Sermons

What is in your heart that might hinder you from living, moving, and have God’s being within you?

Is there fear in your heart? We have growing concern about living in this world. We pull up just behind or just in front of the car beside us at the stop sign. Safety experts also tell us to not look at the passengers for fear that we might provoke them. We are told not to flash our lights at an on-coming car. Our children can only play outside with close supervision. We are afraid of the rise and fall of the Stock Market. Rumors float around at the office that the company is not doing well. Quarterly profits are down. Our hearts are afraid about tomorrow. We worry about today.

Is there loneliness in your heart? We wonder where we can find true and trustworthy friendships. I remember long evenings spent in the front yard and up and down the block with people we had known forever. Yet we are a mobile culture. Few neighbors last a lifetime. In fact, when new folks move into the neighborhood, we are never sure where. Our first line is usually, “I should have come over sooner.” What holds us back when friendship and relationship is something we desire? We find it hard to imagine that we share far more in common with others than we could ever imagine. We know loneliness, too.

Is there constant and nagging hate and distrust for others in your heart? Prejudice is reinforced at every level of our culture. We form snap decisions about people based upon the color of the skin and the neighborhood in which they live. Christ does not always inform our attitudes toward others. There are those times when we must take hold of ourselves and say, “Don’t forget that person is a person for whom Christ died.” Otherwise, our suspicion and distrust too easily work overtime. We are familiar with hate.

The season of Lent, like this time in the life of the church as the search for a pastor unfolds, is a wonderful time to remove anything that prevents God from having solid footing in our hearts.

The prophet Joel said to sound the trumpet loudly enough to alarm people. Lord says, “Return to me with all your hearts!” Joel 2:12.

One Sunday as worship was beginning the fire alarm sounded. Everyone jumped out of their skin.

We discovered a little boy had pulled the alarm as his family was leaving after Sunday School. They had not planned to stay for worship, but their young son had wanted to stay. So, he pulled the alarm. His parents were embarrassed.

The bell rang so loudly it hurt our ears. The accompanying strobe light made us feel like we were in real danger!

Now do not even think about setting off the fire alarm unless there is a fire! But let me ask you. Who is going to sound the alarm to get our attention so that we will tremble in anticipation of God’s desire to get inside our hearts? We had best shape up our armature, get ready to blow, and sound out a clear call that God really does want to be at the center of our hearts.

During Lent we will journey into Christ and grow in our desire to rend our hearts to God. “For if with all your heart you truly seek God, you shall surely, surely find God!” Jeremiah 29:14.

Ash Wednesday calls us to turn to God! If not now, tell me when? Let us rend our hearts, not our garments.

This year Jennifer and I inch our way to our 50^th Anniversary, but it seems like only yesterday that I called and asked if she wanted to go on a “play date.” When I picked her up in a starched shirt, she said, “Why are you so dressed up?” What could I do but tear off my shirt, leaving only my T-shirt? She wanted my heart not my impressive, starched shirt. Isn’t that tender?

Let this Ash Wednesday be in your memory bank as that wonderfully warm moment when you tore open your heart to God. Do not tear your clothes but rend your heart.

Let God be in your heart. Rend apart whatever is in the way…fear, loneliness, and hate. Let God calm you, warm you, and love you. For God is gracious and tender, slow to anger and full of great kindness. Return to God.

Where did we get this idea for an Ash Wednesday service? Why, from Joel, of course. He encourages us to pray, fast, and repent. Joel emphasizes the corporate, communal dimension of prayer. It is the entire community that is in trouble. Therefore, he says everyone is to participate, men and women, girls, and boys, from elders to nursing infants. Joel says you should postpone the honeymoon until after this service. Even the new bride and bridegroom are to join in (verse 16).

Rend your heart to God. “For if with all your heart you truly seek God, you shall surely, surely find God!” Jeremiah 29:14