No Other Gospel: Identification Authorized

This message was preached at Califon UMC on June 19th, 2016 for their No Other Gospel Sermon Series. NO OTHER GOSPEL: Identification Authorized Galatians 3:23-29 During the service of remembrance at annual conference this year I experienced one of the most transformative moments in my ministry. During this service there is a mass choir of laity and clergy that sing an anthem and help to lead the service through song as we honor those clergy and clergy spouses who passed in the last year. This service allows collective mourning, collective remembrance, and solidarity of love among those gathered. As the District Superintendents served the gathered communion after the reading of the names, I had a great view from the stage as I helped lead that moment in song. Looking over at the bleachers where the choir was sitting I saw them begin to sign with the interpreters from a local church, “Come to the table of grace. This is God's table, it's not yours or mine”. What a beautiful witness to our diversity and inclusivity as United Methodists!!! Young and older, black, white and in between, women and men; a beautiful witness to what it means to be children of God- all are welcome to the table! I smile at the memory because this, THIS, is what Paul is talking about in our reading for the day. “Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for. But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise” This version from The Message bible helps me to understand this passage more fully. Through Christ we are able to let go of the old law, the old way that initially shaped our connection, and now we embrace more fully an intimate relationship and connection to God. We are a TRANSFORMED people, a people of vision, and wonderful dreams. I think if I had to name this message as part of the “No other Gospel” worship series you are following, it would be “Identification Authorized” because today we are reminded of who and whose we are. Now growing up in NY even at a young age visiting my mother at work meant getting a pass that showed we were “allowed” in the building and on the elevators. In our society today this need for proving our identity has spilled over into discussions of race, gender equality, sexuality, political affiliation, class distinction….we have become a people who want to define those around us, and this is even seen in our churches. Our programs, events, and even liturgy don't always take into account the diversity in our neighborhoods. As the corporate church we don't always make space for those society has made voiceless. But today as people of faith we stand in our houses of worship, our national circle of community, united by grief and questions, holding within us the loss of 50 lives in Orlando last weekend and the remembrance of 9 killed at a bible study in Charleston, South Carolina a year ago. These safe spaces that were desecrated by violence. Yet on the local level we are also holding the celebration and hurts, that affect us and those sitting next to us; we are lifting up those in our lives who need healing and wholeness; we are standing in the gap for the people in our inner circles who have concerns and joys. Yet regardless of what is on our hearts this morning, what is weighing down our souls, we gather in this place to be reminded of the only identity that matters- we are, each and every one of us, beloved children of God. And it is the hope of this gathering that we are encouraged, uplifted, held tighter, and loved. That in this space we are given the strength to live our day to days. And friends, that is the hard part about this gospel we are called to uphold, this is the hard part about embracing and understanding our identity as people of faith- whether we disagree or argue, even cause physical harm, each of us is just as valuable as another and each of us deserves to be affirmed of that in this place. See what I’m not saying is that violent actions are ok, hurtful words are acceptable, this hate and anger that seems to permeate our society is fine- NO. What I’m trying to say is that our revelation and relationship with and through Christ, and in this journey of community fellowship that we attempt in this place, we are one, united in love. With, for, to...This is what Paul reminds us in this letter to the people of Galatia; this faith thing is for ALL peoples regardless of station- Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male or female. This faith thing calls us to change and to come into relationship with God and one another. This faith thing calls us to get to know God who awaits for us as a caring parent, a loving father. Who awaits to grant us our inheritance in this world. Our mission-to make disciples and transform the world- is ever evolving. See with the changes in our world, social structure, understanding of faith's place in the world, we understand that HOW are mission is carried out in the world must change. Releasing the law of old does not mean we are lawless, rather it means we have opened ourselves to the ebb and flow of life and are willing to adjust and adapt to the changes life brings. Friends what does our mission in this place, as people of faith look like? Where are you living out ministry in Christ's name? Are you emboldened by the spirit's power to show love, grace, and community to those who do not look like you? At Annual Conference this year our guiding passage was from Paul’s letter to the community of Ephesus and Bishop Schol challenged us to “Imagine the possibilities ahead of us!” He called the conference to imagine a church with tremendous vision and diversity which will grow vital congregations to transform the world and asked God to grant grace and wisdom to stir up imagination. Friends, there is such power with imagination! Imagination here at Califon has begun to develop in ministries like the Table of Grace, to be re-imagined with longstanding programs like the Fisherman’s Breakfast. While we may not name them as such they are the fruits of visioning, the proof of attempts to understand the needs of this community, and the success where you are filling in gaps so that God can move in this world. In our passage today Paul talks about our connection through baptism, being brought into the body of Christ. And there are levels to this. Newly baptized Christians are given a new vision, a freedom from the old law. But even those of us today who have baptized many years prior are reminded by this passage of the invisible means of grace we are clothed with- by faith, water, and the spirit. We are reminded that our inheritance is the ability for intimate relationship with God, spirit connection, deep understanding of what we are called to and who we are called to be. Visible distinctions of race, position, and gender are pushed aside in the enlightened eyes of faith, the eyes of those clothed by baptism. We are reminded that it is in THIS community, in this place we gather, we are pushed to be our best selves, we are pushed to imagine together, and we are pushed to carry out a collective vision so God's kingdom comes to this earth. And I think this makes today so more poignant. On a day where we in our American sphere are called to honor and remember the fathers and father figures in our life we are also reminded of the inheritance from God that we are called to live out through faith. Today I stand here a product of the love of Helene and Kenneth; the grandchild James who taught me to cherish life and its simplicity, the grandchild of Julius who continually reminds me that we are supposed to be ever learning; the niece of Jimmy, Michael, Bobby, Alan, Darren and Roy who challenge me, love me and allow me to be “me”. What makes up your inheritance? Who are the people, the things, the memories that have impacted who you are? Take a moment and think about this…. Beloved, in all of these familial connections, in the memories-good or bad, in the labels that divide us, one identity remains and connects us together- child of God. As we leave here today I ask you to think-what identity do you cling to? Do you cling to your race, gender, social position, political affiliation? Or do you cling to who God has claimed you to be? I ask you this week and beyond to challenge yourself and one another to live out our inheritance-that the things that divide us in the world mean nothing in God's eyes. Each of us, no matter what we carry, is a beloved child of God-and this is what we embrace, celebrate, and carry with us. Thank God that our identity has been authorized.