Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Rolla on July 23, 2023. Based on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.
In today’s agricultural parable, we hear about “weeds” among the wheat. The Greek word used is “zizanion,” generally understood to be darnel. This is an especially undesirable weed for a couple of reasons. First, it looks very much like wheat, so much so that it is sometimes called “false wheat.” Its growth pattern is similar to wheat, and its roots wrap around the roots of the wheat plants. The similarity remains until the ears of grain appear. Only then can you reliably tell the difference. And it’s a good thing you can! Darnel is considered poisonous. In small amounts, it produces an effect like drunkenness. In larger amounts, it can be fatal. Under Roman law, sowing darnel in another person’s field wasn’t just bad manners—it was a crime because the darnel was so dangerous.
So we’re not talking about dandelions here. We’re not talking about something that looks bad or that causes a little bit of damage. We’re talking about poison. Poison that can kill. And yet, in the parable, the master says, “Let it grow until we can be sure which plants are good and which plants are bad.”
Jesus likens the weeds to evildoers. Often, this is taken further to include anyone who does not follow God’s law. If you follow city politics at all, you know that there is a movement afoot to institute a new ordinance against drag performances, largely led by some pastors and their followers. One man who spoke at the council meeting on June 19 kept shouting, “God’s word is true!” and threatening that judgment and vengeance were coming for all of us who do not believe what he does or behave in the way that he thinks we should. (Note: I spoke immediately after him. At the bottom of this message, I have links to some articles.)
So, let’s do a thought experiment. Let’s cleanse our congregation. The first to go are the heretics, so that they cannot lead other people astray. John Nipper preached on Trinity Sunday, the most dangerous Sunday of them all. Afterwards, I shared a video with him called, “St. Patrick’s Bad Analogies.” It’s an excellent video that I would encourage you all to watch. St. Patrick gives a bunch of different analogies for the Trinity, and each time, the two supposedly “simple folk” he was talking to explained why he was repeating an ancient heresy. John recognized his own teaching somewhere in the video, so I guess he has to go. There’s a podcast I listen to called “The Heretic Happy Hour.” Each guest is asked why they might be called a heretic, and boy, there’s lots of reasons.
OK, suppose you are not guilty of any heresies. Next to go are the hypocrites. We surely don’t want people who fail to live up to their own ideals! Those outside the church most often criticize “the church” for its hypocrisy, so I guess we’d better purge them all to keep from getting a bad name.
Next, let’s get rid of anyone who has any doubts. I’ve heard it said that doubt is the enemy of faith. Now I’m not so sure about that, but this is just a thought experiment. So the doubters gotta go.
Finally, any sinners remaining better get out. We don’t want their sin poisoning our fellowship. I think Paul said something about that, regarding someone who was engaged in some sort of impropriety.
Heretics, hypocrites, doubters, and sinners. If they’re all gone, is anyone left? Not only that, but at each step of the process, we’re losing the spiritual gifts of people who have lots to give. Our fellowship is enriched by the diversity of perspectives we get from everyone who is willing to be part of it. We learn from each other, we lean on each other, and our gifts reinforce so that we can accomplish far more than we could with some hypothetical “pure” fellowship.
So, you belong. Everyone in this room belongs. Everyone listening online belongs. Everyone who is connected to our church in some way belongs. We all have a gift to share. Each one of us channels God’s love in a unique way. Some are better at being out in front. Some are better at working behind the scenes. Some are better sitting beside you while you heal or while you grieve. Some have musical or other artistic talents that glorify God and enliven our worship. Some just bring joy by being around you.
We all belong. We all have these different gifts, and all form one body. But I know that we are deficient. I know that we do not have the diversity that we need to truly be Christ’s body. Churches are some of the only multi-generational organizations, where you’ll find children and octogenarians and everything in-between. The most vital churches have people of different races and ethnicities, from different classes and professions, with different educational and life experiences. Each new perspective adds depth and color and vibrance to the church. We have some of that, but not enough. Not nearly enough.
What entitles us to membership in Christ’s body that is the church? What have you done to earn your place here today? Well, honestly, nothing. We are all here by the grace of God. We all bear God’s image. We are all made to be channels of God’s love. We have all been chosen by God. Grace is the ultimate unearned privilege, the gift we receive because God wants to give it to us.
And if we belong here today by God’s grace, what about people in the community? Don’t they belong here, too? God’s grace is a free gift, freely given to all those God chooses. It is not up to us to choose who is a weed and who is wheat. It is up to God. God knows who will bear fruit for the kingdom. I believe there are dozens, hundreds, even thousands of people in Rolla who do not currently belong to any church but who have been chosen by God for some task to build God’s kingdom. How much more effective would they be with a community of supporters? How much more would they be able to transform the world if they were aligned with others who saw the world in the same way, who shared their calling?
I also believe that for some large fraction of those people who need a community, this church is not the right place for them. Each person needs to find their own path and their own community. There are some people I work with in the community who are not Christian and never will be, but they are nevertheless building God’s kingdom. They are showing love in their own way. Even churches I disagree with, some vehemently, have a job to do for the good of God’s kingdom. Heretics and hypocrites—but different heresies and hypocrisies than my own. Those churches fill a need for some people. Some people need to be told what to believe, whereas I need to have the freedom to follow God wherever They lead me. Some people need the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit, whereas I am deeply suspicious of those supposed experiences. That’s fine—that’s why I’m here and not at First Assembly or Greentree or Harvest Worship Center.
But there are certainly some people in Rolla and in Phelps County and surrounding areas who need to hear the message we have about God’s love. There are people who hunger and thirst for righteousness, but don’t know how to find the bread of life or the living water that we know about. There are people who care deeply about the same things that we care deeply about, who can build us up while we build them up.
So I have another thought experiment. Let’s suppose we decide we want to have the most impure church of them all. Are you a heretic? Good! Join our Bible study; I’m sure you’ll liven it up. Too often, we read the Bible and see things that aren’t really there, because we’ve been told that they are. We need someone to question our assumptions so we can more nearly approach the Truth revealed in Scripture. Are you a hypocrite? Well, join the club. Let’s work together on cleaning up our hypocrisies. Let me tell you how I’m trying to improve, and you tell me how you’re trying to improve, and together, maybe we’ll find a better way to follow God. Are you a doubter? Well, thank God, because I am, too. I mean, geez, some of the stuff in the Bible is just unbelievable. Have you ever read it? There’s some weird stuff in there. Are you a sinner? Well, aren’t we all? Who am I to judge your sin? I’ll judge my own, and you can judge your own, and we’ll rely upon God’s grace to save us both.
That would be a whole lot more exciting! I’m sure we can be more successful inviting heretics and doubters to join us than seeking perfect believers. There’s a lot bigger pool to draw from. If nothing else, it would demonstrate intellectual humility. Some people try to find a church with exclusive access to the Truth, with a capital T. Like, after 2000 years, one church will finally get it right. I think it’s more likely that we’re all wrong, and we would come a lot closer to living the way God intends if we just live in that uncertainty and prioritize being loving over being right.
Somewhere in Rolla, right now, outside our doors, someone needs to hear about a God of love, a God of forgiveness, a God of grace, a God who accepts us in all of our messiness and imperfection, a God who desires them to flourish and grow. So I asked you last week: Who do you seek to share this love, this message of God’s kingdom with? What is your particular calling? Who do you seek to serve?
Ming asked me after worship last week, “So what’s next?” I told him to come this week, so I guess it’s time for me to deliver on that. Have you all had time to think and pray about your calling? Did you bring your card back? If not, there are more cards by the stack of hymnals in the narthex. First of all, if you weren’t here last week, let me walk you through what you missed. I want you to identify one thing, one calling, something that you personally feel called to do. Someone that you want to serve. Someone to whom you want to show God’s love. My rule is, it has to be someone, some group, outside this church and outside your family. I assume that you all want to love each other and love your families, but that’s not what we’re after here. What is the one thing that really calls to your inner being? Maybe it’s something you’re already doing, or maybe it’s something that has been nagging at you, something you want to start. Or maybe you already do a lot of different things and you need to figure out what ties them all together. Like I said last week, I do a lot, but there is one thread that runs through it all.
Once you know what that one thing is, or at least have some idea of what it might be, your next task is to think of three people in this congregation who might share that same calling, or something close to it. People who can help you, support you, and give you ideas and inspiration.
So now, I want you to really think hard about it. If you have already thought this all through, start thinking about one step you might take to follow God’s calling, God’s claim on your heart and your life. If you haven’t come up with your one thing yet, maybe jot down a few things that kind of circle around your calling, or a few spiritual gifts that you think you have to offer someone else. I’m going to give you a few minutes now to do that.
OK, so you have that ready? Now, I want you to hold that card close to your heart, and we will pray together. Then keep it all in your heart and mind while we conclude the worship service. Keep it in your heart while you affirm your faith in our ever-present God. Keep it in your heart while we lift up our gifts to God. Keep it in your heart while we sing together and while Randy offers his gift of music to God. And then after worship, go find one of the people on your card and talk with them. If they’re not here today, call or email them this week. If you haven’t figured out your own calling, perhaps it’s because someone else is about to ask you to help them. Maybe you have a particular insight, a particular gift, that someone else needs right now. And I believe that through the Holy Spirit, we will each find our partners in ministry. As Brian McLaren said, “It’s not about the church meeting your needs; it’s about joining the mission of God’s people to meet the world’s needs.”
So now hold your card to your heart, and let’s pray:
Come, Holy Spirit. Come among us and guide us. Bless each person’s gifts and show each of us how best to use those gifts to build your kingdom. Guide us as we seek to transform the world with your love. Help us each to find our partners in ministry so that together, we can do more than we ever can do alone. Bind us together into one body, Christ’s body, to walk where Christ walks, to see and hear with Christ’s eyes and ears, to work with Christ’s hands, and to love with Christ’s heart. All this we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I referenced a controversy in Rolla. LGBTQ+ Rolla hosted its third Pride celebration this year. We moved to a spot in downtown Rolla and included entertainment: Rodney Wilson, founder of LGBTQ+ History Month; Mystic Sands Bellydance Troupe; and a drag show led by Roxanna Rexia. Although there was no nudity and no sexually explicit content, this incurred the wrath of some pastors in town. Here are some articles about it.
Article about June 19 meeting from Phelps County Focus
Article about July 17 meeting from Phelps County Focus
Article about July 17 meeting from NPR
Podcast: Play in new window | Download