Reflections on "Following Jesus" I Corinthians 9: 19-23; Matthew 4: 18-22

The texts and topic were chosen before I attended lectures at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  the idea was to emphasize for the officers being ordained and installed that they have chosen to give up their freedom to serve in leadership and take on responsibility for the congregation.  While at the lectures, however, I heard a powerful comment on "Trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior..."  Since that is the first ordination question, I began to want to preach that on Sunday.  As I looked over the ordination questions, I was reminded that the new Form of Government in the Presbyterian Church (USA) adds "pray for" in the question about serving the people with energy, intelligence, creativity and love.  When I thought about the implications of that being asked, I realized that one of the ways the officers give up freedom is to commit to pray for the people of the congregation.  In my mind, that binds the officers to the members and forces responsibility.  Thus, the sermon shifted to what you read below..  Probably could/should have made it into two sermons, but instead I combined the compelling nature of Jesus' call and the responsibility that we take on in responding to God's call.   It also added to the sermon when I realized that the congregation also answers the "trust" question when they join and that they pledge to "pray" for the officers as part of the installation service.

Wish I had played with Paul's comment about doing it all for the "sake of the gospel," but will have to mine that phrase later.

“Following Jesus” February 5, 2012; FPC, Troy

Introduction: There I was, at the first Session meeting I would moderate, ready to the work of the Church of Jesus Christ. Ready to lead the Session as we tackled the important issues of the church as we sought to proclaim the Gospel.

We spent more time talking about a piano that someone wanted to move than on anything else. The compromise that evening was that if the woman who wanted the piano moved could get it moved (it was a baby grand) then it was okay with the Session. The piano was moved the next week.

Next Session meeting. Someone wanted to donate a piano. Now we were discussing the critical issue of when a church should accept a donation, where the piano should go, and so on. The piano was received and it arrived the next week.

Next Session meeting. The woman wants the piano moved again for another program. Another lengthy discussion about the role of pianos and why we moved them. Finally, it was decided the woman could move the piano. It was moved the next week.

Next Session meeting. Another person wants to donate a piano. Another lengthy discussion. This time, the piano was not accepted.

Next Session meeting. The baby grand that has been moved twice; now there is a request to move it again. Another discussion about moving pianos. Another decision to allow the piano to be moved. Again, within a day or two of the Session meeting the piano is moved.

I now am beginning to think that if we do not quite having piano issues, I may not survive my first call. I'm beginning to wonder I'm thinking how many pianos to be donated can possibly exist in Mt. Sterling, KY. And how often do pianos need to be moved.

Things on the piano front settled down, helped in part by the decision to let the baby grand be moved any time it was needed to be moved, as long as the church did not spend any money on moving the piano.

Actually, I think the Session got tired of dealing with the piano because the woman who kept wanting the piano moved had a secret weapon. Anyone else who wanted to move a piano had the daunting task of finding people to move the piano.

But not her. She had a son who loved her very much. He had a farm with several employees who loved being employed. If she wanted the piano moved, she would pick up the phone and call her son. “David, “ 'yes, Mom.” “I need the piano at church moved.” “Again?” “Yes, David.” 'okay.”

and within the day, he would arrive with with workers and move the piano.

Who has the power to compel you to drop everything you are doing and go move a piano?

Or for that matter, who has the power the power to make you drop your nets, give up your livelihood and follow the guy calling you to go fish for people?

Move 1; Jesus calls the disciples and they drop their things and follow him.

a. I've always been fascinated by the calling of the twelve disciples.

1. maybe they were looking for the Messiah.
2. Maybe they were bored with their jobs.
3. Maybe they had heard stories about Jesus.
4. But imagine – he asks them to come with him and they drop everything and go.
   b. they take on discipleship.
   1. Discipleship brings with it an interesting paradox.
   2. Christ frees us from our sin, from the things that hold us back, even from death.
   3. And then he calls us to give ourselves over to the Him.
   4. To take on his ministry.
   5. We are freed; but then called to bind ourselves to Christ and his work.

Move 2: Do you trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior...?

a. Not do you believe that Jesus is the messiah.

1. or do you believe that Jesus has performed miracles.
2. Jesus did not ask the disciples who were fishing inf they believed in him.
3. He asked them to follow.
   
   
   b. do you trust.

1. Are you willing to commit?
2. Are you willing to not just acknowledge who I am, but are you willing to act on it.
3. Are you willing to follow me.
   
   
   By the way, you answer that question when you join the church as well.
   
   
   Move 3: My favorite question we ask our officers is "Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?"

a. In our previous form of government, this question read energy, intelligence, imagination and love.

1. Still my favorite question.
2. Asks a lot.
3. Gets to the heart of things.  Reminder that we are asking our officers to give their all, to the core of who they are.
   
   
   b. “Pray for” is added

1. Not just lead, not just be recognized as someone with responsibility, bind yourselves to the people of this congregation.

2. Pray for them.

3. When you hear someone complaining that their deacon didn't visit them, pray for them.

4. When someone disagrees with what the Session did, pray for them.

5. When you know someone is having a difficult medical battle, pray for them.

6. let your leadership of the people be guided and undergirded by your prayers for them.

7. Oh, by the way, the congregation takes vows to pray for the officers as well!

Conclusion: Why did David move the piano for his mother? What else could he do. He loved her and wanted to please her.

Why follow Jesus? Because Jesus loves you and you want to please and serve him for the sake of the gospel.