Second Sunday After Epiphany
Sun 15, Jan 2006
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Psalm 67
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51
Sermon: (Frank Eberhardt)
(Reads John 1:43-51). Simple question, simple answer. Phillip spent a lot of time with Jesus, listening. Before you can introduce people to Jesus, you first listen to him and get to know him yourself. (Recounts story from 1 Samuel 3:1-10). "Speak, Lord, for thy servant listens." How many of us would say this? (Gives example of the young ruler who came to Jesus, only to be told that he would have to sell all he had and give to the poor in order to get treasure in heaven). Abraham was led by God to sacrifice Isaac. God will speak and we might not like it. Jonah didn't want to preach to Nineveh.
Frank was involved in prison ministry. There were some criminals whom he wished for them to get what they deserved, but in prayer God led him to forgive them.
Many people are afraid of what God will say, so they won't study the bible. Peole often count the bricks in the sanctuary and stare at the window during sermons instead of learning. When Frank confronts people, they tend to shut him off. "Forgive as you are forgiven." "Put away your sin."
We live in a promiscuous society. It seems to be the norm. People have conflicts with the scriptures.
Ann Landers wrote advice to a person who wanted to know how to deal with being trapped in a relationship between three "lovers," but they didn't want to listen to her "moral junk." She said the person should "see a veteranerian" because the person wanted to be an animal.
A black woman was shopping in a supermarket when she saw a man in full KKK regalia shopping at the same store. When she went out to the parking lot, she saw a bible in the man's car. Sometimes our outward trappings don't match apparently listening ears. People want the bible to be liberal, feminist, male, but God will only preach His word. His word is not specifically economical, or elderly, He gives one word only. It's not justifying anything you want. God will only give His word. You can't ever say "Here is Jesus, come and see," until you accept that fact.
A boy once asked his grandfather about the changes in society. "You had it so easy back then," he said. "What did you wear for safe sex?" The grandfather replied, "A wedding ring."
A kindergarden teacher, when asked about what drug he'd give to the world if he were a doctor, and he said, "Silence." God says be still. Don't interrupt. Know that He is God. Forgive as you have been forgiven. We often ask the wrong questions because we don't listen. We try to qualify a general command with specifics. We try to split hairs. God doesn't look on the outside, but on the inside. If we really want God to talk to us, we'd be wearing pads and a helmet. Elijah heard a still, small voice. Jesus talked about forgiveness, love, the cross, peace, your body, and other things.