Epiphany 2, January 16, 2005
Pastor Cindy Cone, Prince of Peace Lutheran
Isaiah 49:1-7
Witnessing to Israel, mission of God's servant.
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Paul's greeting to the Christian community. God is our master. Evidence of Jesus in our lives God will never give up on you.
Gospel-John 1:29-42
"Simon and Andrew became disciples."
Sermon:
The baptism of Jesus. You must believe in the light. John contains the full `calling' text. The `next day' is mentioned. (Cindy incorrectly said that John the baptist wrote the book of John. He would have been lacking a head). (There was probably some missing dialogue, too). The disciples just followed Jesus. Andrew calls Simon. Someone's faith was speaking loudly enough to invite people. Cephas. This was the tipping point. These were connection people. People were invited who invited others. "Come and see." Jesus shows us the ministry of servanthood. It's not `if you build it, they will come.' You have to invite people. When studying at the seminary, you have to go to church off campus.
Many people invite people to Scouts or dinners and other things, but they don't invite them to church. Religion isn't just a personal thing. We are shy. We won't take them to church, but to dinners we'll take them. Churches have bad P.R. They complain about having to put money in the offering plate and about disengaging sermons. (Apparently she tried to fix this problem by being experimental). Lutheran aerobics. This is traditional. Sit stand kneel. People don't like that. You have to make church a thing that changes people's lives. You have to say yes to Jesus. Can't continue to look backwards. Have to have a newness of life because of what happens because you've come to church. "Come and see."