In 1896, the Reverend Charles Sheldon published In His Steps, based on a yearlong sermon series he preached at the First Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. This classic Christian novel follows a group of people, who commit themselves to asking one simple question before any decision, “What would Jesus do?” In the 1990s, a youth group in Holland, Michigan began a grassroots movement, which involved a popular bracelet with the letters, WWJD. Lately, this question has created many parodies, including, “What would Jesus drive?” “What would Jesus buy?” and a personal favorite, “What would Johnny Cash do?”
Yet, in 2009, a group of young Christian leaders ask a different question. Known as the Emerging Church Movement, these young evangelicals wonder whether asking, “What would Jesus do?” doesn’t leave our Lord as merely an historical character, whose morals we imitate, rather than a living presence whose way we follow. Drawing upon the early church, they ask a different question, “What is Jesus doing?” Where is our Lord leading us today? Where may we find him, if he is to be found at all?
Beginning Sunday, September 6, I will preach a series of sermons, which will ask, “What is Jesus doing?” Using stories from the Gospel of Mark, we will explore to whom Jesus may call us to reach out to, who Jesus is and what difference it makes in our lives, what Jesus may say about power and status, and for whom he may call us to care.
On the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 6, we will look at two healing stories from Mark 7:24-37. First, a woman comes to Jesus, asking him to heal her daughter. Surprisingly, he refuses at first, because she’s a Gentile and Jesus’ mission is to the lost of Israel. Yet, she persists and persuades him to change his mind. Then, a deaf man comes to Jesus and he heals him. These two stories underscore what we find in the Gospels about Jesus. He knew, “It Takes All Kinds to Create God’s Kingdom.” This truth ought to open us to seek Jesus among the most unlikely people, to reach out to them with the good news. We will celebrate the sign of this truth as we gather at the Lord’s Table, which looks forward to the day when, “They will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.”
On the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 13, we will hear Jesus ask his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” in Mark 8:27-38. Then, he will ask, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Messiah.” Yet, after Jesus describes his death and resurrection, Peter balks, but Jesus puts him in his place. Peter’s place and ours is behind Jesus, following him. When it comes to contemporary Christians, “The Questions Still Remains.” Who is Jesus for us today? What difference does he make in our lives? These questions seem a fitting place to start our Fall program as we celebrate Rally Day and start a new Christian Education year.
On the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 20, Jesus will again foretell his death and resurrection in Mark 9:30-37. In Mark, the disciples come across as dense, never really understanding what Jesus says, so they respond to this news by discussing which of them is the greatest. It reminds me of the title of a book by Tony Campolo and Brian McLaren, one of the leaders in the Emerging Church Movement, Adventures in Missing the Point. My sermon will borrow that title to explore how we miss the point Jesus makes through his sacrifice on the cross and when he says clearly, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”
Six times in the Gospels, four times in Matthew and once in Mark and Luke, Jesus speaks about “little ones.” Mark 9:42 says, “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.” Yet, “Who are the Little Ones and How Do We Care for Them?” We will solve this mystery together on the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 27, which the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) designates as Evangelism Sunday. It offers your first clue to solving the mystery, “The little ones of which Christ speaks are the ones we should seek.”
Please join me every Sunday in September as we answer the critical question for the church today, “What is Jesus doing?”
In Christ,
The Reverend Dr. Howard W. Boswell, Jr. Pastor
Continue reading about WIJD?: Asking a Different Question Today
We had so much fun at our Fall Festival, hosted by our wonderful Youth Group. Check out our photos!
#1. These two young ladies are enjoying their edible mummies, one of our many fun activities.
#2 Beware of the mad scientist!
#3. Relaxing with a friend.
#4. Making toilet paper mummies
#5. Who said working with youth was scary?
#6. Getting all twisted up
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