Churches With Heart

Moody-Leon United Methodist Church

Hebrews 1:1-4,2:5-12

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6But someone has testified somewhere, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet.” Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

Texas A&M! Its graduates have a strong, fierce, zealous, fervent loyalty. Why is it that Aggies are so fiercely loyal?

Ross Walker was a member of the Wesley Memorial UMC congregation in Cleburne. He was a retired elementary school principal and leader in that congregation. Ross was also a graduate of Texas A&M.

When I first met Ross, he had this sport coat. From a distance it looked maroon. Actually it had a beige background with small print repeated over the entire fabric. Over that coat front and back, shoulders to tail were the words “Texas A&M” and “Gig ‘em Aggies” printed in maroon. That coat had a special purpose in the days I knew Ross. During football season if the Aggies won on Saturday, Ross wore that jacket on Sunday. Why would a graduate of A&M of over 40 years wear his special sport coat on Sundays after an aggie victory?

Texas Aggies have a common story. Until the 60’s, Texas A&M was an all male school, and everyone was required to be in the corp. Did you know that during WWII there were more military officers from Texas A&M than anywhere except maybe the military academies. Each month Aggies have a memorial service they call “Silver Taps.” Annually Aggies from all around the world come together at the same time in groups to honor those Aggies who have died during that year. It is called the Aggie Muster.

Aggies have common rituals. There is the 12th Man Tradition. The whole student body stands throughout home football games. They have yell leaders not cheerleaders, and they have yell practice with all the student body before games. The yells do not change – Ross could join in.

Several years ago now (1999), students were killed in the collapse of a bon fire. That has caused pain within the Aggie community not only because students died, but also because a common ritual that began in 1918 died. Since 1918 they had gathered at a bonfire before UT game.

They have a common hand signal — Gig em Aggies. Texas Aggies never lose, they just get out scored. If they get out scored, the student body, the “12th Man,” stays for yell practice. Endnote

John Westerhoff gives us the “Marks of the Christian Community.” Christian community has a common story. It has a common ritual. It must have a common authority. It must have a common life. Endnote

The Christian community has common rituals. Baptism – Lord’s Supper – Christian Marriage – Ordination – Prayer – Confirmation.

The Christian community also has a common story. That common story centers around a man – Jesus of Nazareth. Today’s scripture lesson speaks volumes about this man.

Jesus is the son of God. God speaks to us through the Son. God has appointed Jesus as heir of all things. Jesus was present at the creation of the world. God created the world through Jesus, according to this passage. Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory. Jesus is the imprint of God’s very being. Want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus. Jesus is God’s way of purifying us of our sins. Jesus is the pioneer of our salvation. Jesus suffered for us. Jesus died for us. For a little while, he was made lower than the angels. God descended to earth — Took on human flesh — Suffered & died. Because of the suffering of death, He is now crowned with glory and honor.

BUT WAIT! Our common story is not just about Jesus. It is also about us. Did you hear those words quoted from the Psalms?

“What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them?”

God is mindful of YOU. YOU are on the mind of God! God cares for YOU.

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you” Matt. 6:28-30

“You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;  you have crowned them with glory and honor,”

WAIT. Those are the same words the writer of Hebrews used to describe Jesus! A part of our common story is GOD thinks we are special. GOD loves us beyond our comprehension.

You know, Texas A&M sure knows how to build community.

Texas A&M is over 100 years old.

The Christian church is nearly 2000 years old.

Texas A & M has inspiring rituals.

The Christian church has life changing rituals.

Texas A&M has an exciting story.

The Christian church has a more exciting story.

Texas A&M knows how to build loyal, strong, enthusiastic, dedicated disciples who share the A&M story & keep the tradition alive.

Oh, if only the church could be as effective as Texas A&M at building loyal, strong, enthusiastic, dedicated disciples who share the common story so that the tradition would remain alive.

Oh, if only the church could be as effective as Texas A&M. If we could, we would have no trouble seeing EVERYONE as “for a little while lower than angels and crowned with glory and honor.”