NOTE: I am putting my weekly sermons on the church website. It will be on for two weeks (usually posted on Friday) and then placed in the Archives area by date. You can download in a matter of seconds.
Let me know what you think. The church Email is: SLUMC@att.net, Phone: 480.895.8766
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Sermon: “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”
Scripture:
Ephesians 2: 8,9
Reverend Larry Gerber
The year was 2001. The date was September 9. The United Methodist Church launched a national theme and advertising campaign: “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.” The ads were geared to attract unchurched persons to, and through, the church doors. Two days later it was 9-11-01.
In the aftermath of the terrorists attack, the church seized the opportunity to really reach out. A four-story billboard was placed a block from Ground Zero in New York City that read, “Fear is not the only force at work in the world.” Signed – The People of the United Methodist Church, and included the promise: Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.
Our church opened its doors on that fateful day. There was much fear in the minds of all of us. Shock at what had happened, and fear of what might yet happen. Our denomination had already announced its campaign. We simply became an instrument of the greater church. We opened our church doors, because our mind set was that there were people of all denomination, all religions, and those of no connectional religion, who needed a sanctuary that day. Larry Lathom, our church organist at that time, began playing the organ early that morning, and played well into the afternoon. He had to do it. It was his way of coping. I invited all of the other places of worship in Sun Lakes and beyond. I felt the need to be “one in the Spirit” at that time. There was indeed another force in the world besides fear. The strength of our God, and the power of prayer.
We sang together, we prayed together, we embraced each other, and we sat in silence, seeking strength for the day. Larry played on. Our hearts were as one. We knew no barrier of race, religion, or creed. We bonded with the strength of our God.
And now, nearly 3 ½ years later, we are still striving for that oneness with our maker, sustainer, and redeemer. We, as Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, are launching our own campaign, if you will. The other half of the United Methodist slogan is, “Igniting Ministry”. If we open our hearts, minds, and doors, we will ignite God’s ministry in our midst.
As you can see in the insert this morning, United Methodists rank quite high in the works ethics. Even though we read and believe the scripture to be the inspired Word of God, 59% of The United Methodist in America think that a good person earns his or her way to heaven. Yet the scripture clearly states: “For by the grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God – not because of works, lest any one should boast.”
What is the purpose behind our words: Open hearts, open minds, open doors? Just who are we, and just what is it that we are seeking for and within our denomination, and our own church?
There are at least five elements in our “being”
1 – We center our lives on God, not self. We live a lifestyle of worship for the glory of God, because we were planned for God’s pleasure, and we begin with complete surrender of our lives to Christ.
2 – We connect with other believers who experience real fellowship, because we were formed for God’s family. We identify with other believers through baptism, joining the local church family, and participate in some kind of small group fellowship.
3 – We cultivate spiritual maturity and godly character, because we were created to become like Christ. We develop the habits necessary for spiritual growth.
4 – We contribute something back by using our talents in ministry because we are shaped for serving God. This includes discovering the shape of our ministry and finding a place of service in our local church.
5 – We communicate God’s love to others and develop a heart for the world, because we were made for a mission. This includes learning to share our faith and participate in some kind of mission activity.
We center on God; connect with other believers, cultivate godly character, contribute our personal talent, and communicate God’s love to others.
In the song that Martha just sang, we want the world to know that the place called Sun Lakes United Methodist Church is a place where people feel God’s love, because it is written on our faces. There is a smile on each face that says “You are welcome here”. We want people to know that in this world of hurt, we can be the light, shining in your darkness. We want the world to know that our hearts are open to love even the unlovable, and that our minds are open to understand those who are different from us, and that our doors are open to those who are in need, even if just a cup of cold water.
How would you react if you were driving down a familiar residential street and were to see a yard sign proclaiming, “It’s a Boy!” On the other end of the block you see the sign again: “It’s a Boy!” You drive a couple more blocks, and see yet another sign that read the same. When you turn the corner and approach the church, you see yet another sign: “It’s a Boy! Sun Lakes United Methodist Church invites you to the celebration of His birth, December 24 at 7 p.m.
I dare say, that if we were to put such signs up around the many blocks leading to our church, we would have an igniting ministry. Seekers and Baby Boomers would follow such a sign, because they are the persons of the generations who will be following us into Sun Lakes. They are the ones who are seeking a fuller life. They would see such signs as signs of openness and love; of compassion and caring. And hopefully, they would find our hearts and minds and doors to be open unto them, through the ChristChild.
It wasn’t only the United States that changed after 9/11; the church changed as well. We were already on the launching pad when the world was changed. The church was ready and able to make a statement about the post 9/11 world that was both bold, and hopeful.
The challenge before us is to open the door and go through the door and to be a people who are affirming, understanding, and working with others to change the world for the better.
The terrorists changed the world in a flash. We will never be who we were as post 9/11 people. But, at the same time, our church was there to go the next step: to open our doors to all who would come in; to pray as a body of God’s people, denominations and religious differences aside; addressing the needs of people in the pew and beyond.
We, as the church, may never be fully open, we may never fully arrive, but we are always growing and developing.
No, says Paul in the book of Ephesians, we cannot earn our way to heaven. It is by the Grace of God, and God alone, but that does not mean that we should not be the church at work, praying, and singing God’s praise. It does not mean that we should not offer a cup of cold water to one who is thirsty. It does not mean that we should not care for the elderly, or care for the sick, and the poor. We should do that because God expects us to do so, as God’s children.
Salvation is a pure gift from God, and not an iota is earned by our good works. Yet our motivation to help others is too often self-edifying. We too often are motivated because we think we can earn another step toward heaven.
If we are to be God’s people into the 21st century and beyond, we must develop a policy of open hearts, open minds, and open doors: not for self worth in the eyes of God, but rather out of love for all of God’s children.
Where was God on 9/11? Where was God in the tsunami disaster? These acts were not acts of God, but God was there in the waves of love that followed the disasters. God created the earth and all that dwell therein. Natural and manmade disasters have, and will occur. Rather than ask: “Where was God then?” we as God’s people must say: “Here is God now. We are God in action. We are the waves of love that mop up after the disaster.”
Are we a welcome and caring church? Do we want to invite others to share in the same joy we have, as God’s children? Will we welcome the stranger in our midst? Do we respond to peoples needs in the aftermath of tragedy?
God chose us as God’s children. We choose whether we will respond as God’s children. Open Hearts! Open Minds! Open Doors! This is our response to God’s grace. This is our response to God’s love. This is response to the needs of the world. We will ignite God’s ministry, not for self, but for
God, when awe are centered, when we are connected, when we cultivate, when we contribute, and when we communicate.
Let us pray……….
Let me know what you think. The church Email is: SLUMC@att.net, Phone: 480.895.8766