Sermon No. 1

I Love Life

   I love life, and I want to live,
            Drink of life’s fullness,
                        take all it can give,

    I love life,
            every moment must count
                        To glory in its sunshine
                              And revel in its fount.

    I love life —
                        I want to live —
                                                I love life!

            That, dear friends, is more than just a song. It is my witness, and my manifesto, my philosophy of life and my apologia and my statement of faith, my claim on the promise of Jesus:

            “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) The King James version says “that they might have it more abundantly.”

            If that was indeed his reason in coming, do we not do Jesus an injustice if we are negative or pessimistic? It seems to me that to neglect an abundant life is paranoid, blasphemy!

            Strong words!

            Tell me, can a pessimist, a cynic be the “light of the world” or the “salt of the earth”? Can a negative attitude attract people to a positive Jesus way of life?

            We need to note that there is a difference between pessimism and depression. Every normal person gets discouraged, depressed, unhappy. The more sensitive the Christian — and Christians must be sensitive — the more likely he is to get discouraged.

            How many times have I said to you, A Christian must forever live with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face!

            We are talking about attitudes, character, temperament, not about the twists and turns of everyday life.

            No one denies hard times. No one can possibly deny that evil is more prevalent than righteousness, violence is more prevalent than peace.

            Life is a phenomenon we all share. So is death. Most of us love life, fear death! We spend vast sums of money just to preserve life, even when there is no quality of life!

            If that is true, why are we so preoccupied with death? TV programs feature guns and fights and violence far more than they feature kindness and acts of benevolence.

            Newscasters talk more about murders than they do about successful surgeries, more about muggings than about charities, more about wars than about peace parades, more about bad people than about good people.

            We all gather around the caskets of loved ones and speak fondly of them after they die. Why don’t we all gather around their hearths while they are alive, and say nice things to them?

            We send flowers to funeral homes; seldom to the homes of the living! We light more candles and give more gifts in memory of the departed than in honor of the living.

            I read the other day that some Latin Americans see us in United States as espousing in a “theology of death.” So they have adopted a “theology of life” in their quest for the abundant life Jesus promised.

            Do you know why I wear a flower every day? Somewhere I read of a famous entertainer who was down on his luck. He had 75 cents to his name.

            He debated whether to spend it for a sandwich . . . or for a flower. He bought a flower and pinned it on his lapel!

            The more practical among you scoff at that. Silly to spend your last few cents for that which is not food.

            Is it indeed silly? Or is it an affirmation of life, a positive attitude which prepares him for a new try at life?

            When you say, “That’s the life” are you describing someone moaning and groaning about being overworked, overburdened? Or are you describing someone doing something relaxing, fun, exhilarating?

            “What a life!” Have you said that? Of course you have. Were you describing a morbid scene or experience? No, you were describing a scene of delight, happiness, luxury. Exactly. Life is pleasure, happiness, excitement, cheer, satisfaction.

            Last week we said, “The Jewel is in the Lotus,” meaning that you are the source of misery or of happiness. You are basically in charge of your life.

            There are some circumstances beyond our control. But there are more circumstances within our control.

            Optimists see the donut while pessimists see the hole. Optimists see the glass half full while pessimists see the glass half empty. Optimists praise God for electricity while pessimists complain about the electric bill.

            Many studies have shown literal benefits of positive thinking.

            I’m sure I told you about the preacher who, in his 50’s, wrote a manuscript which he submitted to several publishers, from which he got only rejection slips. Finally, he threw the manuscript in the waste basket.

            His wife urged him to try one more publisher, but he replied, “No, I have tried, and failed. Just leave it in the basket.”

            When he left for his office, she took the waste basket, manuscript in it, to a publisher and said, “My husband forbade me to take this out. Will you please take it out and look at it?”

            He did. They published it. The preacher was Norman Vincent Peale, and the manuscript was, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”

            Just last week the newscasters reported another study which reveals, again, that meditation, positive thinking not only reduces the chance of cancer and other disease, but alleviates the effects, once you have the disease.

            The “Right to Life” enthusiasts are not really not pro-life, they are just anti-abortion. I receive mail and visits from them regularly. I consistently offer to join them just as soon as they consistently promote life — quality life for those babies they save, and for the mothers, and for other disadvantaged.

            Right to Life must include life in all its facets. When Jesus said he came to give us “life more abundantly” he meant the kind of life offered by his new kingdom — relief from poverty, freedom from oppression, healing for sick and help for the imprisoned, rich life experience for all.

            Albert Schweitzer is one of my heroes. He actively opposed nuclear testing, as did Albert Einstein and many others. And he opposed war and capital punishment . . . and was a vegetarian!

            He was asked to summarize his convictions, so he put it all into one phrase — “Reverence for Life.”

            Just stop and think about the ramifications of Reverence for Life. It includes animal rights, respect for the environment, nonviolent toys, nonviolent TV, anti-abortion, anti-capital punishment, equal rights in all its aspects, concern for the welfare of others, health care, gun control . . .

            Morality based on respect for life heals both physically and spiritually, wholistically.

            Hudson Taylor said, “If your family, even the dog and cat, are not happier because of you, you are not a Christian.”

            A Christian, one who believes in the abundant life, is not only a happy soul, but is one who makes others happy. He is good to have around, good to be around. The light of the world, the salt of the earth, the person who makes this a better world, spreads happiness and joy just like light dispels darkness and salt flavors your dinner.

            Not, how did he die?
                        But how did he live?
            Not how did he gain?
                        But how did he give?

            These are the merits
                        To measure the worth
            Of a man as a man,
                        Regardless of birth.

            Not, what was his station?
                        But had he a heart?
            And how did he play
                        His God-given part?

            Was he ever ready
                        With words of good cheer
            To bring a smile
                        And banish a tear?

            Not, what was his church?
                        Nor, what was his creed?
            But did he befriend
                        Those really in need?

            Not, what did he sketch,
                        Did the newspaper say?
            But how many were sorry
                        When he passed away?

(Selected)

            A candle loses none of its light by lighting another candle.

            Scientists say light is constituted of 3 rays, or groups of wave-lengths. The first group originates, the second formulates and the third illuminates. The first is invisible, neither seen nor felt. The second is both seen and felt. The third is heat, not seen, but felt.

            If you are the “light of the world” you project light and heat! You can not be ignored.

            Reverence for life includes respect for all people. No room for prejudice.

            UCC minister Robin Myers tells of an immigrant who said, “You know, Robin, we’ve had nothing but trouble with immigrants ever since we came to this country”!

            Michelangelo carved his famous statue, “David,” from a huge stone. There are many stories about both the artist and the statue.

            One story is that as the huge boulder was being dragged down the street, someone said, “Do you see that big rock?” To which Michelangelo is said to have replied, “No, I see David hiding in there!”

            The Christian who loves life is going to see a saint in every piece of clay. Society saw an adulterous; Jesus was a redeemable lady. Society saw a criminal hanging on the cross beside Jesus; Jesus saw a soul to save.

            Society sees a criminal; a Christian sees a soul to save. Society sees a sinner; Christians see a saint.

            Jesus never met a man or woman in whom he did not see value. He saw worth and value in those whom society labeled unworthy, unfit for their care.

            A Jesus follower, a true Christian sees the image of God in every human being. That hardly leaves any place for prejudice, discrimination, partiality.

            Prejudice, discrimination and partiality describe negative attitudes. The positive attitude is what Jesus exemplified, and is what he called for in his followers. It is summarized in one word — love.

            No wonder Jesus said, Love each other; Love your neighbor; Love your enemies.

            I love life, and I want to live.

            Today, Jesus says, If you want to live life more abundantly, learn to love; “as I have loved you, love each other.”

            Unconditional love is the heart and soul of the Christian message. Next time you read or hear about someone who is guilty of a terrible action, think, I wonder how many people that person has known who really showed love and care and concern! I wonder how that person would react to love and care and concern!

            Let us pray . . .

(Note to readers)

            Every preacher speaks from his own experiential preconceptions. You are entitled to know what basic assumptions underlie my sermons.

            1. A preacher should preach with "the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other." Bible preaching consists not in quoting scripture indiscriminately, but in faithfully proclaiming the principles of Christ's teaching by relevant illustrations . . . the way Jesus preached.

            2. A preacher must challenge the congregation, but must not judge them.

            3. A preacher must grow in grace and knowledge. Therefore, I may say something today which contradicts something I said a year ago . . . or last week!

            4. A preacher must base his theology on Scripture. I am a "born-again liberal" in that I promote and try to emulate the life-style of Jesus. If he were ministering here today he would commiserate with the down-and-outers in Cass Corridor, he would thunder at those who exploit his temple for gain, he would condemn apathy and he would certainly challenge the up-and-inners to evaluate their priorities in terms of Truth, Justice and Righteousness.

            5. (a) Each of us must choose the doctrinal alternatives he considers Truth. "Work out your own salvation" is Paul's admonition. (b) Each of us must choose the ministry priorities which fit his talents and his calling. (c) Because Jesus began his ministry by announcing his priorities as concern for the disenfranchised (Luke 4) . . . and because he described the final Judgment as based on the same priorities (Matthew 25) they are moral imperatives which every Christian must in some way address. They are not options!

(Your comments are always appreciated)

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	I Love Life
	I love life, and I want to live, Drink of life’s fullness, take all it can give, I love life, every moment must count To glory in its sunshine And revel in its fount. I love life — I want to live — I love life! That, dear friends, is more than just a song. It is my witness, and my manifesto, my philosophy of life and my apologia and my statement of faith, my claim on the promise of Jesus: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) The King James version says “that they might have it more abundantly.” If that was indeed his reason in coming, do we not do Jesus an injustice if we are negative or pessimistic? It seems to me that to neglect an abundant life is paranoid, blasphemy! Strong words! Tell me, can a pessimist, a cynic be the “light of the world” or the “salt of the earth”? Can a negative attitude attract people to a positive Jesus way of life? We need to note that there is a difference between pessimism and depression. Every normal person gets discouraged, depressed, unhappy. The more sensitive the Christian — and Christians must be sensitive — the more likely he is to get discouraged. How many times have I said to you, A Christian must forever live with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face! We are talking about attitudes, character, temperament, not about the twists and turns of everyday life. No one denies hard times. No one can possibly deny that evil is more prevalent than righteousness, violence is more prevalent than peace. Life is a phenomenon we all share. So is death. Most of us love life, fear death! We spend vast sums of money just to preserve life, even when there is no quality of life! If that is true, why are we so preoccupied with death? TV programs feature guns and fights and violence far more than they feature kindness and acts of benevolence. Newscasters talk more about murders than they do about successful surgeries, more about muggings than about charities, more about wars than about peace parades, more about bad people than about good people. We all gather around the caskets of loved ones and speak fondly of them after they die. Why don’t we all gather around their hearths while they are alive, and say nice things to them? We send flowers to funeral homes; seldom to the homes of the living! We light more candles and give more gifts in memory of the departed than in honor of the living. I read the other day that some Latin Americans see us in United States as espousing in a “theology of death.” So they have adopted a “theology of life” in their quest for the abundant life Jesus promised. Do you know why I wear a flower every day? Somewhere I read of a famous entertainer who was down on his luck. He had 75 cents to his name. He debated whether to spend it for a sandwich . . . or for a flower. He bought a flower and pinned it on his lapel! The more practical among you scoff at that. Silly to spend your last few cents for that which is not food. Is it indeed silly? Or is it an affirmation of life, a positive attitude which prepares him for a new try at life? When you say, “That’s the life” are you describing someone moaning and groaning about being overworked, overburdened? Or are you describing someone doing something relaxing, fun, exhilarating? “What a life!” Have you said that? Of course you have. Were you describing a morbid scene or experience? No, you were describing a scene of delight, happiness, luxury. Exactly. Life is pleasure, happiness, excitement, cheer, satisfaction. Last week we said, “The Jewel is in the Lotus,” meaning that you are the source of misery or of happiness. You are basically in charge of your life. There are some circumstances beyond our control. But there are more circumstances within our control. Optimists see the donut while pessimists see the hole. Optimists see the glass half full while pessimists see the glass half empty. Optimists praise God for electricity while pessimists complain about the electric bill. Many studies have shown literal benefits of positive thinking. I’m sure I told you about the preacher who, in his 50’s, wrote a manuscript which he submitted to several publishers, from which he got only rejection slips. Finally, he threw the manuscript in the waste basket. His wife urged him to try one more publisher, but he replied, “No, I have tried, and failed. Just leave it in the basket.” When he left for his office, she took the waste basket, manuscript in it, to a publisher and said, “My husband forbade me to take this out. Will you please take it out and look at it?” He did. They published it. The preacher was Norman Vincent Peale, and the manuscript was, “The Power of Positive Thinking.” Just last week the newscasters reported another study which reveals, again, that meditation, positive thinking not only reduces the chance of cancer and other disease, but alleviates the effects, once you have the disease. The “Right to Life” enthusiasts are not really not pro-life, they are just anti-abortion. I receive mail and visits from them regularly. I consistently offer to join them just as soon as they consistently promote life — quality life for those babies they save, and for the mothers, and for other disadvantaged. Right to Life must include life in all its facets. When Jesus said he came to give us “life more abundantly” he meant the kind of life offered by his new kingdom — relief from poverty, freedom from oppression, healing for sick and help for the imprisoned, rich life experience for all. Albert Schweitzer is one of my heroes. He actively opposed nuclear testing, as did Albert Einstein and many others. And he opposed war and capital punishment . . . and was a vegetarian! He was asked to summarize his convictions, so he put it all into one phrase — “Reverence for Life.” Just stop and think about the ramifications of Reverence for Life. It includes animal rights, respect for the environment, nonviolent toys, nonviolent TV, anti-abortion, anti-capital punishment, equal rights in all its aspects, concern for the welfare of others, health care, gun control . . . Morality based on respect for life heals both physically and spiritually, wholistically. Hudson Taylor said, “If your family, even the dog and cat, are not happier because of you, you are not a Christian.” A Christian, one who believes in the abundant life, is not only a happy soul, but is one who makes others happy. He is good to have around, good to be around. The light of the world, the salt of the earth, the person who makes this a better world, spreads happiness and joy just like light dispels darkness and salt flavors your dinner. Not, how did he die? But how did he live? Not how did he gain? But how did he give? These are the merits To measure the worth Of a man as a man, Regardless of birth. Not, what was his station? But had he a heart? And how did he play His God-given part? Was he ever ready With words of good cheer To bring a smile And banish a tear? Not, what was his church? Nor, what was his creed? But did he befriend Those really in need? Not, what did he sketch, Did the newspaper say? But how many were sorry When he passed away? (Selected) A candle loses none of its light by lighting another candle. Scientists say light is constituted of 3 rays, or groups of wave-lengths. The first group originates, the second formulates and the third illuminates. The first is invisible, neither seen nor felt. The second is both seen and felt. The third is heat, not seen, but felt. If you are the “light of the world” you project light and heat! You can not be ignored. Reverence for life includes respect for all people. No room for prejudice. UCC minister Robin Myers tells of an immigrant who said, “You know, Robin, we’ve had nothing but trouble with immigrants ever since we came to this country”! Michelangelo carved his famous statue, “David,” from a huge stone. There are many stories about both the artist and the statue. One story is that as the huge boulder was being dragged down the street, someone said, “Do you see that big rock?” To which Michelangelo is said to have replied, “No, I see David hiding in there!” The Christian who loves life is going to see a saint in every piece of clay. Society saw an adulterous; Jesus was a redeemable lady. Society saw a criminal hanging on the cross beside Jesus; Jesus saw a soul to save. Society sees a criminal; a Christian sees a soul to save. Society sees a sinner; Christians see a saint. Jesus never met a man or woman in whom he did not see value. He saw worth and value in those whom society labeled unworthy, unfit for their care. A Jesus follower, a true Christian sees the image of God in every human being. That hardly leaves any place for prejudice, discrimination, partiality. Prejudice, discrimination and partiality describe negative attitudes. The positive attitude is what Jesus exemplified, and is what he called for in his followers. It is summarized in one word — love. No wonder Jesus said, Love each other; Love your neighbor; Love your enemies. I love life, and I want to live. Today, Jesus says, If you want to live life more abundantly, learn to love; “as I have loved you, love each other.” Unconditional love is the heart and soul of the Christian message. Next time you read or hear about someone who is guilty of a terrible action, think, I wonder how many people that person has known who really showed love and care and concern! I wonder how that person would react to love and care and concern! Let us pray . . . (Note to readers) Every preacher speaks from his own experiential preconceptions. You are entitled to know what basic assumptions underlie my sermons. 1. A preacher should preach with "the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other." Bible preaching consists not in quoting scripture indiscriminately, but in faithfully proclaiming the principles of Christ's teaching by relevant illustrations . . . the way Jesus preached. 2. A preacher must challenge the congregation, but must not judge them. 3. A preacher must grow in grace and knowledge. Therefore, I may say something today which contradicts something I said a year ago . . . or last week! 4. A preacher must base his theology on Scripture. I am a "born-again liberal" in that I promote and try to emulate the life-style of Jesus. If he were ministering here today he would commiserate with the down-and-outers in Cass Corridor, he would thunder at those who exploit his temple for gain, he would condemn apathy and he would certainly challenge the up-and-inners to evaluate their priorities in terms of Truth, Justice and Righteousness. 5. (a) Each of us must choose the doctrinal alternatives he considers Truth. "Work out your own salvation" is Paul's admonition. (b) Each of us must choose the ministry priorities which fit his talents and his calling. (c) Because Jesus began his ministry by announcing his priorities as concern for the disenfranchised (Luke 4) . . . and because he described the final Judgment as based on the same priorities (Matthew 25) they are moral imperatives which every Christian must in some way address. They are not options! (Your comments are always appreciated)