Sermon: "Living Bricks" Anderson
Isaiah 62:1-5; I Cor. 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
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In the light of Epiphany, as it shines in the
words, hearts and hands of God’s people, I
would like to share two texts from today’s
readings. First from the prophet Isaiah, the
62nd chapter, in Jesus name: "The nations
will see your righteousness, and all kings
your glory; you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow."
(Isaiah 62:2 NIV) Also, we read from the
inspired words of St. Paul: 4 "There are
different kinds of gifts, but the same
Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of
service, but the same Lord. 6 There are
different kinds of working, but the same God
works all of them in all men." (1 Corinthians
12 NIV)
Beloved brothers and sisters of Epiphany’s
light: Grace, mercy and peace in the Light
that Jesus brings... the light that empowers
us to be torchbearers to others. Amen.
The Spartan king boasted to a visiting
dignitary that his walls were virtually
impregnable. The dignitary was astonished
that the Spartan king could make such a claim
because there were no walls surrounding the
city.
"Where are the walls?" he asked. The king
pointed to his infantry who were disciplined,
alert and excellently prepared and equipped
to meet the enemy. "These," he said, "are
the walls of Sparta; every man a brick."
As I look around the sanctuary, I see bricks
in God’s kingdom. I’ve seen many of you at
Board meetings, serving on committees,
working in the kitchen, teaching in Sunday
school... you are bricks in God’s kingdom.
But as I say this, I hasten to make one
clarification. A brick is a thing merely
important for its function. You are not
merely things to God.
The bricklayer wouldn’t dive off the scaffold
and give his life to break the fall of a
dropped brick. YET GOD’S OWN SON gave His
life to break your fall, and my fall, into
the pit of hell.
So when I call you “living bricks,” I mean
more than that you are important only for
your Christian service. You are important,
not because of what you do, but because God
loves you so much that He sent the Messiah--
His own Son-- who died to save you.
Having saved you, God now builds you up in
Christ. Part of being touched very
personally by Jesus... part of being molded
in our Christian character, is being
connected to other Christians. No man is an
island.
HERE’S HOW I IMAGINE YOU AS A CHRISTIAN: In
the picture language of a fable, you were a
wretched youth from your birth. Despising
your father’s authority and spurning his love
you went out on your own and did what you
pleased. You entertained the lusts of the
heart as you danced to a worldly piper.
But when the piper demanded payment, the only
compensation he would accept was your life.
But your Father worked out a Substitute. His
loyal Son, and your loving Brother, died in
your place.
The Father’s love, however, was stronger than
death. Your Brother returned from the grave.
His love... the Father’s love, had the power
to do what you couldn’t do. In your
resurrection from death, your heart was
changed from stone and became living flesh.
You were taken from a dark prison. You were
washed and clothed and your wounds were
healed. But the love of God did not stop
there. Knowing that humans were not created
to be alone, he brought you to a great hall.
Many, many people filled the great hall.
There was a banquet table. Over-stuffed
chairs, clustered in groups, were scattered
about the room. Projects were underway, as
people laughed and talked and sang and
prayed.
My friends, in Christ you have been made
complete in every way. You are saved from
eternal damnation. You are clothed in
righteousness. You are entrusted into a
fellowship with other brothers and sisters of
the faith. And you are empowered to carry
out projects within the Great Hall of God’s
Kingdom.
You are living bricks, and St. Peter’s is the
house that we compose. St. Peter’s is not
what you see in these walls. It’s you who
sit in the pews!
St. Peter’s is not the wonderful light that
streams through are spacious windows. It’s
the light of Epiphany flowing from your
hearts and hands into the world. THANK GOD
FOR ST. PETER’S! Therefore, thank God for
each of you, and the special gifts He has
given you.
AS THE SPARTAN KING UNDERSTOOD when he said
that his soldiers are his walls, so we
understand that St. Peter’s is her people--
given a new name, as Isaiah prophesied-- a
"chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, God’s own people."
AS WE ARE LIVING BRICKS built into God’s
temple, so also the Holy Spirit is the very
living Mortar that binds us together and
makes us one people. He, too, is the power
which seeks to repair, mend, and strengthen
our community together.
Each of you, young or old, are presented
opportunities to serve. Each of you can plug
into one, or many, of the avenues by which
our church reaches to the world for the sake
of Him who died and rose for us and all.
And when I open this doorway of service to
you, I don’t mean to get rough and push
anyone through it. I rather mean to suggest
that you and I are incomplete as Christians
until we enter that great hall of God’s
Kingdom and join together with other
Christians in service.
A brick is a brick is a brick, even if it is
sits by itself to the side of a building.
Just as one is saved... redeemed.... and
atoned only if one believes in Jesus, but
shuns service in the body of Christ.
A brick is a brick is a brick, even if it is
not joined with other bricks, but it is of no
benefit to others. When it becomes part of a
wall, it is a brick that offers shelter from
the cold, or strength for support, or
protection from the wind.
A Christian is a Christian is a Christian
even if that person is not active in the body
of Christ. But when that individual becomes
active in the body-- here is a Christian that
offers shelter from the cold of heartache, or
strength for times of grief, or protection
from the evil that afflicts other Christians
each and every day.
My friends in Christ, you are God’s royal
priesthood... you are the living bricks of
St. Peter’s... you are the Epiphany light
shining on January 15th and until the Lord
returns.
Jesus once suggested how silly it would be to
light a lamp than hide it under a basket.
In this parish family I have come to see
great lights within the souls of its people.
I have already marked some of you as servants
of sacrifice, who burn your very life energy
that Jesus might shine before the world.
I also know that there are others within our
fold who are profoundly gifted for service,
but have chosen to hide their light-- to
conserve it for other goals, and not the
kingdom’s.
May God the Holy Spirit, as He brings to our
minds and hearts the Person of Jesus and His
work, build each of us into a very remarkable
people.
May we avoid discord among ourselves....
May we seek to heal one another’s wounds...
May we become so interconnected with each
other-- so willing to burn in Epiphany’s
light-- THAT PEOPLE TAKE NOTICE IN EDINA,
and take notice throughout the reach of our
arm in the world, and see the face of
Jesus... and say, who are these remarkable
people at St. Peter! --The house that God
has built! Amen.
