Hear, See, Do

That advice fits whether one is talking about a successful and long-enduring machine shop, or service and leadership in a fire company, and then by extension, in the training and supervision of others in that public service.

We want to discern best practices, call attention to them, encourage them, use them, cultivate them, and pass them on.

And it also fits in matters of the faith as well, which is Paul's specific subject.

More than observers, we are to become participants.

We are encouraged to do the things that are patterned on the lives of our spiritual forbears.

It is 10 ½ years since we met in this place for the funeral of daughter Jeanne.

I looked up my notes about her yesterday to help me recall what a special person she was, as a way to know a little bit about Carl.

Because it is parents that give children wings, and Jeanne flew so well and so far, I'll take that as a sign that Carl and his spouses helped her to search out and use what was true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, and worthy of praise.... those categories that Paul named in his letter to the church at Philippi, today's second lesson.

Sometimes we get to thinking that modern day life is so complex and difficult that the Bible is just too quaint and old to deal with all of these things.

But Paul is no country bumpkin: we're sure he spoke at least two languages very fluently and probably several others.

He traveled more than most people did in those days.

He was from a busy commercial town.

He was writing to his little congregation in Philippi, which was established as a retirement town for war-tested Roman soldiers who had seen everything and done everything all over the empire.

It is a no-nonsense, trading center, that saw the legions tramp by regularly.

So Paul's call for his people to be pure, honorable, worthy of praise, etc., is not going to be easily fulfilled.

How could they, and how can we dare to strive for excellence in all that we do today also?

It is because the Lord Jesus reached out to that little congregation back in Philippi, and to each generation since then including us through his Word and the waters of Holy Baptism to give us the promise that he will be with us at all times and situations.

Things can still go wrong in a machine shop, at the scene of a fire, or even with our health in our own home as it did with Carl,

but we can hold a very different attitude when we know that we do not face the crises, large or small, all by ourselves.

Jesus has already faced the worst enemies that anyone could face, and has conquered them, and promises us a share in that victory.

He promises to put all things right, to finally put everything into their proper relationships.

And with that promise in hand, great things can be dared.

Knowing this is great, but it does not take away the pain and sorrow of Carl's death.

Hearts are heavy, and especially now at Christmastime.

A new hymn from about 20 years ago expresses it this way:

4. God, when we suffer all that we can bear,

Then let us know that you in truth are near

And will not leave us lost in all our fear.

Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.

Lord, grant us peace.

[HS98, #847.4]

Carl has done all that he can do, and has gotten all that he could get out of life.

Now he only has things to give.

-the memories of other days and times

-possessions to be passed on and used

-attitudes toward work and usefulness

-appreciation for military service when it was needed

-sense of civic responsibility

These things constitute a precious legacy.

To recognize that, let's hear our lesson again, this time instead of from Paul, let's hear it as if Carl were speaking God's word to us:

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

And let that be enough for today.

Amen.

Please note: The preceding sermon is provided as a resource for the thought, prayer, and meditation of the members and friends of St. Mark's. It is the residue of a verbal event, and thus it does not have academic footnotes and other details that would be expected in a written document. The writer gladly acknowledges the prior thought and work of many Christians before him.