I spoke boldly about the assigned ELCT (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania) calendar (lectionary) text from Matthew 25: 31-36, where Jesus is speaking about the final days when we will all be separated like sheep and goats. The sheep, on the right, will spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven, and the goats, on the left, will be doomed to eternal damnation in hell.
This is normally a troubling text to preach on, however, not in TZ. They are used to sermons and biblical texts that are challenging and that lift up expectations of the law and themes of judgement and condemnation.
However, as always, I preached both the law and the gospel.
I pointed out how, in this text, it is clear that Jesus does care about our lives and the way in which we live them. It is clear that we are called be sheep, and to treat one another with acts of kindness, love, mercy and forgiveness.
So I introduced the sermon with a story that my friend, Pastor Tom Hanson, shared in a recent Bega Kwa Bega newsletter article. It was about an experience he had, while in Iringa, when he preached at Ifunda Lutheran Church. A young stranger was present in worship that morning. He was not from the congregation or even the community. He had polio, was unable to use his legs, and got around on a pair of crutches. In the middle of the service he asked the pastor if he could speak. He was invited forward. He shared his story about how his parents had both died and how he could not work and was now asking the congregation for money to pay for his medical expenses.
The pastor immediately saw that his need was real and invited the congregation to come forward for a third offering. 39,000 schillilngs ($25) was received, and given to the stranger, from their heart. He was delighted!
One other detail about the man - his name was Mohammed, and he was a Muslim. That did not matter to the people of Ifunda - they loved this man that Jesus loved. They had compassion for this man. They showed kindness to this man. And they did not question his religious affiliation or beliefs.
I shared that story with the people of Mlendege and challenged them to give of their offerings as a means of changing their congregation and their community. I reminded them of the power of their offerings and how their offerings could literally transform lives within their church and community. I challenged them to also "give from their hearts" and allow God to use what they had to offer to meet the needs of their changing church/community.
And it is when we give from the heart and love as Jesus loved, that we are like sheep, who tend to the needs of one another. Although, I pointed out, as much as we want to be, and strive to be, like sheep, we so often act like goats (stubborn, resistant, and selfish). But God's grace is real and points us back to the right when we begin to stray to the left.
After my sermon (at both services), Pastor Mangulesa spoke, in Swahili, to his congregation. Kinyoa, my translator, informed me, that the pastor was inviting the entire congregation back on Monday, with offerings ready, to be distributed to the needy people in their church and community!
Think about this! The entire congregation (at least 1000 people were in attendance between both services and show up routinely I'm pretty sure, to all church events) was invited back the following day to reach out to the less fortunate, the needy and the strangers in their community, with what little they might have to offer. I couldn't help but hum the tune in my head after that invitation, "They'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love."
"By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
-John 13:35
Faith in action, indeed.
I hope to follow up with Pr. Mangulesa to hear how it went. The sheep of Mlendege Lutheran Church are faithful to their Shepherd. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Dale
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