In times past, I have expended a great many words ranting on the un-Christ-like words and deeds of those who purport to be Christians and the Churches/Organizations to which they belong. I have also stated there is a growing number of Christians and the Churches/Organizations to which they belong who are open and affirming in their acceptance of us Gay folks. They are those who actually adhere to the admonition of Jesus when he was asked the following question in the book of Matthew, Chapter 22 (36-40): “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”.
In my web wanderings over the weekend, I ran across a sermon by the Interim Pastor of the United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, VA, the Reverend Doug Hodges, which perfectly illustrates this very point. His sermon was based on the 10th chapter of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles which tells the story of the Roman Centurion Cornelius and his conversion to the Christian faith. His conversion, facilitated by the first Apostle of Jesus Simon Peter, is believed to be the first Gentile to adhere to faith in Jesus Christ. Reverend Hodges succinctly states the crux of the argument for the welcoming and affirmation of all people into the church and he does it more eloquently than I. I would like to share some of his words with you this morning (or you can read the whole sermon for yourselves at the UCC Fredericksburg website):
"Today, as you and I hear this ancient story about Peter's growing faith and about the conversion of a Gentile named Cornelius, we can hear the story speaking to us in several ways.
Yes, the story tells us that God accepts Jews and Gentiles. Yes, the story gives us a remarkable insight into the struggle the first century church had with this issue. And perhaps, as some people might argue, that's all the story tells us. That's all there is, there ain't no more. The church of Jesus Christ is a Gentile Church, not a Jewish church. In that case the message of the story is almost a moot point.
But many of us in the United Church of Christ believe there is more. We believe in a God who is still speaking. We believe in a God who is calling us to listen to that story through the hurt and pain of 21st century people who have largely been excluded from the life and work of the church. You see, as I hear that ancient story, I hear not only God telling the church that Gentiles are included as part of the whole world that God loves and Jesus came to save. But I also hear the Still Speaking God telling the church of the 21st century that many other people, including Gays, are included in the list of God's people.
The United Church of Christ has come down strongly on the side of welcoming and accepting Gays. Two years ago the General Synod of the United Church of Christ supported a resolution calling for gays to have the same equality in marriage as straight people have. Many associations of the United Church of Christ, including our own, ordain openly gay people. Many congregations of the United Church of Christ, including our own are designated as Open and Affirming, meaning that we welcome and affirm everyone regardless of sexual orientation, economic status, physical ability or mental ability, race, gender or marital status. We say, you are welcome here regardless of where you are on life's journey.
Now I realize that not all churches agree with the stance this congregation and many congregations of the United Church of Christ take. I also realize that there are some within the United Church of Christ who do not agree with this stand.
Even as there were those within the ancient church who no doubt quoted scripture to Peter and said his stance on Gentiles was contrary to scripture, so there are those who would say that the stance of an Open and Affirming Congregation is against the stand of scripture. It's true. There are passages in Leviticus that condemn homosexuals. There are also passages in Leviticus that condemn people who eat Maryland crabs and Virginia ham. There are passages in the writing of Paul that condemn homosexuals. And there are passages in Paul that require women to wear veils and not to participate in church services. I'm not going to take time this morning for a detailed discussion of these passages, but I will include some of them on the web page in an appendix to this sermon.
However, to me, one of the important issues to consider when interpreting any passage of scripture is the question "Where Did Jesus stand on this issue?"
So what did Jesus say about homosexuality. What strong language did Jesus use to condemn gays? Now if you are hoping to sit here another hour and listen as I explain all the passages where Jesus condemns gays—you will be disappointed. How many times does Jesus condemn gays? Not one. What Jesus says is that God loved the world---that's the whole world—rich and poor, black and white, male and female, gay and straight. God loved the whole world so much that he sent his son that whoever believed in him –rich or poor, black or white, male of female, gay or straight—may have eternal life.
The tenth chapter of the book of Acts is a pivotal chapter in the book of Acts and indeed in the whole of the New Testament. It's the story of the church officially reaching out beyond its own kind of people to welcome and share God's extravert love with Gentiles. Long ago God was speaking through the writer of the book of Acts and telling the Church of the first century that God loves and accepts Gentile just as they are. God did not ask the Gentile to change their non kosher lifestyle. God only asked that they live good and upright lives and follow him. For we believe as Peter said long ago,
"We truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone (gay or straight, male or female, rich or poor, black, white or brown) anyone who holds God in awe and does what is right is acceptable to God."
O for a world where everyone respects each other's ways,
Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.
O for a world preparing for God's glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more and all but love will cease."
Yes, the story tells us that God accepts Jews and Gentiles. Yes, the story gives us a remarkable insight into the struggle the first century church had with this issue. And perhaps, as some people might argue, that's all the story tells us. That's all there is, there ain't no more. The church of Jesus Christ is a Gentile Church, not a Jewish church. In that case the message of the story is almost a moot point.
But many of us in the United Church of Christ believe there is more. We believe in a God who is still speaking. We believe in a God who is calling us to listen to that story through the hurt and pain of 21st century people who have largely been excluded from the life and work of the church. You see, as I hear that ancient story, I hear not only God telling the church that Gentiles are included as part of the whole world that God loves and Jesus came to save. But I also hear the Still Speaking God telling the church of the 21st century that many other people, including Gays, are included in the list of God's people.
The United Church of Christ has come down strongly on the side of welcoming and accepting Gays. Two years ago the General Synod of the United Church of Christ supported a resolution calling for gays to have the same equality in marriage as straight people have. Many associations of the United Church of Christ, including our own, ordain openly gay people. Many congregations of the United Church of Christ, including our own are designated as Open and Affirming, meaning that we welcome and affirm everyone regardless of sexual orientation, economic status, physical ability or mental ability, race, gender or marital status. We say, you are welcome here regardless of where you are on life's journey.
Now I realize that not all churches agree with the stance this congregation and many congregations of the United Church of Christ take. I also realize that there are some within the United Church of Christ who do not agree with this stand.
Even as there were those within the ancient church who no doubt quoted scripture to Peter and said his stance on Gentiles was contrary to scripture, so there are those who would say that the stance of an Open and Affirming Congregation is against the stand of scripture. It's true. There are passages in Leviticus that condemn homosexuals. There are also passages in Leviticus that condemn people who eat Maryland crabs and Virginia ham. There are passages in the writing of Paul that condemn homosexuals. And there are passages in Paul that require women to wear veils and not to participate in church services. I'm not going to take time this morning for a detailed discussion of these passages, but I will include some of them on the web page in an appendix to this sermon.
However, to me, one of the important issues to consider when interpreting any passage of scripture is the question "Where Did Jesus stand on this issue?"
So what did Jesus say about homosexuality. What strong language did Jesus use to condemn gays? Now if you are hoping to sit here another hour and listen as I explain all the passages where Jesus condemns gays—you will be disappointed. How many times does Jesus condemn gays? Not one. What Jesus says is that God loved the world---that's the whole world—rich and poor, black and white, male and female, gay and straight. God loved the whole world so much that he sent his son that whoever believed in him –rich or poor, black or white, male of female, gay or straight—may have eternal life.
The tenth chapter of the book of Acts is a pivotal chapter in the book of Acts and indeed in the whole of the New Testament. It's the story of the church officially reaching out beyond its own kind of people to welcome and share God's extravert love with Gentiles. Long ago God was speaking through the writer of the book of Acts and telling the Church of the first century that God loves and accepts Gentile just as they are. God did not ask the Gentile to change their non kosher lifestyle. God only asked that they live good and upright lives and follow him. For we believe as Peter said long ago,
"We truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone (gay or straight, male or female, rich or poor, black, white or brown) anyone who holds God in awe and does what is right is acceptable to God."
O for a world where everyone respects each other's ways,
Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.
O for a world preparing for God's glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more and all but love will cease."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your Monday with Mozart features two concerti by the master with his Concerto for Flute and Harp, KV299 and his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra Number 26, KV537 in this play list from the Classical Music Club. You may also hear his Violin Concerto in D Major, K211 over on my tumblr. Then to round out your Monday with some visual inspiration is this week's collection of torsos and tushes adorned in their Monday's Undies lounging about the page under the play list. Be sure to check out the Hottie of the Day! also to be found on my tumblr. Thanks for starting your week here at Nichevo, see you again on the morrow. Until next time as always, Enjoy!
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