August 16, 2009 - Rev. Wayne Sherrer, preacher

I Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

Follow the yellow brick road. Follow the yellow brick Road. It is a phrase that most of us know from the Wizard of Oz movie. At the end of that road in the Emerald City, Dorothy and her three traveling companions meet the great and terrible wizard, surrounded by smoke and light, who invites their requests. The scarecrow asks for a brain, the tin man a heart, the lion courage and Dorothy herself wants to go home to Kansas. Later in the movie the four of them meet the man behind the machine. He has no supernatural powers and no power he can give to them. But he tells Dorothy's companions that their actions earlier in the movie reveal that they already possess the brains, heart and courage which they requested. And Dorothy is told that she has had the power to return home ever since she put on the ruby slippers.

In our first lesson today God says to Solomon, “Ask what I should give you.” When Solomon requests an understanding mind which is able to discern good and evil, God is pleased. By not asking for long life or riches, Solomon showed that he already was wise and was able to distinguish between what was truly valuable and what was not. As God pointed out Solomon's existing wisdom, God also promised to increase that wisdom and to bless Solomon with riches, honor and a long life. And, unlike the Wizard of Oz, God had the power to deliver on the promises he made to Solomon.

As He did to Solomon, God approaches each of us and says “Ask what I should give you.” Once we get beyond the genie in the bottle requests—you know what I mean, the winning powerball ticket and similar types of fame and fortune—when we take God's offer seriously, we will often discover that our request has been granted even before we asked. Jesus told his disciples and us that God knows our needs and Paul told the Romans that the Spirit intercedes for us when we do not know how to pray. If we ask for mercy or forgiveness, God has already given them. If we ask for a closer relationship with God, we discover that God has been by our side, but we had not recognized him—just like the disciples didn't recognize the resurrected Jesus. If we ask for spiritual gifts, such as love, joy, patience or peace, we find God's spirit has already begun guiding our spirit in that direction.

And, as he responded to Solomon, so God is pleased with us when we act upon the work he has started in us. God is pleased to continue that work, to increase its power and to widen its reach. God's gifts to us are like the muscles of our physical body which remain weak unless they are used. Many of us realize that, when we attempt a new activity or sport which calls upon muscles that have been ignored and unused for years. But it is equally true for our spiritual lives as well. As we practice patience, kindness, gentleness or self-control, as we exercise our gifts of music or teaching, our gifts are blest and renewed by God.

And, like Solomon, we need to remember the purpose of God's gifts. For Solomon did not ask for understanding for its own sake or for the fame it might bring. Solomon wanted that understanding so he might govern well the people placed in his care. God has equipped us as individuals and as a church for the work of ministry and for building up the body of Christ. Serving food at Victory House or acolyting at the Lord's table, visiting the sick, teaching Church School, welcoming the visitor, supporting our brothers and sisters in Kajo-Kaji or in Allentown schools, and treating one another with warmth and respect--in all these ways, and more, we use the gifts that God has entrusted to us so that those gifts “shall do his will and achieve the ends for which he sent them.”

In the midst of our service it is important to remember that it is God working in and through us, that we are using gifts that he has given us, that it is not our doing. It is essential, as Paul reminds the Ephesians, to give thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remembering to give thanks puts us and the world into the proper perspective. The verse after our first lesson says, “And Solomon awoke, and behold it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings.” As we give thanks to God, we keep open the doors of our hearts, so God's limitless spirit can replenish our love and our strength as quickly as we pour them out in service to others.

And why does God do all this for us? For the same reason that his son Jesus came down from heaven. God's son came down so all people could know God's unending love for them, so all might have abundant life on this earth and eternal life with the Father in heaven when we are raised up on the last day. God's love extends into every corner of Hellertown and to the farthest regions of the earth. And just as earthly streets are often named for their destination, so our yellow brick road ends in a heavenly city whose streets are paved with gold, a true “emerald city” with gates of pearl and walls of sapphire, amethyst and emerald. A city which needs no sun or moon for the glory of God is its light—a perfection we cannot possibly understand or imagine. But we can follow God's yellow brick road. Amen