What Evokes A Sense of the Sacred for You?
Good Morning Friends,
The startup of new congregations and existing ones in transition have a lot to learn from today’s scripture about giving glory to God alone…of worshipping with a sense of harmony and welcome. This I think is especially true in places of worship that are declining in numbers… and that means most mainline churches in America. Here we learn the importance of collectively serving as a
faithful witness. The challenge is how to widen the circle of the dominate culture while still not subverting the Biblical faith.
Friends, the fastest way into our hearts is probably through our stomachs but the fastest way into our souls is though our ears. Music and words are the most accessible part of most worship services. We need something that gets under our skin and not something that just makes us think, but something that makes us feel. And more specifically, something that gets into our hearts and breathes the spirit into our souls. You see, there is a flow of energy from music and words that can stir us up or quite us down and offers a sense of the spirit of God. However it is human to yearn for familiar foods and tunes and harmonies and there is the rub, for the only way we are going to grow is through diversity….drawing the wide circle. And that is the challenge. What Evokes A Sense of the Sacred for You?
Scripture: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 (NRSV)
Jesus said, “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.”
Acts 1:8 (NRSV)
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Acts 2:43-47 (NRSV)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21 (NRSV)
Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:18-20 (NRSV)
Message: You may know that J. S. Bach signed the bottom of most of his sacred music “S.D.G” (Soli Deo Gloria)- to God alone be the glory. But what you may not know is that he signed the top “J. J.” which stands for Jesus Juva or Jesus help me. His music is for the most part intricate compositions that strain most choirs. But in writing them I think that Bach strained as well. Singing them one needs God’s help, but also help was needed in the composing of them. Perhaps that is why Bach was not well respected during his lifetime. He gave so little attention to the egos of others. Having sung some of them I can bear witness that he did not write them for choirs. One has to conclude that he did not write them for kings or popes or priest or even the people in the pews. That is precisely why they have stood the test of time. In our “church” work we have the same challenge. Thankfully our scripture today encourages us to live a life that gives glory to God alone…it encourages us in the reality that Jesus alone builds His church and uses us as witnesses that share in the power created when we honor God. Here we discover that we were created for community. Here we discover that our compassion, commission and character helps to determine our witness of Jesus. Here we discover that we are to be composed into a community of called out believers who remain in intricate and intimate relationships with others. Here we discover that God makes the music just as Jesus makes the church. Friends, the tongue is like a musical instrument which can play a tune of gossip, lying, slander, flattery, and angry speech… playing every note very loud, missing the mark of timing and just playing the wrong note. Or it can blend its notes and words with others in tune and on time, making room for silence, and in harmony as a prayer. And if God is directing, our tongue can communicate the music of happiness that dispels sorrow, removes despair, cheers the faint hearted and inspires the discouraged. To avoid a cacophony of curses and broken human hearts, destroyed reputations, discord and strife, we need play in harmony and look to the conductor. We need to evoke to God’s glory a sense of the sacred in each other.
Pray we have an unswerving sense of God’s providence in our lives. Pray that we become a church that changes the city by first being transformed ourselves. Pray we realize that we were created for community. Pray we serve each other. Pray we share the stuff we have, to build into the lives of people the gifts that God has placed in us. Pray we give God the glory for what He alone can do. Pray we sing a new song as well as the old ones. Pray we become a witness to a community being the body of Christ together. Pray we are thankful for the Jesus we witness. Pray our words and music combine in a way to touch our hearts and to unite us and define us as a community culture of welcome. Pray we tame the tongue and practice being in a Holy ensemble. Pray we recognize what is holy and respond with reverence. Pray God make us holy.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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