First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta Georgia

Sermon by Connie Lee

July 8, 2001

“At-Risk” Living

2 Ki 5:1-14, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 

The term "at-risk" is in vogue in our society today. We hear about “at-risk” behaviors such as those who participate in dangerous streetcar racing, “at-risk” youth whose environment lacks safety or stability to promote a high quality of life and even at-risk candidates for diseases such as HIV or cancer. All of these terms have negative implications for their outcomes. However, our lectionary text lessons today focus on "At-Risk” Living, which promotes simple, powerful, and peaceful outcomes. As I began to do some research for this sermon, with the numerous interruptions I encountered, the term "at-risk” sermon preparation was a thought that entered my head on more than one occasion. Nevertheless, I learned that not too many years ago citizens in the city of Decatur faced a predicament of deciding whether or not to bring MARTA into the downtown area. Some of the business owners objected because they felt MARTA would bring with it a number of undesirables that would cause their businesses to plummet. This past week my family and several of our neighboring families from the Village joined thousands of other celebrants downtown as we sprawled on the grounds, and enjoyed the sounds of the band, while awaiting the culminating spectacular fireworks event. The shops were all bustling with patrons. One restaurant in particular served would be passer-bys specific items from their menu as the aroma and sight of the food of those patrons seated outside, attracted their attention. Who could have imagined the results of such a difficult decision turning out to benefit some of the very people who were opposed to it?

In our New Testament lectionary text, Jesus and his disciples are engaged in the final stage of their journey on earth together as they know it. It is at this point where Jesus appoints 70 others and sends them ahead of him, two by two. But before their departure, he informs them that they are short staffed and more are needed in order to get the job done. Jesus does not stop there with his instructions but proceeds to tell them he is sending them out as lambs in the midst of wolves, but they are not to take a purse, they are not to take a bag, and they are not even to take an extra pair of sandals. And before concluding his instructions he also tells them not waste time with frivolous talk but get on to the place where he is sending them.

Now to us today those instructions sound a lot like “at-risk” living. We are so accustomed to creating environments that promote optimal levels of comfort that we spend countless hours searching for the right neighborhoods to live in and just the right house with the specific amenities included, and of course the right furnishings to compliment our living space in order to appease our comfort levels. But what is our response if we are in the middle of entertaining dinner guests in this same neighborhood, in the same house, with the same furnishings when suddenly the air conditioning unit goes out in 90-degree weather? More than likely we and our guests will begin to feel a sense of discomfort and “dis-ease”. Perhaps the dinner will not continue as it had previously but adjustments will be made in order to raise our comfort levels.

In our Old Testament text we encounter Naaman, a highly favored military captain, who has great wealth and reports directly to the King. But Naaman’s comfort level is challenged because he is a leper. Leprosy is a skin disease that starts out in small patches on the eyelids or palms of the hands but continues to spread until it consumes the entire body. When his wife’s maid suggests he should be with the prophet in Samaria who could heal him of his disease, Naaman wastes no time pulling strings with the King and tapping into his financial resources in hopes of finding a cure. The disease itself brings with it great social humiliation and physical suffering.

The disease of homelessness affects millions in our society today. The men who enter the Community Ministries building on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for showers are also familiar with such humiliation and suffering. Many are in recovery, struggling to get back on their feet from various addictions, and who often times are very hard-working, and trying to save enough money to simply get a place to live. There are several volunteers (and more are needed) who work in foot-care ministry provide additional care for the feet of those who walk the streets of Atlanta. This humbling experience offers an opportunity for people from very different backgrounds to come together and share their experiences in life. "At-Risk living" does not necessarily promote easy conditions to endure but yet it seems that as witnesses to God's kingdom, we may find ourselves in places where these conditions appear in our own lives. The entire notion of evangelism leaves a negative thought in many of our minds, partly because of previous experiences, but also because sharing the good news sets us up for possible rejection.

The mission focus of the 70 disciples in the text is to go into households and bring peace and blessings upon the household. Jesus warns the disciples they may not be welcomed into all households. But when two disciples enter into a particular household, they are to remain with those people and build relationships with them until the two of them leave the area. Building relationships can promote healing amid diseased conditions.

I had the privilege on yesterday of sitting down in the lovely home of a previous mayor of the city of Decatur, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson. Mrs. Wilson shared with me that she went from being “that woman in public housing” to being the mayor. She further enlightened me to the fact that, many of the people who relocated 30 years ago after loosing their land through redevelopment are currently facing similar outcomes because they are now elderly, and cannot afford to pay the taxes on their properties due to current redevelopment practices. Those who engage in “at-risk” living might not only suggest elimination of predatory lending practices, but also become advocates for lowering taxes for the elderly in order to promote retention of the homes in which they live.

Barbara Brown Taylor writes in her book "Speaking of Sin: The Lost Language of Salvation" about a Washington DC church community, "Church of the Savior" whose mission is to restore wholeness to people with broken lives. She writes:

“Each community has evolved its own mission group, and the fruits of their labors are evident in a short drive through the neighborhood. Columbia Road Health Services provides affordable health care for anyone who needs it. Christ Houses is a medical recovery residence for homeless people, and Kairos House is a permanent home for 37 chronically ill homeless men who are not going to get better, in this life at least. The Family Place offers prenatal and pediatric care as well as a whole range of services for families, and Good Shepherd Ministries provides educational and recreational programs for more than a hundred children and adolescents. Samaritan Inns helps addicted men and women rebuild their lives and Jubilee Housing rents 284 apartments in eight buildings to low-income families at less than 40% market. Jubilee Jobs is an employment agency for the poor, and Sarah’s Circle is a residential community for the elderly. …The Church of the Savior is very clear it does not do charity work. The Church of the Savior is working to break down the dividing wall between the privileged and the deprived, so that each may recognize God in the other.”

Both of our lectionary texts illustrates that with “at-risk” living, healing does not necessarily take place with a great fanfare or magic, but simply by the power of God. Naaman expected Elisha to come out to him and make a great show of calling God for a miracle. However Naaman actually received his healing after responding by faith to the word. The disciples returned from their journey and reported to Jesus that even the demons obeyed them in His name. But Jesus called them to refocus their attention not on their own actions, but rather on the fact they are citizens of the kingdom. “At-risk” living reminds us that Jesus calls us but more are needed, we are to promote healing in the world by relying on his power, and we are to be witnesses of God’s kingdom, in spite of our comfort level.

“At-Risk” Living means wherever we go and whatever we do, whether we are received or whether we are rejected, we must indeed continue to march on knowing that it is Jesus who calls us to participate in “at-risk” living. It is Jesus who heals those who respond to his word by faith; and it is also Jesus who calls us to rejoice this day in knowing that we are his disciples. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.