For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: Ruth 1:1-18; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:11-14 and Mark 12:28-34.
Let us Pray -- O' Heavenly Father - we do not live by bread alone but by your every word. Spark in us an even greater passion for you .... draw us near to you and lead us to walk in the way of life. In Jesus name we pray.... Amen
In our Gospel reading .... we see a scribe ... a teacher of the law, who asks Jesus this question .... Which of the commandments of God is first of all?
Hear our Lord's words BIBLE "Hear O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, .... and with all your soul, ...... and with all your mind, and with all your strength - and -- you shall love your neighbor as yourself" END (Mark 12:29-31)
I want us to think not only of the Lords words but also the Scribe's response to what Jesus said to him.
The Scribe affirms Jesus and the truth that is found in God's word: "You are right teacher.... this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices"
Jesus recognizes the wisdom of the scribe and says to him: "You are not far from the kingdom of God"
What a fascinating statement ....... "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
Most Scribes were more concerned with the letter rather than the spirit of the law.
They were more concerned ...... with the observance of the law ...... rather than God's intentions behind the law.
There is true wisdom in the law of God. There is true wisdom in the Scriptures.
Those who study it - can find the truth within it; "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
These words came from our Savior .... from the one who bears the Kingdom within his very being.
Yet in the words "not far" - it is possible also to hear that .... "There is yet some distance to go",
On the right track - but you have not yet arrived. (Long Pause)
I have been told that in a park in Europe, next to a beautiful flower bed, there is a sign, written in three languages:
(Slow) In German the sign says: Picking flowers is prohibited. (Pause after each)
In English: Please do not pick the flowers.
In French: Those who love flowers will not pick them.
It seems to me that in this sign lies a key to what distinctions of distance we might read into Jesus' statement: ....... "You are not far from the kingdom of God".
What is our motivation for doing God's will?
What is our motivation for obeying God's commands?
Is it Fear of authority? .... Picking flowers is prohibited.
Is it a desire for God's approval and the approval of others? ...... Please do not pick the flowers.
(Slow) Or is it love? Those who love flowers will not pick them.
What does it mean "To love God"? .........What does it mean "To love our neighbors as ourselves?"
One wonders when looking at the scribe in today's Gospel reading.... if he lacked something in his understanding of God's law.
That He lacked something in understanding God's will?
Perhaps there was too much duty and routine in his life of obedience and .... not enough eagerness .... Not enough passion?
Perhaps a bit too much perceived holiness - and not enough compassion .... not enough empathy.
Whatever it is .... there is a distance ... a separation between the scribe .... and the Kingdom of God
There is a distance...a separation between the Scribe and knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The Distance is enough for Scribe, and for us, to hear the words "You are not far from the kingdom of God".
What causes this Passion to be implanted in our souls?
What causes us to yield to be conformed to the image of Jesus? (Pause)
I have shared this story with some of you before.
And to me it sheds a light on why mature followers in the faith have a lifelong passion for Christ.
Why some have closed the gap of .... You are not far from the Kingdom of God. (Pause)
One day, a young disciple of Christ .... desirous of wanting to become all that God has for him visited the home of an elderly Christian.
He had heard that this old man .... over all the years .... had never lost his first love for Christ.
The elderly man was sitting on the porch with his dog .... taking in a beautiful sunset. The young man posed this question:
"Why is it, sir, .... that most Christians zealously chase after God during the first year or two after their conversion, ...... but then fall into a complacent ritual of church once or twice a week.
And end up not looking any different than their neighbors ..... who aren't even Christians?
I have heard you are not like that. I have been told that you have fervently sought-after God throughout all these years.
People see something in you that they do not see in most other people. ..... What makes you different?"
The old man smiled and replied, "Let me tell you a story: One day I was sitting here quietly in the sun with my dog.
Suddenly a large white rabbit ... ran across the yard ...right in front of us.
Well, ... my dog jumped up, ... and took off after that big rabbit.
He chased the rabbit over the hills ... with a passion.
Soon, ... other dogs joined him, ... attracted by his barking.
What a sight it was, .... as the pack of dogs ran barking across the creeks, ... up the stony embankments .... through thickets and through the thorns!
Gradually, ... however, ... one by one, ... the other dogs dropped out of the pursuit, ......discouraged by the course ...... and frustrated by the chase.
Only my dog ... continued to hotly pursue the white rabbit."
"In that story, young man, lies the answer to your question."
The young man sat in confused silence.
Finally, he said, ... "Sir, I don't understand.
What is the connection between the rabbit chase ...and the quest for God?"
"You fail to understand," .... answered the well-seasoned old man, .... "Because you failed to ask the obvious question.
And that is ...." Why didn't the other dogs continue on the chase?"
The answer to that question is .... they .... had not seen the rabbit.
For unless you see the prize, .... the chase is just too difficult.
You will lack the passion and determination necessary .... to continue the chase." (Long Pause)
Have you seen Jesus?
Is your Passion for him ingrained in your very soul?
Our Lord informs us how to portray that passion: BIBLE "You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength - and - you shall love your neighbor as yourself" END (Mark 12:28-31)
You shall love. ...... Beloved .... How can we not love?
How can we who have encountered the risen Christ.... do anything else .... but love ....and follow him!
Only those who have encountered the Christ .... Who have seen the risen Lord ... have the commitment to continue in the chase.
Only those ... who have encountered the Christ... will persevere to finish the race... and to finish well.
Only then will you Passionately .... Love the Lord your God ... and love your neighbor as yourself. (Long Pause)
A man who really had no interest in Christianity became a casual friend ... with the Christian man who ... lived next door.
They talked over the back fence, borrowed lawn mowers, ... as well as other things.
The non-Christian man's wife ... was diagnosed with cancer, ... and sadly died three months later.
Here is portion of the note ... he wrote afterward:
"I was in total despair.
I went through the funeral preparations and the service ... like I was in a trance.
After the service ... I went to the path along the river and walked all night.
Yet I didn't walk alone.
My neighbor--concerned about me, I guess--stayed with me all night.
He did not speak; ... he didn't even walk beside me.
He just followed me.
When the sun finally came up over the river, ... he came over and said, ... 'Let's go for some breakfast.'
I go to church now. ...... My neighbor's church.
A faith that can produce the kind of caring ... and love my neighbor showed me ... is something I want to know more about.
I want to love ... and be loved like that ... for the rest of my life." (Long Pause)
Love the Lord your God...And love your neighbor as yourself.
God tells us in Revelation that there is a sin of being lukewarm.
Of Having No passion.
Hear God's word: BIBLE "I know your works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!" BIBLE (Revelation 3:15-16)
The Theologian and writer C. S. Lewis put it like this, "The only thing Christianity cannot be ..... is moderately important."
How is your passion for God?
Are you lukewarm?
Are you ...... going through the motions?
Or are passionate for him?
Do you have a Passion for God?
Do you have a passion for your neighbor?
Has there ever been a time in your life .... when you were closer to God .... then you are right now?
There shouldn't be ... and there doesn't have to be.
The truth is ... you are as close to God .... as you choose to be.
You can have as much of God ... as you desire.
You can be as passionate for God ... as you want.
God calls us to seek his face .... To have a passion to be with him.
No one can do it for you ... it is your decision.... Daily,
He wants us to see Him ... as our daily bread ... and as the air that we breathe.
He wants us to have that kind of passion ... for Him.
Beloved .... I know that you love him.
I know that you want to follow him.
Maybe the scriptures speak of your life with these words BIBLE "I have this against you, that you have left your first love." END (Revelation 2:4)
Perhaps your passion for God ... and your passion for your neighbor ... has been suppressed ... by things of the world.
The Scripture passage from Revelation goes on to command us, BIBLE "Do you have any idea how far you have fallen? Turn back! .... Recover your early love." END (Revelation 2:4)
If you have left your first love... if you have lost your passion for God, ... Turn Back!
Recover your early love ... that first love .... you had for God.
God knows your heart .... God knows that you desire that passion ... to be ignited ... in your life.
Be of Good Cheer ... for God shares this promise, BIBLE "Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you." END (James 4:8)
The Anglican priest and evangelist John Wesley ... was once asked ... the secret of his ministry.
He said, ... "I ask God to set me on fire ... and let people watch me burn."
Beloved......My prayer for your life ... and for my life ...is to ask for Gods ... Holy fire.
To Let it burn ... setting each of us on fire with a passion .... with a passion ... for his kingdom.
To be on fire with a passion to love God ... and a passion to love your neighbor as yourself.
(Slow) O' Come Holy Spirit ... fill the hearts of your faithful ...and kindle in us ... the fire ... of your love.
Amen and Amen!
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