A Sermon By. Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke

Transcription

1 "Deeds! Not Words" A Sermon By Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke Park Avenue United Methodist Church lo6 East 86th Street New York, New York May 22, 1988

2 "DEEDS! NOT WORDS" I INTRODUCTION Today's sermon begins with some presidential trivia. Since this is an election year I knew you'd want to know that William Henry Harrison served the shortest term of a~ president of the United States - only 32 days. However he gave the longest Inaugural Address - one hour and forty-five minutes. Which means that he spent a good part of his term talking about it. Now Harrison can be forgiven for producing more words than deeds. After all he gave the Inaugural Address on a bitterly cold day in lbll, outside, in a snow storm caught pneumonia and died of complications. Other presidents enjoying longer days in the White House have to live with their words, which is a particularly irksome thing to politicians. They don't like the fact that everything they say is heard, reported, recorded, written down, filed away and sometimes used as a yardstick against which their behavior is judged. But like all forms of life, the politic ian - when threatened with extinction - develops survival mechanisms. For the politician it's double talk, which you'll remember George Orwell in his book, 1984, called "Newspeak" - the ability to say one thing when you mean another. -- PREACHERS Preachers face the same problem of public scrutiny. Now and then someone will say to me, "You know what you said this morning is in direct contradiction to what you said on November 22nd". So as a species, preachers have developed their own survival strategy. It's called "obfuscation", which means "to confuse, bewilder and obscure". The trick is to preach in such a way that nobody can understand what you mean. That's why it's always good to announce a text at the beginning of a sermon it gives people something to 'bl:link about while you're preaching. Some may respond to these lines remembering that Sunday back in January when a snore penetrated the sermon, "My preacherts eyes I've never seen, Though light from them may shine, For when he prays he closes his, Then when he preaches - mine. 11 So, it's time to say "good night" to some of you. I'm about to preach a sermon on this text which comes near the end of the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus. 11 Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord 1 sha 11 enter the Kingdom of Heaven but he who does the will of My Father 11 DEVELOPMENT Beware of glibness in religious language, that's the message. That's the point. Speech sprinkled liberally with religious words does not a Christian make. Talk is cheap and easy. It's the deeds that count. Not the words. That's the message. Let's think about it. There are some of you who probably wonder if you're really Christian, because you're not comfortable using religious language, and sometimes not even comfortable around those who do. If you have to give a prayer in public, you'd

3 2 die. You wonder if this reticence is the result of a lack of faith is there something missing in your spiritual life? The text for you may be, "Not those who say, 1 Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdome of God but those who do the will of MY Father in heaven". I know children who have become more zealous in their religion than their parents are in theirs. They often leave the Church of their parents and join another Church, or they join what's called a "fellowship" of Christians rather than a formal church. And that fellowship puts a high premium on talking "religious". It's almost another l::mguage. And that's important for them, because the mark of belonging to that group is speaking the same language. People feel a bond that they don't feel in a culture as a whole when they are with people who speak the SAme language. The language is apt to be the "glue" of the fellowship. And these children are a bewilderment to their parents. All that religious language makes them feel uncomfortable. Family gatherings are more like entertaining strangers than homecomings. Sometimes there are confrontations, the children accusing the parents of not being sufficiently Christian. If they would only talk a bout their fa.i th, the children are apt to say, then I would know they are Christian. For them the "badge" of Christianity is speech. For them, a Christian is ~own by the company he keeps and by the language which comes across his lips. AN ILLUSTRATION A friend of mine has a son who went that way for a time. He left the Methodist Church and went to another youth group - converted, became zealous in his "ne\-r-found" faith, tried to convince his parents that they were not really Christian. The love between the parents and the child was never broken. It was always there, there was no rift in that family, as I know there are in some families when that happens. It was always there, but it was strained a little bit. One day the father took his son up into the Adirondacks to weekend together. It was time that they did that, just the two off together so that they could have a talk together as adults. waited until the appropriate time, and then he said to his son, "I want you to know something about your mother's and my faith. We may not talk much about it, but if you look back over the decisions that vre have made - the hard ones we have had to make, and look at the sacrifices that we have made, and the things 1r1e have tried to stand for, and if you were to look at our checkbook over the years of our marriage and see how we have budgeted our money, how we have handled our sense of ste\-rardship over things, I think you will see that our faith is something we practice. We may not talk about it as much as you would like, but we certainly thihk we have said something with our deeds." spend the of them going The father "Not those who say, 'Lord, Lord 1, but those who do the will of My Father". Christians ought to witness. Verbally. I've done that. It's not easy. But ~. witnessing in our time, I'm afraid, has been modeled and shaped by those who

4 believe to be Christian you've got to talk religious all the time. I think many people who ought to "tell" their story hesitate to do it because they are uncomfortable with religious language. And this is the more reason why you should do it. You ought to search and find the words that are true to your own personal experience and to tell the story in your own way the way you fee 1 most comfortable. The purpose of "telling" your story is to give encouragement to others and if you can do that quietly and honestly, with integrity and with ease, then it's a valuable and moving witness. No two stories will be told the same way and with the same words. TODAY'S TEXT But that's another text and another sermon. Today's word is saying to us: even more valuable will be your life! More important than what has happened to you is what you've done since it happened. To be a Christian is to make an adult commitment to Christ as your Lord. And how that comes about is goi_ng to different from person to person. As John Wesley put it, it may come to you suddently and dramatically, or it may come to you sl0wly and cumulatively. Wesley's did. The kind of experience that you have is going to be determined by your biography, that is, what's happened to you up to that time, and by your chemistry, your temperament, your environment. If you're emotional, you're probably going to have an emotional experience. If you're intellectual, it will probably be structured rationally. If you've lived a lecherous and dissipated life, then it's probably going to come through repentance and a libe~ating feeling of forgiveness. If you haven't lived that kind of life, don't expect to have that kind of experience. And don't fake it. If you've lived a generally moral life, in a stable environment, it will probably come to you through a sense of gratitude for what you have received. If you're a dull, phlegmatic person, your experience will probably be like that. You may find people yawning as you tell them about your experience. The point is that the kind of experience you have doesn't matter. For religious experience is private, personal and ineffable - which means there is no way you can measure its authenticity. What's measurable is what happens after the experience. That's why Jesus says in this passage for this morning, "You will know them by their fruits". Not by the experience, but by the results of that experience. Not those who talk of conversion, but "Those who do the will of My Father in heaven". That's why we are celebrating Wesley's Aldersgate experience - the 50 years of "the fruits" of that heart-warming experience, " I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation; and an assurance was-- given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and save me from the law of sin and death" MATTHEW'S GOSPEL Matthew has structured his Gospel to make this very point. His Gospel is there to tell the Story of Jesus. It begins with a preface, called the Sermon on the Mount, which is a summary of the teachings of Jesus. It ends with a warning about judgement. "Not those who say, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of God, but those who do the will of My Father in heaven". It continues with these "!rrords,

5 - 4 - "On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not cast out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty works in your name? And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me you evil doers' 11 That's the end of the seventh chapter. And then the e.ighth chapter begins a detailed record of the teachings of Jesus, where the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount are flshed out and illustrated. And the section that begins with the eighth chapter ends with chapter twenty-five, where you find another Parable, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, spelling out the meaning of the phrase, "On that day some of you vlill say, 'Lord, Lord ', and I will say, "I don't know you'". The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats says there is only one criterion for judging whether you are Christian or not, and that is service. That's the bottom line. What matters ultimately, in the end, in the final analysis, the only thing that matters is: "I was hungry and you gave Me food. I was thirsty and you gave Me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed f..1me. II was sick and you visited Me. I was naked and you clothed Me. I was in prison and you came to me " The righte..ous asked, "When did we see You in these dire and difficult straights?" And the King answers, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these you did it to Me 11 When the New Testament wants to make the point that something is really important, when something is ulttmately important, it always puts it in the context of a Last Judgement. Then you can see what counts in the final analysis. Pious practices and holy speech isn 1 t the important thing. In fact, there's a bit of a warning against them. The only thing that matters ultimately in being a Christian is practicing it. So, my friend, if you have trouble "talking religious",.don't lwrry about it. It's not going to count for much anyway. And if you're uncomfortable with public displays and public pronouncements of piety,.it may just be a good thing. It may mean that you have a pretty solid sense of what is authentic religion, and you know that words and pious acts are not the heart of it. When you want to tell the world you're a Christian, don't say anything. But do it. Good words for us to remember as we share together here in this Church with other Christians who perhaps express their beliefs and convictions in words that are different from the words we grew up with. And Jesus is reminding us that in the long run, it 1 s deeds and not words that make the difference. And say to each other, "we belong to Him", rather than that "He belongs to us". There's room for us all at the foot of the Cross. PRAYER 0 God, who hast gathered Your people together in this house of worship and place of prayer, grant that we may commit ourselves --- to You and to Your purposes for us, that we may go forth from here strengthened

6 - 5 - and renewed in body, mind and spirit - to do Your work and to let Your light shine through us into the world. In the spirit of Christ, Amen.

7 "And all things.eowhatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing you shall receive. And as many as touched Him were made whole1" "Wait on the Lord. Be of good course and He shall strengthen thine heart. For we dwell in the shelter of tthe Almighty. He is our refuge and our strength." "We know that in everything, God works together for good with those who love Him!" "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint". "God so love the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life". "Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases~. "Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in thee". "In the name of Jesus Christ, I share with you the Good News: We are forgiven 11 o PRAYERS / LORD'S PRAYER 0 Thou, who hearest prayer, hear our prayers for others, as well as for ourselves. Touch with healing, 0 God Father of us all, those whom we mention in our prayers this hour: l. 2. h s. beloved members and friends of this congregation. Comfort the bereaved and the broken hearted among us and especially be close to who in recent days has lost a loved one. Abide among us as a healing benediction. Heal each of us at the point of our deepest need. Answer the upspoken prayers now offered to thee on the altars of our hearts, spoken in the name and soirit of Jesus, who taught us to say when we pray For we ask all of this in the powerful name and lifting spirit of Jesus who taught us to say when we prayooo "Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom came. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And _ lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the gl ry, forever. Amen" 3. 6.

8 FIRST INTRODUCTION The week of toil has ended. Our day of rest is at hand. May the rest and the quiet of this hour of worship refresh our inner life. And may it renew in all of us a sense of God's holy and abiding Presence. In silence, let each now pray as the heart may prompt. SECOND INTRODUCTION Remaining in ~ prayerful spirit, let us enter now into a time of silent meditationo o a time in which we prepare ourselves expectantly that the Spirit of the living God may be made real to us in this hour of worship. In quietness, let each now pray as the heart may prompto THIRD INTRODUCTION Remaining in a prayerful spirit, let us enter into a time of silent meditation as we come into the Presence of Him whom our faith declares to be the Source of all life and love, all peace and power, the Source of all hope and healing. In silence, let each now pray as the heart may prompt. FOURTH INTRODUCTION Remaining in a prayerful spirit, let us enter now into a time of silent meditation. In these moments, let us ponder the pattern our lives have been weaving as we come into the Presence of Him whom our Faith declares to be the Source of all life and love, all peace and power, the Source of all hope and healing. In silence, let each now pray as the heart mqy prompt. MEDITATION We rest our hearts in the Promise of Jesus who said: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light". "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek and you will find. Knock, and it will be open unto you." "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, but b.y" Me. If you love Me, you will keep my commandments" "For I tell you do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or drinkunor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food? And the body more than raiment." "But seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well." "Fo: I. am ~e:suaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor pr1nc1pallt1es, nor powers, nor things present to come nor height nor depth, nor any other creature - shall be able to sep~ate ' us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, Our wrd."

9 PASTORAL PRAYER: May 2?, 1988 ETERNAL SPIRIT - who whether we walk through green pastures, beside still waters, or through the valley of the shadow of death, canst be our guide and our helper - BEHOLD US NOt/ - here in this House of worship, seeking in a common prayer, light upon our separate ways, and strength and illumination within our individual lives. SEEK US OUT - one by one - in those special circumstances of need that have drawn us here to this sanctuary on this Sunday in May. HERE - 11ft up the unhappy souls into joy the discouraged souls into encouragement the defeated souls into victory and thus enable us "To fight the good fight, To keep the faith, To finish the course." Breathe into our hearts, 0 God, goodwill and generosity. Breakdown our stubborn prejudices. Save us r.rom letting un-christlike attitudes and actions take hold within us. For FORGIVE US that at ttmes we can be such a part of the world's problems and such a fraction of its solutions. Comfort us, Lord, where we hurt. GlTIDE US AND UPHOW US through the days of this coming week that we may be more than conquerors in the inner struggle against all that is cheap, hurtful, and degrading in ourselves and in our city. HELP THOSE OF US WHO take Jesus eeriousl.jr and who try to follow faithfull.jr in His way to be - Agents of His love - pure in our thoughts, Gracious in our speech, kind and considerate and conrageous in our actions. FINALLY, 0 GOD, and FATHER OF US ALL - "Grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference." All this we would ask in the name and spirit of Christ, our Lord and our Saviour.

10 ANNOUNCEHEN1'S: Sunday, May 22, 1988 I. GREETING / VISITlRS Ao We greet the visitors in the congregatipnoeopleased to have you with us and we hope, of course, that we shall ha.ve the opportunity to greet you personally o B. Be free in the shari.ng of your name. Fill out sign one of the guest books. Join us downstairs work with us, too, in the programs of service Co You worship in a church whose roots are deep in the soil Recently celebrated our 15lst birthday. Neighborhood church. We minister here in the name of Christ and it is in His leving Spirito eo II. PARISH CONCERNS A. Note the parish concerns listed in the bulletin. Bo The June bth Rummage Sale approaches.uworkers are needed. If you can lend a hand, share word of your availability with Dianne Keller. oo a.nd note that she 's invited all the workers for supper on the eyening of the L.th of June. c. Tickets for the Jnne 25th Picnic - our annual All Church Outdoor EYent- are now on sale. Start getting in shape for it and see Doreen Morales for your ticket. Space is limited to the first 100 people! Always a fun day for us. D. Work begins this week on our June issue of the monthly new~ sheet. Pass your articles, contributions, news items, birthdays on to Lucy Dinnes today and next Sunday. III. ALDERSGATE GLASS A. 250 years ago this Tuesday May 2L., 1738 John Wesley experienced hts "heart-warming" spiritual experience. A man was changed. A nation was changed. A church was born. B. In celebration of that "AlderstJate" experienceuolls it is often called we are starting another mid-week "spiritual" opportunity with emphasis on Bible study, prayer and sharing c. John Simms has volunteered to lead the group which began meeting this past Wednesday and will meet every Wednesday at 7:30pm in Fellewship Hall. ( over )

11 - 2.. D. The "Hounds of Heaven" group will continue to meet 0n Tuesday evenings with books and readings and sharing and prayer E. As our church grows, so, too, should our mid-week spiritual nourishment and nurture opportunities oso, we're pleased to tell you about this "Aldersgate Class" a.nd know that it, too, will speak to the inner needs of man.r of you. Wednesdays third floor 7:30 pm to 9 pm. IV. OFFERING A. Envelopes for gifts to the Golden Cross appeal rema.in in the pews we hope you' 11 be tempted to respond to this good eause with a gift if you have not yet already done so. B. Jesus said: "It is more blessed to give than to reeeive".

12 THE ALDERSGATE CLASS: A NEW FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY "In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation. And an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and had saved me from the law of sin and death." ( from John Wesley's Journal, May 24, 1738 John Wesley, the father of Methodism, recognized the value of study and fellowship in small groups. He organized 'societies' which he described as "a company. having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation." The Aldersgate Class, named in memory of Wesley's experience at Aldersgate, will be meeting on Wednesday, May 25, 1988 from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm in Fellowship Hall on the third floor of the church. Our purpose is to enjoy together a time of Bible Study, discussion, and prayer, to provide a time and a place where each of us can come for refreshing and renewing at the foot of the Cross. We invite all who are interested in strengthening their Christian faith to join us in this class. Contact Betty Berg, John Simms, Kathy Simms or Rev. Clarke if you have any questions.

13 ;: ANTHEM: "Keep Not Thou Silence" TONIGHT AT 6:30 "Keep not Thou silence, 0 God. Hold not Thy peace and be not still, 0 God." ANTHEM: "Come, Let Us Worship" "0 come, let us worship and kneel before the Lord, and bow down to Him, the Lord our Maker and bow down to Him, and kneel before the Lord, and bow the knee to the Lord! He is our God, and we are the flock of His pasture". ORGAN POSTLUDE The organ postlude - a final offering of our praise to God - is played after the Benediction. Time permitting, we invite you to share in the beauty of it. FOR THOSE WHO SING New members are always welcome to audition to sing in the choir. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 pm in the downstairs choir room. JUNE 4 RUMMAGE SALE Saturday, June 4th, is the date of our next Rummage Sale. Workers are now being enlisted. And all who help are invited to Dianne Keller's for supper after the sale on the 4th of June. Be in touch with Dianne if you can lend a hand. Another Fellowship Supper is planned for this evening at 6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. Co-sponsored by the Membership Committee and the Adult Fellowship, it's in honor of all new members of our Church. All are invited and following the evening meal, we'll share in another hymn sing. PASTOR PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE TO MEET The Pastor Parish Relations Committee will meet on Monday evening at 7:30 pm in the fourth floor Ryan Barry Room. "HOUNDS OF HEAVEN" The "Hounds of Heaven" will meet Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. George Leopold serves as leader. New friends are always welcome. Old ones, too. JUNE NEWS SHEET Contributions for the June issue of our monthly news sheet are being received today by Lucy Dinnes. Pass them on to Lucy or drop them in the Russell Room Poor Box. TICKETS ON SALE Tickets - costing $ are now on sale for the June 25th All Church Picnic. Doreen Morales, Picnic Coordinator, is handling them. Get yours today!

14 PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 106 East 86th Street New York, N.Y AT CHURCH DIRECTORY Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke Minister Mr. Lyndon Woodside Organist-Choir Director Mr. Jack Schmidt Business Manager Mrs. Judy Ferland Secretary Mrs. Judith Keisman Day School Director Mr. Roberto Meriles Custodian GENERAL OFFICERS Lay Members, Annual Conference Mr. William Bell Mr. Edward J. Brown President, Board of Trustees Mr. William Bell Chairman, Administrative Council.... Mrs. Bobbie Heron Chairman, Education Committee Miss A vi on Brooks Chairman, Fellowship Committee Mrs. Pat Henry Chairman, Finance Committee Mr. Larry Morales Co-Chairmen, Membership Committee..... Mrs. Ann Bryant Mr. Robert Gardner Chairman, Outreach Committee Miss Janet Ernst Chairman, Worship Committee Miss Pam Hubby Co-Chairmen, Day School... Dr. and Mrs. John Lombardo Chairman, Ushers Ms. Effie French Mr. Len Williams Superintendent, Sunday School Mrs. Kathy Simms PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

15 THE FEAST OF PENTECOST May 22, 1988 ORDER OF WORSHIP 11 A. M. ORGAN CALL TO WORSHIP "Andante" Telemann HYMN NO. 297 "The Church's One Foundation" PRAYER OF CONFESSION (seated) God of our life, we confess in company with one another and before Thee, that we are wayward and less than faithful servants. We have loved things and used people; remembered slights and forgotten kindnesses; called on Thee in trouble and ignored Thee at other times; praised Thee in word and failed Thee in deed; allowed the present age to mould us and left untapped the power of the age to come. Deal with us after Thy mercy, for we are sorry for our sins and earnestly seek Thy pardon through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. SILENT MEDITATION - WORDS OF ASSURANCE - LORD'S PRAYER *** PSALTER "Bless the Lord" No. 587 GLORIA PATRI No. 792 AFFIRMATION OF FAITH No. 741 *** ANTHEM SCRIPTURE "Keep Not Thou Silence" Matthew 7: Matthew 25: Hovhaness Page 841 Page 861 PASTORAL PRAYER PARISH CONCERNS ANTHEM "Come, Let us. Worship" Mendelssohn Dennis Peterson, Tenor PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING WITH THE DOXOLOGY HYMN NO. 17 "How Great Thou Art" SERMON "Deeds. Not Words" Mr. Clarke HYMN NO. 462 "Spirit of Life, in This New Dawn" BENEDICTION ORGAN "Trumpet Allemande" Telemann *** Interval for Ushering LAY READER We welcome Mary Johnston to the lectern this morning. A native of Shreveport, Loui siana, a graduate of Sentenary College of Louisiana with a BA degree in English and Theatre, Mary is an Executive Recruiter for Kent Personnel She recently joined the church and attends the Adult Bible Class. ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altar today are given in loving memory of Dorothea Roberts Wilson by Arthur and Betty Norton of Exeter, New Hampshire. GREETERS AND USHERS The greeter today is Rebbecca Sensenbaugh. The ushers are Jacque Notestine, Ken Borgeson, Dee Downing, Michael Hayes, Gary Klein, Michael Schaffield and John Simms. AN INVITATION Coffee and tea will be served in the Russell Room following the service. All are invited to share in these moments of warmth made possible for us today by Marie Birillo, Jo Garcia, Sara Haruyama, Susan Langley, Anette Lewis and Katherine Robinson. CHURCH SCHOOL AND NURSERY CARE Sessions of Church School for children are offered Sunday mornings from eleven to twelve. Nursery care for infants and toddlers is available on the fourth floor. THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS The Adult Bible Class meets on Sunday mornings at 9:15 in Fellowship Hall. Jan Ernst is leading the class in a study of First John. Coffee is always available and all are invited.