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“Imitators of God”
Ephesians 4:25-5:2 ; John 6:35, 41-51; Psalm 130; Exodus 16
Rev. Sandy Nuernberg
Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, WI
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time -
Homelessness/Affordable Housing
August 13, 2006
“Be imitators of God as beloved children.”
Eph. 5:2
In hearing our texts today, did
you hear what I heard? Did you feel like I felt that we were given a list of
do’s and don’ts for a happy life in Christ? Think of the action words here with
me, if we come, if we see, and if we believe in Christ, we are given to Christ
and we will never be hungry or thirsty (John 6: 35). If we speak the truth in
love to one another, we will put the old life away and grow up in every way into
him who is the head, into Christ (Eph.4:15). This is what we are told, aren’t
we? A long time ago I was told that the Gospel of John was ‘all about the Word
becoming Flesh–Christ living among us’, and that ‘if you know Ephesians, you’ll
know Christ!’
If you are like me in any way,
though, you don’t like to be given a list of do’s and don’ts. It kinda brings up
our ire (anger, our wrath) a bit, doesn’t it? We feel put upon with rigid, how
to, and unattainable lists we can’t remember, much less desire to accomplish;
‘be angry but don’t sin’, don’t make room for evil’, ‘put away all bitterness,
wrath, wrangling, slander and malice’ ...and on and on. Here’s a good one for
near our cell phone, ‘ Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what
is useful for building up, as there is a need, so that your words may
give grace to those who hear.’ Strangely enough, this sentence, this ‘to do’
is the clincher for me, it has the power in understanding the texts today for
me; for we are told about ourselves, that in God’s influence on us and in God’s
grace upon us we are actively God’s beloved children.
It seems to me that this model of
God’s power being lavished upon us as life in Christ is the food, the bread of
humanity, and that it is in the representation of Christ himself. God’s powerful
and giving grace to us is exemplified by Christ’s life, and is representative in
our relationships of living and loving one another. Our being truthful and being
brought together as one (reconciliation) in Christ is through God’s free grace
to us. The do’s and don’ts (a set of rules) include our putting on the seal of
the promise of the Holy Spirit in a new life in Christ. In my pondering
of these texts this week, I found that there is more of an intentional
proclamation here about God’s activity in us, and most importantly, our
response in imitating God’s actions; God’s intentional plan for us as God’s
beloved children. It’s O.T. generosity of God in the N.T.!
One of the most oft asked
questions recently, of me and others entering seminary is, “How did you receive
your calling?” I’ll probably be asked it again this week as I am examined at
Presbytery. It was so often asked, I thought I better respond promptly,
directly. That promptness isn’t what I felt, and I have responded that my
calling to be a pastor with you has been definitely gradual, intentional at
times, but most vividly transforming in nature. I began learning about my God
early on as a youngster, but in the last ten years I have learned oh, so much
about myself. Practically, Friday nights are actually freeing in my preparation
for worship, my Saturday and Sunday pms are with my husband, not at work at the
hospital, I am entirely energized after Sunday worship; mostly, I’m still
coming, seeing, believing, and being led by the Holy Spirit in my discipleship.
It’s been a gradual and transforming process of allowing old traditions and ways
to leave my life and new beginnings to evolve. As we all know in our faith
journeys we are called to participate in the life of the church, the Body of
Christ, and can believe and trust that it is not necessarily in our time, but in
God’s time.
In the time and place of early
Christianity, we know they were taught truth in Jesus Christ but only some were
practicing these truths. These new believers in Christ knew of their wrongful
conduct and they also believed there was a definite risk in being alienated from
the Holy Spirit; truly they would be set apart from God. We see a universal
picture here of God’s plan of practicalities in speaking truths to one another,
giving grace in our/their words, and a tenderheartedness, along with forgiving
one another. And isn’t this what life is about, love and forgiveness of one
another? And isn’t that our role of life within the mission of the church? For
life within the church reflects God’s larger plan and purpose in Christ, and
that we confess to be rid of the old self and be clothed anew (Eph. 4:22-24). It
was a different life than their/our ancestors were about and had done; doubt,
anger, sin, and bitterness are present in our/their lives!
In today’s world what does road
rage, queuing, hoarding, or divorce and death evoke in many of us? It brings our
anger and dander to light! And we all act in certain inalienable ways. We feel
displeasure, but most of all, we want to fight back! It’s only natural.
Sometimes I get angrier with those who let others in, in front of them, when I’m
driving and waiting, than I can stand! But the recognition of the anger is
essential–it’s very important and not to be squelched!! It’s called
complaining, as the followers of Jesus did lots of it too.
I’m reminded of Jesus’ anger in
the scriptures; when the disciples plucked grains on the Sabbath (Matt 12:1-8)
and Jesus brought mercy, not guilt, on them. When Jesus healed the man with the
withered hand on the Sabbath (Mark 3:5), and he was angry at the people who
would leave these persons in pain any longer. In the temple when he cleansed it
and in anger called it a ‘house of prayer and not a den of robbers’ (Mark
11:15-19, Matthew 21:12-17, Luke 19:45-47, John 2:13-16). The large outer court
of the temple was for business/exchange of money, but these businesses had
fallen into the hands of people more interested in profit than worship; it was
at the cost of his discipleship and life that Jesus responded promptly,
directly, and in love by his words and actions. The Pharisees took offense, but
Jesus, as Son, was imitating his Father, the God of grace. Jesus was talking to
them about the Spirit of the law, not the ‘letter of the law.’
The good news of the gospel for us
this day is that we find depth, ultra-seriousness and truth before God; it is
where we need to go. We need care less what other people think. We can be
imitators of God by identifying our lives through Christ, in Christ and with one
another through the power of God Almighty. As Jesus says, “I am the bread of
life”, he is identifying himself with the Holy, with God–the divine. And Christ
is the person of God who is visible to us through God. As Jesus says, ‘I AM’ the
light of the world, the true vine, the good shepherd, the way, the truth and the
life, and the resurrection and the life. And Christ Jesus is the person of God
who will meet our needs and our desires; with promptness, or more gradually.
In our personal faith journeys,
in our answering our calling as disciples of Christ, we are imitators of God in
loving and forgiving of one another. We are living a life that is in Christ.
Christ loved us all so much that the result was him giving himself for us–a
sincere sacrifice, a fragrant offering to God. And doesn’t this all result in
the pleasant glorification of God? AMEN
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