Second Presbyterian Church

"Jesus Grieves and Rejoices:
Preaching From the Gospel of Luke"
January 2, 2005

Upcoming Events

Worship Schedule

Sermons

About the Church

• Accessibility to the Church

• Directions to the Church

• History of the Church

Church Staff

Groups & Organizations

• Boy Scouts of America - Troop 175

• Choirs

• Presbyterian Women

• SPY (Second Presbyterian Youth)

Committees

• Building & Grounds

• Church Growth

• Congregational Care & Fellowship

• Education & Nurture

• Finance

• Office & Personnel

• Stewardship

• Witness & Service

• Worship & Celebration

Ad Hoc Committees

• Architectural - Engineering

• Building Fund

Presbyterian Internet Sites of Interest

Virginia Links

• Virginia Cities

Web Site Statistics

Site Map

Second Presbyterian Church Homepage

Sermons Homepage » Sermons for 2005 » Sermons for January 2005 » Sermons from the Series on Luke

#36 in the Series on Luke
The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.

• Isaiah 14: 12-15
• Luke 10: 1-24

Next Sunday is the Sunday that we install our next class of Elders, the class of 2007. They have experienced the call to help lead our congregation in its ministry to proclaim Jesus Christ to our community and beyond. Perhaps it is good that the idea of calling and commissioning disciples comes on the Sunday before the ceremony. That way we shall not be so distracted by the actual ceremony and can hear the message that Jesus Christ has for us.

In our passage we have the narration of Jesus commissioning 70 (72) disciples to go before him and prepare the way by proclaiming that the Kingdom of God has come near. He gives them specific instructions, which depict the urgency of the situation: travel light, don't spend much time with social amenities, eat what's before you, etc. We hear the urgency in Jesus' words, "The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few."

After they are sent ahead of him, Jesus grieves over three cities in which he had already ministered: Chorazin, Capernaum, and Bethsaida. Although we don't hear of Chorazin it evidently was another place where Jesus ministered. He pronounces woe's over these cities, because so much was done for them, and the response was evidently not in accordance with the ministry.

The truth is this: when we are called to ministry and given the gifts of ministry, the Lord expects, even demands that those gifts be used well and wisely. "To those that much has been given, much is demanded."

And I believe that we, here at Second Presbyterian Church lie within that category. For over a 153 years the Lord has richly blessed this congregation and it has, in many, many ways responded by giving its all to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yet the question needs to be asked, should we be content with who we are and where we stand? I believe that the Lord is prodding us to examine this, to look at what we do well - and rejoice; to look at what we can do better - and seek the help of the Holy Spirit to do better.

For example. In our day and age it is too easy to see ministry as that which is done by the professionals: ministers, DCE'S, organist/choirmasters, and so on. And there is some truth to this. The statement that much is demanded of those to whom much has been given rings particularly true for ministers, Christian educators, church school teachers, and elders, those who have been given extra positions of Christian responsibility.

The down side is this: relying too much on the professionals to do the work of ministry places too much responsibility upon them and not enough upon the rest of the ministers of the congregation - its members.

First of all it causes a discrepancy in how ministry is understood. The congregation sees ministry as what the professionals do. That is only half right. Ministry professionals are in the business of ministry. But it's also half wrong. Ministry professionals are not in the business of ministry so that the rest of the congregation can relax.

Another way of viewing this is the "Professional" ministry people are here to equip the saints. We are here to help YOU enhance YOUR ministry, YOUR journey with Jesus Christ, YOUR spiritual growth. We are here to resource you so that the gifts of ministry that the Lord has given you can be used to build up the ministry of the congregation.

We all need to hear these words. Not that you are not doing this at all, because that is not true! Some of you sing in the choir. Some of you work in making Christmas baskets for those who need more food. Some of you teach Sunday School. Some of you help with children's choir, or hand bells. Some of you make supper for the men's shelter, some of you go around making life a little easier for people who are handicapped by adding ramps and railings. Some of you visit regularly those who cannot get around anymore. The list goes on and on.

So, it's not that we aren't doing that which we have been gifted to do. And we can rejoice with Jesus that in all that we do to demonstrate that we have our names written in heaven helps to shoot Satan out of heaven like a bolt of lightning as he falls into Hell.

Here is where my concern is. Despite all that we are doing, I worry about our Spiritual health. With notable exceptions I worry that some of you are afraid to read your Bibles regularly, because it is confusing and difficult. I worry that some of you are afraid to pray regularly, because it seems like you are just talking with yourself and you wonder if God really hears you. I worry that some of you are too busy to take time to be alone with God; after all we really do live in a time and lifestyle that rushes from one thing to the next.

Are you afraid to read your Bibles regularly? Are you intimidated by what you read, especially in the sense of, "what on earth is it talking about?" If you are, then talk with me, I can help. There is no question too stupid or too small. If you have a question about the Bible, trying to understand what you are reading, then it is a legitimate question.

Are you afraid to pray regularly? Then talk to me, let's see what's bothering you about prayer. Perhaps you feel like God doesn't hear you. Perhaps you believe that God hasn't answered the prayers you have offered, so why bother to continue to pray?

Are you afraid to dedicate all your life to God? Are you afraid that it might mean sacrifices that you are not yet ready to give? Talk with me and let's see what's going on.

Are you afraid to teach Sunday School? You feel intimidated by it. It feels that way to almost everybody who has taught church school. If you feel that way but you realize that God is urging you to consider teaching, talk with Marcia. She can help. She can help you with curriculum, teaching techniques, what can make teaching Sunday school interesting.

Do you have other questions that seem spiritual in nature. If you do, then use us "professionals" to assist you in your ministry. You see, YOU are the ministers of Second Presbyterian Church. You are the priests. You do not need me, or anyone else to go before God on your behalf. You have, thanks to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the direct connection to our God who loves you and cares about how you are. And He cares about how your ministry is coming along. Amen.

The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.