Rev. George Miller
July 6, 2025
2 Thessalonians 2:13
Once upon a time, across the shiny sea, people
hungered for the gift of freedom. Such hunger
came with consequences- punishment, persecution, prison.
They went to a land of Tulips. Though free to worship as they yearned, being
financially stable was almost impossible.
With a blessing from their pastor, Rev.
John Robinson they went across the ocean, to a place near Cape Cod.
They planted the seeds of democracy and
social order, forming a church that would one day be united with others.
This new way of living was not easy;
freedom mixed with economics rarely is.
Years later, 40 miles from that spot, a
group met at the Old South Meeting House, upset about the imposition of
taxes.
Within the walls of this congregational
church they decided to destroy the symbol of injustice, tossing tea into the same
sea their ancestors had sailed across.
A Revolution took place.
Ordinary farmers fought against minions of
the monarchy. Congregational ministers shared
support, preaching natural rights and calls to resist tyranny.
Like the Mother of Moses, Zion Reformed
Church hid the Liberty Bell from the British, under the floor where they
worshipped each Sunday.
In 1776 this new land won its freedom, adopting
a Declaration of Independence, casting aside political bands.
Holding truths to be self-evident- that
all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights- life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
Decades later, others across the shiny sea
were identifying with a more confessional expression of faith. Since they would not bend to the will of Prussia’s
King, they too endured persecution.
Desiring to be free, they set sail across
the ocean, up the mighty Mississippi, escaping hardship, embracing economic
opportunities in a place called Missouri.
They established churches, educational
systems, hospitals, and places of elder care.
It is inspiring what the thirst for
freedom can do; what the hunger for autonomy looks like; how folks, families would
rather brave rough waters and unknown land to be free, rather than be forced to
live a lie or bow to a king.
What a privilege it is to not only be an
American, but to also be a member of the UCC which has played a role in the
formation of our country.
Be it setting sail from Holland, holding
the original Tea Pary, hiding the Liberty Bell, to the community care in Missouri,
the seeds, roots, and flowers of the UCC
have been right there.
As we celebrate the 4th of July,
it is good to celebrate all we have achieved and what being an American means. It is good for us to look at what we have
done wrong, what we can do better, and when we failed our Founding Father’s vision.
When has our quest for freedom led us to
the top of the mountain and when have we been deep in the valley?
Our country is still very young. Compared to other nations, America is just
starting kindergarten.
Meanwhile Greece is like a 75-year-old
uncle enjoying the Villages in Florida; Egypt is a 90-year-old grandma with a
condo in Phoenix, enjoying hummingbirds and no humidity.
America is still new; so much to learn and
accomplish. In 1776, we held these
truths to be self-evident- that all men are created equal, endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights- life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
Did we achieve these goals immediately?
Well, it wasn’t until 1865 that the selling
and owning of people officially ended.
In 1967, if a white man in St. Louis
wanted to marry a woman of Asian descent, they had to go across the Mississippi
to Illinois.
Women couldn’t get a credit card without their
father’s or husband’s signature until 1974.
I couldn’t marry the one I loved until 10
years ago.
Wednesday, at Whole Foods, I met a man of
Peruvian descent whose parents were naturalized ages ago. He’s scared to leave home, staying inside
with his Mom who came here to be free.
Today we are a nation divided. Some think this is the best time ever; others
are worried.
Some are loving all the songs we are
singing today; some may wonder how we can raise our voices up when other voices
are being silenced.
For me, it’s because I believe in the
dream, I hold onto the claim, the reason my Great-Grandpa Nicoli came here from
Romania.
America has yet to fully become who we
said we are. We’ve had huge successes,
taken strides, had setbacks.
This is normal for any nation, any group
of people that dare to do something new.
The challenge, the bravery, is that we
keep keeping on.
Gifts like our freedom of speech; our
right to worship, our ability to rise from nothing to something are gifts we
give thanks for and do not forget.
Otherwise, how could I be here today
giving this message? How could we gather
here together?
America is a nation, is one that is
constantly becoming, evolving, figuring it out.
In some ways, this is what today’s reading
is about.
It is a scripture so short, so rich, said
to be written during a time of persecution, much like what our ancestors faced.
The author wants everyone to be strong although
injustice and lawlessness abounds.
He demonstrates strength two ways. The first is a spirit of gratitude, giving
thanks for one another; for what God has done.
The second way is discussing sanctification
by the Spirit.
Sanctification is such a long word, and a
confusing topic. What does it mean?
For some, being sanctified means you no longer
do what you used to do- you are now saved, holy, separate. You know the word, live the word, are an
example for all to admire and follow.
Some make sanctification into a measuring
stick; like ex-smokers who use to light up 3 packs a day but judge you the
moment you take out a lighter.
There is another way to see sanctification-
that it’s about the “already” and the “not yet.”
It’s about the desire to be braver, live more
in the moment, to exist on earth as if heaven is already here.
Sanctification isn’t about arriving and
saying “I’m here,” but being on the journey and saying “I’m on my way.”
This way of seeing sanctification provides
a place for grace, allows space for trial and error, honest mistakes, and
unexpected experiences.
Sanctification is like a holy “letting go,”
of not having to know it all, do it all, be all, but to be open to the possibilities
and ways the Spirit leads.
In some ways, a person saying they want to
be sanctified is a sign that they already are.
Sanctification is not always about what we
do, but what God does through us, and the fruits that grow out of it.
It can be said that being sanctified is
like being an American- we are, but we have so much more to do, learn, own
up to, and let go.
Today’s letter wants the first Christians
to know that things were not perfect, but they are worthy of thanks and bearers
of fruit.
So are we.
As Christians, as Americans, we also follow the Spirit, rooted in
Christ.
Like the faith of our Fathers and the
faith of our Mothers, we discern when to act; and when to wait.
When to speak; when to listen.
When to gather thoughts; when to unapologetically
share them.
When to be still; when to move. When to protect what’s yours; when to be
willing to risk it all.
When to say “Enough!”; when to whisper “What
can I do?”
Once upon a time, across the shiny sea, a
group of people hungered for the gift of freedom.
We are the descendants of those
people. As such we hold onto what they
hungered for.
We celebrate what we have achieved; we
sanctify that which is yet to come.
May our eyes recognize the glory of
God. May our hearts hear the call of
Jesus.
May our minds follow the wisdom of the
Holy Spirit.
For that, let us say “Amen.”
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