Title: And now, for some real news…
Text: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18a
FCF: Even Jesus faced the injustice of being ignored for his contribution, so we need not lose heart when the same happens to us – we’re on the right side!
SO: I want to encourage my congregation by letting them know its natural not to receive recognition for the hard work they’ve been doing, and not let it discourage them from the task we face ahead in re-growing our church.
MP: It’s more important to be faithful than it is to be recognized.
Intro:
It was Andy Warhol was the one who coined the phrase “fifteen minutes of fame.” He thought that in the modern age, “every one would be famous for fifteen minutes.” Well, one of the effects of a major catastrophe like Katrina is that it sweeps away the utterly inane stories that so often grip the headline news. I haven’t heard a single story about Michael Jackson, space aliens, or a new diet. It’s amazing the effect that a real story can have on what merely passes for the “news.”
In this media-saturated culture where it seems the only goal is to be famous, it almost seems obscene to ask the question, “What’s your legacy?” I’m not even sure the media has a capacity to understand why one would ask the question. After all, what is it that is really going to last? It’s clearly not fame. And we’ve learned that even a great city can be brought down by a single storm.
When the storm comes, I think it’s more important than ever to realize that the chaff of your life literally will be blown away. It’s worth thinking about what lasts, what we need to stick to. And I want you to have that in mind as I read this little story from Ecclesiastes.
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Now, I don’t know about you, but this story makes me a little bit angry. I mean, think about – here’s a city that was about to be invaded. It was going to be taken down and the inhabitants probably sold off into slavery, except for one poor man’s wisdom. But does anybody care? No! How ungrateful!
We don’t know if this is based on a real event, or if it’s just a parable, but the facts of the case are simple enough. Here’s a wise man that saves a city he loves, and nobody cares.
This happens all the time. People do great things, but they never get their fifteen minutes. Let me give you an example. I consider myself to be pretty well read, but I had never heard of Rosalind Franklin. Have you? Again, me neither. But, I’ll tell you after spending a few hours learning her story, I’m pretty well convinced she was rightfully due a Nobel prize.
I suspect if I told you the names Watson and Crick, you’d recognize them. Back in 1953, they wrote a paper in which they famously described DNA as a double helix. DNA, of course, is the blueprint for every cell in your body. The problem was, prior to the 1950’s, nobody realized that it contained the instructions for every genetic characteristic you hold. Well, what Watson & Crick did was to propose that it was basically a ladder, which you could cut apart and rebuild. It’s a pretty important discovery.
But, what I learned is that all Watson and Crick did was to propose a model – and to make matters worse, it was a model based on someone else’s data. You see, Rosalind Franklin knew how to take pictures of atoms by shining light against them and looking at the resulting wave patterns. She spent three years taking pictures, and then working out the complex math to figure out how the 2-d pattern reflects a 3-dimensional thing it represents. It was a lot more than just taking a picture – there was some serious grunt work involved.
What Rosalind Franklin didn’t know is that one of her colleagues – Marcus Wilkins, who later went on to claim that third spot on the Nobel platform – was secretly passing her data along to Watson & Crick. She basically had done all the work except for building the model – she had been waiting to tell anybody about her discovery until she was more satisfied with her own work. But, when Watson & Crick got this data, they published first, and so they got the glory. James Watson even went on to write a famous book, called the Double Helix, in which he hints at her role, but he carefully writes her story in such a way to minimize her involvement and maximize his. Talk about an injustice!
The X-Rays that Rosalind Franklin took in while taking these pictures eventually killed her – when she was only 37 years old. But to me, it seems even more unfair that she never got the credit, because nobody told her part in the story.
You know, I thank God for men and women who are content to be faithful to please God, and who do it without regards for themselves.
Let me tell you another story in the same vain. This is one you know better.
Jesus Christ was God. Paul calls him Wisdom himself. By a cunning and crafty plan, he saved all of creation– and yet today most people only know him as “a good guy,” or even worse, just a swear word. Why is that? Very simply put, it’s because not enough people tell the story. In effect, by not telling the story, we’re actively trying not to remember this poor man from Galilee.
We’ve effectively ignored him when we don’t listen to him. Let me ask you a question: Do you know what Jesus’ very last words on earth were?
You get points if you said they were something to the effect of “Go and make disciples amongst all the nations, baptizing them and teaching them all the things I have told you.” If you remembered the injunction to “go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth” you’re still on the right track. But what have you have done with those words?
I know evangelism is a scary word – but scary words are often a sign of real treasure – of a real legacy.
You want a legacy? Let me suggest one to you. Have spiritual children. Make disciples of all lands. If you really believe in eternal life, then believe that those actions you take that will influence your loved one’s eternal destinies matter more than anything else.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that this battle we fight isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this present darkness.
Evangelism can be thought of as a battle, and it is just that – it’s a battle for the hearts and minds of everyone you know. The stakes are high – even higher than life and death. Those of us who having a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ know that the stakes are eternal life and death, and so it is natural to want to have an effect on those around us.
One approach is what I’d call the nuclear option. You pull out your biggest gun (pull out the Bible) and try to “win ‘em for the kingdom” using your logic and arguments and appeals. And then there’s the siege mentality – “lifestyle evangelism.” Just sit there and hope we can wait them out.
Permit me, if you will, as a poor man, to offer a piece of wisdom. If you really want to win the city, you have to know the terrain. Like the poor man in the text, you need to have the home-field advantage. You have to know your target, even better than he knows himself.
Lifestyle evangelism, in my mind, is a pre-requisite – but it’s not the be-all and end-all. But it isn’t enough to talk – you have to listen, listen every day to the lost. They will have excuses, defenses, and every argument imaginable. You have to hear them out. But when they have exhausted their defenses, come to their rescue with the Gospel.
A general knows he should only attack when the opening presents itself. The truth is that sharing the good news of the Gospel is the same way. It’s my experience that you can’t really share the Gospel with a person you don’t know. If they’re not ready, it won’t work. And, you won’t know they’re ready till you know them – and I mean really know them.
At work, I have a friend. I really enjoy his company, but I want to share the Gospel with him too. But a frontal presentation wouldn’t work. I’ve had to see his hang-ups, and pray when he’s gotten stuck. Slowly, glacially, he’s coming to know the Lord. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to pray the Sinner’s prayer with him, but already I’ve seen him move. He realizes he needs a Savior – and I’m convinced that puts him closer than most.
But did you notice here – I couldn’t be passive and I couldn’t be aggressive. It’s been an intentional relationship, and it’s meant getting to know him intimately. And it means having real talks. We talk about silly stuff, but there are times we don’t. My “lifestyle” isn’t such that one day he’s just going to miraculously see the light. He needs someone to tell him about the light, and that person can be me. For your loved one, it will be you. The lifestyle is a pre-requisite, but that’s not enough. Wisdom says you have to be ready to close the deal.
So, if the battle is hard and you won’t even see a reward, why do it? Well, you have to imagine that anyone who saves their city has to love it. And, no one can take away the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a difference.
End:
Too many people think that a legacy is as simple as having kids who don’t grow up to be axe murders. As long as you have kids, they think, you never really die, because they continue. Well, guess what. One day, your kids, your friends, your neighbors – all who would sing your praises are going to die too. Why not give them something that will last. Give them Jesus.
Would you pray with me?
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Now, before I read, I am going to warn you – Ecclesiastes as a whole is not an easy book. I was drawn to this passage, because I knew it had it had gold, but it still took me a lot of digging to see it. I want to give you some words to think about as I read it that I eventually found useful. I would suggest, as I think about this, that you consider Power, Wisdom, and who got what they deserved. You might call that last one ‘justice’ or ‘fairness,’ but I think you’ll see what I mean.
This poor man – it seems unfair, doesn’t it? Let me put aside one concern real quick. No, we don’t know if this is a real event or just a parable. All we know is what’s in the text before us. There’s a man, and he saves the town. But do they write? Nope. He’s been forgotten. Still, even the lack of reward proves the point. Ultimately, wisdom is better than power, no matter what. But if you’re just in it for the fame, you’re going to be disappointed.
(Wurzburg Castle was never taken from the outside – but twice because of what went on inside!)
That girl who disappeared in Aruba? She’s still gone, but so is the story. You, remember the show, Survivor? The guy to win it the first time, Richard Hatch was arrested this week for tax evasion. And you may have missed it last week, but the big story? Well, the rapper “Puff Daddy” Sean Combs, formerly known as “P. Daddy,” let it be known that he was now just “Daddy” Sean Combs. It seems the “P” was getting between him and his fans.
(To many people a legacy is just having kids who don’t grow up to be axe murders) Your kids will probably going to forget you. Just think back to that last Mother’s day or Father’s Day. Did they even call? Was it collect? Your grandkids will barely know you. If you’re lucky, your great-grandkids might know your name. If you are seeking immortality through them, you are going to be disappointed. Like the poor man, you will eventually be forgotten.
Long Branch Baptist Church
Halfway, Virginia; est. 1786
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Enter to Worship
Prelude David Witt
Invocation Michael Hollinger
*Opening Hymn #216
“Great is thy Faithfulness”
Welcome & Announcements
Morning Prayer
*Responsive Reading [See Right]
*Offertory Hymn #393
“Onward Christian Soldiers”
Offertory Mr. Witt
*Doxology
Scripture Ecclesiastes 9:13-18a
Sermon
“And now, for some real news…”
Invitation Hymn
“We have heard the joyful sound” #277
Benediction
Congregational Response
May the grace of Christ of Savior / And the Father’s boundless love
With the Holy Spirit’s favor / Rest upon us from above. Amen.
Depart To Serve
Please stay after if you want to discuss Katrina Relief efforts.
9/11 – Marshall Homecoming / Revival (9/11 – 9/14) – Reginald Rolle presenting.
9/18 – Homecoming (Service at 11am, Potluck to follow, Evening Service at 6:30pm)
9/24 – The Plains Community Lunch, 11am – 1pm @ Grace Episcopal (The Plains)
RESPONSIVE READING
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,
because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance;
and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind;
Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up,
and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field.
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes.
It is the same way with the rich;
in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away.
Who is wise and understanding among you?
Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.
But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not be boastful and false to the truth.
Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.
For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable.
It is gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
- James 1:2-11, 3:13-18
Invocation Reading – Why Walk When you Can Fly?
Mary Chapin Carpenter…
In this world there’s a whole lot of trouble baby
In this world there’s a whole lot of pain
In this world there’s a whole lot of trouble but
A whole lot of ground to gain
Why take when you could be giving
Why watch as the world goes by
It’s a hard enough life to be living
Why walk when you can fly
In this world there’s a whole lot of sorrow
In this world there’s a whole lot of shame
In this world there’s a whole lot of sorrow
And a whole lot of ground to gain
When you spend you whole life wishing
Wanting and wondering why
It’s a long enough life to be living
Why walk when you can fly
And in this world there’s a whole lot of golden
In this world there’s a whole lot of pain
In this world you’ve a soul for a compass
And a heart for a pair of wings
There’s a star on the far horizon
Rising bright in an azure sky
For the rest of the time that you’re given
Why walk when you can fly
