October 7

19^th Sabbath after Pentecost

World Communion Sabbath

October 5/7, 2007

Victor H. Nixon

MUSTARD SEED FAITH

Luke 17:1-6

God’s Word today from Luke’s gospel is addressed to disciples, that is, it’s a word to us. The first sentence in chapter 17 begins, "Jesus said to his disciples . . ." (17:1).

Now, I must tell you that I’m always a bit nervous when I read those words because I know that what usually follows is a mixed blessing that can be comfort or condemnation, delight or disturbance, grief or grace. Jesus has a way of messing around with our self-understandings, self-satisfactions and self-directions. Today’s text is no exception, I’m afraid. So, if you want to leave now before I get into this sermon I’ll certainly understand. However, for those of you who choose to stay I promise that it will be beneficial in the end. Just don’t say that I didn’t warn you!

The subject is life together as a community of faith. Jesus begins the chapter by saying two things about living together as believers. The first thing is that Christians are to guard against causing "little ones" to stumble (17:1b). What does that mean? "Little ones" refers not just to young children, but also to those of any age who are young in the faith. "Stumbling" refers to established church members causing children or young disciples to sin or abandon the faith altogether. "It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea . . ." (17:2), Jesus warns.

Have you ever seen a millstone? It’s a huge, wagon wheel-shaped stone with a hole in the middle, pulled by an animal, for grinding grain into flour. A millstone weighs more than one person could possibly lift. Jesus’ point is that, if you’re wearing one of those things as a necklace, there’s no way you’re going to stay afloat. You’ll go straight to the bottom! That’s bad enough, Jesus says, but nothing at all compared to what will happen to you if you cause people to stumble or stray. And, he warns all of us that there will always be plenty of opportunities for that to happen!

See what I mean about those texts that begin with "Jesus said to his disciples"? Of course, the church is not in the business of causing people to stumble in faith or to sin. As our church mission statement says we are "growing in Christ," regardless of age. The past two weeks "Transforming Members Through Service" (TM2) displays in our Great Hall have informed us about 180 plus opportunities to grow in service to Christ through the church. I heard about one little girl who was visiting the UMW (United Methodist Women) display and read all about the organization whose purpose is "to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church." The little girl asked her mother if she could be in UMW. Maybe, when you are older, her mother replied. "When I grow up I want to be a UMW," she said. TM2 has a whole host of options about how our life together grows our faith in Christ. Indeed, we are not about causing one another to stumble.

You still want to stay? OK. The second thing Jesus says to us is you must rebuke and forgive disciples who are repentant (17:3-4). Even if someone sins against you seven times in one day! You must confront that person and, if he or she repents, you must forgive that person, he says. Forgiving? Seven times a day?

Most of us don’t have to worry about forgiving those who wrong us so many times because we can’t get past the confrontation part of Jesus’ commandment. We’d rather die almost than confront a fellow church member with his/her sin. Now, we might gossip about it among ourselves about someone’s sin! Have you heard about so-and-so? But confront the sinner?

There have been times in my ministry when a concerned member of the church spoke to me about something I said or did that offended. While the offense may have been unintentional, I deeply appreciated the fact that a fellow Christian cared enough to speak openly to me. It gave me an opportunity to ask forgiveness and be reconciled to a brother or sister. That’s the way it is supposed to be among followers of Christ—again and again.

This teaching is very close to what John Wesley meant by "speaking the truth to one another in love." Caring enough to speak honestly and openly about matters that can endanger one’s very soul and the community of faith. It certainly isn’t easy; but it’s necessary for good relationships within and without the church.

May I speak the truth in love to you today? The challenge for members of our church is financial stewardship, particularly where our funding our ministries, benevolences and basic costs are concerned. We do well with building and mission offerings. But basic support of our ministries/operating funds frequently lags and programs must be postponed or cancelled due to lack of contributions. Some of you take giving seriously and tithe your income. Most are not giving sacrificially to the church. The basic reason the church has a cash flow problem is lack of generosity. In effect, are we not causing little ones to stumble and unintentionally placing a millstone round our own necks when vital ministries go unfunded due to lack of contributions? If this church is to keep growing Christians you need to work on your generosity. This isn’t primarily a matter of money; it’s a spiritual issue, a matter of faith. Remember: I love you enough to speak the truth to you.

In addition to selecting our ministries in TM2, we are currently receiving financial pledges for 2008 to ministries/operations and broadcast ministries. About one-third of our members make a financial pledge to the church. Two-thirds of you don’t. Not a good record. Those who pledge give six times more than those who don’t pledge. So what this is really all about is commitment to Christ and the church. If you haven’t been pledging make this the year you begin. Your TM2 packet contains a pledge sheet. Make a pledge for next year. If you aren’t tithing your income, make that a faith goal. I love you and God loves you, but the truth is our congregation needs to grow in financial support for Christ and the church. Christ needs it. You need it. Your financial contribution is a measure of your faith.

So, you see why I’m always a little nervous about these biblical texts that begin, "And Jesus said to his disciples"? Our Savior doesn’t always tell us what we want to hear and do but he always tells us what we need to hear and do.

And so you’re saying to yourself, why didn’t I leave when I had the chance! Besides, I know that I’m going to cause someone to stumble. I could never confront someone about a sin. I’m not sure that I can afford to give more and I’m uncertain about committing myself financially for next year. I have difficulty forgiving one time, much less seven times! No way I would be able to do that. I guess I just don’t have enough faith!

And that’s precisely what the first disciples felt that day when they responded to Jesus and said, "Lord, increase our faith!" (17:5). Lord, increase our faith! That’s what we need, isn’t it? Following Jesus seems impossible unless God gives us more faith.

Even more surprising is Jesus’ response to the disciples’ request for more faith. He doesn’t grant their request, nor tell them they need more faith. Instead, he tells them, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you"(17:6). With just a little faith, he told them, tells us, you can do marvelous things. Now understand. Jesus isn’t reprimanding his disciples for absence of faith; rather he is inviting them to use the faith they have.(1) You can do marvelous things with the little faith you have. What an exceptional insight!

Jesus doesn’t mean that we should be content with the faith we have. We certainly can and should grow our faith through prayer, presence, gifts and service. Faith is a life-long process of growing in our relationship with God and living out that relationship with others. If you graphed it out, it would probably look like the Dow Jones Industrial Average. There would be ups and downs, periods of growth and recession. Hopefully we can see a progressive increase in our faith and relationship with God.

Jesus says you can do marvelous things with the faith you have. Why? Because faith is more about God than it is about the amount and strength of our individual piety. With God nothing is impossible. It is God who empowers disciples. Whether we are building a life or a pattern of giving or a new facility, God is the power behind our faith. You can do all things through Christ who empowers you. Using the faith you have, God can do marvelous things for you and for others. And when we all plant our mustard seed faith together through the church we can grow a whole garden that nourishes and feeds people with the Good News of Christ. Jesus is telling you, your mustard seed faith matters, makes a difference to God, to others and for you.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

1. Fred B. Craddock, Luke: Interpretation (Louisville: John Knox Press), 200.