God's Call: From Infilling to Outpouring (Sermons by Wesleyan/Holiness Women Clergy)

edited by Margaret Dunn
Copyright © 2000
Grantham, PA: Wesleyan/Holiness Clergy, Inc.

 
Contents

Foreword

Resting: Time with God - Commissioner Kay Rader

Reflecting: Tune into God - Rev. Enriquita "Kits" Monencillo

Reaching Out: Speak Out for God - Rev. Janine Tartaglia Metcalf

Responding: Obey God - Rev. Dr. Diana L. Swoope

Contributors

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It is wonderful to attend a conference where they correctly pronounce your name. I have been called "Janine Tarantula," "Janine Tortilla," "Janine Tarantino," "Tortillini," you name it. Even Walter Cronkite has mispronounced my name. I received a call from the veteran anchorman while I was anchoring the local news in San Diego. Walter called because he was taping promotions for the CBS affiliate stations. In his low authoritative voice he asked, "Excuse me, how do you pronounce your name again?" and I said, "Tar-tell-ee-a." He said, "Tar-tell-ee-a?" I said, "Right." He said, "Fine!" And that was that until one day later when Walter's producer called. He sheepishly said, "We're so sorry. Mr. Cronkite's forgotten how you pronounce your name. Is it Tar-teg-fini?" "No," I replied, "it's Tar-tell-ee-a." Unfortunately, the producer had to call one more time. Right before the taping, he called just to make sure. "We're sorry, but Mr. Cronkite still can't remember how to pronounce your name. Isn't it Tar-tag-fia?" "No," I chuckled, "It's Tar-tell-ee-a."

You would not believe what happened. When Walter finally taped the promo, it came out just like this: "And that's the way it is. Now stay tuned for the Channel 8 Evening News with Jay-nine Tar-tell-ee-a!"

Even if good ol' Walter mispronounced my name, there was something about Walter Cronkite that I admired. In fact so many people trusted him that when he retired in 1985, he was seriously considered as a candidate for the presidency. Why was Walter so highly regarded? It all boils down to one word: "CREDIBILITY."

When this man delivered the news and told us, "That's the way it is," we believed him! Think about it. You and I have been given the GREATEST NEWS in the whole wide world to share:

• that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,
• that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead just like he said he would,
• that someday soon the clouds will depart, our Lord will descend, and every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Sisters, that is the best news in the whole wide world to share! And what really blesses me is the fact that the one who broke this story was not an all-time big star reporter. I mean, we are not talking Mike Wallace from CBS News in New York or Peter Jennings from Washington, D.C. We are talking Mary from Magdala, a little fishing village on the shores of the sea of Galilee.

This dear woman had a very common name and hailed from a very common town. Still she was never really common, for anyone who is touched by Jesus is never really common. Mary's life had been totally changed by Jesus. If seven demons had been cast out of you, you would be changed, too. We are talking total transformation here. Mary had been transformed inside and out by the power of the Master. And after she was healed, she served Jesus and she followed Jesus all the way to Jerusalem, all the way to the cross, all the way to the tomb, and for her faithfulness, God blessed her with the most incredible scoop—the Pulitzer Prize winning story of the ages—that, hallelujah, Jesus WAS AND IS alive! Through her witness the word spread to the disciples. They, in turn, eventually helped spread the Gospel to the outer ends of the Roman Empire. Mary Magdalene was such a blessed woman, one of the last to see Christ die, one of the first to see him live again! She was an essential character in the passion narrative that she shows up in all four Gospel accounts.

Let us look at the resurrection appearance story as recorded in Matthew, chapter 28. It is early Sunday morning. Jesus had died on the cross and his body had been placed in the tomb. Those of us who have ever witnessed the death of somebody we love can relate to the anguish that Mary must have been feeling. The Rabbi she loved, her healer, her redeemer, the One who had given her a sense of true dignity and worth was gone. Rather than withdrawing and sulking and feeling sorry for herself, she came to the tomb on a mission. Mark tells us that she, along with another Mary, brought the spices to anoint Christ's body. Let us hear together the Living Word of God.

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ?He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you so." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. [There's that phrase again—-"Do not be afraid."] Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me" (Matthew 28: 1-10 NIV).

Yes, the disciples saw the risen Christ in Galilee; but hours before Mary had her own "close encounter of the first kind!" Before Peter the Rock and before John the Beloved, God gave the news of the resurrection, the greatest story of the ages, to this woman. This announcement came by way of an angel and then by way of Jesus himself. In some ways, she should not have been surprised. After all, the Lord had told the disciples that he would die and rise again. At least three times he said so. In Matthew 17:22 - 23 he said, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life" (NIV). Jesus repeated the prediction, but it did not sink in. How many times has God tried to reach us through the Scriptures or a distinct impression from the Holy Spirit, and yet it never quite sinks in? That is why we learn this beautiful story about Mary . . .

Mary was commissioned to tell the greatest story in the world. Before she carried out the mission, she had to believe that the risen Christ was for real. To encourage her faith, an angel beckoned her to come and see the empty tomb. In each one of our lives God has used something or someone to heighten our receptivity to divine breathings. Perhaps God has used a difficult situation, a sermon, a scripture passage, a song, or a friend to invite you to come in and see Him in a different way.

God used a Christian family to tell me to "come and see Christ" back in 1979. I had been an anchor/reporter in television news for ten years. I was moving up the ladder. Everything seemed to be going well for me except that there was a great void in my life. Even after the first week of walking down those impressive long corridors of NBC in Los Angeles, a gnawing emptiness consumed me. In God's mercy and providence I met a family whose faithful witness altered my destiny. Their son was one of 52 Americans held hostage by the Ayatollah Khomeni in Iran. Gary Lee and the other American embassy employees remained in captivity for 444 days. Their dramatic ordeal could have ended in triumph or tragedy. Due to the volatile status of Iran, no one knew if the hostages would be released or executed. That is why Pastor Lee and his wife Hazel made such a dynamic impression on me. Regardless of their son's fate, they exhibited a faith and peace that merited attention. Their authentic witness convinced me that Jesus was someone I needed to know.

I would interview them and they, in turn, would interview me. Camera crews entered their parsonage with lights, cameras, cords, and recorders. In ten months we scratched their coffee table. We scuffed their walls. We stained their rug. And yet, their door never shut! The Lees used the worst time of their lives as an opportunity to share God's love with someone like me. In their own way, they told me, "Come and see."

Unfortunately, I did not initially oblige their invitation to church. I was a cynical reporter who had observed too much religious hypocrisy. In time, however, I knew the Lees had something that I desperately needed. After ten months of careful scrutiny I came to Earl Lee's church. In all honesty, I attended the Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene with thirty other reporters in hopes of capturing a story. We were alerted that a break in the hostage crisis would occur when Ronald Reagan assumed the presidency. We were there to cover church reaction just in case the hostages would be released a few days before the inauguration. I was busy writing my story and Pastor Lee preached a message from Isaiah 43. (This may be a passage for somebody here tonight. I don't know who you are. I don't know what's going on in your life, but will you hear the Word of the Lord for you?)

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1a - 3a NIV)

That morning Pastor Lee did not give a formal invitation to receive Christ. Frankly, I did not need one. In front of my colleagues in the balcony, I put down my notebook and I stood up. I heard God. I did not fully comprehend the implications for justification, regeneration, sanctification. I DID know that I was a sinner and I had put other things before my God. Privately, I told God, "I'm so sorry."

Noting my changed posture, my camera operator Jimmy said, "Uh, what do you want us to shoot?" And I said, "I don't know. Something's happening to me." He shook his head and said, "Oh, no." That morning, I asked the Lord to forgive me and to come into my heart. There God resides today and I am so very thankful! Our Lord has changed my life and continues to transform my life

One family was used by God to convince me to "come and see." Through their dynamic faith I witnessed the mystery of Jesus, all man . . . all God.

• Yes, Jesus was a man who became hungry, but He is God, the Bread of Life.
• Yes, Jesus was a man who became thirsty, but He is God, the Living Water.
• Yes, Jesus was a man who became weary, but He is God Almighty who says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
• Yes, He was a man who walked with us in the darkness, but He is God, the Light of the World.
• He was a man who was baptized with water, but He is God who baptizes with fire.
• He was a man who wept at a funeral, but He was God who told Lazarus, "Come forth!" He was a servant, but at His feet every knee will bow.
• Yes, He was a man who wept tears in Gethsemane, but He is God who will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

Tonight I can tell you, I believe. I believe Jesus is the Son of God! I believe He is alive and He is coming again. Before I could preach it I HAD TO BELIEVE IT! Our lives must reflect the Incarnate Word and must be guided by the Written Word. I live tonight by the promises of God. And hallelujah, as a brand-new step-mom of teenage sons, I need God's grace AND those promises. My greatest sermon is a sanctified life. May I be so thoroughly consecrated to Christ that any menial task has the potential to become a holy offering. This elevates whatever we do, wherever we go into the realm of the sacred.

Oh sister, before we can preach Jesus we must believe Jesus. That is why the angel invited Mary, "Come and see the empty tomb." And then what did he say? He told her to go and tell.

Mary had to be convinced that Jesus was not dead. She went in, took a look at that tomb and then the angel said, "Go quickly and tell his disciples." The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Mary and her friend Mary did not sit around asking the angel, "Are you sure about this?" or "What really happened here?" No questions asked. The word from Matthew is they "hurried away from the tomb."

They hurried away. They had a message to tell. They had a place to go and so do you and I. We are called to share Christ's life and teachings wherever God sends, whenever God calls, with whomever God chooses. And if our listeners happen to be senior adults in a rest home, then Praise the Lord. If they happen to be little children, if they happen to be teens, if they happen to be women OR men, then Hallelujah! Every person matters to God. Everyone with whom we share is so vitally important to the Kingdom of God. May we not miss any opportunity to be used by the Lord. May we be free to take advantage of any occasion to participate in God's redemptive mission.

We must also be aware that the sacrifice may be great. Learn from Elizabeth Cole, who spent years ministering to lepers in a remote village of Africa. The risks may be high. Learn from Leona Gardner. Here's a woman whose hut was burned and her life was threatened over and over again by villagers in Guatemala. They had never heard the Gospel and had never seen or heard a woman preacher. And suffering may at times be insurmountable when you follow the Lord. Learn from Johnny Hill Jernegan who braved numerous shootings while ministering to prostitutes on the dusty streets of Texas. And for current inspiration, recall last night's sermon from our sister Kits. We learned so much from what she said and didn't say and how she said it. She witnessed to me and I know she witnessed to you that God's grace IS sufficient and God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Oh, God, give us the grace to be obedient, knowing that you will equip and empower us for whatever you call us to do.

I will never forget that first time the Lord called me to preach my first sermon. Can you remember yours? Oooooooh! I was scared spitless. I went to Louisiana expecting to share my testimony at a Senior Adult banquet. When I arrived in Baton Rouge, a welcoming committee at the airport informed me that I was the evangelist for the camp meeting the next morning. I concealed my shock until I entered the hotel room. Then I immediately fell to my knees and asked God, "Now, what are we going to do?" And I rocked back and forth, praying and pleading, "Lord, I need your help. I don't know how to prepare a sermon. I only know a few verses. How can I do this?" Nothing seemed to break through until about three o'clock in the morning. I received the most distinct impression. I cannot remember the words, but it seemed as if the Holy Spirit said, "Daughter, the service is mine." Compelled by that divine assurance (and sheer exhaustion), I collapsed into bed and slept for several hours. I remember walking into the open air tabernacle and sitting in a huge evangelist's chair. My feet did not even touch the ground. I witnessed a good old fashioned Nazarene praise service. All about me people were getting blessed, rising, walking, singing, shouting! One little lady in a wheelchair in the front mustered up all of her energy to express her joy. She could barely move. It took her half the service to rise to her feet, wave her hanky and whisper, "Glory!" And with that, she slowly slipped back down and smiled.

Despite the ecstasy of worship, there was division in the camp. One of the churches attending had been split in two because of a controversial church building project. Half the church was sitting on one side of the aisle. The other half of the church was sitting on the other side. Both sides were determined not to break ranks and reconcile their differences. Something incredible happened, however, when I began to preach. By the grace of God I began reciting scriptures that I had not memorized or prepared. While I was speaking, a man in the back of the tabernacle stood up and yelled, "George, where are you?" Suddenly George rose from the other side of the tabernacle and said, "I'm here, John."

John tearfully said, "George, I'm so convicted. Will you please forgive me?" George responded, "Yes, but only if you will forgive me." They met in the center aisle, embraced each other and repented of their bitterness. Within moments the whole church group stood up, repented and sought each other's forgiveness. The service erupted in a most profound encounter with God. People knelt in God's glorious presence. Some wept. Others lifted hands in praise. All were aware something extremely holy was happening. I just stood in awe and humble gratitude. And almost on cue, a faint but distinct voice whispered, " See, daughter, this service is mine!"

God is so faithful. You know that's what so blessed about being forty-three? I now have a track record of God's faithfulness. Day after day after day after day He has provided for me, protected me, and delivered me from sin. And to this day God cleanses me from attitudes that do not reflect Jesus. The sweet Spirit of God continues that sanctifying work in my life. Oh, sweet sister, believe it, preach it and, hallelujah, rejoice in it.

The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Mary went off to tell the good news with joy. Likewise, our message must be accompanied with joyful confidence! This is not always easy when your ministry lacks a cheering section. Consider the plight of Paul. He was under house arrest, prohibited from planting churches and preaching to multitudes. Still, he writes to the converts in Philippi: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all" (Phil. 4:4-5 NIV).

Why can we rejoice? Why can we allow Christlike gentleness to be a part of our countenance? Why? Paul offers the answer: "The Lord is near." The Lord is near us wherever we go. To convince Mary of His abiding presence, Jesus appeared to her and talked to her. Not only did he greet her, but in the Gospel of John, he actually calls Mary by name.

You and I this very night can rest in the truth that the Creator of all, the Creator of the universe, knows us by name.

• This is the One who set the stars in place, who placed this earth exactly 93 million miles from the sun (any closer we'd burn, any farther away we'd freeze to death)
• This the One who placed just the right amount of oxygen in the air to sustain life
• This the One who placed in each one of our bodies a central nervous system that controls the way we breathe, that controls the heartbeat, that keeps our body temperature somewhere around 98.6.

The almighty, all powerful, eternal I AM knows each here by name. He knows you, Phyllis. He knows you, Lois. He knows you out there, Mary. He knows you out there, Kirsten. God knows you and calls you by name.

When Mary arrived to share the good news with the disciples, the response was less than exuberant. Luke tells us that the disciples did not believe her because her "words seemed to them like nonsense" (Luke 24:11 NIV). The disciples' response brought back some vivid memories of a Sunday morning when I stepped up to the pulpit. As soon as I began to preach, a man in the middle of the church stood up, shook his finger at me and screamed, "No, you shouldn't be there!" He then marched out and slammed the door behind him. It brought back memories of my seminary preaching class. Whenever it was my turn to preach, more than one third of the class refused to attend. It brought back memories of the times when I was asked as the only woman in the class to be the class secretary and to make coffee for the class.

Those painful episodes reaped important benefits. First, they prompted me to fix my eyes on Christ and seek God's sanction of my call. I constantly prayed, "Whatever you want, Lord, I want. Wherever you lead, Lord, I'll go." Second, I reviewed those controversial passages in I Corinthians 14 and I Timothy 2 in their historical and literary context. A careful exegesis of the prohibitive scriptures as well as a host of supportive passages provided a new understanding of my call. Third, I asked God to purify my attitude toward opponents of women in ministry. The Gospels clearly teach that we do more than tolerate our enemies. We must take one giant step farther and love them. And, in my case, he told me to serve them. Perhaps you would not be led to do the same thing, but I was compelled to make the coffee and to do so joyfully. Every morning I made the coffee . . . and in time my male classmates realized I made the worst coffee in the class. They wised up and began brewing their own coffee. And after three and a half years of working on that M.Div., we reached our graduation day. One of the brothers who had never invited a woman to be on his church staff or church came to me and admitted, "I don't know what to do with you." I looked up and I chuckled, "Oh, Michael, don't worry about it. God does."

There are times, sisters, when our denominations do not know what to do with us. There are times when local churches don't know what to do with us. But, praise the Lord tonight, God does. Rejoice in the fact that your God knows you. He knows your frustrations, but hallelujah, He knows your devotion. For this by far is our greatest gift to the Lord. Aside from the degrees, aside from all the titles and responsible positions, God cares about the status of our hearts.

A.W. Tozer contends: "The church waits for the tender voice of the saint who has penetrated the veil and gazed with inward eye upon the wonder that is God." Let me say that again. "The church waits for the tender voice of the saint who has penetrated the veil and gazed with inward eye upon the wonder that is God" (43).

Lord, may I continue to penetrate the veil and enter into the Holy of Holies. May I continually ask you, "Am I holy before you? And if not, reveal to me whatever is dividing my heart. I want to be honest with you and with myself. More than anything I want my life to be a witness for You."

May we be blameless in God's sight so that we can be credible models for a new generation who will "go and tell." May our faithful witness help open the door for young women and men sensing God's call.

As we leave tonight, let us stand in the presence of the Holy I AM. I do not know what your life has been like in these past few weeks or months, but would you make where you're standing an altar tonight? Free your hands and cup them before our gracious God tonight.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. And in your presence tonight, Lord, we bow. We exalt your name together and we invite your sweet Spirit to take a good look deep within our hearts. And, Lord God, in order to share, in order to speak the truth that you are alive. Lord, we ask you to first sanctify us through and through. We place in our hands tonight anything, dear God, that has been hampering our witness for you. For someone here, dear Lord, there may be a little lingering resentment because the doors of ministry have remained shut. Oh, it's hard to wait. It hurts. For somebody here tonight, Lord God, there may be lingering self pity and doubt because of criticism that hurt to the core. Dear Lord, we give you our hurt. We offer up our fear tonight, Lord Jesus. There is someone here who is holding back, afraid to step out to heed your call. Please Lord, lift her fear so she will be able to risk it all for you. Lord, reveal those hidden sins, those blind sides that get in the way of an effective ministry.

Sweet God, sanctify our lips so that we may speak for you. Sanctify our eyes so that we may see the hurting, the lonely, the lost. Sanctify our ears, Lord, that we may become better listeners to discern the deep, often unspoken, needs of others. Quiet us, Lord, to listen to you. While you are at it, sanctify our hands, that we may reach out to the most unlovely. Oh, Jesus, we are so precious in your sight. Sanctify our hearts through and through. May we hate sin and all that breaks your heart. At the same time may we extend love and mercy to the sinner.

We offer these deep needs, dearest Lord. All that we have. All that we hope to be is yours tonight. May we receive your forgiveness and with each breath, drink in your grace. Regardless of position, regardless of salary, regardless of anyone noticing, we dedicate our future ministry to you. Thank You for those little glimpses of glory, those little affirmations you give us along the way. Thank you for your Holy Word, that source of deliverance, of healing, of help, and direction. Thank you for your Sweet Spirit who enlightens, equips and sets us on fire.

Whatever we say, whatever we do, may it be for Your honor and glory, Sweet Jesus. This is all we ask. Hallelujah! We pray this in the name that is above all names, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, JESUS! Amen.

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