November 4, 2012
Loving with Everything
- Mark 12:28-34
- Dr. Teri Thomas
The science teacher just finished reviewing the first semester’s material.
John raises his hand and asks, “What is the most important chapter for us to know for the exam?”
The inbox is overflowing on Jane’s desk and she realizes the work will not be finished by the Friday deadline. She asks the boss, “Which account is most important?”
The middle school honors banquet and the high school band concert are scheduled for the same evening so mom and dad are debating, “Which event is most important?”
The scribe knows there are over 600 rules and regulations in the law.
All the regulations to follow, all the things to do or not to do,
it feels overwhelming so he asks Jesus which law is the most important?
Jesus doesn’t even bat an eye.
This is an easy one- he had memorized it as a child-
“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
31The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The greatest teaching in all of scripture is this- love.
So the only question left after that is- Where is the love?
Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway asked that question in the song they recorded in 1972. But ultimately that song was about love between just two people.
I think the Black Eyed Peas did a better job with the question in their 2003 release of Where is the Love.
What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me questionin'
Where is the love
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
We have been taught in this culture that the most important human need is to be loved.
But Jesus and the Black Eyed Peas tell us even more important is the need to give love.
We know it is important.
That is why we get nervous when we have to give a gift for a special occasion.
We worry and fret over just the right thing.
We wait anxiously while the recipient opens the package
we want desperately for them to like it, if they don’t, we will be crushed.
Over a gift?
No, over what it symbolizes.
The gift I have carefully selected and offered
represents my love, my care, my devotion.
It represents my heart and my soul.
I am giving a part of me.
As human beings
we are created by love
we are created in love
we are created to love
We were made to give love and gifts of love.
So, where is the love?
It is in this envelope. (pledge card and envelope)
This is a pledge for giving to the church in 2013 but it is so much more than that.
This says- God we love you
we love you so much we want to worship you
this is a gift that provides worship in this place
every Sunday morning
every Christmas and Holy Week
this gift says “neighbor we love you”
and we will provide for your weddings
your baptisms and your funerals
This is a gift of love
It provides education and events for children and youth
fellowship for older adults
bus trips, church meals, coffee hour
This is a gift of love ensuring we have
confirmation mentors
Stephen ministers
elders and deacons
Christ Care leaders and members
church school teachers
Making this promise means loving God and neighbor
by supporting global mission
and our school lunch program in Kenya
and our work with School 55 here in Indianapolis
our support of food pantries, adult day care centers, shelters for victims of abuse
This is a pledge of love for the homeless who stay with us during IHN
and the homeless we assist through Habitat for Humanity.
Gifts of love placed in this envelope go from this congregation to the victims of floods, hurricanes and tornados.
Where is the love? Right here! Right now! Can you feel the love?
The exciting thing is there is there is no limit on love. There is so much more that we can do!
We have new dreams taking shape for Christian Education, Music and Worship.
We want to do so much more to address hunger in our neighborhood and our community.
We’ve barely scratched the surface in our ministry with School 55.
The hopes and dreams and visions for the future of this congregation keep growing.
We need to keep loving. We need to keep giving.
And the greatest commandment is this “you shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Where is the love?
It is in your hands.
Thanks be to God.
Amen