I want to think with you for a few moments on the idea of "Why Change is Possible."
I want to think about the new beginnings and fresh commitments that these Bible lessons make possible. The new year can and should be a time when we grow spiritually by allowing the power of God to be fully operative in our lives to change those attitudes and actions in our lives that prevent our work and witness from having a greater impact for the kingdom of God.
That brings up a significant question, perhaps one that I hear as a pastor more than any other. "Pastor, can things really be changed? Can people be changed? Can human nature really be transformed and made new?"
We often talk and act as if change is not possible. So often I hear someone say, "He/she is just made that way. They are not going to change, so why should I waste my time and energy on a hopeless situation?" I am very careful of people who echo the words that change is not possible by saying, "After all, a leopard can't change his spots!" Well, a leopard may not be able to change his/her spots, but there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between a leopard and a human soul!
A major component of the Gospel, which is the Good News, is that change is not only possible, but is the evidence that we have accepted faith in Jesus Christ as the only authentic possibility for human life before God. A famous preacher once said, "When people tell me that human nature cannot be changed, I am moved to reply that in light of my experience, human nature may well be the only thing that CAN BE CHANGED!"
We cannot change the course of the moon or the sun. We cannot change the laws of the physical world. We cannot change the movement and flow of the ocean. We cannot change the stars in the skies and the course they move in. However, the Bible pulsates with pages of testimonies of the lives, purposes, events, and habits which have been changed and can be changed.
In my opinion, that is what "new birth" and "new life in Christ" is all about. It means that:
1. evil things can be changed into good actions
2. bad habits can be replaced with good habits
3. painful defeats can be turned into joyous victories
4. weak and fainthearted persons can be transformed into persons of strength and courage to do God's bidding
5. destructive attitudes can be converted into healthy, positive and life-giving attitudes, that build the quality of life into something simply marvelous.
A noted physician once said to his wife's pastor, "If you will explain to me the spiritual birth, I will change from a pagan and become a Christian." The pastor replied, "If you will explain to me all the mysteries of the natural birth process, then I will explain the spiritual birth to you." Both agreed: NEITHER WAS POSSIBLE. In both cases, we can observe and cooperate with certain processes, but we cannot explain the "why" apart from the sovereign power of God. I believe the same can be said of processes leading to change in our lives.
Most of the time the element needed most to change is to simply admit you need to change and ask directions of the ONE who has the power to change you.
A motorist was recently driving thru the state of Pennsylvania and lost her way. She asked a certain gentleman how far it was to Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The gentleman replied, "Well, the way you are going it is 24,995 miles. However, if you will turn around and get back on Route 22 going East, it is about 5 miles."
I want to share 4 insights for your further reflection today as you seek God's power to change attitudes, actions, and assumptions in your journey.
WE ARE RESISTANT TO CHANGE.
To President Jackson,
The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation known as "railroads". The federal government must preserve the canals for the following reasons:
1) If canal boats are supplanted by "railroads", serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, hostlers, repairmen and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not to mention the numerous farmers now employed in growing hay for the horses.
2) Boat builders would suffer, and towline, whip and harness makers would be left destitute.
3) Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defense of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.
As you may well know, Mr. President, "railroad" carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 M.P.H. by "engines" which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way thru the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.
Martin Van Buren Governor of New York
Recently, we took our children to the Hugh Moore Canal Park in Easton, Pa. In a space of a few minutes, the following things could be seen while resting on one of the park benches.
1. The Josiah White Canal Boat went past with a group of tourists on it, depicting life conditions of an era gone by.
2. Right across from the canal are the railroad tracks. An engine went past pulling about 25 cars, then the caboose. Years ago this would have happened four times a day; now only once a week.
3. Right across the railroad is Route 611. Just then 2 big tractor trailer trucks went rushing by, followed by cars who wanted to go even faster.
4. Then shortly after that, we heard a noise above our heads, and it was an airplane already beginning its descent for Newark Airport.
Each one of these enterprises is or was in the transportation business. This business cannot be limited to the means by which it is accomplished at the moment.
The Christian church is in the enterprise of leading men and women--boys and girls--to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. However, we can't be relevant in ministry using as our launching pad something built 75 years ago before the automobile, working mothers, and oil costing $1.25 cents a gallon. We need to modernize, not our theology, but our methods for reaching people for Christ.
Today, we admire and applaud the work of such men as John Leland, John Smyth and Roger Williams, great leaders in the early American Baptist movement. However, I am afraid that they would fare no better with our denomination in 1992 than with the church of England.
Remember, the fields are white until harvest--but, oh, the need for laborers to gather the harvest! There are few American Baptist that welcome the changes they would bring to our institutions.
The first stop to change is to admit how hard it is to do without God's power.
GOD STILL WORKS IN HISTORY.
However, there was one determined mother, Jochebed, who did her best to be sure this wouldn't happen. She used all her creative, sly, deceptive methods to prevent the baby from being discovered. However, this task grew increasingly more difficult each day.
Finally, in her last act of defiance, she began weaving a basket from materials around the village, that would not sink in the waters of the Nile. In a way, it functioned much like Noah's ark.
Today, we know that child to be Moses, whose personhood loomed large over the landscape of the Old Testament. God was working in the midst of the tragic events to bring forth deliverance and victory for his people. Events can be redeemed. God often has a long-term plan for short-term actions we make in faith.
GOD CHANGES INDIVIDUALS.
The New Testament lesson from Luke 19:1-10 is the account of a greedy, guilty, money-grabbing tax collector who is transformed into a sharing, sensitive, saint of God by the forgiving power of Jesus Christ. Can and will you add your name to that list today?
Do you remember the story of Bob Ingersol? He was a famous and learned unbeliever of the last century. He was riding on a train by the side of General Lew Wallace, who was the governor of New Mexico and who was also not a Christian. Ingersol said to Wallace, "Why do you not write a book that sets forth the truth about this deceiver, Jesus Christ?" Wallace said, "I had not thought of such a thing, but I believe I will." So he studied the life of our Lord, and became a great and devout Christian, and wrote one of the noblest books of faith of all time. It is called BEN HUR. Do you remember the subtitle? It is: BEN HUR (A Story of the Christ).
CHANGE IS EVIDENCE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
There is a story told about a beloved old physician who was retiring in a little French village.
He had labored among them for decades in their humble village, birthing and blessing them. It was a poor village, so the mayor proposed that the folks set up a keg in the village square and everyone bring a pitcher of wine from their own cellar to pour into the keg. Then they would present the keg to the doctor as an expression of their love for all he had shared with them.
On the appointed day, there was a steady stream of folks bringing a pitcher of wine to pour into the keg. That evening a presentation was made to the good doctor and the keg was taken home. The next evening as he sat around his fireplace, he decided to have a glass of wine. He drew himself a glass from the keg and took a sip.
He couldn't believe it; he drew another glass. The same awful taste--water! He returned the keg back to the townspeople. The mayor was angry and he called for a town meeting to see what was wrong. Much to his disgust and the town's embarrassment, it was discovered that every family and person had brought water to pour into the keg thinking it would never be noticed, since everyone else was bringing wine.
When our lives are changed and are changing to reflect all the fullness of God that was revealed in Christ Jesus and our lives become a reflection of His--then others will see the power that is operative in our lives about the PRIORITIES we have selected for our life's journey. We belong to the Lord. Amen and amen.
