Whether you’re joining Emmanuel, have joined recently, or simply want to dig deep this coursework will allow you to ask questions, challenge yourself, and grow in the faith. Our lives are constant journeys of growth as children of God. Every day is a new opportunity to grow into the person God created us to be, however it often takes us being intentional about this growth. This is that kind of intentional opportunity.

Session topics will include: the Biblical story, Jesus, Acts of the Apostles and beyond, a brief history and the nature of the Church, Christian beliefs and Lutheran theology, worship, liturgy, Sacraments, Creeds, Christian living and discipleship and more.

Dates: Wednesdays April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23
Time: 6:30-8:00 PM
Location: Emmanuel Lutheran Church Price Fellowship Hall
Food: There will be pizza available to accommodate any hungry tummies (free-will donation)
Instructor: Rev. James Wood, an ordained member of our congregation
If possible, RSVP by calling the church office or e-mail: adminelc@verizon.net.
Read more at: www.pastoraaron.com/blog

Mark 8:31-38

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Virginia Beach, VA

Second Sunday in Lent

March 4, 2012

As many of you know, I was not here last Sunday. Meredith’s grandmother Ruth died two Sundays ago now in Oak Ridge, TN. We had a nice little road trip to visit with family and have a very nice memorial service. Grandma Ruth was an amazing woman who lived one amazing life. I know I’ve spoken of her before so you may remember that she was a true servant of Christ. Not perfect, because nobody is, but about as close as one can get. She loved her church and all the people in it. She loved serving Christ at the church. She loved serving Christ in the community. As a member and volunteer at countless organizations over the years she was known as a model of caring servanthood. It was never about her. She loved the Lord and everything she did was for Him and His glory. And that kind of sacrifice (to her) no longer seemed like sacrifice; she died a joy-filled woman. She will be missed by many people. Maybe you know someone like this.

I titled this sermon “The Purpose of Life” because through my prayerful study this week I realized the best insight I received was hearing the words of reflection by family at Ruth’s memorial service. She was someone who understood the purpose of life.

What is the purpose of life? Someone once said they hadn’t figured it out yet because every time they figured it out somebody changed it. Have you ever asked yourself what the purpose of life is? I know I have. Another way of asking it is: “What is my purpose?” Many years back Rick Warren came out with the book, The Purpose Driven Life. It became a bestseller almost overnight because this question about “purpose” has been going on a long time. Well, our purpose must be pretty elusive because people keep asking it. Why can’t we figure it out?

Might I suggest that perhaps our problem is our idea of who God is? Perhaps we don’t understand God and his simple purpose for our lives. Or perhaps we begin to understand our purpose but don’t really want to own it because initially God’s purpose seems pretty ridiculous. But, if you were to ask any of the people who knew Grandma Ruth if she thought God’s purpose for her life was ridiculous they would look at you funny. The purpose of life for Ruth was simple, yet amazing and profound: we’ll get to it soon.

Let’s look at today’s gospel reading to begin to understand the words of Jesus before us today. It’s in two main sections with another one missing. This reading should really have started back in verse 27 when Jesus and his disciples enter some towns that are very imperial in nature (Caesarea Philippi); they are far from the Jewish faith in influence, lifestyle, art, culture, etc. And looking around, perhaps Jesus thought that his guys didn’t understand Jesus’ purpose. Maybe they thought he was to be an imperial Messiah, a warrior king who would brandish his sword and take back his people’s holy land. So Jesus asked his disciples a question: “Who do people say that I am?” They saic John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets. “But who do you say that I am?” e.g. What is my identity?…because that will tell you my purpose. Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Bingo—Peter got part of his identity right but did the disciples understand Jesus’ full identity as the Son of God and his purpose yet? No, so Jesus told them to hush because they only understood part of the story.

In the second part of our story today Jesus clarified what being the Messiah, the Son of Man, meant: suffering, rejection by the religious authorities, being killed, and then being raised after three days. Ever been to a vacation spot or resort that did not end up looking like it did on the brochure? Well, Peter basically said: hey, this wasn’t on the brochure, that’s not what the messiah is supposed to be like! Peter rebuked Jesus. But that didn’t go over well. Jesus then said, “Get behind me Satan!…you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Peter, you may have my identity partially right but you sure as heck don’t have my purpose right!

And in the last section of our story today Jesus tells us his purpose and therefore also ours: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

Life, according to Jesus, is denying one’s self, and following him. And where would we follow Jesus? What did he do in his lifetime? He fed people, he healed people, he gave new life, he loved and listened to those people that no one else would love and listen to…he served people in need. That’s it, the purpose of life: loving, humble service to others in the name of Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel of John Jesus says: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34). That seems pretty straightforward: love others like God loves us. And in the Gospel of Matthew a lawyer asks Jesus this question: “Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” And Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mat 22:36-39). And here too: 1) love God, and 2) love others. Loving, humble service to others is the purpose of life. Jesus modeled that and he calls us to follow him in that kind of life.

So why is this so hard for us? Why do we distance ourselves from this simple purpose? Maybe we want something more flashy. Maybe we’re selfish. Maybe we don’t feel all that loving. Maybe it seems there’s just no time to do for others and still maintain our own lives. Maybe we don’t like the others around us. Maybe we don’t know enough about others and what they need. Maybe we have our routines and serving others doesn’t fit. Maybe we’re just lazy. Or maybe…our idea of who God is, is just a little off.

Peter had an idea of who Jesus was and he was partially right. But did Peter understand that Jesus was the Son of God? No. Did Peter understand that Jesus’ purpose was to go, suffer, die, and be raised? No. Do we have the wrong idea of who God is?

I think we often expect our lives to run better and nicer because we’re Christian. But when something terrible happens, when you lose your job, when you hear that diagnosis, when you hear the word “divorce” from your spouse, when a loved one dies…we kind of scratch our heads and ask the question, “Hey, I’m a Christian, don’t I get some special treatment? Why did this have to happen?” Doesn’t God care? Is our idea of who God is a little off?

You see our God is unconventional. Our God is not malleable to our expectations. Jesus invites us to know a God who is much different than we expect. Yes, God cares. In fact, our God sent his son to die at humanity’s (our own) sinful hands, only to be raised from the dead to save those very same murderers from an eternity of separation from God. What?! The Gospel itself doesn’t make sense. And if the Gospel itself doesn’t make sense then it’s not so strange that God’s simple purpose for our lives doesn’t make sense either. But does that make it ridiculous and crazy? I don’t think so.

The purpose of life: loving, humble service to others in the name of Jesus Christ. You’ve wanted to know all these years; that’s it! And do you want to see just how brilliant God is? By loving others in this manner we are also loving God Himself: the two greatest commandments in living out our simple purpose.

So what does living out our purpose look like today? What does losing your life mean today? What does denying yourself mean today? What does taking up your cross mean today? It means a couple things:

1) It means we are challenged to think of others before ourselves. Sometimes I have to admit I just can’t be bothered by other people’s needs. Yes, that’s your totally 100% human pastor talking. It’s hard to put others first but two unexpected things happen when we do. a) We find it’s enjoyable; it creates joy in us. We all know it feels better to give than to receive. And, b) it gets easier and more a part of your nature over time. Like anything, it will get easier with practice. We are challenged to think of others before ourselves but it’s joy-filled and gets easier over time.

2) Another thing our call to serve others means is that we will become better people through building up of our Christian character. Losing our life, denying ourselves, and taking on the cross of servanthood, builds on our Christian character. When we have incorrect ideas about who God is, often we’re imagining a God who will cater to our needs and desires. We warp an all-loving God into a me-loving God. But that kind of limiting makes us small and selfish people. But on the other hand, have you known people in your life that have shined with a depth of character so much that their presence is larger than life? That’s because it is. Their larger than life presence is because God walks with them; their character has been forged into people of humble strength and wisdom. There’s less of them and more of God. They know well the call to loving, humble service to others in the name of Jesus Christ. It has built their Christian character.

You know, God is full of surprises. I would never have preached on this topic had I not recounted the servant life of Grandma Ruth this week. Who would have guessed that Jesus dying would allow God to win? And just as startling, who knew that God’s amazing and profound purpose for our life would be so simple?

Surprises are good because we have a chance to take a break from what we thought was reality and re-evaluate where we’re going from here. I’ve been surprised this week. It turns out the purpose of life is: loving, humble service to others in the name of Jesus Christ. It requires losing one’s life, denying one’s self, carrying your cross, which all sound like terrible things…until you see them in action from a life well lived. Grandma Ruth, and many other saints, have shown us that living this way may start out challenging but it builds character and leads to a joy-filled life and happy ending.

It turns out; our purpose is not about us…and that’s just the way God planned it.

Thanks be to God!

Amen

Elections:
Bishop James Mauney was re-elected to another 6 year term as bistop of the VA Synod of the ELCA in the first vote.

Other Elections:
Vice-President: The Honorable Charles Position
Secretary: Ms. Janet Gomez
Synod Coucil
Consulation Committee
Committee on Discipline

Resolutions:
General Resolution 2011 – Passed
A Resolution on Congregational Mission Support – Passed
Pastor Patte Thisted Arthur – Passed
Memorial Acknowledging 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent – Passed
Resolution on Bi-Annual Synod Assemblies – Passed
Resolution on Welcoming All Lutherans – Passed

The youth joined on a few occasions, it was wonderful to see their excitement!
Worship/recognitions

Worship, held at the Bask Center at Roanoke College:
The Assembly enjoyed Daily Worship in the
The Assembly also enjoyed a wonderful worship experience with the Youth Assembly at St. Andrew’s Chatholic Church, Roanoke,VA

Recognitions:
Retirement of the Rev. Dr. Jean Bozeman who has served the synod since 1989.
Anniversaries of Ordination
Retiring Pastors
Anniversaries of Congregations

Keynote/ELCA Greeting
Keynote
The keynote speaker was Dr. Jessicah Krey Duckworth

3 Big Points:
Life-long Faith Formation
Christian Principles
Life at the Foot of the Cross
Keynote Address #1
Keynote Address #2

ELCA Greeting from David Swartling, Secretary of the ELCA
As “God’s hands” we remember Mission Support and to get our hands dirty doing God’s Work.
The budget is looking very good for the coming year.
For the first time in 3 years the synod staff will receive a small pay raise in this budget.
We need to remember we are a church of the 3 R’s.

The 3 R’s:
Resurrection
Reformation
Reconciliation

Bishop’s Plan
Bishop’s Plan for the Furture:
Basics – The Leadership should know Luther and the confessions.
The Leadership need to remember the covent of the ministry.
We all need lift up candiates for the minstry and children.
We need to minister to the youth.
Give with generous hearts.
Know our neighbors.

minutes from the Synod
You’re all invited to next year’s Assembly which will be 8-10 June 2012, Please mark your calendar!