Date: January 23, 2011
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 4:12-25
Sermon: Motivation Matters
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells
In a letter to the editor this past Friday, a woman addresses the health care reform bill. In the letter, we are told of the woman’s earnest desire to make sure that she has access to healthcare for herself and her young family. Apparently, she contacted Rep. Bill Young’s office to discuss the issue. Debra Sheldon tells us, “After listening to my nearly desperate plea to fix, not repeal, this law, Rep. C.W. Bill Young’s office then referred to the legislation as “Obamacare.” Personalizing this issue in such a way at that very moment made me realize that we have reached a point where our disdain and contempt for Democrats runs far deeper than our passion for family and respect for human dignity.” [Letter to the editor, from Debra Sheldon, Dunedin, St. Petersburg Times 1/21/11]
Here, we are faced with the matter of motivation. Ms. Sheldon points out her concern that the motivation for opposing health care reform is not a positive one because you’re going toward something good, but a negative one. She points up two alternatives. One negative, contempt and disdain, and one positive, related to values. Is the goal to be vindictive or is the goal to support families and people? She sees the motivation for the opposition to health care reform as negative, not positive. It is not moving toward something positive out of commitment to certain values. Sheldon reminds us that motivation matters.
Motivation matters are also prominent when it comes to the gospel Jesus Christ. We see a contrast in motivation between Jesus and John the Baptist. John the Baptist is crying out to people to repent for the realm of heaven has come near. People confess their sins and repent as John preaches about condemnation and wrath. The ax at the root of the tree and unquenchable fire. John preaches repentance. The motivation is fear. Repent so that you are not punished by God.
Jesus, too, begins his ministry preaching, “Repent, the realm of God has come near.” But there is no fear. No threat. No punishment. No proverbial fire and brimstone. Jesus is not calling people to repent so that they can avoid burning in hell. So what motivation does Jesus use? He calls people to repent, but why should they repent? Why should they turn their lives in a new direction?
In the lesson we heard this morning, we hear of the Peter and Andrew, James and John, leaving their fishing business and following Jesus. They literally repent. They turn their lives in a new direction. From all that we know, they leave a good life, family, a successful business, and they follow Jesus. What is their motivation? Why do they follow Jesus and turn their lives in a new direction?
I see their motivation revealed in the verses that follow. We are told that after the disciples leave their fishing and follow Jesus, they go throughout Galilee with Jesus teaching, proclaiming good news, curing people of every disease and sickness including those with afflicted with demons, epilepsy, and paralysis. All are healed and given new life. And their are no requirements for this healing. The people do not have to make a confession of faith. There are no conditions involved that we are told of. The call is to repent. The action that accompanies the call is healing for all.
For me, the account of the healings following the call tells us that Jesus was inviting people to repent, to turn their lives in a new direction, to be part of this wonderful life of healing and wholeness and community and justice. Jesus’ call to repentance was a call to a life lived in the reality of God’s dreams and intentions for humanity. Jesus’ invitation to repent is a call to a life of healing and hope and goodness. The motivation to respond to Jesus’ call to repent is positive. Turn and head your life toward this glorious vision of wellbeing for all people and all of creation. Jesus’ invitation to repent was not a call to avoid punishment. It was not based on fear. It was a call to turn your life toward something wonderful, and positive, and good. The focus was not on condemnation or judgment or threat. There was to be an intended contrast between Jesus and John the Baptist. Jesus was supposed to be the “new thing” God was doing. He was to inaugurate a new era of God’s love revealed. And we see this from the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry as we heard this morning. It is about turning toward something new and beautiful and good for yourself and for the whole world. It was a different motivation.
As we look at Christianity today, we see these the continuing traditions of both negative and positive motivation for the Christian life. Christianity is well known for calling people away from a life of sin. A life of moral degradation. Drinking. Smoking. Stealing. Whoring. And all the other morally objectionable behaviors that can be elaborated upon. Leave all that evil that leads to hell behind and take up the Christian faith. Get ready for the glories of heaven and the streets paved with gold for all eternity. Avoid eternal damnation in the fires of hell. Turn to Jesus. This is more of a negative motivation for responding to the call to repent. It is based on judgment and fear. Something is wrong with you and you need to be fixed and if you repent, God will fix it for you and you can avoid rotting in hell. This can lead to a Christianity that is extremely judgmental and condemning. That tradition of Christianity can be quite vocal as we often see in the media.
We also see the positive motivation for repenting and following the Christian way lived out in the church today. We see people invited to find new life and hope by becoming part of a community of healing and wholeness for the world. We see communities inviting others to turn their lives in a new direction of service and giving and other-centered living. Not because they are bad or immoral, but because there’s a beautiful life in store as part of a community of people focussed on God’s realm of healing and grace. Christianity can be a transforming journey that is based on going in a positive direction toward being part of creating God’s realm in the world.
When Robin Rogers and George Overholser called off their wedding, they could not get the $3,500 deposit back that they had put down for the reception. So, were they just out this $3,500? They decided to convert the reception into a $100 per person fund raiser for the the Greenpoint Reformed Church’s soup kitchen in New York City and they raised $10,000 for the hungry. The Greenpoint pastor reflected, “This is a great example of someone turning mourning into dancing.” [The Christian Century, 1/11/11, p. 8]
This couple could have been overwhelmed by judgment and a sense of failure and disappointment. Instead they chose to move ahead toward something positive and good that they both believed in. They were motivated by the good they could do. What a beautiful testimony to being part of God’s realm, here and now. “Repent for the realm of God is at hand.”
Positive motivation for repentance is open to everyone who is captivated by the dream of God’s realm of wellbeing and peace for all. The invitation to be part of a community seeking meaning and justice through service has an appeal for all.
This past week someone from our church was telling me about the ministry of a pastor in Minneapolis who feels called to invite people who are young and rich and successful to consider a new direction for their lives. It is a call to repentance, to turn in a new direction. This pastor recruits a small group of wealthy young adults and takes them on a three week intensive trip to the poorest parts of Africa. The travelers are to have no contact with family or the outside world during the trip. Each day involves Bible study and devotions. The loved ones at home are to pray each day for their traveler. The intent is not to condemn the rich people for their success. It is not to malign them for getting rich at the expense of others. It is not to instill guilt. The journey is intended as an invitation to repent. To turn in a new direction. To consider what they can do for others given their know how and resources. It is a call to turn their lives toward making God’s goodness and abundance and generosity real in the lives of people who have great need. And the pastor has seen numerous cases of people who have come back from this trip and then invested themselves in significant ways for the betterment of people who are suffering. To me, this is a positive call to repentance. It is a call to be part of something beautiful and wonderful and life changing for self and for others.
There are many people in our community, in our lives, and in our world today who are waiting to be called. They are ripe for repentance. Looking for a new life, whether they know it or not. There are many hungering to be part of a life changing, world changing community. Aching to be part of something that has passion and heart. Ready to move toward something good and inviting and exciting. But they may not have heard the positive call of Christ. They may have only heard the judgment and condemnation, the fear and punishment, the threat of damnation and hell, as motivation for repentance. They may not have heard the call to healing and hope. They may not have heard the positive message of being part of something beautiful and transforming. They are waiting to hear the call to repent – from us! Amen.
A reasonable effort has been made to appropriately cite materials referenced in this sermon. For additional information, please contact Lakewood United Church of Christ.
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