"TEST"
Rev. Barry W. Szymanski, J.D.
Minister of Pastoral Care
First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa
January 29, 2012
GOSPEL - Mark 1:21-28

"[Jesus and the apostles] went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.

They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked [the unclean spirit], saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing [the man] into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching — with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once [Jesus] fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. [These are sacred words of the Gospel.]

SERMON

We have heard that, in the very same synagogue that Jesus was teaching in, there was a person with an unclean spirit. I just mention this because no place can be assured that there are no unclean spirits. Each of us is human, and each of us brings our wills everyplace we go – maybe especially into churches.

Jesus did not encounter that man in the marketplace – but in the synagoe. What did that man who had that unclean spirit ask of Jesus? He asked: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, what have you to do with us?’ [NRSV] There are many times in my life when I have asked the same question! ‘What do you have to do with me, Jesus of Nazareth?

Another way that I have often asked the same question is: "Jesus, what business do you have with me?" [The Message] Yet another way to ask it is this: "Jesus, What do you want with me?” [Kid's Study Bible] The question is one that we constantly wrestle with: Jesus, who do you think you are to mess with me? Jesus, who are you to tell me what to do?

In spite of the gauntlet that the question raises, the unclean spirit in that man did acknowledge who Jesus was. If we accept who Jesus is, then we can reverse the order of the statements and the question: First of all we can recognize Jesus as who he is. Then are proclamation is: Jesus, You are the Holy One of God! Our second testimonial is this: Jesus, we understand that you have not come to destroy us, but to save us from ourselves. Our third assertion is this: Jesus, we know what you want of us! Jesus, we may not like it, however we know what you are teaching us, and we know who you are leading us to, and whom you want us to be united with.

Now, since we think we know what Jesus expects of us, we are able to begin to assess what we actually do, and how we approach our thought process, and how we set our goals. As an example, Rotary has a Four-Way Test. The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions: Of the things a Rotarian thinks, says or does: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

What is our test as Christians? Might one test be this: Does what I think or say or do: “build up the Kingdom of God?” What was Jesus’ test? Did Jesus even have one? What was Paul’s test? Did Paul test what he said and did? Did Peter have a test? What about you? Do you have a test -- as a Christian? What is your test?

Some people ask this question: 'Does it feel good?' or 'Does it seem right?' Some might ask, as a test to what they say or think or do: 'Is it fair?' or: 'Is it just?' But, if I may, I think that the test we have as Christians is this: 'Does what I do build up God’s kingdom here on this earth?' If my actions do not help form God’s kingdom, then, while I may be a good person, I am not walking with Jesus on his mission – and he died for his mission.

The test for what I say becomes this question: 'Does what I say foster God’s kingdom on this earth?' If what I say does not help to form God's kingdom with all those around me, then I am not walking with Jesus on his mission the mission he gave his life for. The test goes deeper into who I really am: 'Does how and what I think increase God’s kingdom here on this earth?'

If my thought process, and my paradigms, are not in accord with God’s will, then I cannot work with Christ to help build God's kingdom; then my journey is not in accord with the mind of Jesus – This is what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 2.16 when he asks: “For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct [us]?" Paul gives the answer. It is this: "But we have the mind of Christ." Paul makes the presumption that we do know Christ’s mind! We know it by carefully reading and meditating on the Gospels, and, especially, by praying. The prayer that Jesus taught us is clear: "Our Father, may your kingdom come, on this earth, as your kingdom is in heaven.

This is the test that Jesus himself gave us! And he gave it to us as a petition that we make to God. Does what we do and say and think build up God's Kingdom? Or does it destroy it? As Christians we don’t want to damage what Jesus came to build up. Where are our unclean spirits? Can they control us? What about this church? The key is to continue to remember that this remains God's church – it is not yours – it is not mine. It is His church.

Jesus of Nazareth, who did not come to destroy us, but to help us, and to build up His Father's Kingdom on earth --- as it is in heaven, --- is the Head of this church. If we rely on prayer and continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa will continue to have a living steeple with each member as an active light for Christ.

We need to build God’s Kingdom, and we do so by every single act we make, by every single word we utter, and by how we perceive this church, and how we feel toward each other. I have noticed that so many have stepped up to help, visitors are noticed and welcomed, and the worship of our Lord God continues as it has, with zest and passion since 1842.

May God continue to bless this church! Amen.