In Jesus Holy Name September 24, 2006
Text: Acts 1:8, 42 Pentecost XVII, Redeemer
“Lost in America Part I”
Jesus did not say, “Come follow me, and I will make you … feel good.
Jesus did not say, “Come follow me, and I will make you … rich.
Jesus did not say, “Come follow me, and I will make you … successful
Jesus did say: “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men and
women.
God is active in our world. Jesus told us what we should be doing: “Go into
all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” He did not say “how” we should be doing it.
The “how” of ministry changes, the content of the ministry does not.
Whether we like it or not God has chosen us to live in an interesting time. Home computers were non-existent 15 years ago. Today your new car has more computational power to get you down the street than all the computers combined in the Apollo spacecraft that carried Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon. Your new car has a back up camera, a chip that will automatically slow your speed if you are too close to the vehicle in front of you.
That pager that vibrates to inform you that your table is ready at Outback Steak House can tell you that your baby is crying in the nursery at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minn. We are living in a world where it is faster and cheaper to send a signal over 20,000 miles up to a satellite and back again than it is to walk 50 feet to tell you that your child is crying or that your seat is ready.
We now have a stick the size of my little finger that can hold all the information on my computer when I back it up. The new rage at Christmas will not be Plasma TV’s but one that is so clear you’ll see a 3-D image.
The gospel message of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus is like living water. Water fills any receptacle without changing its H2O reality. The container doesn’t matter. The content stays the same.
Here is the message we are to proclaim: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) In Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…God’s grace given to us.” Ephesians 1:7 “God has brought us back to himself as friends, not as enemies, by the physical death and resurrection of Jesus in order to present you and me holy in God’s eyes without blemish, free accusation…if we continue in our faith.” (Col. 1:21-23 paraphrase)
“The how of ministry in our culture changes, the context of ministry does not.” Jesus said: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)
God has called our congregation to be something special, His great treasure in this place. He calls us to accept and care for one another; he has called us to imitate Jesus. That’s why, as a congregation we have been creating small Home Bible Study and Fellowship Groups. 40 Days of Purpose… helped us understand the need for balance in congregational life.
1. Worship – corporate on Sunday and private devotions – next week we begin our two worship times.
2. Fellowship – everything from a bowling team, softball team campout, coffee and refreshment time between services, golf tournaments dinner events… all are entry points for people seeking a connection to a place called “extended family”.
3. Ministry – Helping Hands, Hospital visitation, care, service on boards, mentor ministry, parent teen support group, Habitat for Humanity, etc.
4. Discipleship – bible study groups, personal spiritual growth, children’s ministry
5. Mission – canned food drives, not only providing food for people in need but a major public relations issue, as is the parking lot and landscape renewal, letting the neighborhood know we are here and we are proud to be active disciples of Jesus.
Today we are breaking ground for a new parking lot expansion and landscape
renewal. What an exciting moment in our congregational history. None of this would be
possible if God had not blessed our preparation, creating a new corporate personality that
reflects God’s love and acceptance for others. Jesus has promised that His Holy Spirit
will be the force that empowers us to be His witnesses in this post modern culture. The
apostles were told to be: “witnesses…” to tell the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in
Jerusalem. Jerusalem was their city, their immediate neighborhood.
As we begin our home bible study fellowship groups that is exactly what we are
doing. We are telling the story in our city, our neighborhood, as groups meet all over the
city. I hope you have written down the names of unchurched friends for whom you are
praying daily . (Inquirer’s class…) we reviewed Luther’s definition to the 3rd article of the
Apostle’s creed. It is the Holy Spirit who draws, convicts… we are just to pray… and be
his mouth piece.
The disciples took the message to Judea, and Samaria. They took the message to people like themselves and to people from other cultural groups. That’s where 10% of our church budget goes – to District mission work.
As we break ground for a new parking lot and landscape renewal it is only part of the process necessary to better facilitate our ability to reach and serve the new Christians God is preparing to bring under the umbrella of our spiritual care.
Listen to these comments from an article entitled: “Is your church parking lot driving people away?”
“Does your ministry outreach shout “Everybody welcome!” while your parking lot screams… “Go away!” Often what keeps a church from growing is not how the ministry is presented…it’s how easy it is to park or maneuver around your parking lot. The fact is, if new people are going to come to your church, in most cases they are going to bring their cars. Unchurched people don’t have the same motivation and commitment to walk a few blocks after parking the car next door. Attending a new church can be intimidating…as well we know from our entry doors.
Adequate space, clear directions, parking lot greeters, easy places for guests to park, better sidewalks are all needed.
Leonard Sweet in his book “Aqua Church” writes: “People who live in this post modern culture are anti-religious but deeply spiritual.” People in America are looking for direction and purpose. People are spiritually lost but searching for the meaning of life. They are seeking knowledge about life after death…to say to these pilgrims “I’m a Christian” and they flee for their lives. But say, “I’m a disciple of Jesus…they gather round to hear more. Post moderns have stars in their eyes about Jesus but not Christianity.”
Next week we begin two Sunday morning worship times. As the month of October rushes upon us we will begin Home Bible Study Fellowships. I hope you begin to sign up this week. Each group is designed for 4-6 members and two unchurched friends for whom you are praying.
Part of “Groups Ablaze” is about developing friendships with integrity with unchurched people. We become sensitive to their cultural world thought. In your bulletin today you’ll see some of the stages of faith our unchurched friends move through on their way to accepting Jesus.
Group 5: The most resistant, even antagonistic to the church and to the Gospel. They are intensely skeptical of the Bible and the claims of Christianity. Many have had a wounding church experience from earlier in their lives. Their motto would be “
Religion is OK for the weak-minded.”
Group 4: Those resistant to the Gospel but do not have an antagonistic attitude. Many have a belief in the afterlife which may or may not include heaven and hell. Christ is viewed as having an important role in history. They have used prayer as a safety net but don’t know if anyone is really listening. Resistant to someone trying to convert them. Their motto would be “Just what is truth?”
Group 3: No apparent interest in the church but open to discussions. Believers in a heaven and hell. They have a positive view of Jesus and of most Christians, but what they believe about God is quite puzzling. Their motto would be “Church just isn’t my thing.”
Group 2: They may say all the right “spiritual” things but they have yet to make a personal step of faith. Often believe that one needs to work his or her way into heaven. Probably open to studying the Bible and to discussing its claims. Would be open to an invitation to visit a church. Their motto would be “Jesus is just alright with me”.
Group 1: Highly receptive to hearing about the gospel and engaging in spiritual conversations. Probably have been involved in a church at some point in their life. Feel bad about making excuses for not going to church more. Pray on a regular basis. Like Group 2’s, they believe that one works their way to heaven. Their motto would be “What must I do to be saved?”
Remember both Zacchaeus and Matthew, Tax Collectors by career, had a dinner party for their friends to introduce them to Jesus. Our parking lot, our landscape, our fellowship dinner last week, the upcoming golf tournament and BBQ are about building friendships, preparing the facility for the growth God will bring.
Remember the last verse of Acts 2?
“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and
about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
