Cappuccino and Christ – Aug 7, 2016

Proper 14C, August 7, 2016
 
I once saw a full-page advertisement that a certain church placed in the newspaper.
It was so interesting—and different—that I actually saved a copy of it.
It has a picture of a coffee mug—with steam rising from it—and the caption reads:
 
“Cappuccino and Christ.
“Sleep a little later this Sunday.
“Throw on some jeans.
“Have a hot cup of java.
“Listen to some great music.
“And get together for some wonderful fellowship.
“Trinity United Methodist Church invites you to join us for a unique service that offers an alternative:
“No pressures, no commitments, no hassles.
“All we ask is 45 minutes of your Sunday!”
 
Welcome to the “user-friendly church”—where religion is easy and readily-accessible:
Christianity without risk or commitment.
No pressure, no demands, no hassles.
Just instant spiritual gratification!
 
The reason for such an approach is presumably to attract a younger, “hipper” audience—and I’m sure it is appealing to some.
But what young people really need is a Faith that will challenge them—a Way of Life that will lift them out of themselves.
And that is exactly what Jesus offers:
“Those who want to be my disciples” (he says) “must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”
 
That is the Way that is presented in today’s Gospel:
“Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor,” Jesus says.
“Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven—where no thief breaks in, and no moth destroys.
“For where your treasure is—there will your heart be also.
“Be dressed for action—and have your lamps lit—like servants waiting for their Master to return—for He is coming at an unexpected hour.”
 
According to this view—being a Christian is not easy.
It requires vigilance, perseverance, sacrifice, and determination.
Our Lord requires us to reject materialistic values and the love of money.
He calls us to practice generosity and self-giving.
We are to live a life of vigilance—waiting for our Lord to return—keeping ourselves ready to meet him and to serve him at all times.
 
Most importantly, we are to live a life of “trusting obedience toward God.”
That is what the Bible calls Faith:
“Trusting obedience toward God.”
Or you can put it the other way around:
“Obedient trust toward God”
Either way, it’s the same thing:
“Trust and Obey”—as an old Gospel hymn puts it.
That is how we are called to live.
 
Today’s reading from Hebrews has this to say about Faith:
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Faith means believing in God—even though we can’t see him.
It means trusting God’s promises—even though we can’t see them being fulfilled.
It means obeying God’s commands—even though we receive no immediate reward.
 
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
This definition of Faith means trusting God for the “long haul”—knowing that in the end he will reward those who believe.
“For without Faith” (Scripture says) “it is impossible to please God.”
 
Abraham—from the Old Testament—is held up as an example of what it means to have Faith.
Abraham trusted God’s promise—and obeyed God’s commands—even though he didn’t see how God’s promise could possibly be fulfilled.
 God credited this Faith to Abraham as righteousness—and in the end, his Faith was rewarded.
 
That same kind of Faith is what is required of us.
Like Abraham—and his wife Sarah—we must trust God’s promises—and obey his commands—even though the world tries to convince us otherwise.
We must hold on to our hopes—and stand by our convictions—even though trials and tribulations come our way.
“For without (such) Faith, it is impossible to please God.”
 
The former governor of Mississippi tells a story about his father—who is 85 years old.
Recently his father planted a thousand trees on their family farm.
The trees will take about 40 years to mature.
Of course, he will never live to see it happen.
But still, he planted them!
 
Planting those trees was an act of Faith.
It meant investing in the “long haul”—rather than going for the “quick fix.”
It meant laying out time and energy for a “pay-off” in the still-distant future—rather than settling for immediate gratification.
That is what real Faith is like!
 
“Fear not, little flock,” Jesus says.
“It is the Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”
That is the Good News in today’s Gospel!
For us as Christians—the future is ultimately secure: 
The Kingdom is ours!
Not because of anything we have done—but because of God’s gracious gift in Jesus Christ.
It is God’s good pleasure to give us the Kingdom!
But that gift requires “trusting obedience” on our part.
 
To be faithful to God will not always be easy.
It will demand vigilance, perseverance, sacrifice and determination.
There is no “quick fix”—for our lives—for the world—or for the church.
But there is God’s promise to be with us for the “long haul”—and to reward us in the end.
 
“Fear not, little flock,” Jesus says.
“Have Faith!
“It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”
 
Now let us pray.
 
Gracious God:
Thank you for giving us your Kingdom.
Give us also the Grace to live by Faith.
Help us to trust you in all things.
Strengthen us to obey your commands.
And grant that we may be found awake and ready at the Day of your Coming.
 
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
AMEN.
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