1 John 4:16b-18; April 28, 2024; Fifth Sunday of Easter
It’s not about fear.
Want me to repeat that?
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.” – John 1:4:18
It’s not about fear.
Not too long ago though, fear was one of the main reasons why people came to church. Fear that if you didn’t, you would be shamed by the pastor or congregation, and that God would punish you in this life or the next. And years ago, that tactic worked, sadly. And people joylessly filled the pews just hoping to leave Sunday unscathed with an extra bit of spiritual armor so to better make it through a sinful week.
But did all of that fear really amount to much? Did it amount to faith? A living and deep faith? To faith formation and growth? Did it lead to any real gains in evangelism and outreach, with its “come to church, or else” tagline? Maybe, for a bit, and maybe for far too long at that, such that we have so successfully made others on the outside so afraid of us and of God, that they are no longer interested in joining us here inside.
But “there is no fear in love” John writes. And so, if faith has to do with love, then my friends, it can’t have anything to do with fear.
And really, who anymore wants to allocate a precious hour or two of their chaotic weeks to hearing about flames, and judgment, and punishment; especially when flames, judgment, and punishment are all make the headlines every week?
This is a sanctuary, right? Well, unless I’ve got the definition of a sanctuary wrong, a sanctuary should be a place where all come to feel safe from all of that. Restored and redeemed from all of that. Not where we perpetuate and succumb to the weight of all of that.
Last week, I asked you why are you here; why are we in church?
Please, please let it not be because of fear and this admonition that God is out to get you, or else.
…
I had a talk with some youth in the church recently who were worried that God was watching everything that they do, ready to correct and condemn them at a moment’s failing.
My friends, is this really the vision of God that we want our young people to walk away with?
Not a loving God, filled with grace, offering the good and amazing gift of free will, but instead a vengeful God, a helicopter parent-God, who doesn’t want to trust them nor us to be free, but would rather see us as ventriloquist dummies tethered to a short string?
Is that what we want?
Nah man, that line of thought is only going to continue to send these kids, and countless others, right out of here. Especially, when they ultimately find more humility, forgiveness, and love out there in places that are not the church, which more closely resemble Christ and the peace he brought.
It’s not about fear, my friends. It can’t be. Not anymore, especially not when across the nation and across the world, sanctuaries are quickly turning into condos and museums.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.” – John 1:4:18
My friends, if God is perfect in love, and if perfect love casts out fear which has to do with punishment, then please, please rid yourselves of this concern that God is out to get you.
God is not. Others, maybe, are, but not God, who unlike us, is perfect in love.
So, why are we in church today?
Let it not be fear, but instead, let it be something more like joy.
Joy for Christ’s forgiveness. Joy for the Spirit’s fellowship. Joy for God’s faithfulness, and the gift of freedom.
That’s four other F’s for you, right there… Freedom, faithfulness, fellowship, and forgiveness.
That’s why we should be here. Not fear.
My friends, be at peace and let us continue to worship together without worry, and with joyful praise, singing, and love.
Amen
