Recently I led worship at Spring Garden Lutheran Church, my home congregation - I thought I'd post my sermon, for what it's worth. Without introduction, here it is!
"I remember it well, my first day of college. I was checking in at music camp for First Week, after a dashed and nervous goodbye to my parents and brothers. Looking back, I don’t think I was too grateful for all their help that day. I ate lunch with strangers, fellow students I didn’t know, and then went to the music building. The hallways were crammed with students, eager to begin another year of music making either in the Waldorf Choir or Wind Symphony. Here I was, a first year in a sea of sophomores, juniors, and seniors who knew their way around and already had friends and were piano performance majors and joked with the professors like it wasn’t a big deal. And here I sat. I felt small. Insignificant. Unworthy. What am I doing at Waldorf College? Why am I supposed to be here? What will these next four years bring? These questions raced through my mind. Luckily, God doesn’t mind when people feel small or insignificant. As today’s readings show, God uses small and insignificant people to bring about his kingdom.
In today’s Gospel texts from the book of Matthew, Christ utilizes a number of parables to illustrate what the kingdom of God looks like. A mustard seed, yeast, and fish are all used. The kingdom of God is like the smallest mustard seed, that grows into a tree that birds live in – from something tiny into something life giving. I especially liked the yeast metaphor; that the kingdom of God is like bread yeast that works through sixty pounds of dough, a small bacteria moving throughout the whole mass to create something that sustains life. Whatever illustrations are used, the kingdom of God always starts with small, insignificant things and transforms into something life breathing, amazing and powerful. The same can be applied to us as God’s called and claimed children - throughout the Scriptures, it is clear that God does not prefer people of power or prestige, rather, God uses the humble, meek, and powerless to illustrate what his coming reign will look like.
In today’s first lesson, our Old Testament text, we encounter a young boy Solomon, who is sitting and contemplating the meaning of his life. The boy is at a crossroads – having married one of Pharaoh’s daughters and continually offering sacrifices to God according to Old Testament law, he is about to inherit leadership from his father, King David – who has been called by God a good, faithful man. Solomon knows he has big shoes to fill.
Solomon is doing everything correctly, so it seems. He’s married and is faithful to his God. Yet, in today’s text, the boy seems unsure of himself. He feels small and insignificant. He is wary of his father David’s unwavering faithfulness, and still brings himself down, saying that “I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted.”
The task ahead of Solomon is immense, and I think he recognizes this. God has chosen him to lead his people Israel, but it’s clear here that Solomon is unsure why. In a moment of confusion, desperation, and clarity all in one, the boy prays – simple and unadorned, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” Solomon acknowledges that he doesn’t understand it all (and who does?) – so he asks simply for discernment between good and evil
God is pleased with this – it would be easy in Solomon’s situation to ask for wealth or power or wives or dominion or any other form of construction of power. Because Solomon simply asked for understanding between right and wrong and a heart for understanding this great task he has been called to, God promises to him “Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.” With this word of assurance God moves Solomon from unsure, coming-of-age-king to a man who will not be triumphed over – indeed after his rule over Israel there will never been a king as great as him. In God’s eyes goodness triumphs rogue display of power, obedience to God overcomes human desire, and a servant heart beats out self-serving ambitions. In God’s eyes, small, insignificant Solomon will become the greatest ruler, who will be renown throughout the world and throughout the history of Israel. Solomon, feeling insecure, has suddenly been given all that he desired – the ability to judge clearly, and to lead with compassion. Solomon’s reverence for Israel’s people shines through in his questions to God, and God makes sure that he will rule with a good heart and mind. Solomon’s mindset of compassion towards his people and his servant heart is exactly what God envisions for his kingdom
You may be wondering, where does this leave us? What does this mean for Spring Garden Lutheran Church and her parishioners? Hopefully, this leaves you with a message and promise of hope and certainty that no matter what your stature in life, God works through you. No matter what your job, no matter how many degrees you have or letters attached to your name, no matter what your family situation, no matter if you’re married or divorced or single, or whether you’re doubting or secure in your faith – whatever your circumstances, God will use you in ways unimagined to bring about the reign of his kingdom. We often talk about the kingdom of God as if it’s some far-off, distant realm, but actually it’s closer than we often think. When the kingdom of God happens, peace abounds. When the kingdom of God happens, relationships are reconciled. When the kingdom of God happens, joy is found where it is least expected. When the kingdom of God happens, the poor are fed, the naked are clothed, the outcast are welcomed with open arms – God’s kingdom embodies the reconciling, the making right, of all wrongs and injustices towards our neighbors. The kingdom is brought about by cups of coffee shared, bread broken together, and having a genuine interest in our neighbor’s well-being. And guess what – as God’s called and claimed children – all of us – get to participate in this fearful, amazing undertaking. We as followers of Christ get to be like Solomon – called to serve and act with compassion towards all people. It may seem intimidating or impossible, and it’s easy to feel like what we do doesn’t matter – it’s easy to think that one person can’t make a difference. I promise you, though – God absolutely meets us where we are in those moments and uses us for advancing the kingdom. God meets us in the messiness of our everyday lives – in our simple, ordinary days, and calls us for his purposes. It may not seem so now, but the seeds we all plant in other’s lives will grow and become a plentiful harvest. The kingdom of God is realized through all of us, no matter how much it doesn’t seem like it at times.
Like Solomon, may you be earnest in serving others. Like Solomon, don’t be afraid to be humble. Like Solomon, go and be in God’s grace and trust that all will be done in God’s own time. In God through Christ, we are free to be ourselves – our messy, ordinary selves. Be certain that in the smallness there indeed comes the kingdom of God. May it be so. Amen."
When I was writing the sermon, I was hoping it would impact the parishioners in some small way. Lately, however, I've been realizing how true my own words have become. Today, I said goodbye to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, where I have been serving for the past year. It's extraordinarily difficult. I feel small, right now - grieving a loss, really, of something that was life-giving. The pastors at St. Andrew's when I was there, were nothing short of amazing. I was blessed, truly, in this year to work with such fine servants of Christ's church. It was at St. Andrew's where I discerned my call to Word and Sacrament ministry, where I was able to do community ministry with Grace House and the bread group, and where I witnessed and participated in some powerful, holy moments - home visits, sitting with a dying woman, helping lead in a funeral, and talking for hours with a homeless young man. I know, I know that there are these moments to be found in any context, but St. Andrew's was special. I was only there three days/month (just how the agreement worked since the church is five hours north of Luther Seminary), but those days were revitalizing and encouraging. I was blessed to have the opportunity to preach, preside, help with VBS, and just chitchat with many members of the congregation who are fine, fine people.
I'm hoping to find another rural church context in order to complete my Teaching Congregations requirement, hopefully closer to the seminary since I'm taking four classes and CPE next fall. I know there are experiences to be had elsewhere, but I will deeply miss the St. Andrew's community and all that the congregation does, stands for, and believes in. I know that the Spirit moves swiftly and that the kingdom of God will be recognized in all of this, but for now I'm feeling a bit down. To let go of something you cherish is, by any means, hard.
From a saying I learned during my time at Holden Village, "for all that has been, thank you. To all that will be, yes." Here's to new experiences and the Spirit's leading this next school year - I'm excited to see what God has in store.
God's peace, my readers!
Dean
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