“Whatever”

A Sermon Based Upon Colossians 3: 17; Luke 9: 49-62

By Rev. Dr. Charles J. Tomlin, DMin

Flat Rock-Zion Baptist Partnership

Pentecost 9c, July 21, 2013

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:17 NRS)

You’ve heard that expression when a teenager gets frustrated:  ‘Well, Whatever!’   When they don’t want to face a challenge, though they still may have to, they will often show their aggravation with the answer:  “Whatever!”  It’s a way of saying, O.K., it doesn’t matter anyway, even though it might matter very much.

Paul’s final word in this passage on the behavior of Christian believers is also a sort of ‘whatever’.  But for Paul the word is not said in frustration, but in hope.  For Paul, “Whatever” means that finally and ultimately, God’s will and purposes “will be done on this earth, as they are done in heaven.”  His final challenge to us is that we live our lives toward these great purposes.

LIFE IS FOR FREEDOM

There is a wonderful freedom in Paul’s words: “And whatever you do….!”   This leaves so much in our lives open for exploration, experiment, adventure and discovery.   Paul does not give us a word that explains everything we should do with our lives.   Paul has spent a lot of time telling us about the kind of ‘behavior’ we should have, as we live our lives in Christ, but he has not given us a lot of detail about ‘what’ we are do with our lives.  Paul leaves so much open---open to the continual working of the Holy Spirit, open to the spirit of the times, open to the needs of the moment, and finally, open to our own gifts, dreams and choosing.

One of the greatest gifts of the Christian spiritual tradition to the human race is the ‘freedom’ Christ brings to the human soul and spirit.   Freedom in Christ is one of Paul’s major themes, and it is one of the major themes in all of Scripture.  Jesus himself spoke of freedom, saying, “If the Son has made you free, you are free indeed”.   Paul adds in his letter to the Galatians, “For Freedom Christ has made you free!  (Galatians 5:1).   “Amazing Grace, My chains are gone!” is a wonderful song based upon the powerful and difficult work for freedom by the great Christian William Wilberforce, as he worked tirelessly to bring the end of the slave trade to England and finally to the United States.  To have a life of freedom in this world is anything but automatic.  It takes diligence and effort. 

We also know that freedom, just like the word “whatever,” can be both wonderful and dangerous at once.   To enable and empower a person to live free can be, at the same time, one life’s greatest gifts, but it can also become a very dangerous gift.   It becomes dangerous because this same gift of freedom which brings life, hope and faith, can also be abused and misused to enslave and hurt others, and eventually hurt and enslave ourselves.  Remember when Paul encouraged the Galatians toward a life in freedom, he also warned them to “not resubmit to the yoke of bondage.”  (Gal 5:1b).  Freedom has a risky side, as well as, a opportunity side.   This "risky" side of freedom is one of the things that fuels ‘legalistic’ religion.   This great freedom that cries out for ‘liberty and justice’ for all can end up being as dangerous as it is good.   It is that way with any thing valuable; like water, wind, fire, wealth, power or sexuality.  Our great freedom in this country has inspired and it has proven to be better than the alternatives, but this only works as long as we keep liberty and justice in balance with each other.   Other cultures have not be able to enjoy this freedom, and do not understand how it has been or can be done. 

In the book, Looming Towers, the author shows how the early and continued anger within radical Islam is partly based upon the failure to understand and appreciate both the risks and challenges of freedom.  Radical Islam came to believe that ‘forced surrender’ to God ‘by the sword’ is the only true option for the infidel because “freedom” in and of itself is just too dangerous.  But, I should add, what radical Islam will not yet admit, though moderate Islam has, is that organized and restrictive religion can be even more dangerous than freedom.   Within ‘freedom’ there always a question and open question about the good and the right, but there is also always a chance that someone will get it right.   Within restrictive, forced religion or politic,  although the question of the right has been settled, if that religion or politic gets it wrong and remains closed to questioning its own truth, then everyone in that culture is doomed.   

Any claim to have ‘true’ religion beyond raising question or having honest doubt, fails to understand the corruptibility of humanity or the corruptibility of religion (including Christianity), and they also have failed to grasp the incorruptibility of the true God, who remains the unsolved mystery beyond all religions.  My point is this: radical Islam, as well as, any form of ‘black and white’ simplistic religion, included fundamentalist Christianity in some of its most restrictive forms, will certainly take advantage of freedom, but they do not know how to “trust” the an openness toward freedom that seeks to bring justice for all.   To put it a very symbolic way, restrictive cultures, as well as rigid religion---no matter the form it takes, is afraid to get on the bicycle of liberty that is balanced with justice and launch off and ride.  Freedom is full surrender to trust God. 

EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF JESUS

Enough about our need for freedom that is balanced by justice, let’s now move into the practical world of considering how we, as Christians, are to live out our freedom.   Paul says that as followers of Jesus, we balance our God-given freedom in ‘word and deed’ done ‘in the name of Jesus’.   Freedom is not for 'our' name's sake, but freedom is to be lived out in our words and in our deeds, as we submit to the glorious 'name of Jesus.'  

Right up front, let's face something most obvious here.  When we say we must do everything ‘in the name’ of Jesus, we will find ourselves in conflict with some of the political will in the world around us.  Even in this ‘free’ nation, that is pledged to be ‘under God’, the forefathers intentionally did not name our freedom as ‘Christian’ by saying it comes only ‘in the name of Jesus’.   Our secular state intends to grant freedom both FOR religion in a way that we also honor, respect, and value the freedom God has given to others to be free FROM religion.  For this very reason, Christians, who used to be the majority in this country, are now being asked to keep the “name of Jesus” out of our public expressions and public prayers.   You all know all the arguments, which includes keeping prayer out of public schools, public places, and even recommends that if on certain occasions, personal prayers, when personal prayers are allowed in public places, we are advised us to be politically correct so that Jesus not be ‘named.’  But how Christians leave out the ‘name of Jesus’ when we believe Jesus is the freedom the world needs?  

What Paul goes on to say about ‘the name of Jesus’ might help us deal with the challenges of living in a secular age.  Notice that Paul does not say, ‘whatever you SAY in word or deed speak up in ‘the name of Jesus’, but Paul says, ‘WHATEVER YOU SAY AND DO, DO EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF JESUS.   Here Paul advises that we put more emphasis on ‘doing’ and ‘living’ like Jesus---than talking about Jesus.  Even Jesus himself warned about those who would use his name, but failed to ‘do’ what Jesus said.   Mentioning Jesus and then not living or acting like him, does more harm than good.    This is more important now than ever before.  “Our World Has Changed”  (The headlines on the Biblical Recorder most recently was:  "Our World Has Changed: Court Ruling Leaves Baptist leaders disappointed, but resolute", July 6, 2013) and now that we are the Christian minority and there seems to be no way back.  Someday, perhaps, and even already in some places, our freedom may mean we can’t freely speak up for Jesus in every situation.   But what Paul says here should encourage us to know that what the most important thing is not what we 'say' but what we 'do'.  What we ‘do’ in the name of Jesus has always has been and will always be, even in a secular age, our greatest witness.  

But don’t misunderstand me.   There are still times we should 'stand up' and speak for Jesus, defending and expressing publicly our faith in Jesus, but there is also ample truth in the Bible which reminds us that Jesus gained much more influence over the world when he did not speak up for himself nor insisted to demand his Lordship.  How Jesus stood before Pilate is a perfect example.  In Luke 23 the strength of Jesus was much more revealed in what Jesus did not say in behalf of himself, than in what he did say (verse 3).   Pilate tried to get Jesus to declare who he was openly, but Jesus did not fall for that trap, which made Pilate even more curious and convinced of Jesus’ innocence at his trial (Luke 23: 14-22). 

Jesus never forces himself anyone.  That is not what love does.   We should not force Jesus on anyone either.  We must not take advantage of our status, but we must make our case for Christ and for freedom with humility, respect and grace.   Paul also commanded Christians to ‘subject to the governing authorities’  for the sake of good for all  (Romans 13:1-4).   This underscores what Paul is saying here:   our witness for Christ should major on doing more than defending, demanding, asserting or invoking Jesus’ name upon others.  Jesus was very hesitant and even reluctant to go beyond Galilee or beyond the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ and launch out into the Gentile world until the Spirit preceded and invited them, and what caused the peoples of the world to invite Christ into their own lives has always been in the context of the miraculous ‘deeds’ of God works through the disciples doing.  Word and Deed always go together, says Paul, but it what we do that invites lifts up the 'name of Jesus'.

EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS 

Paul’s final word about Christian behavior is a word about freedom, but Christian freedom is not simply to do or live anyway we want.   As followers of Christ, we are called most of all to ‘do everything in the name of the LORD Jesus.’   Paul was not specific about what we should do, as he is leaving this up to the leading of the Spirit in our lives.  But Paul does reminds us that whatever we ‘do’ means we must live 'in the name' of the one who is also our LORD.  

Our great freedom in the Lord Jesus is to live for the Lord Jesus right now, in our own time and place.  If you wonder what that should look like, start with the many virtues and behaviors Paul has given, which he saw in Jesus, like compassion, kindness, humility, and meekness.   These are the very first  guidelines for ‘who you should be’ in Christ and ‘how you should live’ for Christ.   Yet, what you are to 'do' in the name of the Lord Jesus’ cannot be exactly determined by anyone else except the living, calling, abiding presence of Jesus in our your life which comes in the Spirit and through Body of Christ we call the church.  What God is calling us to ‘do’ is something we must discover every day as we live together ‘under’ the Lordship of Jesus. The point here is that you don’t simply go looking for what God is calling you to do and then make Jesus Lord of your life, but Paul insists that it’s the other way around: you first make Jesus your LORD and this is when God shows you what you should being doing.  

I thought it most interesting to hear about Charles Ramsey, who helped the first of those kidnapped girls in Cleveland, Amanda Berry, to come out of her prison house to gain her freedom.  When he was walking by eating his McDonald’s meal, he heard her crying for help, he said: "Bro, I knew something was wrong when a little, pretty white girl ran into a black man’s arms. Something is wrong here. Dead giveaway. Dead giveaway."  (http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/cleveland-man-who-found-missing-woman-amanda-berry-i-thought-that-girl-was-dead#ixzz2Sk3H2oZH.

It was humorous how he said that, and how he also reported that he put down his McDonald’s Sandwich to go and help that girl.  McDonald’s tweeted that they would not forget what he did, and they would be in touch.  But what is most endearing about this man is not just that McDonald’s will contact him, or that he simply responded to that woman’s cry for help, but what is most amazing is that in a world where there can be some very bad and evil people, there are also people who cannot help but hear and do what is right when they are called upon to do it.  Interestingly, Charles Ramsey was in no way a perfect person.  He had been in trouble with the law himself,  but now was the time for him to listen, hear, and obey the voice that called him to respond.   In that moment, God spoke to Charles Ramsey, through the voice of an kidnapped woman crying for help.  When the voice comes to you and you respond, you are no longer ruling your own life, but you are letting your life be ruled by what God says needs to be done in that moment.   

I believe this is the kind of ‘rule’ Paul is laying down for those who follow Jesus.   He is not telling us precisely what to do, but he is telling us to be ready and prepared for answering Christ’s call when it comes.   The Lord needs people whose ‘whatever’ puts them on a direct course doing anything and ‘everything’ in Jesus’ name.  As long as people use their freedom to answer God’s call, by making Jesus their LORD in what they say and do, they can discover what it means to actually ‘do’ God’s will.  In other words, if we are willing to do 'everything' in the name of Jesus, then we will be able to do 'anything' that needs to be done.  

So what is God calling us to do?   Remember those Billy Graham crusades with the altar call and with Billy Graham saying ‘while hundreds are coming' and we know that thousands, if not millions responded to the messages Billy Graham preached.  Recently I read that only 2 to 4 percent of those who responded actually are living the Christian life they said they would live? (Statistic from King Ducan in his sermon, “But First”)   This statistic reminds us of the old tent meeting adage: “It doesn’t matter how high you jump, but how straight you walk when your feet hit the ground.”   The question of who we are and need to be, must always end with the answer of what needs to be done by us right now, tomorrow, and the day after that, all in the name of Jesus?  This is what Jesus made clear when he said “whoever is not against me if for me’ and went on to show illustrations of how following Jesus means following through with action for Jesus.   Jesus did not come to win ‘fans’, but he came to make followers, as he said, only those who “keep their hand on the plow” to follow through and do what Jesus calls them to ‘do’, are “fit for the kingdom” (Luke 9: 49-62).  

So, can we make ‘whatever’ a word of about our great opportunity, rather than a word of helpless despair?  Paul did.  Take a look at the last verse in the last chapter of this letter to Colossians where Paul says, “I write this with my own hand.  Remember my chains.  Grace be with you.” (Col. 4:18)  Paul was able to ‘do everything in the name of Jesus’ even from a prison cell.  If God’s grace can be found there---giving opportunity, purpose and hope, it can be found anywhere.  Amen.