Being Like Christ

(Steve gets up to read the morning scripture. Galatians 5:22-23)

22But (A)the fruit of the Spirit is (B)love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23gentleness, (C)self-control; against such things (D)there is no law.

24Now those who belong to (E)Christ Jesus have (F)crucified the flesh with its passions and (G)desires.

Josh: I hope you choke on your fruit of the Spirit!

Steve: Do you think it’s was an apple? This fruit of the Spirit, do you think it was an apple?

Josh: What do you mean do I think it was an apple?!? I get up in the middle of the Sunday morning meeting while you are reading from the Bible and throw a piece of fruit at your head and you ask me what I think?

Steve: While I assume you have your reasons for doing just that and picked an apple for some symbolic reason so, do you think it is really an apple?

Josh: You see that’s my point! I throw an apple at you for no reason and you are just as cool and calm as ever. I can’t understand you! Or anyone else!

Steve: Well there you go I knew you must have had a reason and there it is. My reason for being so calm is that I. …well…. I don’t honestly know but I don’t really have a reason to be upset.

Josh: HEY MORON! I THREW AN APPLE AT YOUR HEAD! That’s reason enough.

Steve: No it’s really not.

Josh: (trying a different approach) OK so maybe you are Mrs. Cool when someone throws an apple at your head but what about this: You are sitting in a plane on your way to California when four guys bust in claiming to have a bomb and take the plane hostage. Or you are sitting in your office, doing your job when that plane crashes into the building where you work and that building begins to collapse around you. Remain so cool in the face of reality. Tell me why a God who is so good and so loving allows such pointless evil to take place.

(Chris begins to walk out and almost gets to the back as Carrie who is seriously hit by those examples searches for the words to say)

Steve: You don’t think I’m afraid? Josh, I am so afraid of all that has happened. There are you happy? Mr. Hallelujah Preacher man isn’t so cool now is he? Josh, I’m scared out of my mind over all these things. I don’t know why these things happen. But all things work out according to God’s plan.

Josh: Don’t feed me that junk. Are you going to tell the victims of this tragedy and the families of those lives which have been lost that this was in God’s plan? When men and women go off to war to defend the honor of this country are you going to tell them that it’s all in God’s plan? Come on, you just said that there are pointless evils in this world. So why does a God who is so good and so loving allow them to happen. I’m a Christian Steve; you know that I love God with my whole heart. I just can’t understand why these things happen. Where am I suppose to find peace in this world or with God knowing that He allows these things to happen?

(Josh pauses as Steve stares at the Bible searching for answers. Steve closes his eyes and prays silently. Josh is certain he is right and begins to walk out again. Steve slowly and quietly starts to speak with her eyes still closed.)

Steve: “You are blessed when you are at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule. You are blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One who you are most dear to.” What a friend we have in Jesus, Josh. Jesus, God’s only begotten son who suffered and died for us. That is where I find my peace. The peace that we forfeit, you and I both, is because we don’t take to the Lord in prayer. Praying will not change God it will change you. Get to know your savior. Jesus Josh Jesus

To the Congregation “Let’s Pray”.

(Josh has been listening to all that Carrie has to say and has made his way back up front.)

Steve: What a friend we have in Jesus Josh. (steve looks up to see josh back up front. he tosses him the apple)

Josh: Yeah what a friend I have. (both pause and josh returns slowly looking intently at the apple in his hand.)

This has been a long couple of weeks. I am grateful to Captain Delia For preaching let me rephrase fascinating such an amazing worship service. I preach Captain Delia creates something beautiful for God!!! However I am grateful for having a second week to process everything that has been going through my mind. Although I have to confess one week hasn’t been enough The Questions Josh asked a few minutes ago are Questions we have been asking each other for over 10 years now. And they are as honest today as they we when they were first asked.