Romans 8:12-17 - June 7, 2009

Bethany United Church - Rev. S. Matthews

I was not here for the Watoto concert, But I heard a lot about the singing and I was told about one 8 year old boy who who spoke, I believe his name is Jimmy - the little boy told us that when he was two years, he was orphaned and left alone, but then, ...in his words: the people of Watoto heard my story and everything changed - now I know that I am not forgotten and I have hope. .......a little boy’s words celebrating his joy at no longer being forgotten and at being part of a new family. This little boy knew the sting of being left out in the cold or forgotten - maybe something we feel at times....., but that little boy now knew the joy of being welcomed.

Is that not also similar to the joy we rejoice in when we know the love of caring acceptance and inclusion and do we also fear the sting of being rejected - that fear sometimes keeps us from meaningful relationships because we fear being pushed away. Is there times when we push people away because they are different in how they dress, in their attitudes or the way they live their lives.

Paul in talking about the joy of receiving the grace-filled acceptance of God, uses the metaphor of adoption.....Paul in the book of Romans spoke to the people of Rome who were a people of much difference - I mean Rome was a cosmopolitan city and to a city of difference, Paul wrote these words: You have received the spirit of adoption.... or in the NRSV ..for all led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

In Paul’s understanding, there were two forces in people that waged a struggle one against another - the one force that prevented us from being with GOD.....THE FEAR.... the fear of being rejected and that fear prevented people from reaching out to others - it prevents us from meaningful relationships- it prevents us from being the people of God we are called to be and that leads to doubt and confusion. But then there is another force - the Spirit of God that Paul mentioned, that Spirit is within us that calls us to relationship - that Divine Courageous Nature of Caring that calls us to trust in being accepted and loved and to also love.

James Hewett tells the story of two children who went to register themselves at Sunday School- the Superintendent had to ask their ages and birthdays as part of the registration. The bolder of the two girls said, "We're both seven. My birthday is April 8, 2002, and my sister’s is April 20, 2002." "But that's impossible!" answered the superintendent. "No, it's not," answered the quieter sister. "One of us is adopted." "Which one?" asked the superintendent before she could curb her tongue. The sisters looked at each other and smiled, and the bolder one said to the Superintendent, and the response is heart moving....."We asked mom and Dad awhile ago, but they just said they loved us both, and they couldn't remember any more which one was adopted."

In Romans 8:17, Paul writes: "Now if we are [God's] children, then we are heirs__heirs of God and co_heirs with Christ..." (NIV) Paul's comparison is to adoption. By our faith in Christ we become Christ’s adopted brothers and sisters__adopted sons and daughters of God. As fully adopted and accepted children, we share the joy of God’s gracious loving acceptance - and therefore we enter into relationship with God who is already there for us and who calls to us loving acceptance of that love and to mirror that love to others. That love is the love that accepts us at this table - that love that calls us to relationship.... that love that leads and longs for us to witness to that love in our own being and in our living. No matter the circumstance one finds themselves - no matter what you face, there is this great hope and promise - you are not forgotten - you are a child of the Most High.

There is a chorus that I heard this past week, I know that some here know the chorus, so if you do, sing it with me and sing out loud - we will sing it a couple of times, the words are printed in the bulletin after where the sermon is noted.....as you sing it, sing it with hope and joy - that is so important to sing it with hope and joy - I will tell you why later ..... (CLAPPING)

Over my head, I hear music in the air -

The origin of that chorus is from the time when the people who were in slavery were being lead to the northern states and Canada and being smuggled into freedom. Invariably, as the people of slavery were journeying, the people had to be hid and one of the most common places for them to be hid was in the basements of churches. It must have been a fearful time for they faced certain death if they were caught.. And so, on Sunday mornings as they lay hid in the basement of churches, hear the sound of hymn and song - prayers and praises and they knew that God was with them for they knew that over their heads, there was music and so God was there.

The people who sang in that story, by their singing laid a foundation of faith for those that travelled in fear - a testimony of sorts -a lived testimony.

A testimony has been laid by Christ for us all - a testimony of grace so abundant that no drought could ever dry it out.......The table of Christ bears a witness of that testimony of God’s faithful loving and grace for the whole of humanity.

You are accepted and always acceptable to God at this table and you are adopted into the family of God - an adoption that rings to the whole earth and to all its peoples - YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN- YOU, DAUGHTERS AND SONS OF GOD and also, YOU who are here, right now and always called to be sisters and brothers of the |Christ and to one another. In our hearts, let us remember the message of those singing children - WE are not forgotten, for God’s knows our name. Let us remember that Spirit of Adoption that has called us, claimed us and welcomed us and bids us welcome all with the love of God. Thanks be to God such Grace and Love.