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Lent 2 (A) What Does it Mean to be Born Again?

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Lent 2 (A) What Does it Mean to be Born Again? March 15, 1981 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell In a recent Gallup poll 84 million people 18 years and older claimed to be born again Christians . That fact alone may explain why all three candidates for the Presidency in the last election laid claim to the experience of being ‘born again in Jesus Christ.’ The term ‘Born Again’ or ‘Born Anew’ or ‘Born from Above’ has its origin in this week’s Gospel. Nicodemus , a member of the Sanhedrin , the highest ruling body in the Jewish community, comes to Jesus by night with a question, “What must I do to experience the kingdom of God ?” (in other words), how can I personally enjoy, the mercy, love, power, and peace of God? how can I have the freedom of knowing that I am truly in God’s favor? How can I rest assured through all the changes and chances of human existence that my life has meaning, purpose, and a Godly destiny? I believe that we must assume that Nicodemus was a good man. He knew God’s law a...
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Lent 1 (A) If We are Saved by Grace…What is the Sin?

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Lent 1 (A) If We are Saved by Grace…What is the Sin? March 8, 1987 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell If we are saved by grace…then what is the sin? This was one of the questions that came out of our clergy Tuesday morning bible study. Darrold Bigger’s logic in asking the question was that what we are saved by should correspond (or have some relationship to) what got us into trouble in the first place. What is our sin if grace is the only thing that can save us? Grace is defined as: God’s free, unearned gift of love. If grace is what saves us, then not accepting God’s gift of love is our sin. When the biblical story of human creation begins, the Genesis Story , we are told that Adam and Eve were blessed with every need for their life and pleasure. They were put in charge as managers of all creation including plants and animals. Their innocence made their nakedness perfectly natural and beautiful. Then, as though their paradise was too good to be true, the serpent enters the story to sugges...
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Ash Wednesday (any year) Sanctification

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Ash Wednesday (any year) Sanctification 2012 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Lord, make us Ambassadors of blessings and joy! Our purpose as Ambassadors for Jesus Christ is the slow sanctification of the whole world beginning with ourselves. What is an ambassador? One dictionary definition that I like is this: “Any member of a particular group thought of as representing the qualities, traits, or habits of his group. (For example: A tourist abroad can be an ambassador of good will for his country.)” OR, a Christian, over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine can be an ambassador for Christ and His Church by his or her spirit of understanding, kindness, and love. The gift of sanctification begins with the belief that the suffering and death of Jesus is responsible for the forgiveness and freedom of all humankind . We are sinners ; we have all fallen short of God’s expectation to love one another as he has loved us. And what is worse, we are all stuck with a deadly dose of self-centeredness and...
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Epiphany 6 (A) Choosing Life for Others

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Epiphany 6 (A) Choosing Life for Others February 14, 1993 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Today is a day of hearts. On Valentine’s Day we present our loved ones with hearts; paper hearts, candy hearts, flowers and hearts, balloons and hearts, store bought hearts and home-made heart, big hearts, and little hearts – all are intended to serve as an outward and visible sign of our love and affection toward one another. But, for all the hearts given and received on February 14 th , only two persons will really know the true sentiment woven into the gift. The one giving the gift, and God (from whom no secrets are hid). Once back in the Diocese of Chicago, I made an appointment to see the bishop. Upon entering his office, he greeted me with these words, “What’s on your heart today?” His question, which I’m sure he used often, was an invitation for me to get right to the heart of whatever was on my mind. It’s a question that I have discovered for myself that allows one to skip all the irrelevant st...
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Epiphany 5 (A) Is There a Believer in the House?

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Epiphany 5 (A) Is There a Believer in the House? February 8, 1987 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Have you ever been at a public gathering and heard this announcement: “Is there a doctor in the house?” Usually, hearing that means that someone is experiencing some kind of physical difficulty. We all hope that someone with medical training (a doctor) will emerge out of the crowd and do the necessary and right thing! Perhaps the most important role of the doctor or paramedic is to assume leadership. I am always impressed to see how much influence someone trained and confident in their field commands the respect of any bystanders. Good directions can prevent uninformed “helpful” suggestions, that are not actually helpful. Example: While I was serving at St. Mark’s in Evanston , a lady fainted while on her knees in prayer. Her limp body ended up under three pews. In the process of trying to get help to her, one usher suggested that we slide her body up to the front of the church. And no….no, we...
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