Walk the Way of Jesus
Tony E Dillon Hansen
Sermon based upon 1 John 3: 16-24, Psalm 23, John 10: 11-18, Acts 4: 5-12
Opening Prayer
Happy Good Shepherd Sunday - 4th Sunday of Easter!!
We continue our journey through 1 John. This is a cornerstone to some of my faith and my ministry work. Let us talk about how we can walk the way of Jesus.
There are plenty of people in our world telling us how great Jesus is in their lives. You will hear people describe meaningful love for Christ.
That is all well and good.
A guy came up to our Dream Team group and said that he asks people if they ride (bicycle). If they say yeah (on day like a beautiful April we were enjoying), his next question is have you rode your bike yet this year? If the answer is no, then his determination is that "you do not ride. "
This is similar to what 1 John is saying - live your faith in your actions as well as thoughts and words.
Our faith isn’t just how we hear the words, think about the words or tell others about the word, but also what we do with it.
This letter offers direction and steps for us on our faith journeys - how one might augment that faith journey.
We are reminded in this glorious season of Easter from the author that “Jesus laid down his life for us…”
Yes, the great sacrifice that was done for us and our brokenness was the Lamb and blood poured out in pain and suffering.
This same person who tells us “I am the good shepherd” becomes the lamb. The irony is telling but not finished. The stone rejected by people before becomes the cornerstone of us today.
A shepherd cares for us the sheep (for a hired hand runs away). God is not hired for us, not hired to care for us or otherwise. God is! God is, and as well, we are not “hired” to care for each other - we are instead to care for each other.
The author of this letter reminds us of the sacrifice and then proceeds to tell us that “we ought to lay down our lives for one another.”
I can hear people all around - “I have to give my life for others??”
Now before you get all hot and bothered, John tells us what that means.
This is beyond literal, and the sentiment is real.
How does abiding in God’s love and having good things (because of God) and sees another person in need but yet refuses to help? Say it another way, How does loving God and loving neighbor mean anything if one refuses to help those around us?
Beloved little children, this is a challenge to not just love with fancy words, remembered verses, or “thoughts and prayers.” John challenges us to seek “truth and action.”
Faith is also manifested by what we do with it.
Few years ago, youth were presented this idea at the Regional summer camp. The theme was called “Faith in action.”
That means our deeds and action should follow the words we read and say.
For me, that means feeding and comforting the homeless. That means time to mentor youth. That means we don’t turn blind eye to injustice. We stand together in Christ’s love for justice when injustice strikes its ugly hand.
That is for all neighbors - even the ones on the other side of town , the country, or the world - because a black man (or a mom) in another city is just as important to a parent down the block trying to raise their kids or just for them to have decent job.
Faith in action means respecting the beautiful uniqueness in people for race, queer, culture, or wherever they are in the world (or on life’s journey.)
That includes respecting the rights and beliefs of cultures not ours and yes, respecting indigenous people who have long been at the brunt of bigotry and prejudice.
Jesus teaches us to love, and that grace is not limited to just a few voices or just the entitled or wealthy.
That means we speak up against war mongering, genocide, and terrorist violence as well as for the innocent in Gaza. Our faith in action says to speak up for the right to be free from tyranny like in Ukraine.
That means standing up for those less fortunate and with those struggling - because we know it is only a moment away for us too.
For standing up for migrants who seek a better life because there is enough room to share, there are jobs that people will do, and there is opportunity. There is opportunity (not just for them but) also for us to grow together in the love of God.
That means we stand up for gender equity; that woman’s word and work is equally valuable - that her body is entrusted to her decisions and her relationship with God.
That also means to not take seriously snake-oil salesman, false prophets, who say they "believe in the bible" but do the complete opposite of what Jesus says - or those who sell a book they never read.
Nor is it for us to condemn, for judgment belongs with God alone.
Why because to forgive, to love one another does not come with provisos.
We don’t have to make a part time job of it, although the need is real and there are plenty of good organizations as well as this Church that can put your faith to redeeming work in great ways.
Still, when we see something, there is an opportunity for us to put on that body amour of love and faith, and do the right thing.
Simply, we can look to our left and right, and we can offer a blessing and smile. We can think about people here in the Church and those who are not, offer them your blessings and your heart. Share with them your love.
Yes This means remembering our commandments, not just as plaques on walls or building monuments. We are to live the word and teachings in our lives and in all parts of our lives: in the church pew, walking out the door, when we have dinner, when we visit friends, when we go to the grocery store, and when we are alone (with dog and cat.)
**For those with trouble walking, sharing your stories of love and faith with others is exactly what Jesus has in mind for you as well.
In these ways, we walk the way of Jesus - to “love one another as I have loved you.”
It is fitting that it is Earth Day weekend. “Faith in action” also means being good stewards of the garden God has given us and taking care of this garden - so that not only our neighbors can enjoy it but our children and their children can enjoy it as well.
This is walking the way of Jesus “by the Spirit given to us.”
That Beloved is grace given to us and for us to manifest in these ways -in the way of Jesus. When we do these wonderful commands, when we not just talk the way of Jesus but walk the way of Jesus, "we have boldness before God…” and because the Spirit restores when we fail.
And when we are scared and anxious, Spirit leads us besides still waters.
That Beloved, is when “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, we shall dwell in the house of the Lord…”
Thanks Be To God
