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Introduction

Fear.  Fear can paralyze.  Fear can cause us to act irrationally.  Fear can toy with our other emotions.  Fear can destroy us.

An Arab chief tells a story of a spy who was captured and then sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and the big, black door. As the moment for execution drew near, the spy was brought to the Persian general, who asked the question, “What will it be: the firing squad or the big, black door?” The spy hesitated for a long time. It was a difficult decision. He chose the firing squad. Moments later shots rang out confirming his execution. The general turned to his aide and said, “They always prefer the known way to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined. Yet, we gave him a choice.” The aide said, “What lies beyond the big door?” “Freedom,” replied the general. “I’ve known only a few brave enough to take it.”

1 Kings 19:1-3—Fear of the Unknown

Most people fear the unknown.  That’s exactly what happened to Elijah in 1 Kings 19.  In chapter 18, God uses Elijah to defeat the 400 prophets of Baal.  Elijah stands tall.  It’s one of those “Be like Elijah” stories.  He is the hero.  He’s the unwavering prophet of God.  He is the one who trusts in God despite overwhelming odds.  If only we would have faith like Elijah!  Imagine the great things we could do!

Then it happens. Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”  Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,” (1 Kings 19:1–3) Suddenly, Elijah looks human.  Elijah is afraid.  Elijah runs away.  He doesn’t behave like Elijah normally behaves.  He doesn’t act like the unwavering, courageous, confident, faith-filled man of God.  Fear can cause us to act irrationally.

How about when the unknown affects your family?  Or those you love?  What if the unknown is where you are going to sleep tonight?  Or where your wife will sleep?  Or where your child will sleep?  What if the unknown is where will you get food for your hungry child?  Can I keep him warm?  Does he have enough food to survive?  Where am I going to get the medicine he needs?  Where am I . . .  I don’t know . . .  Fear.  Hopelessness.  Doubt.  Hurt.  Pain.  Feelings of worthlessness and failure.

1 Kings 19:3-8—Jesus is our Comfort

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.   All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.  (1 Kings 19:3–8)

God doesn’t leave us in our despair.  God doesn’t abandon us in our depression.  God doesn’t turn His back in our desperation.  God sent an angel, a messenger, to take care of Elijah.  God sends His messengers to take care of us.  Sometimes God uses angelic messengers for His purposes, just like He did with Elijah.  In Daniel 10:12, an angelic being told Daniel he had been sent in response to Daniel’s words.  Isn’t it great to know that God sends out angels in response to our prayers?  Angelic powers are set into motion at our request.

Sometimes God uses you as a messenger to take care of someone else.  In fact, the writer of Hebrews writes, Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2) Instead of sending an angelic being, God will send you.  He will place a thought in your mind, a feeling in your heart.  He will present you with opportunity.  He will challenge you with a task.  He will make you aware of a need.  Then, God will expect you to respond.  He will be pleased when you do.  He will be disappointed when you don’t.

1 Kings 17—An Angel Provides

God used an angel to minister to Elijah this time.  Just two chapters before, God used a widow, not a rich widow, a poor widow.  A widow who had almost nothing.  She had a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug.  She had just enough to make one more small meal before she and her son starved to death.  Isn’t it interesting what Elijah said to her?  Don’t be afraid.  For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.’ The widow, her son, and Elijah ate out of that jar of flour for almost 3 years!  A short time before that, God used ravens to take Elijah bread and meat every morning and evening.  It reminds me of Genesis 22:14, after God provided a ram to take the place of Issac.  Abraham called the place Jehovah-jireh, “The Lord will provide.”  “The Lord will see.”  God provides for the needs of His people.  Don’t worry about what you will eat or drink.  Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  God sees.  He is always aware.

Conclusion—A Call to Action

You are the widow, the raven, the messenger.  God used a raven, not an eagle.  God used a poor widow, not a queen.  Our excuses won’t do.  I don’t have much.  I don’t know how to help.  I’m not sure what to do.  I can’t give much. Our effectiveness doesn’t lie in what we possess.  It lies in what God possesses.  It doesn’t depend on what we have at our disposal.  It depends on what God has at His disposal.  It doesn’t depend on our fortune.  It depends on our faith.  The hungry child doesn’t need excuses.  He needs your involvement.

23% of all children in Tennessee live in food insecure households.  We probably haven’t even heard that term.  What is a food insecure household.  It is a household where they don’t always know where they will find their next meal.  Let me ask you a question.  What is in your refrigerator?  Do you wonder about how you will buy groceries for next week?  Do you wonder what your kids will eat tomorrow?  Or maybe even later today?  Some of you do.  Tennessee has the 7th highest rate of child food insecurity in the nation.  1 out of 4 kids don’t know where their next meal will come from.  Some children will leave school on Friday and not get another hot meal until they return to school on Monday.  1 of 5 people in a soup kitchen is a child.  Some are low-income.  Some have poor parents.  Some have parents who spend their money on drugs and alcohol, or lottery tickets.  But, it’s not the child’s fault.

You are God’s messenger.  You are the raven, or the widow, or someone’s angel.  There is a way you can help.  You can become involved with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.  47% of the people Second Harvest serves are children.  It is one of the largest food banks in our nation.  It distributes millions of pounds of food to soup kitchens, shelters, churches and member agencies.  It provides opportunities for those agencies to buy food for pennies on the dollar and feed the hungry in their communities.

Elijah was afraid.  He feared the unknown.  Second Harvest, through one of its partners, will provide food today to someone who did not know how they were going to feed their children tonight.  Today, someone will breathe easier.  Someone will whisper Thank You to God because He provided food.

Find a way to do your part.  Become a partnering agency.  Work with Second Harvest to distribute food to your community.  Buy food for pennies on the dollar.  Care for the hungry.  Give money.  Donate food.  They have a list of most needed items on their website.  Lead a food drive.  Become a volunteer.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.  (Matthew 10:42)  I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. (Matthew 25:35)  Mistakenly, we often think of GREAT things we cannot do.  Tasks that are too daunting to take on.  Christianity in action is when we do the small things.  When we understand God can take our feeble, simple actions and create GREAT things from them.  One can of food, for one child, distributed by one church, who will tell one story, which will plant one mustard seed of faith, which will grow into God’s tree in the heart of that child.  What if that one can of food depends on you?  What if you are the only raven, widow, messenger, angel, God can use?  What if . . . ?

*A special thank you to Greg (Clarksville HWY Church of Christ. Joelton, TN) for his contribution of this sermon

Jesus Feeds the 5,000

Introduction

We’ve all had this experience. Every one of us has found ourselves in front of the TV a couple of hours after a great dinner, when we see it!  There it is: a delicious triple bacon cheeseburger or maybe a pizza smothered in mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Maybe it’s an ad for a Wendy’s Frosty or a delicious valentine-day, Godiva chocolate box.  All of a sudden you’re hungry, and you didn’t even know it!

No matter how many times we eat, even to the point where we can’t take another bight, we are always hungry again. There is no choice, we have to eat again. One meal will never satisfy us forever.

John 6:1-3—A Hungry Crowd

The crowd was hungry—just like us when we are watching late night TV

They followed Jesus to see him heal the sick.  They wanted to believe—in whatever it was Jesus was professing—instead he fed them

John 6:5-8—Test of Faith

Jesus turns to his closest friends, and asked them to have faith—we, the church, are his closest friends.  He might as well be testing us.

Phillip is your average church member.  He’d love to help, but he doesn’t have any money!  He could work for nearly a whole year, and he couldn’t feed that many people! Let’s not be Phillip.  Let us change our mindset.

Andrew was a doer.  He went out and started collecting food.  But he couldn’t do it on his own.

What about the boy?  He was willing to be used by God.  He was willing to give up whatever he could give, just to help out.  Let’s be that boy and let God work through our Church.

John 6:10-14—Miracle

Talk about miracle, Christ multiplied 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed 5,000 men plus women and children. Do you believe he can multiply our efforts in today’s society?

John 6:25-29—Be filled

The crowd was hooked. They wanted more, so they continued to follow Jesus

Jesus met their physical needs in order to open the door to feed their spiritual needs.  Jesus knew they were searching after more food, but instead, he was ready to share another message

Imagine trying to accept this message when you’re physically hungry.  You haven’t eaten in days; you’re lucky to get 3-5 meals a week.

Jesus knew they wouldn’t understand if they were still hungry.  He met their physical need and followed it up by a spiritual one

John 6:30-35—Response of unbelief

Even after Jesus fed them, this message wasn’t well-taken.  They ask for another sign; they want more proof

Just like fast food—miracles (a quick fix) never satisfy.  They are the fast food equivalent of spiritual experience—it only breeds desire for more.  That is why the Gospel of John calls them signs—they point us to Jesus, who knows the importance of our physical hunger but can satisfy our spiritual hunger.

John 6:35—The truth

The crowd still wants this bread of life; it’s been a few hours, and they are hungry again.

The punch-line: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” He redirects their attention; he adjusts their focus—away from the signs and the physical need and toward Him.

Conclusion—A Call to Action

Jesus Christ is testing the Church

Examine your life, who are you? Phillip, Andrew or the boy with the lunch?

Second Harvest is the little boy.  They are the vessel in which God carries out His miracles ($1 supplies 4 meals)

God uses their organization to multiply and feed the starving people of our city

God can multiply a fraction of your salary (not 8 months worth!) into many meals.

It is not until we can satisfy the physical needs of the people that we can truly minister to their spiritual needs.

*A special thank you to Matthew Dietz (Spirit Academy, Tustin, CA) for his contribution to this sermon

Introduction

This morning, I woke up, checked my e-mail, got into my car, went and filled up my gas tank.  At the gas station I slid my card into the gas pump and filled up.  From there I went to the bank to get cash where I slid my card into another machine and got my money back.  Then I went to the grocery store, picked up what I needed and went to the self-check out lane.  At work I put a few coins in a machine to get my soda for the day.

Loss of Connection

You get the point that in today’s modern society, we have automated so much of our lives so that we don’t need to interact with others.

Sites like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter have exploded in recent years.  People getting reconnected with old friends, long lost family members and grade school classmates has been one of the things that has allows us to interact with others. The explosion of Social Networking Sites are gives us a thin representation of what community is.  It truly is a false sense of community.  So does our use of technology/texting/e-mail substitute our NEED for CONNECTION—need for a PLACE.

Exposed Desire

I think the popularity of Social Networking sites EXPOSES humanity’s DESIRE for CONNECTION WITH one another.

What we see is that while we all have a desire to be connected, technology and other dynamics have contributed to our separation from one another instead of bringing us together.

Matthew 25: 31-36

Avoidance

In the Gospel of Matthew, we read this interesting story that Jesus teaches—a fascinating treatise about the end times:

This story in Matthew gives us a really interesting insight into the human condition.  Jesus points out our propensity to AVOID other people, especially people who are different from us.

As you think through your day, think of all those “invisible people” that we tend to overlook in our world:

• The mailman who delivers our bills, letters, magazine and catalogues day after day.
• The person behind the counter who gives us our change from our extra value meal.
• The service personnel that vacuums, dusts, clears the trash and mops the floor in our workplace.
• The person next to us at the red light driving a car held together with duct tape and bailing wire.

These, and many like them, have found their way into the “invisible” places of our culture.  A space where “the least of these” take on an anonymous persona—a persona that gives us the margin to ignore them.  We don’t have to recognize their humanity.

A Closer Look—Humanity

Those days when we avoid eye contact with that homeless man or woman who is holding a sign by the side of the road asking for help.

Or the times when we turn the channel when the commercial advertising the charity which helps the orphans in countries you can’t pronounce.

Or the way we zone out when the announcement asking for volunteers to help out at Second Harvest Food Bank or Youth Encouragement Services or Room at the Inn because you feel you have nothing to offer or that it is simply someone else’s job.

Jesus teaches this really curious story about ignoring those we tend to overlook in our society.  In doing this he presents some very powerful challenges and critiques:

When we ignore others, we are denying not only thier HUMANITY, but the DIVINITY that resides within them.

God created humanity in His Image (imago dei).  When we ignore others or allow others to be anonymous, we are denying the Image of God in others.

“Walk joyfully on earth and respond to that of God IN every human being” George Fox.

Genesis 1-2 teaches us that there is something inherently DIFFERENT in the creation of Humanity.  When we allow sections of humanity to be marginalized, we marginalize creation and Creator.

When we surround ourselves with only people like us, we deny the beauty and creativity of the Creator as He reveals himself through others

“The only problem with any of these groups, as far as I can tell, is that they tend to attract like-minded people, the same way most churches do. However different the people in them may be, and however often they may tangle with one another, they still share central convictions, commitments, values, or disciplines. On the one hand, this is what keeps them together. On the other hand, this is what keeps other people out” (Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in The World, p. 93).

Need for Community

In SEPARATING OURSELVES from one another through technology, we are denying ourselves from FULL COMMUNITY.

One of the original shortcomings of creation was when Adam was alone and God makes the observation that it is “NOT GOOD” for man to be alone.

We need one another, but this includes and expects those who are DIFFERENT.

Celebrate Differences

It is through our DIFFERENCES we can truly see different facets of God.

“The practice of coming face-to-face with another human being, preferably someone different enough to qualify as a capital “O” Other—and at least entertaining the possibility that this is one of the faces of God”  (Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in The World, p. 94).

This is WHY when one helps out in a different culture or a different socioeconomic level that one is able to see the hand of God at work in places where we think God has forsaken.

This is WHY Christians are called to the margins of culture and society as Jesus was, for it is THERE that one can truly come face to face with God.

It is when we are with those different (widow, hungry, imprisoned, and stranger) that we ARE with Jesus.

Conclusion—A Call to Action

“The assignment is to get over your self. The assignment is to love the God you did not make up with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and the second is like unto it: to love the neighbor you also did not make up as if that person were your own strange and particular self. Do this, and the doing will teach you everything you need to know. Do this, and you will live” (p. 105).

*A special thank you to Walter Surdacki (Assistant Professor of Bible, Lipscomb University. Nashville,, TN) for his contribution of this sermon

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