PAULBURKHARTSERMON:PSALM40

REVERSEDTHUNDER:GRATITUDEText:PSALM40ThanksgivingforDeliveranceandPrayerforHelpTotheleader.OfDavid.APsalm.IwaitedpatientlyfortheLord;heinclinedtomeandheardmycry.Hedrewmeupfromthedesolatepit,outofthemirybog,andsetmyfeetuponarock,makingmystepssecure.Heputanewsonginmymouth,asongofpraisetoourGod.Manywillseeandfear,andputtheirtrustintheLord.HappyarethosewhomaketheLordtheirtrust,whodonotturntotheproud,tothosewhogoastrayafterfalsegods.Youhavemultiplied,OLordmyGod,yourwondrousdeedsandyourthoughtstowardus;nonecancomparewithyou.WereItoproclaimandtellofthem,theywouldbemorethancanbecounted.Sacrificeandofferingyoudonotdesire,butyouhavegivenmeanopenear.Burntofferingandsinofferingyouhavenotrequired.ThenIsaid,HereIam;inthescrollofthebookitiswrittenofme.Idelighttodoyourwill,OmyGod;yourlawiswithinmyheart.Ihavetoldthegladnewsofdeliveranceinthegreatcongregation;see,Ihavenotrestrainedmylips,asyouknow,OLord.

Ihavenothiddenyoursavinghelpwithinmyheart,Ihavespokenofyourfaithfulnessandyoursalvation;Ihavenotconcealedyoursteadfastloveandyourfaithfulnessfromthegreatcongregation.Donot,OLord,withholdyourmercyfromme;letyoursteadfastloveandyourfaithfulnesskeepmesafeforever.Forevilshaveencompassedmewithoutnumber;myiniquitieshaveovertakenme,untilIcannotsee;theyaremorethanthehairsofmyhead,andmyheartfailsme.Bepleased,OLord,todeliverme;OLord,makehastetohelpme.Letallthosebeputtoshameandconfusionwhoseektosnatchawaymylife;letthosebeturnedbackandbroughttodishonorwhodesiremyhurt.Letthosebeappalledbecauseoftheirshamewhosaytome,Aha,Aha!Butmayallwhoseekyourejoiceandbegladinyou;maythosewholoveyoursalvationsaycontinually,GreatistheLord!Asforme,Iampoorandneedy,buttheLordtakesthoughtforme.Youaremyhelpandmydeliverer;donotdelay,OmyGod.Speaker:ThisisthewordoftheLordPeople:ThanksbetoGod.

PrayerforIllumination:LordGod,weareaneedyandweakpeople.Wecomefromsomanyplacesandwithsomanythingsfillingourmindsandhearts.WepraythatyouwouldsendyouSpirittocalmus.Centerus.Drawusneartoyou.Begracioustousandopenourearsandeyes,sowemighthearyourwordandbechanged.Giveuseyestoseeyoumoveandgratefulheartstogiveyoupraise.Thesearethingsthatonlyyoucando.Sowecastourheartsbeforeyou,OGod,Father,Son,andSpirit.AMEN.

SERMON

Intro:FromPhillytoEmanuelAMEIwantustothinkbacktothetimeoftheRevolutionaryWar.ItwasstillacoupleofyearsawayfrombeingfinishedandtherewasthistravelingMethodistpreacherthatspentsometimeatasmallplantationinDelaware.Whilehewasthere,severaloftheslavesbecameChristians,includingone20yearoldnamedRichardAllen.RichardwassodeeplychangedbytheGospelthathehimselfstartedpreaching,andeventuallyconcertedhismastertoChristianity.Afterbuyinghimselfoutofslaveryayearlater,hebecameanotheroneofthosetravelingpreachers.Eventually,hesettledinPhillyatanoldMethodistChurchcalledSt.Georgesat5thandVine(thebuildingisstillthere!).Theleaderstherenoticedhispreachinggiftsandinvitedhimtojointhemasacopreacherofsorts.Ashestartedpreaching,moreandmoreblackbrothersandsistersstartedattendingtheChurch.ItbecameoneofthemostbeautifulimagesintheyoungnationofadiversecommunitywithdiverseleadersallworshippingtheirGod.Unfortunately,asusuallyhappensaschurcheschangeandgrow,theweaknessofthehumanconditionbecameevident.OnceacertaintippingpointofAfricanAmericansstartedattending,theChurchspentmoneytobuildabalconyanddemandedthatAfricanAmericanssitthereduringworship.Inresponsetothis,Richardandmostoftheblackcongregantsleftthechurchtostarttheirowndenomination,calledtheAfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurch.Theyplantedtheirfirstchurch,BethelAME,overat6thandLombard.Ayearorsoafterbecomingofficial,ayoungmantraveledformtheSouthtoseewhatGodwasdoingattheirchurch.HisnamewasMorrisBrown.AfterayearofworkingandservingatthisChurch.RichardAllenlaidhishandsonMorrisheadandordainedhimanelderandministeroftheGospel,andsenthimouttoplantachurch.MorristraveledbackhometoCharleston,SouthCarolina,andplantedthesecondAfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurch,calledEmanuelAMEChurch,becomingtheirfirstpastor.Emmanuelsuffereddeeplythroughitshistory.Itwasburneddown,blownup,closed,andmadeillegalovertheyears.IthadtomeetinsecretuntiltheendoftheCivilWar,andeventhensufferedsoheavilyunderthecrushingweightofwhiteracism.Mostrecently,250yearsafterMorrisstartedthatchurch,twoweeksago,itspastorand8ofitsleaderswerekilledinamassshooting.ThisChurch,inaway,birthedbecauseofPhiladelphiaracism,hasbecomethemostrecentsymbol,nexusandconvergenceofnationalracism,pain,andinjustice.

NaveGratitudeIstartwithallthisbecauseitwasonlyacoupleofdaysbeforetheshootingthatIfoundoutIwaspreachingonthistextandthatmytopicwasGratitudeandThanksgiving.AnditwasinthemidstofthinkingandprayingthroughhowweexperienceandliveoutgratitudethatIgotthatNewYorkTimesalertonmyphoneWednesdaynight.Andsuddenly,asweasanationstaredthedepthofourbrokennessinitsface,Ithoughttomyself,howthehellamIsupposedtoexperiencegratituderightnow?Whatdoesgratitudehavetosayinthemidstoftheevilsofintolerance,injustice,racism,andpain?Anditwasinthesemoments,whilethenationlamentedandsawitsowndemons,wonderingwhattodonext,thatIrealizedtheinsufficiencyoftheideaofgratitudeIhadbeensoldmywholelife.SermonsonGratitudeImgoingonthreedecadesofattendingchurchservices.Iveheardalotofsermonsongratitudeandalmostallofthemarethesame.TheyspendmuchoftheirtimetryingtoconvinceusAmericansthatweactuallyarefarmorewealthythenweeverthought.Wehavemorestuffthanmostanyotherpeopleinhumanhistory,andsoweneedtostopbeingsoconsumeristicandunsatisfiedandjustlearntobegratefulandgivethanksforwhatwehavebecausewehavealot.AndusChristianshaveevenmorereasontobethankful,aswehavethegreatestgiftofall:Jesus!Butallthisdoesisleadustowardssomebrief,unsustainable,inchdeepemotionofhappinesswhichwethencallgratefulnessandthenwalkoutthedoorthinkingwevegottenourannualgratitudeshotallwhilebeingabletoignoretheviolenceragingintheworldandinoursouls.SowhereisgratitudewhenwefaceCharleston,orwhenwehitthemuckandmireoflife,thepitsandpovertiesofexistence,thepainandinjustice?Doesgratitudehavenothingtosay?ThisPsalm&DarknessThatswhatmakestodaysPsalmsopowerful.ItisindeedaPsalmofThanksgivingandGratitude,butwhenyoufirstreadit,itdoesntseemthatway,doesit?Ittalksofpits,pain,evils,iniquityandalongingforGodsdeliverancethat,bytheendofthePsalm,isnotyetseen.ThisisanythingbutaHallmarkCardoraversethatyoucanjuststicka#blessedhashtagon.Thisisdeep,true,biblical,sturdy,Christiangratitude.Apologetic:Ourgratitudeisbetterthanyours

AndIwantallofustoseethat,especiallyifyoureaguesthereorwouldntcallyourselfaChristian.Allotherformsofgratitudeareawayofdisengagingwiththeveryrealbrokennessandinjusticethatexistsbothintheworldandinus.Allotherfaithsandworldviewstrytotellyouthatthelowestlowsofhumanexistencearebutillusionsthatthreatenyoufromtrulyseeingallthatyouhavetobethankfulfor.Christiangratitude,however,istheonlykindofgratitudethatcanstartandendinthepitofreal,humanexistenceandstillcallitselfgratitude.Itcanlookevilanddeathitselfintheeyeandstillbetrue.ChristiangratitudeisbigenoughtoenfoldournationsCharlestons,aswellasallofyourlongings,doubts,fears,stumblesalongtheway.Why?BecauseChristiangratitudeisnotafeeling,anexperience,oraswellingjoyoverthegoodthingsinyourlife.Itisadeepcurrentthatrunsunderneathourlives;itisastorywegetsweptin;astorywithaPast,Present,andFuture.AndsoweregoingtotakeafewmomentstogothroughthethreemovementsandsectionsofthisPsalmtoseewhatgratitudelookslikeinthefullnessofhumanexistence.

TheTensesofGratitude

1. PastNeed(vv.13)U2&LamentAswestartedreadingthisPsalm,manyofyoumayhavegottenU2ssong,40,stuckinyourhead.ItsbasedonthisPsalm.ButtheoddthingisthatinBonosmouth,thissongbecomesadeeplament,andthenewsonginhismouthbecomesacryofHowlongdoIhavetosingthissong?OnethingU2getshereisthatthesewordshavepainandsufferingshotrightthroughthem.Toknowandcultivategratitudeinoneslife,ittakesarecognitionofonesveryrealneedinessandweakness.Toooften,inthesimplistic,emotiondrivenformsofgratitudeweresold,weretoldthatourfeelingofweaknessisunwarranted.Infact,weshouldfeelguiltyoverfeelingthatwaybecauseofallwehave.Andyet,Godgivesusagreatgiftinourweaknessandneediness,becauseitinvitesusintoaspacewherewecanseeGodwork.WateryChaosIntheopeningpagesoftheBible,Godisdescribedashavingcreatedtheworldbybringingorderoutofthemidstofawatery,soupofchaos.InthelanguagethisPsalmwasoriginally

writtenin,thatpitthathestalkingaboutisanallusiontothewavesandwavesofwateryprimordialchaosfallingoverourwriter.Ourwriterisexperiencingexistentialsoulangst,chaos,uncertainty,andisolation.Howmanyofushereareexperiencingthat?CanIsuggestthatthisispreciselythespacewhereGodcanmeetus?HowdoIknow?Thewriterisspeakinginthepasttense.Thinkback,howmanyothertimeshavewehadthethoughtthatwejustcanttakeitanymore.Wedontknowhowweregoingtogetthroughthismarriage,thismeeting,thisfight,oreventhisday?Andyet,werestillhere!Triumphalismvs.FullHumanityBiblicalgratitudeisbasedonadeepfaithinGod.Notanaive,simplistichey,everythingwillworkout.Imnotsayingthat.Whereveryouareexperiencingthatchaosinyourlife,engageitwithyourfullhumanityandallitsmessiness,pain,doubts,cursing,worry,andsuch.Godcanhandleit.Bethefullybrokenandneedyhumanthatyouare,butstayattunedtoGodinyourmidst,andlookbackoversimilarmomentsandseehowGodmayhavebeenthereallalong:moving,loving,andsustaining.Biblicalgratitudedoesntkeepyoufromyourneediness,weakness,andpain,butinvitesyoutopressallthemoreintoitandmeetGodinthemidstofthechaos.

2. PresentRelationships(vv.410)ThenextmovementweseethroughoutthisPsalmisthenecessityofrelatingtoothersinordertotrulyinstillgratitudeinyourlife.Idontblamethem.Thisisreallylostwhenwetrytomakegratitudeprimarilyintoasurgeofemotionoraresponsetoguilt,oracognitiveperspectiveyouresupposedtohaveinrelationtoallyourstuff.Butyouknowwhat?Idontreallyblamepeoplefortryingtoframegratitudethatway.DoIthinkitswrong?Yes,butIunderstandit.Framinggratitudethatwayactuallyservestoprotectusfromthescariestpartofgratitude:otherpeople.Testimony&CommunalPrayerNotice:thefirstfewversesofourPsalmareactuallynotaprayer,theyreatestimony.Andwhenthewriterherestartswonderingwhathisgratitudeshouldlooklikeinreallife,hedoesnttalkaboutfeelingsorisolated,privateactsofgenerosityorgratitude.HewritesabouttellingothersaboutallthatGodisandallthatGodhasdone.

Soinaseriesonprayer,whyarewetalkingaboutthisPsalm,whenmostofitisntevenaprayer?Becausethelifeofprayerisaboutfarmorethanjustyouronpersonal,individualengagementandcommunicationwithGod.ItsaboutthecommunicationofallofGodspeople.ItsabouthowweasacommunityspeaktoGodandoneanotheraboutGod.Thelifeofprayeralsooverflowsintoourcommunallife.Goddoesntneedpraise,WEDONeedinessNeedsOtherstobegratitudeGivingThanksismoreaboutothersthanGod.Goddoesneedourpraise.Rather,weneedtopraiseGodwithothers.Thereissomethingprofoundlyhumanaboutadmittingoutneedinessandfinitudeandreachingouttoothers.Itisactuallyadiminishingofourhumanitytotryandbeentirelyselfsufficientandindependent.Tobehumanishearingandspeakinggratitudewithothers,andwithGod!Ifgratitudewerejustanemotion,wecouldjusttrytofeelitonourown,butbiblical,sturdygratitudethatisgoingtorelatetoallourlifeforcesustoconnectwithothers.Itmakesustalktoothers.ItmakesusrelatetoGod.Ifneedinessandweaknessisourstartingpoint,thenothershavetomeetusinourneed.Yes,Goddoesthis,butGoddoesthisthroughothersmostoften,notjustinabstractspiritualfeelings.Inotherwords,BiblicalGratitudeisimpossibletofeelbyyourselforinisolation.Youhavetoexperienceyourdeepestsenseofneed,andyouhavetoothersmeetyouinthatneed.Ifyoucanhandlelifeonyourown,youhavenoneedforgratitude.

3. FutureHope(1117)Psalms&RealLife:PraisetoPetitionLastly,Iwantustolookatthewritersfuturehope.AlotoftheBiblesPsalmsbeginwithapetitiontoGodandendwithpraise.Butthewritersofthesongsknewthathumanlifedidntalwaysgothatway.Noteverythingalwaysendsupallwrappedupintheend.ThatswhythisPsalmistheopposite.ItopensinpraisetoGodandtestimonytoothers,butendsincryingouttoGodforhelp,andtheprayerendsbeforethathelpeverarrives.Neverdone,andthatsokayAndthisisoneofthebiggesttakeawaysofthistext.Gratitudeisneverdone.Itiscyclical.Thereisneediness,Godmeetsusinit,weofferpraiseandtestimonytoGodandothersforallthathesdone.Andthen,weexperienceneedagain.Thisisnoonceanddonething.Itisaneverdeepeningrealitythatwerealwayspursuing,alwayscultivating,andalwaysgrowingin.Andthatsokay!

ThewriterknowsthatinGodsheart,hedoesntwantourperformancehewantsourlivesandourhearts.TrueThanksgivingisnotwhatwecandoforGod,buttrustingandrestinginwhatGodhasdoneforus.Andthereismuchhehashadtodoforus.Becauseweareindeedweakandneedy.Andthewriterremindsusofthis.ThisishowheendsthePsalmnotwithhoweverythingisfixed,buthowhehasbeenbroughtrightbacktoaplaceofchaos,pain,anddarkness.CHRYSOSTOM:CyclesofSin,Gratitude&ConfidenceGratitudefuelsHopeTheremayhavebeenatimewhenhewalkedinobediencewhen,ashesays,Godslawwasdeepwithinhisheart.Butnow,attheend,thatveryheartisfailinghim.Hefeelslikehissinisstrongerthanhiswillpower.ButheendsinconfidenceinwhoGodis.HeactuallygivesvoicetoaspectsofGodsnatureandcharacterthathavebeenespeciallyrealtohiminpastmomentsoftrouble.TheLordtakesthoughtforme.Youaremyhelpanddeliverer.Seeingourneed,pressingintothosewhocanmeetit,helpscultivatetherhythmofgratitudeinourlives.Itscycle.ExperiencingGodmeetingusinourneedandchaosisthefuelforourhopethatcansustainusthroughthenexttrialandseasonofdarkness.AsJohnChrysostom,anearlychurchleaderandoneofChristianitysgreatestpreacherssaid:

"Thehopeoftheunthankfulwillmeltawaylikewinter'sfrost,anddrainawaylikewaterthatisnotbeingused."JohnChrysostom,HomiliesonMatthew

GratitudehelpsususethefuelofourChristianHope.AndChristianHopepushesusforwardintothedanceofgratitude.Grace:PastPresentFutureButagain,thishopeisnthopesimplyinwhatGodhasdoneinthepast.IdontwanttocomeinhereandsaythatourcognitivebeliefthatGoddidsomethinginJesusontheCross2,000yearsagoisenoughforyourightnow,whereveryouare.Rather,itiswhatthatdeathontheCrossdoesforusnowandsecuresforusinthefuturethatsustainsus.Godsgrace,asshownontheCross,meansthatGodsownhearttousinthis

momentisoneofgrace,acceptance,andjoy.Evenasyoustruggleandstumble,allofGodsheartisforyourightnow.Andthisisnotonlytruenow,butitsecuresyourfuture.Howeverbloodyyouthinkyoullbewhenyougetthere,whatGodhasdoneinJesuslife,death,andResurrectionissecuredapromisedfuturewhereyouarehis.Andthisfutureisfloodingthepresentatalltimes.EverybitofgraceandgratitudewetasteisGodsfutureforusbeingmaderealinourpresent.

TheLifeofGratitudeBARTH:ADisposition,NotaSentiment;AWhy,NotaWhatSowhatdoesitlooklikeforgratitudetobeapartofourlives?SoifGratitudeisnotasentimentoranemotion,whatisit?Itisadispositioninallofoneslife.MyfavoritetheologianKarlBarth,saysthisaboutgratitude:

"Graceevokesgratitudelikethevoiceanecho.Gratitudefollowsgracelikethunderlightning....Itsfailure,ingratitude,issin.Radicallyandbasically:all

sinissimplyingratitude."KarlBarth,ChurchDogmatics

Thisisgratitude.Itisnotafleeting,disjointedmomentinonesdayormonth.Itisthefullnessofwhatitmeanstobehuman.FortheChristian,alloflifeisinfusedwithGodsgraciousness.Eveninthemidstofallthepainanddarkness,allthatcomesourwayisagiftforourgrowthandgood,tosustainusthroughit.Thereisagivennesstoalloflife.Everythingisagifttousinourweakness,andsoalloflifecanbeagraciousresponsetoGodsgrace.Illendwithafewbriefpracticalthingswecando.NeedyRelationshipsWhatifwe,asacommunity,relatedtooneanotherwhilerecognizingourweaknesses?Insteadofgossipingaboutsomeoneelsespolitics,theology,sins,orparentingandrelationshiphabits,whatifwesawthiswholecommunityasamassofmessedup,broken,needypeople?WhatifwesharedourstoriesofneedinessandhowGodhasmetusinit!

Andwhatifthisdynamicinfusedourprayerlives?WhatifwerelatedtoGodinourneediness,withasturdyconfidenceinHim,andnotsimplyus?Notaconfidencethatwewontgothroughhardtimes,butaconfidencethatwewillmakeitthroughthem?Youevernoticehowoldprayersandliturgiesfocusawholelotmoreonmercythangrace?WeinthemodernWestfocusalotongrace,whichisGodsenablingofustodowhatwedonotdeserveandcouldnotdoonourown.Welikegrace.ItmakesusfeellikeweregrowingandstrengthenedbyGod.Andstillpraythoseprayersforthingslikestrength,patience,provision.Butperhapsallowtimesforprayingformercy?Whatifinsteadofaskingforthings,whynotjustgiveyourselfandyourneedinessentirelybeforeGodandjustrestinginhismercy?Perhapstrystartwritingdownyourpayerssomewherewhereyoucangobackandlookthemoveranothertime.ThisisawayofseeingtimesinthepastGodhasmetyouandsustainedyou.GivingIfgratitudehastakenrootinourlives,itwilloverflowinmanysmallways,includinginyourgivingatthischurch.Wereabouttoendourfiscalyearwitha$50,000deficit.Ididthemath.Asachurchwith500ishpeople,thatmeansthatiseachpersonhadgiven$2moreeachweekoverthecourseofthisyear.Wedhaveasurplus.Weshouldbeabletodothat.Thinkofwhatacommunitythathasbeencapturedbygraceandgratitudecoulddowiththeirgatheredfinancialresources.EucharistThewordliterallymeansThanksgiving.Init,werecognizeourneedandhungerforGod.WeliterallycommunewithGodandothersasourneedismet.AndinitwelookforwardtothefuturemealsecuredforusinJesus.Initweseeatangiblepictureandexperienceofthepast,present,andfuturedynamicsofgratitude.

Conclusions:FirstBaptistGratitudeIopenedbytalkingabouthowPhiladelphiaracismbirthedEmanuelAMEChurchinCharleston.And,yetwhileracismwasraginginonepartofthecity,therewasanotherchurchinthecitygoingadifferentway,livinglifeasacommunityrootedandfoundedingratitudeandthanksgiving:FirstBaptistChurch,thecongregationfromwhomwejustpurchasedourbuildingandonwhoseshoulderswenowstand.

SameyearRichardAllenwasleavingSt.Georges,FBCmadetheirstanceagainstslaveryofficial.

May13,1809:FirstBaptistChurchplantedtheFirstAfricanBaptistChurchinPhiladelphiaat16thandChristianSt.FirstBlackBaptistChurchinPA.

GavewholeSundayofferingstodifferentcongregantstopurchasefamilymembersoutofslavery.

Late1800s:Theysponsoredchildrenofformerslavestogotoschool.RananorphanageinKensington.

1845:BaptistsplitintoSouthernandNorthernBaptistsoverslaveryOnDecember18,1865,SecretaryofState,WilliamSewardannouncedthattheStateshadofficiallyratifiedthe13thamendment,banningslavery.Thatweekend,FBCspastoratthetime,GeorgeDanaBoardman(whosetombstoneisinoursanctuary)washavingaChristmasEveservice.Heopenedtheservicewiththesewords:

"IcannotpermitthemoststupendouseventwhichhasoccurredintheWesternHemispheresincetheDeclarationofIndependencetopassbywithouttherecognitionofatleastamomentaryallusion.LastTuesdaytheSecretaryofStatemadeofficialproclamationtotheworldthatthesovereignauthorityoftheRepublic,theConstitution,hasannihilatedAmericanSlavery.

ChildrenofAfrica,longabusedandoutraged,Igivethankswithyouyou!CitizensofAmerica,longbrandedwithguiltandshame,Igivethankswithyouyou!Loversofmankind,longrackedwithsympatheticagony,Igivethankswithyouyou!PeopleoftheMostHighGod,longclosetedwithHiminprayer,Igivethankswithyouyou!

GlorybetotheFather,andtotheSon,andtotheHolyGhost,asitwasinthebeginning,isnow,andevershallbe,worldwithoutend!

ThisiswhatitlookslikewhenacommunityofGodspeoplearecapturedbyGodsgraceandlivelivesundergirdedbygratitude.Asstewardsofthisbuilding,westandontheirshoulders.Letsliveuptothehouseholdname.(Mayormaynotmentionthis.Historicalfootnote:thesameChristmasEveonwhichthosewordsweresaid,theKKKwasfounded.ThesameKKKthatinfluencedtheshooteratEmanuelAMEChurch.Wehavemoreworktodo.Letsdoit.)SoLibertiChurch,maythegraceofGodbemadesorealtoyouthatyoursoulandyourlifedanceintherhythmofGratitude,intheNameoftheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit.AMEN.