Who Are You?
Listen.June 1st, 2008
Rev. Dr. Craig A. Wagner
Introduction
Last Tuesday Lorna and I were in La Crosse, WI visiting our son and daughter-in-law. At some point during the day a suggestion was made that we all go to see the new movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I thought it would be interesting for our son to see the movie since he is an archeologist. He felt that seeing the movie would be exciting and told us he had only seen it twice already! We went and saw the movie.
As with all Indiana Jones’ movies, it was high energy entertainment and mixed with lots of action, even if predictable. As I watched the movie, and I won’t give away the plot, it occurred to me that I find Indiana Jones an interesting character in the fact that he teaches archeology at a university but he also leaves the university in pursuit of some particular archeological treasure. Of course, we all understand that the movies are fictional but highly entertaining. Yet, for our purpose this morning, I point us to the fact that Jones not only teaches, but also carries out his teaching doing the work of the field in which he has been trained.
This morning, we are challenged to examine our lives and to determine if our faith is active in the works that we do and in the way we live our lives. This is a very important and needful lesson for us to learn and at the same time we experience an unsettling feeling as we hear Jesus’ words.
Who are you?
The text from the gospel of St. Matthew for this morning is the ending of the Sermon on the Mount. As we have mentioned before, this sermon is composed of a variety of teachings by Jesus and directed to his disciples. The sermon began in chapter 5 when Jesus went up the mountain with his disciples and now ends at the end of chapter 7 when he descends the mountain. In reading this sermon, initially we get the feeling that it was only the twelve that went up the mountain to hear this teaching, but when the sermon is over we realize that a crowd of disciples had been listening to his words concerning the kingdom of God and the directions to live as his people.
In fact, as he finished his sermon, the listeners realized that he taught as one who had authority and not as their scribes taught them. Jesus not only taught them about the kingdom of God and the radical difference of living as one of his disciples, he showed them by doing that which he taught. Coming down from the mountain following the sermon, Jesus is immediately confronted by a leper whom he cured; his words and actions corresponded to one another.
As the people looked to Jesus I imagine some of them saw Jesus as a great teacher; one who had authority. Yet, some of the people would only see that side of him. Others would consider him to be the Christ and would want to follow him. In either situation the challenge is for the people to not simply give Jesus “lip” service, but to do the works of the one they worshipped as Christ.
Now comes the scary and unsettling part of the text: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of the heavens, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” In this passage in Matthew, Jesus is referring to the last judgment. It is about more than simply calling Jesus “Lord.” It is about doing the work of faith.
Matthew brings this theme to light in chapter 25 when Jesus again speaks of the last judgment. The question asked at that time is about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned… and how will the people answer?
Anyone can say they believe, but do the works, the lifestyle bear witness to their confession? The double parable ending to the sermon suggests that everyone hears the words, but react differently. The wise, or intelligent, person hears the words and responds by building his house on rock. Then when things get back and storms assail the house, it will remain standing. But the unwise, foolish person hears the words, does not act on them and builds his house, his life on the sand. Then when the rain comes and storms assail him, the house comes crashing down.
Both hear the same word. Both build houses. But only one heeds the word and builds his house, his life on the word of God. The building of the house is like doing the works of faith.
“So faith by itself, if it has no works is dead.” James 2.17.
Who are you?
This morning we ask the question, “Who are you?” We begin by asking it about Jesus. How we answer that question has ramification for our life today and for eternity. I would pray that each one of us would answer that Jesus is our Lord and Savior; that Jesus is the Christ of the world. If we have not come to that position, or if we doubt – and everyone doubts at times – I would ask the spirit to convict us of the truth of the message that Jesus is Lord. As Lord, our salvation is through him. As Lord in our lives, we want to worship him in spirit and in truth and in relationship with one another. Being a Christian is about being in community.
The second way in which to ask this same question is to direct it toward each one of us, “Who are you?” Are you a person of Christ? Not only do you believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior, but are you a disciple, a follower? Not only do you place your faith and trust in Christ, but are you doing the work that is past of being a disciple? Last week I quoted Soren Kierkegaard. Today I follow up with another quote: He stated that Jesus calls us to be followers, not admirers!
There’s a story about a man who volunteered at a soup kitchen that was run by nuns in Chicago. Afterward, he confided to his parish priest, “I didn’t feel any love for the men there.” “So what?” replied the priest, “The church says nothing about that. The nuns go there to feed people. We go there to be loved, and think we’re going home feeling so warm and cozy inside about how righteous we are, But Jesus just said, ‘Feed my sheep’” (Emphasis p. 43).
Who are you? As followers of Jesus we are called to do the works of faith. This morning I ask each one of you – are you living your life responding to God’s directive to use your gifts and talents in the service of the Lord? This is not about the warm feeling of doing good. It is not about the thanks that others may or may not offer you. It is not for a righteous or holier than thou feeling. Simply put, it is in response to our faith in Jesus the Christ.
This challenge is for everyone. We may look at other Christians who are doing great and marvelous works; works that are high profile. We think that we are inferior to them and that what we do can not matter. I suggest that God has gifted each one of us is special and wonderful ways and then challenges us to find a way to use those gifts and talents. We dare not simply sit like bumps on a log mouthing high platitudes; we are called to work in the kingdom. Once again we are reminded that faith without works is DEAD! God help us. Who are you?
The dawn arrives
This text would be much more comforting if it said something like those who hear my word and reject me are condemned, or perhaps something like those who deny me or who have not heard my word. We would feel better about that. But Jesus is speaking to the faith community at this point! How difficult this is: those who say Lord, Lord but do not do the will of the Father are those he will deny. This is faith active in doing good works! These are those who hear Jesus – perhaps even know his word quite well, but do not act upon them!
Of course, we need to look at the whole counsel of scripture to realize that we are indeed saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus. That God’s mercy is for us and that we are forgiven sinners. However, even as I proclaim the gospel, this passage stands firmly in front of us today. We dare not become complacent about our faith or our acts. How we live does make a difference.
This passage also brings us to the interesting point that we dare not to be the kind of people who point fingers at others: “This is his job, not mine. Why doesn’t she do it? I did all of that when I was younger, now I’ll sit back and let someone else do it?” No, our passage would not have us complain or gripe about others, but rather calls us to do the work of faith.
God calls us to recognize Jesus as the Lord and Savior. He is the Christ of the world – your Christ and mine. And then He calls us to follow and to do the works of faith so that others will see the works we do and how they glorify Christ Jesus. If we fail to do the works that God wants, we lose out on the abundant life that Christ has for us; we lose out on that great mission adventure to which Jesus calls us, we miss out on so much now and perhaps even forever. Don’t waist the talents that God has given. Do the works and build your life on the solid foundation of Jesus the Christ.
Conclusion
A child was watching her father drive a huge tractor. All of a sudden, he swept her up into the driver’s seat, “You steer,” he said. She tightened her hands around the wheel and together they bounded around the field. One day when she was older, she remembered that day and thought of God as loving as her father. She was steering, but God held the power and was her protection. She did her part. She kept her hands on the wheel and felt that God’s hands were there, too. His arms were around her. She called it faith and trust.
Through our passage Jesus sweeps us into the mission and called us to lives of discipleship – followers, not admirers- doing the work to which we were called and chosen. Who are you? May our lives reflect the answer to that enormous question! Amen.