"The Will-Power of Looking Forward

Sermon 12.13.09
“The Will-Power of Looking Forward”

Well, this morning we have to deal again, with John the Baptist, being his usual cranky self. Despite the fact that it appears to be standing room only at the Jordan River, he’s not happy about his ministry. Let me read you the Bible translation from Eugene Peterson’s book called the Message:

When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded. “Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God’s judgement? It your life that must change, not your skin. And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a child of Abraham is neither here nor there – children of Abraham are a dime a dozen. God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire.

No doubt, some smart-aleck in the back row mumble, “Tell us how you really feel about us, John.”

What John is telling the people is that it’s not who you know, but what you do. The stories of Scripture are still relevant today, aren’t they? And in this case, John tells us that you will not receive a certificate of participation just by showing up and flashing your family coat of arms. He is telling the people that they must change their lives. Not an easy task, but one requiring will power. He has the nerve, once again, to call this the good news, after he has blasted half of the neighborhood of Galilee.

There are a number of different folks that are on the banks of the river listening. Rather than reacting with dismay at his rantings, they are ready to take the next step, to see what will power is needed. Each of them asks “what should we do?” Should is a future looking verb, a verb that defines an action that will be done in a later period of time. Those that respond to John’s message know that they must repent and make adjustments in order to get right with God; they can’t just get along because their parents were a “legacy”. They need to adopt the life-style of covenant people. And when they ask John for instructions, he is more than happy to tell them their assignments to move forward. Share what you have with others. Be honest in dealing with neighbors. Don’t accuse people of things that they didn’t do. And here’s a hard one: Be content with your pay.

These are not great acts of self-sacrifice, or assignments that can only be done by those who are holier than thou. Mother Teresa says that we may not all be able to do great things, but can do small things with great love.

While John’s gospel text emphasizes the “should and ought to do’s”, the text from the prophet Zephaniah relies on the words of “I will”, which are just as powerful. This is the work that God will do in the future, if we take the time NOW to repent and share John’s baptism. Listen again to the promises of the Lord…

I will rejoice over you with gladness
I will renew you in love
I will exult over you
I will remove disaster from you
I will save the lame and gather the outcast
I will bring you home
I will make you renowned and praised
I will restore your fortunes

Pretty strong statements from the God who has no problems with will-power. All of these promises are good and true for the future. All look forward to a time when the Lord shall reign over people who have been through a baptism of repentance and a baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is a wonderful vision of strategic planning on God’s part, and a reminder of the spiritual accompaniment that happens when you’re walking in the ways of the Lord.

Lastly, the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi also provides the people with direct instructions on what they should do to benefit the whole community: rejoice, be gentle, don’t worry, keep praying. There is nothing complicated about these charges. Just use a little will-power. Paul also indicates that these undertakings must be done for the future, because in verse 5, he says the Lord is near.

Will Willimon, the great Methodist preacher, says all of these objectives are within our reach. “To all of you that live in some ordinary place, who lead ordinary lives, engaged in rather ordinary everyday things, besieged by all sorts of injustices and cares and concerns, there is good news. The Messiah is coming and he is coming to you. He calls you to follow him wherever you are , and in the process, to be whomever you can be.

The gospel text tells us this: what is important is your life. How you live it is what matters. Ask yourself the same question that the crowd asked: “what then should we do?” What can we change in our behavior in the future to be a better person. John the Baptist understood that each of us must answer that question as an individual before we can take on society’s problems. He talks about a personal ethical reform, rather than revolution. You can’t change the world unless you make the effort to change your own life first.

There is a story about a man in Jacksonville, Florida who was spending the day on the beach there. The undertow was unusually strong that day, and more than once, lifeguards jumped down from their towers to rescue swimmers from the treacherous surf. Finally, the man went to the lifeguard station to express his appreciation for the dedication of these men. When he walked inside, he noticed a sign on the wall in large red letters: "If in doubt, go!" And the man said, "Those same words should be on the walls of every church and on the wall of every person's soul." --

If in doubt, go. The time of the miracle of Christmas is coming near. Look toward the future, at the manger. Let us all respond with will-power to whatever it is that we should do. If in doubt, go and do the tasks that have been spelled out for you in today’s readings.
Look around. Look ahead. Look forward. God is near and will help us along the journey.