Sermon

June 28-29, 2008

Genesis 22:1-14; Matthew 10:40-42

Let Go!  Let God!

Hillary T. West

 

In the greater Richmond metropolitan area, at least 6 R-rated and 8 PG-13 movies are showing currently.  PG-13 and R rated means the movie is restricted to a viewing audience of a certain age.  Strong language, and some violence also characterize PG-13 and R rated movies.    We don’t have to go to the movies to have a PG-13 or R rated experience.  The reading from Genesis we heard today could most certainly be termed as PG-13 or R rated.  The language is strong and the potential for violence is too close; and this is not necessarily a story we want all audiences to hear.

 

This is one of the stories in scripture that many preachers want to avoid.  Actually, preaching on the lesson from Matthew this morning would be so much more pleasant.  The gospel writer gives us a clear and direct message:  Jesus says, go out, offer hospitality, reach out to help, care for others; be welcoming with an open heart and we will bring others to know Jesus and such action will bring us into a right relationship with God.  I love the way Jesus makes it so easy for us.   

 

But, this morning, we’re going to try a bit of a different approach.  Because, as you know all too well, Christ Church is quite accustomed to moving on a different path.  We’re going to spend some time exploring this passage of God’s test of Abram. 

 

It’s the passage we all read and scrunch our faces and tense up our shoulders.  This scripture provokes.  It raises the hair on the back of our neck and causes us to sit in tension at the terror that might take place, and all in the name of God! 

 

While this is not what we want to hear; this story does challenge us to examine our faith, our trust, our obedience.  And, in reading about God’s testing of Abram, we’re invited to consider the freedom that comes from letting go and letting God.    

 

First, we begin with the test.  

 

Occasionally, on the radio, or across our television screen, our entertainment is interrupted with the message, “this is a test of the emergency alert system – this is only a test.”  EAS is designed to let local jurisdictions and the nation know when there is a disaster of some kind. 

So, when the truth comes, we will know what the signal means.  Be alert; obey; be prepared to jump into action.  A test is an attempt to find truth; it’s a measurement of something:  our knowledge, our skill, our ability;  a test leads us to a proof; to a reality.  A test calls us to attention. 

 

Over the summer, you’ll notice some changes in the worship space.  The sanctuary committee will be moving chairs around.  The table may look different.  The musicians may have different locations.  This is a test.  We’re trying to measure how this space can best serve for worship.  We’ll invite your feedback.    

 

Now, testing with Abram and God goes way back.  Early in the book of Genesis we remember that God calls Abram, to leave his family, his security, the home where he buries his father.  God says, “leave your country and I will bless you and make you a great nation.”  And, without a moment’s hesitation, Abram packs up and moves to Bethel.   He doesn’t say to God, “wait till I have my career goals in order; let me check to see if it works for my family; I’m not sure I’m the one you want to become a great nation…I don’t even have children, and I’m old!”  Instead, he trusts.  Abram gathers up his family and possessions, and goes, just as God asks. 

Once at Bethel God pushes the promise even further.  He says to Abram, “look north and south and east and west…for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever…as many specks of dust there are on the ground, I will give to you that many descendants!!”  Abram looks around; he picks up his tents and his belongings and takes his family and goes to Hebron. No questions asked.  Time passes.  Abram isn’t getting any younger.  He challenges God, “what will you give me, for I continue to be childless…”?  “Don’t be afraid…,” God says.  “I’m your shield and I will give you great reward.  Come outside, look in the heavens and count the stars in the sky, so will your descendents be!”  Even so, Abram must be getting discouraged.  He’s turning 99, and, his wife, Sarai, isn’t much younger and still, no children, no heirs to begin this long line of descendents God promises. 

 

So, to reinforce the promise, God changes Abrams name to Abraham; from exalted ancestor, to ancestor of a multitude.  And God reminds Sarai, that she is Sarah, a blessed princess; mother of the nations.  Again, he reminds Abraham that Sarah, they will have a baby.  They find this laughable.  In the end, my guess is, they must have just given up trying to figure out how God can fulfill these promises.  Instead they just decide to believe. 

 

See it’s more than a promise; more than the assurance from God that God is true to the test.  God and Abraham have a covenant; they’re obligated to one another; an assumption that demands loyalty.  You see, in a covenant with God, it’s not necessarily a mutual agreement.  God chooses us; brings us into the covenant; obligates himself to us with the promise of mercy; the assurance of love and forgiveness, that is given to us through Jesus Christ.  We really don’t have a lot to say in it.  Except, that God does expect us to trust in how he works in the saving grace of our lives. 

 

Let go and let God.    

 

So, at age 90 Sarah gives birth to Isaac.  Abraham is 100 and they all have a good laugh.  (Isaac’s name means, “he laughs”).  God is good.       

 

However, the test continues.  This time, the price is much higher.  God commands, give me your heir, your hope for the future; the promise of the people.  All that is important to you, go to the mountain top of Moriah, and offer up Isaac, for me.   We hear no objection from Abraham; no protest what so ever.   Give it up.  Let Go.  Let God. 

 

What do the faithful do when trials and tests are put before us?  We worship.  At 9/11 what happened that bright, early September morning when we learned the news that our world was changed forever?  By that afternoon, thousands gathered in their places of worship asking for God’s blessing, God’s care upon the world.   Immediately following the tragedy of Virginia Tech, what did we do?  We grabbed hold of one another, leaned on one another, and came to this place and places across the land to offer up prayers to God.  When members of our own Christ Church family are lost, often, too soon, to disease and tragedy, what do we do?  We come here, saddened and grief stricken by the loss; with tear stained faces, we worship God, we bow down pleading for him to once again, raise us up, make us who we are to be for him.  We surrender to his care.

 

We remember that every time Abraham is put to the test; every time he doesn’t have the answer, he, too, gathers to worship surrendering to God.      

When called to Bethel he goes and the first thing he does is build an altar and he worships God.  God sends him to Hebron.  Abraham builds another altar and worships God.  He comes to the table and offers up to God what is God’s, not out of duty or obligation, but with praise and thanksgiving for how God is always in his life, loving him, providing for him. 

 

Customarily, Abraham knows that, he gives to God a burnt offering, a bull or an ox, sheep or goats or a flock of doves or pigeons, signifying a coming near, or drawing close to God.  But, now, the ultimate test is given to Abraham.   He comes to the table, perhaps now remembering what he has been taught, that the first born of all of God’s creation, including humankind, is set aside, made holy, consecrated for God.  In other words, what is given by God, is returned to God.   

 

Faithfully, Abraham and Isaac, along with two servants saddle up the donkey and take the three day hike up the mountain.  God gives him the sign, Abraham and Isaac, leave the others and go to prepare for worship.  They assemble the wood and the fire, and even the knife, for the burnt offering.  Isaac questions his father, “where is the lamb?”  Without fear or doubt, thoroughly trusting in the promise of God, Abraham reassures his son, “God will provide.”  Just as Abraham is about to make the sacrifice, God intervenes.  “Abraham, Abraham,”  he calls out.   Abraham, responds, “Here I am.”  In other words, he’s saying, God, I’m completely present for you.  I’m turning my entire life over to you.  I will honor you.  Because, without you, I can do nothing; and in you, nothing is impossible.  Over riding his first command, God makes an urgent cry,  “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him.”   We have this sense that God is saying with a sigh of relief, “phew,…now I know…I know that you love me…I know that you’ll follow me, to the ends of the earth…you will be my people and I will be your God…you are mine, blessed, made holy. 

 

Is the test of Abraham as crucial for God as it is for Abraham?  Does God not always know our faith?  Can God not trust us to follow?  Will we show up?  Will we answer when he calls?  When will we let go and let God?

When do we want to decide that we’re willing to believe enough in the promise of God’s love and hope for us?  

 

See, my guess is, that sometimes, it just isn’t that black and white.  Maybe we come to the realization over time, slowly.  Or maybe, we’re just hit in the face with how to give our all to God.  See, most of time we go along and all is well.    The marriage is making it.  The kids are doing almost exactly what they’re supposed to do.  Work is good.     We have time for fun and relaxation.  We enjoy good health and our friends and family.  Life is good.   Then, the economy plummets.  The job situation is more challenged.  Income is reduced by 35%.  A house must be sold.  A different school district must be sought.  There isn’t energy for leisure time.  The worry and the anxiety are too great.   And, the marriage goes on the back burner.   Or, maybe when we made that annual check up with the doctor, we were given news we never expected to hear.  We’re thrown into the test time of Abraham; the time of risking it all; the time of sacrifice; that in giving all our doubt and hurt and pain over to God, we have to trust that God will provide.     

 

Recently, a young friend shared a story about a new relationship she formed.  She was spending time getting to know a young woman who happened to be pregnant.  It was a challenging time.  The woman already had small children, no father figure on the scene and she and her young family were homeless.  She struggled about how to care for her unborn son.  In the conversation she told her new friend that she felt called to name her child after a biblical character.   Despite all the odds against success, she knew now that all she could do was really let go and give it over to God to show her the way.  Naming her son after someone in the bible gave her hope.  My friend shared with her the story of Abraham and Isaac.  Together, they agreed that naming the baby Isaac would be a good sign.  A good sign, that with God, there is a future that is filled with hope and promise and even joy and laughter. 

 

This God of ours demands our very most.   To be willing to stretch further than we can imagine, with hope and love; to push past the walls and barriers that prevent us from seeing the glory of how he works in our lives. 

When every obstacle is blocking the way, to hear when God calls, and for us to give him the full body response, “here I am, Lord.”  What can I give you?  He says, give me your very self.  Let go, and let me be your God.  Trust in me.  Love me.   I will provide.  Can we do it?  Can we truly let go of all that we cling to so desperately to know a greater love than is ever known?  This God of ours, who asks everything of us, only to show us that he, in fact, is the very greatest giver of all, gives every bit of himself to us, in the life, death and resurrection of his only son.  The offering that we struggle so to make is provided for us, in him, in Jesus Christ; given freely, lovingly, with the promise of hope, now and for ever. 

 

So, go, now, climb to the mountain top.  Throw out yours arms, let go, let God; admit, that we are powerless without him; and shout, out, “here I am, Lord,…”.  Give God the reassurance, that we are his!