"War Story"
Sermon Transcript for May 25, 2003Scripture Reading: Matthew 8:5-13
By Rev. Dan Sinkhorn
Well, since it’s Memorial Day weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to tell a war story. And the war story that I am thinking of is a war story like most war stories. It begins with two parties with differing ideas. It begins like most wars with one firmly in command and the other deeply desiring to subvert that command. We’ll call the forces on either side of this particular war “good” and “evil” because after all, in every war whichever side you are on is “good” and whichever side the other guy is on is “evil”. And so “evil” has desired to take control of that which “good” has been firmly in control of for so long. And knowing that he is vastly outnumbered and the superiority of “good’s” forces is nothing to be overcome easily, “evil” has chosen first to fight the war in the hearts of the children of “good”.
And so it began. The children of “good” living in obedience to the Father of “Good” being tempted, teased, and misled by “evil” in secret. Offering them the fruits of evil so that the children of “good” began to think that maybe the goals and the intentions of Father “Good” weren’t exactly what they wanted. And of course, that’s when “evil” got his foothold and began to rally the forces that would eventually offer a substantial opposition to the Father of “Good”.
As the war progressed, it looked as though “evil” was winning. So much so that in time, Father “Good” launched a major offensive which would eventually wipe out all but a very few children of “good” and “evil”. And from there Father “Good” would begin again. Try again to lead the children of “good” in a way that would bring the glory, would demonstrate His presence in them. Because fundamentally the difference between the Father of “Good” and the Father of “evil” was that those children who chose to follow the Father of “Good”, every desire in their heart was to be like Him and to surrender their interest to Him while the Father of “Evil” led his followers to a different end—the self-serving, independent end.
Now the Father of “Good” not being defeated or even terribly challenged by the threat of “evil” had it in mind to continue throughout the war to use these challenges and temptations as an opportunity to grow His children and to make them more like Him. And so for their sake the Father of “Good” created laws and appointed those who would enforce the laws among them. Not to lord it over the children, but simply to help them know which was right and which was wrong. To be able to clearly identify the difference between good and evil so that they would find it easier to be like the Father of “Good”. They were given ways in which they could fulfill the laws. And they were in a sense of justice and love and mercy given the authority over one another, the children, to punish those who stood outside the law the Father of “Good” had given. So that the guidelines were clear in mind. And this went pretty well for a long time but then eventually the Father of “Evil” crept in to even those who were charged with enforcing the law. So that those who were enforcing the law were often as corrupt as the very ones the law was designed to weed out and protect the children of “good” from.
And in many ways that war became just like the wars we are so familiar with. There was bloodshed. There were vast armies on the battlefields of “good” and “evil” fighting one another. There was destruction. There were the vast spaces filled with bodies of the dead. And it seemed to the children of “good” that this was how it would always be until the Father of “Good” recognized that they needed rescued. So the Father of “Good” descended, kind of like a firefighter descending his pole down to the first floor of the fire station. He descended to where the people lived, where the children were. He became like the children and He dwelt among them living the lives that they lived. And His desire was to rescue them from the debris and wreckage that the war between “good” and “evil” had wrought. And His desire was to even offer Himself as a sacrifice if need be. And that is what He did—gave Himself for their sake in order to rescue them from the wreckage of the war between “good” and “evil” He even allowed Himself to die for their sake.
But this is where in our war story is different because it didn’t end there. On this Memorial Weekend, we honor those who have lived and died for our sake. But there is one difference in the war that I am talking about. The One who died for our sake came back to life, rose again from the dead, and demonstrated the true, awesome power of the Father of “Good” over all creation. But He didn’t stop there. No, after that He offered us an opportunity, after being saved by Him, rescued by Him, to join with Him in the war, to join with Him as equal partners. He even gave us the tools so that we could be in constant communication with Him much like those people who have two-way radios mounted over their chest so that right by their ear, just over their heart, they have the sound of the voice of the one who dispatches them and instructs them. And when they need help they simply speak the need and that presence is there. One who was left to be with all of us who are the children of “good” so that we are equipped and effectively communicating with the Father, participating in His plan of redemption and His ultimate victory over “evil”.
Now to join in that special army, we simply receive the gift that has been given to us. We simply call out from within the midst of the wreckage, “Help! I need rescuing. I’ve fought the fight the best I can with all that I have. It’s not enough. I’m still trapped in the wreckage of this war between “good” and “evil”.” And you allow the One who came to rescue you to lift you up from the debris. And then you embrace Him and accept His command over your life and join with Him in the battle. And you put that thing on your heart that helps you to hear His instructions to dispatch you to wherever you need to go. And you put that thing on your heart that helps you to call out whenever you grow weary in doing good. And you join in the battle between “good” and “evil”.
Today’s Scripture lesson illustrates so beautifully the story that I’ve tried to share with you. You recognize by now, I’m sure, the players in this story that I’ve told. You realize the Father of “Good” is our Lord, our God in Heaven. You probably recognize that the firefighter who descended to rescue us was Jesus, the Christ. And perhaps you recognized that the dispatcher who sits close to our heart ready to communicate with us is the Holy Spirit. And hopefully you recognized that you are like that Roman soldier that we heard about in the Scripture reading understanding the true power and authority of Jesus. You simply accept that gift of salvation that comes in grace not because you deserve it but because He chooses to give it to you. And after you’ve been rescued by that act of grace and mercy, you obediently follow. So even though you may have authority over certain things, even though you may think you have authority over your own life, the reality is that you give yourself to His Lordship and like the Roman soldier you say, “You say the word and I know that’s how it will be.”
So the question today is, “Are you familiar with this war story that I just shared with you? Do you recognize that that story was presented to you in this book, the Bible? And that that story is as true today as it ever was? And that for your sake it was written and that you are the prize; you are the spoils of the war? And whose will you be? Will you give yourself willingly to the Father of “Good” or simply by omission give yourself to the Father of “Evil”?”
Today is the day to remember the battles that go on around us and the cost. And the cost, I’m afraid to say, in not participating in this ultimate of all battles, is to become the spoil of war for Father “Evil”. We come to worship because we are part of that war whether we like it or not. So the question is, “Where will you throw your allegiance—to the one who rescues you or the one who simply wants to use you?” If today you have never called to the Lord, “I am trapped in the wreckage; please come and rescue me!” then I challenge you to do that. It is a leap of faith you know. You don’t do it because you know for sure that you will be rescued. You do it because those who have been rescued challenge you to do so. And so you take a chance and you ask, “Lord, rescue me.” And then after you’ve done that the real challenge comes. And this is the challenge for all of us here whether we were rescued many, many years ago or just yesterday--the challenge to accept Him as commander in chief of our lives. The One who will dispatch us wherever He needs us to be. The One who will ask us to give up everything in allegiance to Him only to reward us more than we could ever reward ourselves.
The good news about this war story I am sharing with you is that we already know how it ends. Because the book of the war story tells us that in the end the Father of “Good” is victorious over “evil”. And in faith we believe that by participating in that war with the Father of “Good” we receive all the benefits. We join with Him in His ultimate glory. And as every soldier, as every defender whether abroad or right here in our community knows, there is no greater reward than to lay down your sword at the end and live in peace. That’s the promise we have to look forward to. And so I ask you today, “Will you let the great rescuer save you?” You simply have to ask. “Will you give Him again your allegiance and join again in the battle? Will you put your uniform of faith and servant hood back on? Will you mount that radio right next to your ear and over your heart that is the Spirit of God and join in the battle, join in all that God has in store for you? And will you be a part of that victory march that comes at the end? And will you join in the peace that is the ultimate end of it all?”
Let us pray, “Gracious God, thank you. Now burn on our hearts your Word. Lord I join with those who have rededicated themselves today to battle. I join with those who saw to re-ignite the fire and enthusiasm they have for serving you. Let us together be all that we can be for your glory. Let us Lord fight with all of our energy by being in Your name for the sake of those who don’t know you yet. Lord, if those who don’t know you are in this place, encourage them for our sake to seek your rescue. Help them to join with all of us in this glorious existence in you. We pray, Amen.”
If you’ve done any of those things today I pray that you will not keep it to yourself. This is not a secret. That’s why we are here together in this place as a body of believers because we share in this journey. So that if you’ve rededicated yourself in any way, you tell somebody and then do it! And if you’ve called out for rescue today, tell somebody and accept it.
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