Freedom in the Spirit-- this past Sunday's sermon

I have gotten behind in posting sermons.  Not that I post all of them, but I do try for the most part to post the transcripts, the recordings, the bulletins, some of the songs, etc.  That is, when I have time and energy.  I haven't posted sermons in the past three weeks.  Things have been busy in life.

I will start with yesterday's sermon and hopefully catch up with the other two as well.

In addition to the recorded sermon, I'm including the special music this time because I recorded it.  I don't always record the special music, but I did yesterday.

I included a song in the sermon.  You might can hear it in the recording, but I will also add it to the sermon script.

In the sermon, I mention something and include the link in the transcript.  I will post it too.

I wore my butterfly stole yesterday that I bought to wear for my niece's wedding.  I thought it was appropriate for Transfiguration Sunday, as I shared about transformation for all of us.

I don't know who reads or listens or if this meets anyone where they are, these sermons.  But, I share, in the off chance that the Holy Spirit, who is always teaching, may use it somehow, someway, for someone.

Peace,

Debra

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“Freedom in the Spirit”

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (CEB)

March 3, 2019 (Transfiguration Sunday/Communion Sunday)

Fort Oglethorpe UMC

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (CEB)

¹² So, since we have such a hope, we act with great confidence. ¹³ We aren’t like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the Israelites couldn’t watch the end of what was fading away. ¹⁴ But their minds were closed. Right up to the present day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. The veil is not removed because it is taken away by Christ. ¹⁵ Even today, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever someone turns back to the Lord, the veil is removed. ¹⁷ The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ All of us are looking with unveiled faces at the glory of the Lord as if we were looking in a mirror. We are being transformed into that same image from one degree of glory to the next degree of glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

4 This is why we don’t get discouraged, given that we received this ministry in the same way that we received God’s mercy. ² Instead, we reject secrecy and shameful actions. We don’t use deception, and we don’t tamper with God’s word. Instead, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God by the public announcement of the truth.

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.                      

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Today is Transfiguration Sunday.  From the UMC discipleship.org page, today “we celebrate the revelation of Christ’s glory “before the passion” so that we may “be strengthened to bear our cross and be changed into his likeness.”  The focus of the Lenten season is renewed discipline in walking in the way of the cross and rediscovery of the baptismal renunciation of evil and sin and our daily adherence to Christ.”  

This prayer from The Book of Common Prayer helps us put today in perspective: “O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/transfiguration-sunday-why-do-we-celebrate-it-before-lent

As we dig into today’s passage, keep in mind that we are to become more and more like Christ, as we celebrate the revelation of Christ’s glory.

The title for today comes from verse 3:17—“The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom.”

There is freedom in the Spirit.  Amen?!  Do you believe that?  Have you experienced the freedom that comes in, with, through, and by the Spirit?  Once you have, there’s no turning back.  When you’ve been set free, you don’t go back into bondage.  You cannot un-see what you have seen. 

Before today’s key verse, 17, there are key words in other verses that might have stood out to you—hope, confidence.  In verse 17, freedom.  After verse 17, transformed.

4:1 tells us to not be discouraged.  Others versions say, do not lose heart.

Today’s passage is one that calls us from bondage and blindness into freedom, hope, and boldness, all because of an encounter with the Spirit and being transformed into the image of God (verses 17-18) [Feasting on the Word, Donald Musser, 446]

A quote from this week’s reading: “Hardened hearts are softened and blind eyes become sighted as the glory of God is revealed and lives are transformed (3:18) into God’s image.” (Feasting on the Word, Donald Musser, 446)

The life changing experience that Jesus had on the mountain, his transfiguration, is available for every one of us.  We can all be transformed.  An encounter with God will not leave us the way we were, if we are open to the life giving freedom of the Spirit.

Let’s think for a moment about what things might cause us to experience bondage or blindness. [PAUSE]

What if we were to fill in the blank for this sentence: “He/She/They was/were blinded by ______________.” What would you say?  [Now, if you’re thinking ‘she blinded me by science, then you are familiar with the 1982 song by Thomas Dolby, but that isn’t where I was going, though it did come to mind. 

Things that come to my mind that often cause us to be blinded or in bondage are: fear, hate, ignorance.  There are many other things that cause blindness and bondage. 

The good news is that there is freedom in the Spirit.

We can be transformed.  We can change.  We aren’t stuck in the environment in which we grew up, our thoughts, our habits, etc.  Because of the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed into the likeness of Christ, as we grow as disciples of Christ. 

In my preparation this week, I came across a recommended video.  I had never heard of it before, so I looked it up.  In a few minutes we will show this video.  Before we do that, I ask that we pray this prayer from Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)--

²³Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

This video is a song by Montgomery and Gentry, “Some People Change”.  Listen and watch.

[VIDEO]

[Read the closing words again from the screen:]

“Here’s to the strong

Thanks to the brave

Don’t give up hope

Some people change

Against all odds

Against the grain

Love finds a way

Some people change

Thank God for those who make it

Let them be the light”

As we prepare our hearts for Holy Communion today, may we remember that there is freedom in the Spirit.  May we recognize the gospel of love, hope, and deliverance in Jesus Christ.  On this Transfiguration Sunday, the transforming power and love of God is for all of us.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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Recorded sermon

Special Music

"Transformed"-- thoughts and reflections from yesterday's sermon (plus the sermon)

Yesterday was Transfiguration Sunday.  I was scheduled to preach at Flintstone UMC (the rock church) and Simpson UMC.  It doesn't always happen this way, but the sermon got written on Wednesday last week.  When that happens, there is rejoicing in my heart, mind, and soul!  It turned out to be a great thing, too, time-wise, due to needs in others areas of life.  I did some editing toward the end of the week, but nothing major.

The Calls to Worship are picked out in advance too, as the bulletins need to be printed and delivered to each church.  There are several different sources I use for these, some in print, some online.  I believe the ones I picked this time came from Ministry Matters.  Normally I use the same Call to Worship for both churches when I preach at more than one church on a Sunday.  This past week, however, there was something in my spirit that caused me to choose two different ones.   So, I did.

The Calls to Worship for Sunday morning were:

Call to Worship #1 (FLINTSTONE)

L: Lord, you have called us to the mountaintop.
P: Help us to look forward to where you would have us go.
L: Help us to listen carefully to the words of your healing love.
P: Open our hearts and spirits to receive your glorious directions.
L: Place your trust in the Lord in all your ways.
P: Lord, we have come here to give our lives to you. AMEN.

Call to Worship #2 (SIMPSON)

L: It is easy to stand here in the valley of our comfort.
P: We know what to expect and what is expected of us.
L: But Christ calls us to the mountain top to receive a new vision.
P: We are not sure we are ready for that.
L: Place your hope and trust in Christ, for He is your guide.
P: Let us open our hearts to Christ, ready for the vision he places before us. AMEN.

Sunday morning as I was preparing for worship, I spent some time in "listening prayer" or Centering Prayer.  I use a Centering Prayer App on my phone that allows me to focus with a prayer at the beginning, a bell, count down, a prayer at the end.  One can change that as desired.  It's from the Contemplative Outreach group and it has been helpful in my practice.  There are other such applications available too.  My normal phrase in prayer is "peace, be still".  But, not on Sunday.  It quickly became "fill me anew".  Hmmm... that is different.  By the time my prayer time was over, it wasn't just "fill me anew", but "fill us anew".  As I finished my time in prayer, I felt led to grab my little bottle of anointing oil to take to church with me.  I felt led to offer anointing to any who desired it during communion time, whether for them or for someone else after they took communion.  

All I can do is listen, trust, and obey.  Following the nudgings of the Spirit doesn't always make sense to me.  Sometimes they aren't as "normal" as taking anointing oil with me somewhere.  But Sunday was just that.  I wasn't sure how it would be accepted, though I knew that at Flintstone, during their Dreaming and Visioning session, they had expressed a desire for healing services.  

When it came to communion time at Flintstone, I explained that if anyone wanted to be anointed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit on their forehead, to let me know.  I wasn't expecting the response.  It confirmed that it was the Holy Spirit nudging me during my prayer time and that "fill me anew" and "fill us anew" was part of the day's journey.

At Simpson, I gave the same offer.  I wasn't sure what would happen there.  I haven't ever asked if folks do anointing there.  However, there were many people who were anointed at the altar rail during communion.  God was filling anew.

The sermon spoke about transformation, hope, boldness, and not losing heart.  I think it was a message for me as much as for anyone else that heard it.  I know that I need to be bold in following Christ and in following the nudgings of the Spirit.  It isn't always easy.  Sometimes it's downright scary.  I am human, you know.  But, yesterday I was blessed by hope and encouraged once again.

At Flintstone we sang "Shine, Jesus, Shine", "Spirit of the Living God", "Eat This Bread".  After I left, they sang "Take Time to Be Holy" and "Sent Forth by God's Blessing".  

At Simpson we sang our introit "O Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord", "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling", "Take Time to Be Holy", and "O Jesus, I Have Promised".  We close at Simpson with "Go Now in Peace".

Songs minister into the places where words sometimes can't connect.  

The Scriptures, the sermon, and the songs talked about being transformed into Christ's image, from glory to glory.  Having been with one of our church members on Friday as he went to glory, things took on a different meaning for me.  I have "walked with" folks on many different journeys in life.  I have walked with on the death and dying journey for many, but Friday was my first time to be present (that I remember) in the moment when a person passes from this world to the next.  To live well and to die well are tremendous markers in our lives.  To be able to show ongoing transformation into Christ's image as followers of Christ... that truly gives us hope and therefore allows us to be bold and confidence in our witness.  We do not need to be discouraged. 

Okay, that's not the sermon.  Those are thoughts and reflections leading up to the sermon.  Here is yesterday's sermon.  As always, more or less.  I edited as I spoke, somewhat different at each location.  But, it gives you an idea of the message.

"Transformed"

February 7th, 2016 (Transfiguration Sunday)

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (NRSV)

Flintstone UMC, Simpson UMC

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (NRSV)

¹² Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, ¹³ not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. ¹⁴ But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. ¹⁵ Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; ¹⁶ but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 4 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God"

THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

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What does the "since" refer to in verse 12???

Anytime you see a "since", "so", or a "therefore", that's a clue to go back into the reading to find out what is being discussed.  Today, we have to go backwards in order to address our passage.
What is this "since"?  In the preceding verses in chapter 2, Paul is talking about his time in Troas and how he needed to leave there and go on to Macedonia because he couldn't find Titus there in Troas.  Paul writes these words directly before the passage we're looking at today: chapter 2, verses 14-17: "¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. ¹⁵ For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; ¹⁶ to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence."

Paul says that God in Christ leads us to triumphal procession, through us spreads the fragrance that comes from knowing him.  Paul later calls that fragrance the "aroma of Christ" and says that we are that aroma to God and among the perishing.  In Christ we speak as persons of sincerity and we are sent from God.  It is in this context, that the "since" comes.  "Since, then, we have such a hope..."  All that Paul states prior shows that we have hope.... and what do we do with that hope?  "We act with great boldness." (another word for "boldness" here could be "confidence" or "assurance")

We are just now scratching the surface of verse 1 today.  We may not get through all of this passage.  There is just too much to cover. 

Do we really have HOPE?  Do we act as though we believe we are persons sent from God and standing in his presence?  Do we give off the aroma of Christ?  If we truly have this hope that Paul talks about here, then we can act with great boldness and confidence, can we not?!?!  Are we bold and confident living into our relationship with God the Father, through Christ the Son, with the help of the Holy Spirit? [PAUSE]

Let's continue.  In verses 13-16 Paul talks about Moses and the veil covering his face.  This is a reference to when Moses ascended Mount Sinai and his face shone brightly because he spoke with God (Exodus 34:29-35).  Moses covered his face with a veil because he was shining so brightly after being with God.  Wow.  Today is Transfiguration Sunday.  We are looking at the Epistle lesson (Paul's letter) in the lectionary readings for today.  Today's Gospel reading from Luke gives the account of the Transfiguration on the mountain in detail and mentions Jesus talking with Elijah and Moses.

What is Transfiguration Sunday?  Transfiguration Sunday is now for the majority of Protestants located on the calendar the Sunday prior to Lent and therefore is a bridge into Lent  It identifies who Jesus is and anticipates what will happen in Jerusalem (Stookey, Calendar, 136).

What can we learn about Moses' face shining brightly after having spoken with God?  What about this veil?  Quickly, in verses 13-15, we see that a veil is no longer needed to cover us because it was taken away by Christ. "Paul uses "veil" as a metaphor for what prevents us from seeing the truth about God.  (Callista Isabelle, Feasting on the Word Year C, Volume 1, 448).  NOTE:  As a metaphor, we are not talking about literal veils used for identity, modesty, or faithfulness. Veils can serve a positive role.

What does this mean for us today?  The answer is in verses 17 and 18: "¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit."

Because of Christ, our faces are unveiled.  And in Christ, there is freedom.  In this freedom, we are being transformed into Christ's image.  WOW.  If that doesn't give us hope, boldness, and confidence to live our lives as followers of Christ, then what can!?!?  We are being transformed into the same image (that is Christ's image).  This is what Transfiguration Sunday is about-- remembering that Christ leads us to freedom and away from the bondage of sin.

Transformation takes time.  Moving from bondage into freedom in all areas of our lives takes time. I imagine we all recognize that.  Like the potter with clay.  Like the photographer in the studio with the negatives and the chemicals.  Like the writer and the poem or the book.  Like the athlete getting stronger and better.  Transformation takes time, degree by degree.

Even though it takes time, we ARE being transformed.  God IS working in us and through us.  What does Paul say to us next?  Chapter 4, verse 1: "4 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart."  Therefore.....  Because we ARE being transformed and because it IS by God's mercy, we do not lose heart.  Do you hear that?  We do not lose heart.  We do not become discouraged.  Oh, it can be easy to lose heart or become discouraged if we don't see the results that WE want in ourselves or others.  BUT, it's NOT about us, it is about God.  So, let's ask ourselves:  are we truly submitting personally and collectively to who God wants us to be and do?!?!   

Let's remain faithful in prayer, in studying Scriptures, in gathering together for worship and taking Holy Communion. 

As we encounter the risen Christ today face to face, may our vision become clearer and may we be transformed more into Christ's image.  

May 2 Corinthians 3:18 be lived out in our lives, our church, our community: "¹⁸ And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit."

Amen.

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Blessings on your journey, 

Debra 

TWO VERSIONS OF "Shine, Jesus, Shine"