Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista UCC (276 F St)

March 10, 2019

The Temptation of Jesus

First Sunday in Lent

Luke 4: 1-13

Rev. Elizabeth Aguilar

 

I once met a young person who said he couldn’t quite relate to Jesus because Jesus was perfect. I agreed. I said, yes He was. He was and is God but He understands our imperfections. He understands our weaknesses, our need to trust in something bigger than us. The young man wasn’t too sure if he followed. I pressed on. I asked, “do you ever get tempted to do something you know isn’t good for you to do?” He said, yes, all the time… I laughed. I said, so did Jesus but the difference is that Jesus was tempted but didn’t give into it. The young man sad, “you see, He’s too perfect.” I pressed on- “yes,  I said, but He ‘gets it’ when we are tempted too…” to which he replied, “well, that’s good because it happens all the time!”  We laughed again…

Well, this story is no stranger to us. It is probably the most famous of the Gospel stories that occurs during this time of Lent. We base our 40 days of Lent around the 40 days Jesus was in the wilderness. The wilderness experience parallels that of the Israelite’s 40 year experience in another wilderness. The difference of course is that the Israelites had failed at their tests while Jesus did not.

Lent literally means “spring time.” “It is a time of preparation, a time to return to the desert where Jesus spent forty trying days readying for his ministry. He allowed himself to be tested and if we are serious about following him, we will do the same….(Pp. xvi, introduction to Bread and WIne. The Ploughing Publishing House, Farmington, PA, 2003.)

Lent of course, is usually associated with seeking repentance, alms giving, fasting, deep prayer, giving something up and now increasingly known as a time of giving to causes or people in need. Yet, it should never be morose. “Instead it should be seen as an opportunity, not a requirement.”

So if  we are to see Lent as an opportunity. Could we also see the story of Jesus’s temptation as an opportunity also? An opportunity for what you might ask?

The Temptation of Jesus invites us into the wilderness with Him. It invites us to reflect upon those times or circumstance we too have been presented the give into a desire for control, power, and prestige.

The first temptation was about taking control and not trusting God. Not waiting  on God to provide. Satan, also known as the evil one knew that Jesus was hungry. Jesus was fully human and so, of course, would be hungry after fasting for 40 days. So, the devil tempts Jesus, during the first test into cutting Jesus’s fast short and turning stones into bread.

Jesus doesn’t give in, of course, and instead relies on the power of scripture to dissuade Satan.

The next temptation had to do with power. The devil tells Jesus that he will give him the entire world only if Jesus worships him. Jesus again looks to scripture to counter-act the devil.

The last temptation had to do with prestige. Making a big splash, be popular. The devil tells him to throw himself down from the pinnacle of a temple. This time we get the sense hat the devil is getting desperate and wants to beat Jesus at his own game, sort to speak because this time he decides to quote scripture too, by quoting Psalm 91, verses 11 and 12.

None of these temptations or tests had to do with Jesus’ mission which was that of servanthood to God. Of trusting God completely. Trusting in God to provide, trusting in God’s time to provide. Trusting in God’s purpose and plan…

The Temptation of Jesus was not to give into any traditional terms of power, strength and conquest. Instead, Jesus models servanthood. Following God’s will, God’s time, God’s purpose and plan for His life.

This takes us back to our earlier invitation. To follow Jesus into the wilderness. Do you want to? Do you want to be tested? I must admit that I don’t want to be tested. I don’t want to be tested into giving into a sense of false power or prestige, or control. All those things that take my eyes and focus off of Jesus’s example of servanthood and trust in God. No, instead, I want my faith to be strong enough to follow Jesus no matter what, never to doubt. Never to be distracted. Never to be confronted with my own weaknesses.

But that isn’t the human condition.Is it? No, this story reminds us that we will be tested and be tested often. It reminds us to be ready for when we are with scripture, with total focus on Jesus.

And let’s not forget about the timing of this event. All three synoptic writers place it happening right after the baptism of Jesus, at the beginning of his ministry. This makes me think about how we are often tested when things are going really well. Jesus was at the beginning of his ministry. GOd’s voice had just declared Him as His very own Son, the Messiah. Things were on the upside, sort to speak.

What about you? What is your temptation or test? Is it power? We see in our country so many examples of abuse of power don’t we? People being asked to work longer and harder for less pay. Women being exploited against their will. Children and youth being taken advantage of.

In this world, it seems that the poor and the weak become poorer and weaker and yet that isn’t that way in the kingdom of God. That isn’t what God invites us to be about. We are meant to share our power. We are meant to follow Christ and His ways. Not our own selfish ambitions. We are meant to trust Him instead of give into our own sense of control and therefore, manipulating something that isn’t supposed to be manipulated.

The good news is that although the walk in the wilderness may not be an easy one, we do not do it alone. We do it with God and we do it with one another. We do it by carrying out spiritual practices like fasting, scripture reading and prayer…

We have tools, we have spiritual resources, we have one another to help us along this journey. Let us take this walk focusing on Jesus, on his call to follow Him, to not give into desires of control, power, or distrust of God.

Instead, let us do what Jesus did- when he told the devil that he was called to worship God and only follow God. Let us trust God to provide in all times.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon for February 24, 2019

The Sermon on the Plain- Part II

Luke 6: 27-38

Rev. Liz Aguilar

 

We continue today in the same area of the Gospel of Luke as last week. You may recall from last week that we read about Jesus’s sermon on the Plain (otherwise known as “The Sermon on the Mount) in Matthew. Last week it was about the blessings and “woes/warnings.” Today we make our way through Jesus’s sermon some more.

Please do refer to the scripture found on pages 64 and 65 in your pew Bible.

 

You’ll notice that some of these scripture verses have become very well known, especially one called the “golden rule.” But in general, we can say that this scripture portion has to do with how one is to treat those who have done wrong to you. Here, Jesus challenges us to be gracious, forgiving, and to ultimately extend God’s grace to all around us.

Those are easier said than done, though, aren’t they?

 

This Friday I treated myself to a movie- Friday is my sabbath and I try to do something I wouldn’t normal do- not just errands but also something fun. I decided to watch the movie, “The Green Book.” 

The film is inspired by the true story of a tour of the deep south by an African-American classical and jazz pianist named, Dr. Don Shirley, and an Italian-American bouncer named Jimmy Vallalonga who served as Shirley’s driver and bodyguard.

In the movie- we see how these two very different men learn to get along and respect one another, despite their big differences. One is a working-class Italian immigrant who lives in the Bronx and the other is a very well-educated, very cultured, accomplished, professional musician who is African-American.

 

They travel together through the south so that Dr. Shirley can perform a series of concerts. As they travel along, Dr. Shirley is confronted by racism almost at every stop along the way.

 

His body guard becomes very angry and at first wants to beat up everyone who treats Dr. Shirley badly. However, Dr. Shirly teaches “Jimmy the Lip” how to rise above it, hold oneself with dignity, and keep going.

You can quickly put yourself in his shoes and you are made to wonder if you would react in that same way- standing up for yourself but not giving into violence.

 

In our scripture of today- Jesus says to give the other cheek if someone strikes you. To give money to those who ask of it, and expect nothing in return. To forgive. To treat others as you would want to be treated…

 

I wonder- have any of you ever had anyone do anything really bad to you. something that was very hard to forgive and that you will probably never forget?

 

Some of us might be tempted to think that Jesus’s words were easy at the time. That the people he would have been speaking to would have had easier lives. But they did not. They would have been confronted by betrayal, robbery, violence, conflict. Some would have been familiar with the stories of the prophets, Moses, the Israelites- Cane and Abel; David and Saul; Esau and Jacob- all of these famous rivalries.

 

Those who were traveling would have been confronted easily with thieves, people wanting to cause them harm. So no, these words wouldn’t have been easy to receive or accept.

 

So what about you. What about me?

 

I want to share with you a story that happened in the life of my family. My father came to the US and went to Chicago as an immigrant from Mexico. He had written to his half brothers whom had extended their welcome to him, letting him know that they would be available to help him out. Much to my father’s surprise, his half-brother’s wife did not allow my father to stay with them or even enter the house the first day he arrived.

Years later after my father had become a minister my uncle and his wife attended a worship service. My father introduced him to us kids. Later, I remembered who he was and what he had done to my dad many years prior.

My uncle and aunt had come to the church hoping that my father would help my uncle to find a job. My dad did just that. He still had connections at the hospital he had worked at for 12 years as a respiratory therapist, and helped my uncle secure a good job as a custodian. My uncle remained in that job until he retired many years later.

I remember I must have harbored bad feelings toward my uncle because my father would tell me, “you must forgive your uncle.” Had my dad not forgiven him and had not helped him out, my uncle’s life would have been much different. 

 

Forgive. Walk on. Extend Grace…

Amen.

 

 

Sermon: Beatitudes For Today

February 17, 2019

Text is Luke 6:17-31

Sixth Sunday of Epiphany

Rev. Elizabeth Aguilar

 

We are still in the season of Epiphany, when the church still celebrates the many ways God reveals Himself to the world; both in scripture, in history and in our own lives, today.

You may have recognized this text as they are so close to the famous Sermon on the Mount scripture portion found in Matthew, but it is not the Sermon on the Mount. This is called the Sermon on the Plain. Luke’s version is shorter than Mathew’s and the setting is not on a mountain but down below, signifying Jesus’s desire to be on the same level as his followers.

And when this story takes place is notable as well. It is still early on in Jesus’s ministry but by now he has made a name for himself. We read that he is known and large crowds have followed him. Could we say, that he has reached “celebrity status” by now?

Speaking of celebrities- do any of you watch annual award shows? Maybe some of you are genuinely interested in who won best song of the year or who will win best actor, director, picture… Or pershaps some of you might tune in just to see what these celebrities are wearing?

Whatever your motivation is watch or at least read the news article the next day that high-lights the winners; one thing we can agree on is that what these folks have in common is their celebrity. They are famous.

Well, Jesus did not have the expensive clothes or pubicity but we get these sense that by now, when this story occurs, he is well known. We read that he is so well known that people from all over- not just Gentiles are following Him. They want so much to be healed and to be blessed by him that they just try to touch Him, even.

We get the idea. Jesus is popular.

But, notice what Jesus decides to teach about. It isn’t about being popular or being powerful is it? No, in fact this whole discourse is a reversal of fortunes from the rich to the poor, the powerful to the powerless, the full to the empty.

We can actually say that this portion is not an easy one to read. It isn’t as poetic as the Sermon on the Mount, is, either. It is full of not just blessings but of woes. We can call these woes- warnings. For they are not the kind of woes where we think, “woe is us, something bad is happening and I need God’s help.” No, these woes are more like warning, as in “be careful not to do x or y will happen.”

Let’s be honest, we don’t like these kind of texts, do we? We like meek and mild Jesus. We like Jesus when he is healing and when he is calling others to follow Him and even when he is reminding his followers of how they are to treat one another. But this kind of discourse- this is hard. For we do not just see a Jesus in Luke’s Gospel that is only focusing on the good in others but a Jesus that is naming a truth that we do not like to confront. This Jesus of Luke is a Jesus that some liberation theologians say, preached a “preferential treatment for the poor.” That is, that Jesus lifts up the real hardships of people and exposes the rich and powerful for the ways in which they take advantage of the poor.

As Jesus’s popularity grows, of course, we see that His enemies grow too. In fact, in just a few weeks we will enter into the time of Lent where we will look at the ways in which his enemies begin to plan and connive to eventually kill and attempt to destroy Him. His light was too big. They had to snuff it out somehow.

But, here, Jesus is still liked and yet He took the risk to speak these very hard words. Words that surely would not have been received very well by everyone- anyone who WASN’T poor and powerful, that is.

But what are we to make of it? What do we do when we confront scripture passages that make us feel uncomfortable or confused? When we see a Jesus that is not so meek and mild, for instance?

What do we do when we are confronted with our own behavior?

Well, I can not answer those questions for you. For the spiritual walk of the Disciple is done in community but each individual must come to their own conclusion.

This sermon does not have a lot of answers for you. But it does have good news- which is that Jesus meets us with our questions and calls us to not only look at our own behavior and our own priorities- whether we share our resources with others or not. Whether we treat others with love and respect or not. But Jesus helps us to acknowledge ourselves in light of His truth and His teachings and then gives us opportunities to make changes if needed.

A good friend recently came to visit me. She and her husband. The husband had never really spoke to o me about his faith walk but we found ourselves talking about it since he is about to get baptized. I was curious to know why he was doing so as an adult and what made him feel that this was the time.

Before he could answer that question he spoke about what his theological dilemmas were while he was a youth and why had had put off making a decision to follow Christ because of those theological dilemmas.

He said that the problem he had had for many years was that he was confused with what he saw as a very vengeful God in the Hebrew Scriptures and a very loving God in the New Testament. Later he said he learned through Bible study and “remaining open” is that we have many facets of God in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The God of consequences and warnings is not about condemning us but about growing us into the disciples that He wants us to be. The Jesus of the New Testament isn’t just the sweet baby i the manger but is also the man who had very hard things to say to His followers.

        The conversation I had with my friend’s husband and this difficult scripture made me think that although we might not always like what scripture says it is there for us to study, to contemplate and to reflect upon in order so that we may grow in our own faith. It is the living word, not just words written for communities long ago but for today as well.

        That is the God we worship and we serve. The God that lovingly brings up a mirror to us so that we can look at our own actions and behaviors but then also walks alongside of us waiting, prompting, pushing, but always pouring His grace in us.

 

 

 

 

Amazing Love

Sermon for February 4, 2019

I Corinthians 13:1-13; Jeremiah 1:4-10

 

I have not had to perform many wedding ceremonies. Less and less people want to get married in a sanctuary or by a minister. You can just ask a friend to marry you now and all they need to do is order an ordination certificate on-line to make it “legit!” But, the few ceremonies I have done almost always the couple have requested that one of the scripture readings be this famous portion of Corinthians. You’ve heard it in many a wedding ceremony yourself, right? It is beautiful and we can see why it can be understood as “the” wedding scripture over time.

 

However, it wasn’t written to be directed toward a couple that was about to get married. Paul wrote it for his church- the Corinthian church that I spoke about last week. The church that was in its infancy, the one that Paul had founded but now he’s away and writes to them because he has heard reports about their less than kind behavior toward one another. That church.

 

Paul’s words to his beloved church are beautiful and simple. That is- although they might have all kinds of spiritual gifts, if they don’t have love none of their gifts matter.

 

But what about the Jeremiah scripture? What would this very wild, out there kind of story, about the prophet Jeremiah’s call have anything to do with this scripture text from I Corinthians? (I’m glad you asked!)

 

First, notice the exchange that happens between Jeremiah and God. What was Jeremiah’s reaction to God’s command that Jeremiah speak for Him? Well, it was of great reluctance. Jeremiah focuses on who he is as a person- “I am only a boy” is his first reason to say no. The second was that he didn’t know how to speak. But God being God, gets His way and doesn’t let Jeremiah hide behind his fear. Instead, GOd focuses on God’s plan for Jeremiah- namely that it is GOd who will speak for Jermiah. It is God who will BE with Jeremiah and it is God who will “command” Jeremiah to be a prophet. In other words, Jeremiah didn’t have a choice.

 

Well, today we have choices, don’t we?

In fact, going back to weddings- that is the ONE thing I always tell couples. I have reminded them that loving someone is a choice. You must CHOOSE to love that person. No matter what. It isn’t a feeling because believe me sooner or later you won’t FEEL much love for that person. But if you choose to LOVE that person you will find a way.

 

The same is with a church. Paul was speaking to his church and today we, our little church here in down town Chula Vista is being reminded of the same. We must chose to love one another.

We may have all the great ministries in the world. We might have all the great music in the word (and we do!) We might have the best deacons, trustees, Christian ed members, Sunday school teachers (they are awesome by the way!) BUt, if we don’t have love, it won’t work.

 

Now my own call story wasn’t quite as dramatic as Jeremiah’s. I’m not sure anyone’s, was! But what I do remember is my reluctance. For me it came over time and not just on one occasion. For me it was over a summer. The summer I turned 18. THen it went on through college and then seminary. BUt even though I was in seminary I was reluctant to accept my call. Like Jermiah, I didn’t think I had what it took. You see, I was focused on me instead of on what God could do through me. I was focused on my fear instead of what God’s plan was for me. So my call took several important conversations, prayers, experiences I will never forget…

 

Mentors, and what I believe were a series of confirmations from God that it was indeed what God wanted for my life.

But I don’t want to focus today on my own call. I share it because I think it’s important that you get to know me and for you to understand that for most clergy there is a period of doubt and reluctance. But what I want to focus on is on you. On your call.

Some of you might think you already know what you are called to do- to be the best dad there is. To be the best mom there is. To be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. All those are wonderful.

 

But, today I want to encourage you to either ask God what it is that God is calling you to do now, at this time in your life and then to re-claim your call. What is your call about? If you’re not sure, ask God to make it clear to you.

 

If you are sure but still afraid to accept it, ask God  to encourage you. If you are reluctant because of certain bad behavior or a sin that is in the way, ask God for forgiveness.

 

But today, as we approach communion let us ask God to help us accept his call, renew the call and to do what ever God has asked us to do with much love. Let us remember that in the end it isn’t about us and what we can or can not do- it is about what GOd can and wants to do through us. It is about God’s love and amazing grace being poured into us every day. Enough grace to face the hard times. Enough grace to let go of the fear or the doubt. Enough grace to give us courage and a fresh perspective. Enough grace. God’s grace. God’s love.

 

Let us celebrate God’s love through communion and through our re-dedication to God’s call in our lives. Amen.

Sermon for January 27, 2019

Third Sunday After Epiphany

Text- I Corinthians 12:12-27

Title: “Called As Partners in Christ’s Service”

 

 

This letter was written by the Apostle Paul, the most influential missionary that there ever was. He wrote this letter to the church he founded in the city of Corinth which was a large, bustling city, comprised of people from many other countries and cultures, religious traditions and norms. Paul wrote this letter in response to the reports he had received regarding how the church had been doing after his departure from them.

Both a sense of hyper spirituality and pagan worship were influencing the members of this church. So, Paul now addresses them, reminding them of their role as individual Christians and also their goal as a Christian church.

Now, we do not have the problems that this original church had. But I love that we can learn something from this far from perfect church. The portion we just read is very well known. Paul uses the example of the human body to make an analogy of a church.

Basically, he reminds them that although each part of a body has different functions not one part is more important than the other. Moreover, he goes on to say that no matter who they are- Jewish, Greek, slave or free, they are all equal and all made to drink of the same Holy Spirit.

What do you think he meant by saying drink of the Holy Spirit?

Well, according to the classic commentator, Matthew Henry, he believes that “being animated by one Holy Spirit, makes Christians one body.”

I must pause here. Because much has been said and taught about the Holy Spirit which has caused some confusion over the years by many in the Church. It is almost easier to speak of what the Holy Spirit isn’t than what it is. The Holy Spirit which at one time was referred to as the Holy Ghost, unfortunately, is not a ghost. The Holy Spirit is the third person in the trinity and is God’s presence and power in the world. The Holy SPirit is what gives us the desire to worship and serve in God’s name. The Holy Spirit is the part of God that gives us the gifts to serve, to worship, and to be filled with God’s joy.

Some would say that you do not in fact have to refer to the Holy Spirit as a separate thing, so some people now refer to the Holy Spirit as just Spirit or Holy Spirit, leaving off the clause, “the” therefore making it more accessible and user friendly, sort to speak.

Sadly, in the main line Protestant tradition, I do not think we have placed enough importance on the Holy Spirit, while there are other traditions that probably place too much importance on the Holy Spirit.

But, notice that Paul simply reminds them that they are indeed meant to drink of the Holy Spirit- in other words, go to the Holy Spirit and be quenched by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s go back now to Paul stating that all are equal members of the same body. Recently, as I was hanging a picture up on my wall I recalled how during that vacation I managed to sprain my ankle. I was on vacation in lovely Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I had been given the opportunity to stay at a lovely cottage which was only a five-minute walk from the ocean, for free! My mom and niece had flown out there to spend the week with me. It was a new experience for all of us to be that close to the ocean for a whole week.

Well, on one morning, we were rushing to leave and I quickly put on some sandals that I normally didn’t wear because they weren’t too comfortable or functional. They were cute but not really meant to be walking around a lot in. (You know the kind of sandals I’m talking about, ladies.) Well, I jumped off the deck and onto to grass, wanting to rush to the car.

I didn’t notice there was a small whole in the grass and managed to sprain my right ankle. All I remember is that I experienced the sharpest most horrible pain I had ever felt before, in my life.

My mom had to drive me to a nearby UCC church that lent out crutches to vacationers and I went to see a doctor in an emergency room. Sure enough, they said it had been fractured several places but not broken. I remember they said it would have been better had it been broken than just a sprain as it would have healed better and quicker.

Well, I didn’t believe them. I figured if I did all that they told me to do- ice it, bandage it, keep my weight off to it, begin to go see a physical therapist, that it wouldn’t be a big deal. I would heal and go on with my living.

Ha! I lasted a good 4 months not being able to walk right. The pain persisted. The physical therapist told me to go more often. I used crutches longer than I wanted to. I could’ve drive comfortably… One of my co-workers had to help me get in and out of the car every day…My neighbors helped with groceries. Oh brother! This was not how I had wanted to spend that summer at all!

I remember trying to compensate. I put more weight on my other leg but that only managed to make my left hip hurt. I was a mess. What I thought was a simple injury wasn’t at all. I learned that summer how important my ankles were, my legs, my hips, and yes, my body, in general.

I say this long story to tell you that I could appreciate what Paul says here when I think about that summer. We need our whole body to function well. Every single part of our body is indeed, important. Any of you who have had an injury or who live with on-going pain in some part or parts of your body know what I am talking about. Indeed, after I turned 40, I realized that I couldn’t just take me body for granted.

It suddenly mattered what I ate, if I slept enough, what I drank, if I exercised or not…I never took my body for grant it after that, not any one part of it.

Well, we are indeed, all equal members of this body of Christ. God is the head of the body but We are all needed.

Today we will meet as a body of Christ during our annual meeting.

What an opportunity it will be to celebrate all that this body of Christ has done and will do. What an opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves as individual parts of the body of Christ to God’s service. What an opportunity ask God in prayer to keep this body of Christ healthy, able to work in one accord, not against itself in any way. It is an opportunity to lift up the fact that indeed it takes every member of this church to make this church work in the manner in which God has called it to work.

Now, I want to ask you a question. What part of the body of Christ are you? Using the analogy of a body. Are you an arm? Are you an eye, an ear, a leg, or maybe an organ like the heart or the lungs? What part of Christ’s body of this church are you?

You might not be able to answer that question but it is a fun one to contemplate. Not only is it fun but it invites us to give God thanks that we, although are unique and different from one another, we are all each and every one of us needed.

You’ve heard me say that one of my favorite theologians is Henri Nouwen who wrote the following about community. It might help us to reflect further on how each part of the body of Christ is important.

“Community is like a large mosaic. Each little piece seems so insignificant. One piece is bright red, another cold blue or dul green another warm purple, another sharp yello, another shining gold. Some look precious, others ordinary. Some look valuable, others worthless. Some look gaudy, others delicate. As individual stone, we can do little with them except compare them and judge their beauty and value. When, however, all these little stones are brought together in one big mosaic portraying the face of Christ, who would ever question the importance of any one of them? If one of them, even the least spectacular one is I missing, the face is incomplete. Together in the one mosaic, each little stone is indispensable and makes a unique contribution to the glory of God. That’s community, a fellowship of little people who together make God visible in the world.” (From The Only Necesary Thing by Henri Nouwen. Crossword Publishing Company. New York, 1999.)

I pray that we can continue to grow as a healthy body of Christ. That we can be patient when one part of the body is hurt or weak. That we can care for each and every member as if we were caring for ourselves.

This requires patience, respect, and love. Then, let us rejoice that God, being the head of this body of Christ is with us, directing us, giving us wisdom and purpose. Let us not get tired of lifting one another up in prayer, in friendship, in partnership so that indeed all parts of this body can work as God wants it to work. Amen.