Mamaw's Dinner Table (Sunday, October 2nd, 2016)

Bible Reference(s): 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn

Many of you have probably heard folks talk about going to their happy place.  I, on the other hand, happen to have a happy box.  Actually several of them.  You see, years ago, early in my ministry, I got into the habit of saving little things and eventually storing them in boxes like these.  Oh, but only the good things...only things that bring me joy and happiness.  I have a special circular file for all the other things. 

Seriously, these boxes are filled with a variety of items that are important to me. There are notes and pictures that the children of the church and the preschool have made for me. Cards and letters of encouragement that I've received from some of you; clippings, articles and newspapers from when our congregation has been commended for something significant.  Photos and other little knick-knacks with special meaning.

The items I keep may have deep significance for me, or they may also just be little things that make me smile...things that evoke memories that bring me joy.  On the walls, taped to my credenza, or just scattered around the room are various things that encourage me in ministry...which is the true purpose behind my happy boxes.  They are not meant to be a prideful measurement of the year's accomplishments.  Instead, my happy box is meant to be source of encouragement - especially during those times when it feels as if nothing is being accomplished.

And, who doesn't need some encouragement now and then?  I mean, nearly all of us have gone through a difficult period at some point or another.  A period when nothing seems to be going right...times of self-doubt...spiritually dry times...challenging times...dark, can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, times.  Times when we need an extra boost of support to keep us going.  Of course, as Christians, we know to rely on God, not things...and to pray, not fret...but there are periods in our life, when no matter how much we know in our head, our heart still aches for assurance...for someone to tell us we're going to be alright...a friend to remind us of who we are and whose we are...when we, ourselves, reach the point that we no longer know, or we are not able to believe.

This letter from Paul to Timothy seems to be written for that very purpose...to be an encouragement to Timothy and a reminder that he has been called and equipped to lead the church at Ephesus in Paul's absence.  In the same way, it was also a word to the church...a reminder of their resurrection hope and salvation, found only in Jesus Christ.  It came at a time when they desperately needed to hear it, as there were a number of heresies and contrary teachings emerging in and around the region. 

So when Paul says things like: I am reminded of your sincere faith...or, rekindle the gift of God that is within you...do not be afraid...rely on God's power...hold to the standard of sound teaching I taught you...guard the good treasure (the gospel)...they are statements addressed to his beloved protégé, Timothy, but they were also as much for the church as they were for its leader.

I think, too, the letter may have also served as a "happy place" for Paul as well.  Keep in mind, in his missionary journeys, Paul had established many of the early churches...gathered them, taught them, trained the leaders, helped them find financing...you name it.  Paul was either directly involved with church inner-workings or guiding those he left in charge.   Not to mention, Paul had taken Timothy under his wing.  He recognized that there was something special about the young man and brought him into his ministry, like a son.  They travelled together...faced challenges together...and I'm sure developed a significant emotional bond...evidenced by Timothy's tears at their parting.  Paul loved and trusted Timothy with all his heart, which is why he was willing to leave him to lead the church at Ephesus.

But...at the time that Paul wrote this letter, he is imprisoned. Not just under house arrest, which was the case before...this time he was very likely chained in a jail cell under the rule of Nero - a known persecutor of Christians.  My heart says that writing this letter to Timothy helped take Paul to his happy place in the midst of his persecution and suffering.  The memories of his beloved friend, as well as writing about why he is willing to suffer for the good news of Christ, served as encouragement, inspiration and hope for him during a time when the light of his life was growing more dim.  Paul's days were numbered.  He, as much as Timothy and the church, needed something to keep all of them going and this letter was meant to do just that. 

Encourage. Encourage. Encourage.

Friends, we are all in this thing called life together. Difficulties are a given.  It's also a given that our world is going to appear chaotic and frightening at times. It's a given that there will be message of fear...people who hate...there will violence...and the presence of evil.  It's a given because it has been going on since the beginning of our faith story.  And, yes, it's still going on today.  Turbulence and troubles, violence and crime are not new.   There's a reason the Bible tells us that there is nothing new under the sun.  History repeats itself.  That is, unless we learn from it.  So the turmoil we feel in our world today...not the first time and it won't be the last.

Therefore, it only makes sense that if we want to learn from history, we must look to scriptures for guidance...all of the scriptures...to see ourselves and our world in them.  And we pray.  We pray a lot.  In fact, our congregation is making that a specific priority this month.  We also gather in worship as a "happy place".  Together we encourage each other as we wait on the Lord.  And sometimes, we carry each other's faith.  Seriously, we may have to do the praying and trusting on someone else's behalf when they are too broken to do it themselves.  Part of being the church is to help each other have faith in God's promises.  

One of my personal favorite Bible stories about encouragement comes from the prophet Habakkuk. The entire book is a dialogue between God and Habakkuk. Back and forth, Habakkuk laments the condition of the nation and begs God to intervene...and then God tells Habakkuk, the same thing God often tells us, just wait...trust and wait.  However during one of their exchanges, God say something to the effect of...but while you're waiting, write out the vision on the wall large enough that even a runner passing by can read it.  Sort of an ancient version of, "Post it on Facebook as a reminder to everyone!    In other words, while you wait...cling to those beautiful visions that give you hope.

Writing visions of hope is what Paul is doing for Timothy and the church...but especially for Timothy.  With words rather than actual pictures, Paul creates visual reminders in Timothy's mind...remember the faith of your grandmother and mother...remember our time together.  In the midst of the trials, the conflict, the persecution...remember all the different people, stories, and things that grow your faith and give you hope in Christ.

Friends, I don't have to tell you that our nation is living in the midst of some very challenging times.  In every realm of life...from political, to social, to economic, to religious...many of our hearts and minds are troubled.  There is anxiousness in the air.  And I don't think I am alone when I say that we need God's amazing grace poured out upon us.  On our knees in prayer individually and as a church, we, like Habakkuk, beg for God's mercy, for his justice, his righteousness and his peace to prevail.  Also like Habakkuk, we wait...together. 

While we wait on God's realm to be fully established on earth as it is in heaven...our faith sustains us.  Our faith which is built on Christ's promises and sustained by glimpses of his compassion, justice and peace.  Our faith which is shaped by, and carried in, big beautiful visions of what God peaceable kingdom can be.  Now, some of those visions come from the stories we learn from scripture. Stories in which God has proven faithful to his people.  Some visions are created by the sacred stories of our lives where God has shown up in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes the holy vision we need to keep us going is symbolized by things in our homes, on our shelves, in our worship space or in our happy boxes.

The thing is, folks, the way we write the vision on the wall...the way we encourage each other's faith...is to share our God-stories with each other.  Sharing our stories is what gives them power to become a vision that shapes, sustains and encourages our faith.  Sharing is how we unite as a community...and bring light into each other's darkness.  Sharing the vision --whether through the scriptures, or our stories, or symbols or all of the above -- is how God transforms the world. 

Unfortunately, we don't get a lot of opportunities to tell each other the faith stories of our lives.  For one thing, personal sharing, sometimes called testimony, has not always been a key element in the Presbyterian worship tradition.  Likewise, our hectic lives keep us too busy to share random stories about our faith. Sometimes we struggle to distinguish our stories from "this is what I believe".  For some people, insecurity keeps us from sharing...or maybe it's fear...or pride. Still, God calls us to be witnesses to the gospel, and sometimes the witness must speak.  God calls us to write the vision, and sometimes to write a vision, we must first tell a story.

Today, on this World Communion Sunday, I'm going to tell you the story of my vision of a different communion table. Now, as I am sure is the case for most of you, it's just one memory of many...but it has impacted my ministry in a significant way.  It is my hope that by sharing, you will be reminded of your own stories, and maybe even be encouraged to share them with others.

So...like Timothy, my faith also began with my grandmother, fondly known as Mamaw.  An important part of my childhood included regular family dinners at my Mamaw and Papaw's house...especially at every holiday.  One of the most remarkable things about those dinners was the fact that no matter how many people were coming to the table...everyone would find at least one favorite food item when they sat down. 

You see, that was Mamaw's way of loving others.  She made sure that every guest had a personal favorite food at dinner.  I even remember one time when she went to extent to call me and ask me for the favorite food my new boyfriend, who was coming to Thanksgiving dinner for the first time.  Mamaw wanted to prepare these foods..not as an exercise in people-pleasing but as a way to show hospitality. It was the way Mamaw ensured that everyone felt welcome and beloved in her home.

Looking back, Mamaw's Dinner Table has shaped my own theology about grace. To me, God's grace is all about radical welcome.  And, as result, this has also shaped my ministry to be one of making sure people feel welcomed...that there is no barrier...no outsiders...no bar you have to cross in order to experience love and acceptance.  So when I start to question myself...or what I am doing in ministry...or where God is leading me to lead this congregation...a vision of Mamaw's Dinner Table pops into my mind.  First and foremost, it reminds me that I am loved...and it challenges me to love like Mamaw...to do all I am able to make sure others know that they, too, are welcome and loved. 

So...my friends, what are your stories?  What visions, stories, or symbols, have impacted your faith.  What serves as light in your dark tunnel and sustains you as you wait for God?  More importantly, are you willing to share it with others...to help write the vision on the wall for the world to see?

Transition to communion...

For me, Mamaw's dinner table reflected this table...a table of unconditional welcome and love...a table where everyone who comes will find exactly what they need...not a favorite food per se...but here we receive grace...the bread of life and the cup of salvation, which is truly all we ever need. Here, at the table, we are united with Christ and each other.  Here we are not the rich or the poor, not the republican or the democrat, not the straight or the gay, not the black or the white, the sophisticated or the simple.  No, my friends, here we are just...the beloved people of God.

Today, around the world, the communion table is simultaneously symbol, story, and vision of the peaceable kingdom where all are welcome, always. 

Be Thou My Vision