Pastor Dismer’s sermon from Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008:

“Learn how to build bridges and commit our lives to sharing God’s saving grace.”

Matthew18:15-20

Some years ago there was a play written called “Construction.” At the beginning of the play the actors were wandering around on stage, seemingly not knowing who they were, where they were, or what they were supposed to be doing.

One of the actors noticed a pile of building materials and suggested they build something – maybe a house. Then the group heard voices in the distance. They became frightened. Not knowing where they were, they didn’t know who else might be there.

They decided the best thing to do would be to build a wall, to protect them. Then a man walked onto the stage, announcing that he was an architect, and that he had the building plans they were supposed to follow.

“Tear down the wall,” he said. “You are supposed to be building a bridge, to reach the other people.”

These are age-old questions most of us ask at one time or another: “Why am I here?” What am I supposed to be doing with my life?”

The Bible, over and over, has some very strong words about why God’s people are here and what we are invited to be and do.

In Ezekiel, Chapter 33, God is speaking to his prophet, Ezekiel.

“SON OF MAN,” he says, “I HAVE MADE YOU A WATCHMAN FOR THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL; SO HEAR THE WORD I SPEAK AND GIVE THEM WARNING FOR ME.”

God goes on to say that Ezekiel should warn the people of their wrongdoing, and the consequence – which is death. God tells Ezekiel that if he does not speak up and the people die, unrepentant, God will hold Ezekiel accountable! If Ezekiel speaks but they do not listen, that is another matter altogether.

Further, God says to Ezekiel, “I TAKE NO PLEASURE IN THE DEATH OF THE WICKED, BUT RATHER THAT THEY TURN FROM THEIR WAYS AND LIVE.”

Clearly, one reason we are here is to build bridges. It is to reach out, to share God’s saving word in Christ Jesus. It is equally clear that God holds us responsible for those lost, who did not hear God’s word, or have the opportunity to make a choice, because we did not speak God’s word to them.

In our gospel lesson today from the book of Matthew, Jesus gives advice to his disciples – which would include us – on how to apply this command from God.

Jesus’ advice is practical, realistic, and loving.

“IF YOUR BROTHER SINS AGAINST YOU, GO AND SHOW HIM HIS FAULT, JUST BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU. IF HE LISTENS, YOU HAVE WON OVER YOUR BROTHER.”

If this doesn’t work, Jesus advises, try again, taking two or three others with you. The next step is to tell it to the church. If still your brother doesn’t listen, “treat him as a pagan or tax collector.”

It sounds harsh, and also an uncomfortable thing to do, especially in our culture of “live and let live.” What we might do this morning is first remember God’s concern expressed in Ezekiel. God does not want someone caught in his or her sin. That is not the point. God wants sinners to hear his word and change. Judging is not for the purpose of condemning, but saving.

That is why Jesus first suggests that his disciples go alone … quietly. That is why he suggests persistence. And that is why, in the end, if all else fails, he says “treat your brother or sister as a pagan or tax collector.”

This is not something bad. Jesus is not saying, ignore him. Shun her. He is saying, if you have not shared my word convincingly, treat this person as someone who has never heard my word. Start over. Preach the gospel. Share the good news as if to someone hearing for the first time … as if to someone who should be invited into the community. Build another bridge.

Easier said than done, right? How do we do this?

Psalm 119 points us in the right direction.

“TEACH ME, O LORD, your ways.”

“GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING, AND I SHALL KEEP YOUR LAW. I SHALL KEEP IT WITH ALL MY HEART. MAKE ME GO IN THE PATH OF YOUR COMMANDMENTS, FOR THAT IS MY DESIRE.”

‘One place to start is with ourselves. We can grow in our own understanding of God’s word, so that we can better share it. We can grow in our Christian behavior – following the commandments – living as examples, so that our actions will speak clearly where our words might have failed.

This is what Paul was getting at in Romans: “LET NO DEBT REMAIN, EXCEPT THE CONTINUING DEBT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR HE WHO LOVES others HAS FULFILLED THE LAW . . . The commandments, Paul says, “are SUMMED UP IN THIS ONE RULE: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. THEREFORE, LOVE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW.”

Let me share two examples.

The first comes from Ray Steadman’s commentary on Romans. It is the story of a man who was convicted of stealing a loaf of bread. When the judge asked him why he did this, he said, “To feed my family.”

The judge found him guilty, and fined him $10, which he knew the man did not have, or he would have bought the bread. Then the judge opened his wallet, gave the man $10 and said, “Pay your fine.” Next, the judge turned to the people in the courtroom. He fined each of them 50 cents, and said to them: “Give the money to this man. It is not good that a man has to steal to feed his family. We all need to help.”

My second story is about a committee that had met to deal with the problem of an employee who had committed a theft.

“Our business cannot function with people who are thieves,” one person said. “How could we ever trust anyone?”

Another said, “A rule is a rule. The other employees will be watching to see if we enforce the rules.” A third said, “She admitted she stole money. This is a “cut-and-dried case.”

Then one of the quieter members of the committee spoke up. “I think our company ought to be a place where people are even more important than rules,” the member said.

“Yes, she admitted her theft. We all know what she did was wrong. We also all know that her marriage is crumbling, and she has two small children.

She has not made excuses for herself, but I think she would be grateful for a second chance. I would like all our employees to know that this is a company where you can make a tragic mistake, but if you can admit it and ask for help, you could be given a second chance.”

Why are we here? What are we supposed to do with our lives? Following Jesus’ example, we are to build bridges. Reach out. Live with love as the overriding commandment, and commit our lives to sharing God’s saving grace, in word and deed. Amen.