Reflections on "An Autobiography" John 4: 39-42

confirmation Sunday is always a great day.  the five confirmands were sitting on the second row, dead center.  They seemed to cower a bit as I preached to them!

The sermon was a bit different in the chapel service, because I changed (on the fly) the references that were specific to the confirmands to general statements about all of us reflecting on significant moments in our faith.  Since we did not have confirmands in that service, it seemed a bit silly to talk to the confirmands.

I didn't have a very good feel for how the sermon went.  I was so focused on the confirmands that I didn't notice how the rest of the congregation was responding.  I preached from in front of the communion table (like on Easter), and again struggled a bit because I had to use my notes.  I need to spend a little bit more preparation time when I am going to preach without a pulpit.  

"An Autobiography" John 4: 39-42; May 6, 2012; confirmation Sunday; Telling Stories series, 2012

Introduction: Series on telling stories; context of confirmation; day our confirmands profess their faith in Jesus Christ.

This sermon is preached specifically for Marc, Rachel, Claire, Grayson and Allie.  The rest of you can listen in, but this sermon is for the confirmands!

Move 1: the John passage is a snippet from the wonderful story of the Samaritan woman at the well.

a. The disciples have gone into town, and Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well.

1. Samaritan means she is an outsider.
2. She's also a woman.  Jesus should not speak to.
3. Jesus not only speaks to her, but know everything about her.
   b. She tells people about what Jesus said to her and did.
   1. Some believe.
   2. Then they hear Jesus and make that point that they believe, not just because of the woman's testimony, but they claimed their belief in Jesus Christ for themselves.
   c. Today you profess your faith in Jesus Christ.
   1. When you were baptized, your parents professed their faith.
   2. your mentors have shared with you about their faith.
   3. you have heard panels of members at different times this year share with you about their faith.
   4. You have read (or at least you were supposed to have read!) much of the Bible.
   5. You have outlined 16 sermons that speak to our God.
   6. You have lots of people and experiences that point you in the direction of professing your faith in God.
   7. but today you claim it for yourself.
   8. You get to write your own autobiography of faith beginning today.

Move 2: Today should be a day you remember.

a. An important chapter in your faith story.

1. When you stand up front and look out at the congregation.
2. When you answer the questions.
3. When you kneel to be anointed.
4. Commit these moments to your memory.
5. They become part of your story.
   6. In fact, your whole confirmation experience becomes part of your memory.

b. You will have times in your life when you are less sure about your faith.
1. maybe times when you forget.
2. you face difficult issues and wonder where God is.
3. Remember this day.
4. remember your mentors.
5. Remember the stories your read about God.
6.  Maybe find the stole you made for today somewhere or see your prayer shawl on the end of your bed.
7. And then remember your faith in Jesus Christ.

Move 3: God comes after you.

a. Our theology teaches us that God gives us the gift of faith.

1. God pursues us.

2. Like Jesus finding the Samaritan woman at the well. He found her there. He knew about her. He offered her the gift of salvation.

3. Charlie Brown – Snoopy is called by some the hound from heaven.
4. you are here because God has sought you out.

b. You live your own story, but God chooses to be a part of it.

1. You do not profess your faith in a God who goes and hides in the corner, never to be seen.

2. You profess your faith in the God who sends Christ to live among us and find us, even when we find ourselves hiding in the corner.

Conclusion: I am reminded a scene from the movie Tender Mercies. It takes places in a dusty, little TX town. Rosa Lee, the widowed owner of the Mariposa Motel has a down and out country western singer and songwriter arrive at her hotel. The movie tells their story and how they piece their lives back together. The day her son sonny and Mac are baptized at the local Baptist church, they find themselves riding home in the pick-up and they have this conversation.

Sonny says, “Well, we done it, Mac. We were baptized.”

“Yeah, we are,” Mac responds.

“Everybody said I was gonna feel like a changed person,” Sonny continues. “I guess I do feel a little different, but I don’t feel a whole lot different, do you?”

“Not yet.”

Sonny strains to check himself in the rear view mirror, “You don’t look any different. You think I look any different?”

Mac smiles and shrugs, “Not yet. Tender Mercies, Screenplay by Horton Foote, quoted by H. Virginia Jackson-Adams in Word and Witness, January 10, 1988.

when you wake up tomorrow you may not feel that much different than today.

But, what you do today will make a difference in your story of life and faith because today you claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.