Joy in God’s Glory
Psalm 111
MARK 1: 21-28
January 28, 2024
Over the last week or so it seems that I have witnessed an interesting variety of discussions on religion. Some of you when asked about your religion might say you are a United Methodist or a Christian but when you state your religion are you telling the world what you believe or merely what you belong to? Or perhaps … perhaps when you make that statement you smile, you feel an inner joy that shines outward as you declare who you belong to, Jesus the Christ.
Yes, I know that the sign out front and on our legal documents has St. Paul’s defined as being a church, a member church of the United Methodist Church but if you look up at the entrance way you will see one of the many extended names that St. Paul’s has been called through our history … ever since a revival filled with joy and anticipation was held on these grounds back in the mid 1850’s. Always tied to the Methodist movement … always associating what this church’s primary messages are with those expressed and taught by John Wesley reflective of the teaching of Jesus Christ and the expectations of God for those who believe: “God works, therefore you can work; God works therefore you must work. Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.”
I celebrate the Wesleyan connection that I have found in the United Methodist Church. I absolutely am thankful that the very foundations of our church are linked to a spirit where we welcome all people to join us on Sunday’s and are focused on caring for those who are hurting in the world. United Methodists do not put restrictions on the Lord’s Table for Holy Communion, which we celebrate here at St. Paul’s EVERY WEDNESDAY and on the first Sunday of each month. We do not empower pastors such as myself with the dictatorial power to conduct a litmus test to determine which humans can and cannot … because we have discovered in the Bible and I hope together we believe that God teaches us to love all of our neighbors equally and that no where in the Scriptures does it say to hurt other human beings, all of whom are created in God’s Holy image, by treating them in a radically different way than we expect to be treated just because of the people they are. As a United Methodist Church we come together regardless of our differences and at St. Paul’s we come together as an amazing church family who care for each other and worship with joy not judgment.
I have spent this past week with brothers and sisters in ministry whose front door signs feature the words Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian and you know what … we were united not by some religious dogma but by our faith. These people of faith today are, like me, standing in front of church families … I have no idea what their messages of the day will be nor whether our gatherings this week impacted those messages as much as their smiling faces, conversations, and hugs and handshakes have impacted mine. However, I know their messages will reflect Jesus Christ.
You see friends … in our journey through life we will have our share of ups and downs. Many bemoan and focus on the downs always finding definition in the dark clouds of the storm and some … perhaps some of you … float in between the happy and the upsetting times … but my question of the day, which has its beginning on those clinging to religion as part of their definition is whether or not you have been changed so that you find joy in God’s glory? That joy is your essential operating feeling as you go through your daily routines because of Jesus Christ.
In today’s Gospel reading Mark uses an essential phrase that those of us in the 21st century perhaps have camouflaged by associating ourselves in religion or defining who we are through association. Mark does not spend time in his Gospel reflecting on the childhood of Jesus but instead gets into the teaching … the messaging … or what Jesus himself is quoted as saying. In verse 15 of this first chapter of Mark, Jesus declares … “NOW IS THE TIME!! Change your hearts and lives and trust THIS GOOD NEWS!”
In this first chapter of Mark, you can quickly read a review of the calling of Simon and Andrew and of James and John and you will discover the phrase that I think we sidestep or push aside with ease when it comes to living out there in the world. An essential truth that tilts the balance in life towards joy and away from the clouds of despair so often stirred up in the world.
Who in those early days went into Capernaum with Jesus? What did Simon, whom we know as Peter, Andrew, James, and John do … “they FOLLOWED Him. Jesus and His FOLLOWERS went into Capernaum.” They did not create names for themselves because Jesus mattered … following Him was what God wanted them to do.
Followers of Jesus … NOW IS THE TIME … changed hearts and lives … trusting the GOOD NEWS … and Jesus in those early moments amazed and wowed the crowd by tossing out the demon of this world from that person in the synagogue; not even a person out on the street but one who had come to the place where God was worshiped but someone still not right; still challenged; still being torn apart by the world’s reality and clearly without peace and without joy … Jesus changing the heart of the one filled with the world who understood that Jesus is the Holy One who came from God but who had not yet taken on Christ. JESUS SHOUTED “Silence!” Because the man tried to repeat a religious statement because change was needed …
Don’t you think in that moment of transition the one who lost the world but gained Jesus Christ was filled with joy? That person changed their heart … that person’s unclean worldly spirit left him and then those who had witnessed the power of Jesus Christ actually didn’t leave that knowledge in the Synagogue they told others about Christ … they verified that they were followers not just those acknowledging Jesus and the news about Jesus spread throughout the entire region of Galilee! And, don’t you think it was a message of joy … I sure do! Followers share their joy-filled experience because it matters!
The change was not merely a happy moment but a joy-filled transitional experience that comes when we actually invest our time to align with God. Fully understanding what it means to follow Jesus versus doing the religious thing by saying “I know who Jesus is” and then hurrying to again be enveloped by the world’s pushing and shoving and side aligning. The question from the one filled with the world’s unclean spirit while never specifically answered … “Jesus of Nazareth, have you come to destroy us?” The answer … yes, Jesus came to bring us back to God and to shine the light on the path God wants us to be on and that is a path friends that gives us joy in God’s glory!
So, on this last Sunday of January in this new year of 2024 … only a few days away from the start of the Lenten season … we get down to the nitty gritty don’t we. We are all in church or connected online to St. Paul’s. We all are fully aware of the world’s realities and perhaps we understand the truths and consequences of accepting and focusing in on what the world offers up to us each day. The demon-possessed individual had accepted the world but was changed through Christ. Before the change the demon-possessed individual was there in the middle of the synagogue and all we know is that the world possessed that person until Jesus got into his face.
I am hoping that in this year we can focus in on the joy we get when we understand God and Christ. The joy in God’s glory … not happiness in the moment but something that is longer lasting … taking us through this journey into our eternal life.
I went looking for the definition of happiness versus joy and found the common theme is that happiness is a temporary emotional state whereas “joy is a stronger, less common feeling than happiness.” On diffen.com I read an interesting explanation of joy, “[1]witnessing or achieving selflessness to the point of personal sacrifice frequently triggers this emotion. Feeling spiritually connected to God with an inward peace and contentment.” Sounds like Paul’s statement about “the peace of God which transcends all understanding that will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” No surprise then that it is Paul who declares “REJOICE in the LORD ALWAYS!”
Have you made the selfless decision to give up some of you and the world to align with Jesus Christ? To pick up your cross to follow Him leaving behind your worldly connection? Is this the year? Can you dismiss the pressures to join in the world’s chanting in order to discover the peace and joy that God offers even in the storm?
Our Psalm today offers both instructions and results of having faith versus religion. “Praise the Lord … thank the Lord with all of your heart in the company of those who do right and in the congregation! Treasure and desire the works of the Lord!” So, yes there is an expectation that the faithful will come together for the common good. There is a sense that in our praise is the outpouring of joy!
“The works of the Lord are magnificent! God’s deeds are majestic and glorious! God’s righteousness stands forever! God is famous for God’s wondrous works! The Lord is full of mercy and compassion. God remembers God’s covenant forever. God sent redemption for God’s people.”
And, I think about my fellow clergy who with me eagerly planned this year’s Lenten Lunch series for the Wednesday’s beginning on February 21st. the discussion was not about one specific church nor church name … it was not about who received credit … it was about joy and excitement in connecting together in praise and worship and discovery of our God!
I can shout with joy, “Holy and awesome is God’s name!” I feel an inner peace knowing not only is Jesus mine but I am Him. I can sing the only hymn “Change my heart oh Lord …” knowing there is still work to be done but may my heart ever be true. I hope your hearts are with me … your joy is outgoing and you, like those who witnessed the transformation of the person in the synagogue are out in the world telling the story of Jesus with a joy that encourages others to discover what you have in your life. AMEN