This month, as we worship, we are listening to stories from Scripture that
shape our lives as disciples. We are asking how we can be good stewards of
God’s gifts and people. We have looked at how we gather both as a community in
worship and to bring together resources, and we have been encouraged to scatter
beyond these walls to be good neighbors and to share generously what we have
first been given.
Another dimension of our commitment to stewardship is depth.
Our Scripture today says, “[each of us is a member of the household of God] built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets….”
The apostles and the prophets are the people whose names we know from Bible study.
Prophets like Isaiah who said,
“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive
it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
and Jeremiah who promised, “For surely I know the plans I have for you,
says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future
with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
and Micah who asks God’s people, “what does the Lord require of you but
to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah
6:8)
And apostles like Peter about whom Jesus says, “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) Of course, it’s also Peter’s recklessness that shows us that discipleship is not about being perfect and getting everything right. And in whom we see the assurance of God’s mercy and forgiveness when we mess up.
Our foundation is built upon the experiences and words of these ancestors in faith and followers of Jesus. It has been tested and is solid and remains intact.
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish builders. He says,
47 As
for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into
practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They
are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation
on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could
not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the
one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who
built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck
that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:47-49)
When a foundation is shallow, cracked or sunk, the integrity of its structure fails. It cannot bear the ordinary wear and tear of everyday life, let alone the challenges of sustained storms or trials.
Eleven years ago, the residents of a community in Iron Ridge in Lincoln County, North Carolina found this out the hard way. Torrential rains washed away a bridge that crossed a culvert to where 20 families lived. “After a couple of temporary repairs, a local contractor helped the residents restore the road to the way it had been.”[i] Last winter, it happened again and this time 25 families were stranded. The county put a temporary bridge in place, but it didn’t meet requirements, and they had to remove it. So, then they put in a footbridge. Residents had to park their vehicles on one side and walk or use four-wheelers to cross.
In the meantime, the crisis came to the attention of Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) and Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). The Mennonites had experience building bridges on private roads that had been washed out by floods and offered to come to Lincoln County to help, and they connected with Pastors Ray and Ruth Ann Sipe at Lutheran Disaster Response and the county’s Emergency Manager Mark Howell, who also happens to be an ELCA Lutheran. Together, with other partners, they were able to fund a new, larger and heavier bridge, built to support 38 tons.
The bridge opened on June 29 to the joy and relief of the residents. [ii]
As disciples, we are part of the household of God that is built upon the foundation of the prophets and the apostles. We have both a responsibility to see that it doesn’t erode or rust away into dust, and an imperative to trust its integrity. As our text says, God has placed Christ as the cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:20)
Christ, not our efforts or accomplishments, is the cornerstone. And Christ is the one who has gathered us, and who scatters us, and Christ is the one who invites us deeper into faith and discipleship.
As we look ahead to a new year of ministry, and as we anticipate a new strategic plan and priorities for our work as a congregation and in our community, may we have confidence that we already have the foundation necessary to support robust ideas and to bear the weight of our work. May we have courage to step out in faith, test new directions and try out new possibilities, knowing we are following our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let us pray.
Good and
gracious God,
Thank you
for giving us faith built upon a firm foundation, strengthened through generations
of faithful people.
Help us be
good stewards of all you have first given us.
Deepen our own
faith and give us courage to depend on you, listening to Your Word and your
Holy Spirit.
We pray in
Jesus’ name.
Amen.
[ii] ibid
Photos by Mark Howell, Emergency Manager, Lincoln County
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