January 24, 1999 - LESSON: Ephesians 4:1-3, NRSV

SERMON TITLE: Get A Life

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INTRODUCTION:
  1. Ice Cream for the Soul. -via Bud Frimoth, Portland, OR in the Joyful Noiseletter.

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    1. A woman took her five-year-old son into a restaurant for lunch. The boy asked to say grace. "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food we eat, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets me ice cream for dessert. Amen."

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    2. Most of the nearby customers laughed,

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    3. The boy overheard a woman saying, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Can you imagine asking God for ice cream!?"

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    4. The boy burst into tears.

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    5. An elderly man nearby approached the table and told the boy, "I'm sure God thought that was a great prayer. Too bad that woman never asked God for ice cream. Sometimes a little ice cream is good for the soul."

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  2. Here we have a conflict, a difference of opinion.

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    1. It is not unusual.

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    2. Who was right?

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      1. The one who observed that kids don't know how to pray?

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      2. The one who suggested that this was a great prayer.

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    3. How do we arrive at a solution.

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MAIN BODY:
  1. First of all we recognize that conflict is inevitable.

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    1. There was an illustration in the CHRISTIAN CENTURY January 6-13,1999, page 15, which may help us.

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      1. A young Rabbi found a serious problem in his new congregation. During the Friday service, half the congregation stood for the prayers and half remained seated, and each side shouted at the other, insisting that theirs was the true tradition. Nothing the rabbi said or did moved toward solving the impasse.

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      2. Finally, in desperation, the young rabbi sought out the synagogue's 99-year-old founder. He met the old rabbi in the nursing home and poured out his troubles.

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        1. "So tell me," he pleaded, "was it the tradition for the congregation to stand during the prayers?"

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        2. "No," answered the old rabbi.

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        3. "Ah," responded the younger man, "then it was the tradition to sit during the prayers?"

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        4. "No," answered the old rabbi.

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        5. "Well," the young rabbi responded, "what we have is complete chaos! Half the people stand and shout, and the other half sit and scream."

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      3. "Ah," said the old man, "that was the tradition."

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      4. This congregation was constantly engaged in conflict.

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      5. There would be no resolution to their situation.

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      6. It was the tradition.

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  2. People spend so much time in conflict.

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    1. External conflicts with individuals for groups with whom there is disagreement, sometimes serious disagreement.

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    2. Internal conflicts, conflicts within ourselves.

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  3. It is possible to become disoriented or confused and come to accept that this is the way life is supposed to be.

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    1. What makes a good life?

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    2. How do we get a life?

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    3. May I suggest the Bible.

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      1. A great person of faith and renowned Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, was once asked to give a one sentence describing faith.

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      2. He replied, "Jesus loves me this I know, the Bible tells me so."
  1. The formula which helps us get a life is partially found in Ephesians 4:1-3.

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    1. I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

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      1. Life worthy of the calling

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      2. What is a calling?

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        1. There is no pressure

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        2. There is no coercion

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        3. There is no force.

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        4. An invitation.

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          1. Consider Jesus' invitation to individuals to be disciples

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            1. (Matthew 9:9 NRSV) As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

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            2. Follow me.

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            3. It is your choice.

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          2. Consider Jesus invitation to achieve rest, a state of internal peace.

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            1. Matthew 11:28-30, NRSV "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] 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. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

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            2. Here is an invitation.

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            3. Come to me.

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      3. The apostle Paul puts God's, Christ's invitation in a context of grace.

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        1. (2 Timothy 1:8-9 NRSV) Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, [9] who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

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        2. (1 Corinthians 1:22-31 NRSV) 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.

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      4. The calling to which you have been called.

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        1. You have been called.

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        2. That is why you are here and not somewhere else.

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    2. [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

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      1. Humility

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        1. Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think.

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        2. We are all equal before God.

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      2. Gentleness

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        1. It is the basis of relationship.

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        2. Speaking of the Messiah Isaiah wrote: (Isaiah 42:3ab NRSV) a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench..

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      3. Patience

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        1. Long-suffering

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        2. We are in for the long haul.

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      4. Bearing with one another in love

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        1. Bearing is not approval.

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        2. Bearing is not tolerance

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        3. Bearing is the acceptance of the circumstances of the situation living with the hope that it will improve, but continuing even if it does not.

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        4. Love is not a feeling, but an action based on need; your's and the other's.

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    3. [3] making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

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      1. Make every effort.

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        1. Not a half-hearted effort.

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        2. It is a pressing on, even when tired in mind and body.

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        3. Never giving up.

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      2. Maintain unity of the spirit

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        1. It requires constant evaluation and reevaluation.

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        2. It requires constant upkeep and repair.

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      3. Bond of peace.

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        1. The illusion is to a joint of the body.

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        2. The ligaments which hold the joints together.

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        3. Peace is shalom.

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          1. Safety

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          2. Health

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          3. Prosperity

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  2. We have a choice as to whether we will respond to the invitation of Christ.

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    1. We can remain static in our relationship

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    2. We can grow in our relationship.

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  3. We have a choice as to how we will respond to the circumstances of life.

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    1. How we respond reveals our level of understanding and commitment.

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    2. How we respond communicates to others the nature and purpose of our response.
CONCLUSION:
  1. How did the boy ultimately respond in his circumstances?

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    1. The mother ordered some ice cream for her son.

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    2. But the boy picked up his ice cream and took it over to the woman's table and gave it to her.

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    3. "This is for you," he said, smiling. "Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."

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    4. My soul is good already?

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      1. Perhaps so

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      2. Perhaps not.

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  2. He demonstrates the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

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    1. He is getting a life.

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      God so desires that we get a life.


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