GENEralities

Third Sunday of Easter—Year A
Sunday, April 18, 1999

Jesus. Jesus. Jesus is the first word I want you hear from my lips in (my first sermon) this pulpit. It is the word—the name—that defines this community. It is also a word that polarizes people. They love it, or hate it. It is the word that makes us different from the world around us. Yet it is who we are. And so, in Peter’s words on the day of Pentecost:

(Acts 2:36, NIV) Therefore let all Israel (StB) be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, . . . both Lord and Christ.

This Jesus. Lord and Christ. The Word by which the Father called everything into existence through which He showed his great love for all the world. And so, Peter’s words from our epistle:

(1 Peter 1:18,19, NIV). . . know also that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed (or ransomed) from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forebears, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

We are a redeemed, a ransomed people—bought and paid for with a price—ransomed with the precious blood of Jesus, our Lord and Messiah. We are Jesus followers. Christians. Anointed Ones.

The Name I speak over you and into you this morning. The Name I will proclaim. The Name you will here if you come to me with troubles or problems, in baptism or marriage preparation, or when I come to you in your homes or in the hospital—Jesus, the Christ—the Living Word—the Name above all Names. It is my heart’s desire that as we journey together we will continue to keep our minds set on Him and our eyes fixed on Him—the first word, and the last word—Jesus.

So, why am I here—finally? More Peter:

(Acts 4:10 13, NIV). . . know this, you and all the people of Medicine Hat: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that I stand before you . . . Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men and women by which we must be saved.

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus or were companions of Jesus.

I love that phrase. Companions of Jesus. That is what we are. And our job together is to help others become His companions, too. This is not a closed club. We exist for the benefit of the people out there. This is a beautiful church building, but our gospel, the Good News we have to share about Jesus is even more beautiful. The beauty of the building or the friendliness of our community may attract them—but unless they meet Jesus, they aren’t likely to stay.

After all, look what happened when one companion of Jesus, Peter, told people about Jesus:

(Acts 2:37 41, NIV). When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

And scoot down to v47

. . . And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47, NIV).

Note the wording—the Lord added to their number. Imagine a StB in which the Lord was adding to our number daily—or even weekly, or monthly, for that matter. How do you think we could go about co operating with Him in such a way that he might start doing that? Today I want to give you notice—we’re going to find out.

Prayer of surrender.

So, I stand before you this morning by the name of Jesus of Nazareth, because Jude and I have decided to follow Him and because we believe He has called us to join you in Medicine Hat because He has something important for us to do together. I’m not exactly sure, yet, what that something is—but I strongly suspect it has to do with addition—worshipping, living, learning, loving and working together as companions of Jesus and with finding warm, genuine, non manipulative, non threatening ways to help others join us.

Before I close I must thank you all for the warm welcome Jude and I have received. We are glad to be here, yet at the same time, we grieve over a son and some very dear brothers and sisters in the Lord left behind. It’s hard to believe we’re actually here. But here we are, blessed be the Name of the Lord. Special thanks to some people here this morning. Mark Felesky, our patient, long suffering realtor. Keith and Brenda Knodel who have been a wonderful support and encouragement in stressful, exhausting times. Greg Dodd and Micky Todd for their business and financial acumen. Alf, for showing me how to work the doors and the lights all over this place. Georgina, for your quiet presence and helpfulness. Doug and Shirley Heine for putting us up when we came for the interview. Doug for showing me the ropes around here. Ivor. All you who have been praying for us and the people of St Francis. And you have a grand canonical committee, you know. They did a sterling job. You can be proud of them. And, finally, everybody who worked so hard to keep the worship happening —leading, preaching and all. Well done.

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