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The Gospel of Matthew Bible Studies
The Gospel of Mark Bible Studies
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
April 2008
May 2008
June 2008
July 2008
August 2008
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
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First Sunday after Pentecost -- The Holy Trinity (A) Matthew 28:16-20 May 18, 2008 As today is, by our liturgical tradition, called ‘Holy Trinity Sunday’, I have prepared a sermon in three parts: One for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. (As for the Trinity, a teacher of mine as the seminary, Dr. Winston Persaud, once told me that--just like it is with people—it is usually unwise to say who God is— Just as we ourselves don’t much like to be put in boxes which define us, it is much more safe to say what God has done, what God does, or what our reaction is to what we experience as God. The scripture—the Bible helps us to see how others have experienced God. Today we have powerful scripture readings which tell us both about God and ourselves.) Father The poetic beginning of the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, speaks of the power given to humanity, and I quote: “God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image… and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth…” And so God did create humanity, and when he did this, (that is, within God’s great creative act) he said to our ancestors and says to us, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over every living thing that move upon the earth.” Now, I don’t know about you, but this makes many people a little bit uncomfortable… doesn’t it? To think that our role in the world, as people, is to have dominion over (or to dominate in) the world. You may be thinking to yourself right now, “No thanks—I don’t want to be a part of any sort of dominion… No, I’d rather mind my own business (play in my own garden or play with my dog or something inconsequential like that).” Yet, at some level, I think the author of Genesis, Chapter One is simply stating the obvious truth of the matter (what it means to be human). We do—as the amazing creatures that we are—have power—great power in fact, to effect change in the world (which would include, by the way, planting a garden or training a dog). We do, as a unique species on this planet, have dominion. But here is the thing that we forget—the funny thing that if we would remember it—it would humble us and make room for faith. You see, we did not earn this role. We did not ask for it. Yet, this is our lot in life. This is the situation we find ourselves in; the way we were made… by God, the creator. We have authority. Each of us does. Power… Potential… and Perhaps this is the point of Genesis Chapter One...: we have power and potential for which we never asked. We have the capability to exercise dominion—to dominate (our environment and sometimes even each other). And this, I believe, is the point of Genesis, the first Chapter of the entire Bible. And if this is the case, the whole rest of our scripture, from the second Chapter on, is a discussion of what sort of dominion we are to have? Isn’t that the question that all of us have to address with the living of our lives, at some point or another. Yes, we have been given by God ‘The Father’ both power and potential and authority—but what are we to do with it? Thinking of the High School Graduates today, I was remembering how my own dad used to tell me, (well this is how I remember it anyway) “Josh, son, you are so smart and so talented guy. You have the ability to do whatever you want with your life. The sky is the limit (Of course, keep in mind this was a proud father talking. I recognize now that from his vantage point, he was unable to recognize my shortcomings—or too nice to say them out loud. But that’s beside the point). The point is that this was a message of complete grace. And I appreciated it. I mean, who wouldn’t? Who wouldn’t appreciate hearing this message that there were limitless options for our lives… Think big. Be fruitful and multiply. Spread out. The sky is the limit. This was great, but the problem was—what he never told me—and this was something I have had to struggle with for several years and in some way it’s something we all struggle with our whole lives long. Yes we have the propensity to exercise dominion (as Genesis puts it); yes, we have great power and potential, talents, gifts, whatever the Lord has blessed you with… (And the Lord has indeed blessed our congregation with many wonderful gifts—as many as there are people) yet the reality is that as you live your life you must continually decide what you are going to do with them! This is the question of our lives and the challenge of a lifetime. Jesus Christ, The Son There are some things that a Father or a parent just can’t decide for his children. As a parent, I suppose you can do what you can, trying to equip your children for the endeavor of life, but if you try to “dominate” your children too much, you wind up with a rebellion on your hands. This is why the relationship between God and people and people and people cannot be sustained when it is based on domination or the various types of power plays we pull. Sometimes we think it is, sometimes it can feel like we are being pushed around down here, but the central revelation of God, in our Christian faith is named Jesus Christ—Called the Son of God. And if he is the Son of God, the relationship to us is more like a brother. More like a friend and guide than a boss. There comes a time in the life of a child, when he or she ceases to be a child. The most beautiful; one of the most grace filled things is when the relationship between parent and child evolves into a friendship (of course this can’t happen fully until a child becomes an adult and a peer). I think this is what Jesus Christ is for. Jesus comes to show us that God doesn’t want us to grovel all the time—or if you know the story of Genesis—to hide when we feel that we’ve done wrong. Rather, in faith, God wants us to stand in integrity, and to be our companion. Jesus Christ is our guide in this—or he’s like a doorway through which we are invited to walk back into a relationship with the one who created us. You see, I think up until the time when Jesus calls us, we are like infants—everything is from God the Father—but suddenly, with Jesus, we are not adversaries of God or just recipients of what God gives us, we are now in Christ, with Christ, able to respond to God—able to walk with God. And with Christ we find the answer to our deepest questions. What are you to do with your life? —with the little authority you have been given? He says, look at me “All the authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” See what it meant for my life. You will find meaning and purpose if you remember that I am with you always. You are no longer separate, you are a part of what I am doing—You are Christian, so use your authority for the same purpose as the Son: Whose purpose is not dominating control, but conquering love. Go baptize and teach what I have taught you. Spread this brotherhood to all nations on the earth. This is what your life is for. A worthy endeavor. Holy Spirit Finally there is the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us that we wouldn’t be alone—that he would send us a spiritual advocate to accompany us along the way. A counselor. Jerry Redlin, commented to me just this week something that sparked a thought that I would like to share with you. He said, “It seems like we walk around most of the time; mostly unaware of the Holy Spirit in our lives.” This makes sense. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit is likened to a wind or a breath. The breath of God. From our Genesis text again, “The breath of God swept over the face of the waters of chaos” in order to create the world. The Holy Spirit, I think you are right Jerry, most of the time we forget all about it. It’s here all the time, but it’s like our life giving breath. How many days do you live your life without ever even realizing consciously that you are breathing… It’s so second nature to us. The Holy Spirit is like that. We feel so at home with God’s life giving Spirit, sometimes we even forget that it’s there. Yet, what does the Holy Spirit do? The giver of life. The Book of Acts tells us that The Holy Spirit binds us together as a community – strangers become brothers and sisters in the Church. Never forget, that when life seems strange and people seem like strangers, you always have a fellowship in the Church—this is a gift of the Spirit. Also: the power of prayer—The Holy Spirit enables prayer. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit—the expression of God that is right here… with us. There would be no prayer conversation. Christians, on the loneliest day of your life, you are less alone than those without faith. The Holy Spirit is with you, to hear your cry. To understand and encourage you to keep going; to remind you about Jesus’ love—God’s love—for you; his forgiveness. And finally, the Holy Spirit, not by your own doing… gives you the faith it takes to navigate the chaos of each new day. Faith. Conclusion Brothers and sisters in Christ, you have been given great gifts, through your Baptism you have been given a Calling, a brotherhood with Jesus Christ himself and a portion of his conquering and fearless love for all people. And along the way, you have been given a promise: the continual and permanent presence of God’s breath—The Holy Spirit. May God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit Bless us and keep us this day and always.
-------------------- Pastor Joshua Magyar 418 W. Main St. Sidney, MT 59270
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