GIVING IT UP FOR GOD

Ephesians 4

 

      While rethinking the sermon for this morning, another possible title could have been, "New Rules for life from Jesus."  And it wouldn't be wise to confuse this with Bill Maher's segment in his television program called "New Rules."  The political comedian Maher's ribald comments would probably be funny here but highly inappropriate.  Paul wouldn't understand Maher's political satire, yet his letter to the Ephesians that we just read makes a lot of REAL sense.  Why, because it speaks the REAL TRUTH for Real Rules.  Actually, it calls each of us to speak ONLY the Truth to one another.  And even more insightfully, it calls us to speak Truth because, "we are members of one another."  We are part of each other in this mysterious community of the Body of Christ.  We talked a few weeks ago about Paul's first letter to the Corinthians and the rich diversity of the parts or members of the body.  We spoke about the necessity of each member of the body to allow our whole body to function at our best.  Indeed, later in our worship service today, we will commission part of this diverse body to lead us in spiritual learning as we dedicate the teachers for our Church school classes.  In our first reading from the Gospel of John this morning, we read about body of Christ.  We read of the sharing of Christ's body as the nurturing "bread of life" for our complete spiritual being and for our corporate being as his Church.  Notice how many times Christ ties together the Trinity using the phrase "I AM" in John's Gospel.  I AM, the bread of life and therefore you will no longer hunger nor even thirst.  I AM the bread come down from heaven.  Everyone who has heard from the Father comes to me for I AM.  I AM the bread of life and whoever eats of me will have eternal life for the bread I give is my very flesh.  This is spoken in true revelation well before his crucifixion and is another opportunity for all disciples to see Jesus' true identity.  Christ ties us together as he relates himself as the manna come from heaven to save God's people.  From the beginning of time the Great I AM gives us our daily bread to make it through today.  The Great I AM comes as the very nourishment we need to live.  Our Omniscient God comes in the only TRUTH that we need to feed us spiritually.  And now in this letter to the early church, both Hebrews and Gentiles in Real diversity see that Truth.  We are given our spiritual nourishment, and so we Give it up for God in grateful praise and share Truth with each other.

      This morning we are reminded to speak only the truth when we address one another.  Thankfully, Paul allows some latitude with anger in his letter, yet warns us immediately not to let it graduate into sin.  For that natural progression would seem to allow our anger to be directed AT one another.  Perhaps Paul is telling us about "righteous indignation" but that is for another sermon in itself.  Instead, Ephesians is giving us a quick glimpse of how we are always to greet each other:  only in the Truth that is Jesus Christ.  We "pass the Peace" during our worship service each Sunday morning.  I strongly feel that this is the truth of community that is being addressed here.  We should leave our anger only between ourselves and God while speaking as Christ personifies when engaging others.  We are called to speak only the Truth in Peace with each other; every each other.  Now how does this reflect on "idle gossip." (and how fast is the gossip engine really going at "IDLE SPEED")  You know that I love a good story as well as anyone.  Yet, we are to speak the TRUTH to one another.  Don't confuse the TRUTH with facts.  "Hey, I know this to be the truth because I saw it with my own eyes, friend."  OOPS!  This was in the paper the other day and so and so said they knew..  OOPS!  As our friend, Larry the Cable Guy says, "Lord, I'm really sorry about that there, but now it was real funny at the time."   

       What is REAL is this; Ephesians is speaking directly to the heart and the intent for the Hebrew word, "Shalom."  As one theological dictionary says, "Shalom is peace with a total lack of war and points to personal well-being, coupled with righteousness and possible only as a gift of God."  A gift of God, this is what the truth is in Jesus Christ, the true bread of life.  It is the only possible state for relationship with God, the great I AM and with each other.  We are to be at peace with one another.  ALWAYS IN TRUTH. 

      Now, more about this anger issue that we left dangling.  This anger is between ourselves and God; and remember, Paul says not to let the sun go down on our anger.  This is real; for as the Scripture reminds us, the devil is always looking for a loophole.   The letter recalls that we are to go to anyone that we have offended and ask forgiveness before  we even seek to reconcile with God and ask forgiveness.  A wise man once said, "Married people shouldn't go to sleep without resolving any issues between them."  And many of us that are married today would agree with that wisdom; DON'T WE MEN?"  For myself, I try to say a sweet Goodnight.  Anyway, we won't attempt to define "sweet;" right now.  But I do have to consider how much sleep do I need opposed with how much time will be required for discussion of these anger issues with Gini.  So in the interest of personal health, every night, after my nightly prayers; I say, "I'm sorry Dear;" hoping that will cover it.  Now my biggest dilemma is who last hears my "I'm sorry" every night in order to attain TRUE PEACE; Gini or God.  No, they are not the same!  Again, another day's sermon topic, or in my case; a sermon series.

      Paul reminds us that Christ expects us never to mislead or give misinformation to each other.  And as our text continues there are other considerations for this community called Church.   We are already giving up anger and gossip.  What else do we give up for God?  We are called to give up other specific sins: thieves are to give up stealing and are called to share with the needy, gossips are reminded to "build up" with their words not tear down and we are not to grieve or offend the Holy Spirit.  We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit.  Who does that include?  This brings us now to peruse a really long list.  Remember, each of us is endowed with the Holy Spirit.  Each of us is made in God's image.  As we have been talking over this morning; this is everyone; both hypocrite and critic hip.  We are called into community with everyone; Christians and non-believers alike.  We are called by he who claims us.  We are called into and by Jesus Christ, the True bread of life.  And we are not to offend anyone.  NO, not ANYONE.

      Wait, we're not off the hook yet; the list continues in what we are to give up for God.  "Put away all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander and all malice."  Ah, now we see where to put that displaced anger; it goes with slander and any malice and it stays with bitterness and any intentional placement or wrangling for our own advantage.  We are called to Forgive as God in Christ forgives us.  And it's all right to forgive ourselves.  Did you see wallowing in guilt anywhere on this list?  Christ came in Truth to forgive us intentionally, why should we not allow ourselves forgiveness as soon as the transgressions leave our hearts and pass our lips?  When we repent TRULY, we give our sins up and God erases them.  So, we need to forgive as much and probably more than we are forgiven.  After all, we are called to be Truthful with everyone and that begins with the living Truth; the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.  Give it up for God, give it all up.  And what exactly is "It"; sin.  Let's all give sin up for God, and it will give us the True Bread of Eternal Life.