Downward Mobility - February 1, 2015

Downward Mobility

Micah 6:6-8, Romans 12:9-21

February 1, 2015

Grace Presbyterian Church

Rev. Dr. Richard E. Miller

 

Honest, Gentle, Generous Last week, John the Baptist gave three answers to the question, “What should I do now that I am baptized?” He said that we should be honest in a dishonest world, gentle in a hostile world, and generous in a selfish world. What this boils down to is this. We are to live and speak and act in accordance with the cadence set by Christ, not the norms of society. We’re to be in the world, but not of the world.

If we don’t, we’re not being faithful disciples. In addition, if non-believers can’t tell the difference between themselves and us, they see no reason whatsoever in following Christ. So the question this morning is this: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

Upward Mobility Maybe one of the reasons we wouldn’t be arrested, let alone convicted, for being a Christian is because we’ve embraced society’s definition of success. It is all summed up in the words “Upward Mobility”

One man defined it in this way:

“The society in which we live suggests in countless ways that the way to go is up. Making it to the top, entering the limelight, breaking the record - that’s what draws attention, gets us on the front page of the newspaper, and offers us the rewards of money and fame.” [Henri Nouwen, 1932 -1996] The Super Bowl between the Patriots and the Seahawks bring fame and fortune to all involved. Superbowl rings to the victors. Accolades all around.

Biblical Examples  Of course, as we know, Upward Mobility started with the serpent who said to Adam and Eve, “When you eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil your eyes will be open and you will be like God.” [Genesis 3:1-7] Now to be like God would be quite a leap upward wouldn’t you say?

Later on the people decided to build a tower that would reach to heaven itself so that they could “make a name” for themselves. [Genesis 11:1-9]

And in the New Testament, James and John went to Jesus and asked to be seated on either side of him when he established his kingdom. [Matthew 20:21ff] To be seated in places of honor is being upwardly mobile.

On January 20th, when President Obama gave his State the Union address, some members of congress went to the auditorium hours ahead of time in order to be able to sit on the aisle. By so doing, they would be able to shake President Obama’s hand as he entered. But even more importantly, since his entrance was being televised, their constituents at home would see them shaking hands with the President.

Worldliness  Henri Nouwen wrote, “When we start being impressed by the results of our work, we slowly come to the erroneous conviction that life is one large scoreboard where someone is listing the points to measure our worth. And before we are fully aware of it, we have sold our soul to the man grade-givers. That means we are not only in the world, but also of the world. Then we become what the world makes us. We are intelligent because someone gives us a high grade. We are helpful because someone says thanks. We are likable because someone likes us. And we are important because someone thinks we are indispensable. In short, we are worthwhile because we have successes .”

If we allow the world to determine our intelligence, helpfulness, likableness and importance, it means we’ve placed our lives under it power and control. So each day we must ask, are we what the world makes us or are we what Christ makes us?

Barclay put it this way, “Don’t try to match your life to all the fashions of this world; don’t be like a chameleon which takes its color from its surroundings; don’t go with the world; don’t let the world decide what you are going to be like.” [Letter to the Romans, p. 170]

Jesus said it this way: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” [Matthew 6:24]

 

Jesus lived his life serving God rather than worldly powers and temptations. For instance, in the wilderness Satan offered him all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would do one simple thing - just bow down and worship him. Here was a golden opportunity for upward mobility for Jesus. But Jesus replied, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” [Matthew 4:10] When he had a chance to rule the world, he chose to be the servant. When arrested in the Garden, he could have ordered a legion of angels to kill the guards, but he chose the road to the Cross.

Downward Mobility  In other words, Jesus chose to follow the drumbeat set by his Father in heaven rather than that of the world. I suggest that instead of the worldly definition of upward mobility, Jesus chose downward mobility. What is downward mobility? The term itself has negative connotations, such as  demotion, downscaling, decreasing, self-denial, and losing. However, for a Christian, downwardly mobility means simply to follow Christ instead of worldly powers. It means not to allow worldly powers to pull us away from our walk of faithful discipleship. So if we want to be in the world without being controlled by the world, how can we do it?

Monastery  One is for us men to join New Melleray Abby, a Trappist monastery south of Dubuque, Iowa. I visited this monastery while a student in seminary. I found out that there were about thirty=five monks living at the monastery for the rest of their lives, and that they spend their time raising cattle, farming, making wooden caskets, and praying. They start their day at 3:15 a.m. and end it at 8:00 p.m. In addition, they take a vow of silence, never talking to a soul. If you joined them, worldly temptations wouldn’t affect you very much, would they?

Nunnery  Or you women could join a cloistered nunnery. A few years back, when the Pope visited New York, a nun was allowed to leave her cloister to hear him speak. She had not been outside the walls of her cloister for 23 years. But in those 23 years, she had no worry about what she would wear or what she would eat or what she would do for these things had already been decided for her.

 

 

Old Order Amish  If monasteries or nunneries don’t appeal to you, how about joining the Old Order Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania? Here you would live without electricity, iPhones, iPads, television or Internet. No more car insurance or repairs since you’d drive horse and buggies. No more fashion problems because you’d be told what to wear. You men could have beards, but not mustaches. And you women would never have to get your hair done since you’d never cut your hair for the rest of your life.

One person noted, “The Amish value simplicity and self-denial over comfort, convenience and leisure. Their lifestyle is a deliberate way of separating from the world and maintaining self-sufficiency.” [The Amish and Plain People.”]

The Old Order Amish strive to fulfill the injunction of Paul when he said, “Be not conformed to the world but be transformed from the world.” [Romans 12:1-2] Now I seriously doubt if any of us will be running out to join a convent or monastery. Or that we’ll be moving to Pennsylvania to join the Old Order Amish. We’ll be staying right here.

And as we do stay put, how can we take steps to be in the world but not of the world?

Morning Scripture  Our morning scriptures have specific guidelines on how to exercise downward mobility.

The guidelines of the prophet Micah were short and to the point. Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Be just, be kind and be humble. Each of these traits is a sign of downward mobility - of being in the world but not of the world.

Paul also offers some excellent suggestions about how to be downwardly mobile. He says that we should not think of ourselves more highly than we should, that our love must be sincere, that we should hate what is evil and cling to what is good. We should honor one another above ourselves, and each day be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, share with those who are in need, and be humble, not thinking of ourselves more highly than we should. Sometimes being humble can be rather tricky. Most Humble The story is told that the session of a church, realizing the virtue of humility, appointed a committee to identify the most humble person in the congregation. The committee met for hours on end going through the membership. They finally selected Wilbur, a little man who worked hard but never took credit for anything he had done.

They called him up during the worship service and gave him a button which read, “Most Humble.” Wilbur was so pleased, he immediately pinned his “Most Humble” button on his shirt for all to see.

Servant  Yes, it’s hard to live our lives in the world without allowing the world to entice us away from following Christ. Jesus gives us guidance when he said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be a slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [Mark 10:43-45] Jesus put his words into practice when he knelt down and washed his disciples feet just before the Lord’s Supper. Now that’s downward mobility!

Final Thoughts If we follow Christ and live our life as his servant, does it mean that we shouldn’t try to dress nicely? No. Does it mean that we should turn down promotions at work? No. Does it mean never taking a cruise? No. Does it mean we shouldn’t watch the Superbowl? No. Does it mean getting rid of our cell phones and computers? No.

What it does mean is that we make sure that none of what the world offers ever separates us from Christ. It means letting go forever grudges and resentments of the past thus freeing us from their power. It means making sure that none of the demands upon our time keep us from daily prayer. It means exercising downward mobility in our thoughts and actions. 

Albert Schweitzer  In 1952, Albert Schweitzer won the Nobel Peace Prize. The next year he was asked to speak in Chicago. Reporters gathered to meet him at the railway station. They were excited to see him and expressed what an honor it was to meet him. As cameras were flashing and adulations were being given, Schweitzer looked beyond the reporters and saw an elderly woman struggling to carry her two large suitcases to a bus. “Excuse me,” he said as he went to the aid of the woman. Picking up her suitcases, he walked her to her bus. Watching him do this prompted a member of the reception committee to say, “That’s the first time I ever saw a sermon walking.”    

To the best of our ability, let us strive to live out each day of our lives as a sermon walking. If we do, we’ll be convicted for being a Christian every time. And that’s good! Amen.

 

Romans 12:9-21 NRSV

In his letter to the Romans, after telling them about how God continues to shower mercy on the Israelites, Paul continues his letter in this way:

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Micah 6:6-8 NRSV

‘With what shall I come before the Lord,

   and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,

   with calves a year old?

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

   with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

   the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

   and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

   and to walk humbly with your God?

Honesty, Gentleness, Generosity - January 25, 2015

Honesty, Gentleness, Generosity

Psalm 62:5-12, Luke 3:1-14

January 25, 2015

Grace Presbyterian Church

Rev. Dr. Richard E. Miller

 

What Difference Does Baptism Make?  Two Sundays ago, we heard about the baptism of Jesus by John in the River Jordan. In so doing, we remembered our own baptism. Some of us were baptized as babies, others as youth, and still others as adults. But no matter when it took place, baptism carries with it a promise to turn away from sin by renouncing evil and embracing Christ as our Lord and Savior. But now we need to ask, “What difference does such our baptism make in our daily lives?”

John the Baptist  To answer such questions, we turn to John the Baptist or John the Immerser. Before Jesus appeared on the scene, and you wanted to be baptized, John was, you might say, the only game in town. John was a unique sort of man. If he preached here at Grace, a few heads would turn since his robe would be made out of camel’s hair or even the skin of a camel. He’s have a leather belt around his waist and sandals on his feet. His hair would be long and scraggly.  And during our fellowship hour, he might sit on the floor eating locusts and wild honey.

Of course, in his day, such attire was common. The fact is that he was wildly popular and proclaimed a rock star of prophets. Large crowds from Jerusalem and all Judea would gather by the Jordan River to hear him preach the stirring message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This meant that soon they would be judged for all their sins. When the people heard these words, they would express sincere remorse and sorrow for their sins. Then John would baptize them by immersing them in the river.

John Preaching to the Crowd  Our morning scripture tells of the time when John was preaching to a large crowd of Jews. Most Jews felt that since they were descendants of Abraham, they were a favored race and chosen people and thus would not be liable to the coming judgment. However, John quickly straightened them out on this score and he didn’t pull any punches doing it.

He got their attention immediately by saying, “You brood of vipers! Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Now I think that if I was accused of being part of a brood of vipers, I’d be a bit miffed.

Produce Fruit in keeping with Repentance  But the reason why John said this became clear when he went on to say, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” In other words, If you’re sorry for your sins, prove it by producing fruit of good works. If you don’t, you will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Such words made his listeners fearful and frightened. So they asked John,”What should we do?” Notice they didn’t ask, “What should we believe?” but rather “What should we do to avoid such a fate?” “How do we produce fruit in keeping with repentance?” They wanted John to suggest concrete actions that would prove their faithfulness. And John was quite happy to oblige them. So he told them to do three things.

Be Honest in a Dishonest World   First was to be honest in a dishonest world. In the crowd were some tax collectors who asked John, “What should we do?” Now many tax collectors were notoriously crooked in their dealings with the people. Why? Because the Roman government gave each tax collector a minimum amount they must collect in taxes from the people to be remitted to Rome. However, the tax collectors had the power to levy taxes far in excess of what Rome demanded. And that excess they kept for themselves.

So John said, “Don’t collect more than you are required to.”  In other words, “Don’t do that anymore. Be honest in a dishonest world.”

This recalls the time when Zaccheus, a tax collector, decided to become a disciple. He said he would give half his wealth to the poor and repay four times the amount of all he had cheated.

The injunction to be honest in a dishonest world is built on the assumption that the world is dishonest. Of course, not everyone in it is dishonest. But there’s just enough dishonesty to tempt us to join them.  

 

 

A few years ago, a survey found that 23% admitted cheating on their income tax. And if they could get away with it, 46% of students would cheat on final exams.

And far too often, people in high places - politicians, athletes, actors and actresses - are guilty of embezzling funds or cheating on their taxes or lying about their resume or cheating on their spouse.

Fast Food Worker  A few years ago, I read the story of one young man who left work late at a fast food restaurant late at night and found a wallet that had fallen under a table with $5,500 in cash. He immediately looked in the wallet, found the owner, and returned the wallet with all the money intact. When his co-workers heard about it, they ridiculed the young man for weeks for being such a dope.

Yes, to be honest in a dishonest world is hard since opportunities to lie and bend the truth are all around us every day. How would being completely honest in all business and personal dealings affect the way businesses are run and relationships are carried out?

Teddy Roosevelt  During his time as a rancher, Teddy Roosevelt and one of his cowpunchers, riding over the range, lassoed a maverick, a two-year-old steer that had never been branded. They lit a fire and prepared the branding irons. The part of the range they were on was claimed by Gregor Lang, one of Roosevelt’s neighbors. According to the rule among cattlemen, the steer therefore belonged to Lang, having been found on his land. As the ranch hand prepared to brand the maverick, Roosevelt noticed he was about to apply his brand so he said “Wait, it should be Lang’s brand, a thistle.” That’s all right, boss,” the hired hand said, “he’ll never know.” “Drop that iron,” Roosevelt demanded. “You’re fired. A man who will steal for me will steal from me.”

What parts of your life would be different if you were to follow John’s challenge to be totally honest in a dishonest world?  Your answer determines whether or not you produce fruit in keeping with the repentance of your baptism.

 

 

 

Be Gentle in a Hostile World After telling the tax collectors to be honest, some soldiers in the crowd came up to John and asked, “What should we do?” John gave them these words of advice: “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely - be content with your pay.” In other words, be gentle in a hostile world.” Extortion and false accusations are part of what makes our world hostile.

And the soldiers talking to John had the power to make false accusations and extort money from individuals and shop owners in order to supplement their pay.

We say to ourselves, “I’ve never robbed anyone or used power to get money from anyone.” However, to be gentle in a hostile world today also means to never lash out with unnecessarily harsh words, and to never make threats in order to get one’s way. It means never being arrogant or to display a mean attitude or action. No, it doesn’t mean becoming doormats and letting the world walk over you. It doesn’t mean never fighting for your rights. But it does mean being gentle in a world that rarely displays gentleness, being kind in a society that rewards aggressive and hurtful actions.

It also means to be gentle with yourself.  It is said that “You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here. Therefore be at peace with God.” {Max Ehrmann, Desiderata}

The Balloon Stomp  I was intrigued by the story of a teacher who introduced a game to her students called “Balloon Stomp.” The rules were simple. The students had a balloon tied to their legs. Then they’d run around stomping each other’s balloons until only one student with a balloon still inflated. The students shoved each other and knocked each other down in their efforts to stomp balloons. To win a student had to be pushy, rude and offensive. Then the same game was introduced to a group of handicapped children. But this time it was the balloons, not the other students, that were perceived as the enemy. So instead of pushing and shoving, they began helping each other pop balloons. One little girl knelt down and held her ballon so a little boy could stomp it. Then he did the same with his balloon so she could stomp it.

Being gentle in a hostile world is as simple as learning which version of Balloon Stomp to play.

Be Generous in a Selfish World After telling the tax collectors to be honest in a dishonest world, and telling the soldiers to be gentile in a hostile world, he turns to the group as a whole and says, “Be generous in a selfish world.”

John did this by saying to them all, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” In other words, in a world that promotes and rewards selfishness, be unselfish. To carry out acts of generosity in a world that doesn’t expect it gets their attention.

Are we generous with our money? Are we generous with our time? Are we generous with our compliments and words of praise? Of course, there may be times when we must make a snap decision on how generous we are going to be.

How Many Roses?  The story is told of a young man in a flower show who was taking an unusually long time to place his order. When the clerk asked how she could help, he explained that his girlfriend was turning 19 and he couldn't decide whether to give her a dozen roses or 19 roses -- one for each year of her life. The clerk put aside her business judgment and advised, "She may be your 19-year-old girlfriend now, but someday she could be your 60-year-old wife." The young man bought a dozen roses.

Giving Anonymously   Of course, to be truly generous means to give without anyone knowing who their benefactor was. It means being generous without any thoughts of recognition or thanks. This is the purest form of generosity. Unfortunately, many people want recognition and credit and thanks for every generous act they do.

 

Final Thoughts  Again I pose the question, “Because we have been baptized into Christ and have promised to be his disciples, what should we do?” The answers are these: Be honest in a dishonest world. Be gentle in a hostile world. And be generous in a selfish world.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Kent M. Keith wrote some thoughts called “The Paradoxical Commandments” which illustrate what John the Baptist is saying.

1. Some people are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered Love them anyway.

2. If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

3. If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

4. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

5. Honesty and frankness may make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.

10. Give the world the best you have and you may get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway. These are the things we should do. Amen.

Luke 3:7-14 NRSV

 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’

 And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’

Psalm 62:5-8 NRSV

 

For God alone my soul waits in silence,

   for my hope is from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

   my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my deliverance and my honor;

   my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;

   pour out your heart before him;

   God is a refuge for us.