Praise Worship

Reformation Sunday

October 25, 2009

Rev. JoBeth Marshall

Lectionary Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3 and 10-11

Sermon Synopsis of: "My Heart Got There First...."

Today, historical and present day disciples shared with us through Windows of Faith.

Mattia Hendrickson and ScottiJo Meyer were courageous and the first of our congregation to step up and share their faith with us through our Window of Faith. Also in our "Window" were Martin Luther, William Tyndale and John Westly who shared their faith with the congregation with the help of Marge VanNostrand, Kathy Jahnke and Julie May.

Whether historical forebears of our faith or current young adults in our congregation, sharing our faith from our hearts is important. If our hearts are not in it, then our faith cannot support us in the difficult times that happen upon the earth. Won Hur states in May/June 2009 issue of The Clergy Journal on p. 60 that:

"Martin Luther’s question was ‘How can I find a loving God,? In faith, we will find a loving God.’ A true response to love is love."

As Christians, we need not be alone for Jesus said "Where two or three are gathered in my name — there am I in the midst of them." We need to work and pull together acting out of our faith - investing our whole heart. Faith is powerful. Jesus responded in love to Bartimaeus the blind beggar who asked for help. Jesus responded in love but to Bartimaeus’ faith. It was his faith that made him well.

Often in life, I think we’re a lot like Benny the horse and God is the clever farmer as in this story from p. 70 of the October 2009 issue of Homeletics. Which follows:

An out-of-towner accidentally drove his car into a deep ditch on the side of a country road. Luckily, a farmer happened by with his big, old horse named Benny. The man asked for help, and the farmer said Benny could pull his car out.

So the farmer backed Benny up and hitched him to the man’s car bumper. Then he yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Benny didn’t move. The he yelled, "Come on, pull, Ranger!" Still, Benny didn’t move. Then the farmer yelled really loudly, "Now pull, Fred ... pull hard!" Benny just stood there.

Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Okay, Benny ... now pull." Benny easily pulled the car out of the ditch.

The motorist was very appreciative but curious. "I really appreciate that," he said, "but why did you call your horse by the wrong name three times?"

The farmer replied, "Why, old Benny’s blind. If he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn’t even try." Amen.