This
morning I’ve asked you to look back at your lives, your family, your community,
and your church and remember the things that have come into each of these areas
of your lives. What were those things that surprised you when they appeared?
What things that came in are still there…and maybe that’s surprising, that
they’re still with you.
Of
those things that have survived, how many could we eliminate, get rid of, give
away or sell?
Last,
but certainly not the least, what are your hopes for the future? More of the
same…or maybe you’re ready to throw everything out and begin with something
entirely different.
God
told Isaiah he was going to create a new heaven and a new earth…and the old
things wouldn’t be remembered. Did you catch what God said, “…a new heaven
and…a new earth? Do you ask yourself, “What’s the matter with the ‘old’ heaven
and the ‘old’ earth?”
Things
weren’t too rosy in the day of Isaiah. The city and temple were lying in rubble
and the outlook was pretty bleak. But God says all that’s going to be changed
and no longer will there be weeping and crying.
All
people will live long lives; all people will have work and enjoy their labor.
Everyone will get along even the animals will lie down together and eat
together. There will be peace. Just what everyone was hoping for was going to
happen.
So,
what are your hopes, for you, your family, your church, your community, this
world? What has God been telling you?
Next
Sunday we will be given a worksheet, actually a Bible study, to help this
church discern the pastoral leadership we need for the future.
The
future fills us with anxiety and fear because we’ve no idea what’s coming. We
hope everything will work out for us but we have not guarantee that it will.
And so, we’d like to go back to the way it was and leave it like it is now. If
it’s not broken then don’t mess with it.
The
reality is everything changes, families, churches, schools, towns, countries
and the world. Everything changes.
Think
back to the mirrors that were here a few weeks ago. I know some of you looked
in the mirrors. Do you really believe you look the same as you did 10 years
ago? The truth is we’re different and so is the world and community we live in.
So,
what are we to do? Were you listening when I asked the young folks what they’d
do if given the chance to re-design the world? Did you make a list of things
you’d do?
What
made your list, peace, no more people going hungry, no more people without
work, no more cancer or heart disease or Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s or worn out
hearts and lungs and knees and hips? Maybe your hope is that everyone will be
happy as God told Isaiah he would make the New Jerusalem, a place of happiness,
no more weeping and crying.
So,
did the prophecy Isaiah received from God come true…or is it still coming? The
city has been rebuilt and where the Temple
Will
any of our hopes be realized? I don’t know but I believe if they are in alignment
with God’s plan for the future they will.
So, what are we to do in the meantime?
I think Jesus gave us the answer in the gospel lesson for today. He said, “13 …bear testimony to me. 14 …make up your mind not to worry beforehand
how you will defend yourselves. 15 …I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries
will be able to resist or contradict… 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.”
I think we could add another one of Jesus’ sentences,
“Peace be with you. Do not be afraid.” Peace, no fear, happiness, joy, plenty
these are God’s promises for us today.
My friends, God’s plan is still in effect. We aren’t to sit
around waiting. We aren’t to worry or be anxious. We are to tell the story that
there is forgiveness of sins for everyone who repents (changes).
Everything will be made new. God said so. A new heaven and
a new earth are what he promised and one day will deliver…maybe it will be
today.
Thanks be to God for his grace. Amen.
