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January 21, 2007
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Relationships
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Dave Burke
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"Relationship Names Us"
1 John 3:1-10
Intro to me - Out of my box
It seems like a miracle that I am standing here before you today. I am not an experienced speaker, but an electrical engineer who designs circuit boards. One of those guys working with computers and half his vocabulary is acronyms. Most of you know technology people like me with questionable fashion sense and limited social skills, so you can understand part of the miracle of me being before you today.
I recall Donna Johns and Sarah Plaster having a discussion, and Donna said how the Lord always seemed to have her stepping out of her box. Out of her "comfort" zone and doing something new that was a stretch. And Sarah's response was that "God is just making your box bigger!" Wow, what a concept of stepping out in faith. Not that she was going out of her box, but God was increasing the size of her box with each step. Amazing. So, here I am today with the Lord making my box bigger too. I think this is a good place to open with prayer.
Prayer - Almighty God, here I am, warts and all. I am amazed that your hand can shape our lives, lift us up, clean us off, and make us into something beautiful. As you open my heart to share this message, give your grace for each of us to invite your presence here dear Lord. Anoint us with the Holy Spirit to bring forth your words and let your love draw us closer to you. Like seeds, let your wisdom sink deep into the fertile soil of our hearts to bring forth new growth in your season. Fill us with your holy spirit to guide us. Amen.
Named by Relationship
People usually refer to me as Averi's dad. Some may know me as Trisch's husband. My son calls me Papa. Friends call me Dave, and my family calls me David. I am the same person regardless of the name, so what makes the difference? Relationship names me.
As I recall growing up with my earthly dad, I remember how our relationship slowly changed over the years. As a small child I rushed to meet Dad when he came home from work. We played on the floor together, he tossed me in the air, and I climbed all over him before dinner was ready. As a willful toddler, my dad was the disciplinarian and I learned the difference between playing and minding. He was the safety cop walking through parking lots, crossing streets, and around home projects. He had the "danger voice" that commanded instant obedience, and I knew who was in charge. And during this stage of my development he was responsible to limit my adventures and preserve life and limb.
As I grew up, I loved watching my dad work. He was a handy man, talented at fixing and building. He learned ingenuity during the depression from farming and building trailer parks before I was born. When I was young, he did landscaping and construction for extra money, so I got to ride tractors, bulldozers, back hoes, and dump trucks with him. I am sure that I was constantly in his way, but he let me share using his tools and made me feel like I was doing part of the job. I was proud to be dad's little helper.
As a teenager I became more his partner and free labor. No longer did I watch, but now I washed dishes, cleaned the house, shoveled dirt, split wood, and hauled rocks. All the things he said "developed character" in a young man. When I earned my first paycheck reading water meters, my dad said that I was gainfully employed. After I joined the Navy and started a new career, he treated me like a fellow working man. We discussed building and repairing things. We shared stories and spiritual insights. And when life hurt me, he comforted me and counseled me to seek God.
All this time we had a close relationship, and I was his son. Neither of us was perfect, but we were bonded together. As our relationship matured, my name changed from baby, to playmate, to little helper, to young man, to a peer, but regardless of how much trouble I caused, I was always his child.
The Bible has similar stories of people who changed as they developed and matured in relationship with Father God.
In the book of Genesis, we see Abram drawing closer and talking with God. He learns to serve God faithfully and lives a blameless life. That relationship changed Abram. In Gen 17:1-5, God makes a covenant with him and changes his name to Abraham which means father of a great multitude, and his wife's name changed to Sarah. Even though they were old and without children, their new names signified God's promise that they would produce many nations. And they did.
Later, we read how Jacob wrestled in prayer and finally humbled himself before God saying in Genesis 32 verse 10, "I am not worthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant." With a proper attitude he reminds God of the birthright promise passed from Isaac, and calls out for the Lord to rescue him from the anger of his cheated brother. When Jacob struggles and prevails with how to approach God, the encounter changes him. The Lord has that effect on lives. After this he is no longer the same. With his changed heart and character, Jacob is given a new name, Israel or Strives with God. (Gen 32:10-12, 28)
When people allow the Lord into their hearts and begin a fellowship with Him, He changes them, and that relationship names them. You heard this read from 1 John 3:1, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives this is our new birth into God's family. Then we are reborn in the spirit with a changed heart for pleasing God. Then our new relationship establishes us as adopted by God. Then He claims us in love, and He joyfully calls us His children!
New Name - Behavior Names You
My mother died when I was seven, and I was raised by a variety of aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I shared many wonderful adventures with my cousins growing up. And despite always testing my boundaries, a couple aunts still claim me as one of their kids. However, they did not always claim me in my younger years when I was more mischievous. Oh no.
Do you remember as a kid when you got into trouble, and your name became longer? It changed based on your behavior and choices. Mine went from Master David, to David Joseph, to my full name, and then to my full name with colorful language added at the end. One time I recall my Grandma paid a surprise visit to my construction site in the backyard. She said, "David Joseph Burke, what on earth are you doing?" With excitement I showed her how I had spent the afternoon transforming Grandpa's sand and cement pile into a work of art. I had dug a tremendous hole and filled it with water so the ants could have a swimming pool. And next to it created an ant playground with cement and sticks complete with jungle gyms and houses. It was sun baked and solid as a rock. However, she was not as overjoyed at my masterpiece as I expected. I think it took Grandpa 2 days with a sledge hammer and some colorful language to remove my creation.
Ah yes, I never had difficulty remembering my middle name. And I would guess that some of you did not either. You know families never let you get away with anything. Whenever I say how angelic I was as a little boy, and after my family finishes choking, I don't know why it causes them to choke? But they like to remind me of those various creative "episodes". But these small detours from a righteous path in my younger years make a point to me. Although my poor behavior affected how I was treated, it did not change the foundation of love in my family relationship.
As my earthly family named me from my childhood actions, like Dave the builder, so I am renamed in my relationship with God. Like my colorful childhood names that are no longer used, except on special occasions, my spiritual name changed for the better too.
My old name was "sinful, dead Dave". Sometimes when I slip up or see new sins exposed, I still think of myself as sinful Dave. But that is a lie, a deception from the enemy. Now by our Lord's grace, my new name is a little longer, but I am not in trouble this time. I am called "Dave, forgiven and redeemed by Jesus Christ" when I accept the gift of salvation. I am called "Dave, beloved child of God" when I turn and seek the Lord with all my heart. I am called "Dave, growing in faith and maturing in righteousness" when I follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is how God sees each of us in our relationship with Him. Dear Lord, how I love your perspective and your promises!
Walk in Faith
As a child of God, I still trip and stumble. But when I fall, I no longer wallow on the ground. Instead I turn to Christ's grace and righteousness.
Watching my son Averi grow, it is hard to believe, but only a couple years ago he was just learning to crawl. He would closely observe mama and papa, but could not understand how to balance himself upright. Seeing adults stroll across the room with ease, was quite a contrast to his crawling. He would crawl and climb, but was a cautious child, and if he wobbled without support of furniture or adults, then he sat down.
Now, I knew that he would learn to walk. In own time, we all do. Through bumps and bruises he persisted, and each step brought more confidence. Only after many successes did he become bold, and eventually he became the running machine you see today. But the infant had to step out in faith, keep focused on the goal in each attempt, and endure the falls of the learning process.
Just like a toddler comparing his steps to his parents with awe and humility, I feel so small and inadequate next to my Heavenly Father. It is hard to even imagine being like Him, but a step at a time God leads me, He changes me, and He renews my strength. Daily He shapes me to be more like His character so that I desire more to follow after Him. And with His guidance, I have confidence in His promises and His perspective that I will mature as it says in 1 John 3:7, "He who does right is righteous, even as Christ is righteous."
Even though Averi still falls from time to time, those spills do not rename him baby crawler. No, he gets back up and becomes, "The Dash" and takes off in a blur of speed. And like the "Energizer Bunny", he keeps going and going.
Because of my growth and relationship with the living God, my failures are no longer my identity either. With forgiving Grace the Lord comes to me, lifts me up, brushes me off and teaches me anew how to follow after Him.
As His children we grow in relationship with Him day by day. As John wrote in verses 2-3, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure." (1John 3:2-3).
Joyful Journey
Growing in our relationship with the Lord to be like Him is a life long labor of love. It does not happen in an instant. But take heart, and do not be overwhelmed by the immensity of this path. A Chinese proverb says that the journey of a thousand miles, started with a single step. Just one step at a time until we reach our destination. We all start out with baby steps like a toddler holding hands to keep steady. As our fellowship with God develops, we grow up as His child and we begin to take larger steps. Our faith deepens knowing that our Heavenly Father promises to always walk along side us. He promises to strengthen and encourage us. He promises to guide us by the Holy Spirit. He promises to lead us into maturity like His character. And He is here with us in our hearts when ever we turn to seek Him and talk with Him.
Be how God sees you, fully grown! Rejoice with John who says "Behold! We are God's children!" Step out in confidence on the path of righteousness. Take one step after another in your glorious transformation. Listen with your heart and hear all Heaven cheering you on. Know that the Holy Spirit is assisting you every step of the way. And when you need help, turn to your loving Savior with confidence. He is ready to lift you back up, heal your wounds, and set you back on the path of righteousness. Praise God that His love endures forever. Rejoice in your journey, all of it! You are the beloved children of the Most High God!
Closing Prayer - Glory to God, Let us Praise Him in the Closing Prayer.
Oh Lord, thank you for filling each of us with your love and helping us grow, so one day we can be complete in the family of Christ. We adore you for so many things. You draw us near and help us to respond to your Holy Spirit. You strengthen us. You teach us to seek you and reach out in love despite our circumstances. You build our faith and enlarge our perspective to see your perfect will working in all situations. Lord Jesus, thank you that you are always with us. We praise you for encouraging us to be persistent while you shape us in your likeness. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, and refine us by your presence in our hearts. Thank you Heavenly Father that you call each one of us into relation with you, as children of the Living God.
Closing Benediction Prayer
As Father God has called each of us to live in righteousness and be part of His family, so we are joined with each other as family in the Body of Christ. You are named a beloved child of the Living God. See your life with the wonder and joy of a child. Strengthen your brothers and sisters with prayer, encouragement, and redeeming love for one another. Go forth in the faith and security of a child, knowing that the presence of your Heavenly Father is Always with you. You are redeemed and claimed as His precious child.
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