EVERYBODY'S CHURCH WEBSITE
  • Home
  • Info
    • Need Help?
    • Mission
    • Welcoming
    • Inclusion
    • Community
    • Why I Go to Everybody's Church
    • Become a Member
    • Our Vision >
      • Jesus Christ >
        • Celebrating
      • Reaching
      • Serving
      • Connecting
      • Growing
    • map and directions
    • Our Staff
    • Staff Contact Information
    • Job Openings
    • Funeral Information
    • Church Leadership
    • What to Expect FAQs
    • COVID Masking Policy
    • Building Use Fees
    • Baptism
    • Communion
    • In the Presence of the Holy
    • Presbyterian Church USA
    • Our Stained Glass Windows
    • The Presbytery of Detroit
    • Community Resources
    • Contact
  • Worship
    • church at home, livestream
    • Recent Sermons
    • Bulletins
    • Worship Schedule
    • Easter Services
    • Maundy Thursday Worship
    • Good Friday Worship
    • Rejoicing Spirits Worship
    • Music Ministries >
      • Children's Choir
  • Serve
    • Mission Opportunities
    • Yucatan Peninsula Mission (YPM) Trip
    • Deacons
    • Volunteer Opportunities at FPC
    • Learn about Foster Care
    • Mission Funding
    • Our Efforts to Serve the Least
    • Alcott School Ministry
    • International Missions >
      • Kenya Mission Trip Story
      • Faith Kasoni - Kenya
      • Chang-Lopez
    • Local Missions >
      • Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
    • In Our Church >
      • Deacons
      • Memorial Service Help
    • Stephen Ministry
    • Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
    • Mission Videos
  • Learn
    • Matthew 25 >
      • Matthew 25 Events >
        • Listen - Matthew 25
        • Learn - Matthew 25
        • Lean In - Matthew 25
    • Children's and Family Ministries >
      • Resources re: Racism
      • Five Part Story
      • Worship Wonder
      • CrossWalks
      • Faith at Home Resources
      • Sacraments
      • Build a Bible For Kids
      • Milestones for Children
      • Inclusion Videos
    • Youth Ministries
    • Spiritual Practices
    • Education Videos >
      • Five Women Five Journeys
      • Health and Wellness
      • Theologian in Residence
      • Teacher Training Videos
      • Sacraments Videos
      • Bus Training Video
      • Children's Ministry
    • Adult Faith Formation >
      • Church History 101 >
        • The Jesus Community
        • The Church Expands
        • Constantine to the Reformation
        • The Reformation
        • The Church in America
      • Revelation Bible Study
      • Christian Faith Foundation
      • The Gospel of John >
        • Introduction
        • The Book of Signs >
          • John 1:1-18
      • Genesis Bible Study >
        • Genesis Chapters 1-11
        • Genesis Chapters 12-25
        • Genesis Chapters 26-36
        • Genesis Chapters 37-50
      • Exodus Bible Study >
        • Exodus 1-15
        • Exodus 16-23
      • John Calvin For Everyone
      • What is a Presbyterian Video Series
      • Two Year Bible Trek
      • Immigration Information
      • Faith Formation Groups
      • Fellowship and Ministry Groups
      • Classes and Events
    • Hand in Hand Early Learning Center
    • Belhar Confession
    • All Abilities Inclusion Ministry
    • Disability Inclusion Resources
  • Events
    • Holy Week
    • 24-Hour Prayer Vigil
    • Senior Adventures
    • Concerts at First
    • Vacation Bible Camp
    • Lunch and Learn
    • New Member Event
    • SAIL event
    • Calendar
  • News
    • Email Sign-up
    • First Things
  • Connect
    • Inclusive Communities Network
    • SAIL Solutions for Adult Independent Living
    • Faith Formation Groups
  • App/Members' Portal
  • Give
    • Contribute to FPC
    • Stewardship
    • 2023 Pledge Form
    • 2022 Financial Review
    • Community Rewards Programs >
      • Kroger Sign up/Re-register
      • Link to AmazonSmile
    • Deacons
    • First Foundation >
      • Donating
      • Grant Requests
      • Serving the World
      • History

People Get Ready: Freedom

12/22/2014

 
Rev. Amy Morgan
December 14, 2014

Listen
Print Version


Isaiah 61:1-11, John 1:6-8, 19-28

In poverty and oppression, you are a number.  1.4 billion people worldwide are living in extreme poverty.  More than 45 million people in the United States live in poverty.  27 million people are enslaved around the world today.  

In prison, you are a number.  Les Miserable fans will surely remember prisoner 24601, a man without a name, a man with the permanent mark of imprisonment.  And while we don’t permanently engrave numbers onto our prisoners in this time and place, we do still assign inmate numbers, and the emotional and social imprint of those numbers, that label of “prisoner,” can be every bit as long-lasting and devastating as it was for Jean Valjean.  

Even in mourning, you are a number.  There are over three million Syrian refugees who have fled to surrounding countries, leaving behind their homes and possessions and their dead loved ones.  Nearly 200,000 survivors of the Holocaust still mourn what and who they lost during that great human atrocity.   

They say in the non-profit world that numbers speak.  But they don’t, really.  Numbers can be manipulated to tell whatever story you want people to hear.  Numbers like the ones I mentioned can overwhelm us, and they can provide apathetic distance.  Numbers are cold and silent, and they don’t tell the real story.

Numbers also refuse to name those who are afflicted, which serves to augment the pain of those who suffer invisibly.  

Numbers do not speak.  They do not give a voice to the voiceless – to tell their story, to describe their oppression, to cry out for freedom, to prophetically call us to a new and more just way of living.

Numbers do not speak, but we use numbers anyway – in the media, in government reports, in non-profit fundraising.  And so the poor, the oppressed, the prisoner, and the grief-stricken remain unidentified and voiceless – just another statistic.

In the gospel of John, we encounter a man with a name and a voice.  

In the Matthew’s gospel, he is the Baptist.  In Mark, he is the Baptizer.  In Luke, he is the son of Zechariah.  But here, in the symbolism-obsessed gospel of John, he is the Voice.  “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'"  

John is quoting the prophet Isaiah who, like many of the prophets of Israel, had a special concern for those nameless and voiceless people.  In the prophesy we read this morning, Isaiah shares with the people a vision of hope – an “anointed one,” a Messiah, who will “bring good news to the oppressed, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners,” who will “proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God,” and who will “comfort all who mourn”

The gospel of Luke tells us that at the outset of his earthly ministry, Jesus takes up this text as his mission statement, declaring to the religious leaders and teachers that this prophesy has been fulfilled in him.  

Now, Jesus does many amazing and miraculous things in his earthly ministry.  But as a Jewish rabbi once explained, Jews don’t believe Jesus was the Messiah because those things the Messiah was supposed to change have not changed.  People are still oppressed, brokenhearted, captive, imprisoned, and mourning.  I have to admit, the rabbi had a point.

So what’s wrong with us Christians?  Are we crazy to believe Jesus was the Messiah?  Possibly.  Should we still be waiting for the Messiah to come?  Perhaps.  But I think we would be waiting a very long time.  

Jesus wasn’t joking around or inflating his ego when he said Isaiah’s prophesy had been fulfilled.  He understood what the prophesy was really about.  Isaiah does not say that the Messiah, the anointed one, will eliminate suffering and oppression.  Instead, he will inaugurate a new social order.  In bringing good news to the oppressed, the Messiah will assure them that they are known and cherished by God, that they are not just a number – God knows their name.  In binding up the broken hearted, the Messiah will offer comfort and healing and hope.  In proclaiming liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, the Messiah will show the way to true freedom, despite whatever bondage may try to hold us.  They are not a number – they have a name and a voice, and God hears their cries.   

The “year of the Lord” referred to in this passage is the Jubilee year, the time when, every 50 years, all debts are forgiven, all slaves are released, and everyone celebrates and rests, even the land rests and lies fallow.  In the Jubilee year, the people are freed from slavery to debt, to other people, even to their own wealth.  The Jubilee year is a great equalizer, reminding everyone that we are not numbers.  We are not what we own or who owns us.  We have a name, and a voice, and a place in our collective story.  

Freedom is more than basic rights, having your basic needs met, not being imprisoned.  It is more than happiness and comfort.  Freedom is a name, a voice, a place in the story.  This is the freedom prophesied by Isaiah.  This is the freedom fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

John was a man who knew that freedom.  He not only had a name, he had an origin and a purpose.  He was sent by God as a witness to testify to the light.  He turned down all the false names the religious leaders tried to pin on him – Messiah, Elijah, the prophet, meaning the reincarnated Moses.  He accepted nothing more and nothing less than the truth about himself.  

John was the voice.  The voice of one crying out in the wilderness.  If there is any truth in the words of Janis Joplin, that freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose, then John was indeed very free.   He was living in the wilderness, eating honey and locusts.  He had no home, no money, no family by his side.  While the Messiah, his cousin, walked the earth, he was imprisoned and killed.  

But he knew his place in the story.  He was to witness to Jesus, to point to the One who is coming into the world and to acknowledge the superiority of that One.  The word “witness” in Greek is the word “martyria” – martyr.  That is what John truly was.  He witnessed to his faith in Jesus by dying.  In this, for John, was freedom.  His place in the story was to point to Jesus, to draw attention to him not just through his voice, but through his actions.  

We talk a lot about freedom today.  We argue about whether our freedoms are being infringed upon, whether we are too free, even.  But we talk about freedom in numbers.  Numbers in poverty.  Numbers in prison.  High school graduation rates.  Crime statistics.  

Very rarely do we give oppression, poverty, prisoners, and survivors a name, a voice, and a place in the story.  

And the reason for this is highly ironic.  

You see, we have control over numbers.  We make changes, we recalculate, we re-district and re-distribute to make numbers go up and down and whichever way we want.  We use numbers to try and manipulate the social order.  In other words, we use numbers to try to be the Messiah rather than witness to the Messiah.  Instead of following the new social order prophesied by Isaiah and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we attempt to create our own social order, based in human weakness and fear.  

This leads us to claim names that don’t truly belong to us.  Whether this comes in the form of attachment to political parties or consumer products or over-identification with our success, wealth, and achievements, we accept false names all the time.  A recent trend in baby naming has children being named after products – Chevy and Lexus, Armani and Nautica.  

But for most of us, the name game is more subtle – “perfect,” “successful,” “brilliant,” “happy.”  Names we can never live up to all the time.  My sister and I accepted the false names of “the smart one” and “the pretty one.”  I’ll let you guess which one I was.  Children get labeled early on as “troublemakers” or “the quiet one,” and they hold on to these names all the way through school and into their adult lives.  And as long as we allow for a social order based on categories and numbers, we will be imprisoned by these false names.

Without an honest and authentic identity, we cannot find our true voice.  We speak from a place of expectations – those we place on ourselves and those imposed on us by others – rather than speaking from our origin, our God-given name.  If we are imprisoned by names like “perfect” and “successful,” our suffering, self-doubt, and vulnerability are silenced.  If we are imprisoned by names like “troublemaker” or “quiet one,” our true potential and unique abilities are silenced. 

And when parts of us are silenced, we can only tell part of our story, and we lose our rightful place in our collective story.  The “perfect” and “successful” ones are expected to fulfill the roles of epic heroes, gods and kings, captains of industry, commercialized saints.  Is it any wonder that many of those we place on this kind of pedestal end up toppling under the weight of addition, unfaithfulness, and vice?  Wrong name, no voice, wrong place in the story.  The “troublemakers” and “quiet ones” are forced to tell a story of limited ambition or chronic failure.  Should we be shocked that they don’t often strive for anything greater than this depressed narrative?  Wrong name, no voice, wrong place in the story.  

Isaiah has prophesied and Jesus has fulfilled a new social order.  One where everyone has a name, a voice, and a place in the story.  One where everyone is free.  Isaiah says that when this prophesy is fulfilled, everyone who sees God’s people will “acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed.”

So my question for us to day is this: do you feel blessed?  Are you free?  Can you be honest enough with yourself to reject all of those false names and claim your true, God-given identity?  Can you speak with a voice that tells your true story?  Can you stop trying to be the Messiah and instead witness to the One who is to come, who is greater than any of us?

You are not a number.  God has named you, sent you into this world for a reason, and made you a part of the cosmic story of God’s love for the world.  We are a people who have been blessed, who have been set free by the new social order inaugurated in Jesus Christ.  And the more we point to Christ, the Messiah, and follow him, even if at a distance, the more we will experience our own freedom and advance freedom in all the world.

All glory be to God.  Amen.

Comments are closed.

    Subscribe by Email

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Categories

    All
    Alive In A Global Uprising
    Alive In God's Creation
    Alive In The Spirit Of God
    Alive In The Story Of Jesus
    Alleluia People
    An Abundance Attitude
    Being God's People
    Being Human
    Claiming Our Identity
    Discipleship Defined
    Do You Hear What I Hear
    Encouragement Along The Way
    Giving From The Heart
    God's Imperfect Family
    Growing Our Faith
    Living In Ordinary Time
    Luke Looks At Money
    Matthew 25
    Mourning Mystery Mission
    New Beginnings
    On The Job Training
    Own Your Hope
    Pentecost
    People Get Ready
    Praying Like Jesus
    Rooted And Grounded In Love
    The Children Of God
    The Five Part Story
    The Force Is Awakening
    The Heart Of The Matter
    The Lord Is Our Shepherd
    The Mighty Acts Of God
    The Perfect Season
    The Vocabulary Of Faith
    The Voice Our Choice
    The Voice - Our Choice
    We Make The Road By Walking
    Youth Sunday

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    RSS Feed

First Presbyterian Church
Phone:  248-644-2040
Fax:       248-644-8047
Email:    contact@everybodyschurch.org
Address: 1669 W. Maple, Birmingham, MI 48009
Hand in Hand Early Learning Center
Phone:   248-644-2040 ext. 124
Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation 
Phone:   248-646-3347
Presbytery of Detroit


Presbyterian Church USA
​
More Light Presbyterians
​
Skyline Camp and Conference Center
Phone: 248-644-2043 (Birmingham Office)
             810-798-8240 (Almont Campus)
Samaritan Counseling Center
Phone: 248-474-4701
  • Home
  • Info
    • Need Help?
    • Mission
    • Welcoming
    • Inclusion
    • Community
    • Why I Go to Everybody's Church
    • Become a Member
    • Our Vision >
      • Jesus Christ >
        • Celebrating
      • Reaching
      • Serving
      • Connecting
      • Growing
    • map and directions
    • Our Staff
    • Staff Contact Information
    • Job Openings
    • Funeral Information
    • Church Leadership
    • What to Expect FAQs
    • COVID Masking Policy
    • Building Use Fees
    • Baptism
    • Communion
    • In the Presence of the Holy
    • Presbyterian Church USA
    • Our Stained Glass Windows
    • The Presbytery of Detroit
    • Community Resources
    • Contact
  • Worship
    • church at home, livestream
    • Recent Sermons
    • Bulletins
    • Worship Schedule
    • Easter Services
    • Maundy Thursday Worship
    • Good Friday Worship
    • Rejoicing Spirits Worship
    • Music Ministries >
      • Children's Choir
  • Serve
    • Mission Opportunities
    • Yucatan Peninsula Mission (YPM) Trip
    • Deacons
    • Volunteer Opportunities at FPC
    • Learn about Foster Care
    • Mission Funding
    • Our Efforts to Serve the Least
    • Alcott School Ministry
    • International Missions >
      • Kenya Mission Trip Story
      • Faith Kasoni - Kenya
      • Chang-Lopez
    • Local Missions >
      • Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
    • In Our Church >
      • Deacons
      • Memorial Service Help
    • Stephen Ministry
    • Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
    • Mission Videos
  • Learn
    • Matthew 25 >
      • Matthew 25 Events >
        • Listen - Matthew 25
        • Learn - Matthew 25
        • Lean In - Matthew 25
    • Children's and Family Ministries >
      • Resources re: Racism
      • Five Part Story
      • Worship Wonder
      • CrossWalks
      • Faith at Home Resources
      • Sacraments
      • Build a Bible For Kids
      • Milestones for Children
      • Inclusion Videos
    • Youth Ministries
    • Spiritual Practices
    • Education Videos >
      • Five Women Five Journeys
      • Health and Wellness
      • Theologian in Residence
      • Teacher Training Videos
      • Sacraments Videos
      • Bus Training Video
      • Children's Ministry
    • Adult Faith Formation >
      • Church History 101 >
        • The Jesus Community
        • The Church Expands
        • Constantine to the Reformation
        • The Reformation
        • The Church in America
      • Revelation Bible Study
      • Christian Faith Foundation
      • The Gospel of John >
        • Introduction
        • The Book of Signs >
          • John 1:1-18
      • Genesis Bible Study >
        • Genesis Chapters 1-11
        • Genesis Chapters 12-25
        • Genesis Chapters 26-36
        • Genesis Chapters 37-50
      • Exodus Bible Study >
        • Exodus 1-15
        • Exodus 16-23
      • John Calvin For Everyone
      • What is a Presbyterian Video Series
      • Two Year Bible Trek
      • Immigration Information
      • Faith Formation Groups
      • Fellowship and Ministry Groups
      • Classes and Events
    • Hand in Hand Early Learning Center
    • Belhar Confession
    • All Abilities Inclusion Ministry
    • Disability Inclusion Resources
  • Events
    • Holy Week
    • 24-Hour Prayer Vigil
    • Senior Adventures
    • Concerts at First
    • Vacation Bible Camp
    • Lunch and Learn
    • New Member Event
    • SAIL event
    • Calendar
  • News
    • Email Sign-up
    • First Things
  • Connect
    • Inclusive Communities Network
    • SAIL Solutions for Adult Independent Living
    • Faith Formation Groups
  • App/Members' Portal
  • Give
    • Contribute to FPC
    • Stewardship
    • 2023 Pledge Form
    • 2022 Financial Review
    • Community Rewards Programs >
      • Kroger Sign up/Re-register
      • Link to AmazonSmile
    • Deacons
    • First Foundation >
      • Donating
      • Grant Requests
      • Serving the World
      • History