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“A NEW NORMAL” (5/1/11)

SCRIPTURES: Acts 2: 17-28 & John 20: 19-31
KEY CONCEPTS:
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS:
In referencing the phrase “the new normal” in contemporary language & times, we discover
this phrase refers to a myriad of areas of life:
 NY Times op-ed: RE: Economics, the US budget & wise cuts & spending in our
federal budget (From: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/opinion/01brooks.html?_r=1 )
 Restructuring of economic order (From: http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/The_new_normal_2326)
 The New Normal: Great Opportunities in the Time of Great Risk. A book that
discusses the ever changing pace of our world – technology, business, safety nets &
“how things used to be done”. (From: http://www.amazon.com/New-Normal-Great-Opportunities-
Time/dp/1591840597)
 Spiritually speaking, there are even blogs that reference “the new normal: what
Christians should be” (From: http://www.treybailey.net/)
 Death/Loss: And over the past year or so, as people we all know have lost loved
ones to death & disease, we’ve often used the phrase “a new normal” to attempt to
articulate how our lives have changed forever
First, for the purpose of today’s sermon topic, I’d like for us to look at “a new normal” in the
lives of the 1st century disciples – following not only the arrest, torture & resurrection of Jesus
the Christ - & how their lives were forever changed by the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. And
how, once they adjusted to “a new normal” they chose to advance Jesus’ plan on earth as
never before.
Second, by way of personal application, I’d like for us to consider how the events & situations
in each of our lives might also be used to usher in “a new normal” in our spiritual journeys –
to enhance our lives, the lives of those we meet & the overall realm of God…to aid us in the
“LIVING INTO GOD’S PLAN” (May’s sermon theme) during this Easter season.
WILL YOU PRAY WITH ME? PRAYER:
GOSPEL READING – JOHN 20: 19-31:
Today’s reading from the Gospel of John recounts the appearance of Jesus – following
Mary’s early morning encounter at the tomb. By now, it is evening & the disciples are locked
away – in fear. Only Thomas – one of the original twelve – is missing. (Maybe he’s out
looking for the resurrected Christ…maybe he’s back near the tomb – which was where Jesus
had last been seen…Scripture is silent on “where Thomas was”)
The resurrected Jesus appears & addresses the very first need of his followers – “Peace be
with you…” – a traditional Jewish greeting – that spoke to the heart of their fear. In this “new
normal”, Jesus offered them
 “Peace”
 “the Holy Spirit”
 The ability to forgive sin
And since Thomas was not with the group on this 1st visit to introduce “this new spiritual
norm”, Jesus returned a week later to offer Thomas the opportunity to be a part of the “new
normal” of following Christ. In Jesus’ amazing way, we met each disciple – where they were
over the course of the next 40 days – at their point of need & invited each of them to join Him
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in “a new normal” of discipleship. Sure, changes came. In a few short weeks, Jesus would
no longer be physically among them as He had been. However, it would leave them a gift –
the gift of God’s Spirit – to guide, comfort & love them all. It is an offer that is still available to
each of us.
NEW TESTAMENT READING – ACTS 2: 17-28: (Online reading)
A quotation by Peter from the prophet Joel (Joel 2: 28-32) regarding “a new normal” based on
the Spirit of God blowing & inspiring a diverse group of people. The Spirit broke norms &
chose marginalized folks to deliver the message of Good News:
 Sons AND daughters – women were included
 Slaves – both male & female – both genders & those considered powerless &
subservient were entrusted with the message of the Divine
Addition words of hope of this “new normal” included:
 The torture of Jesus was within the “definite plan & foreknowledge of God” (v.23)
 In “a new normal” – in time – “one’s flesh will live in hope” (v.26)
TRANSITION:
What might a new normal – like these noted in Scripture – mean for us in the 21 st century?
I submit these thoughts for your consideration.
JESUS’ GIFTS TO MOVE US TOWARD “A NEW NORMAL” (John 20)
“Peace be with you” – How many of us here today suffer from a lack of peace? Not an
absence of war, mind you, although that would be lovely given all the wars going on in our
world…The peace that Jesus offered His early disciples was a broad & deep sense of well-
being, not because of an absence of challenges or hard times, but in the midst of the whole
of life. The peace that Jesus offered then (& now) is alive & active, liberating & dynamic. It
brings life, love & joy. It is a gift that calms us AND challenges us. This peace of Christ does
NOT exempt us from pain & suffering (or even death); however, it does enable us to face
these issues with the truth that the One we follow has already defeated them & that His Spirit
walks with us (& sometimes, even carries us) through the pain & suffering. Jesus’
appearance & offer of “peace be with you” also reminds us that He suffered (& bore the
physical marks of that suffering) – in order to offer us a “new & better way” on this earth.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit – So much had changed & since change is often hard for many of
us, Jesus knew we’d need someone to help us along our journey. The gift of God’s Spirit
was/is a major game changer! I wonder what our lives would be like if we ever completely
grasped the power that is available to us through the Spirit of the Living God? Jesus knew
we needed help to fulfill God’s plan for us – so the Spirit was gifted to us.
Radical Inclusion – The Spirit Goes Where She Goes (Acts 2)- And like it or not, the Spirit
of God is radically inclusive! Contrary to popular opinion or the desire of certain religious
groups to control (or possess) the Spirit of God, our reading from Acts, chapter 2, makes a
case – that in “this new normal” – God’s Spirit is offered to all types of people that had
formerly been excluded from the religious system.
 Women
 Slaves (both men & women)
In this “new normal”, God’s Spirit is offered to all who say, “Yes!” to being a part of God’s
plan. So, on this 2nd Sunday of Easter, I wonder how many of us will say “Yes” to God’s Spirit
in our lives – individually & collectively? Will you – say “Yes” to God?