Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Let me begin this morning with something of a conundrum: Lutherans- that's you and me- have and hold dear the most wonderful understanding of how God works: in Jesus Christ, you and I are justified, that is, made right- made acceptable before God through no effort by ourselves, but in the cross and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In our baptisms, you and I are received into God's family, even though we have done nothing to deserve it. What's more, in the Body and Blood of our Savior- the sacrament of Holy Communion, which we shall share shortly, that promise is renewed to us. We are forgiven our sins and strengthened to begin again. And, in addition, we have a wonderful understanding of how God speaks to us through the Bible: we are not fundamentalists- that is, we do not believe in scriptures dictated to us by God; we can use every tool available to us to see what the text said to the original hearers, as well as what the text says to us today. We believe that God used inspired speakers and writers to speak both to the people of biblical days and to you and to me, but that they spoke and wrote with the understanding of the people of their time. We need not be confused about any conversation about evolution, for example, because we know that the creation stories in the Bible were written to tell us WHO created the heavens and the earth, not how, or when. We don't have to be distracted as we strive to listen to what God is saying in the Scriptures.

Let me push on: we have the best of both worlds when it comes to worship: the majesty and beauty of the Western liturgical traditions- a Christian from 300AD could walk in here and understand what we're doing, as well as the preaching tradition that comes from the Reformation- the task of proclaiming and applying God's Word to our daily lives, so it should connect with the here and now in helpful ways. Plus, we are actively involved in serving God by serving others through acts of service. Lutherans are known around the country and around the world because of hospitals, schools, colleges, and social service agencies. And, we're just nice people, too, don't you think? So why is it, I wonder, that in northern Europe and Scandinavia, church attendance is about 2% of the population. When I attended church in Roskilde, Denmark two weeks ago, less than half- maybe 45 people received communion- of those who were gathered there. The rest were there for family baptisms in this ancient cathedral, but it was clear there was no connection between what was happening in their lives and the worship service. Maybe I just answered my own question. And our ELCA has slipped in baptized membership to under five million members and continues to slide... And this at a time when the US population continued to increase at a much faster rate, so the loss in percentage terms is far more drastic. And why is it that seven out of ten ELCA congregations plateaued- flattened in their Sunday morning attendance or saw their average attendance decline, in some cases precipitously? We appear to be headed in the same direction as the Europeans!

That it hasn't happened to us at Bethlehem- that we are growing, doesn't let us escape the conversation- were we to take our growth for granted, it would end very quickly! (When success goes to your head, it's a short trip...) And as we conclude our Sermon Series, "Mission Possible," our focus today, "Grander Vision Living"- gives us an excellent opportunity both to explore some answers to the questions I have raised- as well as help us take the next step in growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ. For when you get right down to it, this conversation is not about saving the viability of our tradition, as much as we might love it, it is about our mission: building and sharing the Kingdom of God! And as I said when I started, we have wonderful news to share! One of my favorite passages in the entire Bible is Matthew 28: 18-20; we call it the "Great Commission." If you know it, say it with me: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

As I said a few weeks ago, this is not just for pastors and missionaries- this is for the whole church- for each and every one of us. And notice how specific the language is: GO...MAKE DISCIPLES... This is not optional- this is not the "Great Suggestion," it is the "Great Commission.

Jesus has given us forgiveness, purpose, peace and the gift of eternal life... Jesus loves you and me so much that he was willing even to die for us- share in our deaths- take on himself all that separates us from God. And in his resurrection from the dead, we have the promise of his eternal love and care! We have the most wonderful news in the world- sharing it is the greatest kindness you could ever show to anyone! It just appears that as a denomination we have lost our voices- have a collective laryngitis- and as individuals in a growing congregation, it never hurts to be reminded that in Christ, we have been given a mission to share what we have first been given- and how to get better at it all the time.Our readings today are enormous help in the process of discovering our calls to mission in service to God and to others!

Notice first that God wants to use every one of us: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John were common fishermen...but St. Paul was an educated man- a Pharisee of the first order! From rabbi to laborer and small business person, and everyone in between- God wants to get our attention, and calls us all to serve! God calls and uses a wandering (and dishonest, by the way) nomad named Jacob to become Israel- the father of the twelve tribes... God calls and uses a shepherd, David, who becomes a king! God calls and uses a shepherd named Amos to proclaim his judgment on Israel- and after preaching, Amos disappears back into the fields and we never hear from him again...There are so many examples! In the New Testament we see similar stories- like our Gospel reading, and the story of Paul-  who first persecuted the church before becoming the apostle to Gentiles- or Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth, or Lydia in Philippi- people from all walks of life, no different than you or I. God's call comes in the context of daily life:

For Peter, his brother and friends, the call comes as they do what they do: in their fishing... It's a great story, isn't it? From the other stories about Peter in the Gospels, we know he is impatient and impetuous. And soon after he meets Jesus, he is asked to do something completely contrary to what his experience tells him... "Sure, sure," he must have been thinking, "here's an empty exercise, this guy doesn't know what he's talking about..." And then, so many fish that two boats can't take them all in and begin to sink.

God uses the mundane- the ordinary- fishing, in this instance- to start people on their journeys of discipleship. Let me challenge you this week: your call to ministry came in your baptism- but you are most likely to see God's specific call to you- and therefore how your gifts might be best used, where you spend most of your time. This week, pray to see God at work in new ways- whether at work, or school, or home- wherever you are- and look for God in the people around you... When you read the Bible this week, think specifically about how what it says applies to where you are going to be. The first step in finding your mission is in hearing God's word for you...Listen hard where God has placed you!

Peter and Paul both responded as they heard God's voice in Jesus: I am sinful- and therefore unfit to speak either to or for God... And they were right- they were NOT fit to serve our wonderful God- and neither are you- and neither am I... To deny it, or hide it, is dishonest- and deep down we know it. But here is the wonder of our faith: none of us is close to perfect- each of us has failed again and again, and yet we can be forgiven, we can be given a new start! God doesn't walk away! Paul had persecuted the church- held the coats of those who stoned Stephen, and yet God used him. Peter, bless his heart, demonstrates again and again- that he doesn't get it- he fails over and over- he even denies he knows Jesus at Jesus' greatest hour of need, and yet Jesus remains faithful.

And the promise is the same to you- Jesus will remain faithful, and forgive you, and strengthen you for your ministry and mission- to use your gifts for him. In your prayers, include a time of confession, and ask for forgiveness. We do that here every time we have communion, but I have to confess to you, the silence is never long enough- I only have time to scratch the surface of what I need to confess- not that God doesn't know it; it just helps me be honest with myself. Then respond- ask God to use you! You've heard me say before that's the most dangerous prayer in the world "Use me, God!"- you get useable and God will wear you out. Both Paul and Simon do exactly that- after Paul is baptized, he begins proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, Acts tells us, saying "He is the Son of God..." He travels throughout Asia Minor and Europe, proclaiming Jesus, and planting churches...and he doesn't stop until he is put to death in Rome.

Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching people," When they had brought their boats to shore, they left
everything and followed him. And Peter spent the rest of his life with Jesus, leading the disciples, and spreading the Gospel, until, like Paul, he too, was put to death in Rome. It's not just listening, or confessing, it's committing to acting in the sharing of your faith... That is what God wants us to do- it's how we share our faith!There are two parts to this "acting," or living our faith. And both are essential in growing in our faithfulness and being used by God as much as possible. It is NOT either/or, here; it is both/and.

Of course we act in the world- acts of kindness, of justice, working for those who have no voice- and there are all kinds of places where the world cries out for our voices and actions here! And we can help you get connected in our community to do just that.But God calls you to be able to tell why you are doing what you're doing- and in whose name you are speaking and acting... I used to think that if I was out doing things, and being an advocate for peace and justice that folks would want to know why, and they would ask me and THEN I would tell them about Jesus... I look back on that now and can't believe the arrogance of it- even Jesus had to talk about his faith- and his works were a whole lot more impressive than mine.

So let me encourage you/challenge you to prepare an "elevator speech." (That's something that takes its name from a salesman who found himself in an elevator with the CEO of the company he was visiting: less than a minute, uninterrupted to tell his story...) But it has to be prepared- you have to think about it, and be ready to use it.

When it is appropriate (ask God to both let you know and give you the strength to share), tell your story plainly, in simple language about who Jesus is for you, and why his presence makes a difference in your life.

Steven started coming to St. Paul's Episcopal in Santa Barbara, CA because of Katrina- the young woman, not the hurricane. He would sit with her every week- until one week it was obvious that the two had broken up: Katrina in her spot, Steve far away, but still there... even when Katrina wasn't there, he was...

One Sunday after church, an older man engaged him in conversation- none to subtly, either: "I'm glad you have kept coming even after you and Katrina broke up..." "Well," Steve replied, "I had never been to church before- but I love hearing the words of that book you use..." As a good Episcopalian, Rob, the older man said, "Oh, you mean the Book of Common Prayer?" "Oh, no, not that one, the one with the stories about Jesus..." Rob, a bit startled, said "The Bible?" "Yeah, that one..."

So Rob took him to the bookstore that was in the church (good idea, that!), and bought him Walt Wangerin's
The Book of God, the bible in story form, and they parted.The next week, Steven was back- and he approached Rob, and said "I've been reading this all week- and now I'm at the place where Jesus has asked the fishermen to follow him and be his disciples, and you know what they do???" Rob resisted the temptation to answer and said instead, "What?" "They followed him- and I want to do that, too! I want to follow Jesus!"

Brothers and sisters, people in our world- young, middle aged and old- are hungry for meaning! They are searching for significance, looking for something that matters- and we have it- we have him, our Savior, Jesus Christ! But how will they learn about Jesus and his love if we won't find ways to share him! There is no excuse for ANY church not to be growing- it is why we exist!

Will you join me in committing to using your gifts for the sake of the one who loves us all? Will you join me in the sharing of the bread and wine, giving you forgiveness, new strength and empowering you to follow Jesus with all your being? Will you accept the mission you have been given- your mission possible- that God has given you to change the world for the better?  Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, I offer myself to you...Mold me into your likeness...Walk with me as I live out the mission you have given me... Use me in any way you can- to bear witness to your love wherever I am...whatever I do... In your name I pray...Amen

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