​Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
  • Home
  • The Latest
    • Recent posts
    • January 22 message
    • January 15 message
    • January 8 message
    • January 1 message
    • December 18 message
    • December 11 message
    • November 27 message
    • November 20 message
    • October 30 message
    • October 23 message
    • October 16 message
    • October 2 message
    • September 25 message
    • September 11 message
    • September 4 message
    • August 28 message
    • August 14 message
    • August 7 message
    • July 31 message
    • July 24 message
    • July 17 message
    • July 10 message
    • July 3 message
    • June 5 message
    • May 22 message
    • May 15 message
    • May 8 message
    • May 1 message
    • April 24 message
    • April 17 message
    • April 3 message
    • March 27 message
    • March 20 message
    • March 13 message
    • March 6 message
    • February 27 message
    • February 20 message
    • February 13 message
    • February 6 message
    • January 30 message
    • January 23 message
    • January 16 message
    • January 2 message
    • December 19 message
    • December 5 message
    • November 28 message
    • November 14 message
    • November 7 message
    • October 31 message
    • October 17 message
    • October 10 message
    • October 3 message
    • September 26 message
    • September 19 message
    • September 12 message
    • January 17 message
    • September 5 message
    • August 29 message
    • August 22 message
    • August 8 message
    • August 1 message
    • July 25 message
    • July 18 message
    • July 11 message
    • July 11 Scripture
    • June 27 message
    • June 13 message
    • June 6 message
    • May 9 message
    • May 2 message
    • April 25 message
    • April 18 message
    • April 11 message
    • April 4 message
    • March 21 message
    • March 14 message
    • March 7 message
    • February 28 message
    • February 21 message
    • February 14 message
    • January 31 message
    • January 24 message
    • January 10 message
    • January 3 message
    • December 13 message
    • December 6 message
    • November 29 message
    • November 15 message
    • November 1 message
    • October 11 message
    • Sept 13 message
    • Sept 6 message
    • Aug 30 message
    • Aug 23 message
    • Aug 16 message
    • July 26 message
    • July 12 Message
    • July 5 message
    • June 28 message
    • May 24 message
  • Videos
    • This week's service
    • Worship videos 2023
    • Worship videos 2022
    • Worship videos 2021
  • About Us
    • Church Staff
    • Church Directions
    • How to reach us
    • History
  • Ministry Matters
    • Announcements >
      • Ministry Matters January 22
      • Ministry Matters January 15
      • Ministry Matters January 8
      • Ministry Matters January 1
      • Ministry Matters December 18
      • Ministry Matters December 11
      • Ministry Matters November 27
      • Ministry Matters November 20
      • Ministry Matters November 6
      • Ministry Matters October 23
      • Ministry Matters October 9
      • Ministry Matters October 2
      • Ministry Matters September 25
      • Ministry Matters September 11
      • Ministry Matters September 4
      • Ministry Matters August 28
      • Ministry Matters August 21
      • Ministry Matters August 14
      • Ministry Matters July 31
      • Ministry Matters July 24
      • Ministry Matters July 17
      • Ministry Matters July 3
      • Ministry Matters June 26
      • Ministry Matters June 19
      • Ministry Matters June 12
      • Ministry Matters June 5
      • Ministry Matters May 29
      • Ministry Matters May 22
      • Ministry Matters May 15
      • Ministry Matters May 8
      • Ministry Matters May 1
      • Ministry Matters April 24
      • Ministry Matters April 17
      • Ministry Matters April 10
      • Ministry Matters April 3
      • Ministry Matters March 27
      • Ministry Matters March 20
      • Ministry Matters March 13
      • Ministry Matters March 6
      • Ministry Matters February 27
      • Ministry Matters February 20
      • Ministry Matters February 13
      • Ministry Matters February 6
      • Ministry Matters January 30
      • Ministry Matters January 23
      • Ministry Matters January 16
      • Ministry Matters January 9
      • Ministry Matters January 2
      • Ministry Matters December 12
      • Ministry Matters December 5
      • Ministry Matters November 28
      • Ministry Matters November 21
      • Ministry Matters November 14
      • Ministry Matters November 7
      • Ministry Matters October 31
      • Ministry Matters October 17
      • Ministry Matters October 10
      • Ministry Matters October 3
      • Ministry Matters September 26 >
        • Understanding the UMC Budget
      • Ministry Matters September 19
      • Ministry Matters September 12
      • Ministry Matters September 5
      • Ministry Matters August 29
      • Ministry Matters August 22
      • Ministry Matters August 1
      • Ministry Matters July 25
      • Ministry Matters July 18
      • Ministry Matters July 11
      • Ministry Matters June 27
      • Ministry Matters June 13
      • Ministry Matters June 6
      • Ministry Matters May 30
      • Ministry Matters May 23
      • Ministry Matters May 9
      • Ministry Matters May 2
      • Ministry Matters April 25
      • Ministry Matters April 18
      • Ministry Matters April 11
      • Ministry Matters April 4
      • Ministry Matters March 28
      • Ministry Matters March 21
      • Ministry Matters March 14
      • Ministry Matters March 7
      • Ministry Matters February 28
      • Ministry Matters February 21
      • Ministry Matters February 14
      • Ministry Matters February 7
      • Ministry Matters January 31
      • Ministry Matters January 24
      • Ministry Matters January 17
      • Ministry Matters January 10
      • Ministry Matters January 3
      • Ministry Matters December 20
      • Ministry Matters December 13
      • Ministry Matters December 6
      • Ministry Matters November 29
      • Ministry Matters November 22
      • Ministry Matters November 15
      • Ministry Matters November 8
      • Ministry Matters November 1
      • Ministry Matters October 25
      • Ministry Matters October 18
      • Ministry Matters October 11
      • Ministry Matters October 4
      • Ministry Matters September 27
      • Ministry Matters September 20
      • Ministry Matters September 13
      • Ministry Matters August 16
      • Ministry Matters July 12
      • Ministry Matters July 5
      • Ministry Matters June 29
      • Ministry Matters May 31
      • Ministry Matters May 24
      • Ministry Matters May 16
      • Ministry Matters May 7
      • Ministry Matters April 30
      • Ministry Matters 4/23/20
  • How We Serve
    • Food Pantry
    • Clothing Thrift Shop
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • UM Economic & Lakota Ministries
    • Fair Trade Coffee
    • Regional Food Bank Trip
    • 2020 Falling Leaves 5K Run
    • 2019 Falling Leaves 5K Run
    • Bright Red Book Shelf
    • Summer Lunch Program
  • Giving
    • Online giving
    • Sign up for automatic giving
    • Through On-line Purchasing
  • Resources
    • Safe Sanctuary Policy
    • Links
    • Forms
    • Photos & Videos

Finding Peace
Mark 1:1-8  
2 Peter 3:9-12a,14

     Shut up. Some people’s hearts are all shut up. Closed tight. Something either happened in them or around them that’s caused them to be overwhelmed, so they withdraw, or give up functioning for a while.  They may let no one “in”  because they don’t want anyone to see how much they hurt.  Or how scared they are....or how hopeless.   

     Have you known someone who’s felt that way? Have you ever felt that way?   These days a good many people from all walks of life are feeling low - either for a short while, or a much longer period of time.  There seems to be a sort of invisible weight on people or a flatness in their spirit. They may try to hide this at work, or from their family; or they may just keep pushing through each day on autopilot. They want to feel better, to feel alive and engaged again, like they remember from prior to COVID, or from their younger days or more carefree times. If you look around, you might notice lots of people you know who are in a diminished place.  Life feels monotonous. Or they feel lonely, having no close connections with others. People need “more” but don’t know where or how to find the “more”.   

     I believe this: there is an innate longing in me and you and in everyone for “more“, more than what we alone can provide or produce. We are made to know God and live connected with God, and with others who also know God. God has a path and a plan for each of us and He gives us the power to live it and be deeply satisfied. Do you believe that’s true?  

      In our Scripture reading we heard about a man named John who definitely experienced “the more” that God intends for our lives. He was called by God to be a prophet, to announce the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God. For years he studied the Scriptures, prayed, and prepared. Finally, at the appointed time God directed John to go to the Jordan River and let loose all that was contained within him. He passionately shared his belief and trust in God, captivating the attention of immense crowds with his powerful sermons. (Have you ever sat and listened to someone speak about God with power and enthusiasm?) Word spread very quickly and soon people from “the whole Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem” walked long miles to hear John for themselves.   

     I believe that when John preached people with shut-up hearts began to feel alive again.  Those feeling life was monotonous sensed a rekindling zest for life. The lonely returned home to seek out community and made new, dear friends. The hopeless ones felt lighter and freer, ready to consider the next chapter in their lives.   

     I think lots of people returned home feeling joy, freedom, purpose, and fresh hope even though nothing around them in their everyday lives would change. No one would have more money to help them through life; they wouldn’t be rid of chronic pain or suddenly have less-annoying relatives. Taxes would still come due and homes would need costly repairs. Kids would keep on outgrowing their clothes. All the same old realities would surround them, but what would be different was on the inside.

     John invited those who were living at a distance from God to return.  Some of the men and women in his audience may not have thought about their faith since they were children. Others may have become too busy or distracted and they fell away.   We know some high-ranking religious leaders showed up, but they were just as far away from God as many others, though they refused to admit it. Finally, hidden in their midst were people who knew they had done wretched things, maybe too many to count.  

     John said that whoever honestly and humbly named their sins before God would receive forgiveness.  On the spot, no need to wait several more months until there was a feast day and an animal could be burned by a priest on the altar as an atonement for their sins. That day and hour, they could be unburdened of their sins and re-connected, in a right relationship with God. Plenty of people heard that Good News and stepped down into the flowing river to repent of their sins and be baptized.  I wonder how quickly people moved toward the muddy banks of the Jordan, forming lines as people waited their turn?  

       What can’t be forgotten in this scene is that John was also loudly announcing the advent, or arrival, of the promised Messiah in the very near future.  In their lifetimes they would behold the very Son of God with their own eyes. Hearing that, being convinced it was true, would certainly fill me with some adrenaline - I’d be alert and want my sins forgiven, my soul prepared.  

     In recent weeks I have shared Scripture lessons and sermons on the second coming of Jesus, and the day is surely much closer than most in our world might think. Today there are equally large masses of people who remain at a distance from God. Every single one matters to God.  Jesus told us He expects us to be sent out as modern-day messengers. We are to spread the word that God is real, we are all sinners, and if we confess our sins Jesus will forgive us and we can be in a right relationship with God. Then God’s own Holy Spirit fills us, empowering us to live an abundant life.  

       There is so much “more” God wants each one of us to have and experience in our lives. He doesn’t want any of us shut up or shut down. Without hope, or a sense of peace. Lonely or scared. Hiding and hanging back because of past sins.   John’s invitation is for us this morning.  
​
     Prepare the way for the Lord, make a straight path. The Son of God, Jesus, is coming soon. Repent of your sins, be alert, filled with happy anticipation. “More” is coming.   

Like us on Facebook:

Visit our Facebook Page:

© 2015 Ballston Spa United Methodist Church. 101 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
E-Mail: