Author: Jerry May

Sermon for July 14, 2019

“Can Anything Stop God’s Plan?”

Acts 5:12-42

Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista, UCC

Rev. Liz Aguilar

 

This is a long portion of Acts that we will be covering today. It might be the longest portion of scripture I have preached about, ever. But as we continue to study the book of Acts, its important that we keep moving forward and also that we keep the portions of the over-all story together, in sections that make sense to the entire story.

          Here we are in the story where we see that the Apostle’s population as leaders and teachers has not waned. In fact, it has increased. They are healing more people and so more people are beginning to follow them. Not only that, they have continued to defy the religious authorities but they have not ceased to proclaim Jesus as the Savior but have increased their message.

We heard that the result of their increase in ministry is that they are arrested, yet, again. However, once again, God intervenes and miraculously through an angel they are released from prison.

Of course, the authorities don’t give up, however and so after they notice that the apostles are gone. They have them re-arrested for questioning, (but without violence), for fear of a revolt by the people… They want to question the apostles and probably want to intimidate them.

          However, their questioning only serves to make Peter speak up again about the person of work of Jesus Christ. He basically sys that because they were witnesses of His ministry they can not keep silent.

          The courage of the Apostles only serves to anger the Sadducees even further and they are about to be thrown in jail again, when a certain religious leader advises them to leave the Apostles alone and instead wait it out. His council is that if the apostle’s teaching is the real thing, they will succeed. If not, they will fail.

          The Apostles’ aren’t kept in prison this time but instead they are beaten up. The response of the Apostles is to praise God and “rejoice” that they were “considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name (of Jesus).” Their numbers continued to increase and they continue to teach.

That is basically the re-cap of today’s scripture. What are we to make of it? How are we to understand what was happening then and what God might be inviting us to take away from this story? Three things come to mind:

• It certainly shows us that the Apostles were determined, despite continued persecution, to spread the message of Jesus to others and to continue carrying out their ministry of healing and teaching.
• It showed us that the religious authorities were indeed threatened and were going to try their best to put the apostles in their place and further intimidate and punish them.
• It showed us that God, however, had other plans. An Angel releases them and later someone that the authorities respect advises them to leave the Apostles alone as a test of their worth.

          My over-all take away about this portion of this scripture are two-fold. Firstly, that nothing was going to stop the Apostles from doing what they needed to do. They had a mission and they stuck to it. I admire their perseverance and their total focus on their mission. They do not let any opposition, threat, danger or even physical harm stop them. I am not I can be that brave but I certainly admire their work and their reaction to the opposition they encountered.

          At the same time, it is also clear to me that the reason they were able to keep on course was because of three things.

          -They new who and what they were about

          -They relied on the power and presence of God in their midst

          -They relied on one another

This story also encourages me to hold fast to my own mission no matter what ever opposition I may encounter along the way. One recent commentator I read stated that if there was a central message to the Book of Acts it is that “God’s plan is unstoppable.”

Think about it- nothing and no one can stop us from doing what God wants us to do. There is nothing human that can stop us. Do you believe that? Do you believe that on a micro and a macro level? Do you believe, for example that the mission you have as an individual or for your family is a) the right one; b) the one God wants for you and c) will come to fruition?

I see today’s story as a reminder that indeed we must stick to whatever mission God has placed on our lives. Be it as individuals, as families or as a church.

But back to their success- The second take away is that they relied on God and each other. To this point, I have a question for us to consider:

My question is this: do you rely on God? Do your really believe that God will provide for your needs, protect you when needed and therefore, show you the way out of no way?

What is your mission? Do you have one? Have you asked God if that is the mission God has for you?

What is our mission as a church? Is it to just worship God on Sundays? To feed the poor and the homeless? To feed those who are spiritually hungry? To be a center of transformation and change? To be a beacon of hope in a dark world? To be a place where people feel safe – safe enough to agree to disagree, safe enough to be respected and treated kindly, safe enough to know that here people demonstrate the love of God with one another and with strangers? To be a place where we not only respect each other’s differences but also embrace the, celebrate them, and therefore continue to welcome others? What is our mission?

          What about their reliance on one another? We get the sense that they didn’t carry out this ministry on their own, did they? They relied on one another. They were never alone in their work or witness to God’s purpose.

          One of the hardest things I have encountered at every place of ministry and new place I have lived is to find my network of people whom I will journey and work along side with. I have had to re-build that team over and over and yet one thing has remained constant- God always provided.

          Therefore, just as they relied on each other they mostly relied on God’s provision. They never lost sight of their faith in God not because they were necessarily holy but because they knew God would not fail them. Do you know that? Do you believe that?

          Yesterday my niece and I were speaking about the ways God has shown God’s love and provision in our lives. It was exciting and even encouraging to hear how God has shown God’s mercy and plan for my niece throughout her three years away at college. We shared our stories freely and I would dare say that it helped us both as we continue to move forward.

My prayer is that we can continue to trust God as we begin to define our mission as individuals, as families, and as a church. Let us do so, expectantly and joyfully! 

Pentecost- New Beginnings!

June 9, 2019

Acts 2:1-21; 42-47

 

What a wild day that must have been! I wonder if you ask yourself the same question that I ask myself today? The question is- why doesn’t that happen today? Why can’t I see VISIBLE evidence of the Holy Spirit? Why can’t I hear the Holy Spirit’s presence? Why can’t I be a witness to this kind of Holy Spirit action today? Did that kind of miraculous happenings only happen back then? Why not today?  Because if truth be told- I’m kind of envious of those first disciples.
Think about it: They go to hang out with Jesus, participate in His ministry learn from Him, watch Him, be molded and prepared by the greatest teacher ever and then… they get to see that He really did raise from the dead b/c He showed up among you and your disciple buddies. And then… if that’s not all all Jesus promises to send you the Holy Spirit, also known as “the advocate” and the “comforter,” so that you aren’t alone. And then on this particular Pentecost there you are and suddenly “flames like tongues of fire” rest on your heads and there is a sound a powerful gush of wind and then you hear people speak in different languages but somehow you’re able to understand what each other is saying!!!

 

So yes, I’m kind of envious to tell you the truth! I WANT modern day Pentecost moments. I want to witness and participate in that kind of day, too… I think to myself.

 

But then… I realize I say, “Oh but Liz, you are, you are participating in modern day Pentecost moments! Every time you stand in awe at people from this congregation who do not look like one another, who might have a hard time understanding each other, who may have come from different countries, and cultures and yet CHOSE to worship together, befriend one another, serve God together, love one another, be like Christ as modern day disciples in THIS community of faith together- THOSE ARE modern day Pentecost moments!!

 

But, how else friends- how else might God be inviting us to ignite the Holy Spirit among us to do good for this community?

 

I just returned from the Annual Meeting of our Denomination, here in Southern California. As I saw old friends and made the acquaintance of new friend, I was able to hear how the holy Spirit is alive and well across our region.

 

I was happy to share with everyone that we continue to be a part of God’s transformational work in Tijuana by the support we give to the shelter that is housed inside of Pastor Jose Altamirano’s church.

 

I sat next to the Executive Director of the RHF (they own the Tower next door.) He gave one of the main speeches of the weekend and showed us a video of folks who live in an affordable housing apartment building in St Louis, MO. They have made it possible for literally thousands of older adults to live in affordable housing all of the country. They are a connected entity of our denomination.

 

Then I heard about how two more congregations in this past year have become Open and affirming, Welcoming and Accessible to ALL- meaning that they truly welcome all immigrants and refugees, also people who have physical or mental impairments, and people who identify as members of the LGBTQ community. These churches have chosen to be radically inclusive, not allowing barriers of class, gender, race, physical capabilities to separate them or keep them from doing good in their communities of faith.

 

I hear about how a church has created a ministry to help house and protect pets that belong to people when they become homeless and are not only in need of a home for themselves but also for their beloved pets. They partner with organizations that also help these individuals find affordable housing.

 

So, yes, we can actually say that the Holy Spirit IS alive and well across our denomination. And we can also say that the Hoy Spirit is alive and well here, in this corner of the country, through the ministries of this church.

 

But…back to the scripture this morning. Notice what happened that particular Pentecost! That Pentecost was only the beginning! It was the beginning of the disciples’ ministry without Jesus at the helm of that ministry. We read that Peter (the same one who had denied Jesus) was now the one who got up and preached to all of those people gathered. We read how AFTER this Pentecost they began to meet in homes- to do what? To worship, to share “all things in common” to make sure no one was in need, to share meals and fellowship. THAT is how the Christian Church began.

 

Friends- we are STILL called to be about God’s work through the power of the Holy Spirit. To recognize that yes, the Holy Spirit is alive and well but also to CONTINUE to find ways to share God’s love in the world.

 

We have much to do here, friends. Much has been done since 1890, when this congregation was originally formed, and there is still much to get done. We will step on each other’s toes. We will feel growing pains, we will make mistakes but LET us do so in a spirit of LOVE, cooperation, determination, kindness, mutual respect, healthy communication and so on!

 

We are in a time of this country where we NEED to be about the work of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to cross lines that divide us in society but that do not divide us but UNITE us here, in this place of ministry.

 

May we allow the Holy Spirit to work and live among us. To fill us with all that we need to serve God, one another and this community.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Sermon Title – “Road Trip”

Texts: Luke 24:13-35

 

Have you ever taken a road trip before? Where’d you go? Who was with you? Was it by car, grey hound or train? Was it a fun vacation or a road trip w/ a particular purpose like a move to another state? Perhaps it was to attend a wedding or even a funeral? Did you make it to your destination in one piece? Did you sing songs in the car or argue over the radio stations or about which route to take? Was there laughter and all-around joy or was it tedious w/ a feeling of complete desperation just to make it to your final destination?

Well, this road trip we just read about didn’t take place in a car, bus or train, of course not. No, it was a long walk actually, which was approximately 7 miles long. Perhaps it was a dusty dirt road with the sun beating down on them or maybe there was a grey – cloud hovering above, to accompany their over-all grey mood. For, as we can see, these two travelers are pretty much down and out. In fact, they are deep in thought and there’s a tone of somberness in the air.  There is an over-all disappointment and confusion that hovers over them as well. We know this, because Luke tells us that they even looked sad and said how they had “hoped” for a different outcome to the recent events.  

And what were those recent events? Well, it was none other than the arrest, crucifixion and then remarkably reports of Jesus’ resurrection. ALL of these recent events had their undivided attention.

So, no, this is not a happy trip; instead, it is one of sadness, despair and many unanswered questions. Here were these two men who, although weren’t among the original 12 disciples, were clearly a part of the group that would have been close to Jesus. We see them deep in conversation, trying to make sense of what has just occurred. They’re probably checking in w/ each other to compare notes on what they had heard of that original Easter event. As with any good friends, they ponder things together, clarifying, asking themselves out loud how they could possibly make sense of what they’ve heard. “Could it be true,” they ask each other, “that their leader and friend who had just died three days ago was then raised from the dead- just as those women had said?”

That’s the setting of this particular road trip, one which doesn’t seem to be too pleasant until…the road takes a very unexpected turn when suddenly, a “stranger” joins them on their walk. Now, the road trip becomes quite different. Now, they have an opportunity to share their grief with the very One who COULD understood their pain and confusion, the most.

Ironically, they don’t recognize Him to be the very person they were speaking of but it doesn’t matter because Jesus takes this opportunity to engage w/ them in a very real conversation. And that’s when this road trip of despair becomes a very different kind of road trip – one, they will never forget.

I need to pause right here because don’t you just love what Jesus did once he joined them on this trip? Notice that He didn’t give them a long lecture on what had just happened and why it all happened. Instead, he listened to their questions, doubts and feelings. In other words, he invited them to share w/ Him their stories. He met them exactly where they were at on their spiritual journey. He didn’t say, “oh get over yourselves.” No, he listens and patiently waits until… He can do something incredible for them. And do you know what that was? According to Luke, Jesus begins to reveal His very self through the interpretation of scripture!

You see, after meeting them where they are at (with their grief and confusion), AND after listening to their doubts and fears, He doesn’t just leave them w/ all of these emotions and questions. No, instead, He shows them the real reason why all of that had to occur. And he does this by going through Biblical scripture and Biblical history. In other words, Jesus listens and takes them seriously. In doing so, he helped them to put their feelings into context, showing them that what had just happened wasn’t about them, but about God’s great plan for His people.

And this is where I want us to begin to ask ourselves what this story can possibly say to us today- two thousand or so years after that Easter and after that important road trip. You see, it is very important to remember that Jesus meets us where we are at on our journeys of life. And, it’s equally important to be able to put our own detours of life into context. Just as He had done for them.  Isn’t remarkable that whether we’re currently on a fun journey or a difficult one… Whether we feel we know exactly where we’re going presently or not… Whether you’re loving the beautiful scenery around you or it’s raining SO hard that you can’t see out the window…Whether you’re SO lost that you don’t know which turn to take…No matter what of your life journey looks like to you right now, Jesus IS with you. 

He’s right there along side of you and he’s ready to help you put it all into context so that you don’t get stuck or lost on your trip for ever but so that you can find you way home.

And that’s not all, He wants to engage us in our questions and doubts, not interrupting us or make fun of our feelings of confusion or loss. No, of course not. Instead, He wants to remind us that there’s a purpose to all of it, even if we can’t see it right now. He reminds us that He was with us, is with us and will always be with us. In doing so, He tells us that the grief will not be forever, the momentary detour will not veer us way off track; as we might suspect it will. He does all of this by use of scripture, of His word which still holds power today.

Then, right when we think that’s enough, it isn’t. There’s still more! After the exchange of questions and conversation what did Jesus do? He walked on before them. And Jesus still walks before us, as he walked before those 2 pilgrims. Why, because He is our true leader, our true tour – guide, sort to speak.

Now notice something else abt. the story.  When it was time to share the meal Jesus didn’t impose himself on them but instead, waited for them to invite Him to dinner and more conversation. Then, that’s when it gets even better. Because… it was around their sacred, intimate meal where their eyes were really opened. It was at that moment when their hearts were burning (with His truth and His presence) that they realize just who has been walking that long road with them, just who loves them so much that he would spend time w/ them, listening, sharing, teaching… Moreover, it was when he broke the bread that they realize clearly who he was. He was their Lord and master. He was their Messiah! At that precise moment Jesus goes from being a guest to being the host of that meal. Just as Jesus is the host of every communion we partake of, in His name.    

Now I wonder, what would have happened had they not invited him into their homes? Would they have had the benefit of being able to see clearly? And then I wonder something about us and that is… if we really want to see clearly what is happening on our own journeys? Because if so, then all we need to do is invite Him into our homes. Invite Him into our homes where we are who we really are- not the people that we must be out in public; where we often hide behind a mask. But again, we must want to see clearly our own situation and then want to see clearly who He. Think about it. Had those two travelers not invited him in to their home, they wouldn’t have received the ultimate revelation. Had they not offered him hospitality they would have missed the opportunity to see him up close and personal. They would not have been able to return to where the 11 disciples were congregated. They wouldn’t have been able to share w/ them the exciting news that it WAS true, that He HAD risen from the dead. He was not dead and the powers of principalities had not had the last word. Jesus had the last word. He Had been able to accomplish what He said He would. He had  come through with his promise!

You see friends, we too need to invite Him in; really invite Him in, not because we’re perfect and worthy to have him be our guest (because none of us are, of course.) But because He wants to be w/ us. He wants to walk with us as we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” as Psalm 23 speaks of. He wants to walk w/ us during our moments of disappointments, disillusionment, or disagreements. He wants to be w/ us when we’re worried about how we’re going to pay the bills this week and even when we’re morally outraged at how many mothers and fathers are being deported, or that our environmental protection laws are being dismantled, or that the most vulnerable of our society are being targeted like never before.

So yes, He wants to know about our desires for ourselves, our families, our church, and the world. He cares like no one else does and meets us where we are at. Why? Because He loves us! 

SO, what abt. the rest of our road trip called life? What will that look like? Will it be a smooth, even road with no distractions, detours, or traffic jams? Well, none of us really knows what the future holds and where our journeys will take us. Of course not. However, we can be sure that Jesus walks w/ us on that journey called life and that He will never leave us alone. EVEN if it feels like we are alone. We can be sure that God is w/ us.

   The good news is that it is never too late to search Him through His holy Word and it is never too late to invite Him into our homes and hearts. Do it and then get ready… for the road trip of a life time!

Sermon for Mothers’ Day (May 12, 2019)

Title: “Love and Honor”

Scripture Texts: Deuteronomy 5:1-3, 16; I Corinthians 13:1-13

 

Rev. Liz Aguilar

Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista, UCC

 

Happy Mother’s Day again! There are many clergy who refuse to preach about Mothers or Fathers on these important holidays. I grew up in a culture and church community that did celebrate these special days. Today, I am grateful we are doing so, as well.

 

I do not however, want to preach about what it means to be a “holy mother.” Or perfect children. I want however, to encourage families to honor each other.

To do that I want to look at what the word honor meant in Hebrew tradition and language- it comes from the words, kabbed which means “to give something it’s due weight or importance.”  The Hebrew culture was largely built around a shame and honor system. Actions and decisions were taken accordingly. The idea of honor was not foreign to the Israelites, therefore, when Moses gave them the 10 Commandments.

If you look back at what Egyiel read in the first three verses of Deuteronomy 5, notice that Moses reminds the Israelites that the 10 commandments were an, A) “covenant” and b) meant to be a contemporary covenant with them when he said, “The lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. Not with our ancestors did the Lord made this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive, today.”

 

So, keeping your part in a covenant and honoring others was key to those first followers of God. These are still key to us, as well.

 

It’s interesting however, that the families in the Bible are not perfect. There are many examples of family dysfunction. Joseph and his brothers who sold him into slavery. Can and Abel. Esau tricking his father out of the blessing that was supposed to be for his brother and his mom being the one to give him the idea to trick his dad…!  David and his kids who hurt each other and passed on their hurt onto next generations… The list goes on…

 

All this to say that if you don’t come from a perfect family, know that you are in good company!

Of course, these stories are actually not meant to be examples of how to behave but of what not to do. And in each of these stories what they have in common is that they did not hold on to the covenant they had made with each other, with God or with their parents. They did not honor one another, in other words.

This brings me to the fifth commandment- “honor your father and your mother as the Lord your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

How do we show honor to our parents?

Presbyterian pastor, Eugenia Anne Gamble said this about the commandment to honor our parents: “It is about how we honor life and all of the people who bring and nurture life in us. Because God chose to offer the gift of life to us through human parents, those parents are to be given a place of honor in our lives as the instruments through which God draws each of us in being and into relationship which God. This honoring is called for even if biological parents have not been a part of our lives. Honor is not, however limited to our biological parents. The call to honor parent applies to all of those whom God has used to parent us in one war or another. These ones act for God and therefore are worthy of honor.”

So, therefore, whoever has brought life to you in a nurturing, healing way is your parent and you are meant to honor that person in how you live and act out the Covenant.” (from Love Carved in Stone; PW Horizons Bible Study 2019, Louisville Kentucky, 2019.)

I have friends who refer to others as their spiritual mother or father. I never understood this growing up, however. As an immature child I would get jealous if someone thought of my parents as their parents. Later I felt proud, however, because I knew it meant that they considered my parents their spiritual parents. People they loved b/c they had felt love from them. Many had left their own parents behind in Latin America. They needed a new family and that was their family of faith.

We all have had someone who has nurtured us along the way. Some of us were blessed to have a parent who could do that; who showed us the love of God. Others of us may have had someone else in our life that showed us what God’s love looks like, how to respect ourselves and others.

Today we live in a world where there is much division and hurt. Today, we need to be able to be that nurturing person for someone else. You see, we aren’t just meant to be blessed but to be a blessing to others.

You might recall the first time we hear the word, “covenant” come up. It was in Genesis when God called Abraham to leave his home and God makes a covenant with him. But God states to Abraham that he will bless him so that “he may be a blessing to others.”

There are people who need you and me to be a blessing to them. To show them the love of Christ.

My prayer is that we can continue to honor one another in ways big and small. That we show the kind of love that the Apostle Paul wrote about in Corinthians.  Notice that his list is not only about what love looks like but what love is not, as well.

Let us be a church that shows love and honor to one another. To the stranger to the vulnerable and yes, let us honor those who gave us life.

And now I would like to call forward all of the mothers and people who have been like mothers, to come forward so that we may bless you and pray for you.

A Prayer of Blessing for Mothers on Mother’s Day

Blessed be the works of your hands, daughter of God

Blessed be these hands that have touched life.

Blessed be these hands that have nurtured creativity

Blessed be theses hands that have held pain.

Blessed be these hands that have embraced with passion.

Blessed be these hands that have tended gardens,

Blessed be these hands that have closed in anger.

Blessed be these hands that have planted new sees.

Blessed be these hands that have harvester ripe fields

Blessed be these hands that have cleaned, washed, mopped, and scrubbed

Blessed be these hands that have become knotty with age.

Blessed be these hands that are wrinkled and scarred from doing justice

Blessed be these hands that have reached out and been received.

Blessed be these hands that hold the promise of the future.

Blessed be the works of your hands, the words of your lips, and the heart that you share.

…. May you be blessed, Daughter of God, and disciple of Christ

(Prayer adapted from the writings of Diann Neu from Soul Weavings, A Gathering of Women’s Prayers)

 

CHIMES May 2019