Necessities of Life
Often, right after the mountain top experience of Christmas, Christians (can) suffer a deep depression, or go through an
anti-climatic experience. For weeks, and months, there is a huge build up to Christmas. Then, in the time-frame of 24 hours, Christmas is over, and we can be left with feelings of confusion, hopelessness, and a so-what and a what-now sentiment.
And as we look to the new year, and all that comes with it, we wonder how we’ll ever get through. But, if we are properly prepared, we can live, this next year, dignified and gloriously.
That’s right, there doesn’t have to be a ‘great let-down;’ we don’t have to fall into that valley, after reaching the mountain-top; for, this next year, we can live our lives, as if, they were lives, worth living.
Before Michelangelo and Raphael, were Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, they were great Italian Renaissance painters. Michelangelo was 8 years older than Raphael, and had been drawing and painting a few years more than his friend.
One day Michelangelo came to the studio of Raphael; and was looking at the early Masterpieces. And as the story goes, he picked up one of Raphael’s early drawings, examined it carefully, taking the time to drink in its meaning, Then, in a shocking show of judgement, with a piece of chalk, He scrawled across the painting, the Latin word, ‘Amplius;’ which means ‘greater’ or ‘larger.’
To the older master’s trained eye, Raphael’s painting demonstrated too little vision. Michelangelo insisted that Raphael make greater use of his skills, think bigger, and paint better.
For Raphael was NOT painting ‘up-to’ his potential; we are the same, sometimes and get caught up in, thinking too small.
Surely, that is what God, Almighty, thinks, of most of our plans, efforts and actions. For, we are NOT living ‘up-to’ our potential, and our God, who thinks big, simply wants us to do the same, think big and live great, nobler lives.
That’s easy-enough said, but how do we do that? How do we think bigger and live larger lives? Well, there are 3 things we need, to accomplish this task. These 3 Necessities of Life are; Faith, Hope and Love.
For, within these 3 Necessities, we can find and live, as God wants us to live, bigger, greater and more noble.
Shortly after World War I, a British doctor named A.J. Cronin, was taking a walk in the bombed-out city of Vienna. Cronin had looked forward to revisiting the city, that he had come to know and love. But when he arrived he was deeply disturbed and distressed at what he saw; for the Germans had all-but destroyed it. Walking among the ruins of this, once beautiful city, he became more and more angered, at the ravages of war.
That night, as it grew colder, Cronin sought out shelter in a small, dimly lit church – partly destroyed. Finding a, some-what, dry corner to curl up in, he tried to sleep. Suddenly, he was awakened by an old man coming into the sanctuary, caring a young girl. The man, in a worn and torn suit, walked down the center aisle, stopping just short of the altar; where he gentle put the girl down.
Cronin watch carefully as the old man supported her, as they both knelt, clinging to the rail. Even though this girl was paralyzed, she stood long enough to say her prayers, and to light a small candle. Then the old man picked her up again, and started down the aisle with his precious burden.
Cronin followed them out of the church, and watched as the old man placed the cold and paralyzed girl on a wagon; covered her twisted legs with an old potato sack, and kissed her forehead.
Finally, Cronin spoke to them. He said he had watched them in the church and wanted to talk with them. He asked the old man if it was the war that maimed the young girl? The old man answered, that she had been crippled by the same bomb, that killed her mother and father.
Then Cronin asked if they went to church very often, the old man said that they come daily to pray. Then, the young girl spoke, she said; “We come to show the good Lord, that we’re not angry with Him.”
Then off into the cold night, the old man, and the cripple girl disappeared.
Faith is something we can’t do without, if we are to make it in this world. The old man had not lost his Faith in God, and the crippled girl was surrounded and supported by the old man’s Faith; and her faith in God as well.
In our scripture lesson for today, Paul’s very first necessity, in living a life worth living, is Faith. Faith is essential to living this coming year in such a way, that we think big and live great, nobler lives.
Prayer shows Faith. ‘For most of us, prayer brings no certain confirmation;’ we get no response. We wait, and listen, and try to understand, and discern, the happenings all around us, as a sign or a message. Well, that takes Faith.
We pray, in Faith, that our words, somehow cross a bridge between visible and invisible dimensions, penetrating a reality of which we have no proof of. We enter into God’s element, the realm of the Spirit, which seems much less real to us, than it did to Adam – who once walked as friend, to God, in the Garden of Eden.
Prayer shows Faith. For the crippled girl came to that bombed and burnt-out church, to pray to the Lord; in a city that seemed absent of God, and filled with the remnants of war and hell. She showed her Faith in God, by praying to God.
She did not harbor any animosity towards God, for what had happen to her, and her family. She held strong, to her Faith.
Hope is another necessity, to living this coming year, in such a way, that we think big, and live great, nobler lives.
This crippled girl didn’t leave the bombed out city, she remained near her home, and near the place where her life had been shattered by that bomb; and she held tight to hope. Hope, for a better life; hope, that this city would be rebuilt; and hope, that God would bless her life once again. This girl, with the crippled legs, did not have crippled hope.
Christian Hope is a two-pronged thing; not only does hope give us victory in life’s current crisis, but it also gives us assurance of rest and peace with God – when this life is over. The Hope written about in the Bible is a confident exception; hope is an assurance that is absolute.
Paul writes in Romans 5:2;
“We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
We live in hope that tomorrow will be better, that life will be sweeter, that we shall become better. Hope is as natural to believers, as the beating of our hearts. It is within us, because God has put it there. It is something we can’t do without – in 2008
The third element, that is outlined in our scripture, today, is Love.
Love is one thing we can’t do without. Humans have this uncontrollable need to love, and be loved.
But, hidden deep in that need, is a puzzle. Often, we can’t love someone else, or accept another’s love, because of the misconceptions of ourselves, and failure to love ourselves.
The crippled girl had NO fears of liking, or loving herself, even after the tragic effect, the bomb had on her. Unable to walk or stand, without support, she still chose to think she was a worthwhile person, with dignity and self-respect; needing and deserving esteem, admiration, and affection.
Love’s healing touch is desperately needed in our world today. We need to let God fill our hearts with His love. Then, we need to share that love with others. Love is life’s most precious gift, that we can’t do without in the upcoming year.
The crippled girl knew God still loved her, and she loved the old man for bringing her to this church, everyday; and together, they both loved God.
“We love God, for He first loved us.”
Conclusion
God thinks big and does things in a big way. He created the heavens and the earth – and everything associated with it. He wrote the life-stories of every person who has lived, or will live. He looked down, and reached down, to select a meaningless and utterly helpless race of people (the Israelites) as His special procession.
He causes the wind to blow, the sun to shine and the rain to fall. He commands flowers to close up at night and open in the morning. He reminds the bear to sleep during the winter and when to awake in the spring. He gentle tugs at the hear strings of the vilest offender. He makes people and things, do, as He wishes.
God thinks big and does things in a big way.
The Psalmist brings it all into perspective;
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man, that you are mindful of him?”
We humans, are a mere pinch of dusk, scattered across the surface, of a nondescript planet. We exist in the face of someone who is everywhere, all at once; and unlimited, and unrestricted in power and supremacy.
God thinks big and does things in a big way; and He wants us to do the same. We can simply exist this year, or we live a life of ‘Amplius;’
In God’s presence, we feel small because, we are small; but encouraged by God presence, we can think big, and live great, nobler lives.
Faith is the foundation and content of God’s message. Hope is the attitude and focus; with love being the action. When hope and faith are in line, we are free to love completely; because we understand how God loves.
As we begin this new year, more than anything, God wants to write ‘greater’ ‘larger’ right across our lives. He wants to make us realize that our lives are worth living, really worth living to the fullest; and if we think big, we can live great, nobler lives.
And like the crippled girl, that came to that small, bombed and burnt-out church, we too can have the 3 Necessities of Life;
“So Faith, Hope and Love abide; and the greatest of these is Love.”
Holy Communion Service
By Brian Reid, January 6, 2008
Our Lord, himself, gave us this Supper.
At this table, we meet with our savior, look back upon His sacrificial gift, ask for and receive forgiveness, while renewing our covenant to our Lord; and refresh our hope of His return.
At this table, we lift our hearts in thanksgiving to our Lord, God. Let this bread and wine speak to us, of the sacrifice, of that precious body, that was broken for us, and the blood that was shed.
May our hearts be open to the Lord’s searching spirit at this time, as we search ourselves in preparation, also. Awareness of our sins, should not keep us away from Communion, but draw us to participate in it and draw us closer to Him.
Scripture Reading (Isaiah 53:4-7)
Communion is never to be taken lightly, but reverently, for this new covenant, cost Jesus, His very life. This is not a meaningless ritual, but a sacred and holy sacrament, given by Christ to help strengthen our faith. The Lord’s Supper commemorates Christ’s death upon the cross for our sins and points to the coming of His Kingdom in glory.
We approach the Lord’s Table, not because we must, but because we can. If you believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, if you have a personal relationship with Christ, if you are a sinner that Jesus died for, you are welcome at this table.
Jesus, the final Passover Lamb, ate the traditional meal with His disciples in the upper room, of a house in Jerusalem. During the meal, Jesus told His disciples, of His betrayal (by one of them), and the fulfillment of the scriptures, for the Son of Man must die.
Matthew 26:26-28;
“While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, He broke it, giving it to the disciples, and said; ‘Take, eat, this is my body.’
Then, He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, saying; ‘Drink from it, all of you, for it is my blood, of the covenant, which is poured out for many, for the forgiveness of sins.’”
Please, come, share the Lord.
Christ’s body broken for you.
Deacon ________________ will offer thanksgiving for the bread.
(Bread is served)
Let us eat this bread, in remembrance, of Christ’s sacrifice for us, and be thankful.
Deacon _________________ will offer thanksgiving for the cup.
Christ’s blood she for you.
(The cup is served)
(Last verse of Communion Hymn)
A Blessing for you.
May he always be with you and may you feel his presence.
May you live your life for Jesus, as he lived and died for you.
May we return to the Lord’s Table soon, where we can celebrate his resurrected life, once again.
And, as you go out into the world, take the light of Christ, and the joy of His love, with you. Peace be with you, always, Amen.
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