SPECIAL DAYS Maxwell Street Sunday

September 13, 1998 - LESSON: September 13, 1998

SERMON TITLE: Attention Getters

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INTRODUCTION:

  1. You have selected your purchase and go to the cashiers table to check out.
    1. There is no one there.
      1. The station is not open.
      2. Perhaps the clerk is hidden by merchandise.
    2. How do you get the attention of the clerk
      1. You could yell, Help, I need attention.
      2. You could knock over some racks of clothing.
    3. When the clerk finally arrives you can vent your frustration.
      1. What kind of place is this, anyway?
      2. I have been waiting here for hours.
    4. That is not very constructive.
  2. It is amazing what human beings will do to get attention.
    1. Age makes little difference
      1. The young
        1. A youth acts out
          1. Body piercing
          2. Unusual makeup
          3. Loud boisterous behavior.
          4. Bragging
      2. The older
        1. Well, we are not much different, only more sophisticated.
          1. Adults can be bullies and loud.
          2. Adults can dress for attention.
          3. Drive for attention.
          4. Talk endlessly about themselves.

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  3. There are times when getting attention is detrimental to one's self or to others.
    1. The bully gets attention by physical intimidation.
    2. Others may use psychological intimidation.
  4. There are times when getting attention is necessary for one's health or welfare.
    1. Standing before the checkout counter with a coupon in my hand.
      1. The clerk was not in a good mood.
        1. Ranting and raving.
        2. Disrespectful.
        3. I simply said, "What have I done to deserve this.
        4. That got his attention.
    2. I was visiting a patient who was complaining of severe pain.
      1. The doctor did not appear to be paying attention.
      2. I suggested to the patient that she hold the doctor's coat until he answered all her questions.
      3. This is only fair.
    3. If you work for a company and management is not listening to your complaints or needs.
      1. Strikes
    4. If government is not addressing social concerns
      1. Protests
    5. There are some dangerous attention getters who desire drastic change.
      1. Terrorism
      2. We need not dwell on the list.

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    6. To get the attention of terrorists, we have counter-terrorism.
      1. We to get the attention of terrorists
      2. Counter strikes

MAIN BODY:

  1. What do you think God does to get attention?
    1. Some people believe that God punishes or controls.
      1. Pain and suffering are seen as attention getters.
      2. I do not believe that God acts in this way.
    2. He comes down on a mountain with trumpet blast and smoke and thunder and earthquakes.
      1. People are afraid, at least for a little while.
      2. The experience becomes commonplace and they revert back to previous behaviors.
    3. Elijah fled from the wrath of Ahab and Jezebel.
      1. He hid in a cave.
      2. God came.
      3. He is not if the fire or the thunder, but in the still small voice which speaks to Elijah.
    4. He is revealed in the life of a God-man, Jesus Christ.
  2. What about after?
    1. Paul in Ephesians 3:1-2, 7-10, provides us with a clear answer to the way in which God attempts to get the attention of the people of this earth.
      1. This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you...
      2. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power.
      3. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me
      4. to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ,
      5. and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;
      6. so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known
      7. to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

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    2. Rulers and authorities in the heavenly places is all inclusive and means that the church is to be a spectacle for all.
      1. Acts 1:8, NRSV
        1. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
      2. Matthew 28:18-20, NRSV
        1. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
  3. We are people called so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known
    1. The wisdom of God.
      1. (1 Corinthians 1:20-24 NRSV) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? [21] For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. [22] For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, [23] but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, [24] but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
      2. Christ is the perfect example of the power and wisdom of God.
        1. In how he lived.
        2. In what he said.
        3. In what he did.
        4. In how he related.

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      3. We are provided not only information, but also an example of how that information may be utilized, lived out in life.
    2. How will we make it known?
      1. Love is fundamental to all relationships.
      2. We are called to love.
      3. In love the wisdom of God in its rich variety will be made known.
    3. It is the responsibility of us all.

CONCLUSION:

  1. This is well-illustrated in a story told by Woodie White.(1)
    1. Some years ago when Woodie White was the United Methodist bishop in Illinois, he related this story.
    2. He told of the time, the horrible time, when the telephone rang as he watched his favorite team play football on TV.
    3. It was his sister with an hysterical request. "Come quick,' she screamed. "Something has happened to Mama."
    4. He ran out of the house, jumped into his car, and started the long drive to his mother's house, imagining all kinds of things.
    5. Upon arrival, he ran into his mother's house.
      1. She was 73 years old, and someone had broken into her home, robbed and brutally assaulted her.
      2. She was swollen and bruised and Woodie stood in a state of shock as he looked at her wounds.

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    6. Then he moved to her, took her in his arms and began to weep.
      1. As he held her in his arms, he smelled something, something familiar yet unexpected.
        1. "Mother,"he said, "what is that I smell?"
        2. She answered, "It's fried chicken, Son. thought you might be hungry after your long drive. "
      2. Amazed at his mother and her mothering ways, Woodie broke down again.
      3. Then his mother took hold of his head, looked him in the eye and said,
        1. "Son, I want to tell you something and I don't want you ever to forget it. Son, God is good.
        2. God is still good.'"
  2. The author of the article in the Christian Educator, in which this story appeared concluded by writing:
    1. "So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
    2. We might conclude that in so doing you reveal the marvelous wisdom and love of God.

1. Copyright ©Church Educator, September 1998 (Used by permission).

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