Proverbs 16:9; Matthew 28: 16-20
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
May 27, 2018
Trinity Sunday
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.
And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ - Matthew 28: 16-20
“The human mind plans the way but the Lord directs the steps.” These words from Proverbs 16:9 completely sum up the life of Jesus’ disciples.
From the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel, the disciples had planned to just live an ordinary life. They learned a trade and made a living with the gifts, resources, and family support they had been given.
None of them were looking for Jesus. But suddenly one day, Jesus showed up. Jesus met Peter and Andrew and James and John and even Matthew where they were. Jesus came alongside them and said, “Follow me” and I will take your God-given gifts and teach you how to use them to build God’s kingdom (Matthew 4:18-22; 9: 9-10).
Every time I read about the way Jesus called the disciples, I am fascinated that there were no excuses or balking, like you or I have given. The disciples did not know where Jesus would take them. The disciples did not know what they would have to give up. But there was something about Jesus they trusted enough to direct their steps.
All great leaders have a sphere of influence. And their influence is worth following if they have two character traits: passion and integrity. Passion is being moved to action at the risk of hurting or suffering for the cause. Integrity is having an attitude towards wholeness for self and others by adhering to moral and ethical principles.
Those whom Jesus called were drawn to his passion and integrity. The Son of God came to embody the power of God’s bold and steadfast love. God’s love changes everything. Standing in the presence of God’s love causes us to see ourselves and the world differently.
Have you ever met someone who embodies God’s love in such an authentic way that it left you saying, “I want that! I want what s/he has.”?
I think it was like that for the disciples. They saw Jesus embody God’s love in such a powerful way that they said to themselves, “I want to be like that.”
Matthew’s Gospel says that Jesus preached and lived by the Beattitudes – lifting up the most vulnerable into the strength of God’s promises. Jesus taught to look for the new thing God is doing in the world; be the light; always be humble and kind. Jesus taught the disciples four keys to living by godly integrity: pray, do not worry, serve God alone, and the Golden Rule (treat others the way you want to be treated).
Jesus taught the disciples the ministry of presence to bring about God’s healing. Jesus taught the disciples the power of God’s love is hidden in the ordinary places of life. He instructed the disciples to look for it and help others see it because it is in those places that the kingdom of God is breaking in and we could miss it.
As Jesus directed the disciples’ steps, he revealed the way ahead would not be easy. All who follow Jesus will need to deny themselves and live into the self-giving love of the cross. Jesus prepared the disciples to handle conflict with prayerful integrity. Jesus was bold to welcome the children and ensure their valued presence in God’s family.
Jesus’ passion and integrity directed the disciples’ steps into a new way of living. Jesus revealed our true humanity is to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. That is the sum of the Law and the prophets; it is why we are called to follow Jesus. Therefore, we are sent to carry on Jesus’ ministry of making disciples of all nations.
We find Scripture’s marching orders in the same way the disciples did. We praise God for all God has done as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. And we also doubt. We doubt that we are capable or even qualified to live up to and to live into the fullness of Jesus’ example and teachings.
Curry spoke with such candor about the power of love:
But love is not only about a young couple. Now the power of love is demonstrated by the fact that we're all here. Two young people fell in love, and we all showed up….
But Curry also preached from a global pulpit. His words were filled passion to inspire the making of disciples:
Someone once said that Jesus began the most revolutionary movement in human history.
A movement grounded in the unconditional love of God for the world - and a movement mandating people to live that love, and in so doing to change not only their lives but the very life of the world itself.
I'm talking about power. Real power. Power to change the world.
"If you don't believe me, just stop and imagine. Think and imagine a world where love is the way.
Imagine our homes and families where love is the way. Imagine neighborhoods and communities where love is the way.
Imagine governments and nations where love is the way. Imagine business and commerce where this love is the way.
Imagine this tired old world where love is the way. When love is the way - unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive.
Curry delivered this sermon to more than 2 billion people globally. It is one of the most profound sermons I have ever heard preached. I have no doubt that some disciples were made and also encouraged that day!
Curry’s sermon inspired and challenged all who were listening to truly live into the transforming love of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. I know I am not the only one who listened to those words and said, “I want to be a part of that. I want to be guided by that way of love!”
The Apostle Paul says that God has given each of us gifts – a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
That means that God has given you and me a unique way of sharing the power of God’s love. God has a plan to give you a future with hope to bring about God's purposes like no one else can do.
The truth of our texts today is that God inspires us to follow Jesus’ passion and integrity through that of others. God fuels our passion to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. God directs the steps of our lives and work to continue Christ’s ministry of making disciples.
Our hearts might plan the way, but God directs our steps to bring about God’s purposes in the ordinary places of life. It’s not always about what we say (about faith) but rather what we are teaching through our actions.
Frederick Buechner says, the kind of work God usually calls you to is the kind of work (a) that you need most to do and (b) that the world most needs to have done. ... The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."
The President of Lancaster Chamber of Commerce is Dean Faile and he began this program with one question: “What is your passion?”
Another way of saying that is: What do you have a great love and concern for in which you are willing to give up your time, talents, and treasures to foster positive change here in in our community and beyond? It is a question that has made a profound impression upon my cohorts and myself.
I have had the privilege of meeting so many leaders in our community who intersect their talents and faith with passion and integrity. They serve the county in our school district, hospital, social agencies, the arts council, businesses and industry, the city and state government, the police and sheriff’s departments, and in the military.
None of the individuals I met are perfect; nor are any of these institutions. But the individuals I met through Leadership Lancaster are trying their best to love God and love neighbor as self.
Through their unique God-given gifts and passion, they are working together to do one thing…. (and I borrow the words of Debbie Jaillette, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Council of the Arts): that one thing is “Becoming a formidable force for good, community, love and family.”
And that my friend is what it means to live into the power of God’s love. To be a formidable force is what it means to follow Jesus and to make disciples of all nations. That is what it means to obey everything that Jesus commanded and point to the kingdom of God.
What is your passion that parallels Christ’s teachings? It may be welcoming children to help them feel valued. It may be blessing the poor in spirit. Where is God leading you to intersect your deep gladness and the world’s greatest need?
When God’s love guides our motivations and actions then the way of love directs our steps to be a formidable force for good in our families, community, and world – not just for the common good but for God’s good.
When love is the way then God’s kingdom breaks in a little more and we cannot miss it.
And we are inspired, our passion is rekindled, and our integrity is strengthened to be all that God is creating us to be.
May it be so for each of us today and everyday.
In the name of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
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