Last week my sermon was based on the conclusion of Romans 6 under the theme Slaves of Righteousness. I anticipated that this week the sermon would be by the 11 8th grade confirmation campers. But reality set in that this is 4th of July weekend and many of the campers are dispersed:
Perhaps, if all goes well, next week the campers will be able to share with us. So this morning, working now from Romans 7, my sermon theme is Captives of Sin. But I'll do this with the week of camp fresh in my mind.
This reading from Romans seems complicated. The heading in my Greek text helps us - it is labeled The Inner Conflict. Paul has just explained that all who are baptized are dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ (6:11). He rightly concludes that we must then be slaves of righteousness. But he opens this section with these words:
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. (7:15)
I can relate to this - I trust you can too
The inner conflict is that we are not alive in Christ but alive to ourselves. What I mean by our being alive to ourselves is that we are looking out for ourselves - captives - addicted to self-service. Of course the example modeled for us in Jesus Christ is the complete opposite.
Jesus came for us - not himself. Paul knew and preached the good news of Jesus Christ:
that God, in Christ, has saved us, his proclamation is that our lives are to reflect our salvation. His ache is ours when he wrote, I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. (7:18b)
The reading concludes with wonderful news. Good news to Paul and for all who receive the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (7:24b-25a)
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Nearly 100 generations have come and gone since Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Roman.
In these generations many have found ways to be sustained in the struggle to live faithful lives.
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Last Friday, while the campers were packing to go home, I went on a hike with 3 other former EWALU counselors: Paul Little and Mark & Jill Davidson.
We were looking for the "Secret Indian Campfire."
Late in the 70s and early 80s the Native American program was called the Indians - it was especially designed for students who had just completed 9th grade (then the last grade of Junior High). It was intended to help them make the transition to high school. On the last evening of camp all the Indian campers and counselors would meet at a cooking fire over which hung a 25 gallon stew pot. Each camper-group would dump in all the dehydrated food, government-issue-canned-meat, jelly, peanut butter, flour and shortening that they still had. The stew cooked for hours and was served to campers who by that time of the week could eat almost anything. After the meal everyone painted their face, took an Indian name and were marked with the sign of the cross. When the sky grew dark with night, the Indian program director held a torch high and led the silent procession to the "Secret Indian Campfire"
The message we hoped to communicate: the faithful life cannot be lived alone. We used tribal language while being clear that each 9th grade camper's congregation is their tribe.
The 4 of us knew where to look for the "Secret Indian Campfire" but 25 years had passed and the path is gone. We followed deer-trails and our instincts. Soon we found it, overgrown with well established cedar, walnut, oak and hickory
While we were on our search, Jill Davidson shared what she had heard recently from a leading Youth and Family Ministry professor. In answer to the question, "What can we do to help children be life-long Christians?" the professor offered the following 5 suggestions:
This year the Bible study provided at EWALU during each of the weeks of camp is titled Faith Trek. Pastor Laura Gentry prepared 5 sessions on devotional ways Christians have found helpful over the centuries
Our conversations help us on our way to live faithfully
When we say we are a Christian, we are admitting that we need a savior. Christians are people who have received God's revelation that the savior is Jesus.
We are free - really free. On this Independence Day weekend in our nation we celebrate freedom. Let us be certain that we are mindful of our eternal freedom thru Jesus Christ. Free at the cost of Christ blood - his suffering and death.
In this family of faith, this Christian tribe, we all hold news of our freedom as truth. We need each other and support each other. Our gathering every Sunday to give thanks and praise to God. Our conversations throughout the week keep us connected. Our prayers keep us mindful of each other.
All of this equips us to take our witness into the world - into daily life. Just as Saul's, on his way to Damascus, was forever changed when he met Christ. So too others on their way, when they encounter us encounter Jesus. More lives forever changed. We become God's revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus, who lived for others, is now the way we go.
God goes with you.