Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church

1 Corinthians 13 September 2, 2007
“It’s a Wrap”
Rev. Meagan M. Boozer

Tomorrow marks the official ending of what we call “summer vacation.” Not that there are that many people other than children, youth, & school staff who have a whole summer of vacation – but I think for everyone, Labor Day marks the end of something and the beginning of something else. For us here at church, this marks the end of our summer of sermons on the parables of Jesus. Probably if I asked you, you might be able to name a few of the parables I preached about – but you probably wouldn’t be able to name them all. I wouldn’t be able to name them all if pressed in a pinch, either! But, I hope you might be able to remember some of the points Jesus was making in these parables.

Remember, Jesus told these stories to make a point. They were not true stories; he made them up. Seems to me, if Jesus made up a story to make a point, it was probably a really important point, don’t you think? And don’t you think it was an important point not just for the people standing there listening, but it is an important point for every person made in the image of God, in every time, in every place?

So, on this day in which we wrap up some things, and kick off some other things, is there a common theme, a universal point to all the parables that might wrap up all God has called us to learn together over the summer? I think there is…

If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear. Now we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little! But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear. It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now. There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

In Matthew 25:14-20, we heard about the three guys who were given money by the King. Two guys invested their money and ended up with more money for the King. One guy buried his money and had no gain to share, bringing the displeasure of the King upon him. The point of this story is to tell us that we must do what we can, with what we have been given, for the sake of the King. Why? So the King will have more? Yes! More money? No! We make the most of what we have so that more people will who know God and know his love. It’s all about love. We must use our gifts generously so others will come to know God’s love. Love never gives up!

In Matthew 18:23-35, we heard about the servant who owed a lot of money to his master. He asked the master to cancel his debt by begging for mercy – and the master did as he asked! Then the same servant ran into another servant who owed him money, and the first guy (whose debt was forgiven) refused to cancel the debt of his fellow servant. This brought great displeasure to the master when he heard about it. The point of this story is to tell us that we must forgive others because we have been greatly forgiven by our master, Jesus. Why? It’s all about love. We love, because he first loved us and gave his life as a ransom for our sin. Not to forgive is to choose not to pass on God’s love made real inside of us. Forgiveness is not an option if we truly abide in God’s love. Love keeps no record when it has been wronged!

In Matthew 7:24-27, we heard about the two guys who built their houses on different foundations – one on rock, one on sand. Why should we build our houses on solid foundations? We do so, so that they do not fall down! Jesus tells this story to remind us that if we do not build our lives on the solid truths of God’s word and stand firmly on His promises, in times of trouble, we are going to cave; our faith is going to collapse. Our Christian faith is not a religion. Religions come and go. Our Christian faith is about our ongoing relationship with the God of the Universe! Why would Jesus want to make this point? Love! He doesn’t want us to cave! He doesn’t want us to collapse! He wants us to stand strong on His word and show others how to weather the storm under the refuge of the wings of God! Love never fails!

In Matthew 25:1-13, we heard about those 10 bridesmaids who were waiting for the bridegroom to come and gather up his bride. Some of them were ready with their lamps full of oil for the grand procession, some of them only had their lamps partially filled. Those whose lamps were partially filled were not allowed into the wedding reception. They missed the party! Jesus wants us to know that we can’t just be getting ready for the end of earth as we know it when Jesus returns. We must be ready now! He doesn’t want anyone to miss the party because he loves us! It’s all about love! He wants us to keep getting filled up with the Holy Spirit because that in itself is a party of peace and joy inside of each of us.

In Luke 15:3-7, Jesus tells us about a shepherd who lost a sheep. The guy has 100 sheep, but he leaves the 99 in order to go after the one who was lost. That’s what Jesus did for me: He came and found me! Isn’t that what he did for you? That’s because he loves us! Jesus said he came to seek and save the lost! We are called to do the same in his name for the sake of love. Surely we don’t want any to perish in the fires of hell, do we? So, if you’ve been praying for someone’s salvation, or inviting them to come to church with you and you still haven’t seen any results…remember, love never gives up! Keep praying! Keep asking! Don’t give up!

In Matthew 13:1-23, we heard about the farmer who went out to sow some seed in the fields. We heard about the seed that fell on hard ground & got eaten by birds; seed that fell on rocky soil & never got a good root going; seed that fell on fertile soil, but there were too many weeds growing to get a good harvest; and seed that fell on fertile, prepared, and protected soil producing a harvest many times over what had been planted. Jesus is making a point about our hearts. He wants us to be free to love and be loved. He wants us to examine our hearts, making sure they are soft and open for God’s word to go down deep and take eternal root. Love is not irritable, it is never glad about injustice, and rejoices whenever the truth wins out!

In Luke 10:25-37, we heard about the poor guy along the side of the road who was beaten by a passing robber and left for dead. We heard about three different people who came upon him. Two religious people passed by out of fear of breaking particular religious rules. One fellow, considered a radical rebel by the religious folks, stopped and did everything necessary to help the beaten man. Jesus makes the point that if you are so worried about appearances and checking off all the little boxes on your ‘to-do’ list that you cannot help a person in need, you do not belong to him. Love is patient and kind. It does not demand its own way.

In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus tells us about a man who had a big harvest year. He had so many crops he didn’t have space to store them. But in this parable, the man didn’t recognize who really gave him the abundance. In the parable, the man kept saying everything he had was his and his alone to store up for later. He chose to build more storage spaces instead of sharing what he had been given with others. This brought much displeasure to the giver of the harvest, and the man lost everything. Jesus teaches us this because he loves us. He teaches us over and over that we cannot serve God and money (or possessions). Money messes with people. It gets in there and chokes the joy and contentment out of life. We become obsessed by and addicted to getting more stuff, while our spirits wither and die. You will find in your newsletter for this month, a page entitled, “Did You Know?” This page celebrates God’s abundant blessings among us, but not so we can boast! This page celebrates God’s abundant blessings among us so that it can serve as a catalyst for us to keep giving what we have away. We must not hoard our blessings. Because of our love for God and for others who have basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, and salvation, we must extravagantly share, by faith in God’s promises and God’s provisions. We must do what we can to build The Kingdom – not our kingdom - or we will shrivel up and die in no time at all. Jesus tells us this out of love. “Be careful,” he says. “Be faithfully generous.” “Don’t be hoarders.”

In Luke 18:9-14, we heard about the two men who came to the temple to pray. One man, a religious leader, boasted while he prayed about his own good works. One man, a stinking tax collector, claimed nothing, begging for God’s mercy. Jesus makes the point that it’s not about what you are on the outside that makes you righteous before God. Being right with God is about the love you have in your heart for a God who chooses you, draws you to Himself, and loves you unconditionally – which takes us right to the final parable that Betty spoke about last week – the parable of the Prodigal Son.

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus shows us a God who loves us and who always, enthusiastically welcomes us home, no matter how far we have strayed from the boundaries he so lovingly set up for us. Psalm 16:5,6 declare, “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

As adopted sons and daughters of God, we do have a delightful inheritance of LOVE. We can squander our inheritance, or we can multiply it. We can continue to behave childishly way beyond our childhoods, or we can put away childish things.

“But Meagan, I can’t forgive. I’ve tried, but I just can’t do it. But Meagan, you have to store money away for the rainy day. But Meagan, I’ve already done my time on committees and boards. But, but, but…”

Don’t tell me. Tell God. Work it out with him. But remember this: It’s all about love for God and love for others. That’s the point that wraps itself around all we’ve learned this summer: Love. Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God with all we have, then love our neighbors as ourselves. If you’re having trouble loving someone, pray this prayer, “Lord, please help me love you more. And, please help me love that person as Jesus would love them.” From personal experience, I can testify that God will honor this prayer if you are willing to change from living within your self-designed expectations to living within God-designed boundaries as revealed in Scripture.

We worship a wonderful Savior whose love for us put him on the cross of Calvary for you. As we head into a new church year, how can you express your love for God and others more faithfully? Remember this:
• When you give your time to God, God stretches your time.
• When you give your gifts and talents to God, God increases them.
• When you give your money to God, God multiplies your money.
But don’t give these things out of duty. Give them out of love.

Thanks be to God for a wonderful summer of love! Amen.

Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church

09-02-07