Love Others into Taking God Seriously

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church

May 5, 2024

Sermon by Father William Forrest 

Acts 10:44-48  1 John 5:1-61  John 15:9-17

"In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.

An individual I was speaking with recently said, "Everything in the country is changing and nothing is the same anymore. It's unsettling and I'm not sure what to do." The word "change" is defined as making a difference. "Unsettled" is defined as lacking stability. This person's comments reflect the attitude of many people in our society. In a world rife with economic stress, political instability, geopolitical tensions, and major wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, and Ethiopia, the words "changing" and "unsettling" perfectly describe the conditions in which we live.

Bob Dylan's song from the mid-1960s, "The Times They Are a-Changin," echoes this sentiment: "Come gather 'round people wherever you roam, and admit that the waters around you have grown. Accept it soon, or you'll be drenched to the bone. If your time to you is worth savin', you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changin'."

A new rector will be called to St. Albans in the foreseeable future. St. Albans has experienced changes over the past year and will continue to change when the new rector comes. The former Bishop of Arizona, Joe Easton, once told me, "Bill, change is the only permanent thing in life. Get used to it."

The world is scary. Change is scary. And many people in our society are feeling unsettled.

Churches that grow and thrive through these times of stress and anxiety recognize these conditions are very real and give people the opportunity to receive what they cannot find anywhere else. What can't they find anywhere else? In this morning's Gospel, Jesus says, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love." This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you. Love one another as I have loved you. The best way to deal with stress and anxiety is to love others as Jesus loves us.

Now, it's interesting, isn't it? People want love from the time they're born to the time they die. Infants, toddlers, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged adults, and senior citizens need love each and every day of their lives. Sometimes we do strange things when we don't receive it. We all need it and crave it regardless of our age.

Does anyone disagree with that? Raise your hand high. Excellent. Now, the next question is, what is it? Define what we need each and every day of our lives. Anybody want to take a shot? Love, but define love. What is it? Caring, empathy, communication—all of that. And it's the giving of yourself to the well-being of another, which involves all these things, with the expectation of nothing in return.

Love is the commitment of yourself to the well-being of another, with the expectation of nothing in return. Love is an action word.

Regardless of world and economic conditions, Jesus gives a commandment—not a suggestion—to love others as he loved us. This applies to those who are different from us and to those who don't vote the same way we do. There are no "yes, buts" in our response.

What is the best way we can love others as Jesus commands? In changing and unsettling times, all of us at St. Albans must recognize that many people are here for the first time, and they're looking for the affirmation of a loving encounter. Most are looking for friends, community, relationships, and respite from the stress and confusion in their lives and in the world around them. According to Donald Coggan, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, healthy churches love people into taking God seriously.

Remember, love always seeks the well-being of others. We give it with the expectation of nothing in return. That kind of love attracts people like a magnet. A lack of love drives people far away.

There is no method, program, behavior, or technology that can make up for a lack of love for people.

"The Times They Are A-Changin." The daily news is stressful and upsetting, and how would Jesus have us respond? Again, in his words, "Love others as I have loved you." Invite someone to church. Welcome new people. Befriend them. Connect them to the church's worship service and fellowship, remembering that we, the church, exist to extend Jesus' love to others.

You be the person who does that. Don't wait for someone else. You do that.

Jesus calls his followers friends. Reach out and be a friend for Christ. By the way, do you know what a friend is? A friend is someone who knows all about you and likes you anyway.

Love others into taking God seriously. Be a good listener. Forgive everyone who has offended you. Again, don't leave it to someone else. You do it. Because you may be the only image of Jesus another person will ever see.

When the new rector comes, may they see your contagious enthusiasm for Jesus, his church, and his service. Send a message that St. Albans is alive, united, and positively focused on the future. I encourage you to stay positive, work hard, and make it happen.

Amen.