SERMON BY THE REVEREND AMOS MCCARTHY

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

Title: “Follow the Shepherd”

Text: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want….Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalms 23:1,6).

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 23.

Probably the most familiar New Testament passage is the model prayer our Lord gave his disciples when they asked him, “Lord teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1-4).  The most familiar Old Testament passage is the beloved Twenty-Third Psalm. These words have lingered on the lips of more of God’s people than any other in all of Holy Scripture.

Who is the author of this psalm?  David, the great shepherd-king of Israel .  He probably wrote it in the winter years of his life out of long experience with the providential care of a loving God.  He remembered the tender care of a loving shepherd who watched over his wandering and disobedient sheep.

The psalm is exceedingly simple.  There are no hidden mysteries here; it is within the reach of every child of God, at whatever stage of spiritual growth and development he or she may be.  In verse one we find David’s proclamation, which is majestic, marvelous, and all inclusive. The provision the great Shepherd makes for his sheep is delineated in verses 2-5, and the thrilling promise concludes the psalm in verse 6.

The psalmist makes a proclamation in verse 1: :The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”  In the King James Version the verb “is” appears in italics, which indicates that it was not found in the original manuscripts.  The translators supplied the verb for smoothness in reading. Leaving out the verb makes this opening statement an exclamation: “The Lord my shepherd!”

Notice also that David has the unmitigated presumption to say, “The Lord is my shepherd! Suggesting not only that he knows who his shepherd is but that his shepherd knows him!

Astronomers tell us that at least 250 million times 250 millions stars, each larger than our sun (which is one of the smallest of the stars), have been scattered across the vast universe by the Creator. Earth, our temporary home for the few short years of our existence, is so minute a speck of matter in space that if it were possible to transport our most powerful telescope to our nearest neighbor star, Alpha Centauri, and look back this way, earth could not be seen, even with the aid of that powerful instrument.

All of this is considerably humbling to proud and pompous humans.  Yet the staggering fact remains that the Creator of such a universe descends to call himself my shepherd, and invites me to consider myself his sheep.  Jesus said in John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” Thus, because of his great love, God made provision through the death of his Son for us to become his very own.

“I shall not want.”  Note the equation: The Lord of heaven as my Shepherd equals the fact that I shall not suffer want.  But this does not mean that, because of my privileged relationship as a sheep of the great Shepherd, every whim and fancy I have shall be provided.  It simply means that only my heavenly FAther truly understands my needs, and he will meet them accordingly.The second thing we glean from this passage of Scripture is the provision.  Because the Lord is my Shepherd, he has made certain basic provisions for my care.  First, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”  Phillip Keller, In his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, says that a strange thing about sheep is that because of their makeup, it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless certain requirements are met.  First, owing to their timidity, they refuse to lie down unless they are free from all fear. Second, because of the social behavior within a flock of sheep, they will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their own kind.  Third, if tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not lie down. Only when free from these pests can they relax.  Fourth, sheep will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food.  They must be free from hunger. The unique thing about all of these needs is that only the Shepherd himself can provide them (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970, 35).

An undefined fear dogs the steps of many in our world today.  They are searching like sheep without a shepherd for something new, something different, something exciting.  All the while, our Great Shepherd has provided “green pastures and still waters” for those who will let him be their Shepherd.

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”  Is it possible that one who enjoys the bountiful care of the great Shepherd of the sheep could ever become so distressed in spirit that he wound need restoration?  The author of this psalm knew the arid wastelands of spiritual distress. He had tasted the bitter gall of yielding to temptation; he had experienced the cold emptiness of estrangement from God.  In another psalm he cries out, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?” (4:11).

Keller says that a “cast down sheep” is an old English shepherd’s term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself.  He describes the pathetic sight of such sheep lying on its back with its feet in the air trying frantically to get up but not being able to do so. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but usually it just lies there lashing about in frightened frustration.  It is necessary that the shepherd find the “cast down” sheep right away, for predatory animals and birds know that a cast down sheep is an easy meal.

After coming to our rescue, the Shepherd leads us in the “paths of righteousness.”  He retrieves us from the dangerous detours we often take in life. These detours are comparable to those times when we presume that God is going to take care of us even though we have acted irresponsibly as his independent sheep.  However, because ours is a Shepherd who is ever alert and attentive to his down cast sheep, he is instantly responsive to their cries for help. Through the prophet Isaiah, God expressed his concerns for the needs of his people: “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

When David speaks of “the valley or shadow of death,” he is portraying life’s bitterest experiences.  One can almost feel the chill and loneliness suggested by the valley.  The Hebrew word translated “shadow of death,” means “deepest darkness.”  But even in these agonizing experiences, one can know the warmth of the Shepherd’s presence.  For, after leading his sheep through these dark stretches on the way, the Shepherd “prepareth a table” for them in the midst of those who would destroy them and applies healing oil to their bruised bodies and the oil of gladness to their wounded spirits.  The “cup running over” suggests the abundant life of our Lord promises to all who drink from his fountain.  

David then talks about the promise.  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Here is a picture of the complete confidence of the sheep in his Shepherd, who has, through the long journey of life, proved again and again his concern for his sheep.  Every moment of the way, even on the detours he has foolishly chosen, the sheep has been followed by the :goodness and mercy” of his Shepherd.

Jesus said to his distraught disciples on the night before his crucifixion: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:12). Psalm 23 covers the full spectrum of life, from the helpless state of the young lamb through the wilds and storms of his adult life. Then the end of this life is but the beginning of a grander life that has no termination.

“Following the shepherd” each step through life is the only way to maintain one’s equilibrium even in the midst of the most ferocious storm.  When the sun is shining and the Shepherd’s care for us is obvious or when we are in the subterranean passageways of the valley of the deepest shadows and cannot feel his presence, we can have “peace… which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7), because we know that the Shepherd’s “goodness and mercy” follow us all the days of our lives. Let us acknowledge that the Lord is our Shepherd.  He will provide for us, and his blessings will be with us forever. God bless you all!   

SERMON BY THE REVEREND AMOS MCCARTHY

12TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SEPTEMBER 1, 2019.

Title:  “Adequacy in Christian Service”

Text:  “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.  For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s (Philippians 2:19-21).

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:19-30.

During my visit to Africa, I heard the story of a nurse who risk everything fighting to save the lives of people who contracted the deadly virus, Ebola.  He would wake up every morning, go to the Ebola holding station, dorned his white jumpsuit to execute his duty as a nurse. In the process, he contracted the virus and his life almost came to an end.  He was saved by the American team of doctors and nurses. When he was cleared, the following day he was back at his job to the displeasure of his family and friends. He told his family and friends, “Pray that God will increase in me the spirit of compassion.”  The Holy Spirit has called us to a life of service. We should live and serve him. Our service to Him demands sympathy and compassion for others.  

Dr. Daniel Poling was for many years editor of the Christian Herald and president  of Christian Endeavor International. He had a son who was a minister. He was one of the four chaplains who went down on the ship Dorchester not far from the British coast in the early days of World War II.  The four chaplains who went down with the ship gave their life vests to others when there were not enough to go around.  Before the ship had set sail, he had written a letter to his family in which he said, “I know I shall have your prayers; but please don’t pray simply that God will keep me safe.  War is a dangerous business. Pray that God will make me adequate.” Let us learn together this morning, what it takes to serve God in adequacy.

We ought always to pray for adequacy in service to Christ.  Paul showed us the meaning of adequacy in Christian service in the way he commended his follow laborers Timothy and Epaphroditus to the church at Phillippi.

When Paul calls his fellow laborers in Christian service to adequacy, Paul is stating that adequacy in Christian service demands a sympathetic person.  Notice in verse 20 of our text this morning that Paul gives young Timothy, his spiritual son in ministry a signal commendation.  Paul said that no one else he could send to the church would care for them as he would. Timothy could sympathize with others and have a real concern for them and their problems.  

To sympathize means to feel for others in their troubles.  A little girl was once late in returning home, her mother asked her what had happened that made her late.  She replied that her friend Mary had broken her doll. Then her mother asked why that had caused her to be late.  She said that she had stopped to help Mary cry over her broken doll. Jesus Christ was sympathetic towards sinners. In all his ministry work, he also reminded everyone that he came to seek and to save the lost.  Jesus Christ came not only to minister to the spiritual needs of people, but to both their physical and environmental needs.  

Adequacy in Christian service demands a selfless person.  As we read further in verse 21, we see that Paul’s commendation is the highest that can be given to a Christian servant.  He or she seeks the things of Christ. Timothy was a man who always looked for the highest good that could come to the Christian cause.  Too often the first question people ask is what good something can do for them.

A missionary pioneer named Henry Martyn said, “I go to burn out for Christ”  Not only does this kind of selfless service place the cause of Christ above life itself.  The reference in verse 30 is to Epaphroditus, who “not regarding his own life, supported Paul.

We see this burning out in a first responder Named Timothy Stackpole. Timothy Stackpole was a New York Firefighter, who was severely burned in a 1998 fire. After he recovered, he returned to the force despite the advice of some friends and family and the fact that he could retire comfortably.

He was a great firefighter and passionate about his work and was soon promoted to captain. Timothy was one of the firefighters that ran into the second tower to try to save some people. When he did, it collapsed and took his life. He knew his calling—to save people. The Holy Spirit has called us to a life of service. We should live and serve him.  Our service to Him demands sympathy and compassion for others.  

Epaphroditus was sent with a message and a gift from the church at Philippi to Paul in Rome, where Paul was imprisoned.  While Epaphroditus was there, he got very sick, “nigh unto death.” He apparently got homesick too, but Paul sent him back home with a tremendous testimonial of his worth.  

The word translated “not regarding his own life” was a gambling term.  In the early church, there was an association of “gamblers,” men and women who visited those who were sick with dangerous and infectious diseases.  In AD 252, when the plague broke out in Carthage, the heathens threw out the bodies of their dead and fled. Cyprian, the Christian bishop, gathered his congregation and set them to burying the dead and nursing the sick in the plague-ridden city.  At the risk of their own lives, they saved the city from destruction.

Adequacy in Christian service enables us to do our task with competence and efficiency.  It means that we are responsible for being faithful to the task. It does not, however, means that we are responsible for the results.  

A farmer hired a worker and asked him for his qualifications.  The man responded by saying that he could sleep during a storm.  Shortly thereafter a storm came. Not sure that the hired hand had done his job, the farmer got up in the stormy night to check the stocks, the doors, and the locks.  Finding everything secure, he remembered the hired hand’s remark that he could sleep in a storm.

Adequacy in Christian service demands a seasoned Christian who will not be troubled by the storms of life.  It calls us to be courageous in the face of danger seen and unseen.  A seasoned person’s faith would be tested and tried, but grounded in the word of God, his or her service will not be shaken.  In II Timothy 2:15, Paul admonished young Timothy, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”  Being seasoned, we are called to remember that words may change with generations, but we must be guarded against misapplying or twisting scripture, when we teach the truth. To be seasoned, we must study or strive and be diligent for God’s approval and not man’s approval in our service.

Timothy’s great value was that he was always willing to go anywhere or any length to serve.  In this world of ours, we may have other ambitions. But our one desire should be to serve. In doing so, let us do with the spirit of compassion, selflessness, and with diligence.  This will make us the patron saint of Jesus.

Adequacy in Christian service is greatly to be desired.  Let us desire the spirit of sympathy and compassion for those that are lost.  Let us pray that God will make us adequate. God bless you all.

SERMON BY THE REVEREND AMOS MCCARTHY

11TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SUNDAY AUGUST 25.

Title: “The God of Hope”

Text: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13).

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:5-13.

Our text presents God as “the God of hope.”  Just as God is love, righteousness, truth, life, and light, so also his nature is hope.  His hopeful nature is illustrated by his plan of salvation. “God so loved the world…”(John 3:16).  “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Christ was born a Jew, but he was the Son of Man.  His atoning work was no less for the Gentiles than for the Jews. Our Scripture reading Romans 15:5-13, emphasizes this truth. Paul quoted passages from the Old Testament to show that the Gentiles were in Gods plan from the beginning.  Paul had been pleading that just as Jew and Gentile become one new humanity in Christ, so all people in the church should be united by a common loyalty to Jesus. “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).

The God of hope has provided for the salvation of all people.  His hope for glory is in the salvation of the sinner and in their becoming like Jesus Christ in character.  As long as God is, there is hope. Let none despair.

Believing brings joy and peace.  “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as your trust is in him” (Romans 15:13 NIV).  What peace are we talking about? It is the peace that comes from believing.  Peace with God through justification and forgiveness.  Recall the earlier chapters of Romans in which Paul developed the theme that God in grace has provided salvation for all sinners on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ (recall Romans 3:19-31).  This salvation justifies. It puts a person in right standing with God. it takes away the penalty of sin. In the latter verses of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul affirmed that “the sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law” (verses 56).  The law says. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The person who sin is not good enough to go to heaven and is separated from God by his or her sins.  

The sting of death is not our fear that God cannot preserve life after the dissolution of the body.  This life is not the end of his wisdom, nor of his power or love. The sting of death is that one should meet God without salvation, without one’s sins forgiven.  A new law that God, the Holy Spirit, gives eternal life to those who believe in Jesus overcomes the old law that the sinner must die. “There is therefore now condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law for the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made one free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

Itr brings peace that makes us the Sons of God.  Those who believe in Jesus are adopted as God’s children, have eternal life, and have peace with God.  Paul exhorted believers to enjoy the peace they have with God. “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we boast in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2 NIV).

The joy that comes from believing is God’s gift to us. Even the atheist must want to believe in a personal God who is omnipotent, omniscient, holy, and loving.  A preacher spoke to another about his belief in the security of the believer. “It is very reassuring to believe in God’s keeping power,” he said.  The other man replied, “I should think that it would be. I would like to believe it.” 

It brings us joy in doing the will of God.  As God is love and holiness, his will is kind and right.  His will is always best before us and for others. God will never be defeated.  What a joy to be aligned with one who will be victorious.  

We also have joy in the assurance of God’s approval.  We rejoice when we can win the approval of our spouse or friends whose opinions we value.  How wonderful to hear Jesus say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21).

We also have joy in the knowledge of helping one’s fellow humans.  Jesus teaches that we serve him as we serve others in his name. He commands us to love our neighbors.  As the Good Samaritan helped the poor man on the Jericho road, we are to help others. This brings joy.

Joy and peace in believing are illustrated perfectly in Jesus.  The beatitudes of Jesus which is found in Matthew 5: 1-13) describe the Christian as blessed, or happy.  The believer is to be congratulated. Jesus had to defend himself and his disciples for being so happy. They were like a wedding party. (Matthew 9:14-15).  Even to the one sick with palsy, Jesus said, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2). In the twin parables of the pearl of great price and the treasure hidden in the field, our Lord’s emphasis is on the joy of forsaking all else to gain the treasure of the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:44-46).  To his disciples on the night of his betrayal Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). To the author of hebrews exhorted, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that we set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:12).

Believing brings hope for the future.  Part of the present joy and peace of believers is their hope about the future.  The future is as bright as the person and promises of God.

Christians believe that God has plans for his people beyond death.  They believe what Jesus has said. For examples, see John 14:1-6, 19; John 17:24; Revelation 1:12-19, 2:7; 7:9-17.

The Christian believe what Jesus has said about his coming again and the consumption of the age.  For examples, look at Matthew 24:3, 27-51; 25:1-46.Baptism and the Lord’s Supper refer to our Lord’s death and resurrection.  Paul said he received his account of the Lord’s Supper from the Lord. He correctly interpret his purpose when he wrote: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26 NIV).

Paul shared this blessed hope.  Paul closes his beautiful thirteen chapter of 1 Corinthians with these words: “So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 RSV). Faith ii the sense of believing that God exists cannot be forced .  If your doubts are great, act as though God exists and you will come to know that he does.  

Hope cannot be forced.  It is the product of faith and love.  If you lack faith and if you find it hard to hope, then you can love.  Treat others as Christ would have you treat them. Live up to the highest that you know, and you will find that to your love God will add faith, joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13 RSV). 

 

SERMON BY THE REVEREND AMOS MCCARTHY

NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

AUGUST 18, 2019.

Title: “The Positive Nature of Christian Love.”

Text: “Love is patient and kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4 RSV).

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.

The church at Corinth had received many great spiritual gifts from God (1 Corinthians 1:4-8).  Instead of accepting these spiritual gifts with humility and exercising them with love, the members of this congregation had become proud and boastful of their gifts.  Instead of demonstrating genuine love, they were permitting attitudes to prevail that hindered their fellowship with God and destroyed their fellowship with one another.  

Paul insists that for them to fail at the point of practising genuine Christian love is to fall utterly and completely.  Love is to be the Christian’s trademark, or badge of identification. Without genuine love, everything we do is incomplete.  The more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31) is the way of love. Love is the essential medium by which we use the gifts of God and relate to and serve others.  Love is the first and the greatest commandment of our Lord (Matthew 22:37-39). Love is declared to be the first fruit of the indwelling Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and the command to love is repeated

with a magnificent monotony throughout the New Testament.  James 2:8 calls the command to love “the royal law,” and Paul said that love is fulfilling of the law because “love does no wrong to a neighbor” (Romans 13:10).  It expresses itself in genuine concern for the good of others. Do we see this in our Maker or Creator?  

God is eternal, all-powerful, righteous, and just.  But the greatest truth about God is that God is love (1 John 4:8).  Because God is love, it is possible for us to love and to be loving.

It is not without divine design that our foremost responsibility to God is to respond with love and that our greatest responsibility to our fellow humans is love.

The dictionary’s definition of love is hollow compared with the New Testament definition of love.  In the dictionary love is defined as “affection, sympathetic understanding , tender and passionate affection for one of the opposite sex, benevolence.”  Christian love is primarily a moral love, a spirit of unbearable goodwill and unflinching desire for constructive action on behalf of those who are loved. Because God is love, he has created us with a desire and need for love.  Everyone desires the love of others. Everyone needs to love others.

The apostle Paul’s emphasis is that love is the greatest of all the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  It is greater than eloquence, intellectual achievement, faith, philanthropy, and even martyrdom.  It is love that really counts in human relationships, for it is the greatest helper, healer, and teacher .  It is interesting to note that in 1 Corinthians 13 you can substitute the name of Jesus for the word love, and it fits perfectly.  Jesus is the personification of love.  Let us learn together this morning some of the expressions of Christian love.

Christian love is always patient.  Jesus is patient at all times. Love suffers long.  We live in a day of tense impatience. We are impatient with servers, store clerks, family members, and even with ourselves.  We have a critical need for love.

Christian love is always kind.  Jesus is kind at all times and in all kinds of circumstances. If you and I are to be truly loving, we must live a lifestyle of kindness.  It has been said that “kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Love does kindness. Are you kind to others?  “Be ye kind” is one of the first verse that I learned as a kid in Bible school. As I grew up, I found out that It is much easier to quote the verse than it is to be kind to everyone.  On the day of judgment, we will be rewarded on the basis of our deeds of kindness to the unfortunate (Matthew 25:34-46).

Jesus was always kind.  He expressed kindness at the wedding of Cana, to the widow of Nain, to the crowds he fed, to his mother by providing for her while he was hanging on the cross, and to the thief hanging next to him.  May God help us to be kind at all times.

The New English Bible tells us that there is nothing love cannot face.  Love knows no limit to its endurance. Love carries the burdens of others cheerfully.  Love can overlooked the faults of others. God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.  Perhaps this is one of the reasons why a sinner like me is attracted to Jesus. Jesus loves us sinners in spite of our unlovely ways. Love never gives up even when the going is difficult.

When we Christians have love, that love is always eager to believe the best.  Christian love is not suspicious. Christian love does not act like a detective or a prosecuting attorney.  Christian love is completely trusting. Because of a great faith in God, we are able to put faith in others.

Jesus could look into the life of a woman of low morals who came to the Samaritan well and see a great witness to his saving power.  Christian love has a habit of always looking for the best in others.

Christian love never ceases to hope.  Jesus does not give up hope for you and me.  Christian love has a deathless hope in the heart.  Christian love believes that no person is a hopeless case.  No situation is without hope if you remember God and the power of his love.

Christian love gives us the power to endure anything.  Christian love does not surrender. Christian love holds on and keeps on holding on.  Christian love is more than a passive resignation. It is a triumphant fortitude in the midst of difficult circumstances.  It never gives up hoping, praying, working, and believing.

Christian love is never an accident, nor is it automatic.  It is made possible by the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ for each of us.  As God’s gift to us, love is the first fruit of the Spirit in the hearts of believers.  It grows to maturity as we nourish it. During the coming week, let us take Christian love into every relationship of life.  Use love as your approach at home, at school, on the job, and in all the difficult questions and problems you face. God loves you.  Respond to his love with faith and commitment. Let his love flow through you and be his blessings to others. God bless you all!