The Lutheran Hour
-
"Please, Pass the Good Word"
- No Sermon MP3 No bonus material MP3
-
Text: 1 Peter 4:9-11
-
Prayer: Almighty God, heavenly Father, You set the solitary in families. We commend to Your care all the homes where Your people live. Keep them, we pray, free from bitterness, from the thirst for personal victory, and from pride in self. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, moderation, patience, and godliness. Knit together enduring affection in those who have become one in marriage. Let children and parents have full respect for one another; and light the fire of kindliness among us all, that we may show affection for each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship, collect 230).
What do you remember from your youth? I fondly remember evening meals when I was growing up near Chicago. Every meal started with grace and then we dug into whatever Mom had prepared. We also dug into conversation. Most of the table talk was mundane, quickly forgotten. But you know, that’s when God did some of His best for me and our family. Today, I am so thankful for those daily family meals. I’m thankful because those meals taught me some skills necessary for life. For example, during most of my childhood we had only one car. That might sound shocking to some young people, but families just had one car. I remember mom and dad talking at supper about what had to be done the next day. Who would do what, when? Who would use the car, when? You know, what they were doing. They were communicating! Today, marriage and family counselors are making big bucks telling us how important communication is. I’m thankful I learned it the cheap way. I watched mom and dad communicate at suppertime. At the table, I also learned that love sometimes hurts. When my brother was in high school, he didn’t seem to appreciate the rest of us. So at suppertime he’d fill his plate and then leave us to eat by himself in his bedroom. Mom and dad weren’t sure what to do about that. I’m not sure what I would do if one of my children did that. But I’ll tell you, I could see how much they loved my brother. By the way, I’ve got a great brother. I’m proud of him. I’m thankful those family meals gave me an opportunity to see real love and how it sometimes hurts. That kitchen table also taught me some dynamics about husbands and wives. I clearly recall my mom asking dad, “Do you want some more milk?” Being a milkman, father drank his own product. “Yes,” my dad would reply. “I’ll get it.” When he didn’t get up right away, she snatched the glass and filled it. Now I’m married and I know my wife would say, “Dale, if you want some milk, get it yourself.” Here’s my point: Every husband and wife have their little ways of interacting unique to them. It takes time for each couple to learn the little rules that govern their own marriage. I’m thankful I started to learn about that sitting at the kitchen table long ago.
I really can’t comprehend that was some 40 years ago. Today, many families seldom eat together. In her article titled “Is the Family Meal Disappearing?” Dr. Margaret MacKenzie passes along research that says today’s young people are not getting the experiences I had, and I hope you had, growing up. In 1970, the average family shared two meals a day. By 1979, it had gone down to one. Dr. MacKenzie tells us in 1991 only 54 percent of children between nine and 15 years old said they ate with their families every day. Now that was 10 years ago; we have to assume it hasn’t gotten any better. Listen, parents. Most of you aren’t spending as much time with your children as parents did in previous generations. Sociologist John Robinson says parents are spending 40 percent less time with their children than in 1965. If you’re thinking, “So what? We simply can’t afford that time,” then listen to what another observer, William Mattox, wrote. “This decline is at the heart of many of our social problems. A growing number of children are starving from a lack of parental time, attention, and affection.” According to a study by the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, “Teens who eat dinner with a parent five days a week or more, are less likely to smoke, use alcohol or marijuana, or have sex.” You know what? They really don’t need all the material things too many of us are giving them. They’re starving for time with mom and dad! “What happened at school today?” That meal time question used to drive us up the wall. “Nothing,” we mumbled. Do you think those were wasted exchanges? No, not at all. Put that question to your children or grandchildren and even if they find the question annoying, at least they’ll know you care about them. “Something bothering you?” you might ask when you notice your spouse is unusually quiet at the table. Maybe the answer is “yes,” maybe “no.” What’s important is you’ve spent enough time together to sense that something isn’t quite right. Now you’ve got a chance to talk about it, if that’s appropriate in front of the others. That’s far less likely to happen when everyone is eating on their own.
“Hey, don’t hog all the hamburgers!” There’s a truth taught there, too. You are family and whether it’s sharing food or something else, you have a responsibility for one another. So goes talk at the table. I’ll grant you there’s nothing spectacular about much of that conversation, but you know, that’s real life. The table is a gathering place where all the issues of real life will pop up sooner or later. Sixteen years ago I got a phone call telling me my father had died. I flew to Chicago and when I got home, where did we gather to share our grief? It was at the kitchen table-the place where Dad and Mom, Dale, Bruce and Pam gathered thousands and thousands of times. That table in your house can be the place where you who love each other gather to face all the issues of life. That table is also a place where God can do some of His best work. It’s been that way for millennia. When the children of Israel were discouraged by their wandering in the wilderness — so discouraged they complained sinfully against God and against Moses — God responded kindly. He passed along manna. He passed along quail (Exodus 16). In so doing He passed along a good word of encouragement for the rest of their journey.
Another story. When Elijah fled from Israel because King Ahab and Queen Jezebel wanted him dead, God rescued His prophet. Interestingly, when you read about it in 1 Kings 17, God’s rescue involved meals. First, there were the morsels flown by ravens to Elijah at the brook Cherith. Then the meal prepared by the widow at Zarephath. God does good work through meals. By the way, Elijah was single. If you live alone or if your children are grown and gone, don’t think all this is irrelevant. Chances are you have some good memories of family meals back when there was little or no TV, no telemarketers, no fast food joints, no inhumane schedules at work or school, or even too many weekday activities at church. Even if you are alone now, you can help make some good memories for others. Get together regularly with friends. Plan regular meals with your grown children or grandchildren, if they’re in the area. If you’re single, promote family meals. Give us a call, get a free copy of this message, and then share it with some young parents. So many young parents are looking for help, and this is something so easily done.
I mentioned the children of Israel. I mentioned Elijah. Let’s move to the New Testament. God sent His Son Jesus not only to reconcile us to Himself, but also to tie us together in love for one another. What was the first miracle Jesus did? It was when He turned water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. By gracing that meal, the Bible says, “Jesus made His glory public there, and His disciples believed in Him” (John 2:11). The Gospel, you see, is not unconnected to real daily life. It shows up in specific places and family meals are a great opportunity for you to pass along to the people you love a good word, a good word from God. Then there’s the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10). Poor Martha usually comes out on the short end when we rehearse that story because she was more concerned about cooking than sitting at her Savior’s feet. But let’s not miss the obvious. Would Martha have learned that one thing needful if she had said to Mary and Jesus, “I’m going to run over to Pizza Hut or Dominos to pick up something to eat”? Let’s not miss the obvious fact that the time they spent together before the meal gave Jesus an opportunity to bring both Mary and Martha a good word. In another story, Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his home for a meal (Luke 7). The Bible says a woman who had lived a sinful life, probably a prostitute, came into that house crying and she poured perfume on Jesus’ feet. You can imagine the commotion that caused among the self-righteous religious people! Jesus used that meal setting to teach Simon about forgiveness. She loved Jesus because of the forgiveness He brought from God. The Pharisees, on the other hand, didn’t see themselves as real sinners and didn’t realize how desperately they also needed a Savior. We are all sinners. We all need forgiveness. That’s one of the greatest benefits that come from the habit of eating meals together. You can pass along to one another Jesus’ word of forgiveness. God can do some good work when you and your family eat ordinary, everyday meals. That’s why many Christian families invite Him to the meal with the same words I learned as a child. “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let Thy gifts to us be blest.” When Jesus comes under your roof, the heavenly Father is present and His good Spirit is present, too. As mundane as family meals may seem, eternity will show how those meals truly were blessed by the Triune God.
Famous preacher Charles Swindoll tells the following story in his book, “Come Before Winter.” “Before supper I suggested to Curtis (who was six) that he should serve Charissa (she was four) before he served himself. Naturally, he wondered why since the platter of chicken sat directly in front of him, and he was hungry as a lion. “Well, you’d never believe what occurred. After prayer, he picked up the huge platter, held it for his sister, and asked which piece of chicken she wanted. “She relished all that attention. Being quite young, however, she had no idea which piece was which. So, very seriously, she replied, ‘I’d like the foot.’ “He glanced in my direction, frowned as the hunger pains shot through his stomach, then looked back at her and said, ‘Uh, Charissa, mother doesn’t cook the foot! Choose (another) piece. Hurry up!’ She studied the platter and said, OK, just give me the hand.” “‘A chicken doesn’t have a hand, it has a wing, Charissa.’ “‘I hate the wing, Curtis… Oh, go ahead and give me the head.’ Charles Swindoll recalls, “By then I was headed for the bathroom. I couldn’t hold my laughter any longer. Curtis was totally beside himself. His sister was totally frustrated, not being able to get the piece she wanted. “‘Oh, all right,’ she said. ‘I’ll take the belly button.” “That did it. He reached in, grabbed a piece, and said, ‘That’s the best I can do!’ He gave her the breast, which was about as close to the belly button as he could get.” (p. 449ff).
Make memories in your family. After all, you and your family are so important. Let your kitchen table be a place where you regularly pass the good word from God. What St. Peter wrote to first century Christians can well be applied to your Christian home. “Love each other warmly,” he writes, “because love covers many sins. Welcome each other as guests without complaining. Each of you as a good manager must use the gift God has given you to serve others. Whoever speaks must speak God’s words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength God supplies so that in every way God receives glory through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to Jesus Christ forever and ever!” (1 Peter 4:9-11). Awaiting you in family meals is more grace than just the mealtime prayer. The greatest grace awaiting you is in the midst of everyday talk. You can share with one another God’s words of forgiveness, help, and hope. Please, pass the good word! Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for February 11, 2001
ANNOUNCER: I’m Mark Eischer. Joining me is Dr. Dale Meyer. Last week we opened the topic of homosexuality and the church by saying there is a difference between love, approval, and truth. We also reviewed what the Bible says about homosexuality.
MEYER: Mark, I also said this is a difficult subject and it tears at the hearts of people. We want to approach this subject understanding how volatile it can be. Quoting the Bible produces a number of results. In Bible-believing Christians, it has a strong impact. But in folks who are caught up in this lifestyle, it may produce a number of reactions. One is anger- — anger at God, anger at Christians. It may produce a rejection of the Bible and the church. These days we are seeing in the United States and Canada something new rather than rejecting the church. People are changing the rules. In the name of inclusiveness and love we find some ministers performing marriage ceremonies for two homosexual people. There is another reaction that occurs in some people who practice the homosexual lifestyle, and that is guilt and hopelessness. They come to realize they are guilty. They have hurt themselves, hurt others and if they become ill and are facing death, despair rules their hearts.
ANNOUNCER: Well, Dr. Meyer, in the midst of this guilt and hopelessness does Christ offer a word of hope?
MEYER: He certainly does. I could talk about that but I think it would be more persuasive to hear what happened to Rob Castille. Some years ago Rob wrote to us at Lutheran Hour Ministries and shared his story. Rob told us, “September 5, 1997 is a date that will forever remain etched in my brain. That day arrived like most bringing the usual day-to-day hum-drum. For me, it arrived with an impact — a period that virtually shook and shattered the very foundation of my sanity. This was the day I discovered I had AIDS. I had just turned 31 years of age. I suddenly found myself on death row.” Rob told us he was in the hospital and says in his thoughts of guilt and despair “I realized God was a God of compassion, of love and forgiveness. A Father whose arms held more warmth and strength that I could ever comprehend. The clock was ticking. I had to pray and I had to do so immediately.” So he tells us. He went down to the hospital chapel. Sitting in the darkness of the small sanctuary, he writes, “I began to wonder what I was doing there. Doubts crept in, I felt so ashamed. I felt dirty and unworthy. Who was I to face God with my sad story. I had spent so many years rejecting Him. Choosing instead to wallow in a world of fifth and despair disguised as pleasure and fulfillment. And now I needed him? Then from somewhere images floated through my fever; images of Mary Magdalene the prostitute, Saul the persecutor and King David, adulterer and murderer. Next the Scriptures: ‘At just the right time when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly’ (Romans 5:6). For me?” Rob asked. “Yes. Whoever comes to Me,” Jesus says in John 6:37, “I will never drive away. Even me? Yes, even me.” That’s how Rob found hope.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Dr. Meyer. Next week, we’ll discuss how Christians can reach out to those living in the homosexual lifestyle. Now we come to the end of our broadcast for this week.