August 21, 2022 ~ Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost ~ Sermon & Zoom Worship Video Link

This is the link

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/nNds-Omyf-eArl5Fnq0S__yMveLIRv6JMwQoCrldjCC1Qv-mtWcSwJdhl7A2jf4t.Vzb5veUq64Ok2QQf

                                                                                                08/21/22—Highland–Meute

“All the Wonderful Things”

Psalm 71: 1-6; Isaiah 58: 9b-14; Luke 13: 10-17

Pearl: Jesus bound wounds and removed fetters every day; his followers do the same.

Function: To assure worshippers that though affliction and/or suffering may be with us for a long time, the God who notices us and who loves us lasts far, far, longer.

Jesus noticed a woman who had suffered for a long time. Scripture says she was “doubled over” for 18 years.

1. In Jesus’ mercy, he saw her and was compelled to go to her and free her from her affliction. Good news!! Jesus sees us! He notices us!
   1. How are we doing as a world, as a nation, as a church to notice people and to help them by binding their wounds, and releasing them from their burdens so that they can stand straight up?
      1. I don’t get the idea that many others saw this woman that day in the synagogue.
         1. Some questions arise about this woman.
            1. Was she always there at synagogue on the sabbath?
            1. Was she one of those dear people who took care of many things to prepare and make ready for the worship of the people but who’s deeds are seldom noticed or acknowledged?
            1. Or, as Jill Duffield reflected, did she just show up that day of all days? Perhaps she hadn’t been to worship in a long time. But something inside her said, “Today you need to go. No matter the pain, the effort, the agony or embarrassment, you need to go to worship” (“Presbyterian Outlook”).
            1. This is ever more meaningful to us who have lived through the covid pandemic. Worshipping physically, in-person provides some benefits that cannot come through virtual worship.
2. We really don’t know the cause of the woman’s crippled posture that caught Jesus’ eye that day.
   1. Many things weigh people down.
      1. Real sickness both mental and physical.
      1. Hurts and sorrows.
      1. Failures or frustrations.
      1. Defeats, debilitating diseases.
      1. Addictions and worries.
   1. The question is, “Do we see the suffering? And if we see them, will we respond?”
      1. Are you familiar with the story of Kevin Hines? He is one of the very few survivors who jumped off of the Golden Gate Bridge in an attempt to suicide.
         1. He had decided that fateful day, that if anyone at all spoke to him, asking if he was all right on that ride to the bridge, he would not carry through.
            1. He sat in the back of a public bus with a hood over his head, weeping the whole way. Of the 30-some people on board no one spoke to him. If anyone noticed him, they did not do or say anything.
            1. He got off the bus and walked to the middle of the bridge. Many people went past him on foot, and on bike. He got to the middle of the bridge and stood overlooking the bay. A woman tapped on his shoulder and he turned around. She asked him if he would take her picture. He took the picture, turned around. And then he launched himself off of the bridge.
            1. Miraculously, he survived and is now telling his story of how much he appreciates life. He said that he, like every other suicide survivor, instantly regretted his decision to jump after doing so. He still lives with paranoia, bi-polar disorder, and depression but with therapeutic help he has built ways to manage these burdens.
               1. Kevin’s story is a disturbing tale that no one reached out to him in the least way when he was visibly upset, and actually hoping that someone would.
               1. We are going to host a two-hour suicide prevention training at Highland in September. We will be trained in “noticing” people and then after noticing, reaching out in some way.
               1. Noticing and responding, even in the slightest way, is healing medicine!
3. Today we focus upon the “wonderful thing Jesus did in noticing and responding.”

Burdens may be heavy and last a long time; but God sees you and God lasts longer than any burden!

It is a fact of life on earth that many have to endure long-term affliction or suffering.

1. It is a fact of life this side of the return of Jesus on that amazing Day.
   1. When Jesus returns, he will restore all things. In that restoration there will be no more pain, no more death, no more tears, and no more disease. It will be an eternity of release from all of the bondages of this fallen world.
      1. This is what the gospel does: it binds up wounds and releases burdens.
      1. We look forward to a time when all who are stooped over, who are heavily burdened, will stand up straight to praise the Lord; a time when all will be free!
2. This side of the return of Jesus and his restoration of all things, however, we live with affliction and suffering.
   1. As we do, Jesus notices. He notices people through you and through me.
   1. He expects us to notice those who are bent over with burdens and to do something in response.  

In his life Jesus endured no less suffering and affliction!

1. The prophecy of Isaiah is applied to our Lord Jesus in that “He was despised and rejected by others, a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity… (Isaiah 53:3).
2. The Savior identifies with us.
3. As life is full of blessings, it is also full of burdens.
   1. There is grief, suffering, affliction, inhumanity, and horror in the human predicament.
   1. This side of Jesus’ return we continue to experience the effects of a fallen world.

Yet God continually notices our predicament and God continually responds!

So, your affliction, your suffering is not forever.

1. Because, you will last!  You have an identity which will outlast any suffering and affliction. And you are not defined by your burden! Jesus showed this with the woman “doubled over” for 18 years.
   1. Maybe he cured her to show that people are much more than what they appear to be. She was not a “cripple,” she was a beautiful and unique person.
2. Do not be defined by your burden!
   1. When something lasts for a very long time you think this is who you are.
   1. People are labeled “paralytic,” “cripple,” “failure,” “manic-depressive,” “addict,” and so on. We are much more than any affliction or disease.
   1. We are human beings who must endure afflictions and suffering but we will outlast any affliction and suffering.
      1. God will free us, in and through Jesus Christ; He will release us from all that binds. Our lives are everlasting.

Your Lord Jesus Christ notices you and brings freedom. He picks you up and makes you stand tall.

1. This is what happened in Jesus’ encounter with the woman who was hunched-over for 18 years. When Jesus saw this woman the freedom of God’s reign which surged and pulsated through his every blood vessel spontaneously burst forth and freed her.
   1. It was a collision that was bound to happen. It was a direct collision of God’s reign with the oppression of the enemy. It was no contest. God’s reign prevailed. God wins the Day, no matter what, ultimately! This he demonstrated on that Sabbath day in the synagogue.
2. She was released! Burdens last long—that’s the definition of burden! You are beat down; you are afflicted, but you fight the good fight and you endure.
   1. But fighting and enduring will not last! God has the last word and at the last he will say: “See, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5).
   1. Imagine the freedom and liberation of the age to come! RELEASE!!! ALL STANDING TALL!!!

Not knowing when your liberation will come you live by faith that it will come. But you worship the God who notices!

1. This woman had no idea when she woke up that day that she would be dancing and praising the Lord before sundown.
2. She was surprised. She didn’t seek Jesus out as many others did. Nothing is written about her level of faith.
   1. Jesus simply noticed her and he reached forth with restoration and blessing! She had no idea what good was coming to her.
3. Good is coming to you! Beyond all imagination!
   1. It may be today that Jesus helps you to stand up straight so that you will be dancing and singing joyfully before sundown!

There is one final point to illumine today. For heaven’s sake, when God frees people from bondage, rejoice and glorify God! When good comes to another, rejoice and glorify God!

1. These early leaders in the synagogue did not rejoice when Jesus restored this woman. They rejected the goodness of God that particular day. They pointed out the law of the Sabbath and how Jesus put it in jeopardy. They were more concerned about the law than about people.
   1. Jesus did not reject the law of the Sabbath. He never rejected any of the law. But he schooled the people on the law. He taught that what is forbidden by the Sabbath is allowing one more day of suffering for anyone!
      1. The reign of Jesus Christ cries out, “Not one more day!” You are noticed. God notices you because God’s people notice you and they will do something to help you stand up straight.

Rejoice and glorify God at all the wonderful things he is doing in people’s lives!

Rejoice and glorify God that your affliction and your suffering do not define you and by faith look forward to your release which will come!

Follow Jesus by noticing and responding to the needs of others! It will help them to stand up straight and tall!