Sermon for September 11th, 2022

Luke 18:9-14

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Music & Message: The Gospel According to Johnny Cash, Part I

Wayfaring Stranger

I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world below
There's no sickness, no toil or danger
In that bright land to which I go
I'm going there to see my father
And all my loved ones, who've gone on
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is hard and steep
Yet beauteous fields arise before me
Where God's redeemed their vigils keep
I'm going there to see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
So i'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home

For anyone older than the age of maybe ten, Johnny Cash and his music need no introduction. And yet, he used to introduce himself at every performance, saying in his characteristic humble style, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" -- as if he wasn't the recipient of 18 grammy awards, seven inductions to various halls of fame, including being one of only two individuals inducted to both the rock n roll and country music halls of fame (the other was Elvis Presley). Johnny Cash had hit songs and albums in every single decade from the 1950s to the early years of the 21st century. When he died, this is what Rolling Stone Magazine had to say about him:

"If there were a hall of fame for creating a larger-than-life persona, Cash would no doubt have been elected to it as well. His 1971 song "Man in Black" codified an image that the singer had assumed naturally for more than fifteen years at that point. Part rural preacher, part outlaw Robin Hood, he was a blue-collar prophet who, dressed in stark contrast to the glinting rhinestones and shimmering psychedelia of the time, spoke truth to power."

But despite all this, from the very beginning of his musical career, to the very end, what Johnny Cash really wanted to be most was not a rock n roll icon, not a country music star. All he ever wanted to be, in his own words, was a gospel singer. There was something about the gospel message, the scriptures and the music that conveyed it that moved him deeply, and he kept coming back to those songs throughout his life. He was unashamed of his Christian faith, even when he didn't always live up to it. The song you just heard, "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" is an old gospel song that actually shows up in a lot of hymnals--but Johnny Cash made it popular far beyond the church walls. The song functions like a metaphor for his own life and faith journey--and ours, too.

The next song Patrick is going to play for us is a prayer, called "Help Me." It was written by Larry Gatlin (of the Gatlin Brothers) but Johnny Cash made it his own, and recorded it multiple times, including once near the end of his life. It's a prayer for help, but also a prayer of confession.

Help Me

Oh, Lord, help me to walk
Another mile, just one more mile
I'm tired of walkin' all alone
And Lord, help me to smile
Another smile, just one more smile
Don't think I can do things on my own
I never thought I needed help before
I thought that I could get by, by myself
But now I know I just can't take it anymore
And with a humble heart, on bended knee
I'm beggin' You, please, for help
Oh, come down from Your golden throne
To me, to lowly me
I need to feel the touch of Your tender hand
Release these chains of darkness
Let me see, Lord, let me see
Just where I fit into Your master plan
I never thought I needed help before
Thought that I could get by, by myself
Now I know I just can't take it anymore
And with a humble heart, on bended knee
I'm beggin' You, please, for help
With a humble heart, on bended knee
I'm beggin' You, please, for help

Why Me, Lord?

(confession, lament)

Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the blessings I've known
Why me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth love from you
And the kindness you've shown

Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've needed you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand

Try me Lord, if you think there's a way
That I can try to repay
All I've taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you

Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've needed you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand

3. O Bury Me Not (A Cowboy’s Prayer)* 9 Nocapo just C&G - offertory