July Sermon Series: IMPORTANCE OF SELF CARE

July 12, 2015 Let a Few Things Go Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 138 Mark 12:28-34 Rev. Dr. Lawrence D. Jameson Asbury United Methodist Church in Harrington, Delaware

Let a Few Things Go Psalm 138 English Standard Version (ESV) 138 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. 4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, 5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. 6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. 8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. 1

Mark 12:28-34New International Version (NIV) 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” 32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

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INTRODUCTION It is good to simplify your life and let a few things go. Here is why. You can’t do everything with excellence, but you can do a handful of things well. When you know what it is that is really worth putting your whole heart into, you discover what makes you happy. In this sermon I’d like to explore how we can sort through our priorities, and our possessions, and decide what is most important for us. 3

Sometimes in order to have enough time, energy, and passion to do something right, a few other things

need to get out of the way.

DISCOVERING WHAT IS IMPORTANT My dear wife Sue introduced me to a book written by a Japanese woman whose name is Marie Kondo. The title of her book is The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It’s a great book. Marie Kondo is an interesting person. I put several of her quotes in today’s bulletin.

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Here is a concept that Marie Kondo uses. It is so simple, that it might seem to be obvious. When you pick up a possession and are trying to decide if you should keep it or not ask yourself the question “Does this give me joy?” If it gives you joy, then find a place in your home to keep it. If it does not give you joy, then let it go. Sell it. Donate it to charity. Or throw it away. That system actually works quite well. We have used this method many times in our home. Sue and I have decided to “Kondo” our house. Little by little we have taken one room after another and simplified our lifestyle quite a bit. It isn’t perfect, but it is better. I’m grateful for that. I still need to “Kondo” my home office! 5

Last month, on Saturday, June the 20th we held the Asbury Church Yard Sale out on the highway on Jerrie Outten’s yard. Thank you Jerrie

for helping the church!

Thank you Barbara Liimatta for organizing the event! Thanks to everyone who donated items and thanks to all the people who worked so hard for two days. A lot of good came out of that yard sale. I remember watching on Friday morning June 19th as volunteers began picking up boxes in the church and taking them outside to put on trailers, and pickup trucks, and vans. Once we got going. It was a sight to see. 6

It thrilled my heart to see so many people busy taking all the boxes out of the church because stuff had piled up in Collins Hall. And suddenly, we had a beautiful Fellowship Hall once again. Some of the volunteers went upstairs and began to “Kondo” a few items in the Sunday School. That made me happy.

Praise the Lord!

When there are fewer objects in the room, there is more room for people. Our beautiful Asbury buildings were built for ministry to people. Cleaner and simpler

is better. 7

Psalm 138:8 In Psalm 138 verse 8 the Bible says The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. That verse comforts me. It reminds me that God has work for me to do and there is a reason for my life. God designed you. God planned your life. His reasons are not obvious, at first. Little by little as you experience God’s grace it becomes clearer that his beautiful plan is unfolding as it should.

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I WANT ASBURY CHURCH TO GROW As an Elder in the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, I was sent to Asbury Church by Bishop Peggy Johnson and the cabinet of District Superintendents to help this church stay healthy, and grow. I was not sent here to maintain the status quo. Our choices are simple: either grow or slowly die. That’s pretty blunt. And I’m sorry for being blunt. I don’t want to hurt your feelings. But that’s just the way it is. Asbury has an outstanding heritage of strong Christian leaders, wonderful ministries, and exceptional loving, caring, people. 9

I love this church! Without forgetting the lessons of our past, we need to move forward. We need to try a few new things. As a Church we may need to let a few things go in order to have room in our lives for something new from God. What needs to go? I HAVE NO IDEA. We can make those decisions together. We can pray together, work together, and decide together. I think the key is: we need to be willing to let a few things go in order to be faithful to our calling.

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The purpose of Asbury church is not to make the members feel comfortable. Our purpose is to make disciples for Jesus Christ. I’ve been your pastor for four years, and 12 days. I have a feeling that I have hit the half-way point in my ministry here at Asbury. I’ve gotten to know you and I think you have come to know and trust me too. Let’s “Kondo” this church together. Let’s start looking around at the programs at the grounds, the buildings, and the contents of this place. 11

Let’s do this together so nobody gets hurt. In our Church Council meetings and in our small group meetings, let’s hold up what we have and ask ourselves the question, “Does this give us joy?” If it does, let’s keep it. If something isn’t working, or does not give us joy, let’s consider making a few changes so we can be laser focused on our mission. Amen.

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