Text:\u00a0 Mark 10:17-31<\/p>\n
Jesus was getting ready to head out on a trip when something unusual happened.\u00a0 A man ran up to him, and knelt at Jesus\u2019 feet.\u00a0 This man was different than most of the people who sought Jesus\u2019 attention.\u00a0 His clothes were nicer than most \u2026 he probably spoke in a way that marked him as a wealthy man.<\/p>\n
Certainly this man had many things on his mind.\u00a0 He \u201chad many possessions\u201d \u2013 likely this means that he owned a lot of land.\u00a0 And he had the usual thoughts that go with wealth \u2013 how do I use what I have to make more for myself, to give myself security and comfort?\u00a0 How much do I pay my workers?\u00a0 What is the market price today?\u00a0 He<\/span> didn\u2019t have to worry about paying the rent or the mortgage, or putting food on the table.<\/p>\n But none of these things were on his mind this day.\u00a0 He asked a question \u2013 \u201cGood Teacher \u2013 what must I do to inherit eternal life?\u201d\u00a0 This man wasn\u2019t worried about making and keeping his fortune, or paying his workers \u2013 any short-term worries.\u00a0 No, he was concerned about his own personal spiritual life and living for eternity.\u00a0 He was thinking for the LOOOONG term, and only about himself.<\/p>\n And Jesus gave him the \u201cChristian 101\u201d answer \u2013 obey the Commandments.\u00a0 Jesus listed several of them:\u00a0 do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother \u2013 all of these are commandments that speak of how we are to interact with each other.\u00a0 All of them are ways to do right by each other, and therefore be pleasing to God.<\/p>\n The man had studied his Scripture.\u00a0 \u201cTeacher, I have kept these commandments from my youth.\u201d\u00a0 In this the man revealed that he was not the average petitioner \u2013 that he was educated in the Jewish Law and had kept that Law while growing up.<\/p>\n At this point, Jesus realizes that the man needs the \u201cAdvanced Christian\u201d course \u2013 possibly even graduate level study.\u00a0 It\u2019s time for the harder part of being one of his followers.\u00a0 He looked at the man, seeing him as only Jesus could. He loves the man \u2013 yes, it says that in the text \u2013 and gave him the hard words \u201cYou lack one thing.\u00a0 Go and sell everything that you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.\u00a0 Then, come, follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n These words were hard indeed.\u00a0 This man had worked his whole life to accumulate this wealth.\u00a0 And he believed that he was doing what God wanted him to do.\u00a0 Several places in the Hebrew Scriptures it says that those who obey God\u2019s commandments will be rewarded with prosperity and material wealth.\u00a0 The Hebrew Scriptures also<\/span> remind us many times and command us to take care of those in need and to transform unjust economic systems.\u00a0 Before speaking to Jesus, he thought he was doing the right thing \u2013 that he had found things in Scripture that supported his choice to gather wealth.\u00a0 Jesus saw him and knew differently \u2013 that he wasn\u2019t following all of the scriptures, and so Jesus offered a challenge, one that was about more than the man\u2019s own personal question.<\/p>\n It is important to see what he was being offered.\u00a0 The language used here \u2013 \u201cfollow me\u201d – is the same language that Jesus used earlier in calling his disciples.\u00a0 The man was being offered a chance to become a disciple!\u00a0 But first he must do what the other disciples have done \u2013 turn his world upside down.\u00a0 He must give up his personal ideas about what is right and what is wrong, and take up the new way that Jesus offers.\u00a0 He\u2019s quite far along that path \u2013 he has already mastered the basic requirements of the Commandments.\u00a0 But to be one of the first Christians, he needs to go further, and take the hard steps of personal sacrifice and re-learning the way that his faith asks him to live. (*bark from pews* – That\u2019s one.)[1]<\/a><\/p>\n But he can\u2019t.\u00a0 We don\u2019t know exactly why, but the instruction and invitation cause this man to go away, with sorrow and a fallen face.\u00a0 The text says that he went away because \u201che had many possessions.\u201d\u00a0 We can only assume that he was unable to accept the changes that are caused by following Christ \u2013 the turning of his world upside down that comes with the belief in Jesus.<\/p>\n Belief in Jesus brings a lot of upside-down to our lives, and to the lives of those who knew him.\u00a0 Jesus lived in a way that crossed the rules of Jewish society.\u00a0 He lived according to values that were not necessarily held by the culture that he was a part of.\u00a0 Jesus regularly associated with people who were not acceptable to most \u2013 tax collectors, lepers, even prostitutes.\u00a0 Jesus regularly broke the rules about what you can and cannot do on the Sabbath, and helped people to eat and to heal.\u00a0 Taking care of those in need and showing them respect were important parts of Jesus\u2019 teaching.<\/p>\n Lately I\u2019ve been reading the book \u201cTuesdays with Morrie\u201d by Mitch Albom.\u00a0 This is the true story of a young man, established in his career, who goes back to Boston to visit his professor, a professor who is dying.\u00a0 They meet once a week for fourteen weeks, and just talk.\u00a0 One day they talked about the culture that we live in.\u00a0 Morrie, who is the professor, said \u201cPeople are only mean when they are threatened.\u00a0 And that\u2019s what our culture does.\u00a0 That\u2019s what our economy does.\u00a0 Even people who have jobs in our economy are threatened, because they worry about losing them.\u00a0 And when you get threatened, you start looking out only for yourself.\u00a0 You start making money a god.\u00a0 It is all part of this culture.\u201d\u00a0 This is just as true today as it was in 1995 when Morrie said it, and it was true in Jesus\u2019 time as well.\u00a0 The rich man was a part of a culture like that \u2013 where most people valued wealth and power rather than doing right by each other.<\/p>\n Following Jesus calls us to believe and think and do things that cross the values of our own society.\u00a0 While parts of society tell us that building up wealth and personal security are the most important values, our faith calls us to help those in need \u2013 those who are not doing as well \u2013 financially, physically, or spiritually.\u00a0 Society tells us to imitate each other, particularly in consumption \u2013 getting the latest smart phone or television or car \u2013 while our faith calls us to love each other as we love ourselves.\u00a0 Society today pushes us to think first of ourselves, then of the community, while Jesus saw everything as a communal.\u00a0 What would it look like if those of us who have enough money \u2026 and maybe a little more \u2026 gave some of that to others?\u00a0 What would it look like if we increased our priorities in this congregation on mission giving and mission service in our community?\u00a0 What would it look like if those who have skills and free time found a way to help others with their needs?\u00a0 These actions show our upside down values \u2013 values that don\u2019t match the world around us, but do match our faith, values that show that we are committed to the community.\u00a0 Consider what following those upside-down values might look like.<\/p>\n Millard Fuller was a self-made millionaire from Alabama, who at the age of 29 was facing physical, relational and spiritual challenges because of his success.\u00a0 He was experiencing a crisis about the kind of life that he was leading.\u00a0 And after doing some soul-searching, he \u2013 along with his wife – decided to recommit himself to his Christian background.\u00a0 He and his wife decided to sell everything that they own, gave the money to the poor, and looked for a way to live their faith.\u00a0 They went to live at Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia and searched for a way to apply themselves to the problems of the world in a Christian way.\u00a0 Ultimately, they focused on housing for the poor.\u00a0 They felt that what the poor needed was help getting started, rather than charity, in order to build a new life for themselves.\u00a0 They began working to build modest houses with no-profit, no-interest loans, and they asked the new homeowners to build \u201csweat equity\u201d in their home and the homes of others in the program by working on the buildings.\u00a0 In doing so, they reduced the cost of each house to something that the homeowners could afford, and also allowed the homeowners to build pride in their work, as well as strong relationships.\u00a0 In 1976, this organization became Habitat for Humanity, which has now built over 500,000 homes.\u00a0 Fuller is quoted as saying, \u201cI see life as both a gift and a responsibility. My responsibility is to use what God has given me to help people[2]<\/a> in need.\u201d\u00a0 Fuller heard Jesus\u2019 call to turn his life upside down and follow him.<\/p>\n This example is very much like the choice that the rich man in our passage faced, and in Mr. Fuller we have a man who chose to take that other option.\u00a0 While the changes that he made in his life, after a decision to align that life with the call of Jesus, helped to heal his broken soul they did so much more than that.\u00a0 These changes allowed for something new to begin and grow, helping to bring about the mission of God in our world.<\/p>\n So this leaves us with a few questions to ponder \u2013<\/p>\n What is Christ calling you to do that is at odds with the messages of the world, in a big way or in a small way?\u00a0 Are you being called to leave something behind that doesn\u2019t match your Christian values?\u00a0 Are you being called to use free time or resources that you have today to do something to help others?\u00a0 Can you pray for the needs of others?<\/p>\n How<\/span> are you asked to act in a way that is upside down, and yet right?<\/p>\n How are you<\/span> asked to act in a way that is upside down, and yet right?<\/p>\n May we all find a way to follow the call of Jesus in our lives, so that the community can reap the rewards that God has in store for all of us.\u00a0 Amen.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Before the service, during Announcements, the pastor quoted something I\u2019d said before the service in her office:\u00a0 \u201cMy rule is that if you bark three times, you come up and preach the sermon.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Earlier records of kidney disorder, liver dysfunction heart infections should be informed to doctor to bring back to normal stage. buy levitra where<\/a> Male impotency is not a typical cialis professional australia<\/a> consequence of maturing. However, there are many anti-depressant medications these days cialis cost australia midwayfire.com<\/a> that can provide you with enhanced and real-time visibility and controls for the delivery of optimized order fulfillment services. These side effects of viagra<\/a> simple techniques relax muscles and promote oxygen throughout the blood. <\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/marktime.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/2012-10-14_13-13-23_418-169x300.jpg\" "\\"Church")
<\/a>