A More Light Congregation

Bethany Presbyterian Church

Sermon

I am not great at memorizing things.  But I do have one short poem memorized.  It's Mary Oliver's “Instructions for living a life.”  She writes:

Pay attention.

Be astounded.

Tell about it.


One thing in particular that I like about it is that the speaking part comes last.  


This poem came to mind when I read “I believed, and so I spoke” words that Paul quotes from an early version of Psalm 115.  The people of Corinth would be familiar with those words, which indicate that what follows is something true.  Always writing with a strategy in mind, Paul uses the global “we” to apply this formula to what follows.  Paul uses it here saying “we also believe, and so we speak” in order to emphasize the truth of what he is saying.  


Again, the speaking part comes last.


In the poem, and for Paul, something happened.  Something happened and now he believes; he believes and so he speaks.  He tells about it.  It just so happens remember, that when Paul, formerly Saul was converted on the road to Damascus, he wrestled with an angel/with God and was changed; dare I say, he was astounded.


Let's hear what Paul was astounded into believing.  “the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence.  Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”



Remember in Acts 22 Paul tells about his conversion.  As Saul chief persecutor of those following the Way, he admitted, “… in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.” This is the same man who was visited by God and wrestled, and later sent to the Gentiles after being chased out of Jerusalem.  What Paul has to say to the Corinthians in today's text comes from a powerful experience that astounded him into changing his life.


We spent several weeks on the theme of proclamation noticing that the audience for Peter's message kept getting larger and larger until the word of the power of Jesus spread to the ends of the earth.  We could probably continue the theme of proclamation year round because that's really what we are called to do.  Today's text is how Paul then is explaining how the power of Jesus will spread to the ends of the earth.  The power of Jesus to bring us into the presence of the Lord is grace.  Paul says “grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”  


What if you and I only spoke about the things that astound us?


I went to the baseball game yesterday, and when Dubon made an error, followed by another error by both Dubon and Crawford, I was astounded!  I yelled at the stranger next to me, “He NEVER does that!”  My voice went up, I was excited, I had lots of energy.  I was intense.


Of course that's not what Paul or Mary Oliver were talking about.  Paul is talking about something that changed the very direction of his life.  You and I do have things like that.  Can you remember why you first thought that climate change was something worth learning about and working to change?  Was it when you first noticed the lengthening fire season or the reduced rain every winter here in California?  Can you remember when you first decided you were brave enough to march in the women's march?  Was it when you realized that there was a woman presidential candidate?  Or when someone prominent had put down women once too many times?  When was your first public display of any of your inner beliefs?  Was it when something dear to you was offended or hurt and “the fear of remaining a bud was greater than the fear of becoming a blossom?” Maybe you went to your first pride parade, or participated in a vigil to mourn another black life taken, or another immigrant family hurt?  When did you decide that helping financially was a crucial part of your being?  Does it stem from a time when you had nothing?  When did you first decide do volunteer at a shelter to feed folks?  Was it from knowing about economic injustices and poverty?


We may have never wrestled with God, literally, on a road anywhere, and been changed in an instant.  But somewhere in life, we have said “enough.”  We have been affected by the complexities of life enough to have had times when we changed our direction.  This may have been something devastating in our lives or something that we witness over time.  Anything that surprises us enough to halt us in our tracks can bring about a life change.  Including positive things.  New unexpected jobs; new relationships; healed relationships or a healed body.  An answer to a prayer.


Paul speaks from the heart because it is his heart that was changed.  When we are changed we too can speak, not just in words but in actions, because we believe.  Paul isn't talking about a slight change in our lives.  Paul is talking about transformation.  Paul is talking about our inner nature being renewed day by day.  Paul is talking about being changed from the inside, from what cannot be seen, because what cannot be seen is the eternal part.  


When we are transformed, from the inside first, we are changed forever. Transformation from the inside is deep, it is invisible, it is eternal.  Paul tells us, he speaks something because he believes it – tells us that what is from God is not temporary.  What is from God will not be destroyed, but is eternal in the heavens.  


I want to close with the lyrics to a song that was written by one transformed by the inside.  The song is an example of what happens when we are touched by the world in a way that makes us ask how we can be a part of God's work in the world.  It's a perfect song for communion.  It's by Bryan McFarland, and it's called “Until all are fed.”

How long will we sing, how long will we pray?  How long will we write and send?  

How long will be bring, how long will we stay, how long will we make amends


How long will we talk, how long will we prod, how long must we fret and hoard?  

How long will we walk to tear down this façade?  How long, how long O Lord?


How can we stand b, and fail to be aghast?  How long til we do what's right?  

How could we stand by and choose a lesser fast?  How long til we see the light?


Until all are fed we cry out.  Until all on earth have bread.  

Like the One who loves, each and everyone, we serve until all are fed.


On the green green grass, they gathered long ago, to hear what the Master said.  

What they had they shared, some fishes and some loaves.  And they served until all were fed.


Until all are fed we cry out.  Until all on earth have bread.  

Like the One who loves, each and everyone, we serve until all are fed.


Let us pray…


"Feel it. Tell it."

Reverend Debra McGuire

June 6, 2021


2 Corinthians 4:12-5:1