May 31, 2009, Day of Pentecost

Lesson: Ephesians 3.1-12

Sermon Title: Prisoners and Preachers

(Back to Study Home Page)  (Back to Sermons 2008-2009)
(Back to Sermons Home Page)  (Back to Shultz Home Page)

INTRODUCTION

  1. I had a choice of opening illustration for this sermon and had a hard time making up my mind.

    1. The first one was about a Baseball Game (1)

A passerby stopped to watch a baseball game taking place at the local park.

"Who's playing?" he asked another observer.

"The Masons against the Knights of Columbus," he responded.

"What's the score?"

"I don't know. It's a secret."

      1. There are those who suggest that in the game of life the score cannot be known.

      2. It is perhaps not so much a secret as it is an unknown.

    1. The other one was about a Cattle Ranching. (2)

A New York family bought a ranch out west where they intended to raise cattle. Friends came to visit and asked if the ranch had a name.

"Well," said the would-be-cattleman. "I wanted to call it the Bar-J, my wife favored the Suzy-Q, one son liked the Flying-W, and the other son wanted the Lazy-Y. So, we're calling it the Bar-J-Suzy-Q-Flying-W-Lazy_Y."

"But, where are all your cattle?"

"None have survived the branding."

  1. There are times when it seems that we are overwhelmed with nomenclature.

    1. -noun

      1. a set or system of names or terms, as those used in a particular science or art, by an individual or community, etc.

      2. the names or terms comprising a set or system.

  2. We are lost amidst the unknown names or terms of a set or system.

    1. We obviously need some help.

    2. We need help that will provide relief.

    3. The prisoner becomes the preacher.

    4. From him we may learn, receive help, find relief.

(Top)  (Back to Study Home Page)  (Back to Sermons 2008-2009)
(Back to Sermons Home Page)  (Back to Shultz Home Page)

MAIN BODY:

  1. I was privileged to give a little speech at the VFW Memorial day observance in the elementary school gymnasium.

    1. I sang along, silently when the Spring Green Middle School band played the tunes from the four services.

      1. The Marines Hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.

      1. The Navy Hymn, Anchors Away

Anchors Aweigh my boys
Anchors Aweigh
It is farewell to foreign shores (or farewell to college joys,)
We sail at break of day day day day
Through our last night on shore
Drink to the foam
Until we meet once more
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home!

      1. US Army Anthem

Caissons Go Rolling Along
Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail
And those Caissons go rolling along
In and out, hear them shout, countermarch and right about
And those Caissons go rolling along

      1. The Air Force Song

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!)
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

    1. As I listened to the Air Force song, I was reminded of another song that was written by Harold Adamson and Jimmie McHugh, which tells of a damaged warplane, barely able to limp back to base.

      1. It was a WWII patriotic song Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer (1943).

On a Wing and A Prayer

One of our planes was missing
Two hours overdue
One of our planes was missing
With all its gallant crew
The radio sets were humming
We waited for a word
Then a noise broke
Through the humming and this is what we heard

Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
Though there's one motor gone
We can still carry on
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer

What a show, what a fight, boys
We really hit our target for tonight
How we sing as we limp through the air
Look below, there's our field over there
With just one motor gone
We can still carry on
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer

      1. Do you ever conceive of your life in these terms.

        1. With just one motor gone,

        2. You can still carry on,

        3. Coming in on a wing and a prayer.

(Top)  (Back to Study Home Page)  (Back to Sermons 2008-2009)
(Back to Sermons Home Page)  (Back to Shultz Home Page)

  1. You might consider the life of the Apostle Paul, if you believe that perhaps the second motor is pretty weak and might give out at any time.

    1. Paul was really flying on four wings and a prayer. The only things keeping him aloft were four simple but powerful wings:

      1. The wing of God's grace.

      2. The wing of Christ's mystery.

      3. The wing of the Spirit's revelation.

      4. The wing of God's power.

    2. We have the prospect of having the same wings, grace, mystery, revelation and power, with all their potential for creating a new you and me.

  2. We have the wing of God's grace.

    1. Grace, God's favor given without condition, without basis or any human endeavor that could be rewarded by God.

    2. Notice Paul continually emphasizes that this grace was given "to me" (3:2,7,8).

      1. His witness is that when God called him to his own unique ministry, God gave him the grace (charis) to fulfil the "commission" that God has put before him.

      2. Good news for us is that what God calls us to do, he gives us the charis to complete.

      3. A few years ago, one of America's biggest department stores tried marketing a doll in the form of the baby Jesus. (3)

The advertisements described it as being washable, cuddly and unbreakable, and it was neatly packaged in straw, satin and plastic. To complete the package, the manufacturer added biblical texts appropriate to the baby Jesus.

To the department store executives, it looked like a sure-fire winner, a real moneymaker. But they were wrong. It didn't sell. In a last-ditch effort to get rid of the dolls, one of the store managers placed a huge sign in a prominent display window. It read:

Jesus Christ
Marked down 50%
Get him while you can.

    1. The sales pitch of cheap grace characterizes too much of the church today.

      1. Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes about cheap grace and costly grace (4)

        1. Cheap Grace is the deadly enemy of our Church.

    "Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheap-jacks' wares. The sacraments, the forgiveness of sin, and the consolations of religion are thrown away at cut prices. Grace is represented as the Church's inexhaustible treasury, from which she showers blessings with generous hands, without asking questions or fixing limits. Grace without price; grace without cost. The essence of grace, we suppose, is that the account has been paid in advance; and, because it has been paid, everything can be had for nothing. Since the cost was infinite, the possibilities of using and spending it are infinite. What would grace be if it were not cheap?...

    "Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

        1. We are fighting to-day for costly grace.

    "Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.

    "Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.

    "Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price,"and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon -his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.

(Top)  (Back to Study Home Page)  (Back to Sermons 2008-2009)
(Back to Sermons Home Page)  (Back to Shultz Home Page)

    1. We fly on the wing of Christ's mystery.

      1. There is a line in the second stanza of "Be Still My Soul," that reads:

        1. All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

        2. We do not have to wait for the at last.

      2. We are the recipients of information that enables us to understand much of the mystery.

        1. Ephesians 3.3-: 3and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

        2. Mystery, the unfathomable enigma of that grace and God's plan for the church. The scope of God's redemptive love is unlimited. It reaches not just a select few, not just those who seem deserving, not just the rich and powerful of the world, but everyone, in faith, are also a part of this body called the church, "fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (3:6).

    Rublev's Icon of the Trinity shows three figures -- three divine messengers -- who are visiting the Old Testament patriarch Abraham. They sit at a small table, each figure representing a person of the Holy Trinity, and as they sit, they point to a chalice on the table, a symbol of God's overflowing love. But they sit only on three sides of the table. There's an open side, and one of the figures points to the vacant space, inviting the viewer -- inviting you -- to sit down with the three persons and share fellowship. The icon invites us to share the overwhelming divine love that exists among the three figures at the table and to become participants in sharing the mystery of divine life and love. It pictures God's great desire to draw us in and to share the divine life with us. (5)

    1. We have the wing of the Spirit's revelation.

      1. Revelation, whereby God enables us to "see" the truth of this mystery and on that basis proclaim it, to "make everyone see" (3:9).

      2. Charles Hodge, in his A Commentary on Ephesians, writes: (6)

    3:9. The words translated to make everyone see really means 'to shine,' as any luminous body does, and then 'to illuminate,' to impart light to, as a candle does to those on whom it shines, and as God does to people's minds, and as the Gospel does, which is like a light shining in a dark place, and hence the apostle in 2 Corinthians 4:4 speaks of the 'light of the gospel'...The light imparted by the Gospel was knowledge, and hence to illuminate is in fact to teach; which is the idea the word is intended to express here.

    3:10. The wisdom of God in its rich variety refers to the various aspects under which the wisdom of God is displayed in redemption; in reconciling justice and mercy; in exalting the unworthy, while it effectually humbles them; in the person of the Redeemer, in his work; in the works of the Holy Spirit; in the varied dispensations of the old and new economy; and in the whole conduct of the work of mercy, and in its glorious consummation.

      1. Robert Brow in "Electricity: A parable for Pentecost (7) tells the story about an a couple from a jungle in Africa arrived in Kingston, Ontario, and were given a fully equipped home to live in.

    They were handed the keys, but no one thought of explaining about the electrical appliances. During the month of July they went to bed when it got dark and rose with the sun. They collected wood and were able to cook in the fireplace. They found water came from the taps, and they did their washing in the kitchen, and dried their clothes on the line.

    But by November they were cold, miserable and very frightened. Happily some friends came to visit, found the house in darkness and they flicked on the lights. They showed the couple how they could set the thermostat to heat the house and use the electric stove for cooking.

    The next week they learned about the washer and dryer, the vacuum cleaner, how to answer the telephone and dial their friends. The television helped them find out about Canada, and how people survived the Canadian winter.

      1. That story illustrates the huge change that took place on the Day of Pentecost. "Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a mighty wind and it filled the entire house" (Acts 2:2).

        1. The couple from Africa discovered that they were living in a house in which they were free to enjoy light, and heat, and the many appliances needed for the Canadian winter.

        2. But the Pharisees and other religious leaders of the day had never told people all that God had for them.

        3. On the Day of Pentecost the early Christians began to experience the light and power available to them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Top)  (Back to Study Home Page)  (Back to Sermons 2008-2009)
(Back to Sermons Home Page)  (Back to Shultz Home Page)

    1. We have the wing of God's power.

      1. Power, whereby the proclamation of the revelation, of the mystery of the grace of God, his "boundless riches" (3:8) can achieve its greatest effect.

      2. In the mall parking lot, Ivie Bozeman turned the key in the ignition. There was no response. She knew the battery had to be dead. The lights would not come on. (8)

        1. "Dead" is a good word for the whole car when the battery is not operating. Without a battery, no lights flicker, no dashboard indicators work. Every element in the whole engine can be in fine working order, but without the battery, the car will do nothing.

        2. She called her husband on the cell phone to come with his jumper cables. While waiting for him to arrive, she thought about how the car without a battery is like a Christian without the Holy Spirit. Right after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples just sat there, not knowing what to do.

        3. Shortly, her husband arrived with the jumper cables. He hooked the cables between his live battery and her dead one. Soon, power flowed into her car. It could now take her on the rest of her trip.

      1. The same thing happened to the disciples at Pentecost.

        1. When the Holy Spirit reached them, they were filled with the power needed to spread the gospel of Christ.

        2. The gathered disciples previously had all the equipment needed to do God's work -- all except the power.

        3. They needed the power of the Holy Spirit.

      2. We need to be connected to the Holy Spirit.

      3. Without him we are like a car -- a perfectly good engine, a capable driver, but no power.

    (Top)  (Back to Study Home Page)  (Back to Sermons 2008-2009)
    (Back to Sermons Home Page)  (Back to Shultz Home Page)

CONCLUSION

    1. We have wings for Pentecost and for life.

      1. In the words of the song, On Eagles Wings, written by Michael Jonas based on Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

    You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
    Who abide in His shadow for life,
    Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
    My Rock in Whom I trust."

    Refrain
    And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
    Bear you on the breath of dawn,
    Make you to shine like the sun,
    And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

    The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
    And famine will bring you no fear;
    Under His Wings your refuge,
    His faithfulness your shield.

    Refrain
    And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
    Bear you on the breath of dawn,
    Make you to shine like the sun,
    And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

    You need not fear the terror of the night,
    Nor the arrow that flies by day,
    Though thousands fall about you,
    Near you it shall not come.

    Refrain
    And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
    Bear you on the breath of dawn,
    Make you to shine like the sun,
    And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

    For to His angels He's given a command,
    To guard you in all of your ways,
    Upon their hands they will bear you up,
    Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

    Refrain
    And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
    Bear you on the breath of dawn,
    Make you to shine like the sun,
    And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
    And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

    1. Maybe this is enough to keep us, as well as Paul, flying high in the spiritual stratosphere Paul calls the "eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord (3:11).

Amen!

1. The Good, Clean Funnies List [gcfl-info@gcfl.net]

2. Pastor Tim [posts@cybersaltlists.org]

3. As quoted in Sunday Sermons, 4 September 1994, 1.

4. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York: Macmillian Publishing Co., Inc., 1937) pp. 45-48.

5. David Miller, "Sermon for Trinity Sunday," The Protestant Hour, June 10, 2001, Protestanthour.com. Used by permission of day1.net.

6. Charles Hodge, A Commentary on Ephesians, WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Ephesians 3".

7. Robert Brow, "Electricity: A parable for Pentecost," June 8, 2003, Model Theology Web Page, brow.on.ca.

8. Ivie Bozeman, "No action without power," October 31, 2003, Presbyterian Church in Canada Web Site, daily.presbycan.ca.

(Top)  (Back to Study Home Page)  (Back to Sermons 2008-2009)
(Back to Sermons Home Page)  (Back to Shultz Home Page)