Sermon Index
July 26, 2020
Every three years on this Sunday, the Epistle reading is my favorite Bible verse, Romans 8:28. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” And every three years I wonder if this is still my favorite Bible verse. And it is, and let me tell you why.
In my sermon three years ago I explained it this way: “It must have been a Sunday school memory verse. I clearly remember that one day, when I was playing in the backyard, trying to pull my red wagon out of the cellar. I slipped and got pinned by that wagon. ‘Oh, no’ I thought. Then suddenly, this Bible verse popped into my head. ‘How strange to think of a Bible verse at a time like this,’ I thought at the time. ‘Well, then,’ I thought, ‘I guess God will help me get out of this fix.’ And he did. And this has been my favorite Bible verse since that day.”
It is not that I am an optimist; it is that I have learned in life that the best way to handle any situation is let God handle it. It is a faith built upon experience. The first words of this verse are “We know.” Not, “we hope” nor “we believe” nor “we wish;” but “we know.” I do not have time this morning to tell you all the times in my life I have come to know this. It would be hard to remember them all.
The next words are “in all things.” It is easy to see how good things turn out better. But this Bible passage says “in all things,” and that means the good and the bad. At the time of tragedy or sickness or disappointment or failure, it is hard to believe that things will “work for good.” When we think of our mistakes and sins and foolishness, it is hard to be optimistic. As I said, I am not an optimist; but I am curious about things. There are many times when I have been curious about how God will make something good. I hit my thumb with the hammer or cut my finger with the butcher knife: “Okay, God. How are you going to make this good?” The doctor told me I have glaucoma: “Okay, God. How is this going to be good for me?” I still do not know the answer to that one. The Holy Spirit sent me and my wife to Okinawa where everything was a new challenge. “Okay, God. If according to your purpose you want us here, then You know what You are doing and I trust that it will be good for Okinawa Lutheran Church. But I am curious how you will use us here. What is Your purpose for sending us here?”
The Bible verse concludes “for” those “who have been called according to his purpose.” At Seminary, when students were interviewed by the faculty, there was a question that surprised me: “Do you feel that you have been called by God for ministry?” I realized then that I had been called. I could not point to a certain point in time because ever since I was a kid playing with his red wagon, I knew that God was part of my life and that my life was according to his purpose. People have asked, “Have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit?” And I can answer that the Holy Spirit has been working in my life since I was baptized when I was three weeks old. People have asked, “Have you seen a miracle?” And I can answer that I believe in God. I believe that Jesus is my Savior. I have seen the miracle of faith, because no one can believe unless called by the Holy Spirit. Faith is a miracle, the work of God.
Speaking of making something good out of a bad situation, remember Jesus on the cross. Cross -- empty tomb. Death -- resurrection. Suffering – love and healing. The sin of the world – God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. And so, when we have crosses and tribulations, we look to the cross of Jesus and his suffering, and we look to his resurrection and victory. This is the source and foundation for our hope and trust in Jesus Christ.
St. Paul wrote these words to the members of the church in Rome. Today the Holy Spirit through this letter is speaking to the members of the church in Okinawa. He is speaking to you to trust Jesus in all things. He wants you to know that you have been called according to his purpose. The Holy Spirit also speaks to the mission and purpose of our congregation. We are a small church. We are led by a church council and pastor who often do not know what to do or how to do it. And yet we know that God has helped us in the past and so we know he will make things good for us. I am curious how He will do it. It puts excitement into the mission of the church.
At this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, all Christians wonder how God will make things better for the Church of God. Will the Christian Church become stronger? Will there be new worship formats? Will people find stronger faith and trust in God? Some doubt the love of God at a time like this. We pray for mercy. We pray for health and healing. At a time like this, my favorite Bible verse gives hope and comfort and strength and peace and confidence. Romans 8:28. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church