It was the story that mattered.

I was thinking about how communication as changed during my lifetime. I grew up listening to the radio. The radio was our primary source for information, weather forecasts, community news, announcements and all kinds of advertisements. You might remember a radio jingle selling ‘Carters Liver Pills' or ‘Phillips Milk of Magnesia.’ I even remember thinking that buying a car with an FM radio was luxurious. The car even had electric windows, instead of the kind you roll down yourself. Radio programs were a specific type of communication. Radio programs often included vital information about the world and far away places. Radio shows broadcasted a story line that was often riveting and portrayed with such excellence and acuity that a listener couldn’t tune to another station or turn the radio off! The radio voice that we heard needed to be sound of someone trustworthy—yet calm in delivering the news. Maybe you know of someone who has a ‘radio voice.’ Jerry Springer is credited with saying, “Somebody once said that I had a face for radio.” You may also recall when video took over our purely audio world and a song that defined the loss for all of us. Video Killed the Radio Star. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8r-tXRLazs

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words but a story can change the world. As children, my dad drove my brother and I to Sunday School and dropped us off at the corner. He always had the radio on and we all listened to a radio program called Unshackled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgFd08IQuKo Story is a powerful medium. Few of us ever consider stories being a communication device—but they are incredibly persuasive and have powerful effects on those who choose to listen. 

Gospel Stories

Our October sermon series will include stories of transformation taken from the Gospel of Mark. Sometimes they're are called ‘Before and After Stories.’ The first four chapters are so jam-packed with events that we will focus on the content included there. John Mark is credited with writing the gospel but it is widely accepted that it was Peter who recollected the content. You will be astonished at the amount of detail included in this fast moving literary documentary. Imagine Peter summoning from memory what it was like to be with Jesus—dancing like a teenager at some moments and weeping like a toddler at others. The voice Mark heard wasn’t limited to Peter—it was the voice of God. You and I have the honor of holding the Word in our hands and listening to the Word with our ears. But, does it have an impact?

Before and After

Scholars can tell us what themes are present and what they mean. I get tired of reading so many different interpretations and what fancy people think. Sometimes, I think God wants me to read the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to show me something. I’m not a scholar and I am not fancy. What I noticed about these chapters is the ‘before and after’ effect of obedience. Obedience isn’t a word we use today. “No one is going to tell ME what to do.” That’s what I hear most often when I talk about obedience. Rebellious hearts rarely understand the benefits of obedience—I know there were lessons I learned the hard way. Humble pie is best served hot. Shortly after I began ministry at Wheatland, a clergy brother asked me what it was like to be appointed to Wheatland Salem while I was at Annual Conference. “It’s an act of obedience,” I said. I don’t think he was expecting me to say obedience because we had a long conversation afterwards about what it meant to take on the burden of obedience.

Notice the preparation for the arrival of Jesus by John the Baptist. Johnny B was preparing the way publicly before…”After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.” (Mark 1:7) Consider who was part of the preparation process for you. Don’t limit yourself to family or church people. What experiences prepared you to receive the Savior? Was there a Messenger sent to you—what was the message? Remember that our message comes out of our mess. The highest form of proclamation of the gospel is demonstration—a life that is changed—we could even call it the 'after effect' of Jesus being revealed to us. Think about this again—the people and events of childhood, adolescence or young adulthood influence us and prepare us. Which of them would you choose to ignore or regret or wish never happened? Consider whether or not those very people and events prepared you to accept the Savior of the world as someone you could believe in and count on for your own personal life.

Peace comes after.

Jesus arrived on the scene. He is there to fulfill all righteousness and as an act of obedience. Look closely at the text. As Jesus was coming out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:10-11) Jesus came from Nazareth—a nowhere place. Can anything good come from Nazareth? You might even ask God—can anything good from my nowhere place—my place of beginnings? Maybe we have to wait and see because we are still working on being obedient. Maybe we are still resisting the very calling God is working in us. Maybe…your peace that you long for is just on the other side of your obedience. Notice when the Dove descended—Dove being the image of peace. Validation followed obedience. God loves us unconditionally and His love is not based on performance. But, you and I will struggle our entire existence with whom we allow to the the Lord of our life. Obedience is key. 

What has God called you to do—today? Simply follow through with what He asked. Don’t get tripped up on the Big Life Question. Focus on today. Fulfill what He places on your heart and see what happens. 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 (Recall who influenced Mark to write the story. Peter may have some personal experience with what it meant to be obedient.)

The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star (Official Music Video)

Unshackled-Story of Michael Germi #3559

Pastor Jen