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    Feb 10, 2016

    Fulfilled and Free 1: Freed! (Ash Wednesday)

    Fulfilled and Free 1: Freed! (Ash Wednesday)

    Passage: Isaiah 58:1-12

    Speaker: Rev. Vivian McCarthy, Pastor

    Series: Fulfilled and Free

    Category: Discipleship, Grace

    Keywords: freedom, saving grace, slavery

    The work of the cross – the purpose for Christ’s coming to earth – the purpose of the Incarnation of God-with-Us – was to save and to free – all of us. And the saving and the freeing were, as the words of pardon announce, proof of God’s love for us. How many of us live with something that has power over us?

    I often wonder, when we read scriptures about the oppressed or those in bondage or slavery, if we collectively think that the scripture is speaking of them.  You know, rather than us.  The Apostle Paul would have some rather strong words for us if he suspected that.  

    The work of the cross – the purpose for Christ’s coming to earth – the purpose of the Incarnation of God-with-Us – was to save and to free – all of us.  And the saving and the freeing were, as the words of pardon announce, proof of God’s love for us.  How many of us live with something that has power over us?  How many of us are bound by greed or lust or sorrow or something else?  How many of us are addicted to drugs or smoking or gambling – or food?  How many of us are held captive by our need to be liked or credit card debt that is out of control or jealousy?

    Paul would say

    20b Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. 21 How? you say. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.  1 Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. 2 God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; the day you needed me, I was there to help.  2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2 (The Message)

    Perhaps the words are more familiar from the New Revised Standard Version: 

    20b…We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1 As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you." See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

    We entreat you – not ask or remind but entreat or beg or plead.  “Please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.”  There is an urgency and immediacy in Paul’s words in both versions.  But for me, Eugene Peterson captured that urgency – please don’t squander…in the nick of time.

    In the next 5 weeks we are going to be focusing on 5 elements of 5 essentials that contribute to our best life:

           Five Elements:                                  Five Essentials:

                  Build Life on Truth                          Faith

                  Make Wise Choices                        Food

                  New Ways of Thinking                    Fitness

                  God’s Spirit in Your Life                  Focus

                  Honest Community                         Friends

     A few years ago, Pastor Rick Warren knew he was not in a good place.  He was seriously out of shape, overweight and over-committed.  The book we are using as one of the resources for this series is the result of his personal wake-up call.  He wrote:

    In 1980, at the age of 25, I became the founding pastor of Saddleback Church…As the church rapidly grew to thousands of members, I worked long days, ate meals on the run, and spent hours sitting while leading meetings, counseling people, and studying for sermons.  I began adding a few pounds every year, but because my energy remained high and I didn’t care much about appearance, I ignored my growing health problem.  By 2010, I was severely overweight.*

    Let me stop right there because I do not want our Lenten disciplines to be about weight loss.  The principles in Pastor Warren’s book are good principles that apply to many areas of our lives – to anything that keeps us from living the “marvelous life God gave us!” 

    Most of you know that weight is a struggle for me and you may not know it, but it has been a struggle my whole life.  I don’t remember ever being free from some sense of guilt or shame related to my size – even when I was actually a good size!  I have vivid memories of feeling terrible as an 11 year old – out of place, ugly.  But I know that it’s not weight per se that, if you’ll pardon the pun, weighs me down.    It’s the negative talk, the sense of shame, the endless cycle that has been my lifelong companion.  Friends, it’s a spiritual issue – an “I’m not worthy” issue – an “I don’t always feel God could love me” issue. 

    Pastor Warren went on to say:

    The next Sunday, I stood before my congregation and made this public confession:             

    Friends, I’ve been a poor steward of my health and a terrible example for you.  While we’ve been helping many around the world, I’ve ignored the problem here at home.

    So today I am publicly repenting, and I ask for your forgiveness!  God expects us to take care of the bodies he has given us, but I have not done that….*

    He goes on, but I want to stop there.  Everything I just read to you is true.  God does want us to take care of our bodies.  And our ignoring our health is sin. 

    But I want to say something much more important – something that I don’t always “get” when it comes to sin and especially when it comes to food and weight control:

    God is not judging us – shaming us – seeing us with disgust.  God’s act of mercy in and through Jesus is based on God’s tremendous, deep and lasting love for us.  God wants us to be whole and healthy and vigorous in every stage of life – to use the amazing gifts implanted in our spirits to lead others to know the deep and unconditional – yes, unconditional – love of God.  And when there is an external impediment – anything that keeps us from that amazing, incredible life, God weeps.

    So as we look at those 5 elements and 5 essentials, take them and use them as they fit your life – your incredible life.  And take some steps to live your best life – the life that God has given you for your benefit and the benefit of those who see God in and through you.

    And while you’re at it, let us know how you’re doing.  Share your witness from time to time on our Facebook page – and be sure to use the hashtag: #fulfilledandfreerumc1777.

     

     *Note:  Quotes above from The Daniel Plan:  40 Days to a Healthier Life by Rick Warren, et al.  Copyright (c) 2013.  Published by Zondervan.