Unfolding Words

UNFOLDING WORDS

A Sermon by The Rev. Dr. John A. Dalles

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Psalm 119:129-136; Romans 8:26-39

 

If you want to get at the core of the Gospel, and the heart of the Christian message, there is no better place in scripture than our NT lesson from Romans, today.  In it are timeless words of hope and assurance, to which we turn in ordinary and unusual circumstances.  Indeed, many Christians count one or more verses in this passage as their favorite in all of scripture.  And when we think about them, it is no wonder.  For, in this passage we have a great assurance of help when we are weak and feel unable to do or even say what we long to.  And in this passage, we have a promise that no matter what is happening, the goal and the outcome are good. along with that promise is the look behind the scenes, to realize that God has a grand plan, has prepared it ahead of time, and has your best interest in mind through it all.

Moreover, in this passage, we have an assurance of God’s love being the abiding reality of our lives. No matter what.  Throughout the entire passage, we think on these things in the light of who Christ is and what Christ has accomplished on our behalf.  How blessed we are that Paul wrote these things – inspired as he was by the Holy Spirit.  How blessed we are that we have them today – and not only have them, but live our lives according to these unfolding words.

 

The Spirit helps us in our weakness.  Very few of us like to look at our weaknesses.  We would prefer to emphasize our strengths.  “Here and here are our gifts and abilities”, we might say.  “Here are the things we have accomplished.  Here are the things we are good at.” Where we have skills others do not have.  Where we have abilities others cannot claim.  These things, we are glad to emphasize.  Like listing the accomplishments of our high school years in the senior class portion of the yearbook.  But please do not shine a spotlight on our weaknesses!

Yet, if we watch Jesus, we find him going for people’s weaknesses every time.  It is as if he knows that those weak places are where they can be reached the best.  So, JESUS goes to where people are hurting, or sick; where they have become lost or confused. In such places, Jesus meets and transforms people. Have you given your weaknesses to the Lord?  Or have you hidden them from him?  It is impossible to hide anything from Christ.  When we give him our weakness, whole-heartedly and unreservedly, Christ can make something wonderful happenen.

The most renowned doctor cannot cure your illness. unless you present it to that good physician. The wisest professor in the world cannot teach you what you need to learn, unless you show up, with your open mind. The kindest person in the world cannot show you how to be compassionate, until you put yourself into their hands, and let love lead the way.

 

In the same fashion, Paul says that we don’t know how to pray.  Now, many minsters will tell you that praying is part of the profession.  We work hard to prepare our prayers, keeping in mind who our church members are, and what might be happening in their world, as well as their lives. We try to craft those prayers not only to reach Gods ears, but also the depths of many a heart.  Praying is – part of who we are. And what pastor has not been in a gathering where someone says, “Pastor would you pray?” I like to say those are “Off the Cuff Prayers – because I have them embroidered on the cuff of my shirt!  (No. Not really).

But when Paul says we don’t know how to pray as we ought…, Paul means it for people who pray every day, as well as for those who pray every now and then.

 

If we knew how to pray as Jesus prays, then: lives would be transformed, water would turn to wine, wind and waves would be still, people would rise up and follow, crops would grow, the timid would become courageous, and more. If we knew just how to pray.

The good news is, even if we don’t know how to pray, we can depend on God’s Holy Spirit to give us the right prayer. At the right moment.  The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.  There are few more compelling phrases in all of holy writ than these.  The Holy Spirit takes us to the heart of the matter with power, and poetry: with sighs too deep for words.

 

Paul says that in the maze of human life we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  The pessimist would say that they do not.  The realist would say that they might, but at what cost.  The optimist would say – of course they do, and perhaps ignore or downplay the tough realities of life.  But the Christian! Ah that is a whole other story

The Christian would say that even though things are good or bad or indifferent, sometimes in rapid-fire succession, even though the most tender joys of life are often tinged with sadness, even though what we worked and planned for might not turn out as we had anticipated, there is nevertheless an over-arching reality.  The reality of God’s goodness and intricate planning on our behalf. 

Paul says, God knew us before we were born.  God predestined us to place our lives in Christ’s. God has a place for us in the household of God.  God has particular things for us to do, and God looks upon us as holy and worthy of eternal life. God could not possibly have a higher positive regard for you than what we see in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ our Lord. 

God knows you are worth it.  I suspect that somewhere along the way you have run across someone who has told you or acted as if you were NOT worth it.  Let me say this clearly to you.  Not only are they as wrong as wrong can be, but also, they are about as far from the love and grace of Jesus Christ as a person can go.  Avoid them if you can. Let them go, as hard as it may be. They are as dangerous as a tiger. And as deadly.

God thinks the world of you. God made you.  God planned for you to have a life worth living.  God knows you can reach people who would otherwise be lost and neglected. God loves you.  Whenever you think of the great sacrifice of the cross, I hope you hear these words:  you are worth it.  You are worth all of it.

 

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

         At many a funeral, you will hear the last portion of this passage.  About nothing being able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  I have read these lines at the majority of memorial services and funerals that I have led.  I hope that this is the message that comes through, beyond the sadness and sorrow, over and above the stark realities of death, as grief seems like a heavy weight, and it is nearly impossible to know how to go on, let alone deal with tomorrow and the next day.

         What then are we to say about these things?  What more is there to be said?  The things one says are always inadequate.  It’s the touch of loving hands, the hopes of beating hearts, the soaring of the spirit, the meeting of minds, it is hearing a still small voice, turning to see a bush that burns without being consumed, inhaling the aroma of crushed grapes and newly baked bread, it is letting the words of the Spirit unfold in you, in prayer, with sighs and groans, expressing what words cannot fully express.

 

What more is there to be said? Only that I hope you don’t wait until you are at a funeral or memorial service to hear these words.  That you will not wait until a day of sorrow, before they find a place in your heart and mind.   I hope that you hear them today, and make them yours, forever.  Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

This is an original sermon by The Rev. D. John A. Dalles, Interim Senior Minister and Head of Staff of Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA .  It was delivered on the date indicated in the text. You are encouraged to read it and reflect upon it.  Please keep in mind that the sermon is Copyright © 2020 John A. Dalles.  Permission from the author is required to reproduce it in any fashion.