Bless Your Heart: Do Not Lose Heart (MPLS)

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture — ‘I believed, and so I spoke’ — we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Bethlehem has two job positions currently posted and yet to be filled. Know anyone with gifts for children’s ministry?  Please connect them with Pastor Heather!  With all that we’ve had to navigate this past year and now a return to in-person gatherings, there are new ways for us to be nurturing and encouraging families in their faith.  These positions will help us be better equipped to do that. Whether or not you know someone who would be interested — please pray for the process: asking God to connect us with people who have gifts for the work we’re called to do.  The process isn’t just about what questions to ask and which resumés to consider. The process also involves mystery as it unfolds — and in the mystery there is space for the Divine. So asking for prayer makes good sense. We rely on God’s guidance to be part of this.

Today’s reading would make for a terrible resumé. Adjectives like afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down are not helpful for securing a job. But Paul’s not writing with hopes to be hired. God’s already given him the job. Paul is the pastor. Today’s reading is part of a letter written to his beloved congregation. The letter, in its entirety, is a tough read. 

The bible blesses us with several of Paul’s pastoral letters to different congregations, two of which are written to the same congregation in Corinth.  

The first letter, First Corinthians, responds to questions about best worship practices and right Christian behavior. There’s in-fighting. The congregation is divided.  One side has gotta be wrong, right? Paul refuses to take sides.  He points them to their unity as members of the body of Christ and their call to honor one another. That’s their path to peace. That holds true for us, too. They’re not called to an either/or way of being in the world.  They are called to love, we are called to love — it’s messy, complicated, expansive, challenging and beautiful work. To live Christ-like is to practice vulnerability, lean into uncertainty and embrace mystery. This Love reveals the heart of God.

In the second letter, there’s a shift. The relationship between Paul and the congregation has deteriorated. We don’t get all the details of what’s gone wrong but the Corinthians are now drawn to other teachings. Paul is deeply concerned they are being led away from the gospel. Some in the congregation have called his leadership into question. 

Paul defends his authority and his style of ministry. He may lack the charisma they’re looking for but he’s not called to draw attention to himself.  He’s called to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. names the ultimate goal of his work and the grace of God in using him to accomplish God’s purposes. His ministry is of the Spirit and is grounded in God’s mercy. 

He doesn’t present a list of accomplishments. He doesn’t boast about success. Paul names the reality of defeat and despair. This doesn’t make him inadequate for God’s work. It points others to his reliance on God. How else would he survive?  How else could he live with hope?  In his suffering, death may claim some small victories but the ultimate victory has already been won. Christ defeated death. Paul writes: “We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence.” Paul’s life and ministry embody the gospel and through him God’s power is revealed. Hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ prevails.

So despite discouragement and defeat, setbacks and suffering, we stay the course of love by God’s mercy. We do not lose heart because we belong to God and God is gracious and merciful. Perseverance and hope are gifts from God. For “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”

We are clay jars, writes Paul, fragile, flawed and ordinary. We are vessels through whom God makes known their love for all creation and the good news of Jesus’ victory over death.

We hear the metaphor for our individual lives. It’s also a metaphor for who we are as a congregation and for the church at large.

The church is fragile, flawed and ordinary. We have sinned. We are broken. We miss the mark of who God created the church to be. We have hurt those whom God loves. We make rules for the sake of order. We participate in practices and policies that have failed to honor the neighbor.  The church has a history of an either/or way of being in the world:  Who’s in?  Who’s out?  Who’s wrong?  Who’s right?  Even so, we are not disqualified from engaging in the work of healing for the world and in fact, we are part of God’s plan for bringing about God’s kingdom on earth. The treasure of God’s life-giving love and mercy is for all people. It’s by God’s grace, that we do not lose hope. We run the race, striving toward the day in which the whole world is reconciled, with each other and with God.

A year or so ago, I was made aware of a former member who was estranged from this congregation. The harm happened long ago — before some of you were born. This person had received a message when part of this community of faith.  Being gay compromised beliefs and traditions of this place. They were made to feel not welcome; they didn’t feel valued and loved. They didn’t fit into the preconceived human notion of what has worth; they no longer belonged — unless they were willing to change. 

My heart breaks — for them and for us.  

I’d rather tell a different story — one from this community as well — the story of a student who preached from this pulpit a few years ago.  They bravely shared their story of being trans and gave thanks to this community for being a safe space that gave them freedom to discover, learn and grow as a beloved child of God.  After worship many of you surrounded the preacher thanking them for their willingness to be vulnerable and to give witness to their faith. A long-time member, an older woman approached me with tear stained cheeks and the look of pride and joy in her eyes. With great enthusiasm she said to me:  “I love this church!”

Both stories are part of our history, a part of who we are. I’m grateful that we’ve changed. I’m grateful that we’re open to where the Spirit leads, still learning, becoming together as God continues to be at work in and through us, to be vessels for God’s love and the hope of the resurrected Christ. In Paul’s words:  we can “be confident of this very thing, that God who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:9).

Back to the earlier story that’s hard to tell — I prayed for good courage and an open heart and reached out to the one estranged from us. I offered to make confession on behalf of the church — if this beloved child of God thought that it might bring healing for their heart. By God’s mercy, I heard back and was invited to be part of a healing service, making confession on behalf of the church.  The pain finds hope in the promise of reconciliation. God’s power is revealed in the forgiveness and new life that comes.

We are clay jars — fragile, flawed, ordinary. But do not lose heart. We are also beloved children of God called into Christian community to bear witness to God’s love for the world. God does not give up on us, on you or on me.  God’s power is made perfect in weakness and so the fragile, the flawed, the ordinary becomes gracious, glorious and extraordinary when leaning into the mystery and miracle of God’s grace. 

We live with hope “because we know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us…into his presence…so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God.”