One In Ministry To All ~ Calling Series

TRADITIONAL SERMON

Today, we gather for the final message in our stewardship series: Commitment Sunday. Over these weeks, we have explored what it means to be one with Christ, one with Each Other, and one in Ministry to All. This is not merely the end of a series. It is the beginning of a covenant—a braided cord of calling, community, and commitment. Like Ecclesiastes says, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

In Christian theology, calling (vocatio) is not merely an individualistic pursuit of purpose but a divine summons into God's redemptive mission. John Wesley spoke of "social holiness"—our faith is made perfect in community, not isolation. Today, we reaffirm our Wesleyan understanding that grace leads us not only to personal salvation but to public service. We are not just invited; we are sent.

1. We Are a Called People (1 Peter 2:9)

In the ancient world, the priesthood signified access to the sacred. Priests stood in the gap between God and the people, offering sacrifices and interceding on behalf of the community. The Levitical priesthood in Israel was established to ensure holiness in worship and justice in the community. But in Christ, the veil was torn. The priesthood was no longer reserved for a tribe but extended to a people.

Peter reminds us:?“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s people...”

Our calling is not a profession—it is an identity. God calls us not just to believe, but to proclaim the mighty acts of the One who called us out of darkness. This is not a solo journey; it is a shared vocation. The Church is not a crowd but a communion woven together for God's mission.

Theologically, the priesthood of all believers means that each baptized Christian is a minister. We are not waiting for others to step up; we are being equipped for the work of Christ in the world. Our response is a form of doxology—we live our lives in praise by serving others.

Illustration 1: The Church That Stayed After the Storm

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, one small UMC in New Orleans refused to close, even though its building was badly damaged. Instead, it pitched a tent, worshiped in the open air, and cooked meals for neighbors with camping stoves. It also advocated for housing, distributed water, and prayed with the grieving.

One member said, “We didn’t have much, but we had the call. We couldn’t not answer it.”

That church embodied 1 Peter 2:9. They didn’t wait for perfect conditions; they lived out their priesthood by simply being present.

2. Ministry Is Our Light (Matthew 5:13 -16)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls his followers salt and light—two elemental metaphors rich with theological meaning. Salt, in ancient Jewish understanding, was associated not only with flavor but also with covenant (Leviticus 2:13). It preserved, purified, and symbolized God's enduring promise. To be "salt of the earth" means to live lives that preserve God's justice and compassion in the world.

Light is equally powerful. From Genesis to Revelation, light signifies God's presence, truth, and revelation. In Isaiah 49:6, God's servant is made a "light to the nations," prefiguring Christ, who later declares, "I am the light of the world." When Jesus tells his followers, "You are the light of the world," he entrusts them with the same mission: to illuminate dark places, expose falsehood, and guide others to the hope of God.

To be salt and light is not a status of superiority—it is a vocation of servanthood and witness. It calls the Church to be visibly and sacrificially different for the sake of the world. Jesus said:?“You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world... Let your light shine.”

This light is not about spotlight—it’s about service. Ministry is the light that shines in the darkness. Salt adds flavor, but also preserves what would otherwise decay. The Church’s calling is to preserve hope, ignite joy, and expose injustice truthfully and gracefully.

Wesleyan theology holds that grace must be active. Prevenient grace draws us, justifying grace redeems us, and sanctifying grace compels us to be light-bearers in the world. Ministry is the outworking of God's inward grace.

Illustration 2: The Church That Showed Up at the Border

In a Texas town near the border, an older congregation opened its fellowship hall to care for migrant families. The congregation didn’t speak Spanish and had no major funding, but it cooked meals, sang hymns as lullabies, and held weary children.

The pastor said, “We had nothing to offer but our hearts. And it was enough.”

They answered the call, not with programs, but with presence. That is a ministry that shines.

3. A Cord of Three Strands (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”