Matters of Faith
By Dr. Bascom Ratliff
Pastor, Parker/Beagle/Fontana United Methodist Churches
Scripture: Matthew 12: 46-50 (Jesus says, “whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister and mother”).
While reflecting on today’s message, I thought about God’s will and how I could best be a servant in following Jesus. For the most part, I’ve been treated fairly well as a follower. I have received support, respect, and acceptance. Of course, there have been times in my life when I have suffered some noticeable rejections from the Christian church. I have been refused communion because I was not a confirmed member of a particular church.
I was pressured into being baptized a second time because my parents believed my first baptism was incorrect. They believed that my first baptism at the age of 17 did not count because I was sprinkled and not immersed. When I was fully dunked at age 31, my parents felt I had truly done the will of God and entered the fellowship of the church. Probably the most amazing of all, my $50 offering to my sister’s church was returned because I was not a confirmed member of the congregation.
Like many of you, I have a number of stories about my acceptance and/or rejection by the church. As I prepare for the season of Lent, I’m trying to become more aware of God’s will and desire for my life. I have to admit that part of this endeavor is because of my desire to clean up some of the clutter in my life and become more focused on walking with Jesus.
Although I have questions, and will likely continue to have questions, about God’s will in my life, I am fairly certain from reading numerous Scripture passages that God wants me to actively love and care for others. I’m also convinced that a central message from Scripture is that relationships are important and all who of those who faithfully follow Jesus are my spiritual siblings.
This is a difficult message for me. There are those who profess Christ as their Savior with whom I have no interest in having a relationship. In fact, I have found myself wishing that there were alternative religious practices that I could place them in. And, unfortunately, I have taken much-too-great comfort in defining those who disagree with me as modern day charismatic Pharisees who have more interest in excluding the recently defined lepers who seem to be forever needy, poor, and impoverished.
Referring to these folks as brothers and sisters has become a near impossibility. However, God is very clear. Those who profess Christ as their Lord and Savior are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I don’t get excused simply because I am uncomfortable with God’s command.
I believe that a great deal of the difficulty in considering others as my brothers and sisters is that God calls me to a higher degree of accountability and service to my fellow siblings in Christ. Additionally, I consider Pope Francis (Catholic), Bishop Eaton (ELCA), and Bishop Wilson (UMC) as examples of everyday heroes because they are doing the will of God by serving others.
I mentioned earlier about God’s will being centered on relationships. When we have a godly, loving relationship with someone, it calls us to service. Having a meal with my brother and sister in Christ is following God’s will. Treating someone fairly, respecting their faith, and serving them in the name of Christ, is doing God’s will.
God has called us to a higher standard that is rooted in the dignified and honorable service of Jesus. I also know this is a hard message. It is much easier to exclude and minimize those who are needy and different. We often take great comfort in labeling others as unworthy of our service. However, God continues to call us to a higher purpose: to do his will by loving and caring for the modern-day lepers in our society.
Believe. Serve. Celebrate.
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Are you ready to do God’s will? Are you ready to reap the benefits of being a child of God? If so, I invite you to come and worship with us. We are fueled by God’s wonderful promise of unfailing love. Please accept our invitation to a morning of wonderful music and great fellowship. And, of course, hot drinks and cookies.
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We will worship at the Parker United Methodist Church during February 2025.
We will worship at the Beagle UMC during March 2025.
We will worship at the Fontana UMC during April 2025.
All Sunday services are at 10 a.m.
We serve communion on the first Sunday of the month.
All are welcome in God’s House.
Dr. Bascom Ratliff (913-710-5748)
Pastor: Parker/Beagle/Fontana
United Methodist Churches
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