the unconditional love of grace, internalized in his experience with others, especially with those in need, compelled him to seek after the kingdom of God first and only, to leave everything else behind for the sake of following Jesus. And this “ultimate concern” led to conflict.

Francis’ new life was not well received by his Father who became extremely angry with his son when he found out that Francis had sold some of his retail goods to raise money to rebuild the church. This led to a public fight in which “father disowned” son, and “son renounced” his father’s riches. In fact, tradition says that Francis stripped off his expensive clothes, laid them at his parent’s feet, and walked away naked from his family, his friends, his home, and his town!

St. Francis discovered that his newly transformed faith and its values had put him in conflict with his community and his family. Yet so powerful was his experience of grace, that he was compelled to literally leave everything behind.

It is also the story of Martin Luther. Luther’s father had high hopes for his son, he invested in his education, he sent him away to school to become a lawyer. Yet Luther quickly became disillusioned with law and became obsessed with trying to understand the nature of Christ and salvation. On July 2, 1505, he found himself in a wild thunderstorm and as a bolt of lightning crashed to the earth and knocked him to the ground - he vowed to become a monk. At a farewell dinner he bid his angry father, his family and friends goodbye saying, “This day you see me, and then, not ever again.” Luther chose to leave his entire world behind to seek out Jesus.

Francis and Luther both experienced the cost of discipleship, they understood the words spoken by Jesus, “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

Today’s Gospel reminds us that following Jesus is risky business, even dangerous business. Contemporary Lutheran Writer and Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber was once asked what kinds of things, spiritual exercises, she practices in order to deepen her relationship with God, to get closer to Jesus. She recalls that she laughed aloud, and without thinking blurted out, “Nothing! Why would I do that? I wish God would leave me alone half the time. Getting closer feels dangerous. I’m gonna end up loving someone I don’t like again. Giving away more of my money? I don’t know. It just feels like a bad idea.”

Yes, a bad idea, but for those who have been called, those who have been powerfully touched by grace and love, that doesn’t matter.

Nadia goes on to say, “Sometimes Jesus hunts your “you know what” down, and there’s nothing you can do about it!” “God creates faith in us!”And when that happens, radical things happen, your perspective on life changes, your passion changes, your values are reshaped, and you find yourself willing and able to pick up a cross and follow. Suddenly you find yourself not only an advocate but an active part of the kingdom of God that is emerging into this world! And it becomes your ultimate concern, that by which you make your life choices.

What is your ultimate concern? What lies in the intersection of your great passion and the world’s great need? What is that thing that makes a difference and gives you great joy at the same time? Where does the Kingdom make its claim upon you? Where does Jesus hunt you down? Where does God create faith in you? Where do you “stand with Jesus and for Jesus regardless of the outcome.”

May God bless each of us with an ultimate concern, a divine calling, an extra-ordinary life; an opportunity to proclaim the good news of the gospel, an opportunity to make a difference, an opportunity to serve those in need; a place and a people to share in our vocation, a body to affirm us and strengthen us, the faith and courage to count the cost, and finally the peace and joy that comes from following Jesus the Christ, each according to our own unique and gifted way. “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

I’d like to conclude with the song “Peace Prayer” based on the Prayer of St. Francis. It is a bold prayer, it is a courageous prayer, it is a prayer that flows from the heart of one who has been touched by God’s unconditional love and grace. It is the prayer of one who has been called into the kingdom - to serve the kingdom. May it be your prayer this morning; a prayer that will set you free, a prayer that will bring you life, a prayer that might inspire you; a prayer that might fill you with joy and peace. Let us pray …

“Peace Prayer”

St. Francis of Assisi