Where Do you Belong?
Tony E Dillon-Hansen
22 April 2018
An introduction and sermon based upon Psalm 23; John 10:11-18;
1 John 3:16-24.
As someone of fitness, I would like to exercise your hearts and
minds today. You may agree with me with things and you may not. Just remember
that some things, like exercise, might make you uncomfortable. We know with Christ’s call to service,
discomfort is part of the territory. Like Christ, exercise can help our hearts
get stronger. So let us witness Christ
together with whole heart and mind.
Will you pray with me? Holy and gracious God,
open our hearts and minds to receive the lesson given to us today. May the
words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight
O Lord, our Rock, Our Redeemer. Amen!
What does
the shepherd do? –
The image of the shepherd and the flock is a great illustration of
seeing and witnessing. Let us get right
to it. Let us consider what is the image of a shepherd and the flock mean to us
here in our lives. What does the shepherd do? Who belongs in the flock? What
does Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, call us to do?
First, a shepherd tends a flock.
Our society might think this strange given how we communicate to
people through screens,
but a shepherd wants to see those in the flock.
The shepherd wants to see you and to recognize you.
The shepherd cares for you and calls to you.
In turn, the Good Shepherd wants the flock to recognize when they
are called.
The Good Shepherd calls to us the flock so that we, the flock,
respond.
I am but a servant, and
Yes, I believe the Good Shepherd cares for you: Beloved child of
God.
Even more, the shepherd is looking out across the space
and wondering who is not here and why.
What is the shepherd calling of us today, in this church and in
the community?
Why is the shepherd wondering about who is not here?
These are great questions and I am glad you asked.
Who
belongs to the flock?
Again, the image of the shepherd infers a flock of sheep.
In terms of our story, that is us.
Who is part of that flock: the sheep?
It is interesting to note the word “sheep”
does not distinguish plural or singular
nor does it suggest a type of sheep.
When Jesus uses the image of the shepherd, that says something
about us.
what does it say?
Are we farm animals roaming in pasture?
(Some might say that about me before I have my morning cup of
coffee.)
Are we people in need of protection?
Instead, I submit the flock of the shepherd is an example
of how we are beloved of God
in the way that a shepherd loves the flock
and cares for each one in the flock.
When you look around, do we all look the same, talk the same or
dress the same?
It would be boring if we did.
In our society, we must get beyond the tired school-aged beliefs
that label people based upon what they wear, what they believe, how they live,
how much money they make, whether they drive Chevy or Dodge pickup (we know who
wins this one) or even if they have John Deere tractors. I don’t think God chooses
brands or sports teams. Although if you know a good pitcher, the Kansas City Royals
could use some help. I digress.
We must get beyond labeling and name calling because to God,
there is no distinction here.
You are more than a label.
You are more than data or a touch screen.
What the shepherd’s flock reminds us is that we are people and
that we belong to each other.
We belong to the community as a people and as a church
because Jesus makes no distinction
between who is part of the flock and who is not.
Why does Jesus make no distinction?
That is another great question.
I believe the answer is:
Because you matter!
Not an image of you or the things you buy, but you –this person,
this soul!
You, your life, your brokenness, and your dreams
You matter! You are precious to the shepherd.
You are beloved.
We are part of the flock (e.g. the community that has been called.)
You belong here because you are beloved!
Our commandment tells us to love God and to love neighbor,
whether they are here in this room or not.
Yes John 10:16 reminds us, that your neighbors belong here too
(regardless what disagreeable habits they may have).
If Jesus uses no distinctions, why should you?
You belong here and we belong to each other.
Further, the shepherd cares for us and calls us into community
but also prepares for us to respond to the call.
The shepherd doesn’t just talk to hear oneself talk.
(You can think that about me, but Jesus has different plans.)
From the Gospels and the Hebrew Scriptures,
we are commanded to love and to provide for our community.
We can be
deserving of the good shepherd,
but when
the shepherd calls, what are we called to do?
Our response is:
First, we recognize that we are called. Second, that we belong.
Third, when Jesus calls us, we are called to be examples
(shepherds) to our communities.
Our scripture from the epistle of 1 John 3:16,18 tells this.
“We know love by this, that he laid down his
life for us--and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.
… Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”
… Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”
From John’s letter, we are called to be shepherds too.
This is quite like how I, as a taekwondo student, became a master.
Through my mentors, I had examples of skill
but even more, I had examples of great attitudes and great
leadership.
Thus, it was natural that I teach in the example of my masters.
Yes, service is taught as part of the lessons.
It is in this way that Jesus, by example as a shepherd, teaches us
how to be shepherds.
We are called into service and love, “not in word or speech, but
in Truth and action.”
I can talk about forms or kata, but my actions and my students
reveal the Truth of my words.
Of that verse, What is truth?
Be authentic in your love and compassion (not just rhetoric or
empty slogans.)
Thus, our action is our revealed sincerity:
Action, as in Through service to the community,
Action, as in engaging the community,
and action, as in being stewards of the Creation gifted to us.
God is calling us to be examples of the Good Shepherd.
That is
what the truth and action means for us.
The epistles and Gospels tell us is that our Church is one of
action.
That is to say, we not only show up for church on Sunday,
but we are engaged in our community.
We not only want to welcome people into the sanctuary,
but we are a welcome face -- everywhere we are
-- regardless if they sit next to you in the pew or not.
The shepherd represents
the compassion, the love and the welcoming spirit of God.
Yet, despite our commandments and Gospels,
For too long, people have felt excluded from church
and that exclusion perpetuates into the community.
For too long, people have used the sacred word to injure rather
than to serve.
When people try to use the Bible to hurt someone,
we remind them what Jesus and the Gospels call us to do for our
community.
In fact, 1st John reminds us that the Church and community
are more than just words in a book or hymn.
Our actions reveal the true mission of the Church given to us by
Jesus:
to do service and to care, especially to those in need
-- Whether that person needs a simple smile (not a false one),
a conversation instead of being alone, or path to put food on the
table.
We are to be the face of love and compassion in this world.
Sure, it is ok to admit that we have failed from time to time
because we are not perfect.
Yet, we get back up and try again --learn to be better.
There are people in our community just waiting for our welcoming
and extended hand.
Perhaps, there is someone is somewhere sitting in a room,
crying, needing a hand and wondering where they belong.
Will you be there?
What if you were that person needing help?
In our corner of the world, right here in our town,
we can be that comfort that heals and builds our community of
Christ.
Because we know what brokenness feels like and looks like,
We can see each other, reach out and help our brothers and
sisters.
It is for us and our future
that we care for our community.
It is for us and our future as a Church to reach out on behalf of
God.
It is for us and our future to say no to injustice
and to say yes to you-- beloved child of God.
It is for us and our future as a church
that we say love with whole heart.
It is for us and our future as called by God
to go forth from this room to bring peace and love into the
community.
Most importantly,
It is for us and our future
that we recognize each other and say “you matter,
you are Beloved,
And you are with friends here.”
Thus, we “abide in the commandments” when we welcome and help all
of God’s children - one person at a time. So what are you doing to “abide” and
to serve?
When you do, then Jesus may guide you by the still waters and invite
you at the gate.
The image of the shepherd invokes the example of Jesus.
The example of caring, truth and action is your mission: should
you choose to accept it.
We must be willing to be shepherds of our community not just
follow.
We do that by inviting people to share in service through love-filled
action.
Let us hear and feel the caring shepherd in our lives.
Spring is here -- reminding us of rejuvenation and growing.
Let us, through Christ, restore us and our community.
Even though we might walk in the darkest valley,
Let us grow in love and action together.
Let us be stewards of God’s creation and community.
We don’t do this alone and we don’t exclude.
That is when our service is the example of Christ’s love.
Beloved remember that – you matter
Because you belong
– so too does your neighbor.
Beloved people of God: flock of Jesus,
Let us prepare a path for the shepherd.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us
all the days of our lives.”
Thanks Be to God.
