From the First Baptist pulpit
April 2, 2006
"If I could be the Person my Dog thinks I am"
Luke 22:28
Dr. Dan Ivins, preaching

When I was a child, the big people around me mostly wanted to know 2 things: 1) What do you want to be when you grow up? And 2) Who’s your sweetheart? I always wondered why they were interested in me having a girlfriend; unless it was to ensure I had no boy friends! But back then I thought it was, “So I’d have somebody to escort to the county fair in September.” So at the ripe ol’ age of 7, I was a 2^nd grader and I figured I’d better get to work on #2. After surveying the available samples, I noticed this hottie who had these eyes that check you right out! I thought, “That’s the one for me!”

Being new at this sweetheart thing, I wasn’t sure just how to go about it. So nothin’ from nothin’ leaves nothing.’ Maybe just take the direct approach. “Hi, my name’s Danny. Would you be my sweetheart?” It was at Monday morning recess, so when she stalled I added, “I’ll give you my lunch money.” Right away, she took my dollar and at that moment the world stood still. So she’s a dollar richer, and I’ve got a sweetheart.

Chapter 2. That night, her Daddy appeared at my front door. And after a conversation outside with my Dad, I got my dollar back. And was promptly warned not to do that again. I didn’t need a sweetheart that bad! But next year at the Co. fair, I had a cutie-pie to escort me on the rides. I loved the action rides -- the swings, bumper cars, and ferris wheel. But my sweetie kept pestering me to ride the boats in the tunnel of love. I couldn’t see why she wanted to waste a whole quarter on something that mild.

But when she grabbed the arm of a fellow class mate and said, “Come on, I’ll ride with you!” It still didn’t hit me. But as I stood there alone, Bernard Bull (real name, no lie) said in jest something I never forgot:
“What’s the matter Danny, Warren steal your sweetheart?” “Ohhhh! That’s it.” Betrayal hurts, no matter what the age. And to think I wasted a 1949 dollar on that chick! I saved my quarter though!

Chapter 3. 8 years later, my next sweetheart came along. By then I was the one who wanted to ride thru the tunnel of love! I finally wised up! And we coasted along just fine. Until I graduated from high school and went to college. I shouldn’t’ve done that, because in my 1st semester she sent one of those “Dear John” letters. “It’s over.” And just for a moment I was back there standing outside that tunnel of love. “What’s the matter Danny, somebody steal your girl?”

That old familiar hurt! People think they’ve graduated when they walk across the stage, toss their tassle, and get their diplomas. Nooooo! You haven’t graduated till you’ve had your heart broken! Till you learn “what a woman can do to your soul.” That is your diploma.

But this time it backfired. Unbeknownst to me, this painful experience of disloyalty turned out to be the catalyst that introduced me to a young lady named Mary Elizabeth Whitaker. Her boyfriend was the one who stole my girlfriend. So there we both were, without a sweetheart. As destiny would have it, I attended a high school basketball game, where she was a cheerleader. At halftime, she got on the mike and invited everyone to stay after the game at something we called a “Sock hop.”

But I could’ve written the lyrics for Anne Murray that night, “Could I have This Dance, for the Rest of My Life?” Because that’s what happened. We’ve been intertwined ever since. We’ve been living under the same roof for nearly 50 years. In this day and time, that’s saying something. But one thing’s for sure, “sock hops’ll” hook ‘em better than your lunch money!

My observation of people has taught me we’re incapable of unconditional loyalty. If you want absolute loyalty is...get a dog! They’re like kids that don’t talk back! I’m just tryin’ to live up to the person my dog thought I was! No matter how long you live, you never forget those who stand by you through thick or thin. As well as those who don’t. It’s emblazoned on the inside of your eyelids and never goes away.

The Bible knows about the importance of loyalty and the pain of cheating. Read the stories of King David for the world’s greatest womanizer. Or for the positive side, the story of Ruth. Her commitment to Naomi overcame ugly cultural prejudice. “Your people shall be my people. And your God my God.” Ruth was doggedly loyal.

Loyalty is important for preachers. Because if you hang around church long enough, inevitably you’re gonna make everybody mad -- a little bit. Because it’s impossible to please everybody. Our calling is impossible like that. I don’t see how you can be a pastor and not do it. So I hope you’ll be understanding of that. We are sometimes called to make decisions in light of what’s best for the church that makes it appear as if individuals don’t matter. So I figure if I’m not making somebody mad, I’m not doing my job.

Jesus knew how important faithfulness was. He was always talking about it. And he made everybody mad! His family thought he was crazy! The religious thought he was dangerous. His closest friends didn’t understand him. Though his enemies did.

As the cross drew nearer, the pressure mounted higher. And any encouragement the Son of God got from the sons of men made him deeply appreciative. At this point, everybody quit on Jesus but the 12. And one of them folded in the garden. One out of twelve! There’s always one. At this point, his disciples are all that’s left; such as they were. And it evoked from Jesus the most heart-warming words in the scriptures: "You are those who have stood by me through my trials."

Church doesn’t get any better than that folks. Nor family. Nor community. It’s amazing grace too, because Jesus commends them for their loyalty just when they’re fixing to quit on him. Before the Passover was over, we see church at its worst. Judas tries to manipulate him into fighting. The “sons of thunder” trying to be "King of the Hill." Peter's disloyalty was about to be exposed in the courtyard by a servant girl and a rooster. The rest of the disciples "forsook him and fled.”

Even though the disciples’ cared more about themselves than Jesus. That’s the very moment he said: "You are those who have stood by me…" That was rather fine of Jesus, don't you think? Always pumping those up who were trying to bring him down. It’s the most unnatural thing. On Good Friday, one of his dying mates wanted to be “saved.” The other just wanted to be “remembered.” But Jesus couldn’t save them. But he could remember them. What he did was “... forgive them, for they didn’t know..." In the upper room, to his flighty followers is our text: "You are those who stood by me in my trials." Jesus' disciples left a lot to be desired. But at least they were still there. And that was enough for him.

Standing by Jesus is never easy. Because there’s nobody on earth harder to keep up with. After 2000 years we haven’t caught up with him yet. But isn’t that a good thing? I wouldn’t have a God I could catch up to! Because neither then nor now does Jesus meet anybody's expectations of what a Messiah should be...except God's. That means the 1st thing any messiah has to do is to get people to quit looking for one.

Because he did that, Jesus made everybody a little bit mad. And some a lot. Coloring outside the lines; taking up for the poor; eating with sinners. He was religious but also liked to have a good time. He wasn't influenced by popular opinion polls, nor could he be bought off. He was truthful rather than tactful when it was impossible to do both. He traded power in on love.

How on earth do you stand by somebody who’d do that? So Jesus was grateful for those who did. We’re used to hearing about us needing to be grateful to Jesus. But what about Jesus being grateful to us? We may not be a lot of things, but we haven't quit on him yet! Knowing some of the things you’ve been through and you’re still here? For that spiritual tenacity, you have my admiration.

Use your imaginations. Jesus comes to church today, arriving in this sanctuary and walks around the aisles calling us by name: "Thank you Jeanne." "Thank you David." "Thank you Susan." "Thank you Gary." Individually thanking us, just as he did those guys in the Upper Room. I wonder what it would do to us to hear Jesus say to us what he said to them: "You are those who have stood by me through my trials?"

It might be embarrassing. Because our loyalty like our love is conditional. I’m guessing it struck the twelve that way. Think of the unhappy memories Jesus’ commendation must’ve conjured up. Loyal? When “James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village” for one reason alone -- because they were different? Loyal? When they tried to “pull little children out of his lap?” Loyal? With the pained intensity of the eyes of Jesus meeting Peter’s by the fire, after he “denied he ever knew him?” Loyal? Such memories must’ve seared their souls, upon hearing Jesus' affirmation.

It’s interesting that when we’re attacked, we get defensive. We vigorously justify ourselves from the accuser. But when somebody praises us, we accuse ourselves and play it down. What if we could hear Jesus saying to us “You are those who have stood by me through my trials. I know how hard you try to be church in a tough place." Yeah, it might be humbling, but it also ought to dignify us; inspire us. Or makes us want to do better; to be more worthy of his gratitude; to offer our best and highest loyalty to God. I know I wouldn’t want to disappoint somebody who believed in me like that. Would you?

It was a roll-of-the-dice in the Upper Room, when the disciples stood with Jesus. The might of Rome was stacked against them. Yet we know they were right in their gamble. Caesar turned out to be as ephemeral as “cotton candy,” compared to the Bread of Life. God is still looking for people who will have the courage to be loyal to Jesus. On the 4th Sunday of Lent, I’m asking us about our loyalties. And our loyalty to this church. I challenge you to "Seek first the kingdom of God and all other things will be added to you." Let us all be resolved to be loyal to Christ through our church; loyal in our support; in giving; praying, serving.

When you find yourself in the presence of genuine loyalty, flesh and blood can only take you so far. After that, you’re in the realm of the Spirit. I am grateful for your loyalty in trying make this church mean something to somebody. For 368 years this congregation has been in the heart of Providence Plantation ministering to people in Jesus’ name. “You are among those who have stood by him...” You’re the ones! You and you and you and you and you!”

May each of us be both humbled and inspired by God’s confidence in us, as we try our best to share our faith through this church with winsome allegiance. So that we might be -- even a little bit deserving -- of having these words said about us: "You are those who have stood by me through my trials."

Pastoral Prayer: We gather around your table today Lord, hungry for righteousness, thirsting for forgiveness, and grace for the journey. Because this is your table Jesus, we dare not build a fence around it. “Whosoever will may come...” was always your invitation. Can we extend it any less?

So many are in need of the resources of our faith. Make your presence known among us in this worship and may that be enough to get us through the darkness, when we face our physically sick bodies, and mentally distressed problems, and our spiritually bereft moments. It is our hope that this worship will enable us to look beyond our weakness to God’s strength; to live the kind of life that brings a smile to God’s face and blessing to others.

Grant us the grace to be loyal to you in all our endeavors, so that the Light of the world may shine as brightly as possible. May we never be a stumbling-block to anyone seeking you. Set us free of the blindness that blocks our vision of truth and beauty. Thank you for healing our spirits, motivating our wills, and guiding our hands.

Bless this church and its good ministries in this community. May it ever be a place where acceptance abounds and our loyalty grows, where we stand by you not just when things are going our way, but when things are at their worst. As we continue our worship, grant us a spirit of generosity, trust and expectation. Grateful to you for your gratitude for us, we pray as Jesus taught us…