The apostle Paul writes...
We boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us...
Hope does not disappoint! Neither does good character...
char·ac·ter, n.
1. The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another.
2. A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category.
3. Moral or ethical strength.
4. A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.
It is a good character, which produces hope!
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"People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Character isn't something you were born with and can't change, like your fingerprints. It's something you weren't born with and must take responsibility for forming."~ Jim Rohn
"The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves. People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life, for only then do they have to fall back on their reserves." ~ Leonardo da Vinci
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On this Memorial Day weekend, like every other, I do bend a knee in prayer for those who serve; and especially to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in their service, and to their families they leave behind.<//img>
Perhaps some of you come from a long family line of military service? From the days of the Civil War through today, I have had family wear a uniform and serve their country in every conflict and war. In my lifetime, my Army brother has served in Afghanistan twice; and will be heading to Iraq by years end; and our father served two tours in Vietnam as a United States Marine.
Semper Fidelis distinguishes the Marine Corps bond from any other. It goes beyond teamwork - it is a brotherhood that lasts for life.
Latin for "always faithful," Semper Fidelis became the Marine Corps motto in 1883. It guides Marines to remain faithful to the mission and to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what.
When my father was asked his reason for volunteering, not for one, but for two tours of duty in a most unpopular war during the thick protests at home and heavy battle on foreign soil, he said, "If I am there, then some other man won't be."
We boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us...
Hope does not disappoint because it is firmly planted within character. We are able to boast in hope because of the values that shape our character...a character forged through endurance...
To serve in the military means placing yourself second...
To serve Christ is to also be about placing yourself second...
To serve means that you are giving your life over to a higher calling, a set of values in which you seek to uphold the communal good over your own personal pleasure...
A few years back I was sitting enjoying a conversation with my baby brother-the television was background noise when suddenly a commercial came on promoting the Army.
It was a logo they didn't keep for long: Army of One meaning each soldier is an army unto himself/herself. My brother said quit simply, "That is so stupid. You simply can't have an army of one. We are trained to work together, back each other up, and be a team to get the job done."
The values of the Army-the values which build character---are: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. My brother concluded by saying, "We are an army of all, not one. We stand together."<//img>
Imago Dei MCC, am I too bold in hoping that we explore what it would mean for us to be a church of all who stand together? How might we apply our church value of integrity, honesty, and accountability toward building our collective character & our community into being all we can be as the Body of Christ?
The values of the army, like our church, are most excellent toward building character, which produces hope; and so are the values for the Marine Corp are: honor, courage, and commitment.
General Carl E. Mundy, Jr. wrote in a 1992 memorandum that "Marines are held to the highest standards of personal conduct. The Nation expects that from us. The personal and professional conduct, decency, integrity, and accountability of Marines must be beyond reproach. This is a non-negotiable principle."
In case anyone is wondering...
No group functions well unless all members of the group "buy in" to the ideals and goals of the group, said the General. Individuals have impact, but a team working together is stronger than the individual members of the team. Members of a team with a common mission function more efficiently and effectively if they all believe in the team, its mission, and have a common set of ideals.
Our early apostles passed on the message of God's love and established what would be a movement that would change the globe because they were a team that held to the same values, developing a strong character which led to their being successful in serving a Risen Christ is our hope.
To serve brings one great personal joy, as well as times of challenge, sacrifice. Yes and even suffering...because if one is willing to place their personal interest second to the greater good and the good of the group...then that one recognizes they are a member of an important team which shares in one mission....
4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us...
Jesus, when speaking to his disciples, told them who would be their, shall we say, commander...the Holy Spirit:
Jesus told his disciples, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, the Spirit will guide you into all the truth; for the Spirit will not speak on It's own, but will speak whatever the Spirit hears, and will declare to you the things that are to come.
This passage speaks of leadership and of service...the Holy Spirit is both leading-the apostles, but is also serving by following orders-listen again: the Spirit will not speak on It's own but will speak what it is told...aka: following orders, being willing to sacrifice personal plans for greater good.
The Holy Spirit, no surprise, demonstrates solid character by living out values of loyalty to God, duty to the God's mission, selfless service to others, commitment that is unwavering, and of course integrity...to name a few character traits.
To highlight some of the values of our armed forces is to understand some of what goes into shaping a Christ-centered community that is willing to sacrifice and serve for another while pursuing the mission or greater purpose that God has placed into their care...<//img>
We boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us...
Hope for peace is always on the minds of those who sacrifice during war. Hope in going home again. Hope in making a positive difference for a greater purpose...
Selfless service, loyalty, duty, courage & integrity was and remain values of Jesus, the Christ (before they were the values of the Army)-we live and serve for a greater purpose-and so the same values he taught his disciples; and the same values those disciples, as apostles, taught the next generation, we are to take on and teach to others...
In fact, Imago Dei MCC has clearly stated values (which were briefly mentioned a few moments ago). These values bear repeating for us to remember and recommit ourselves to following:
Christ-centered worship
Stewardship
Discipleship
Respect for all people (multi-generational) and beliefs
Integrity, honesty, accountability
Our community character is shaped by how we do or do not live into our ascribed values...we stand on a firm foundation when we hold each other to our shared values...because values matter, character matters, and so does an ability to boast in hope!
No group functions well unless all members of the group "buy in" to the ideals and goals of the group. Individuals have impact, but a team working together is stronger than the individual members of the team. Members of a team with a common mission function more efficiently and effectively if they all believe in the team, its mission, and have a common set of ideals.
Our church values were formed from within this community guided by the Holy Spirit to shape us into being all we can be as Children of God; and Servants of Christ:
Jesus told his disciples, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, the Spirit will guide you.
Our values, shaped by the Holy Spirit, are to be the guide posts to how we form our character which produces hope...hope in our community and being hope to the larger community.<//img>
Our worship is central to us. We don't worship to have fun first and foremost as if worship were about us. Our worship is Christ-centered, which means we prepare and execute worship that has Christ as our focal point - who draws us to God and calls us out to server others.
Our stewardship...to have both a solid foundation, as well as grow our church...not to mention...have an impact out in the greater community, we have a value of stewardship. In which we promote the biblical teaching of giving ten percent of your time, your talents, and your financial treasures.
To nurture our personal growth and strengthen community, as well as pursue wisdom and knowledge as to who God is and who we are in relation to loving God, self, and neighbor we hold the value of discipleship...aka: small groups.
We uphold the value of respect in the inherent dignity and self-worth of each person. And then there is our three-part harmony value of integrity, honesty, and accountability.
At a recent membership class those present were asked to share their greatest pet peeve - for one it was when a person demonstrated dishonestly, and for another it was when a person demonstrates that they can not be counted on to follow through on commitments. Those who are currently prayerfully discerning membership into this Household of Faith are already holding to values our community is to uphold.
May they join with us; and us with them in building up our church by building our character that produces hope through the presence of the Holy Spirit, which seeks to shape us into being all we can be as Children of God; and Servants of Christ! And may we honor those who serve our country, who help make it possible for us to boast in hope! Some of them gave the ultimate sacrifice known best by those they left behind.<//img>
Amen!
