United Church of Pittsford

Romans 8:5-11

We live in a world of random terrorist attacks, of sexual predators
that pray on our children, of gang violence that transforms our city streets into battle zones, of economic hardships, of hunger, homelessness, and poverty, and not only elsewhere, but right here in our own country.

We live in a world of broken marriages, battered spouses,
and neglected children . . . in a world of violence, hatred, greed, intolerance, and warfare.

We live in a world of shattered dreams,broken promises,
and heart-wrenching suffering, pain, fear, and grief.

That’s the real world . . . and as much as we might wish it were not so, we all know that it is the case!

But that is not all there is to this real world in which we live.

We live, as well, in a world were babies are born and children are nurtured and loved, were neighbors see beyond their differences and discover community, were families display fidelity, honor, integrity, and love, where joy and laughter lighten our spirits, where hope, accomplishment, and fulfillment provide satisfaction and encouragement, where many nations and many peoples
have learned to live in peace with one another.

We live in a world of tremendous natural beauty, a world rich in resources, a world where challenge, opportunity, freedom, and prosperity are not only possible, but prevalent . . . and not only in our lives, but in the lives of others throughout the world, as well.

The marvelous, magnificent truth is that all of us here this morning have been chosen by God . . . and God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit,
the Spirit of Christ is present and alive within each one of us!

And, as we allow that Spirit to guide, direct, inspire, and animate our lives . . . we learn to depend on God, to trust God’s counsel
and God’s love, no matter what the real world may throw at us.

If we are blessed with a good home, a desirable, secure, and satisfying job, a loving family, good health, financial well-being . . .
we don’t consider those blessings our birthright or our accomplishment, but as gracious and generous gifts from God.

If we lose our job, lose our health, fall into financial distress,
or experience the pain, loneliness, and suffering that results from
the brokenness and death that is an inevitable part of the human experience . . . we continue to depend upon, to trust that God will surround us with hope-filled and healing grace, show us the way, and eventually see us through.

The reality is that this real world in which we all live in is filled with
situations and experiences, some of which we consider good
and others that we consider bad!

As we allow the Spirit of God to guide, direct, inspire, and animate our lives . . . we learn not to allow the circumstances of our present lives,
be they good or bad, to dictate and determine how we live . . .
but to allow the guidance, direction, and inspiration of the Holy Spirit
to determine how we live . . . that, my friends, is living in Christ’s Spirit!

I have a colleague in ministry who once told me of the personal renewal that took place in his life when he finally realized
that he could not live for God, but needed to live from God, that is, from the guidance and inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit.

He said his marriage was in trouble, he was bored, stressed,
and unhappy in his ministry, and unfulfilled, dissatisfied, depressed with life in general.

He felt unmotivated and uninspired, isolated, angry, and alone,
and void of any sense of direction or hope of relief.

He reported that his awakening came when he was preparing a sermon based on this very same passage from Romans
that we read this morning.

It caused him to change his way of thinking!

And as he began to trust in the Lord’s leading and surrender his will to God, he began to realize that he was unable to love his wife as he should . . . but that the Holy Spirit could inspire and enable that in and through him.

He began to realize that he could not fulfill his calling from Christ
through his own wisdom, strength, and motivation . . . but that the Holy Spirit could inspire and enable that in and through him.

He began to realize that a sense of happiness, satisfaction, and fulfillment was not the result of his own doing . . . but the precious gift of God acknowledged and received through the discipline
of praise and thanksgiving.

As he began to open himself to the presence and power of Christ’s Spirit residing within, he began to change . . . to change the way he viewed his circumstances . . . the way he viewed his relationships
with his wife and children, the way he viewed the privilege and responsibilities of his calling, the way he viewed his priorities and life choices beyond his family and his employment.

When we live by the Spirit, we begin to see God’s presence and involvement in all the circumstances of our lives.

In the good times . . . we recognize God as the source of every
good gift . . . yet we remember that our lives are not sustained by
the “stuff” of the good times, but by God.

And in the bad times . . . we recognize God’s presence, God’s mercy and grace, God’s enveloping love . . . that teaches us, equips us, sustains us, and sees us through those times of pain and loss, of loneliness and sorrow, of suffering, fear, and grief.

We have all been there . . . we all know and understand exactly what
I am talking about.

And, we all know that living by, that living in Christ’s Spirit does not alter our circumstances . . . but alters who we are as we live through
whatever circumstances may come.

And so, especially during this season of Lenten, this season
of personal introspection . . . we are reminded of the value, of the necessity of practicing some spiritual disciplines . . . like prayer and meditation, like fasting and study, like simplicity, and generosity.

For prayers says, “I can’t make it on my own, God . . . I need you.”

And fasting says, “You, O Lord, are the source of my strength and nourishment.”

And study says, “I don’t possess the wisdom and the insight
to deal with all that the real world throws at me . . . I need God’s word
and the insight and inspiration of God’s Saints.”

And generosity and a simpler life says, “I will not find my security
in amassing possessions . . . but in the grace, mercy, and generous love of God.”

This world in which we live is a wonderful, marvelous, yet frightening, and even dangerous place, where we all experience both joy and sorrow, both victory and defeat . . . but if we allow the Spirit of Christ
to guide, direct, inspire, and animate our lives . . . we will discover that
joy, hope, love, and peace he promises . . . no matter what
our circumstances might be.

Lent is a time to ponder that promise . . . and make the decision
to open ourselves, through the practice of some spiritual disciplines,
to the presence and power of the One who loves us unconditionally,
and has nothing but our very best interests in mind . . .
no matter what our circumstances might be.

Amen.