Sermon Series: Sabbath as Resilience

"Sabbath Sermon Series: Resilience"
Matthew 11:28–30 by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
June 26, 2016

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
- Matthew 11: 28-30

My first real job after college graduation was in restaurant management. I had worked with a casual dining company through my college years as a server waiting tables. I was grateful to be promoted to Associate Manager. I loved working in hospitality, with a team, and with good food. I had the privilege of hiring and training wait staff. I wrote the weekly schedule for about 35 employees. I was called to speak with our patrons when they sang the kitchen’s praises and also when they grumbled if the food or service was not up to par. My favorite part of my job was working back in the kitchen with our cooks to prepare food. We would sing with the radio and I would occasionally grab a few copper foil sheets and make Wonder Woman wristlets and headbands. Hospitality was not just for the patrons, it was also to build up the team of 70 employees.

There was also the work that was not fun, like terminating employees, breaking up fights in the bar, and the administrative details that come with any management position. A work week easily added up to somewhere between sixty and seventy hours. It was easy to hit a breaking point with all the stress and demands. In those days I worked all the time and I did not have a broad support system. Too much stress quickly led to forced rest by a weakened immune system and illness.

Back then I did not understand what true rest should have looked like as a twenty-something, other than sleep. But as I look back through the last forty plus years of the shared human experience, I realize that all of us have a hard time finding true rest when our noses are to the grind stone. The average American works over 55 hours a week now. The more we work, the more our stress weighs upon us a burden. Stress compromises our well-being physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When we are stressed by all of the other plates we spin during the week then we find it difficult to bounce back in healthy ways.

We push through the exhaustion because our work is closely tied to our identity. We normalize daily stress and carry the weight alone, too proud to ask anyone for help. We grumble and complain more. For some a break is found when we take to social media or facebook instead of looking into God’s faithbook. I have done all of these and maybe you have too.

Why are we so stubborn to search for a life of balance and resilience? Why do we resist Sabbath?

There is some truth to Eric Carl’s Hungry Caterpillar story I shared in the children’s sermon. We will tear through everything else around us before we will pause to look more deeply within.

Saint Augustine was a fourth century bishop and theologian. He once said, “Our hearts are restless until the find rest in God alone.”

When we are stressed and burdened, this restlessness that Augustine mentions is very real. And we reach towards so many other things in hopes to satisfy and quiet this restlessness. But nothing will calm the restlessness of our stress and burdens quite like God.

Every time I read Jesus’ words from Matthew I am reminded that we need to unburden ourselves and seek Jesus’ strategy for self-care with spiritual resilience.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11: 28-30).

Spiritual resilience is found in relationships. Jesus says “Come to me – not come to work one more day or to facebook or to your spouse – but come to ME and I will give you rest” (verse 28). God created us out of the sheer joy of living in relationship with us. Within this gift of God’s love we find the sacred center of all things. Jesus lived his life according to this profound yet simple truth. Jesus’ life got a bit chaotic. The days were filled with demands to give of himself for his work and to help others. The crowds would charge after him with hands lifted in praise or fists raised with stones. There were days he felt the world’s weight of fulfilling the promise of salvation upon his shoulders.

But Jesus did not work in isolation until he hit a breaking point. Jesus would regularly leave the scene to rest in God alone. Jesus knew the importance of quieting himself to be still and nurture his relationship with God. Jesus, while fully human and fully divine, knew he needed a regular time out with God to feel restored by grace for the work that lies ahead.

Spiritual resilience is found in tapping into God’s strength. Jesus says, “Take my yoke and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart” (verse 29). The yoke Jesus talks about is not a single yoke but a double yoke. It implies that the burdens we carry are meant to be carried with God and the body of Christ. The yoke is a spiritual support system.

Jesus knew he could not bring about God’s purposes all on his own ability. Therefore Jesus called the twelve disciples to teach them to lean into a deeper trust of God so they could carry on Jesus’ work in the world. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart teaches us to more fully rely on God and one another as a source of strength, empowerment, and peace. Even Jesus needed to rest by setting down the weight of the world and to trust God and others with it.

Spiritual resilience is being diligent to rest so that it may be well with our soul. We are to follow Jesus’ example of wearing this yoke that is easy and light because God has fashioned it in a particular way for us. God has ordered life with a rhythm of work and rest and when we allow our steps to be guided by this rhythm then all the burdens we carry are more bearable. There is nothing we carry that is too heavy for God to lift with us and even work through. But we must have the courage, humility, and discipline to allow God to lighten our load and just be.

To be still and know that I AM God. To be still and know the I AM. To be still and know. To be still. To just be.

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and the true giver of self-care. It is through the example of Jesus Christ that we find the sacred center – our sacred center – of all things. When life feels overwhelming and seems to fall apart we cannot hold the center of it all by ourselves. And we are not meant to.

The hand and heart of God hold us and all that weighs on our shoulders. We feel God’s deep embrace through our relationships as the body of Christ and through the strength of humility and disciplined rest. This rest is not just an absence of work but it is self-care that allows us to explore what re-energizes us. Maybe that is centering yourself in prayer, taking a run or a walk as you let your thoughts unwind, painting with friends in a class, or claiming some time with family.

Sabbath is a sacred center of all things. It lightens the load to set our burdens down and trust God with them. It builds us up in God’s grace and strength. It empowers us to be resilient and bounce back in our daily lives. Sabbath is a weekly spiritual discipline that allows us to thrive and grow through any burden or challenge.

If we choose to ignore Sabbath and we never find a true rhythm of resilient rest then our center cannot hold. We deny our Creator’s gift; isolation causes us to feel cut off from community with God and one another; we compromise our well-being; and we lose a sense of gratitude because we are constantly depleted and have nothing to give.

I pray we reclaim the gift of Sabbath. It is a spiritual space created and set apart for us to rest in God alone. Sabbath frees us from being a slave to our work. Sabbath empowers us to feel fully alive when we play in God’s creation. Sabbath allows us to be agents of restoration when we are the grace of Christ to one another. And Sabbath shows us how to unburden ourselves in order to thrive through any challenge so that we may be spiritually resilient.

As we claim this day of Sabbath together, I lift this prayer from Walter Brueggemann for us:

Things fall apart
The center cannot hold.
We are no strangers to the falling apart.
We perpetuate against the center of our lives,
And on somedays it feels like an endless falling,
Like a deep threat,
Like rising water,
Like ruthless wind.
But You – in the midst,
You back in play
You rebuking and silencing and ordering,
You creating restfulness in the very eye of the storm.
You – be our center
Cause us not to lie about danger
Cause us not to resist your good order.
Be our God. Be the God You promised
And we will be among those surely peaceable in your order.
We pray in the name of the one through whom all things hold together.
Amen.

Source Referenced:
Walter Brueggemann, “Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth”, p. 26.

Sermon Series: Sabbath as Grace

Sabbath Sermon Series: Grace
Luke 13: 10-17 by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
June 19, 2016

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight.

When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.

But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’

But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing. - Luke 13: 10-17

Sometimes life unfolds in such a way that we are moved to see it from a new perspective. Luke tells the story that Jesus was teaching in the synagogue as he often did. This particular day was a Sabbath day to the Lord. It was a day for all to rest in God’s grace. But then a woman appeared. For a very long time she had been overcome by a tremendous weight. Her ailment caused her to stand completely bent over and she was unable to lift herself to the whole.

It is important for Luke to say that Jesus saw her. Jesus called her over to be drawn near to him. Jesus set her free through grace in spoken word and physical touch. All the bonds that had deprived this woman of having enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment in life were loosed. And in that very moment life unfolded in such a way that the kingdom of God broke in. The very hand of God embraced a marginalized woman’s brokenness by the grace of the Sabbath.

Jesus then continued this teaching moment with the synagogue leader and the crowd. Jesus saw the indignation of the leader. Jesus heard the leader’s words to lean into the Law more than Love. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy as the Law commanded; six days you shall work but the seventh day is a Sabbath day to the Lord and you shall not work (Exodus 20: 8-10).

Jesus knew that the leader’s interpretation of Sabbath was putting limits on God’s grace. According to God’s Sabbath Law even the leader himself would do the minimal work to untie his ox or donkey on the Sabbath to give it life giving water to be refreshed. God’s Sabbath grace was given as a gift to all - no one and no creature was excluded. If the leader would allow even an animal to taste the goodness of Sabbath then why not allow this woman to be restored by God’s incarnate grace?

Jesus reinterprets the Sabbath. While Sabbath is a gift to receive God’s grace and rest from work, Jesus is not satisfied if we keep this gift solely to ourselves. Jesus knows we all need to sit in the space created to receive God’s grace. But Jesus makes a point that we all need to make room to freely share this grace that restores as well. Sabbath is a reminder that God’s grace sets us free to partner with God in this holy work of restoring. Grace is not idle but it is on the move.

A few weeks ago our church held vacation bible school for kids of all ages. I was grateful to lead an adult study on Sabbath as we peered through the highlights of Old and New Testament Scripture. We took some time to discuss this very text from Luke and share our insights. One of our members shared in the discussion that Sabbath today has become an hour that we take ourselves to church. We limit Sabbath to one hour of worship and then we go about our business.

This comment has caused me to consider the difference between taking ourselves to church and being the church.

“Taking ourselves to church” infers that our faith is nurtured in a passive way. Yes we do all need a time to be still and allow our spiritual cups to be filled. We all have an emptiness that God desires to fill with amazing grace. But if we only allow ourselves to be takers of grace then we put limits on it.

As our spiritual cups fill they begin to run over. Remember grace is not idle but it is on the move and grace moves us to be the church. “Being the church” infers that we are sent out into the community with our overflowing cups to share the love of Jesus Christ with those who are aching for hope. Being the church means we are not meant to be mere takers of grace but givers of grace.

I am grateful for the active faith of this community here. But church, we still have work to do as a local church, as a presbytery, and as the Church Universal. This holy work we are called to requires that we see the world through Jesus’ eyes of compassion, love, and grace. This holy work seeks to partner with God to help others stand up in God’s strength.

There are so many situations that overwhelm us to the point that we feel completely bent over and crippled by our burdens. Stress from too much work or not enough of it, relationships with deep wounds, financial struggles, grief that ebbs and flows, and tears for a broken world. Jesus looks upon those of us who are completely bent and weighed down and says, “I see you and my grace will set you free.” Who does not long to hear those words?

This past Sunday during our time of prayer concerns a number of individuals asked to lift Orlando in prayer. As the details of this tragic shooting have unfolded this week, it has brought me to tears. I have cried reading the stories of the 49 women and men who have died and their surviving families. I have cried reading articles where pastors have said the LGBT community deserved this tragedy.

While the Greater Church remains divided on the issue of same-sex relationships, the kingdom of God has broken in a little more this week. Diverse peoples of faith have been coming together in solidarity to show compassion, to mourn, and to grieve the loss of so many lives and the victims who remain critically injured.

I was moved to learn Chick-Fil-A employees in Orlando worked on the Sunday of the shootings to prepare and take food to the long lines of people giving blood for the critically injured. As you know Chik-Fil-A is a Christian based company with conservative beliefs that stands firm on keeping the Sabbath on Sundays.

But this local branch saw their community completely bent over by grief and hurt. They followed God’s nudge to engage in this holy work of helping others stand in the strength of God’s grace. The employees did this despite Chik-Fil-A’s corporate theological differences with the LGBT community. Seeing one another through the lens of compassion, grace, and love was more important than inciting differences and limiting Sabbath to a day off.

Not only did Chik-Fil-A respond in this way but hundreds from the Muslim community in Orlando gave blood despite their month long fasting for Ramadan. Those who gave blood could not eat or drink as the American Red Cross suggests after blood donations. Ramadan is observed world-wide by the Muslim community. It is a time of spiritual reconnection and prayer and it is similar to a Jewish or Christian understanding of Sabbath. This is a very poignant image of reinterpreting Sabbath so that others may experience a sense of wholeness, restorative healing and grace.

Sabbath is not solely a time to rest in God’s grace as an individual, as a family, or as a community. It is a pause that transforms because we are freed by grace and called to partner with God in this holy work of restoring the world. As God’s kingdom slowly breaks in, the hand of God embraces and is restoring all human brokenness out of grace and love.

We partner in this holy work by pausing each week for Holy Spirit to open our eyes and see what breaks God’s heart so that we might offer healing as the body of Christ.

We light candles to pray for God’s grace to encircle all of us in the bonds of love, healing, and unity as one family, for we are all children of God.

We share our gratitude with first responders in our hometowns when we cannot say “thank you” to those serving in real time tragedies far away.

We search for words that build bridges of understanding and respect.

We listen to one another’s stories that reveal our shared humanity over a cup of coffee, while giving blood, and even at quilt shows, like we hosted last week.

We take neighbors a meal and take them to doctor’s visits when they feel weak and alone.

We take a posture of confession and humility when we do not understand the world around us or even the unthinkable acts we do ourselves.

Grace is not idle. It is on the move just like Jesus was. As we reflect upon Sabbath, let us pause to consider how we might more fully commit ourselves to this holy work of restoring the brokenness around us. We are all tethered to God and one another through grace. And we are our brothers’ keeper.

You and I have been called to the holy work of being the grace of Christ for one another. We are to follow Jesus’ example to see each other and the work that lies before us with eyes of compassion, love and grace. Let us be the church and look for those who are bent by burdens. But more importantly, let us say, “I see you.”

The truth is that today there is someone near to you and me who desperately wants to know that that they are seen with eyes of love and to know they belong to the whole. May we allow our spiritual cups to overflow and strengthen our sisters and brothers with nothing less than grace. And when we do, life in that moment will unfold in such a way that there is no denying the kingdom of God has just broken in a little more.

In the name of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sermon Series: Sabbath as Play

Sabbath Sermon Series: Play
Ecclesiastes 2:22 – 3:15 by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
June 12, 2016

What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.

There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I know that whatever God does endures for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by. - Ecclesiastes 2: 22 - 3:15

The saying goes, “Once an adult, twice a child.” If you are an adult then I want you to close your close and tap into your inner child. If you are 18 years or younger then I want you to be who you are. Imagine before you is a giant ball pit. You are about to jump into a sea of blue, red, green, and yellow balls. It is a sea of fun and you do not have a worry in the world. And there are no germs in this ball pit!

This was the experience for employees who work in an advertising agency in New York City this past fall. The agency built an onsite ball pit filled with 81,000 balls. The goal was to empower the employees’ well-being and open new channels of creativity. When employees hit their stress limits at work they would take a break to jump into the ball pit and submerge themselves in a sea of silliness.

Adult play is transformative. It taps into our childhoods. It breaks down stress and brings us back to the basics to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Researchers state adult play generates something we all need a little more of - “lightheartedness, empathy, optimism, flexibility, and adaptability.” A sense of playfulness restores us to finding joy in the challenges of life

The Teacher of Ecclesiastes senses the weight of life’s challenges. He is quite a realist as his words point to the difficulties that come with the human rhythm of all our toil. And his words of cynicism point to the hazards of working all of the time. The Teacher begs the question, “What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun” (verse 22). If this is our approach to adulthood, then our days are full of pain, our work is filled with grief, and our minds race at night (verse 23).

This is a reality for many in today’s society. When work is a task master it becomes a means to an end. Its yield is meaningless and void of purpose or pleasure. It is all vanity and chasing after the wind.

This is not how we are intended to go through life. Not only does a constant inner drive of working deplete the enjoyment of our labors but it destroys our well-being and quality of life. Stress is the number one cause of health problems in the work place. While there is a season for everything – even a time to work and a time to rest – we do not truly give ourselves permission to seek balance.

The Teacher urges all those who have ears to listen: there is nothing better for humanity than to find a sense of happiness and enjoyment. This is God’s gift that all should find a way to take pleasure in all our toil (vv. 12-13). Therefore the Teacher’s wisdom notes that a life well lived is marked by one thing: be intentional to enjoy God’s great gift. That gift is a life of both work and play

The National Institute of Play is located in Carmel Valley, California. They have been researching the benefits of adult play since the late 1980’s. The institute notes “Play is a hard wired contagious response to a child’s development. It is a prerequisite for the capacity for intimacy throughout life.” We see the importance of play for children in the home and on playgrounds as we raise kids to be experiential learners and well-rounded adults.

Just enter the classroom of Play 101 with your son, daughter, grandchild, or godchild and let their imagination be your guide to a lesson in life. A child’s mind is fueled by curiosity and wonder. A child’s playful imagination is a lens to see new ways of engaging the world.

Dolls, Legos, Crayons, and Playdough are objects that help a child engage emotions, relationships, experiences, and faith. Life becomes a playground to discover joy and develop skills for problem solving. Children use their whole being to explore and create something new by stretching the limits of the ordinary. Laughter, wiggles, and silliness are must if you want to get an ‘A’ for effort in the classroom of play.

It is unfortunate that once we become adults we often forget how to be child-like with a lighthearted and playful outlook. It is no coincidence that more therapists and life coaches are prescribing play as adults consider new ways to engage challenges in work, significant relationships, and retirement. Play gives us a sense of humor to surrender the seriousness. Play empowers our confidence to step out of our comfort zones. Play harkens back to the building blocks of fostering intimacy in our relationships.

Our deepest place of intimacy is our relationship with God. And play brings us back to experiencing the wonder and awe of God. As we talked last week the very beginning of Scripture gives us an amazing picture of God’s engagement with the world as a way of life for us. God had a rhythm of work and rest and even playfulness in bringing forth new life. God worked and paused to see what was good and marveled at what could be imagined. God’s rhythm moves us to find God’s gift of pleasure in all our toil.

The pause of Sabbath transforms us as we take the time to play in the ordinary spaces of life.

To take in the beauty of a sunrise.

To be amazed as God dots the stars that are far too many to count in the night sky.

To play in the sandbox and feel the cool grains of sand tickle your toes.

To lie in the tall grass because the Shepherd makes us to lie down in green pastures and see God’s goodness in vivid color.

To sit beside a river bed and skip rocks because the Shepherd leads me beside still waters that restore my soul.

To play Gaga Ball and feel the pure delight of childhood again with the beading sweat of healthy competition on your brow.

To pick up a crayon and color your prayers with God’s love and grace.

When we consider Sabbath as a time to play then we are guided by God’s grace to feel fully alive. Play restores us to the joy of God’s salvation. Play generates new self-discoveries and opportunities to be co-creators in the world with God. Never forget that we are created in the image of God and that image bears the mark of playfulness.

As we consider ways for authentic Sabbath keeping, make time to rest and to play

In the name of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

A Play-Doh Prayer from our Prayer Stations in Worship

Read More About Adult Play:
Vince Gowman, “Remembering to Play” http://www.vincegowmon.com/playing-with-perspective/

“The Benefits of Play for Adults” http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm

Rev. Ed Bacon, “8 Ways to be More Playful,” HuffPost Religion, November 14, 2012 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-ed-bacon/8-ways-to-be-more-playful_b_2130666.html

Elisha Goldstein, “The Essential Ingredient You May be Missing for Happiness,” HuffPost Healthy Living, March 30, 2012
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elisha-goldstein-phd/benefits-of-play_b_1382871.html

Sermon Series: Sabbath as Freedom

Sabbath Sermon Series: Freedom
Exodus 20: 8-11; Deuteronomy 5:15 by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
June 5, 2016

Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. - Exodis 20: 8-11

Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day. - Deuteronomy 5: 15


A few years ago I was co-leading a confirmation class of very bright and energetic youth. Confirmation is a time of reviewing the tenets of faith with the 7th and 8th grade youth as they prepare to respond to their baptismal vows and join the church. We began the class with an overnight retreat with interactive lessons and recreation. One part of that lesson was discussing the Ten Commandments. We asked the youth if there was any commandment that they did not see as relevant in today’s culture. I was surprised to hear the majority answer, “The Sabbath.” Or maybe I should not have been surprised.

Currently we mark our time with how busy we are. We are busy earning a living. We are busy paying the bills and saving for the future. We are busy shuttling children to opportunities to develop their character. We are busy caring for aging family members. Busy is the new normal because we do not fare well with idle time. Busy is results oriented. If we want to be successful at anything we do then busyness must be the path to take the next step forward.

We have lost touch with the relevance of Sabbath. It is the fourth commandment which God imparted to Moses on the tablets of stone. And it wins for the highest word count of all the commandments, thereby revealing some important ways to follow the path of God’s faithfulness.

The book of Exodus is the story of Moses leading God’s people out of Egyptian slavery into the freedom of God’s promises. Their days had been filled with hard manual labor for hundreds of years. Egypt’s oppression weighed heavily upon the generations of Israel and it shook their foundational identity. As the people of God followed Moses towards a future of hope, God revealed how they might live more fully into God’s abundant faithfulness through the Ten Commandments. Sabbath was not solely a commandment instituting rules of rest. Sabbath was a gift of finding freedom in the chaos.

Sabbath freed the people to remember how God’s story defined them. Israel was not defined by past mistakes or even the work that had enslaved them. Sabbath reminded the people to keep God at the center of their lives. Our text of Deuteronomy is very specific to name this. “Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm…therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day” (Deut 5:15).

If the people held God as their sacred center then nothing could move them. God delivered Israel from Egypt and God would always be the people’s saving strength. God’s deliverance is the most powerful narrative threaded through all of Scripture. Sabbath was a radical practice of remembering God’s faithfulness and trusting God’s presence in the midst of chaos and wilderness.

Sabbath freed the people to know their intrinsic value. Every time I read the commandment of Sabbath I am struck by its inclusiveness. There is no one and no creature that is excluded from knowing Sabbath rest. God’s command claimed all of the community equally in God’s amazing grace. Sabbath leveled the manmade hierarchy of status and worth for all.

Rev. Maryann McKibben Dana is a Presbyterian minister at large, a speaker, and an author. A few years ago she was quoted on a PBS special on the topic of Sabbath: “Sabbath is the great leveler. I mean, if we take that seriously as a culture, it means that no matter what your life situation, whether you are Bill Gates or the person who cleans Bill Gates’ office, you have an inherent dignity and for a time each week, you do not need to defend your existence. To prove your worth in the culture and the marketplace.”

That is a radical notion! Sabbath creates a spiritual space where we do not need to prove our worth. We are all equally loved and valued by God. We are all equally encouraged to rest in that kind of grace that regenerates our lives.

Sabbath also freed the people to follow a new rhythm. It was not Egypt’s rhythm. It was not Moses’ rhythm. It was God’s rhythm of engaging the world. From the very beginning God’s hands moved in an ebb and flow of work and rest. The rhythm of God’s work to create new life held both purpose and pleasure. God’s work was never out of obligation or even domination. God always works, creates, and acts out of a great love to live in relationship with creation and humanity.

God’s ability to actually pause and rest sets forth a profound way of engaging the world. God took the time to enjoy the fruit of God’s labor. By doing so God freed Israel to enjoy the process of God’s work in their lives. In the practice of observing Sabbath God frees us to give ourselves permission to not only enjoy the fruits of our own labor but to enjoy the process of God’s work in our lives.

Walter Brueggemann says, “Sabbath is not simply the pause that refreshes. It is the pause that transforms.”

We encounter the holy and enter a space of sacred time when we observe the Sabbath. God created the Sabbath for all of God’s people to savor God’s goodness and God’s abundance. If we limit Sabbath only as a command that we “shall not work” then we miss the blessings of Sabbath.

How have you allowed the Sabbath to give you a sense of freedom within your work, intrinsic worth, and rhythm of engaging the world?

While many Christians observe Sabbath on Sundays because it is the day of resurrection, our Jewish brothers and sisters observe Sabbath on Friday evenings through sunset on Saturdays. It is a time to share a special meal and to worship in the synagogue on Friday evening or Saturday morning. The Jewish Shabot, as it is called, is marked by the lighting of candles just before Friday’s sunset. The light is a marker of time set apart to be claimed by God’s shalom (peace).

Susannah Heschel is the daughter of Jewish theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel, and she shares her memories of this sacred time with her family:

“Friday evenings in my home were the climax of the week, as they are for every religious Jewish family. My mother and I kindled the lights for the Sabbath, and all of sudden I felt transformed, emotionally and even physically. The sense of peace that came upon us as we kindled the lights was created in part by the hectic tension of Fridays [for Sabbath preparation]…Whatever had not been finished in the kitchen [before sunset] we simply left behind as we lit the candles and blessed the arrival of Sabbath.” [1]

Years ago when I read Susannah’s words, my family and I began observing Sabbath on Friday evenings together. We light candles at the table, share a special meal together, and have family time. The light of the candle reminds me of God’s presence and the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. The light allows us to find a sacred centering because we are sitting around the table of God’s household, all as children of God.

Sabbath frees me to know and trust that God is restoring us to the core of who we are and to God’s keeping. Out of the chaos each week God is at work to bring about a new creation in us, but we must pause to notice it. As the Sabbath candle shines on my table, its circle of light sets a new boundary that we are not enslaved to our work. We do not belong to our work or to the world.

The world is not dependent upon our labors, thoughts, or contributions in this time set apart, nor is our self-worth. Even as the chaos of life swirls in the background, God remains in control. The world was still turning when God rested and the world will still turn when you and I rest too. Resting in God’s grace is to know we are more than enough just as we are. I find that very freeing.

In a time when culture pushes down upon us to always be accessible, to always be working, and to always be busy I invite you to consider the radical nature of Sabbath keeping. You might observe Sabbath on Sundays to worship and remember God’s grace in song, prayer, and story and enjoy time with family. You might choose another weekday to be still, or you may even choose just a few hours. However you observe Sabbath - claim some time apart to be claimed by God’s rhythm. It is the pause that transforms us by this gift of freedom.

In the name of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Source Referenced:
[1] Abraham Joshua Heschel, “The Sabbath” (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1951) pp. vii-viii.

Sermon: A Better Way

"A Better Way"
Psalm 96: 1-6; Luke 7: 1-10 by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
May 29, 2016

O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. - Psalm 96: 1-6

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’ And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. - Luke 7: 1-10


He had a hope to bridge the distance. The Centurion looked upon a marginalized individual whom he valued highly. Then he lifted a prayer request to the community for Jesus to bring healing. His request was not simply for the individual to get well.

It was more profound than that. The Greek word for “healing” in this story actually means “to save all the way across” or “to bring someone through danger to safety.” The Centurion had hope and faith in Jesus’ ability to bridge the distance in his servant’s life from a place of otherness to God’s wholeness.

Otherness is a dangerous place. It marks an individual or a group of people by their difference from the majority. Otherness creates miles of distance because of racial, gender, or socio-economic differences. Otherness is using any marked difference as a weakness to exert power over another. Otherness is a stigma that hinders a true sense of connection and belonging. Otherness is an obstacle to experiencing wholeness and unity in community.

I am struck how the Centurion does not reach out to Jesus directly. Did you know the Centurion bears the mark of otherness too? He was a Gentile and the text reveals he felt distanced from the religious community. While the Centurion believed Jesus could heal by merely speaking a word, he perceived an obstacle to approaching Jesus.

The Centurion sent Jewish elders whom he knew to speak to Jesus on his behalf. The Centurion had worked alongside his Jewish neighbors to build a synagogue thereby also helping to build up the community. The small group of Jewish elders spoke with Jesus on the Centurion’s behalf. They lifted up the Centurion’s character and humility.

This is one of the few healing stories I recall where Jesus does not bring about restoration with a personal face to face interaction or physical touch. Healing and restoration are solely brought by the power of words.

The small group of elders and the second set of friends sent lifted up the Centurion and his request with words of dignity. Jesus commended the faith of the Centurion to the elders and the crowd with words of amazement. What is so miraculous about this healing story is that both the community and Jesus work together to save all the way across the differences that need mending for the Centurion and his servant. And then both the Centurion and servant are brought from the place of otherness to God’s wholeness.

This week I have been struck by this word picture of healing all the way across differences. There is an information overload from social media, articles, video clips, and news highlighting the divisions in society and who is named as “other.” Luke’s words remind me there is a better way to seek efforts towards unity. There is a better way to seek out healing for the marginalized that saves all the way across otherness.

William Cole works with security and is a van driver for Better Way Program of Saint Martin’s Hospitality Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He drives through the town picking up hopeful employees to beautify the city with pay. William looks upon these potential new hires with a smile and great respect whereas many would mark them as marginalized and other. The hopeful employees you see are homeless and downtrodden.

William approached one woman who candidly shared her story. She said, “I had my kids and had a three bedroom house. I had everything going for me. But I had anxiety and I just started pulling my hair out. I knew I was going to lose everything and I did. I go around cleaning up for free anyway cause the world is a dirty place. So I like cleaning up. I miss cleaning my house." She was grateful to join efforts with the Better Way Program to begin her process of healing and transformation.

Saint Martin’s Hospitality Center began in 1985 when local clergy formed a coalition with congregations and the community The goal is to bring empowerment and healing to those who are marginalized by homelessness. The guests of the Hospitality Center receive food, shelter, and services to get them back on their feet.[1]

The Better Way Program came out of this coalition. The Mayor of Albuquerque notes, “There is a better way than standing on a street corner asking for money. There is a better way than handing $5 out your window. The better way is to give people the dignity of working to beautify their city.” [2]

Our faith reveals there is a better way to bring healing. It happens when the body of Christ joins hands with the community to offer words of dignity to the marginalized. Acknowledging worth and value in another person allows us to focus more on our shared humanity.

Robert Lupton is the author of “Toxic Charity.” He has spent the past forty years working in Atlanta to envision effective renewal ministry among the poor and marginalized. His insight is quite direct as he notes that many individuals who are marginalized feel distanced from the religious community. The distance is caused when pity is received instead of church volunteers seeking common ground with those they are helping.

Lupton says, “There is nothing that brings me more joy than seeing people transitioned out of poverty, or neighborhoods change from being described as “dangerous” and “blighted” to being called “thriving” and even “successful.” I have worked with churches, government agencies, entrepreneurs, and armies of volunteers and know from firsthand experience the many ways “good intentions” can translate into ineffective care or even harm.” [3]

Good intentions that are based on pitying the marginalized bring ineffective care and harm because they, “weaken those being served, foster dishonest relationships, erode the recipient’s work ethic, and deepen dependency.” Efforts to bring healing out of pity result in toxic charity. [4]

However Lupton shares ministry that truly renews seeks to “empower those being served, engenders healthy relationships, improves local quality of life, and relieves poverty.” Ministry that seeks to heal all the way across requires that we are intentional to heal with our words. [5]

Healing words requires that we learn to become more sensitive to better understand the lives of those we are missionally serving in the community. Lupton goes on to say God wants to create opportunities for us “to listen to the stories of our neighbors in need, to ask how their faith has sustained them in difficult times, and pray” for all who are receiving and giving helping hands of grace. When we are intentional in these things then the “pity factor diminishes, and is replaced by respect and emerging understanding.” [6]

Lupton’s insight tells us that Saint Martin’s Hospitality Center and The Better Way Program are doing something right. They offer an example for many – and us - to follow in serving others who need a hand up.

The better way to bring about healing is always connected to bestowing words of dignity to one another. Not just to those who are crippled by homelessness, poverty, mental illness or any other difference we might name. Each and every one of us deserves healing words of dignity because we are each a child of God. We are each greatly valued by God and called beloved.

Luke’s healing story calls us to consider the ways this body of Christ might work with the community to break down the walls of otherness. We are stronger in number as we all come together to bridge the distance from otherness to God’s wholeness. I pray God would continue to open us to the better way of healing. May it be so.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1] St. Martin’s Hospitality Center website http://www.smhc-nm.org/who-we-are/history/
[2] Upworthy Video on Better Way Program https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1268563466517842/
[3]Robert Lupton, “Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help and How to Reverse It” (New York: Harper One, 2011). p. 1-2.
[4] Toxic Charity, p. 16.
[5] Toxic Charity, p. 15.
[6] Toxic Charity, p. 151.

Sermon: The Way of Wisdom

Does not wisdom call,
and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
‘To you, O people, I call,
and my cry is to all that live.

O simple ones, learn prudence;
acquire intelligence, you who lack it.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right;
for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to one who understands
and right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold;
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her...

The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of long ago.
Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth—
when he had not yet made earth and fields,
or the world’s first bits of soil.
When he established the heavens, I was there,
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
then I was beside him, like a master worker;
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the human race.

‘And now, my children, listen to me:
happy are those who keep my ways.
Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
Happy is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord;
but those who miss me injure themselves;
all who hate me love death.’ - Proverbs 8: 1-11, 22-36

‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. - John 16: 12-15


At one time in her life, Kathleen Norris worked as an artist with third graders. She felt the elementary discipline of creating art came from learning about noise and silence. Kathleen instructed her third graders to make all the noise they could while sitting at their desks but only when she raised her hand.

The other important part of her instructions was that when her hand lowered, the noise would have to stop. For Kathleen, making silence was not about quiet funny faces and squirmy bottoms in the seats but breathing quietly and sitting still. When silence became a presence in the room then creativity flourished among those kids in deep ways.

Kathleen noticed that silence actually liberated the children’s imaginations. We have so much to learn from child’s play as children often hold a key to wisdom through their imaginations. One boy in Kathleen’s class came up with an image of strength as being “as slow and silent as a tree.” Another little girl offered a “gem of spiritual wisdom” that Kathleen will never forget: “Silence reminds me to take my soul with me wherever I go.” Silence was quite a revelation to these children in a world of noise. [1]

The crossroads where noise and silence meet is a crossroads where wisdom for the journey of faith can indeed be found.

The writer of Proverbs says that Woman Wisdom takes her stand at the crossroads of life. She stands in the center of all the noise and distractions that life can muster. Woman Wisdom raises her hand and cries out to all people: “Hear, for I will speak noble things” (Proverbs 8:6).

Woman Wisdom has much to teach us. She is a gift of the Holy Spirit. While she is playful with her role in Creation she is also like a master worker. She builds up the people of God in God’s righteous ways. She invites us to partner with God in creating new life out of our brokenness. Woman Wisdom invites us to stand with her at the crossroads of life and consider the intersection of noise and silence in such a way that we might find a life that is full and abundant.

You and I are more than familiar with the noise of the daily grind. Many of us need a certain level of noise in the background to find the pulse of life. We love to combine tasks with the sound of music or television. Noise is not just auditory but it is visual too. Digital noise like social media keeps us connected and in touch with the world around us. It’s also a good distraction for those of us who need an excuse to procrastinate!

But there is also the noise in the forefront of life. This noise is distracting in ways that pulls the fibers of our being and weighs us down. The noise of busyness, hurt, and conflict stirs something within us. Our hearts become filled with emotions on all levels. The longer we allow ourselves to be distracted by the chaos buzzing around us, the less we are able to focus and discern a wise response to it.

In order for us to calm the chaos around us and within us we are invited to hear the way of wisdom. And we can only hear her presence if we make silence and listen. For when silence makes its presence in our lives then wisdom flourishes in the life of faith.

Creating a space for spiritual stillness allows us to reflect on the ways God is leading us to deal with the noise in life. Our Proverbs text illustrates the goal of life is to walk through all of life’s busy intersections, twists and turns with wisdom. True wisdom meets us where we are to teach us prudence, equity for others, and how to right wrongs. True wisdom guides us in restoring brokenness, extending grace and forgiveness, and being an agent of peace.

All of life is a classroom and every situation we encounter gives us an opportunity to learn from it. The more we follow the Spirit’s lead to practice spiritual stillness, the more freely and clearly we can respond to the noise in our life with wisdom and grace.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says that “Silence is nothing else but waiting for God’s Word and coming from God’s Word with a blessing.”[2]

Whenever I am trying to discern how to respond in a situation I wait for God’s Word by praying Scripture. Sometimes I intentionally look for Scriptures that apply to specific situations. But many times God’s Word finds me in that daily devotion reading, whatever it may be that day.

On my best days when I write that Scripture down and keep it close through the day, I am amazed how God speaks through those words. Some glimpse of God’s truth is made known in a story someone shares. The grace of Christ slowly reveals a sense of direction when an answer to a question is sought out. The Spirit’s presence brings a sense of peace in whatever we are wrestling with that day.

It is no coincidence that Proverbs shares that wisdom is listening to God’s instruction as we bind God’s Word on our hearts and tie these words around our neck. When we walk they will always lead us. And when we lie down to think and rest God’s Word will watch over us (Proverbs 6: 21-22).

The way of wisdom leads us towards space for prayerful reflection. Creating this space allows our faith to be liberated by the faithfulness of God, the grace of Jesus Christ and the abiding presence of Holy Spirit. The way of wisdom is God’s revelation that we are empowered to choose a different way to relate and respond to the busyness, distractions, and the conflict at the crossroads of life. Spiritual stillness liberates our hearts and minds to imagine how faith might guide our decisions in life giving ways.

We ultimately have two choices. We can allow the noise in our lives to be an ongoing distraction. When we allow busyness, hurt, and conflict to be the louder presence then we will never find an authentic way to respond to it or even resolve it. Our human nature alone will always respond to challenging situations out of our brokenness and out of our own will. If we make decisions from a place of emotional distraction then we only hurt ourselves and others.

Or we can respond to challenging situations out of wisdom’s noble things. If we are intentional to hear Gods’ instruction to be wise and we do not neglect it then we will find ways to be Christ-like in our relationships with others. We will learn how to be care for others with mutual forbearance that builds up others. We will learn the art of discernment in such a way that faith informs our decisions which bears the weight of grace and God’s wisdom.

Wisdom is better than anything our hearts can desire. Wisdom makes a way forward through the distractions and drama of life. Wisdom allows us to find a sacred center of a full and abundant life. God delights in our efforts to follow wisdom’s ways.

God’s wisdom is always seeking us out and calling out to us but the question is will we create space to hear and listen?

Each day we stand at the crossroads of life where noise and silence intersect. As the day closes, name the noise and all its distractions that day. But also take care to make some silence. At the end of the day pause and consider how we have listened to the way of wisdom. I find these questions from Henri Nouwen helpful:

Did I offer peace today?
Did I bring a smile to someone’s face?
Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment?
Did I forgive?
Did I love?

These are the real questions for they lead us to find wisdom.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1]Kathleen Norris, “Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith” (New York: The Berkley Publishing Group, 1998), pp. 16-17.

[2] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community” (New York: Harper & Row, 1954), p. 79.

[3] Art by Natalia Bystrianyk

Sermon: Powered by the Spirit

"Powered by the Spirit"
Pentecost Sunday
Acts 2: 1-21
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
May 15, 2016


When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
“In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Acts 2: 1-21


There is something to be said for the power of showing up. The apostles were committed to holding fast to Jesus’ promise: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). The apostles showed up and waited together in unity. Even with all their questions and stumbling the apostles kept trying to take the next right step. They made an effort to trust their Rabbi and Risen Savior. And then it happened; God’s faithfulness not only showed up but God’s faithfulness poured out. The apostles heard the Spirit. They felt the Spirit move. They saw God blaze a trail among them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit’s presence. And they responded.

It matters that the apostles experienced the power of Holy Spirit in a very visual way. In a recent article Deborah Thompson Prince, a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, shared her insights on Pentecost:

Visions are spread throughout the story of the early church because the Risen Jesus continues to communicate with his followers even after his resurrection. Jesus’ ministry is carried on within the Jesus community, the church. But to persist in this mission, the church must continue to see the path that God has laid before it through Christ. The Pentecost story reveals that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that believers are invited to see what God would show them. [1]

We are misled in thinking the revelation of Holy Spirit at Pentecost is a one day event. The daily walk of faith means we are intentionally seeking to follow God’s Spirit one day at a time. Holy Spirit is not a thing. Holy Spirit is our source of power to take the next right step in God’s faithfulness as the body of Christ. In order for Holy Spirit to show up and light the path God has laid before us, we must be committed to show up, listen, and see the Spirit’s movement among us.

This year the spiritual leaders of the church – our nine ruling elders and I – are learning about the Holy Spirit. We are reading and discussing “Sailboat Church,” by Rev. Joan Gray.

Gray says, “Early Christian symbols include a boat as a symbol for the church. In Jesus’ time, there were two ways to power a boat on open water. One was to use muscles, most commonly by rowing. The other way was to harness the power of the wind. When early Christians used a boat as a symbol for the church, it was never a rowboat; it was always a sailboat. That is because on the day of Pentecost, with ‘a sound like the rush of a violent wind’ (Acts 2:1). Jesus’ promise of power became a reality and drew those who believed in him into a different way of living. “

Gray goes on to say some churches go about ministry like a rowboat church. They focus on human efforts such as the church’s strength, wisdom, and resources. Seeking God’s will and spiritual growth are not primary skills to hone. Transformation does not happen because the church becomes inwardly focused. The energy of the church is minimal because the church’s movement is solely powered by the members who are willing to row.

And then some churches go about ministry like a sailboat church. They focus upon opportunities to sail into the waves of God’s will by harnessing the power of Holy Spirit. They navigate God’s way forward with the compass of Scripture and prayer. They create spaces to hone skills to listen and see the Spirit’s movement in order to discern and follow God’s direction. Personal agendas are let go in order to prayerfully know what is good for the whole by partnering with God. [2]

There will be times and seasons when every church will lean more into a model of rowing or sailing. The spiritual leaders here – our nine ruling elders and I - are praying that in this next chapter of ministry that we will sail into the direction of God’s plans. As we all worship, study, connect, and serve together, we are trusting that God’s faithfulness will show up and pour out. We want to live so God can work through us anywhere we are and anytime we are open to the Spirit.

Today is an opportunity for God to open us more to the Spirit’s work among us. God always desires for us to tap into the ultimate source of life. God wants us to be powered by Holy Spirit. God intends for us to sail by God’s life-giving breath or wind.

The Spirit of Pentecost is the same Spirit which hovered over the dark and churning waters at the earth’s beginning. The Spirit brought calm from the chaos then and the Spirit still calms the chaos today.

The Spirit claims us in God’s love that will never let us go and the Spirit reveals this in God’s Word today.

The Spirit moved among the prophets to fill them with God’s energy, imagination, and love to lead the people of God. And the Spirit works through our leaders today.

The Spirit was promised by Jesus Christ as our Helper to teach us all that Christ commanded and the Spirit helps us today.

The Spirit moved mightily among the apostles and blazed God’s trail for them to see and the Spirit moves mightily today.

The Spirit brings peace, life, and power to follow God’s vision for real change in our lives and in the world.

I pray that as we stand in the story of Pentecost today that we would experience a renewed vision of God’s faithfulness and sail into it. The power of Holy Spirit was strong enough to forge the church all those generations ago. The same Holy Spirit desires to be moving among us in both gentle and powerful ways that bring energy, excitement, and passion for what God has already done, is doing now, and is yet to do among us. The Spirit just might move us in new and surprising ways!

I pray as we stand in the story of God’s promises and presence by sharing the bread of God’s abundance and the cup of Christ’s amazing grace that our spirits would be strengthened. I pray that we would indeed feel the movement of the Spirit among us so that we might dream and imagine and see all that God is laying before us.

May we seek to be powered by the Spirit and have the courage to respond. It’s all that easy and it’s all that hard.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources Resourced:

[1] Deborah Thompson Prince, “The Visionary Spirit of Pentecost,” The Presbyterian Outlook, May 11, 2016. http://pres-outlook.org/2016/05/visionary-spirit-pentecost/

[2] Joan Gray, “Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014.