Spreading like a weed: June 16, 2024

 Year B, Pentecost 4                                                                  Mark 4:26-34                                              

We use the word parable a fair amount when we discuss the bible.  Like many things, I am not sure we do a good job at defining it. Parables are stories, but they are more than that.  For a long time, I thought that parables were meant to help us understand Jesus’s point.  They were another way to teach. That is true to an extent, but often the parables are confusing, and that is not just because we are reading them in a different time and place.  Jesus’ message wasn’t always clear to those who were hearing the parables 2000 years ago.  Jesus was teaching something that was so new, so counterintuitive, there was an innate mystery in many of the stories he told. Sometimes it seemed like he was just trying to confuse people.  I think the purpose was to help people think differently. He was taking a conventional story and shaking it up. 

While his stories were confusing at times, the images that he used were familiar.  Chapter 4 of Mark has a lot of stories about seeds. This was an agrarian society, so talking about planting and harvesting would have made the message accessible. 

Jesus told two parables in our reading for today.  The first one seems rather mundane.  Someone scatters a seed, goes to sleep and it sprouts and grows.  The person who does the scattering doesn’t seem to know how it all works, he just knows that what he scatters grows. The next story is of the mustard seed.  Many of us know that story…or at least the image…faith the size of a mustard seed. It’s become a symbol in the Christian faith. That comparison to faith is actually in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, but not Mark.  Matthew and Luke also have this story about the mustard seed growing into something bigger, but it’s not connected with the idea that having faith the size of the mustard seed will allow you to move mountains. 

In Mark (as well as Matthew) the growth of the mustard seed is a way to describe the Kingdom of God.  It would be natural to assume that the Kingdom of God is heaven or the afterlife.  But the Kingdom of God is not relegated to what comes next---it’s also in the here and now.  Part of what Jesus was doing in telling these parables was teaching people how we can bring the Kingdom of God to our world and our community.

In Matthew, the tiny mustard seed becomes a tree.  In Luke, it becomes a huge tree.  In Mark, it’s the greatest of all shrubs.  That’s not as impressive as the huge tree, but still indicates that God has growth in mind for the Kingdom of God.  Over the years people have interpreted this parable as the success and growth of the church of God—which is the church getting bigger.  Yet what we know of organized religion over the past 50 years, is that it’s getting smaller.  Does that mean that the seed isn’t growing---that God’s work is not being done? Of course not.  Jesus was talking about the Kingdom of God, not the church. What Mark does is show us a different way to perceive growth and success.

Here is the interesting thing about Mark. The Greek word that is translated to shrub is also (perhaps more accurately) translated to plant or vegetable.  The mustard plants that would have been growing in Galilee looked a lot more like yellow flowers than shrubs.  In some circles, they are classified as an invasive plant because they just take over. It’s like mint or ground ivy. It’s more of a weed than anything else. This is not to say that it didn’t have its purposes.   The mustard plant could be used as medicine…but there was typically more than was needed. It was also a tough plant, very difficult to kill.  No one then would have considered this a valuable crop. That’s why this parable would have been so confusing, because the listeners knew all this.  They were probably wondering why he chose the mustard seed and plant when he could have talked about a seed that grew into something truly impressive.

There are many reasons that churches and cathedrals were built to be tall. Partly it was about symbolizing a connection to God---reaching up toward heaven. But I wonder if it was more basic than that.  People wanted them to be seen from far away, to be an important land mark in the community. These tall building were meant to represent our importance in the community.  In some ways, these tall buildings became a symbol of what we wanted the church to be.

Yet I wonder if we have missed the point, just a little.  What if Jesus was telling people in this parable not how high they could go, but how far and wide they could go…how much this message was meant to spread and take root, even in the places that didn’t want any more weeds in their soil. The Roman Empire definitely didn’t want a new religion.  They didn’t want this faith that taught that all are equal, all are welcome, all are beloved----spreading across their lands.  In some ways, our world still doesn’t want that.  Many would prefer if faith was confined to these building where it can be easily ignored.  And even some of us in these buildings would rather our faith be a beautiful orchid than an invasive weed.

I have heard the Episcopal Church referred to as a niche denomination or even a boutique and there is a part of me that agrees.  It’s not for everyone.  Maybe it’s our traditional worship, or our unwillingness to teach basic messages and repeat things over and over.  Maybe that is not what most people want.  But the message that we have, the message of compassion, forgiveness, sacrificial love, and belonging…that is a message that the whole world could use.  I don’t know a single person who could not benefit from that message.  Are we ever going to convince everyone of how critical the weekly Eucharist is? No. Do we need to? No.

I believe that Christ Church and many churches should consider how we can both stay true to our rich traditions of music, sacraments and thoughtful theology while also finding ways to get closer to the ground, be that invasive mustard plant that can grow just about anywhere and is almost impossible to eradicate.   

You know the other thing about the mustard plant…they are bright and lovely. They bring color to wherever they grow.  Philly needs some more irrepressible color and joy. I mean, this city is colorful in some unique ways, but I am talking about bursts of color.  The mustard plant has the power to transform an entire landscape.[1]  So does the Kingdom of God. Let’s bring color, tenacity, compassion, joy, and love to our community.  May it spread like a beautiful invasive weed.   

---

[1] Commentary on Mark 4:26-34 - Working Preacher from Luther Seminary by Matt Skinner. This commentary was integral for my sermon. 

Don't Hide Your Light: Feb. 5 2023

Year A, Epiphany 5                         Matthew 5:13-20                     

          “You are the salt of the earth….You are the light of the world.”  Notice that Jesus doesn’t say: you can be the salt and you can be light of the earth, if you are super pious, kind and faithful.  He doesn’t say you should aspire to be the light and salt of the world.  No, you already are this.  And who is the you he is talking about?  I believe the proper translation is y’all.  Y’all are the salt and light of the world.  This is something that we are as individuals as well as the collective you—y’all.  Now that we have established that, what does it mean?  We should know that since we already are these things.

                Salt had slightly different purposes in the time when Jesus was telling people, “You are the salt of the earth.” It was used to preserve food.  It was even used for heat. They did not have gas or electric ovens like we have today.  They didn’t even use wood because it was hard to come by.  The stuff that was very abundant was camel or donkey dung.  This could be used as fuel, but only if you were able to mix salt with it.  Salt was essentially the catalyst that caused the dung to burn. While this is not the most appetizing image, it makes it clear that salt is more than just something that is supposed to give some zest to food.  It’s a catalyst for change.  It enables something totally ordinary (and a little gross) to become fuel.

          Light is a more obvious metaphor.  Most of what we do in this world requires light.  It enables us to see.  It warms our climate.  Light is required for plants and trees to grow, which provides us with food and oxygen. And sunlight, it makes most people feel better.  It increases the serotonin in our bodies which makes us happier.  Without any light, the world would end.  When Jesus was telling his disciples and followers that they were light, the importance of that can’t be overstated. 

One might even think it’s a little much.  Are we really the light, or are we vessels of God’s light?  Maybe it’s a little of both.  God is the source of all light and love.  We carry that light.  That is why Jesus was so confident in telling us that we are already light.  We have light because that light has been given to us.  It’s the same with the salt.  We have been given this ability to be a catalyst in our world.  How?  Because we worship a God who was and is one of the greatest catalysts.  Jesus changed death, into life.  You don’t get a bigger change or transformation than that.

          However just because we have these things doesn’t mean we can just sit back and relax.  We have to do more than just hold on to these things--we must share them and display them. When it comes to light, we are the window that it shines through. Yet when we are reluctant to talk about our faith, our church, or Jesus, then we are essentially covering up that window.  The light just gets stuck.  It might warm our hearts, but if it doesn’t touch anyone else, then we are not doing what Jesus asked of us.  Jesus told us to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

          This can make a lot of people uncomfortable.  We like to have our faith private.  We figure it’s no one’s business what we believe.  We are a good people and that is all they need to know.  And I get it.  We don’t want people to think we are trying to convert them.  We don’t want non-Christians to think that we are judging them.  But since when does talking about what you believe imply judgement?  If someone feels judged because you say that you believe in a God of love and compassion, then that’s on them.  That probably means they have heard a warped version of the Gospel and maybe, just maybe, hearing something non-threatening from you might change their life.

          Because that is what we as Christians are meant to do, change lives.  That’s where the salt comes in.  The animal dung needs the salt.  Otherwise, it’s just poop.  Salt allows that dung to turn into fire.

          A couple of years ago I was taking a writing class at a community writing center.  And while I wasn’t writing sermons, pretty much everything I wrote had something to do with God. I guess I am a bit of a one trick monkey.   Anyhow, we had to share what we wrote with this group of 10 people and I became convinced that one individual hated me.  He spent most of his time looking down, but when he did look up, it was to glare at me.  He responded to any comments I made with thinly veiled contempt.  I was ready to quit the class and then I got a long e-mail from  him where he actually said that he hated me, mostly because I was a pastor and I represented everything that was wrong with Christianity. He wasn’t saying this so we could resolve this, he just wanted me to know that he hated me. 

As you can imagine, I felt like this required a nuanced response.  I realized it really wasn’t about me and he had clearly had a negative experience with other Christians.  I can’t remember what I wrote, but it started a dialogue and we eventually became friends, not like making dinner together friends, but occasionally exchanging a facebook message kind of friends. 

While it was an awkward experience, I like to think that his view Christians changed a little.  I would never tell him this, but I think he saw the light of God…just a little.  And it wasn’t because I am some amazing Christian, but that I was willing to be open about what I believed and also what I wasn’t quite sure about. And if I can do that with someone who hated me, anyone can do it with a friend or acquaintance who has no opinion of Christians.         

You might assume, well everyone knows something about church, especially the people I spend time with.  Let’s just assume that’s correct.  Let’s assume everyone in your circle knows about church. What do they know about church? Do they know about church from their experience of being a child or a teenager in church? Do they know about church because of the church that refused to officiate their second marriage?  Is their last memory of church a place that hurt them and made them feel “less than?” Because if that is the case, then they have an incomplete view of church. You can provide a fuller picture.

Most of the children who are born today, are being raised by parents who have never been part of a church, which means, they won’t even be going on Christmas or Easter.  Their experience will be limited to what they see on the screens and what they hear from friends and family, which will be limited.

Photo by Ihor Malytskyi

          Don’t underestimate the impact that your light—or God’s light that shines through you—can have another person. This person doesn’t know that the church you go to is a place of love an acceptance, a place that doesn’t care what you do, how much money you make, or even who you voted for.  They just care that you are there.  Don’t deny someone else the light that you have experienced.  Because God’s light, is just as important as sunlight for every living and growing thing. It enables life, breath, joy and yes, even change.  If you aren’t sharing that light, then you are hiding that light.  And let me tell you all, I have seen your light, I have seen your fire and it’s a beautiful thing to behold.  Don’t hide it because there are people out there, who need it---they need it desperately and you…you can  provide it. 

Fight the Good Fight: October 23, 2016

Year C, Pentecost 22                                                                         
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18                                                                                  

            We have all heard stories about people’s last words before their death.  Sometimes they are profound and meaningful.  Occasionally they are words only understood and appreciated by the few who are closest to the individual who has died.  Often, there are no words at all.  We hope that when we die, we will die feeling as though we have lived a good life, a life that we are proud of instead of having a litany of regrets.  No one wants to die with regret.  This 2^nd letter to Timothy was essentially Paul’s final words--his last goodbye.  They were written to one of his followers (Timothy) when Paul was imprisoned in Rome.  He knew that his death was near and he had some things to say. 

            Last week, we heard the beginning of chapter 4, the final chapter of Paul’s letter to Timothy.  This week we heard the middle and a bit of the end.  Paul was encouraging, possibly even begging Timothy and other followers of Christ to preach the word of God, even when it was inconvenient and to never give up.  In the reading from today Paul was reflecting on his own ministry. It is a deeply personal part of the letter.  There are a few verses that are not included in the excerpt of the reading we heard today.  In those verses, Paul asked that Timothy visit him as soon as possible.  He then mentioned several people who had deserted him and might even harm Timothy in some way.  If you look at that and the beginning of the chapter when Paul was encouraging the readers of this letter to persist in the Gospel, it seems that Paul might have been a little anxious about the future of Christianity.

            When he wrote this letter, Paul was about to die.  It would almost surely be a gruesome death because the Romans liked to make examples of people like Paul.  Paul knew all this.  While he had evangelized far and wide and introduced many people to Jesus, there was only one person who was still with him, providing for his needs while he was in prison.  The prison system then was not like ours today. It was not a system.  There was no meal plan.  The prisoners were cared for by their friends and family.  If they had no friends and family, they probably starved to death or froze.  That was why Paul asked Timothy bring his cloak and bring it before winter. That was the only way he would survive the winter.  Times were indeed desperate.  He had been abandoned by those closest to him.  Obviously he had faith in the resurrection.  He knew that his death would bring him a new life.  But he was also human. He must have been scared and discouraged.  He might have even wondered if he really accomplished anything at all. 

            When you look at a map of all the territory that Paul covered, all of the people who he reached without modern transportation, social media, or even the postal service, it is amazing.  He travelled over 10,000 miles by foot and far more by sea.[1]   But he didn’t have the full picture that we have.  He didn’t have the map.  He was just looking at 4 walls.  He was bound to be a little discouraged by yet another imprisonment.  Yet Paul was never one to be discouraged easily.  As he looked back at his life and forward to his death and new life, he had no regrets.  Paul was a fighter to the very end.  He wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” While at times Paul seemed to take credit for his accomplishments, even seem a little arrogant, in the end he always gave credit to God.

            After mentioning the people who had deserted him, he reminded Timothy that the Lord had stood with him through it all and it was the Lord who had given him the strength to persevere.  It was the Lord who gave him the will to fight, the power to persist in his mission and the faith that made it all possible.  Not only that, but his trial which led to his death, had given him an opportunity to testify to his faith in front of the leaders of the Roman Empire. He was able to evangelize one last time before his death.  For him, it was a gift.

            Since I do not have the tenacity or courage of Paul, I keep coming back to the frustrating part of this whole story.  While the Lord stood by him and Paul was able to make his case to the most powerful leaders of the Roman Empire, he was still put to death.  Those leaders did not convert.  Rome continued to persecute Christians for hundreds of years.  I am sure there were people who abandoned the cause after Paul died.  They perceived his ministry as a failure.  But we know….we know that was not the end of the story. No, he did not convert the Roman Emperor.  His followers did not stream in and demand his release.  There was no overwhelming display of support.  But his letters circulated and people were so inspired by his life and his words that more people wrote about him.  We do not know what happened to the people who abandoned him during his life, but I bet some of them returned to the faith and spread his message, the message of Jesus Christ.  Otherwise, we would not be reading his words today.  I certainly would not be preaching on them. 

            There are times when I look at the statistics on church decline and I worry for the future of the church.  The Episcopal Church alone has lost a quarter of its membership in the last 10 years and other Christian denominations are facing similar decline.  There are moments…days even when I can be extremely discouraged by this.  At times, it seems almost hopeless.  But then I think of what the early church had to overcome.  I think of Paul staring at the four walls of his cell, alone and probably a little scared about what kind of death awaited him.  Yet even as he faced what to me would seem like insurmountable odds, he never gave up.  When he realized that he would face trial, he saw it as an opportunity for evangelism. When his friends left him, he found comfort in the one who stood with him--God.  When there was nothing left to say, he gave glory to God.  He ended his letter by asking Timothy once again to visit soon but also to send greetings to several people.  He encouraged people to the very end. 

            We cannot always see the fruit of our own labor.  Sometimes, what we perceive as our own failure can inspire others to take a risk.  Sometimes the trial we are going through is also an opportunity for evangelism, for talking about our faith.  When we talk about our faith, we don’t have to sound like Paul, we might just be admitting that we are struggling, but we are definitely not giving up.  Life is full of frustration and discouragement.  It can be overwhelming at times.  God never gives up on us.  As long as we don’t give up on God, then failures are never really failures.  They are just opportunities for more attempts. God willing, at the end of it all, we can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

---

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/20767427

Feb. 8, 2015: 1 Cor 9:16-23 & Mark 1:29-39

Woe to me

Year B   Epiphany 5                             

 

            I have a band that I absolutely love.  I have been obsessed with them for over 20 years. I have brought dozens of people to their concerts.  I have given many of their cds away as gifts.  I do this for 2 reasons.  The first is that I love them.  I think that anyone who hears them will love them too.  I want to bring other people the joy that I experience when I hear this band. That is the first and most important reason. The other one is that they are local band.  They have been around for awhile, but most people still have not heard of them.  So I want to make sure that the word spreads about them so that the band can continue to be successful.  One day as I was going on and on about the band to someone, I had a rather troublesome realization.  I have introduced more people to this band, than I have to Jesus Christ.            

            In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he wrote: “…woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!”  Paul truly believed that he had been given no choice about proclaiming the gospel.  When he had his conversion experience and was thrown off that donkey, he was marked. He was obligated to spread the word to all people.  His whole life was talking to people about Jesus Christ.  Why did he do this?  He did it because he could not imagine doing anything else with his life. He did it because he loved people so much that he wanted them to know the love of Christ. He believed that the words of Christ would bring people salvation. Because of that it was critical that he spread that message to as many people as possible.

             Paul made some pretty radical statements in this reading for today.   He claimed that he made himself a slave to all, so that he might win more of them. He became all things to all people.  When I first studied this passage, I found these phrases a little peculiar and disturbing.  How can we be all things to all people and maintain the integrity of the Gospel?  Paul was never a person to straddle the fence, so what could he have meant? He did not mean that he was willing to compromise the Gospel.  But he was willing to make certain accommodations for the people who needed it, which was everyone.  When he was with the Jews, he observed Jewish law.  When he was with Gentiles, he ate the food that had already been sacrificed to idols.  He did this so he could meet people where they were-- where they were comfortable.    

            We still struggle with this balancing today.  We often ask ourselves how we can make the Gospel message accessible to as many people as possible while also being true to the Gospel message.  How can we be all things to all people without watering the core message down?  I mean, we know we cannot please everyone.  But that’s not what Paul was saying.  Paul was not talking about pleasing people; he was talking about bringing the message to people where they were—whether they be Gentile or Jew, woman or man.

            That is still a challenge today.  People are all at different places.  Some people like the King James version of the Bible. Some people can’t understand a word you say when you read the King James.  Some people have been to church and know the rhythm of the service.  Some people’s only experience with church is weddings and funerals.  How then, do we know how to talk to these different people about God and the church?

            The best way to do that is to be yourself.   But here’s the catch, let them me themselves as well.  Don’t try to make them into your image.  People can tell when you are being genuine and they respond to that authenticity.   They also know when you are trying to change them into someone they are not and no one likes that. 

            Most people respond to enthusiasm.  When you really love someone or something, that comes through.  Sharing the Gospel of Christ is about sharing a part of yourself.  It’s about sharing your love, your passion with the people around you.  But before we can do that, we must first have that spirit within us.  We can’t share passion that we do not have.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get as excited about the Gospel as we do about other things that we love?  Wouldn’t it be great if people cheered after the absolution, or if someone gave a loud woohoo during a hymn?  I am not saying that we should do this, I am just trying to paint a picture.  Just for a minute, let’s imagine a world where people talk as much about the Bible as they do about reality TV, where adults bring as many people to church as they do their favorite restaurant,  sporting event, or  band’s concert? It’s a bit strange that people are more apt to post pictures of the food they eat on facebook or twitter rather than share a Bible passage or prayer.

            A big part of the Gospel reading is about Jesus healing various people.  The reading ends with, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came to do.”  The disciples wanted Jesus to cure more people, drive more demons out.  That was the real crowd pleaser; that was what appealed to the masses.  Everyone wants to see a good miracle.  But Jesus said no, I came here to proclaim a message, and that is what I am going to do. Jesus did not have any ulterior motives.  He was not raising money.  I doubt that he counted at the end of the day how many people showed up for his talk.  He just wanted to spread a message that he believed in.  In the end, there was only one way for that message to really come alive for people.  That was for him to sacrifice himself for us, the crowds, the masses, the people who needed healing so desperately…the people who needed more than a miracle.     

            “Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel.”  You might think, “Sure that is easy for you to say, you are a priest.  You do it every Sunday.”  It’s not quite that easy.  To proclaim, you’ve really got to step outside the confines of the church.  I admit it, I struggle with that.  I am afraid of offending people.  I do not want them to think that I am trying to convert them from their own faith or lack of faith.  In my more courageous moments, I realize that is not what this is about.  God is a huge part of my life, leaving that part out when I talk to someone else is a misrepresentation of who I am.  People will not be offended if what they see in you is sincerity and genuine love.  People will not be offended if what you’re sharing comes from your own joy—your enthusiasm for what you are sharing.   

The first step is to get excited.  You are never too old or too young to be excited about the Gospel of Jesus.  Then share that excitement.  Some people will probably roll their eyes.  But some people will see the spark, the spark that started many years ago with a simple carpenter who set the world on fire.  The fire was set, but it is up to us to fan the flames.  It can go out.  It is tempting to think that if we don’t continue to spread the word, other people will.  But there are adults today who have never heard about God’s unconditional love for humanity.  There are also people who have heard about God, but the stories have been infused with hate and bigotry.  It is up to us to change that.  It is up to us. 

Jan. 18, 2015: John 1:43-51

You too can evangelize like the disciples!

Year B, Epiphany 3                                           

                                                         

            I am a pretty big fan of church humor.  I have a bumper sticker collection devoted to such humor in my office. It’s not making fun of God.  It’s occasionally poking fun at the silly things we do as Christians.  As you can imagine, I love seeing those billboards on the highway with quotes signed by God.  There is a black background with white letters.  Among my favorites are: "That "Love Thy Neighbor" Thing, I Meant It." or "Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer."  Of course there are some that are less about making you laugh and more about making a point.  One just says: “I love you. I love you. I love you.”   What is interesting about these signs is that they are not attributed to anyone.  No one takes credit for them.  There is no web address under them to direct you to a page where they ask for money.  Nothing.  I find that admirable for numerous reasons.  

However, there is one billboard that I feel needs additional information.  It just says, “Follow me.”  As a Christian, we might look at that and consider it to be a good reminder.  But if you are not a Christian, it would make no sense and probably not have any effect at all.  It makes a little more sense on a bumper sticker when it says, “Follow me to St. John’s’,” but then I always worry that some person will follow someone and find they are just going home.  That could get weird. 

            Yet I wonder sometimes if we are just as vague in the Episcopal Church.  We put out signs that say, “The Episcopal Church welcomes you!”  Underneath is the Episcopal shield and the name of the church.  First of all, what are we welcoming people to? Are we welcoming them to a church, worship, prayer, volunteer work?  And what is up with the shield?  If you are not an Episcopalian the first question you might have is, “Why does a church need a shield?”  Most Episcopalians don’t even know what it means. 

            Both of these things are attempts at evangelism and I would agree that any attempt is a good one; but the big flaw is that they lack follow up.  Episcopalians respond to the word evangelism the same way they do to a flying object about to hit them…duck and cover. Evangelism is sharing God’s love with others.  That’s really not that scary.   I know that it’s harder than it seems. Only 77% of Americans identify as Christians and many of those do not engage with their faith.   People are faced with many alternatives, many different ways to spend their time.  Even some people who identify as Christians don’t go to church or pray regularly. It is no longer safe to assume that if someone is not in church it’s because they haven’t found one they like.

            Yet imagine how difficult evangelism was in Jesus’ day.  There were two main faiths in the place where Jesus was living.  There was the faith of the Hebrew people, Judaism, and whatever god the Romans were worshipping.  There were smaller variations, but those were the main faith traditions.  Because of that, it was pretty risky to move beyond those two options. It was not like now when we have over 10,000 denominations to choose from.   If you want something different, just create your own church and you can do whatever you want.

            When Jesus called his disciples, he was not calling them to a new religion.  We often consider the disciples or even Jesus to be Christian, but that word did not even exist until many years after Jesus died.  These men were all devoted Jews.  Jesus was not trying to convert them.  He was simply asking them to follow him. First he had to find the people. 

Jesus, being all knowing did not have to consult demographics or send out postcards inviting people to hear about this new great thing.  In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ first disciples come from John the Baptist’s group of disciples.  John the Baptist was with a couple of his disciples when Jesus passed. He told them, “Look there is the Lamb of God.”  That was all these two men needed.  They followed Jesus.  Jesus turned around and asked them what they were looking for.   They answered by asking where he was staying. He simply said, “Come and follow me.”  They followed him to his home and stayed with him.  The next day, one of the new disciples (Andrew) went to his brother and said, “We have found the Messiah.” Then he immediately brought his brother to Jesus. 

            So far the disciples have found Jesus with the help of others.  In the next story, Jesus finds Philip and simply says, “Follow me.” (I guess when you are Jesus, you don’t need to explain.)  After spending some time with Jesus, Phillip finds his friend Nathanial and tells him, “We have found the one Moses spoke of in the law-the prophets too-Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth.”  Here Philip is meeting Nathanial where he is.  He’s Jewish and knows all about Moses and the prophets.  This is a pretty compelling reason to at least listen to Philip.  Nathanial needs a little more and questions Philip.  Philip realizes that he could tell him all that he has seen and heard or he could introduce him to the man himself.  So he replies the same way Jesus did when he was questioned by John’s disciples.  He  said “Come and see.”

            What we have here are four examples of evangelism.  The first two men to follow Jesus are encouraged by someone they trust, someone who knows a lot about God, someone who has proved himself to be an honest and faithful man.  Andrew then calls the next disciple, his brother Peter.  Since he was his brother, someone he knew intimately, he didn’t have to say much….just enough to get his interest.  Andrew brought him immediately to meet Jesus.  The next example is an invitation from Jesus himself.  The last one is a friend sharing with another friend and then asking him to come and see.   That is how it all began for Jesus’ disciples and inevitably for Christianity itself.

            Some of you may know that the number one reason that people visit a church is because they have been invited by a friend. That seems deceivingly simple.  It is and it isn’t.  In all of these examples with the disciples the men were offering both a reason and an invitation.  Jesus was the only one who got away with “follow me.” The others needed to tell the person why they should come and see.  Not only did they provide information and an invitation, they went with the person to find Jesus.  

            No, it’s not as simple as inviting someone.  You need to consider your relationship with that person.  If it’s a good friend, you might be able to say, “Hey, I really love my church and I think you might too.”  If it’s more of an acquaintance, you might have to talk to them about why you go to church.  That is one of the reasons I have asked people to write about their reasons and submit them to the bulletin.  Today, you can read why Bill Saunders attends.  Then after you have invited them, you need to take the next step and say something like, “It’s kind of hard to find the parking lot, perhaps I can pick you up or meet you somewhere convenient.” Then that person is accountable to you and they don’t have to walk in alone.  They are guaranteed that they will know at least one person and that is a huge comfort for people. 

            I hear from a lot of people that we want to grow the church.  I understand that and agree.  But what we are really looking for is disciples of Christ.  We don’t just want numbers to sit in the pews and turn in their pledge on time.  We want disciples.  People come to church for all kinds of different reasons and I encourage you to talk to people about that.  But as a community, I think we need to consider why we want people in our church, more important why we want people in God’s church.  Let’s consider that in the context of the Gospel we heard today.  Jesus wanted people to know him and follow him.  So how are we, as St. John’s Episcopal Church going to help people know Jesus and be disciples of Jesus? If we can talk about that, then evangelism won’t seem nearly as frightening.