Reconciled

SR 1-17

Had the opportunity to be here last week as we talked about church revitalization and how we might be a stronger presence in the SM community through outreach and welcoming. I know we’re excited about that conversation and eager to see how God might work through us to bring Good News to our neighbor.

Struck me last week about the power of the stories that Jon and James shared. How we can make a difference in the life of one person. How that one person can make a difference in the life of the congregation. At various points, I’ve shared bits of my story

Matthew 5:13–16 NIV

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Commentators note that even though Jesus is teaching up on a mountain and there are crowds around him, he is teaching this “sermon on the mount” to his disciples. When he says “you” it is in the emphatic sense and is meant to say “you, you disciples of mine. You that follow me and want to take what I say seriously.”

Salt was a preservative of food/meat in this time, and would also be seen as a cleansing/healing agent.

2 Kings 2:19–23 NIV

The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.” “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’ ” And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken. From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!”

2 Kings 2:19–22 NIV

The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.” “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’ ” And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken.

And in it says that grain offerings are to be seasoned with salt.

Light of course dispels darkness bringing comfort, lighting a path forward. In the ancient world to build a city on a hilltop was to proclaim a place of strategic importance. To make a statement about power and prestige, to be noticed and to express influence. To watch over the roads where travel and commerce could take place. Nobody with those goals in mind builds their town down in the quiet, out of the way valley. A city on a hill is a beacon and calls people to it.

So the disciples must have thought: Salt. My job is to preserve the earth, to protect and uphold what is good, to remain in Jesus’ teaching and to make sure it is remembered and spread. Light. Like a city on a hill I am to beckon others, to show myself an example, to be a powerful presence and influence in others’ lives.

Started in 7th grade with Yee

Came to college a pretty experienced “party guy.”

Lived in large residence hall with 40 guys on a floor. Continued party lifestyle.

Studying in the student center. Approached by Navigators. Four spiritual laws.

Went back to room and prayed “the prayer.” Continued the partying. Felt empty.

Bible Bob. Had to pass by his room. Always clean. Playing the guitar. Not a part of our cool group, but happy.

One night after a party, I asked him “what’s up with you?”

Bob said I needed to talk with his “friend” who happened to be the campus minister from the local COC

Became a Christian, interned with church. Got married. 7 year ministry among college students.

College retreat planning. Met someone who eventually hired me at Pepperdine.

This August 23 year anniversary at Pepperdine. Preaching at SMCOC for about 6 years.

The rest of the scripture reading is:

2 Corinthians 5:16–19 NIV

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

I think about my life before and after Christ and I know you can do the same. The old is gone, the new is here. That doesn’t mean I’m perfect and never go back to old patterns, old ways of thinking, trying old solutions that don’t work. But I am a new creation in Christ and so are you. Now that we have been created new and reconciled to God, we have a ministry that has been given to us. God’s plan is to reconcile the world to himself in Christ and has called the SMCOC to be a part of that plan.

Even though our friends and neighbors may not be able to articulate it, people want to hear that they can be made new, that they can start again in their families, their work. That they can forgive and be forgiven. That they can quit living in the past and they can throw off the chains that bind them whatever they are: shame, regret, addiction, emptiness, a self-focused lifestyle. They can be made new. Maybe they don’t use the language of “sin” but they can learn that they’re a big part of the problem, but they can change and be reconciled and be a part of a loving family. And then they in turn can be a part of something bigger than themselves, a mission to reconcile others to God in Christ.