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June 22, 2014 latest episode of Are You Afraid of the Pentecost 2 / Proper 7 Dark? to come on YTV. The original series The Rev. Kim Gilliland ran from 1990 to 1996. It was revived for two more seasons in 1999 and 2000. It SCRIPTURE: Romans 6:1-11 featured a group of adolescents who called Matthew 10:24-33 themselves the Midnight Society. Every night they’d gather around a campfire and Don’t be afraid of anyone! one of them would tell a scary story. The Everything that is hidden will story was the basis of the episode. Some of be found out, and every secret them were pretty good. I expect that you will be known. Whatever I say can still see the reruns somewhere in the to you I the dark, you must tell 900 channel universe we live in. And if not, in the light. you can always Matthew watch 10:26-27a them online (CEV) like I do. DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK FEAR FACTOR I think most children go through a stage when they think it’s cool to experience scary things. Those of you who are now in your twenties and early thirties may remember R.L Stine’s infamous Goodbumps books. The first book was published in 1992. Our boys couldn’t wait for the next one to hit the bookstores and libraries. They were extremely popular. Believe it or not, at their height Scholastic the publisher was selling 4 million Goosebumps books every month. It goes to show much children can be addicted to the scare factor. Both Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark? were critical and financial successes. Why? Again because I think there is a certain attraction to those things that scare us. There is a certain excitement in not knowing what is going to happen. And I think the reality is that, on some level, all of us get goosebumps because in some ways we are all afraid of the dark. FEAR & LIGHT I was thinking about that this week when I read what Jesus said in Matthew 10:26 (CEV), “Don’t be afraid of anyone! Everything that is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known. Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light.” Are you afraid of the dark? Lots of When they weren’t reading people are. But Jesus said not to be afraid. Goosebumps, they were waiting for the Don’t be afraid of anyone. Don’t be afraid of anything. Don’t be afraid of the dark. Why not? Because what is hidden will August. So is our son Stephen and that’s eventually be found out. What is said in the pretty exciting. Two down and two to go. dark will eventually be told in the light. And I have a wedding in the fall as well. That’s great. I enjoy doing weddings. It’s I think that it’s interesting that Jesus one of the fun parts of ministry. used a set of unexpected opposites in this passage. He talked about fear and he talked One of the things that we have to do, about the opposite of fear. In our lower of course, is plan for the ceremony. There’s story world the opposite of fear as a form that the couple fills out that gets something like confidence or assurance. them looking at various options. Then we Maybe even bravery. But that is was not come into the sanctuary and start to talk Jesus’ understanding. In his upper story about the logistics of how we will be perspective the opposite of fear is light. “ standing. Some couples are really surprised Do not be afraid,” he said. “Do not let your to discover that I prefer to have them facing lower story fears overwhelm you because the congregation while I’m off to the side a what I offer you is my upper story light to little bit. There’s often an initial panic: show you the way and to lead you into all “You mean I have to face everyone? I can’t truth.” do that! I’ll be too nervous!” To that I respond with two things. The things that scare us the most are First of all, it makes no sense for me to face often the things we can’t see. It’s the the unknown that causes our nerves to fray and our emotions to get raw. Usually, when the people because they really don’t want to things that scare us are revealed in the light see me. You could have a blow up minister of day, they lose their fear factor. Once the doll up here with a audio being played. unknown becomes known, the reason to People wouldn’t care. They want to see the fear dissipates and disappears. couple that is getting married. The second thing that I say to couples is that if they are For example, here we are, right at worried about being nervous then they the start of the annual summer wedding should definitely not have their backs to the season. That’s a great lower story ritual. congregation. That’s because when you How scary is that? It can be pretty scary, have your back to someone or something, especially when the bills start to roll in. I’m you don’t know what’s going on behind officiating at quite a few weddings this you which only adds to your stress. But it summer. I’m doing a military wedding in can be quite comforting to be able to turn to London in July. Two young couples for the your family and friends and be able to see congregation are getting married in the faces of the people who love you the most. I think that strikes a chord with most people and the fear seems to diminish. THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD Jesus said that in our lower story experience, we should not be afraid of anyone or anything. But then he made an exception. He told us whom we should fear. In Matthew 10:28 (CEV) Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell.” That’s pretty heavy stuff but what does it mean? I want to tell you first of all that I purposely read this passage from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) because I think it translates the Greek into English more accurately than other translations. The New International Version gives us the more traditional wording. It says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can kill both the body and the soul in hell.” The NIV, on the surface, is a more accurate word for word translation then the CEV but it does not always convey the same depth of understanding. The NIV says to fear the one who can kill both body and soul in hell. When we hear those words, most of our thoughts go immediately to Satan. It is Satan that wants to kill both our bodies and our souls. But that is an incorrect assumption. The message of the text is more accurately reflected in the CEV which is clear when it says that it is God who can destroy both our bodies and our souls. Satan may want to do that. In fact, he can kill your body. But only God can touch your soul. This speaks to the main point of this verse. It is not meant to suggest that God wants to destroy us or that God is a big, mean, scary guy in the sky. All it speaks to is the omnipotence of God. God is almighty. God is all powerful. God holds everything in the palm of his hand, even you. That’s the upper story reality that we need to keep in mind in our lower story world. That’s why we need not fear the things that seek to destroy us. Because ultimately God wins. Ultimately, God’s will will be done and God’s purpose will be achieved. Nothing in heaven or on earth will get in the way of that reality. It really is an act of faith. Here’s the question: how much are we willing to trust God? I was talking with one of the directors of the Windsor Youth Centre the other day. Her name is Tamara. WYC is one of the ministries that you may be hearing about more in the coming year because our Mission Committee is looking at doing some extra focus work on it as one of our local missions projects. The Windsor Youth Centre began in 2010 as a dream to try to provide assistance the homeless youth in Windsor. The dream became a reality when a restaurant on Wyandotte Street was leased and renovated. For almost four years now, the Windsor Youth Centre has been providing a safe place for homeless teens to go to do homework after school, use computers, share dinner and build community. pudding is if you actually act on it. You can’t say that you trust in God and then keep worrying about the things that you say you are trusting God for. Tamara said that she trust in God to provide for the needs of the Windsor Youth Centre and I believe her. I don’t think she sits up all night worrying about where the funding will come from. Why would she? Four years of I remember how we started the experience has taught her that she can trust Centre on a whim and a prayer and a God to provide because God always has. mission grant from the United Church of Canada. We had no idea how the bills Today is our church picnic. It’s also would be paid. We just trusted that they the last day of Sunday School until would. I asked Tamara how things were September. I think we’ve had a very looking for the future of WYC. She said successful year. The most important thing, that they seldom have any extra money but of course, is that we are training up our that the bills and salaries somehow seem to children in the faith and teaching them the get paid every month. She isn’t always sure Bible stories. But we’ve also grown in how or when the money will come in but numbers as a result of a whole whack of experience tells her that it will. Then she you young married couples having babies. remembered what a man said to her back at Keep them coming. We’ve also had some the beginning of WYC when they were new families with children join our wondering about funding this mission. He congregation and we so grateful that. I also said, “What God orders up, God pays for.” believe that the Sunday School is getting a It’s true. What God orders up, God pays bit taller as well. God has provided this for. That’s the kind of line we need to keep year. I think we can all agree with that. Has in mind when we fear for the future or are that taught us to trust God just a little bit uncertain about what to do. It reminds us to more? Will we trust God to provide for the trust in the omnipotence of God. next year? We need a new Sunday School co-ordinator. We can always use more Do you believe that we can trust God teachers. Are we trusting God to provide with the ministries of the Church? Do you those people for next year? I hope we are. believe that if God orders something, God And I know that God is tugging at pays for it? Even more important, do you someone’s heart strings right now, act like you believe it? It’s one thing to say encouraging them to step up and take part you believe something. But the proof of the in this vital ministry of the church. You might be feeling that tug and you might also be wondering of you’re up to the task. I can assure you that you are because even if on your own you can’t do it always remember that God what God orders up, God pays for. Don’t be afraid to step out in faith to answer God’s call. The light of Christ is with you. experiences, of joy and laughter along with the sadness and tears. But the day will come when this life ends and we face the biggest enemy of them all. That enemy is death. The day will come when each of us will walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death and discover what is on the other side. I can not think of a single time when God has not provided. When we have our eyes on God’s upper story plan for us, God has never failed to give us everything we need. Sometimes he does it at the last moment and sometimes he does it in ways that we least expect, but he always does it because God never orders up something that God does not pay for. That’s the kind of God we have. That’s the kind of God who calls us to be his people. That’s the kind of God who enables us to face our fears and move forward in the light of Christ. What is there? The truth is that we don’t really know. We’re told that it’s supposed to be amazing. We’re told that it’s supposed to be true happiness, that every tear shall be wiped away. But what does it mean and what does it look like? We don’t know. The Bible really does give us very few details. And so that’s where we have to trust. ETERNITY When you realize that, you begin to understand why there is no reason to fear the darkness. There is no need to be afraid because in Christ all things will eventually become known. What is hidden in the darkness will be revealed in the light. That is true not only in this world but also in the next. The joy of faith is that it promises an eternal life with God. Life is wonderful. It is full of amazing If Tamara can trust God to pay the bills for the ministry at the Windsor Youth Centre, if we can trust God to pay for what he has ordered up in our ministry, then it is simply one more step of faith to trust God to also provide for our needs in eternity. We often forget that. We forget that this life is practice for the next. What we learn in this life about God and our relationship to God will carry over into eternity. What is more, what we do in this life is practice for what we will do in the next. People often get the wrong impression of the kingdom of God. They think that we become angels who play harps and preen our wings while sitting on fluffy white clouds in the sky. We need to understand that the Bible never describes such a scene. First of all, people don’t become angels. Angels are a different order of creation. Angels are angels. People are people. People can no more become angels than pigs can become horses. Furthermore, I would not relish playing a harp for eternity. There will be far too many other interesting things to do. We forget that in the kingdom of God there will be ordinary things. Food will have to be grown and grass will have to be cut. The dishes will still have to be done and someone will still have to clean the toilet. So what’s the difference? There are really two differences and they both have to do with light. The first one has to do with our attitudes. In this life, our attitudes can be all over the place. We can be good and we can treat each other with kindness, respect and love. Or we can be nasty, hateful and impatient. We can hold grudges and we can be afraid. But in God’s kingdom, there is no place for those negative attitudes. That’s because Jesus is the light and he will be there. Remember that where there is light, there is no need to fear. In John 14:2 (CEV) Jesus said, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this unless it were true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you.” Jesus said not be worried. Don’t be afraid. Those are the lower story attitudes of this world. They have no place in God’s kingdom because Jesus has gone to prepare a place for each of us. That’s the first difference: our attitudes. The second difference is in what will be revealed to us in the Kingdom; what will come to light if you will. 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12 (NIV) says this: “For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall fully know, even as I am fully known.” What this means is that the unknown things of this life will be known in the kingdom. The questions that we have will be answered. All of the mysteries will be revealed when they are place under the light of Christ. We will fully know because we will see God face to face and be fully known. I want to end with just one more Bible verse from Matthew 4:16 (NIV) in which Matthew wrote about Jesus, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Unto us a light has dawned. And his name is Jesus. Are you afraid of the dark? You don’t need to be. There is no need to fear because Jesus is the light of the world! PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE violence that wracks those corners of creation. Enable nations and peoples to put aside their pride for the cause of peace. Give us the courage to resist the temptation to make beasts out of those with whom we disagree. Blessed are you, O God, whose river of hope washes over us with refreshment and healing. We thank you for your presence in our lives. When we call you come to us with love and compassion. When we are blinded, you enable us to see. We pray, finally, for those who are When we are deaf, you unstop our ears. By sick at home or in hospital. We think, your love, you invite us to enter into life especially of Marilee Matte. Bless her and fully and freely in Jesus' name. all who are sick with your healing touch, filling them with your Holy and Healing We offer our thanks for the gifts of Spirit. All of these prayers, we lift to you in creation. Thank you for the warmth of the Jesus’ name. Amen. days and for cooling evening breezes. Thank you for fishing and walks in the bush. Thank you for the songs of birds and the cry of the ducks and geese. We thank you, also, for police officers who enforce the laws of the land and remind us of the need to follow the rules. Thank you for their dedication even in the face of great danger to making our cities and towns safer places to be. We pray for the churches in Essex Presbytery as so many congregations struggle to find their missions and goals in life. Open us, O God to the wonder of your unseen power. Reveal you way through the light of Jesus and help us to find the courage to step forward in faith. We lift up our concerns for the world. We pray for peace in the Ukraine and Iraq as we mourn the senseless WORSHIP RESOURCE PAGE DEDICATION OF OFFERING You sow the seeds, O God. You water the plants June 22, 2014 / Pentecost 2 / Proper 7 and send the sunshine. You make all things grow, O God of Creation. What we give to you is yours SCRIPTURE Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans already. Our prayer is for the wisdom and courage to use it to the glory of your Kingdom. Amen. 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39 CALL TO WORSHIP ONE: Turn your ear to us, O God; ALL: Hear our prayer. ONE: Turn your eyes to us, O God; ALL: see our actions. ONE: Turn our lives to you; ALL: in worship and praise. PRAYER OF APPROACH O God, be in our head, and in our understanding. God be in our eyes, and in our looking. God be in our mouths, and in our speaking. God be in our hearts, and in our thinking. God be at our beginnings and at our departings. We gather in worship and praise to remember your great love for us. Fill us with your Spirit and open our hearts to your incredible Word in Jesus Christ. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of Mercy, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. We open our lives to your mercy. Nothing can be hidden from you for you know all things. You see us at our best and at our worst. You notice every success and every failure. Turn us from our self-imposed path of destruction and lead us unto the streets of gold that are in your heavenly Kingdom. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON God sees the sparrows and cherishes their every breath. How much more does God love us. The Mercy of God is great. The love of God is everlasting. God calls us to repentance that we might be freed from our sins and live the renewed life in Christ. COMMISSIONING May the love of God be with you. May the grace of the Son rest upon your face. May the strength of the Spirit renew your life and give you peace. MESSAGE OUTLINE How much are we willing to trust God? The Rev. Kim Gilliland June 22, 2014 What God orders up, God pays for! DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN Don’t be afraid of anyone! Everything that is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known. Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. Matthew 10:26 (CEV) Jesus used a set of opposites: lower story fear and upper story light. The things that scare us the most are often the things we can’t see. Once the unknown becomes known, the fear dissipates. THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD There is only one person to fear. Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell. Matthew 10:28 (CEV) Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can kill both the body and the soul in hell. Matthew 10:28 (NIV) CEV in this case is much more clear than the NIV. Only God should be feared because only God can destroy body and soul. That’s because only God is all powerful - omnipotent. It is an act of faith. ETERNITY All things are revealed in Christ. What is hidden in the darkness will be revealed in his light. These promises are true in this life and into eternity. This life is practice for what we will do in eternity. There are two differences between this life and the next. Both involve light. All questions will be answered, all mysteries revealed. We will fully know because we will be fully known by God. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned. Unto us a light has dawned. His name is Jesus. There is no need to fear because Jesus is the light of the world! 1. The first difference is our attitudes. Here we can have all sorts of attitudes - positive and negative. In the kingdom of God we will only have positive attitudes. Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this unless it were true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. John 14:2 (CEV) Don’t be afraid. Jesus is light and he will be there. 2. The second difference is our knowledge. All things will be revealed to us in the light of Christ. For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall fully know, even as I am fully known. What is unknown in this life will be known in the kingdom. 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12 (NIV)