"Keeper of the Keys"

Have you ever heard the words “Keeper of the Keys”?  What does it mean for you?  

How many of us here today have trouble when it comes to giving things over, to give something up, or to use a biblical term to surrender something.  What do you cling to?  Are there things that you just can’t seem to let go? 

Physiologist are often baffled by this human characteristic of clinging.  It starts in childhood but later translates in adulthood, and for some, it becomes a real problem for them throughout their lives.  Often the results affect the person’s physical and mental health.   It can produce in them a desire to look for, or seek a sense of security or well being within material “things” within their achievements, or a search for power and riches.  Try to take, remove or deprive them of having it and some will fall into moments of deep depressions, others will try to hide in their lonely emptiness by turning to chemical stimulants.   Often, but not always, this leads to a life of sex, drugs, power and material riches.   For the average person clinging turns to wanting, which usually brings with it jealousy.   Anger is often the result and that produces not a better life but to a life of self-destruction, but only if they do not find ways of surrender.   Happiness, as the world teaches it, required you to obtain and hold onto "things."  In contrast to that, Jesus teaches us that true joy, which is deeper than happiness, requires you to let go of "things."  Do you know the lyric to: I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Jesus I surrender, I surrender all.  Try singing it.

Many Physiologists and Theologians alike suggest it is almost impossible for us to willing surrender everything as did Jesus on the cross but they all agree that surrender is the antidote.  Giving up the status quo, or an old life for a new way.   Folks that is so biblical but it is also very difficult for some to do.   May I suggest a beginning antidote here, or a step in the right direction for anyone who is struggling with surrender?  Swap a bad habit for a better one?  Exchange whatever it is that is controlling or consuming your life, for something that is life giving.  It’s not rocket science folks,  AA members who have been in the12 step program know what this is all about.  I think a 12 step program for non-alcoholics wouldn’t hurt any of us, and just might give us the opportunity to develop a new and deeper relation with family, life and with God.  Why, because the12 steps are based on the teachings within Holy Scriptures and they work because Jesus lived them.       

Regardless of our age folks, we are all still clinging to some sort of security blanket.  We need to feel anchored in our lives, something we can rely on to give us stability and security: it could be – family -  a familiar routine we follow every day - bank accounts, investments, pension programs  - good health and physical fitness  - lots of friends… but, and it is a "BIG BUT"!   “Will your anchor hold in the Storms of life”. When the clouds unfold their wings of strife? When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, Will your anchor drift or firm remain?    We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll, fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.
There are all sorts of grown-up security blankets that we hold on to for dear life, to give us a sense of stability, certainty and comfort.   We spend a lot of time, money, and energy trying to find some anchor, some foundation, for our lives. We keep trying to control our own fortunes and our own destiny.  We keep trying to play God, just as in the beginning story of our humanity, when they ate from the tree of knowledge, so they would know what God knew, to make the world work the way they though it should.  But sooner or later we discover, sometimes tragically, that the ultimate answers in life, the security and safety we long for, simply cannot be found in “things” folks,  the answer to a full life is beyond anything this world can offer you.    

In our reading this morning from Romans 8, the Apostle Paul tells us some amazing things.  This single chapter offers us more wonderful promises of God than we can hardly handle.  Paul tells us that we do not even know how to pray or what to pray for, but God in his mercy, through the power of the Holy Spirit, interprets our prayers in ways that benefit us and are for our good.  Paul tells us, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  And then he gives us one of the greatest and most comforting promises in all of Scripture:  "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus our Lord."  The question here is; do you believe that?   What a wonderful, powerful promise, full of hope and assurance. Nothing you have done, or did not do, nothing bad or good in the past, present or future blocks out Gods seeking you, wanting to reconcile the relationship that God had with you while you innocently waited in your mother’s womb. That is why Jesus so often used a child to point to the Kingdom and if you do not see yourself as a child of God you will never see the kingdom.

In our lesson this morning, Paul also says in verse 28, "We know that “all things” work together for good for those who love God, for we are called according to his purpose."  All things Paul says: the good things and the bad folks.  If Paul’s ruthless past and it was ruthless folks, didn’t keep God away from him, then be reassured neither will yours.   Our joys and our sorrows - our celebrations and disappointments, -our successes and failures -our goodness and badness.  Everything has a good purpose in the end, therefore put your trust in the teachings of Jesus Paul would say. 

As Christians, we believe that our destiny and the destiny of this world is not ultimately in our own hands, nor is it in the hands of world leaders, advanced technology, pension plans, or health foods.  No, as Christians we believe that our ultimate destiny, and therefore our ultimate security, is in the hands of God - The same God who has been faithful down through the centuries - The same God who continues to work through human history  - The same God who revealed his love and grace to us through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.   We believe in the providence of God.  We believe that God, in his divine wisdom and goodness and love, holds the future in his hands.  We believe that God's will, will ultimately be done. This is what Paul means when he says that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Often our problem is that there are many times, there are many circumstances, where we simply do not see or believe that all things work together for good. Have faith, trust in God, trust in Christ.