Father’s Day Sermon–A Few Words

Sermon Title: The Voice of Stillness – Father’s Day Sermon

                Good News Statement: Jesus redirects our visions

Preached: Sunday, June 19, 2022 at Dogwood Prairie UMC & Seed Chapel UMC

Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.

 

Scripture (NRSV): Luke 8:26-39 Today’s scripture reading comes from the Gospel of Luke chapter eight verses twenty-six thru thirty-nine. Listen to the words of Jesus as he reminds us of the Fathers in our life…

Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac

²⁶ Then they arrived at the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. ²⁷ As he stepped out on shore, a man from the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had not worn any clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, shouting, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me,” ²⁹ for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) ³⁰ Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. ³¹ They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

³² Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding, and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. ³³ Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd stampeded down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

³⁴ When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵ Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they became frightened. ³⁶ Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. ³⁷ Then the whole throng of people of the surrounding region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. ³⁸ The man from whom the demons had gone out begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”

Introduction:

Four men are in the hospital waiting room because their wives are having babies. A nurse goes up to the first guy and says, “Congratulations! You’re the father of twins.” “That’s odd,” answers the man. “I work for the Minnesota Twins!” A nurse says to the second guy, “Congratulations! You’re the father of triplets!” “That’s weird,” answers the second man. “I work for the 3M company!” A nurse tells the third man, “Congratulations! You’re the father of quadruplets!” “That’s strange,” he answers. “I work for the Four Seasons hotel!” The last man is groaning and banging his head against the wall. “What’s wrong?” the others ask. “I work for 7 Up!”

Today is Father’s Day, and in the words of my own father today is the day to remind himself that one kid was great, two kids is okay, three kids is questionable, and where did the fourth kid come from! Father’s Day, similar to Mother’s Day, is a day that we take a break from what we are doing to recognize the important father-like figures in our life: those we played catch with, worked in the garage with, learned the importance of duct-tape with, took to heart the phrase “rub some dirt on it” with, and those who have given us a legacy to live and to carry out. Father’s Day, which became a National Holiday in 1972 under the leadership of President Richard Nixon, is a day we remember, appreciate, and honor our fathers and the many father-like figures in our life: let their teachings, words of wisdom and legacy continue to be the lamp unto our path and a light upon our feet.

Speaking of Fathers, we find several famous fathers in the Bible that have given us life lessons to live by. Additionally, they have provided all fathers with characteristics that can help them be the friend, advisor, teacher, hero, example, and the reliable resource that many of us need on a daily basis in order to function and navigate this crazy and uncertain world. The actions of these famous fathers help layout the context for our encounter with Jesus today. Jesus, by choosing to help an outcast, someone who is feared and neglected, sleeping among the tombs, proves to all of us that Jesus is more than a name. Jesus is a person who is willing to be a father and friend to many. Jesus comforts us in a time of need. Jesus provides us with love when we are down-and-out. Jesus embraces us when life is difficult. Jesus is the friend, advisor, teacher, hero, example, and reliable resource who guides us to be who he needs us to be. Jesus is the ultimate Father in our life.

Opening Prayer:

            Let us pray… Dear Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the fathers and father-like figures in our life. May their words of wisdom and love nurture our spirits and guide our hearts as we too become a reliable resource to all. May my words fall to the ground as Your words settle in the hearts of all those before me. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

Body:

Why is it that sometimes Jesus asks obvious questions? For example, he asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” to blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10). Or when he approaches the man on the mat and asks, “How can I help you?” Other times Jesus just sometimes acts without asking. But in the text today, Jesus isn’t the first one to ask a question. The demon possessed, naked,  man runs to Jesus, falls down on his knees, and shouts out a question to Jesus, “What have you to do with me” (Luke 8:28). This question was asked after Jesus started to work.

This whole situation that conspires between the man, the demons, and Jesus is kind of curious and interesting. The man, who has been neglected by his own community—family and friends—runs to Jesus, a stranger who is accompanied by other individuals. And Jesus responds to this man. Jesus responds to this man not like how some of us may respond to someone who asks where something is in the grocery store while we are in a hurry. But Jesus responds to this man with compassion and kindness; much like our fathers may have done when we sought help from them. Additionally, the demons, who are living inside of this man, knew Jesus. Not only did they know of Jesus, but they knew what he was capable of. This situation is interesting.

The man simply says to Jesus, “I beg you, do not torment me” (Luke 8:29). Seeing  the guard outside the cave and noticing the chains and shackles that constrained the man and knowing the pain and torture that this man has endured for many years, Jesus realizes what he has to do to rescue this man. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. After he does this, I wonder if Jesus wanted to say, “Now don’t bother me. Go ask your mom.” But we know that is not the case. Jesus takes the time to get to know the many demons in this man and to listen to what they were seeking. Jesus then asked the man, “What is your name?” (Luke 8:30). The man said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. They then begged Jesus to send them into the abyss (Luke 8:30-31). At this point, Jesus begins to be a father to this man. He helps this man, he listens to the requests of the demons, and he stops what he is doing to make sure that things are going to be okay. When Jesus asked, “What is your name?”, yes he was being polite, but he was also being considerate and compassionate to this man. Psalm 100:13 says, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” Jesus, in just a few words, gives what this man has been seeking his entire life: compassion and acceptance.

This moment in Jesus’ ministry reminds me of my own father. There have been many situations in which my father has said, “Go ask your mom”; but there have been numerous situations when my father has stopped what he was doing to listen to me and to offer advice. Now, my father is a man of few words unless you get him talking about work, winning the lottery, or what sort of projects he wants to do around the house. So when it comes to offering advice, it is brief, concise, but meaningful. Author Jared E. Alcántara illustrates the thinking of Jesus when tells the story of one of our Nation’s Founding Fathers. On a cold day in November 1863, two people were asked to address the people concerning the somber occasion that had taken place during the Civil War. The first featured speaker was Edward Everett; and according to Ted Widmer of the New York Times, “Everett had spent his entire life preparing for this moment.” As expected, Everett delivered the type of speech customary to the time: “a eulogy in the traditional style, spending two hours praising the virtues of the soldiers.” All in all, the speech contained roughly thirteen-thousand words.

When Everett concluded, the next speaker took his place in front of the crowd and delivered a 272-word speech that ran just over two minutes. The date was November 9, 1863. The title of the speech was the Gettysburg Address, and the other speaker was President Abraham Lincoln. President Abraham Lincoln started and finished the Gettysburg Address so quickly that most of the photographers did not have time to set up their equipment. Thus, no close-up photographs exist of Lincoln consecrating the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, and only about nine photographs exist of the ceremony. (The Practices of Christian Preaching (2019), Jared E. Alcántara, 102-103)  Jesus, like Lincoln and many of our fathers, knew exactly what to say when this man ran to him seeking help. He didn’t have to say a lot; but what he said changed the man’s life forever.

After listening to the demons plead their case for wanting to return to the abyss—where they are used to living with brokenness, living with hatred, living in fear and defeat—Jesus allows them to enter the swine and drown in the lake. Isn’t it amazing to realize that our fathers always knew what we needed before we even asked them? Jesus knows what we need, but is always willing to let us self-determine, even if our choices make things worse. Jesus was going to send the demons out; they chose to enter the pigs.

The theme of following requests continues for Jesus. Jesus left the villagers because they asked him too. He doesn’t put up a fuss; he doesn’t argue that he could do even more good, given the chance; he just goes. How many times with anger or even with kindness have we said, “No thanks, Jesus, I’ve got this”? “I’ll handle my own stuff. I’ll ride my own pigs, wherever they may take me.” It was fear that caused them to send Jesus away. Luke says, “They came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they became frightened” (Luke 8:35). It was a change that unsettled them. They’d grown used to this man being there on the edge of town, shouting in the darkness. He was useful for keeping the children in line. “Behave, or we’ll give you to the guy in the cemetery!” Now, he was just like you and me.

So, they got together and stirred up their fears and all went to Jesus and

asked him to leave. So, they could be safe, be great again. “What do you have to do with me, Jesus?” That’s our question too. “What does Jesus have to do with me?” For us personally, our answers will change depending on where we are in life. But in relation to fathers, Jesus is seeking you to carry on the legacy of some of the earlier fathers. Through Adam, fathers learn to obey God and to submit their love to him. Through Noah, fathers learn about commitment and protecting loved ones. Through Abraham, fathers learn that their mistakes are merely opportunities of growth and support. Through Isaac, fathers learn that love still exists when there are disagreements. Through Jacob, fathers learn about giving and receiving help. Through Moses, fathers learn that fear is part of being a father. Through King David, fathers learn to be examples for future generations. And through Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, fathers learn to be courageous even when life takes an unexpected turn.

From these early fathers, our father and father-like figures can say with confidence, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction…” (Proverbs 1:8), and “Listen to your father, who gave you life…” (Proverbs 23:22), and “I will be a father to you…” (2 Samuel 7:14-15 and 2 Corinthians 6:18). Because the demon possessed man listened to the instructions of Jesus, his new father in heaven, he was clothed and in his right mind, all he could think to do was to stay with Jesus.

He didn’t stay with Jesus—at least not in the way he probably imagined when he made his request. Instead, like us, he stayed with Jesus by telling his story to everyone he met. He chose, having been rescued from a life of despair, to live a life of hope and of joy, sharing the love of Jesus with all he encountered. Having faced his madness, he now found the stillness of contentment. He was now in his right mind; and that mind was focused on the mind of Christ. “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,” writes Paul to the Philippians (Phil 2:5).

We are being transformed, even as we seek to transform the world. The advice and wisdom that we received from our father and Jesus is what has transformed our life; but sometimes we have to do more listening than talking. We have to set ourselves aside and listen to a profound silence.

Just ask Elijah. He had come to the end of himself—the end of his strength, the end of his wisdom. And it is only in the strength of God’s presence that he could hope to continue his life’s journey. He was ready to give up. 1 Kings 19:1-8 reads, “Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die, ‘It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.’ He got up and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.”

You’ve been there, maybe not to the degree of wanting to give up on everything. Or maybe you have. Maybe someone you love has been there. It’s a place of despair, of surrender. It is not a place for condemnation, or shame, but of silence. God leads Elijah to the mountain and lets him experience a rock-shattering wind, then a mountain-shaking earthquake, and then a fire. I can only imagine what Elijah must have been feeling on that mountain: abandoned and alone, persecuted, hunted and hounded by his enemies and at the end of his strength. We’ve all been there.

But the text says God was not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire. So, where was God? The text says God was in the silence. One translation reads, “The still small voice.” There is serenity there, an echo of a presence—like the voice of your father when you are about to do something that you aren’t supposed to do. It is the voice of encouragement, the voice of presence—the still small voice that is hope. Another translation reads, “A sound of sheer silence.”  Elijah’s rebuttal is that he’s doing his best. And sometimes it feels as if he is the only one doing any work here, the only one putting his life at risk, the only one who represents the true God of Israel. “I alone am left,” says Elijah, which might be another way of saying, “Where have you been?”

Have any of you ever felt like Elijah or the man possessed by demons? You have been neglected, left alone, ignored, wanting help, or even experiencing an earth-quake—something that causes destruction in your life? In moments like this we want to experience obvious answers.  We want lightning and thunder to announce God’s presence in our life. We want it to be so obvious that it would be hard to doubt. But sometimes God works in quieter ways. God is present, even when it feels like absence. God is acting, even when it feels like stillness. God comes to our rescue, just when your father came to you in a time of need.

Like some of the father or father-like figures in your life, both God and Jesus respond in ways that seem appropriate for the situation. What we want to hear is not what we need to hear. My father is man of few words, but the words that he does share offer compassion and comfort and. My father, in a few words, has given me the love that I need to become more like him every day.  Lincoln, in a few words, brought peace and dedication to a grief-stricken nation. Jesus, in a few words, freed the demon possessed man and set him free. God, in a few words, saved Elijah and gave him strength to keep going. In a moment of silence where few words are spoken, our life can change. What has your father said to you that has changed your life? Have you returned the favor? Sometimes in silence we finally get the chance to hear the love that the important people in our life have for us.

Conclusion:

On page 144 of The United Methodist Hymnal is a hymn titled “This is My Father’s World,” and it reads as follows, “In the rustling grass, I hear him pass, God speaks to me everywhere.” These words are not only sung, but they are believed, proclaimed, and lived out. We are sustained by these words because they bring the assurance that God is with us wherever we go: listening to us, talking to us, and walking with us. These words bring stillness to our busy lives: we can hear the rustling of the grass, water as he rushes over rocks, the leaves as they respond to the wind; and we can even hear ourselves think. In a comforting way, these words remind us of the legacy and wisdom of the father-like figures in our life: those who walk with us, talk with us, and bring us compassion.

If only the man who worked for 7 UP realized that both Jesus and God would be there to comfort him during his years of fatherhood, then maybe his concern would have been turned into joy. On this Father’s Day, take time to say thank you to your father, to your step-father, and to the many father-like figures in your life. These important people are truly one of a kind, gifts from God. And they have certainly become a friend, an advisor, a teacher, a hero, an example, and someone reliable that has changed our lives either through many words or just a few words. In the words of Samuel, “I will be a father to [all]…[and] I’ll never remove my gracious love from [them]” (2 Samuel 7:14-15). Jesus is here to be a father to and for you. He is here to make sure that you receive the compassion and love that you need in this life.

 

Closing Prayer:

Let Us Pray…Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for taking care us. Thank you for Your words of wisdom and strength. Thank you for giving us the many father-like figures in our life—those who have cheered us on, encouraged us, challenged us, and have provided us with eternal love. Whether they are sitting next to You or walking with us today, we thank You for blessing our lives with these important people. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

Benediction:

How will you honor the father that was or is in your life, today? It’s never too late to say thank you and I love you to them. A few words can make a big difference. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, go, transforming lives as you live well and wisely in God’s world. Amen. Amen. Amen.