Love; Sermon On 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Rev. George Miller
May 17, 2020
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Last week, before worship, Ari reminded us of a story from Exodus 17.

The Israelites, while wandering in the wilderness, fall under enemy attack.

They come up with a plan.

Joshua and the army go out into the field. Moses goes to the hilltop with the Staff of God in his hand.

When Moses raises his hands, Joshua and the people are empowered to defeat the enemy. When Moses lowers his hands, they lose their strength.

An ingenious idea inspires them- two members of the tribe stand beside Moses. When he weakens, they place rocks under his elbows and they hold up his arms.

With the three of them up on the hill, side by side by side, Joshua and his army defeat the enemy, bringing them one step closer to the Promised Land.

The Lord speaks and says to them “Write this down and always remember.”

Thanks to Ari, we also remember this story and its impact.

It’s not about one person taking on the entire battle or doing it for their own sake.

What they do is not for the glory of Joshua, or the glory of Moses, or even for the glory of the people.

It’s for the glory of God.

An outside enemy tried to destroy them, but the People of God come together, each doing their own part to protect everyone around them.

In a word- Love.

That’s what today’s reading is about.

I Corinthians is a letter Paul wrote to one of the first churches as it was going through a time of change.

The people are doing something entirely new- they’re worshipping outside the walls of the synagogue, constructing new traditions.

In this time of Holy Spirit-inspired creativity there’s some technical oops, mistakes, and some hurt feelings.

Since Paul can’t be there in person, he uses the technology of his day to communicate- he writes them a letter.

Paul reminds them of who they are and what they are about.

Paul is putting rocks under their elbows so they can keep their hands up and support one another.

Love.

That’s what Paul reminds them about.

Love- the reason why they are doing what they do.

They have been united as an expression of Christ’s love; to meet the people where they are.

To show that the Kingdom of God is indeed their Promised Land.

Love.

Paul places these stones of love under the people’s elbows to remind them of who they are and that what they do, they are doing for the Glory of God.

Out of this love they are to be patient, as hard as it may seem.

Out of love, they are to be kind to one another, as hard as it may feel.

Out of love, they are to work on their irritability, as difficult as it is-

even if it feels like everything is working their last nerve, and any moment they are about to snap.

Out of love, they are to have hope- hope that no matter what current events may look like, the Lord is active and right by their side.

When things are done for the Glory of God, love never dies…

Friends, it feels like Paul is writing to us this very day.

Though we are not fighting an enemy like what the Israelites faced, we are still facing an enemy nevertheless.

An enemy that takes lives, ravages communities, hurts economies, and is pitting citizen against citizen.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

We can get through this together, working together, framing everything we do in the context of Love.

Right now, we in Florida are in a unique space- places are opening faster then the rest of the country.

People are resuming dining, shopping, and worship in walled-in spaces.

In this Corona wilderness, there are many views about what’s risky, what’s safe, and what’s taking things too far.

We at Emmanuel are continuing to explore all the options out there.

Our Preparation as Stewardship Team is doing great work, gathering info from all over. Council is taking this all in, discerning the right things to do.

Everything we are doing as we face this invisible enemy is to keep you safe, and to honor the Glory of God.

Therefor everything is out of love.

Patient, humble, hopeful love.

The UCC has always been on the forefront of issues, we were involved in 1st Amendment discussions, we’ve championed Civil Rights, and we have always valued science, health and wellness.

We share this because as churches and places of business reopen, we are taking everything in.

We are in the field and on the hilltop doing all we can to keep you safe, because we love you.

It means that when we reopen, things will be different. For example, limiting activity and the wearing of masks.

This is bound to upset some folk. Some may choose not to come to worship. There will be episodes of harsh words spoken and feelings hurt.

That’s normal; it’s to be expected.

It’s called being HUMAN.

But as we journey through this unique wilderness and brand-new time, we are reminded of why we do what we do-

For the glory of God and out of love.

Other places may welcome you in without a mask, but we will ask you to wear one- out of love.

Other places may allow you to sit side by side, directly and behind one another, but we will not…out of love.

Others may dismiss science and what medical professionals are saying, but we will not…out of love.

The enemy is out there- its name is COVID-19. We don’t have to give it any more power than it already has.

We are in this together. We will get through this together.

We all have a part to play, be it in the field or on the hilltop, holding up your own arm or helping to hold up another’s.

We all are figuring out how to do something that is so new that has never been done before, together.

If we remember that we are doing it for the Glory of God, we will make it through.

With faith, hope, and love, we will make it to the other side.

Amen.