“Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing true or beautiful makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we are saved by love."
-Reinhold Niebuhr

JUST DO IT!

(This is an abridged version of the sermon I preached at Epworth Chapel, Baltimore on 7/22/12. This is the third in a five-part series on the Book of James.)

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." (James 1:22-25)

The Book of James offers a virtual smorgasbord of lessons on living. More than being a book rooted in theology and helping us to understand more about the nature of God, James is a book focused on ethics and morality, helping us to know more about how we are to live our lives – how we are to live righteous and good lives - from the way that we are to talk to each other – to how we are to use our tongues… to how we are to deal with anger… to how we are to face and overcome temptations and testing in our lives… to how we are to actualize our faith – in other words – how we are to put our faith in Jesus Christ into real action, and make it become evident in the world.

The matter that the Apostle James addresses with the church in Jerusalem toward the conclusion of the fist chapter of his letter to them is the matter of actually doing our faith. James tells them, and he tells us today, that we are to be not only hearers of the word of God, but we are to be doers of God’s word.

This is one of the most challenging of all of the apostolic admonitions of James – for he calls you and me to move away from our idle worship and pious inactivity, and move toward the actual work of what it means to be a Christian. In other words, James pushes us to move beyond merely talking about our faith, and thinking about our faith, and even just hearing about our faith on Sundays, to actually doing our faith. James is telling you and me in essence to “Just Do It.”

In the mid-1980’s, Nike – the athletic shoe company – made a strategic corporate decision that they were going to compete head-to-head – go toe-to-toe – with the largest athletic shoe companies at that time – Adidas and Converse – in an attempt to gain a larger share of the athletic shoe market.

We might recall that it was at about that same time that a very good and promising basketball player by the name of Michael Jordan was finishing his college career, and beginning to play professionally for the Chicago Bulls. It became evident very quickly that Michael Jordan was unique and special, and that he was not just very good, but that he was great, for it seemed that he jump higher and play better than virtually any basketball player who had come along before him. Many considered him to be the best in the world.

So prodigious were Michael Jordan’s talents, and so high was his ability to jump, so beautiful were his dunks, that Nike began to develop a marketing scheme built around Jordan’s talents, and in a manner that was unprecedented at that time, Nike named a basketball shoe after him, the “Air Jordan.” And young people (and some older people) flocked to shoe stores all over the land to buy “Air Jordans.”

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, professor at Georgetown university and the author of the book, Between God and Gansta Rap, points out that the immense popularity of the “Air Jordan” sneaker was seen in the fact that Michael Jordan not only secured one of the most lucrative endorsement contracts ever – in excess of $30 dollars a year – but in the fact that Nike sold over $200 dollars a year worth of “Air Jordans” at the height of sales of the shoes in the early 1990’s.

Well, as the 1990’s were ushered in, advertising executives at Nike had developed another aspect of their marketing strategy based on a slogan that was designed to encourage and persuade shoppers – both young and old – act upon their impulses and go out and buy Nike athletic gear. Their slogan was three simple words – “Just Do It.”

Don’t think about it – don’t debate it – don’t argue about it – “Just Do It.” Don’t even worry about collaborating and contemplating the situation at hand – “Just Do It.” This is a call to action – a call to movement and activity – a call to get up from one place and get going – “Just Do It.”

In like manner, James essentially tells those in the church in Jerusalem to “Just Do It.” Maybe James knew some people in the first century of Christianity who were like many people today. Maybe, when telling them to be doers of the word and not only hearers, James knew he was speaking to some people who had the propensity and tendency every now and then to some put thing offs. Maybe he was addressing some Christians in Jerusalem who were apt to give more “lip service” to their faith than act out their Christianity.

And so James tells his church, and reminds us today, that we are to “be doers of the word, and not only hearers of the word of God.” You know, I believe God is saying to us today, “Just Do It.” God is calling the church to be a body that not only talks about its faith, but lives out and walks out its faith. God is calling us to actualize our faith – not only in what we preach and sing, but in the way we live. “Just Do It.”

I can remember growing up, and one of my mother and father’s most repeated admonitions were these three words, “Just Do It.” Whenever I would want to fuss and whine… whenever I would want to rationalize and bargain about something they expected me to do… whenever I would want to put things off…whenever my parents had had enough, their response to me would be, “Tony, Just Do It.”

Mom, I’ll take out the trash later. “Just do it.” Dad, I’ll make my bed later, “Just do it (now).” I’ll do my homework later. I’ll wash the dishes later. “Tony, Just do it.”

So the word today is ‘Just Do It.” James closes this section in the first chapter by using a metaphor of a mirror to make his point. He says that those of us who are merely hearers of the word of God, and not doers of the word are like those who look in the mirror, see what they look like, but when they leave the mirror, they forget what they have seen.

Yes, it is faith that unlocks the door to our relationship with Christ, and his people, but it is our works, our acts, our walk that brings our faith alive, and paints a picture for the world to see our relationship with God. The song-writer said it best when it was written, “If you love him, why not serve him.”

The good news is that God has called each of us – you and me to be people of active faith. And God has blessed us with abilities and talents, and gifts and grace to be doers of his word. All we have to do is, “Just Do It!”

THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

by Dr. Stephen Covey

I first read Covey's book in early 1990's, and it was very critical in shaping my approach to leadership. I think it remains one of the most important and helpful books on leadership that I've read, and it continues shape my approach to leadership today.

The book first introduces the concept of Paradigm Shift and prepares the reader for a change in mindset. It helps the reader understand that there exists a different perspective, a viewpoint that maybe different from his own and asserts that two people can see the same thing and yet differ with each other. Once the reader is prepared for this, it introduces the seven habits, in a proper order.

Each chapter is dedicated to one of the habits, which are represented by the following imperatives:

Independence or Self-Mastery

The First Three Habits surround moving from dependence to independence (i.e., self mastery):
• Habit 1: Be Proactive
Take initiative in life by realizing that your decisions (and how they align with life's principles) are the primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life. Take responsibility for your choices and the consequences that follow.

• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life. Create a mission statement.

• Habit 3: Put First Things First
Prioritize, plan, and execute your week's tasks based on importance rather than urgency. Evaluate whether your efforts exemplify your desired character values, propel you toward goals, and enrich the roles and relationships that were elaborated in Habit 2.


Interdependence

The next three have to do with Interdependence (i.e., working with others):

• Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Genuinely strive for mutually beneficial solutions or agreements in your relationships. Value and respect people by understanding a "win" for all is ultimately a better long-term resolution than if only one person in the situation had gotten his way.

• Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Use empathic listening to be genuinely influenced by a person, which compels them to reciprocate the listening and take an open mind to being influenced by you. This creates an atmosphere of caring, respect, and positive problem solving.

• Habit 6: Synergize
Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals no one person could have done alone. Get the best performance out of a group of people through encouraging meaningful contribution, and modeling inspirational and supportive leadership.


Self Renewal

The Last habit relates to self-rejuvenation:

• Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Balance and renew your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle. It primarily emphasizes on exercise for physical renewal, prayer (mediation, yoga, etc.) and good reading for mental renewal. It also mentions service to the society for spiritual renewal.

FAITH IN ACTION, PART 2 - IT'S JUST A TEST

(This is the second part of a five part summer sermon series on the Book of James, preached on 7/8/12 at Epworth Chapel, Baltimore)

James 1:12-15

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)

The word is out that during the terrorist attacks in 2001 – now known as “9-11”, there was a glaring failure in the emergency response of our nation. The Emergency Broadcast System, which was designed to provide an early warning to citizens in the event of disasters such as those experienced by our nation, was supposed to sound alarms warning us of the imminent danger in our midst.

I can remember growing up, and whatever was on the television being intermittently interrupted with the sound of an alarm across the airwaves, followed by the words, "This is a test, it's only a test. This has been a test of the Emergency Broadcast System."

It was only a test, but it was a test that was designed to remind us that danger was always a possibility. It was a test that was meant to prepare us in the event that real trouble and disaster was in the midst. But it was only a test.

All of us will be tested in life. Some have described life as a series of tests. Once you've overcome one test - one obstacle - one adversary - one stumbling block – one roadblock - one disappointment … there always seems to be another test that awaits us.

I'm reminded of the great cellist Pablo Casals. One day someone encountered Casals practicing, and said to him, "Mr. Casal, you're 95 years old, and you're considered by many to be the greatest cellist in history. Why are you still practicing six hours a day?” Pablo Casal replied, "Because I think I'm making progress."

Regardless of how long we live and what we achieve, we will be tested.

James, the apostle, knew that Christians in the early church were being tested. There were many questions surrounding their new faith in Christ. How were they supposed to handle the testing of their faith? How were they supposed to answer all the questions and rumors that were swirling that they were just a misguided cult following the teachings of a now dead itinerant preacher? How were they supposed to stand firm and be confident amidst the doubters and skeptics and haters in their midst?

James writes this letter to encourage new Christians. Earlier in the first chapter he had encouraged the people by saying, "Count it all joy when you face tests of many kinds, because the testing of your faith develops perseverance." And here in the 12th verse James says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

There are some things that we need to realize about the tests of our faith. What are some of the things we need to know about the tests of our faith?

First, we must realize that tests of our faith are inevitable. All of us will be tested. It's not a matter of "if" we will be tested…It's just a matter of when the tests will come. But we need to realize that none of us have ever gone through anything that somebody else has not already experienced.

Second, we need to realize that God allows the testing of our faith. God's permissive will which operates within the context of God’s perfect freedom, allows our faith to be tested form time-to-time. We remember the story of Job. God allowed Satan to test Job. Even Jesus was tested. After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, we recalled that God allowed the Lord to be tried, tempted and tested. Satan met Jesus in the wilderness and tested the Lord, not one time…not two times…but three times. We need to know that the sin is not in being tested and tempted… the sin is in our yielding to temptation. The song says, "Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin…

Thirdly, tests can always make us stronger. James encouraged the saints in the early church when he said, "the testing of your faith produces endurance." I've come to discover that we never come out of a test weaker than we were than when we went into the test. We're made stronger. God allows tests to help us realize that it is God who brings us through.

The good news today is that whatever you're going through, "It's just a test." Whatever your may go through – trouble at home … trouble on your job … trouble at school … sickness and pain in your body – whatever it is … "It's just a test."

The psalmist had it right when he declared that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! It’s just a test.

FAITH IN ACTION, PART 1 - THE JOY FACTOR

(This is an abridged version of the sermon preached at Epworth Chapel, Baltimore on 7/1/12. It is the first in a five part sermon series on the book of James)

"...count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

The book of James is considered to be one of the General Epistles (or letters) of the church. The apostle James is thought by most scholars, to have been the earthly brother of Jesus, and was one of the pastors of the new Christians in Jerusalem. Here, James writes as the people’s pastor, and offers them a set of practical guidelines as to how they were to go about living the Christian life, and dealing with the very practical – day-to-day – issues that they were facing.

In this regard, the book of James is one of the most practical of all of the 66 books of the Bible. In it, James deals with topics like patience and suffering, temptation and anger, how to pray and how to grow in the Lord. It is a proverbial “how-to” manual for Christian living.

If you are like me, you know that it is important that whenever you buy something new like a car or a new electronic gadget, you should take time to read the owner’s manual to gain a sense of how best to operate your newly purchased item. But if the truthh is told, we are often apt to make the mistake of thinking we know how an item operates without taking the time to read the owner’s manual.

In like manner, the book of James is a good place to start in trying to learn how to live more effectively and faithfully as a Christian.

Perhaps it is not coincidental that in the first few verses of the book, James deals with the matter of joy. In-fact in the second verse of the first chapter, James shares these words, “my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance…”

Maybe James wrote so early about joy because he knew of the challenges that Christians of his day, and all of us today would face in our lives. All of us, even Christians, are indeed inclined to pack up our troubles, throw them away, and give up. Trouble, in whatever form it presents itself in our lives, has a way of quenching the spirit, and rendering us a joyless people.

We find this in churches all over the land. Churches are dying; people are dying, because of a lack of joy. Churches are closing down – from community to community – because of a lack of joy. Churches face dissension and discord, disorientation and division from within because of a lack of joy.

And so in the midst of this, James tells those in Jerusalem and he tells us to “count it all joy.” (Consider it nothing but joy.) And what is this joy that we speak of today?

This joy is more than a mere feel-good, tear-jerk reaction. This joy that James speaks of is more than an emotional high. This joy is what the apostle Paul referred to in Galatians 5 as one of the “fruit of the Spirit.” It is one of the signs that God is present in our lives.

The joy that we speak of today is an essential component, an essential fruit, for the individual lives of Christians, and the collective life of the church. No, the joy that James talks about is not an option for the Christian – it is critical to a vital, vibrant, growing, maturing relationship with Jesus Christ.

And we must understand that this joy is not necessarily what we have come to know as happiness. It has been my experience that too many people spend too much time looking for happiness in life (often in the wrong places) – happiness in the things we buy; happiness in our careers, our success, our stock portfolios, our bank accounts, our homes, our cars, our relationships with others; happiness through what others think about us; our reputations; through recognition; happiness through avoiding problems.

And while this yearning for happiness is okay to a degree, many people are still searching for deeper meaning and fulfillment in life. Although these things might bring about happiness for a moment, many people are still searching for real joy in their lives.

James tells his readers to “count it all joy.” James here gets right to the point. In suffering, trials, troubles – in all of those flies in the ointment of life - in all of those thorns in the flesh – in all of those knockdowns in life – in all that comes our way – count it all joy.

And so what might we learn from James’s words here? As we struggle to come to some theological and Biblical understanding of suffering - as we try to find some relevance in the pain life – we might look at the life of Job – a righteous man – who lost everything he had. We might look at the life of Paul – who despite his faith – lived constantly with a thorn in his flesh. I’ve come to the conclusion that suffering in and of itself is evil. It doesn’t teach us anything in and of itself.

But we discover that even in our suffering there is the possibility of spiritual growth and maturity in the faith. There is the possibility of increased faith.

“Count it all joy,” James says, realizing that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and more faith. “Count it all joy,” for God knows what we are going through, and God who knows all, cares about us in the midst of whatever we go through in life. “Count it all joy” and know that God gives us the perseverance and strength to hold on and hold out.

The good news is that we can count it all joy, and tell the world as the song-writer declared that “This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me… this joy that I have, the world can’t take it away!”

We can count it all joy and declare that regardless of how long or dark the night, the psalmist was right in declaring that “weeping might endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!”