The Importance Of Home

The Importance of Home: Luke 9:51-62

51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 So they went on to another village.

57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”

61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” 62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.

I). I don’t know if you have ever imagined growing up in a “parsonage family” in the United Methodist church.

A). It’s tough on the family.

• We realize that the place where we live isn’t truly “our house” – it’s yours.

• We have lived in some parsonages where we were truly ‘under a microscope.’

• Some had ‘house rules’ that we were expected to follow – things about pets, pictures, how the yard was to be kept and so on.

• We gave away a beloved dog one time while my girls were young in order go to a new appointment without any conflict with the church – who didn’t want pets in the parsonage (it might be inconvenient for them) – we grieved at the loss, but we did it anyway.

• It was always supposed to be asked to the church members: Would like for you and your family to live in your church parsonage (and again, not only the house – but with the ‘landlords’ you would have, lol).

B). But it’s especially hard on the preacher’s kids.

• They grow up having a different view of what “home” is.

• While most of their friends have a more settled home life, preacher’s kids are always wondering, “Are we going to be moving this year? Is this the year we say good-bye to my friends, my church, my school?

• Preacher’s kids see how their pastor-parent is scrutinized.

• They know about the visits and phone calls their parents get from time to time - even in the middle of the night – that gets dad and mom out of bed – and often times their ‘preacher-parent’ leaving to go to a hospital or on some other emergency.

• They don’t feel like they live in homes – just somebody else’s house.

C). Back in 2012 Phillip Phillips recorded a song for the USA Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team.

• It wasn’t a song he had written and it was said that at first he didn’t even like it – and didn’t want to sing it – but he was under contract and so he did.

• It became a hit – and you will probably recognize at least a part of it because it was used in what seems like every other commercial on TV for a while.

• In an uncertain age, and just a few months after 9/11 it captured a great deal of attention.

• It touched something deep within us—some longing, some hope that almost goes beyond words – it’s called “Home”

D). Home – family – roots - settling down - putting your feet up.

• Make yourself at home.

II). The title of this message is, “The Importance of Home.”

A). The funny thing is that – based on the Scripture that we read from Luke 9 – Jesus seems to be against those things: Home – family – as the Beverly Hillbillies would say, “Sit a spell – take your shoes off”. (I played the banjo section from the TV show "The Beverly Hillbillies" here)

• You’d think those are the things that Jesus would be in favor of!

• You know - helping us to get home- finding where we belong - fit in – finding that place where everybody knows our name! (I played a bit from the theme of the TV show "Cheers" - 7 opening notes)