20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹ Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

"A Faith That You are Filled"

One of the common stories that you hear at seminary is the tale of individuals who, initially, felt that the work of God was to be done by someone else. They had strong belief in the existence of the Almighty, but they were unable to make the jump to a faith that led them to write their own story of service for the Almighty.

A housemate of mine most certainly fit into this mold. Since he had been in high school, people at his church had been saying, "God has called you; you have the gift; the Holy Spirit is with you; you should become a minister". He was able to hear that, but he pushed it away as far as he possibly could. He went to college, and began to bounce from this job to that, a couple of years here, a couple of years there, doing good work, but never finding that place where he felt satisfied, that place where the life story that was being written was really worthy of anything more than a courtesy glance.

As he entered into middle age, the pronouncements of the call to serve became more and more pronounced. Eventually, he gave in, and said, "alright, I’ll go" more to quiet those around him, than an actually response to a call that he felt.

The real change started, however, once he started the class work and getting into areas of church leadership. As he did this, he began to recognize that all those comments that had been made by so many people actually held more than just a little validity: they were dead on. As he continued this journey, the belief in the Almighty became a full-blown faith that declared that God was at work, and at work in his life.

As this faith took hold, he, and all those around him, saw that the story of his life that was being written was not only worth the courtesy read, but reading and reading again. As he moved through seminary and into his pastoral service in the church he was able to live out a faith that declared that he had been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and that Spirit was working through him to write a life story that was filled with the power, the glory, the love of God. What I am hoping this morning is that each of us are able to realize that faith, true faith, isn’t about going though the motions of religious piety: its about recognizing that you have been filled with the Holy Spirit, and responding to that Spirit.

As I mentioned prior to the reading of the scripture, the sorts of stories we heard this morning are ones that we completely separate ourselves from. As soon as Jesus shows up on the scene we look at everything else that happens like we’re looking at a movie: something that can happen "out there", not "in here".

The problem with that mentality is that it’s completely off base, and totally wrong. Now I’m not saying that any of us would, let alone should, mimic the specific actions of Jesus. Simply put, if you stand up to read from Isaiah and then say, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing", I think that all of us are going to look at you a little strangely. One person did it, in a particular time and place, and that time is now gone.

However, just because that occasion is now past, does not mean that each of us are not engaged in a very similar process. Here’s what I mean: the starting spot of this story is one that all of us are able to take part in. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is something that all of us are able to have connection to.

One of the, I believe, wonderful parts of the Reformed branch of theology is that no good deed is done outside the movement of God. As it says in the question 8 of the Heidelberg Catechism (that’s right, I’m going to quote it again!), "are we so corrupt that we are totally unable to do any good?" The answer comes to us as, "Yes, unless we are born again by the Spirit of God."

What this answer tells us is that good things that can be done through us are a confirmation of the Spirit of God in our lives. The fact that you are here this morning is confirmation of the truth that you have been filled the Holy Spirit and are engaged in the service of the Lord God Almighty. You, much like Jesus in our passage this morning, have been "filled with the power of the Spirit". The question now becomes, are you going to have faith in that fact and go forth and write a life story that is filled with the power, the glory, the love of God? Are you going to have faith, or are you going to allow all those negative voices that are so abundant in the world, and our lives, to become the voices that you follow?

Over the past few months, my family has been amazed and humbled by the sort of support that we have received as Austin has begun his infusion treatments. The Caring Bridge website that Jen set up back in August is one of the places where this support can be accessed on a regular basis. Those of you who have gone to the guestbook portion of the site have been able to read messages by parents of kids who are in a similar position. Its been wonderful to begin to get to know these families, their stories, and their children, who because of rare disease have become linked together.

What is awe-inspiring is how faith is such an important component of almost all their lives. Even on the painful days, their faith is so very evident, and they are willing to share it. Their faith isn’t something that they hold on to in just a private way. They recognize that they have been filled with the power of the Spirit and are willing to reach out and support others as together they walk this difficult journey. As was written the other day, "There is an invisible spider web of connections to children living with this rotten disease. This is a blessing in that you are able to find support and understanding, there are people who are willing to pray for your child, and there are children to pray for." Said another way, there is an opportunity to put your faith into action, to allow the Spirit that has filled you, to manifest herself in and through your actions.

Comments like, "May God Bless you and your family each and every day this journey, and give you strength and joy every day!", "I said a prayer for you today", "I weep with you and rejoice with you AND PRAY FOR YOU!" and "Keep up the good work" are thoughts that you are able to find throughout these pages, on an almost a daily basis. People are leaning on their faith, their trust that they have been filled by the Spirit of God and are reaching out to others. These parents are recognizing that the life story that they have been called to, are lives in which the Spirit of God needs to be felt. They need to live out their faith.

As was authored by a much better writer than I (who also happens to be my wife), "I find my faith is stronger now than ever before in my life. I have been exposed to the goodness in people like never before. I have seen healing in many different ways; of bodies, hearts, and minds. I have felt led down paths and I have felt held up in moments of despair. I hate this road we have to travel, and I still have moments of anger and heartache, but I thank God everyday that we do not have to travel it alone. I thank God every day for all of you who come here to travel with us."

These words brought the response, "Your faith is such an inspiration!"

Each of these thoughts is an example of people who are filled with God’s Spirit, reaching out to show the love and support of the very God who has first blessed them. They have recognized, as my seminary classmate finally did, that they have been filled with the Spirit of God, and are now showing in ever more apparent ways that they are willing to serve.

Jesus, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, stood up and declared that he had been sent, "to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

You to have been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The fact that you are here, I believe points to this truth. Now go forth and live out a faith that declares to the world that you have been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Don’t follow those voices of negativity that are so easy to fall victim to: those voices that say that you have nothing worthwhile to add. I am here to say that you have been deemed worthy by the God of all creation to step out in faith be the ambassadors of God’s passion for humanity. Allow your thoughts, words, and deeds to be the vehicles through which the supportive love of God is shared. Allow the story of your life to become a story of God’s Spirit at work in the world! You can do it. God believes in you: now believe in yourself!

Holy God, it can be so easy to look ourselves with the understanding that there is no way that we can serve you as Jesus has. And yet, You have filled us with Your Spirit, and called for us to step out in faith, and in everything we do, in everything we are, to show Your love. God, we can do this. Help us to trust in Your movement in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.