November 11 Sermon - Resurrection

Today’s lessons speak of the resurrection.

In the gospel, the Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, contrive an outlandish but humorous question - meant to make belief in the resurrection look foolish. According to Old Testament law, the brother of a man who dies with no children is obligated to marry his widowed sister-in-law, and father children, who will be considered the off-spring of the deceased. Their question postulates a situation where a woman had been widowed seven times, and each time remarrying one of seven brothers: At the resurrection, “Whose wife will she be?”

The crowd probably laughed, and Jesus replied: “That’s the dumbest question I’ve ever heard.”

He didn’t say that, but his reply has that tone. The resurrection is entirely new world - God’s kingdom - not a continuation of this world.

Jesus replies that marriage is for this life, but not the next, because in the next life we will be like the angels and children of God, being children of the resurrection. Luke 20:27-36

Jesus doesn’t explain anything more about the resurrection - no more details, so he leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions.

Maybe it’s something we have to accept in faith - and leave the details to Him. And it’s possible that we wouldn’t understand even if he did say more - because exactly what happens after we die is beyond our comprehension.

The resurrection, both of Jesus on Easter, and our resurrection in the future, remain a mystery. It defies explanation. It is received by faith – a faith that simply believes Christ’s word, His promise – believes that it is true for me – true for you.

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Resurrection is God’s ultimate word to us about our destiny. All we know is that God is going to make all things right in the end. Resurrection explains how, in the midst of the suffering and evil of this world, we can still have hope.

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When Job underwent extreme trials, his friends attempted to comfort him. But they begin to wonder whether, just maybe, Job is getting what he deserves. Is God punishing him - or has the Lord abandoned Him? His friends turn out to be no help at all. But Job relies on His faith.

He expresses confidence that ultimately God will vindicate his faithful servants. Even though Job thinks that his current disease will end in death, his faith is not shaken. For death is not the end of existence, and someday he will be in the presence of His Redeemer.

Job says: “I know that my Redeemer lives,” and then Job expresses his faith in the resurrection by declaring that “after my skin has been thus destroyed” - after I have died - “then in my flesh I shall see God”. Job 19:25

Job’s faith sustained him, and his disease was not fatal.

Job merits a whole book in the bible, not because the patience of Job - which wore thin - but because of his faith. Honestly most of us don’t have an unshakable faith like Job’s, but we can have a stronger faith - a resurrection faith.

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In past sermons I’ve talked about several different things you can do to increase your faith. What they all had in common was that they called for commitment and discipline. Whether it’s daily prayer or bible study, weekly worship or serving in some way, the first step is commitment - promising yourself you’re going to do it. The important second step is discipline. If you say you’re going to pray and read your bible each day, then discipline your self to actually do it each day.

Remember, in the bible followers of Jesus are called “disciples” - meaning individual who accept his discipline - who discipline themselves for Christ’s sake.

Being a Christian in daily life requires training - discipline, in the same sense that it requires discipline to train to be a football player and a trombone player.

Discipline forms habits.

A habit simply means something you do on a regular basis so it’s almost automatic. You don’t have to remind yourself to do it; you just do - because it’s a habit.

You may come to church because it’s a habit. Some also pray everyday and read their bibles because it’s a habit. You’ve done it consistently and eventually it becomes ingrained - just a part of who you are. And that’s good.

Because when trouble comes, you pray. No tells you to, because praying has come naturally. You seek guidance from the bible - because you regularly read it and even know where to look. And you pray some more - you pray with confidence because you’ve prayed about things before and been strengthened.

You had practiced your faith - and it was there when you needed it. Practice your faith, and your faith becomes part of who you are.

I’m not suggesting you’ll go around quoting bible verses to your friends. But I am suggesting that what you learn from Christ will find its way naturally into your daily life. Like being more patient and understanding, compassionate and generous, accepting and forgiving. Not because you’re consciously trying to imitate Christ - which is good, but rather because your faith has just become a part of who you are. Christ-like attitudes begin to come naturally.

Come naturally because of some habits of faith you committed to.

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Christ has made great and glorious promises to us – and the ultimate promise is that after we die we will be with him – that just as Christ rose from dead, transformed, so too we shall rise to be with Him.

Christ through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope. 2 Thessalonians 2:16

That eternal comfort and good hope come to us by faith – by trusting the word of God – believing that it is true for me. Maybe it is a leap of faith, for it goes beyond what we can see and touch – beyond what we can rationally comprehend and explain.

Making that big leap of faith is easier if first you have made a number of small steps in faith. Because each step we make in faith increases it.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you… Philippians 2:12

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Today I invite you to work on your salvation by making a commitment to build up your faith.

First, promise to work on your personal relationship with God by devoting some time each day to prayer and Bible study. I know many of you already do that, so for you it is simply renewing your commitment. But if it’s not a habit for you, I urge you to discipline yourself – to schedule 10 or 15 minutes of your day for some quiet time with God. Simply read your Bible and pray.

Second, make a commitment to gather with other believers for worship and Bible study, for fellowship and friendships with Spirit. Catch the Spirit from others. Let your brothers and sisters support and encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

Third, live your faith – put it into action. Offer your time and talents, your abilities in service to others – family and friends – and in service in your church. We all have been blessed in many ways, so give of yourself in thanksgiving. Be generous as God has been generous.

Finally, share your faith. As you put what you believe into your own words, it both clarifies and strengthens your personal faith. Make a promise to yourself that between now and the end of the year you will invite someone to come with you to church.

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Years ago in Harlem, a preacher urged his members to make their faith real by thundering, “You got to learn to tangibilitate.”

Tan-gi-bil-it-tate – Express your faith in a tangible, visible way.

This is the point in the service to tangibilitate your commitment to Christ.

I hope you will commit to some tangible ways to grow – daily prayer and Bible study, worship and fellowship, service and generosity.

Tangibilitate - As an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual commitment to the Lord, you may come forward and place your commitment card* in the bowl – and then place your hand print on the rainbow.

* This was the Sunday when members returned their commitment cards as part of our stewardship campaign. As you may have gathered from the sermon, stewardship rally isn’t about money.