Code of Conduct - 1/29/23 (John Wolcott)

Sermon:  Code of Conduct            

FBCEG Jan. 29, 2023- by John Wolcott

This is a pretty good book here, you know, this Bible.  It’s a history book, a book of poetry, lots of good stories, a set of predictions of the future, and even a guidebook to life.  I think of it as a “Code of Conduct”. 

When I was in the Army we had a Code of Conduct that had nothing to do with waking up at 4 am, keeping our uniform clean and neat, and following orders, but of honoring and representing your country and respecting and caring for your fellow soldiers at all times.  It was a mind-set. 

So when I say, the Bible is a Code of Conduct, I’m not referring to the 613 rules laid out in the first 5 books of the Ole Testament, but in honoring and representing your God and His people at all times.  This morning I’d like to present two examples of how we might embody the Judeo-Christian ethic in our daily lives.

The first is the passage from Micah that you just heard.  The prophet Micah was a younger contemporary of Isaiah, but unlike Isaiah, he was neither of noble descent nor a native of the capital city.  He was a product of the common people.  His messages were directed mainly towards Jerusalem, and were a mixture of denunciations and prophecies.  Micah was the first prophet to predict the downfall of Jerusalem. According to him, the city was doomed because its beautification was financed by dishonest business practices, which impoverished the city's citizens.  I can’t help but thinking of him as an Old Testament John the Baptist, an outsider harshly critical of the leaders in the main stream.

It is from this lens that we hear the words from Micah 6.  I like to think of it in three parts.  First, the prophet is lambasting the people of Israel.  God says, “I have a case against my people”, in other words, “I’ve got a bone to pick with you.  I redeemed you from slavery; I sent you leaders when you needed them; I have never left your side.”

Then in verses 6 & 7 we hear the defense of the people.  It’s not really a defense, but rather a tacit admission of guilt.  When God says “you’ve sinned” you can’t really argue with Him.  I hear frustration in the response of the people:  “So what do you want from me?  Burnt offerings?  Thousands of rams?  The sacrifice of my firstborn?  How can I fix this hole that I’ve dug for myself?”

Then comes the answer:  “He has shown you what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” 

This is the code of conduct from the Old Testament.  It’s not a list of rules, of do’s and don’t’s.  It’s a change of mind-set.  Like John the Baptist, Micah is saying, “Repent” - Turn around.  Develop an over-consuming persona of justice and fairness, of mercy and love, and a willingness to humble yourself to the demands of Him who made you.  You know, God will walk with you through all the hills and valleys of your life.  But YOU have to make a conscious decision to walk with him.  Of course, as Christians, that means walking with Jesus. 

As I shared with the kids a few minutes ago, this has been my favorite verse for many years.  I know it can be a challenge to equate JUSTICE with MERCY. In my younger years, I thought justice meant an eye for an eye and mercy meant love your neighbor and your enemy.  But I’ve come to think of justice as something that people do, a dynamic concept that calls for people to work for fairness and equality.  Mercy has to do with love, loyalty, kindness, faithfulness – it is a key element in a relationship.  So the kindness informs the justice – that it is not just to work with a sense of fairness, but to do it with a love that leads to mercy.

With this thought in mind, I’d like to move on to our NT lesson now; it’s from the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus has gathered his disciples, performed several healings, and made quite a name for himself throughout the land.  Oh yes, he’s also ruffled the feathers of many of the Hebrew leaders around him.  Rather than read the passage, I wish to show you a clip from the series “The Chosen” – how many have heard of this series?

(Explain the background of the series and recommend it.)

In the episodes leading up to this clip, Jesus has been formulating the sermon, with Matthew at his side.  Matthew is an interesting character:  as a former tax collector, an instrument of the Romans, he isn’t all that trusted and all that liked among the disciples.  But Jesus has chosen him to record his thoughts leading up to the sermon.  Matthew is taking notes.  In the episodes leading up to this, we find that Jesus is struggling with the opening, and he seems to have an epiphany long about sunrise the day before the delivery of the sermon. 

Show the clip

When I saw this, I was awe-struck by the metaphor:  This is a map.  Those who want to find me can find me in the eyes of the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the merciful, the pure in heart, the meek.   Yes even the meek.

Meekness is a rare, misunderstood and unadmired trait.  Most of us prefer adjectives like bold, brave, impressive, fierce.  We pay attention to the people out front.  We vote for strong political candidates, watch red carpet award shows, and stand in line to get autographs from MVP’s because we admire popular, wealthy, beautiful, successful, outspoken and unabashed people.

But the Bible actually depicts meekness as a quiet strength hidden beneath the surface, never wielded with recklessness or cruelty, but carefully deployed with gentle precision and thoughtfulness.

A meek person isn’t deficient in strength or courage; rather he or she has chosen a posture of humility.  Problem is, consistently putting others ahead of ourselves takes more strength than most of us have.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt the presence of the Holy Spirit more than in the mission trips I’ve made with members of this church and my Rotary club.  Whether it was hauling buckets of cement side-by-side with Dominicans in La Romana, or spreading thick latex glop on a cement roof in Puerto Rico, or sitting in a third-grade class in a school serving the children of the city dump in Guatemala City, I’ve felt the presence of God through the people I’m working with, the people I’m serving. 

I’ve looked into their eyes, seen a pain I’ll never experience, and in that felt the presence of God.  One fellow, after a week of mixing and pouring cement together, pointed to my sneakers on the last day, knowing I wouldn’t be needing them again this week, and asked for them. They were in terrible shape, until I looked at his shoes.  Maybe not so bad.  It was an honor to take off my dirty, cement-encrusted sneakers and give them to him.  Hey, I still had socks.

In his book, “The Purpose Driven Life”, Rick Warren says:

“I urge you to save and do whatever it takes to participate in a short-term mission trip overseas as soon as possible.  Nearly every mission agency can help you do this.  It will enlarge your heart, expand your vision, stretch your faith, deepen your compassion, and fill you with a kind of joy you have never experienced.  It could be the turning point in your life.”

Ask those among us who have participated in these trips. 
To the one, I’ll bet they’d agree.  These experiences are transformative yet tiring.  And my advice is, the harder you work, and the greater the degree of poverty around you, the more you’ll get out of it.

So I ask you today, what can you do for these people who Jesus says are blessed?  Pardon my pride, but I am proud of what this church does for those who are poor in spirit or who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Or for food. 

You always answer the call of One Great Hour of Sharing.  When Hurricane Ian struck last year and tornados tormented Kentucky and cries went out to send aid to the Ukrainian people, you donated $5900 to help in the relief effort.  We have established a heating fund for those who can’t pay for heating their homes.  Every time there is a food drive, you bring in non-perishables for the town’s food locker.  Just take a look at the 2 bins filled with food in the vestibule. 

And when the call went out to provide winter items to the needy and homeless in greater Providence, you responded.  (show slides)  We collected socks one week, hats last week, and today it’s gloves.  Next week granola bars, snacks.  And always gently used coats.  On Saturday, Feb. 11, we will be transporting this all to the Church Without Walls on Kennedy Plaza in Providence.

(Explain what that is)

Would you like to join us on Feb. 11?  You will see some sad eyes, some cold hands, some hungry bellies.  And you’ll be better off for the outing.

Thank you for your acceptance of the Code of Conduct.  You are a fair people. You exhibit kindness and mercy.  And I believe you are on a journey to walk humbly with God.  I leave you with these words of Jesus:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”  Amen

Our final hymn is a favorite, perhaps THE favorite, of many of you.  It’s been a busy and a difficult week for the leadership of this church.  There were times when peace flowed like a river, and times when the sea billows rolled.  But after a deep breath and a smile or two, we accepted God’s grace and declared, “It is well with my soul.”