Worship Preview 5.25.25 Resurrection Stories: Whatabout...

This Sunday: 10:30am –  5th Sunday of Easter – Resurrection Stories: Whatabout…  Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures: Ephesians 4:1-24, and John 21:15-24

Last week, I talked about how important the understanding of the Imagio Dei – the image of God – was for John Wesley’s theology. God doesn’t need us. God is sufficient. Rather, God desires us. We are created out of God’s abundant love and desire for relationship with all of creation. In Genesis 1, God intentionally creates. During the first parts of creation, when waters are separated, light is called forth, land and seas,  the sun and moon set in the heavens; plants, trees and creatures fill the land, birds the air and fish the sea – at the end of each “day” God sees that it is good. Creation is good. When humans are created – male and female – each in God’s image, God says it is “very good.” Humanity was intended to bear God’s image. As I said last week, Wesley understood humans to have a natural, political and moral image. Briefly, these images outline that we are we are spiritual beings with freedom of will, created to engage in fruitful relationship with others as caretakers of creation, and intended for holiness and righteousness. The story told in Genesis 2 and 3 also starts with God’s intentional creation, first molding and breathing life into A’dam – the first human. As the story continues, temptation and sin enter the picture and corrupts every aspect of our humanity. However, that is not the end of the story. Through grace, we can be restored or re-created. Whether we use metaphors of judgement and pardon or illness and therapeutic healing, this renewal is at the center of Wesleyan theology.

I mentioned last week that another great analogy for this renewal is being “clothed with Christ” or “putting on the new self.” We read that from Colossians 3 and I mentioned that Paul uses the analogy several times. We find it in Galatians, Romans, and this week’s text – Ephesians. It is another passionate plea for believers to go deeper and become followers of Christ. To set aside old, worldly, and yes, sinful, patterns of control and domination and instead be renewed, following Christ with humility and gentleness. It is a difficult path, yet, as a seminary professor of mine often said “if its repeated, it’s important.” This is our call.

Often, when confronted with a difficult truth, we evade with a tactic called “whatabout…” – Sure, this thing is bad but what about that thing? We confuse issues, complicate, and distract rather than dealing with the challenge. Or we rationalize our own shortcomings by amplifying someone else’s. Jesus deals with this multiple times. In Matthew 7, for example, he challenges the religious leader’s hypocrisy – condemning their fixation on other people’s “specks” while ignoring the “logs” in their own eyes. And we, as the readers of Scripture, cheer him on! They are getting theirs… right?

In Sunday’s Gospel reading it gets a bit more personal. In John 21, the disciples, found back in old patterns, are again invited to renewal – to recognize they are called to participate in what Christ is doing in the world. To realize they cannot truly live outside of Christ – their effort comes up as empty as their nets. This week we continue to read in this last chapter of John’s Gospel and how the disciples, and as an example, particularly Peter, are called to deeper relationship with God. Through Peter, we are called to feed God’s sheep and tend God’s lambs. And we are called to recognize that each of our calls are different. Peter wants to know “what about him.” Jesus responds “What is it to you?... Follow me.”

Jesus doesn’t engage the “whatabout…” Jesus focuses and invites Peter – and us – to focus on our own unique call as a part of the family of God. Over and over, the message of Scripture – repeated and important – is that we are each gifted differently, each a part of the body of Christ. We do not “put on” the cloth of Christ alone, but together!

So as we have proclaimed throughout this series, your story is not over. We believe our stories can be rewritten each and every day! Whatever binds you, whatever locks you up, whatever keeps you from the life for which you were created…can be rolled away, opened, released… It is not easy or quick, but let this Easter be a vision of your life unlocked – your life as a Resurrection Story! Alleluia. Amen! We hope you will join us at 10:30am Sunday at 301 S. National.

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, May 28th Feeding Families in His Name:  This “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. This free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving. 

Vacation Bible School – June 16th -20th 5:30-8pm at 1st Presbyterian (308 S. Crawford). Come on a “Road Trip” with us to learn more about God and each other! Register at www.firstumcfortscott/vbs or by calling 1st Presbyterian’s church office at (620) 224-2055.