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4th of July
Independence
X-Men
The 4th of July is tomorrow and everyone is getting ready. Even though there is a burn ban, people are flocking to the fireworks stands to light things made in China on fire to celebrate the independence of our nation.
I want to start this morning by watching a clip from the new X-Men movie. Remember that the X-Men are superheroes with supernatural abilities. Each person has a unique power or special ability unlike any other. In this scene the bad guy, played by Kevin Bacon is offering other mutants (as they’re called) to join him. Let’s take a look.
(watch clip)
How does the saying go again?
If you’re not with us you’re against us.
One time I was working out with my youth minister friend from the Methodist Church. He had been at his home church for almost 20 years by that point. I made some comment and he said something to me that I’ll never forget…and he said it sarcastically…yes, because we are in a competition. That really sunk in and I began to see ministry in a new way. We know that there are so many people out there that every church in El Reno could be completely packed and you would have to open up more churches to accommodate everyone…so why do we make those comment and put other religions as the punchline of our jokes?
We tell jokes about other religions and faiths, specifically other Christian denominations…
I myself am guilty of it…it’s the same if you’re not for us you’re against us ideal.
We may say it in all good fun, but is it really or is there some vindictiveness in those remarks?
Us v. them
We may not agree theologically, but what does the scripture say? Let’s take a look.
Mark 9
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
The disciples have the same mentality that we sometimes do…they don’t think like us or look like us or do things the same way.
The disciples were jealous of a man who healed in Jesus’ name because they were more concerned about their own group’s position than in helping to free those troubled by demons. We do the same today when we refuse to participate in worthy causes because 1) other people or groups are not affiliated with our denomination 2) these projects do not involve the kind of people with whom we feel most comfortable 3) others don’t do things the way we are used to doing things 4) our efforts won’t receive enough recognition. Our faith is important but should never be an excuse to avoid helping people in need.
And so what does Jesus say?
39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
With us or against us mentality-is that one of love or hate?
What does that sound like? Prejudice?
Is there not room for both? What about grace & forgiveness,
It’s why I am involved in ministerial alliance and do my best to promote interchurch/interfaith interaction.
After all, Jesus says his followers will be known by there what? Love
Example-politics-Do we really believe that any of our elected or appointed officials want to see this nation fall? It may seem like it sometimes, but in my heart I believe they never intend to harm our nation. At worst it’s their greed and selfishness that get in the way.
And this mentality of us v. them definitely bleeds over in relationships between different faith and churches and worse yet even can be a cancer within churches. They are not against us…well sometimes…but all of us want to see God glorified. We want others to have a relationship with God. We want others to be a disciple of Jesus.
This week at camp, the kitchen workers were apparently church of Christ
Communion every day-this particular day was graham crackers and chocolate ganache
1) communion only on Sunday
2) baptism necessary for salvation
Did we agree, no. But as Christians we must not hold onto the us v. them mentality.
How can others know we are Christians by our love if we don’t even show love to fellow Christians-fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Take Rob Bell for example and his latest book Love Wins. Other Christians were attacking him personally and condemning him to hell. Some even refer to him as the anti-Christ. How do you think that looks to non-Christians? Would you want to be part of something like that if you were on the outside looking in? Would you want to find out more about that faith?
In the same book, Rob mentions several times that those focused on heaven and hell sometime and some place else focus less on heaven and hell here and now and vice versa-those focused on bring heaven to earth now focus less on heaven and hell sometime else, someplace else.
And in this passage, Jesus again stresses the importance of deeds and actions. The gift of a cup of water is a simple act of kindness. Jesus is always more interested in how we can be good to one another and do good for one another than in the particulars of those things which divide us.
And did you notice anything peculiar about v. 41?
41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
What does v. 41 seem to imply? Inclusivity
Mark’s emphasis is on the whoever-even those who do not make the specific Christian confession are accepted by God when they do acts of compassion. The disciples were focused on one man casting out demons who wasn’t part of the 12, but Jesus busts the gates ever wider.
Maybe as Christ’s followers we too can be known for our love and throw open wide the gates of hospitality and grace to those who are different from us, regardless of church, political affiliation, theological beliefs, or even sports team.
And so may you be a people that sheds the worlds view of us v. them and the ideal of you’re either with us or against us and instead embraces the Kingdom of God-whoever is not against us is for us.
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