Sermon Central BrecksvilleUMC

Each gospel has a main theme when telling the story of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. In the gospel of John, the theme is choice— we have the choice whether to receive God’s love or not. To acknowledge Jesus as God enfleshed.

We also have a choice whether to live out that unconditional, extravagant love in the world like God— “for God so loved the world…”

What would it be like if we chose to live that love?

Today we continue our worship series, “Climate + Faith.” Our goal in this series is to look past partisan politics to recognize why valuing and caring for God’s creation is fundamentally an issue of faith.

We all breathe the same air, drink the same water, and enjoy the same forests and lakes and rivers and creatures. We all suffer in extreme weather, social instability, and mass migration.

A livable world is not a politically partisan goal. It’s a human goal. And at its core, it’s a spiritual goal.

If we look back, in virtually every transformative movement in human history, people of faith have been at the center of the action. We’ve been the catalysts… laborers… visionaries.

And now, as we confront what is perhaps the greatest challenge in human history, God is calling us to step up once more—to live into our original calling of being responsible for all of God’s creation.

Following Jesus involves the sometimes difficult and painful process of opening up—transforming from being turned inward in self-absorption to being turned outward in love and service.

It doesn’t mean sacrificing to the detriment of ourselves, but it means putting ourselves with others—not thinking of ourselves as apart from, but connected with others and our whole world.

Humanity’s “dominion” or “rule” over creation is not a right, entitling us to do whatever we wish with creation. Rather, it’s a responsibility to manage and care for all of God’s creation just as God would, to the very best of our ability.

Rights look inward—what can I get? What am I entitled to?

Where responsibilities look outward—how can I best care for or be in community with that which is around me?

In virtually every transformative movement in human history – the abolitionist movement against slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, the movements for women’s suffrage, labor protections, the list goes on – in each of these cases, people of faith have been at the center of the action. Catalysts. Laborers. Visionaries.
And now, as we confront what is arguably the greatest challenge in human history, God is calling us to step up once more.
To love the world – and put our love into action.
To care for creation – and pass it on to the next generation better, healthier, and hardier than we found it.

Throughout Lent, we’ve learned about our own faith journeys as we’ve learned from the life and faith of the disciple Peter. We’ve watched as Peter dropped his nets to follow Jesus; trusted Jesus enough to step out of the boat and walk on water towards Jesus; professed his faith by declaring Jesus the Messiah—the one the Jewish people were waiting for; and then was rebuked by Jesus for not understanding or trusting God’s plan; was humbled by having his feet washed by Jesus; then denied Jesus 3 times; and the ran to the tomb when the women shared that Jesus was alive.
And now, we come full circle with Peter, as he meets Jesus once again fishing at the shore of the Sea of Galilee, just like when Jesus first calls him.