Silliman University Church Reflections

Mark 1:21-29
 
The Scripture text for the University Christian Life Emphasis Week in Eph. 5 says, “be careful how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil”. The UCLEW theme reminds us of the reality of evil today. And so in many Bible Study groups this week, we looked at evil once again, to recognize it, name it and confront it. Not surprisingly, it is not a very easy nor comfortable   topic. To paraphrase Alexandr Solzhenitsyn “If only evil people were found somewhere committing evil deeds, and we only have to separate them from the rest of us and then destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart? 

The ministry of Jesus’ apart from preaching, teaching, and healing confronts the ugliness of evil. Strangely, the ugliness is not always found outside of our four walls, but within our midst. The ugliness and the darkness, is often discovered in ourselves. The unclean spirits are within us.  

David Hume. “He who is willing to prevent evil, but is not able, is impotent. He who is able to prevent evil, but is not willing, is malevolent. Isn’t man both able and willing to prevent evil? So where does evil come from?

Its true. Look at any individual, how each one is a bundle of contradictions, of good intentions and often, bad actions. One of the exciting discussions in UCLEW this past week which I want to share with you is people’s understanding of evil.

1. What is evil and how do we deal with it?

Horrifying examples abound in daily life in Dumaguete. For example, how could a gang of young people rob an innocent couple and strip the earrings off their baby’s ear? How could anyone be so inhuman slashing the ear of a baby? How can someone so young want to kill another for fun? There are other horrifying examples. In drug abuse, how can a pusher, consciously sell a drug that he knows distorts the mind and does damage to another’s personality? How about those who cause unwanted teen pregnancies? How can one love and yet be so irresponsible and destroy the future of another person?

Is throwing trash on the street evil per se? Is cutting a tree evil per se? No. But when drainage systems are clogged and soil erosion cause floods and loss of lives, nobody is to blame and everybody is to blame. Talk about the Big E. Global warming. We all play a part in global warming. We are all energy consumers. If the weather creates havoc, kills and destroys property, who is responsible? Are we part of the evil of the world? What do you think?

In one Synthesis report: “Every attitude that prevents the community from experiencing the presence of God is evil. It includes obsession with work, pride, hate, sloth, lust, selfishness, greed, impatience and sin. An insensitive remark, may scar a person for life.

The opposite attitudes of humility, love, self-giving, generosity, patience and forgiveness enable the community to experience the presence of God.

2. What needs to be changed?

One of the major problems about evil is our inability to recognize it in ourselves. Note that the man who is possessed by a demon, encountered Jesus at the synagogue. He was a church goer. He knew who Jesus was. He heard the word preached by Jesus. He called Jesus the Holy One of God. Yet, he was found with an unclean spirit.

If we were honest we will all acknowledge that we have some unclean spirits in us — some evil, wicked ways. We have some habits that we just can’t kick. Some lifestyles we just can’t get away from; some compulsive natures that we can’t control. That is why we keep coming back to church.

We come to pray, Lord deliver us from evil. Deliver us from our impulse to lie and our fear to confess the truth. Deliver us from the spirit of robbery-our desire to steal whether it be money, office supplies, or university time. Lord, deliver us from our murderous natures- our abilities to assassinate each other’s character with ridicule, criticism, and scandal. Lord, deliver us from this evil- the desire to always do things our ways and go by our feelings and what we think rather than walking by faith and your word. Lord, deliver us from this evil coming to church, bringing our own agendas and plans. Deliver us from evil, Lord – our proneness to worry, our anxiety to always be in control, our refusal to worship you on account of our enemies in church, our excuses for and reasons for keeping our arms folded, lips tight, and legs cross when we should be up giving you praise and glorifying your name. Lord, deliver us. Deliver us, Jesus.

 3. How do we transform the groaning creation?

First we must learn to REPENT and respond to God’s word with immediacy or urgency.

 Jesus approached his ministry as though time was short. It really was. People responded to his word, as though they were running across the finish line. And that’s how we have to approach ministry. We have to respond as if this is the last day.

To be a disciple means to have contact with that which seems unclean. Ministry cannot be done from a distance. But rather ministry has to be done up close and personal. We have to get involved with people who project themselves to be clean. Jesus sought them out, so should we. I came for those who are sick, not those who are well. Jesus sought to make the filthy fit for the kingdom. And that is what he is calling the church today to do. Let us reach out to those who are untouched because they are unclean.

What’s amazing in this story is no one was shocked that there was a man with an unclean spirit in the church. No one was surprised at the presence of sin, even in church. It was just the way things were. We are accustomed to it. We accept it. We’ve learned to live with it. We have become objective towards sin rather than having authority over it.

Discipleship is personal. One can’t handle God’s ministry and not get personal. You lose your authority and you are no longer in control, but you are under control. And that’s a problem. We are no longer in control but we are under control. And to do ministry, you have to be in control. You see, although it did not surprise anyone that a man was with an unclean spirit in their church, it did surprise them that Jesus would use the authority to cast this demon out.

We too have been given authority to confront evil in our lives and around us. Jesus who encountered those unclean spirits long ago, is alive today, speaking, the good news today. Jesus declared to your unclean spirit, “Be silent, and come out.” Talking to those spirits of selfishness, jealousy, dissension , idolatry, and sloth “Be silent and come out.” To the spirits of drunkenness, rebellion “be silent and come out” To the spirit of doubt, fear, worry, and anxiety- I order you- be silent and come out. To that spirit of prejudice, hatred, and bigotry- be silent and come out. To the spirit of depression, the spirit of obesity, eating disorders, and nervous disorders- be silent and come out. To that spirit of sickness- AIDS, Cancer, Lupus “Be silent and come out.” To the spirit of addiction-cocaine, nicotine and caffeine, “be silent and come out.”

The days are evil. The evil is often in us. Let us not get used to these. Let us confess and confront evil today. Let us say “be silent and come out!” And let us pray for God’s grace. This evil is more than we can handle by ourselves. We are saved by God’s grace alone.

 
(Sermon delivered 10 am, Feb. 8, 2009, Silliman U Church)

Mark 1:14-20

Today we continue with stories of persons who encounter Jesus, & who experience an Epiphany. The close encounter with Jesus is life changing.

Last week’s sermon, was about the call of Philip and Nathaniel. Jesus had called Philip and Philip had told Nathanael come and see Jesus. At first Nathanael doubted saying “can anything good could come from Nazareth”, but when he came at close range and personally encountered Jesus, he believed and recognized the Son of God.

In today’s gospel lesson, we have another encounter between Jesus and four fishermen from Galilee. Our text says, “he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

This is a close encounter between fishermen and Jesus. The encounter overturns their lives. They leave their fishing nets and follow him immediately, urgently, unquestioningly.

This story could have ended quite differently. They could have scratched their heads and discussed the pros and cons with each other, their families and neighbors.

“They could have said,”well let us think about it for awhile, maybe God will change His mind

Maybe a big school of fish will come and what a waste if we do not pull them in. Maybe our wives won’t let us. Maybe our friends will make fun of us for leaving our jobs, our home and our families to follow a guy who walks around the country side preaching that the kingdom of God is at hand.

But when Jesus called these fishermen there was none of the above, they didn’t question his call, they didn’t think about it, they didn’t consult their families, they didn’t look for anything better to do, they just followed him.

When Jesus thru the Holy Spirit encounters us today and calls us to follow him, does he tell us ok think about it, weigh it carefully, study the pros and cons, talk to your family and friends, and then when everyone agrees, follow me?

When Jesus calls us it is a matter of utmost urgency. Jesus is erupting into our lives with such a force that we have no choice but to decide now, not tomorrow or the next day, but now, at the time of the encounter.

Our elders today tell us of the faith of their ancestors. My grandfather was converted here at Silliman church. When he graduated, he built a church in Butuan, his hometown. The first DS graduate Rev. Angel Taglucop, after college went home and built a church and a school in Agusan. Rev. Angel Sotto was called to Negros, Rev. Feliciano Ursos to Dumaguete. Rev. Malahay to Guihulngan and many others. “Why can’t we build churches like they built today? Why can’t we build strong churches like they built? The answer? “They had convictions; we have preferences.”

Isn’t that true? The convictions the early Christians had for their God seems missing today. Many people have preferences not convictions. They believe in God when it is convenient, or when there is nothing better to do, or when it is socially acceptable, or when they sense they need a favor from God, but there is no conviction to give ones all, ones whole self, ones whole life over to him.

The difference between a conviction and a preference, is this. A preference may be a very strong belief, held with great strength. You can give your entire life to serve your preference. You can give all your money for a preference. You can also energetically convert others to your preference. You may teach this belief to your children, but this is still a preference. A preference is a strong belief that may be changed under the right circumstances like: 1) peer pressure; if your beliefs are determined by your friends, that is a preference, not a conviction, 2) if family pressure, 3) inducements; 4) lawsuits, 5) jail, 6) threat of death, changes your belief, what you have is a preference.

A conviction is a belief that does not change. A conviction is not something that you discover, it is purpose planted in your heart. Convictions on the inside will always show up on the outside, in a person’s lifestyle. To violate a conviction is to commit an unforgivable sin.

The early believers showed their conviction by giving their best sons and daughters to the seminary. Nowadays, they will say Jose, my son, you are at the top of your HS class, you take up law. Maria, you are the valedictorian in class, you take up Nursing. Juan, you have difficulty getting a passing grade, you go to the Divinity School. When Jesus encounters us, he doesn’t want our preference, he wants our conviction that he is the Lord of life, that we are his servants. He is the Master. We are the followers. We are his children, he is the Provider.

Jesus call us to a life of conviction, calling us to a task, a job. He calls us to do something with what he has given us. He calls us to share, he calls us to give to others what he has first given to us, his love, his caring, his forgiveness.

A Christian is one who shares the love of God with others while he lives on this earth.’ Sharing the Word, is the sign of a follower of Jesus. Sharing our faith, sharing our resources, sharing a part of ourselves with others is what this life is all about as we follow the Master. Jesus calls us to a life of conviction, to a life of urgency, to a life of sharing, to a life of proclaiming his good news to others. Jesus calls us to love the unlovable one. Jesus calls us to reach out to the lonely, to the hungry, to the sick, to the ones in prison, to the disabled, to the forsaken, to the needy, to all who need to hear that God loves them. Close encounters with God are Life changing events.

Jesus came into Galilee preaching that the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus encounters us and calls us to a life of conviction, a life of urgency, a life of reaching out with love and forgiveness so that people’s lives are changed. Ready?

Sermon delivered Jan. 25, 2009, Silliman church

Ephesians 5:15-21 and Romans 8:18-22  

Let us begin our reflection with Romans
8: 18-22 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The Creation waits in eager anticipation…of liberation from its bondage of decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth.” // Paul is describing a mother’s infanticipation:

1. “Creation waits in eager anticipation, like a mother groaning in pain of childbirth.”

What is fascinating about Paul’s words is not only the sense of eager anticipation, but in verse 26 the sense that “we do not know what we ought to pray for…we do not know exactly what will happen.”

Like the feeling of graduating students as they step out into an uncertain future. Thus our UCLEW theme…”Seeking…

That Creation is groaning is demonstrated by cries of alarm over global warming. But groaning also in the sense that the largest and most stable banks and corporations in the world, need to be bailed out by taxpayers money. In the midst of greed, there is great hope in the birth of a new economic order that is more eco-friendly and that reins in human greed.

Our times combine possibly a period of great suffering and death, millions losing money and jobs, and a period of unimaginable rebirth! Do you sense then, that as in Paul’s time this is a time of extraordinary crisis and of opportunity? In any case, whether the future is crystal or cloudy, Paul’s attitude is described in his words, “be filled with the spirit, speak to one another in songs, always giving thanks to God.”

2. In these groaning times and time of expectation of rebirth, we are to make the most of every opportunity, being filled with the spirit, singing songs, being responsible for one another, and giving thanks to God.

I like the way KJV puts it: “See then that ye walk in wisdom; Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Eph. 5:16

What is time and how should it be redeemed?

There are two concepts of time in the NT. Chronos (chronology),  – time of succession of events time that measured the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and Kairos, appointed time of God. Our text refers to Kairos, God’s time as opposed to “evil times”, times of empire, chronos time. This is a time in which the community is to be a sign of God’s eternal presence today, when chronos is redeemed through Kairos time.

There is a line in a song of the 90s that may illustrate how chronos time can be redeemed, Sung by the Corr’s it goes “don’t say you love me, unless forever.” // This could very well be God’s summary invitation to love and live with God in Kairos time. If you say you love God, then stay with God now and forever. What you value most and spend your time on, is your life. You cannot say you love God and spend little time with Him. Then again you may spend a lot of faithless, chronos time with God. Both are a great waste of time.

I reckon that most of us spend our lives in chronos time for worldly concerns. In that sense we have lost time for God. We need to redeem lost time by living in Kairos time.

What do we mean, these are days of evil? When we say evil, we always think of other people, doing evil to us. But global warming is not the evil of one man. We have all contributed to it, by being wasteful in the use of limited energy sources; by living beyond our means. When we cry about joblessness, we think the AIG or Lehmann Brothers created it. We have acquiesced in depending on jobs overseas, instead of caring for and improving our agriculture, and agro based industries like other neighbors have done, by preferring easy solutions to economic problems and by living beyond our means. Days of evil mean that we have not stood strong against corruption, preferring to criticize those in national government, while looking the other way when classmates cheat in exams. We are partly responsible for the crisis. We have lost time and not lived righteously.

But we can redeem lost time. Surrender the time to God. Live in Kairos time. Spend time with God in worship, serve God and strengthen God’s fellowship. Abide with God.

Listen to the wisdom of John: Jn 15:4-7 “Abide in me, and I will abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

3. Be filled with the spirit, speak to one another in songs, submit to one another in reverence for Christ, always giving thanks to God.

How about putting God back into the picture, living a life of the spirit. Sometimes we have to suffer enormous pain before we put God back into the picture. When we submit to God we become more willing to obey. When we submit to each other, we make loving the neighbor possible.

The prophets have time and again warned that the human race has been unwise in putting its self ahead of God’s purpose. More boldly and specifically, we as Christians have been unwise in thinking that we can build kingdoms and say this is of God when all we want is to dominate the world with economic models that destroy nature and relationships. In contrast: Be filled with the spirit, speak to one another in songs, submit to one another in reverence of Christ, is to live in Kairos, with God today.

Don’t say you love me, unless forever, reminds us, if you truly love God, redeem the time of faithlessness, live now with God and forever in Kairos time.

(sermon delivered Feb 1, 2009, Silliman church)