April 8, 2025 • 27 mins
Luke 6:27-38
Some disasters are difficult to avert, but we can take away some of the destruction by practicing and learning how to recover in advance of that disaster. For a life of faith, practicing love of all (including our enemies), generosity, all the things recounted in this description of the children of God helps us navigate life when things do get tough, much like a tornado preparedness kit or chainsaw training does.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Matt Nelson (00:04):
Welcome to the Sermon podcast from First United Methodist
Church in downtown Bentonville.
If you have questions related to whatyou hear today or just want to find
out more about the ministries at FirstUnited Methodist Church, please visit us
online at FUMCbentonville.org or checkus out on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
This week's podcast begins witha clip from a short video that
(00:27):
was aired during Sunday service.
Barry and Cindy Moehring (00:31):
I will tell you I have very good people
who work here at Benton County, andthe mayors who I work with have very
good people on their teams as well.
Frankly, they train us.
Without them, I wouldn't havethe slightest idea how to
react to a disaster like this.
But they are, um, nationallytrained and accredited.
Uh, but they also do tabletop exercises.
(00:53):
They also learn from what'shappened in other areas.
Uh, they're very networked.
What was also amazing, very interestingis that when a disaster hit here,
how many emergency operations peoplewill just say we're, we're ready
to help out from around the state.
The training could be very broad indisaster management, or very specific
in our, uh, you know, for example,our road crew is entirely trained up.
(01:18):
As, as the sheriff's departmenton how to use chainsaws on trees
to clear roads in the dark whenthere could be active power lines.
I mean there's, there's that kind oftraining that's really important right
on down to, is that the tree that Iwant to take off that road right now?
Or do I need to waitfor the utility company?
So there's actually a lot of trainingthat kicks in and uh, and I would
(01:38):
say from the standpoint of thefirst 48 hours of the disaster.
I was amazed at our emergency responseacross all of the agencies in the
county, whether they're BentonCounty agencies or city agencies.
Um, one of the things that we're workingon here in Benton County is we're doing a
lot of after action meetings and reports.
In fact, we've got a grant from theWalton Family Foundation to help us with.
(02:02):
Understanding best practices in recovery.
We're going to benchmark around thecountry with that and hopefully be
better prepared on the recovery piece.
Not that first 48 hour piece, butthat 30, 60, 90 day piece afterwards.
We could certainly do a better job there.
We hadn't gone through this before.
We learned a lot, and unfortunately goingthrough it once makes you a lot better
(02:22):
prepared for going through it again, uh,if and when that should happen again.
On the personal side, I have a bag packed.
So the next time there's any timein the future, there's a tornado
warning, I'll already have, just haveto take my bag and go down to the,
the basement and uh, and be prepared.
So I am very prepared from a personalperspective going forward, the faith-based
(02:44):
organizations and their reaction, Iguess, I don't know if benevolent is
the right word, but they just acted.
It didn't matter.
I mean.
What neighborhood, who was in need,somebody's race or color, ethnicity,
their religion, uh, a lot of religiousorganizations kicked in right away.
(03:06):
And, and that's one of the thingsthat we're gonna do a better job of in
Benton County, is understanding theircapabilities beforehand because we
sure learned about their capabilitiesafter afterwards, and that's all
rooted and founded in their faith.
And that was very heartfeltto see because without that.
That was really the safety net for a lotof people is how our faith-based community
(03:29):
reacted, whether Christian, Jewish,Muslim, they all reacted, everybody
did, and it was incredible to see.
Roy and Shelly Lee (03:38):
And also, uh, volunteers, uh, it's um, just
get out and volunteer, be readyto help, uh, go to the training.
Uh, get certified because you can't, youcan't help us unless you have a badge.
You have to be certified before youcan do any volunteer work for us.
(03:59):
And it's lovely to want to help.
Yes.
But, uh, we have a sayingin the disaster field.
I. You don't want any SUVs.
That's a spontaneousunaffiliated volunteer.
Someone who shows up andsays, put me to work.
But you have to know people knowwhat they're doing and that they
can be trusted certification tobecome an early response team.
Volunteer is a one day class with abackground check, and after that, when
(04:21):
all the, all the tests are taken andif you, you've passed, then you get a
badge and you're able to go and thatbadge is good for three years and after
that, then you can get a recertification.
Some misconceptions about.
Disasters and how folks can help.
They think volunteers may think, well,I don't know how to hold a hammer.
I don't know, uh, how to use a chainsaw.
(04:43):
Well, the truth is I don't use a chainsaw.
Roy uses a chainsaw, butI can be very helpful.
I can drag the limbs that hecuts and put 'em by the sidewalk.
I can stay at home and not go anywhere anddonate to Umcor or to the Arkansas United
Methodist Church's disaster response.
I can pray.
I can pray for those who are not onlyimpacted as a survivor of a disaster,
(05:05):
but the volunteers who are gonna goout and risk their, their life and
health and safety, but also take aweek out of their lives to go and help.
There's a lot people can do anddon't let age, uh, stop you.
Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris: Good morning everyone. (05:18):
undefined
Uh, my name is Michelle Morris and I'mthe lead pastor here at First United
Methodist Church in Bentonville.
It is a joy to welcomeyou in worship today.
We are in a series in which we arelooking at what's called mitigated
disaster, and we are using our experienceof going through the tornadoes to
understand how our faith prepares us.
To handle all kinds of life's disasters.
(05:41):
We're in a part of the series wherewe're looking at specifically how
disaster recovery is understood.
Last week we did mitigation.
This week will be preparation.
Next week will be response, and thenthe week after that we'll be recovery
as we then move into Holy Week.
So we are glad to have you as partof this service to prepare ourselves
for this, uh, sermon on preparation.
(06:03):
We're gonna hear from Luke chapter six.
We're gonna hear a little bit longerthan what's noted in the bulletin.
It says 37 through 38.
Sorry.
You gotta put up with 27 through 38.
Uh, so a little bit longer stretch here.
So as we prepare our hearts to receiveChrist, let us prepare ourselves also
to hear the word, but I say to you, whoare willing to hear, love your enemies.
(06:27):
Do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who mistreat you.
If someone slaps you on the cheek,offer the other one as well.
If someone takes your coat,don't withhold your shirt either.
Give to everyone who asks and don't demandyour things back from those who take them.
(06:48):
Treat people in the same waythat you want them to treat you.
If you love those who love you,why should you be commended?
Even sinners love those who love them.
If you do good to those who do goodto you, why should you recommend it?
Even sinners do that.
If you lend to those from whom you expectrepayment, why should you be commended?
(07:10):
Even sinners lend to sinnersexpecting to be paid back in full.
Instead, love your enemies.
Do good and lend expectingnothing in return.
If you do, you will have a great reward.
You'll be acting the way childrenof the most high act for.
He is kind to ungratefuland wicked people.
(07:30):
Be compassionate, just asyour father is compassionate.
Don't judge, and you won't be judged.
Don't condemn, and you won't be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and it will be given to you.
A good portion packed down, firmly shaken,and overflowing will fall into your lap.
(07:52):
The portion you give will determinethe portion you receive in return.
This is the word of Godfor the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Let us pray.
Lord, open our hearts, our minds, andour eyes that we might see and know
the word you have for us this day.
In your holy name we pray.
(08:13):
Amen.
So I want to know, and this maybe a, may be a generational thing,
although it didn't end up being asgenerational as I thought it was
gonna be, last worship service.
But how many of you know what Imean if I say stop, drop, and roll.
Okay.
A, a good number, a good number of folks.
Got that.
Okay.
So, um, of course, stop, dropand roll is what you do if
(08:35):
you happen to catch on fire.
Right?
If you catch on fire, you are supposedto stop, drop to the ground and roll
around in hopes that you'll put outthe fire and, and if you're lucky,
someone around you has a blanket thatmaybe they can throw on top of it and
help put out the fire right as well.
I was a brownie scout scouts.
You know, were supposed to be prepared.
I never made it to Girl Scout,but I was a brownie scout.
(08:57):
And when I was a brownie scout, my momwas the Brownie scout leader and at
the end of every meeting that we had,we practiced stop, drop, and roll.
Yes, I do think it was my mom's attemptat just killing time while she was waiting
for the parents to pick the kids up.
But we loved it.
Right.
Stop dropping.
Roll is great and I feel like.
(09:17):
I would be really ready if I or oneof my friends burst into flames.
I was good to go.
And you know, back in those days,children's pajamas were still flammable.
So it was maybe a possibilitythat that would happen.
So it was good that Iwas prepared for that.
That's a drill, right?
Drills matter.
Drills matter because practice matters.
(09:41):
We have this expression that practicemakes perfect, but I think that puts
a lot of pressure on practice, right?
I think it would be more helpful ifwe said, practice makes predictable
or practice makes prepared.
It makes us ready, right?
It takes what would require consciouseffort and turns it into something
(10:05):
that you're unconsciously competent at.
You don't even have to think about itanymore, and the result of such practice
is a reduction in your own anxiety.
If there's an emergency and you'reready for it, you're not as anxious
about it, and it grows your confidencethat you'll be able to respond and
use whatever it is that you havepracticed at a moment's notice.
(10:26):
The other thing that it does isonce you get something really down,
then you have a chance to sort ofstep back and you can innovate.
You can make the changes thatneed to grow and happen once
you've gotten the basic part down.
And then in faith, it deepens ourconnection to God and to each other.
(10:47):
There's a reason that we doritual as people of faith.
It is so that those things sink into us.
I can recite the communion liturgy now.
For the most part, I still havethe book just in case, right?
It's become part of who I am.
You all can do the Lord'sPrayer, the Apostles Creed.
(11:10):
These are things that you know,they're, they're in your heart.
They have shaped you and mold youbecause you have practiced them so often.
What is needed to practice?
We need two things.
Primarily, we need instruction.
And we need an example.
(11:32):
Instruction is being taught thething you are trying to learn, the
thing you are trying to practice.
Someone has to teach you that, andthat teaching has to build from
an already existing framework.
For instance, let's say I just learnedto add if a teacher then sat down next
(11:53):
to me and tried to teach me calculus.
We're not gonna get very far, right?
But a teacher can sit down,oh, you've learned to add.
Now let me show you how to subtract.
Okay?
You've learned to add and subtract.
Now we can talk about multiplicationand division, and eventually
we'll get to calculus, right?
That's what is meant by youcan't jump from here to here.
(12:18):
You have to walk all the way through,start from a place of understanding
and move forward from there.
We also as humans do reallywell in having an example.
We need to see how it's done.
We need a concrete expressionthat models for us.
The thing that we're trying tolearn, my Linton discipline this
(12:42):
year, is to watch one littleepisode of a masterclass every day.
So I'm gradually making my waythrough different masterclasses,
and right now I'm in the middle ofSteve Martin's Masterclass on comedy.
Oh, see, everybody laughed.
It's working.
Okay.
(13:02):
So one of the great things aboutthe masterclass is that he will talk
about comedy and what's involved init, and then he will show you part
of his act so you can see how he'sapplied, what he's trying to teach.
By that same token, when you train asa volunteer in mission or as an umcor
volunteer, you will spend some timebeing instructed, but then if you're
(13:26):
training to, to run a chainsaw, they'regonna take you out and, and show you
with a chainsaw, and then they'regonna hand you a chainsaw, right?
Because you need to see itdemonstrated in order to then
be able to practice it yourself.
This is how Jesus prepares us to follow.
(13:47):
Jesus gives us instruction and Jesusstarts with what He knows we already know.
And interestingly through much ofthis passage that I just read for
you, he's gonna start with theopposite of what he wants us to do.
'cause he knows we know the oppositeand he's gonna use that understanding.
(14:08):
To move us to the practicehe wants us to have.
Jesus knows, we know judgmentbecause either we have been judged
or we have judged, so he knows.
We know what judgment is like.
He encourages us not to judge.
(14:28):
The opposite of judging is tounderstand or to empathize.
He knows we know condemnation.
Again, either because we havefelt condemned or because
we've condemned others.
So he says, don't condemn.
Instead do the otherthing, which is to forgive.
(14:52):
Jesus knows we know what it'slike to have things taken from us.
Humanity is really good at takingfrom each other, aren't we?
And he says, don't be the ones who take.
Be the ones who give.
Now, I do wanna stop right here andespecially address the forgiveness
and give pieces because so much ofthose relate to this idea that where
(15:16):
Jesus says if they take your cloak,give them their shirt also, and if
they slap your face, turn your faceand be slapped on the other side.
And so often those verses have been usedto justify abuse and that is actually
exactly what Jesus is talking against.
Don't be that people.
Don't abuse and takeadvantage of each other.
(15:38):
Instead be the people that forgiveand give and build a different world,
but you don't have to stay in placeswhere that abuse is perpetuated.
He is just using that as anexample to show you what you should
not do and who you should be.
And then the last one he knows,you know how to love your friends.
(16:02):
We know how to love our friends.
Now, love your enemies.
Now, he has given us this instruction,but Jesus will not leave it there.
Jesus will show us how to livethese out, and I'm gonna give just
one example from each of those.
When it comes to empathy, I alwaysremember the story of the rich young
(16:23):
ruler, and in particular the storyas it's told in the gospel of Mark.
So the rich young ruler hascome forward and said, what must
I do to inherit eternal life?
And he basically says, you know,do the commandments, the rich
young ruler's, like, I've done allthose great, I'm in good shape.
And in the gospel market says,Jesus looked at him and loved
(16:44):
him and said, you lack one thing.
Give all your possessionsaway and come follow me,
and the man walks away grievedbecause he had so many possessions.
When Jesus looked at him and lovedhim, he knew how hard of a thing he was
(17:08):
being asked to do, and just followingthose words, Jesus says, it's harder.
For a rich man to get into heaven than acamel to get through the eye of a needle.
And we a lot of times readthat as a condemnation.
But what if it's a statement of empathy?
(17:29):
What if it's Jesus recognizing howhard it is to face the temptation
of wealth and turn away from that?
What if Jesus knows how hardthat is and stands in empathy
with that man in that moment?
That's more true to theChrist that I follow.
(17:50):
And then let me think about forgiveness.
I think of the woman caught in adultery.
Nevermind the man.
We don't know what happened to him,but we've got the woman, right?
The woman caught in adulterythat bring her forward.
They put her before Jesus,and they all have stones.
They're ready to stone her.
That's what the law says.
We should stone this woman.
What?
Say you, Jesus.
(18:10):
And Jesus is drawing in the sandand everybody's always wondered
what he wrote in the sand.
And there's all kind ofconjecture around that.
I like to think he was just doodling.
'cause he's like waiting forwe're we're gonna get there.
And he says, let he who has no sin castthe first stone and one by one they
(18:33):
each drop their stones and leave sothat it is just him and the woman left.
And he says to her, hasno one condemned you?
And she says, no, sir. And he says,neither do I. He showed us not
to be the people of condemnation,to be the people of forgiveness
(18:58):
when it comes to giving his life.
He's the son of God andhe could have responded.
To the crushing blows of theJewish authorities and the Roman
Empire in any number of ways.
And he chose to answer that violence andthat anger with giving his life, laying
it down, not responding with violence,and instead showing us a better way,
(19:26):
offering us that salvation through thatpeace and coming out on the other side.
That is true generosity to give to us all.
And when it comes to loving hisenemies, while he was hanging on that
very cross where he would give overhis life as he was being chided and
(19:49):
taunted, he says, father, forgive them.
They don't know what they're doing.
He doesn't just tell us what to do.
He shows us.
How to do it.
He invites us to see in hima model that will allow us to
(20:11):
practice a better way of living.
But practice takes preparation.
Practice takes some drills.
So we're gonna talk aboutsome drills in here.
Some of these are very practical drills.
That we're gonna talk about.
Did you know that in the Bookof Discipline, it suggests that
(20:34):
every year we should do basicsafety drills in the church?
Anybody ever done one?
Ah, see.
So we're gonna at least talk throughsome things and then I'm gonna give you
some instruction on how to practice.
Okay.
So we're gonna talk throughthree major practical drills.
So if there was a fire,which let's be honest, this
(20:55):
building is burned down twice.
So you know, we're very carefulabout our candles around here.
So if there is a fire getout, exit right out there.
There's an exit to the sidehere through the pantry.
There's an exit right behind herethrough the pantry, and then of course
there's exits down the hallways as well.
All right?
So get to your quickest exit, get outthe building, that is your main thing.
(21:20):
What you probably haven't thoughtto do, and I will be one of your
assignments as you leave here today.
If you are a family unit, figure out whereyou're gonna meet, where are you going to
reunite once you get out of the building?
Okay.
So when you get outta this building,figure out where you're reuniting.
(21:41):
All right.
If there's a tornado, again, not thatthat hasn't ever happened here either
down this hallway, past the offices, intothat t, right by the kitchen before you
go to Hines Hall, outside the kitchenand the hallway just out from there.
That's our officialtornado shelter location.
(22:03):
Okay?
We also on Sunday mornings now leave theoffice suites open because the office
suites would also suffice as a place whereyou could take cover, especially, 'cause
there's a lot of us, so it might getkind of crowded in that little T there.
So you can go in the offices as well.
So you gotta figure out whereyou're gonna be in after a fire.
I'll invite you at some point to walkdown the hallway, figure out where
(22:24):
you would take shelter in a tornado.
All right, now the drill thatour children are used to.
That many of us are not, butwe need to talk about it, which
is if there's a shooter, right?
Okay.
Best knowledge for how to respond if incase of a shooter on property get out.
If you can get out of the building, do so.
(22:47):
However you need to do so go outwith your hands up in case the
authorities are coming in so theyknow that you are not a threat.
Okay, so go outta the building.
Hands up as quickly as you can.
If you can't get outta the buildingbarricade into a room, that's your
next best defense is to barricade.
This is not a great room to barricade in.
(23:07):
I'll just be honest.
We're doing much better to get out.
Okay?
But if you can't, if, if there's a waywe can figure out a barricade, we can.
All right.
If you can't get out and you can'tbarricade, your best bet is to fight back.
Now, this is a great room for that.
You all have hymnals.
Throw them at the person.
It really, it, it, itcauses a distraction.
(23:30):
It makes, um, making any kind ofaccuracy, uh, very, very, very difficult.
So throw and run.
Okay.
As fast as you can.
I will also tell you that thereare security measures in place
that you don't know about.
And I will not talk about, becausethis is being broadcast and, and the
trustees and other people in the,in the church do know what some of
(23:52):
those safety measures are in place.
But we won't share those becausepart of the value of them is that
people don't know what to expect.
But just understand thatwe have taken measures.
Alright, that's some basic drills.
Drills that we're used to doing.
Now let's talk about discipleship drills.
(24:13):
So over the next week, expectthere to be some drill warnings.
If you're signed up for the text,you'll probably get at least one
during the week at some point.
That will tell you a discipleshipdrill has been called.
If you're avoiding social media rightnow, God bless you, continue in that way.
But if you are on social mediaand you happen to see something
pop up from the church, it may saydiscipleship drill has been called.
(24:36):
All right?
And there may be a coupleother surprise locations where
discipleship drills will be called.
If you get a notification, if you seea discipleship drill has been called,
it is your responsibility to as soonas possible, find a way to express
empathy or work on forgiveness or give,show some sign of generosity to someone
(25:01):
or find a way to love your enemies.
That's what you're called to do.
That will be your drill.
These are the things that we haveto practice as the people call
ourselves followers of Jesus Christ.
So watch for those drills tohappen throughout this week because
(25:22):
really what we're trying to do isget ready, right to be prepared.
And I'll say this, in all my years, it'sbeen 40, more than 40 years that I have
known how to do stop, drop, and roll.
No one has ever burst into flames aroundme, except maybe with the Holy Spirit,
but that's a whole different deal.
But I feel like I'd be readybecause it was so ingrained.
(25:44):
That's what we're working to do.
So as you leave this place today,look for your meeting place.
Figure out where you're takingshelter, and then prepare your heart.
Prepare your heart to bethe people who understand.
Who forgive, who give, andwho love their enemies.
(26:10):
Because that's what it means tobe ready to follow Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Matt Nelson (26:17):
Thanks for listening to the Sermon podcast from First United
Methodist Church in downtown Bentonville.
If you would like to let us know you werehere, follow the link below to connect.
To participate in worship through giving,
you can give online at FUMCbentonville.orgor on Venmo @FUMCBentonville.
FUMC Bentonville welcomes all.
(26:38):
Because we believe the communiontable is God's table, we invite
everyone into our church family.
We welcome and celebrate every race,gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, physicaland mental ability, national origin,
economic station, and political ideology.
We come together in action and outreach,aspiring to follow Jesus' example of
(27:01):
radical hospitality, love, and grace as atransformative movement in our community.
Please join us for worship on Sundaymornings at nine and 11:00 AM, both
in person and on Facebook Live.
All are welcome and we'dlove to have you with us.
Grace and peace.
Welcome to the Sermon podcast from First United Methodist
Church in downtown Bentonville.
If you have questions related to whatyou hear today or just want to find
out more about the ministries at FirstUnited Methodist Church, please visit us
online at FUMCbentonville.org or checkus out on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
This week's podcast begins witha clip from a short video that
(00:27):
was aired during Sunday service.
Barry and Cindy Moehring (00:31):
I will tell you I have very good people
who work here at Benton County, andthe mayors who I work with have very
good people on their teams as well.
Frankly, they train us.
Without them, I wouldn't havethe slightest idea how to
react to a disaster like this.
But they are, um, nationallytrained and accredited.
Uh, but they also do tabletop exercises.
(00:53):
They also learn from what'shappened in other areas.
Uh, they're very networked.
What was also amazing, very interestingis that when a disaster hit here,
how many emergency operations peoplewill just say we're, we're ready
to help out from around the state.
The training could be very broad indisaster management, or very specific
in our, uh, you know, for example,our road crew is entirely trained up.
(01:18):
As, as the sheriff's departmenton how to use chainsaws on trees
to clear roads in the dark whenthere could be active power lines.
I mean there's, there's that kind oftraining that's really important right
on down to, is that the tree that Iwant to take off that road right now?
Or do I need to waitfor the utility company?
So there's actually a lot of trainingthat kicks in and uh, and I would
(01:38):
say from the standpoint of thefirst 48 hours of the disaster.
I was amazed at our emergency responseacross all of the agencies in the
county, whether they're BentonCounty agencies or city agencies.
Um, one of the things that we're workingon here in Benton County is we're doing a
lot of after action meetings and reports.
In fact, we've got a grant from theWalton Family Foundation to help us with.
(02:02):
Understanding best practices in recovery.
We're going to benchmark around thecountry with that and hopefully be
better prepared on the recovery piece.
Not that first 48 hour piece, butthat 30, 60, 90 day piece afterwards.
We could certainly do a better job there.
We hadn't gone through this before.
We learned a lot, and unfortunately goingthrough it once makes you a lot better
(02:22):
prepared for going through it again, uh,if and when that should happen again.
On the personal side, I have a bag packed.
So the next time there's any timein the future, there's a tornado
warning, I'll already have, just haveto take my bag and go down to the,
the basement and uh, and be prepared.
So I am very prepared from a personalperspective going forward, the faith-based
(02:44):
organizations and their reaction, Iguess, I don't know if benevolent is
the right word, but they just acted.
It didn't matter.
I mean.
What neighborhood, who was in need,somebody's race or color, ethnicity,
their religion, uh, a lot of religiousorganizations kicked in right away.
(03:06):
And, and that's one of the thingsthat we're gonna do a better job of in
Benton County, is understanding theircapabilities beforehand because we
sure learned about their capabilitiesafter afterwards, and that's all
rooted and founded in their faith.
And that was very heartfeltto see because without that.
That was really the safety net for a lotof people is how our faith-based community
(03:29):
reacted, whether Christian, Jewish,Muslim, they all reacted, everybody
did, and it was incredible to see.
Roy and Shelly Lee (03:38):
And also, uh, volunteers, uh, it's um, just
get out and volunteer, be readyto help, uh, go to the training.
Uh, get certified because you can't, youcan't help us unless you have a badge.
You have to be certified before youcan do any volunteer work for us.
(03:59):
And it's lovely to want to help.
Yes.
But, uh, we have a sayingin the disaster field.
I. You don't want any SUVs.
That's a spontaneousunaffiliated volunteer.
Someone who shows up andsays, put me to work.
But you have to know people knowwhat they're doing and that they
can be trusted certification tobecome an early response team.
Volunteer is a one day class with abackground check, and after that, when
(04:21):
all the, all the tests are taken andif you, you've passed, then you get a
badge and you're able to go and thatbadge is good for three years and after
that, then you can get a recertification.
Some misconceptions about.
Disasters and how folks can help.
They think volunteers may think, well,I don't know how to hold a hammer.
I don't know, uh, how to use a chainsaw.
(04:43):
Well, the truth is I don't use a chainsaw.
Roy uses a chainsaw, butI can be very helpful.
I can drag the limbs that hecuts and put 'em by the sidewalk.
I can stay at home and not go anywhere anddonate to Umcor or to the Arkansas United
Methodist Church's disaster response.
I can pray.
I can pray for those who are not onlyimpacted as a survivor of a disaster,
(05:05):
but the volunteers who are gonna goout and risk their, their life and
health and safety, but also take aweek out of their lives to go and help.
There's a lot people can do anddon't let age, uh, stop you.
Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris: Good morning everyone. (05:18):
undefined
Uh, my name is Michelle Morris and I'mthe lead pastor here at First United
Methodist Church in Bentonville.
It is a joy to welcomeyou in worship today.
We are in a series in which we arelooking at what's called mitigated
disaster, and we are using our experienceof going through the tornadoes to
understand how our faith prepares us.
To handle all kinds of life's disasters.
(05:41):
We're in a part of the series wherewe're looking at specifically how
disaster recovery is understood.
Last week we did mitigation.
This week will be preparation.
Next week will be response, and thenthe week after that we'll be recovery
as we then move into Holy Week.
So we are glad to have you as partof this service to prepare ourselves
for this, uh, sermon on preparation.
(06:03):
We're gonna hear from Luke chapter six.
We're gonna hear a little bit longerthan what's noted in the bulletin.
It says 37 through 38.
Sorry.
You gotta put up with 27 through 38.
Uh, so a little bit longer stretch here.
So as we prepare our hearts to receiveChrist, let us prepare ourselves also
to hear the word, but I say to you, whoare willing to hear, love your enemies.
(06:27):
Do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who mistreat you.
If someone slaps you on the cheek,offer the other one as well.
If someone takes your coat,don't withhold your shirt either.
Give to everyone who asks and don't demandyour things back from those who take them.
(06:48):
Treat people in the same waythat you want them to treat you.
If you love those who love you,why should you be commended?
Even sinners love those who love them.
If you do good to those who do goodto you, why should you recommend it?
Even sinners do that.
If you lend to those from whom you expectrepayment, why should you be commended?
(07:10):
Even sinners lend to sinnersexpecting to be paid back in full.
Instead, love your enemies.
Do good and lend expectingnothing in return.
If you do, you will have a great reward.
You'll be acting the way childrenof the most high act for.
He is kind to ungratefuland wicked people.
(07:30):
Be compassionate, just asyour father is compassionate.
Don't judge, and you won't be judged.
Don't condemn, and you won't be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and it will be given to you.
A good portion packed down, firmly shaken,and overflowing will fall into your lap.
(07:52):
The portion you give will determinethe portion you receive in return.
This is the word of Godfor the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Let us pray.
Lord, open our hearts, our minds, andour eyes that we might see and know
the word you have for us this day.
In your holy name we pray.
(08:13):
Amen.
So I want to know, and this maybe a, may be a generational thing,
although it didn't end up being asgenerational as I thought it was
gonna be, last worship service.
But how many of you know what Imean if I say stop, drop, and roll.
Okay.
A, a good number, a good number of folks.
Got that.
Okay.
So, um, of course, stop, dropand roll is what you do if
(08:35):
you happen to catch on fire.
Right?
If you catch on fire, you are supposedto stop, drop to the ground and roll
around in hopes that you'll put outthe fire and, and if you're lucky,
someone around you has a blanket thatmaybe they can throw on top of it and
help put out the fire right as well.
I was a brownie scout scouts.
You know, were supposed to be prepared.
I never made it to Girl Scout,but I was a brownie scout.
(08:57):
And when I was a brownie scout, my momwas the Brownie scout leader and at
the end of every meeting that we had,we practiced stop, drop, and roll.
Yes, I do think it was my mom's attemptat just killing time while she was waiting
for the parents to pick the kids up.
But we loved it.
Right.
Stop dropping.
Roll is great and I feel like.
(09:17):
I would be really ready if I or oneof my friends burst into flames.
I was good to go.
And you know, back in those days,children's pajamas were still flammable.
So it was maybe a possibilitythat that would happen.
So it was good that Iwas prepared for that.
That's a drill, right?
Drills matter.
Drills matter because practice matters.
(09:41):
We have this expression that practicemakes perfect, but I think that puts
a lot of pressure on practice, right?
I think it would be more helpful ifwe said, practice makes predictable
or practice makes prepared.
It makes us ready, right?
It takes what would require consciouseffort and turns it into something
(10:05):
that you're unconsciously competent at.
You don't even have to think about itanymore, and the result of such practice
is a reduction in your own anxiety.
If there's an emergency and you'reready for it, you're not as anxious
about it, and it grows your confidencethat you'll be able to respond and
use whatever it is that you havepracticed at a moment's notice.
(10:26):
The other thing that it does isonce you get something really down,
then you have a chance to sort ofstep back and you can innovate.
You can make the changes thatneed to grow and happen once
you've gotten the basic part down.
And then in faith, it deepens ourconnection to God and to each other.
(10:47):
There's a reason that we doritual as people of faith.
It is so that those things sink into us.
I can recite the communion liturgy now.
For the most part, I still havethe book just in case, right?
It's become part of who I am.
You all can do the Lord'sPrayer, the Apostles Creed.
(11:10):
These are things that you know,they're, they're in your heart.
They have shaped you and mold youbecause you have practiced them so often.
What is needed to practice?
We need two things.
Primarily, we need instruction.
And we need an example.
(11:32):
Instruction is being taught thething you are trying to learn, the
thing you are trying to practice.
Someone has to teach you that, andthat teaching has to build from
an already existing framework.
For instance, let's say I just learnedto add if a teacher then sat down next
(11:53):
to me and tried to teach me calculus.
We're not gonna get very far, right?
But a teacher can sit down,oh, you've learned to add.
Now let me show you how to subtract.
Okay?
You've learned to add and subtract.
Now we can talk about multiplicationand division, and eventually
we'll get to calculus, right?
That's what is meant by youcan't jump from here to here.
(12:18):
You have to walk all the way through,start from a place of understanding
and move forward from there.
We also as humans do reallywell in having an example.
We need to see how it's done.
We need a concrete expressionthat models for us.
The thing that we're trying tolearn, my Linton discipline this
(12:42):
year, is to watch one littleepisode of a masterclass every day.
So I'm gradually making my waythrough different masterclasses,
and right now I'm in the middle ofSteve Martin's Masterclass on comedy.
Oh, see, everybody laughed.
It's working.
Okay.
(13:02):
So one of the great things aboutthe masterclass is that he will talk
about comedy and what's involved init, and then he will show you part
of his act so you can see how he'sapplied, what he's trying to teach.
By that same token, when you train asa volunteer in mission or as an umcor
volunteer, you will spend some timebeing instructed, but then if you're
(13:26):
training to, to run a chainsaw, they'regonna take you out and, and show you
with a chainsaw, and then they'regonna hand you a chainsaw, right?
Because you need to see itdemonstrated in order to then
be able to practice it yourself.
This is how Jesus prepares us to follow.
(13:47):
Jesus gives us instruction and Jesusstarts with what He knows we already know.
And interestingly through much ofthis passage that I just read for
you, he's gonna start with theopposite of what he wants us to do.
'cause he knows we know the oppositeand he's gonna use that understanding.
(14:08):
To move us to the practicehe wants us to have.
Jesus knows, we know judgmentbecause either we have been judged
or we have judged, so he knows.
We know what judgment is like.
He encourages us not to judge.
(14:28):
The opposite of judging is tounderstand or to empathize.
He knows we know condemnation.
Again, either because we havefelt condemned or because
we've condemned others.
So he says, don't condemn.
Instead do the otherthing, which is to forgive.
(14:52):
Jesus knows we know what it'slike to have things taken from us.
Humanity is really good at takingfrom each other, aren't we?
And he says, don't be the ones who take.
Be the ones who give.
Now, I do wanna stop right here andespecially address the forgiveness
and give pieces because so much ofthose relate to this idea that where
(15:16):
Jesus says if they take your cloak,give them their shirt also, and if
they slap your face, turn your faceand be slapped on the other side.
And so often those verses have been usedto justify abuse and that is actually
exactly what Jesus is talking against.
Don't be that people.
Don't abuse and takeadvantage of each other.
(15:38):
Instead be the people that forgiveand give and build a different world,
but you don't have to stay in placeswhere that abuse is perpetuated.
He is just using that as anexample to show you what you should
not do and who you should be.
And then the last one he knows,you know how to love your friends.
(16:02):
We know how to love our friends.
Now, love your enemies.
Now, he has given us this instruction,but Jesus will not leave it there.
Jesus will show us how to livethese out, and I'm gonna give just
one example from each of those.
When it comes to empathy, I alwaysremember the story of the rich young
(16:23):
ruler, and in particular the storyas it's told in the gospel of Mark.
So the rich young ruler hascome forward and said, what must
I do to inherit eternal life?
And he basically says, you know,do the commandments, the rich
young ruler's, like, I've done allthose great, I'm in good shape.
And in the gospel market says,Jesus looked at him and loved
(16:44):
him and said, you lack one thing.
Give all your possessionsaway and come follow me,
and the man walks away grievedbecause he had so many possessions.
When Jesus looked at him and lovedhim, he knew how hard of a thing he was
(17:08):
being asked to do, and just followingthose words, Jesus says, it's harder.
For a rich man to get into heaven than acamel to get through the eye of a needle.
And we a lot of times readthat as a condemnation.
But what if it's a statement of empathy?
(17:29):
What if it's Jesus recognizing howhard it is to face the temptation
of wealth and turn away from that?
What if Jesus knows how hardthat is and stands in empathy
with that man in that moment?
That's more true to theChrist that I follow.
(17:50):
And then let me think about forgiveness.
I think of the woman caught in adultery.
Nevermind the man.
We don't know what happened to him,but we've got the woman, right?
The woman caught in adulterythat bring her forward.
They put her before Jesus,and they all have stones.
They're ready to stone her.
That's what the law says.
We should stone this woman.
What?
Say you, Jesus.
(18:10):
And Jesus is drawing in the sandand everybody's always wondered
what he wrote in the sand.
And there's all kind ofconjecture around that.
I like to think he was just doodling.
'cause he's like waiting forwe're we're gonna get there.
And he says, let he who has no sin castthe first stone and one by one they
(18:33):
each drop their stones and leave sothat it is just him and the woman left.
And he says to her, hasno one condemned you?
And she says, no, sir. And he says,neither do I. He showed us not
to be the people of condemnation,to be the people of forgiveness
(18:58):
when it comes to giving his life.
He's the son of God andhe could have responded.
To the crushing blows of theJewish authorities and the Roman
Empire in any number of ways.
And he chose to answer that violence andthat anger with giving his life, laying
it down, not responding with violence,and instead showing us a better way,
(19:26):
offering us that salvation through thatpeace and coming out on the other side.
That is true generosity to give to us all.
And when it comes to loving hisenemies, while he was hanging on that
very cross where he would give overhis life as he was being chided and
(19:49):
taunted, he says, father, forgive them.
They don't know what they're doing.
He doesn't just tell us what to do.
He shows us.
How to do it.
He invites us to see in hima model that will allow us to
(20:11):
practice a better way of living.
But practice takes preparation.
Practice takes some drills.
So we're gonna talk aboutsome drills in here.
Some of these are very practical drills.
That we're gonna talk about.
Did you know that in the Bookof Discipline, it suggests that
(20:34):
every year we should do basicsafety drills in the church?
Anybody ever done one?
Ah, see.
So we're gonna at least talk throughsome things and then I'm gonna give you
some instruction on how to practice.
Okay.
So we're gonna talk throughthree major practical drills.
So if there was a fire,which let's be honest, this
(20:55):
building is burned down twice.
So you know, we're very carefulabout our candles around here.
So if there is a fire getout, exit right out there.
There's an exit to the sidehere through the pantry.
There's an exit right behind herethrough the pantry, and then of course
there's exits down the hallways as well.
All right?
So get to your quickest exit, get outthe building, that is your main thing.
(21:20):
What you probably haven't thoughtto do, and I will be one of your
assignments as you leave here today.
If you are a family unit, figure out whereyou're gonna meet, where are you going to
reunite once you get out of the building?
Okay.
So when you get outta this building,figure out where you're reuniting.
(21:41):
All right.
If there's a tornado, again, not thatthat hasn't ever happened here either
down this hallway, past the offices, intothat t, right by the kitchen before you
go to Hines Hall, outside the kitchenand the hallway just out from there.
That's our officialtornado shelter location.
(22:03):
Okay?
We also on Sunday mornings now leave theoffice suites open because the office
suites would also suffice as a place whereyou could take cover, especially, 'cause
there's a lot of us, so it might getkind of crowded in that little T there.
So you can go in the offices as well.
So you gotta figure out whereyou're gonna be in after a fire.
I'll invite you at some point to walkdown the hallway, figure out where
(22:24):
you would take shelter in a tornado.
All right, now the drill thatour children are used to.
That many of us are not, butwe need to talk about it, which
is if there's a shooter, right?
Okay.
Best knowledge for how to respond if incase of a shooter on property get out.
If you can get out of the building, do so.
(22:47):
However you need to do so go outwith your hands up in case the
authorities are coming in so theyknow that you are not a threat.
Okay, so go outta the building.
Hands up as quickly as you can.
If you can't get outta the buildingbarricade into a room, that's your
next best defense is to barricade.
This is not a great room to barricade in.
(23:07):
I'll just be honest.
We're doing much better to get out.
Okay?
But if you can't, if, if there's a waywe can figure out a barricade, we can.
All right.
If you can't get out and you can'tbarricade, your best bet is to fight back.
Now, this is a great room for that.
You all have hymnals.
Throw them at the person.
It really, it, it, itcauses a distraction.
(23:30):
It makes, um, making any kind ofaccuracy, uh, very, very, very difficult.
So throw and run.
Okay.
As fast as you can.
I will also tell you that thereare security measures in place
that you don't know about.
And I will not talk about, becausethis is being broadcast and, and the
trustees and other people in the,in the church do know what some of
(23:52):
those safety measures are in place.
But we won't share those becausepart of the value of them is that
people don't know what to expect.
But just understand thatwe have taken measures.
Alright, that's some basic drills.
Drills that we're used to doing.
Now let's talk about discipleship drills.
(24:13):
So over the next week, expectthere to be some drill warnings.
If you're signed up for the text,you'll probably get at least one
during the week at some point.
That will tell you a discipleshipdrill has been called.
If you're avoiding social media rightnow, God bless you, continue in that way.
But if you are on social mediaand you happen to see something
pop up from the church, it may saydiscipleship drill has been called.
(24:36):
All right?
And there may be a coupleother surprise locations where
discipleship drills will be called.
If you get a notification, if you seea discipleship drill has been called,
it is your responsibility to as soonas possible, find a way to express
empathy or work on forgiveness or give,show some sign of generosity to someone
(25:01):
or find a way to love your enemies.
That's what you're called to do.
That will be your drill.
These are the things that we haveto practice as the people call
ourselves followers of Jesus Christ.
So watch for those drills tohappen throughout this week because
(25:22):
really what we're trying to do isget ready, right to be prepared.
And I'll say this, in all my years, it'sbeen 40, more than 40 years that I have
known how to do stop, drop, and roll.
No one has ever burst into flames aroundme, except maybe with the Holy Spirit,
but that's a whole different deal.
But I feel like I'd be readybecause it was so ingrained.
(25:44):
That's what we're working to do.
So as you leave this place today,look for your meeting place.
Figure out where you're takingshelter, and then prepare your heart.
Prepare your heart to bethe people who understand.
Who forgive, who give, andwho love their enemies.
(26:10):
Because that's what it means tobe ready to follow Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Matt Nelson (26:17):
Thanks for listening to the Sermon podcast from First United
Methodist Church in downtown Bentonville.
If you would like to let us know you werehere, follow the link below to connect.
To participate in worship through giving,
you can give online at FUMCbentonville.orgor on Venmo @FUMCBentonville.
FUMC Bentonville welcomes all.
(26:38):
Because we believe the communiontable is God's table, we invite
everyone into our church family.
We welcome and celebrate every race,gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, physicaland mental ability, national origin,
economic station, and political ideology.
We come together in action and outreach,aspiring to follow Jesus' example of
(27:01):
radical hospitality, love, and grace as atransformative movement in our community.
Please join us for worship on Sundaymornings at nine and 11:00 AM, both
in person and on Facebook Live.
All are welcome and we'dlove to have you with us.
Grace and peace.
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