January 18, 2003 - Second After Epiphany

Sermon preached by The Reverend Armand J. Kreft, Associate Rector
The Church of St Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs, California

"How can anything good come out of Nazareth?" You can probably bet that Nathaniel's reply to Phillip was said with a sneer and cynicism. Yet Phillip's enthusiasm for a life with Jesus was undaunted by mocking remarks. "Come and see!" All of us get enthused about something in our lives. Sometimes it's a new car, new clothes or even a new restaurant. "Come and see" we say to our friends. We want to share our joy and enthusiasm because whatever it is, it has momentarily changed our lives and charged us with excitement.

Why are some people more ready to believe than others? Why can some people's lives be radically changed by their faith to the point where they must tell others? In modern times in the Western Hemisphere, individual strengths and successes have been pushed as the most desired. Our individual achievements take precedence over the greater good. My relatives were part of the great Norwegian immigration to the heartland at the turn of the last century. They brought with them the knowledge of farming, growing and nurturing crops and livestock. They also knew there was much about the growing cycle that was out of their hands, over which they had no control so they placed a deep faith in the power of God. They worked hard and they prayed hard. God was far more active in their lives in those days. And their focus was on the greater good of the family and the surrounding farming community than it was with anyone's individual success. If a neighbor lost his crops, lost livestock or had hardship, the community would join together, no questions asked (but probably some good table gossip) and helped the neighbor. When there was abundance, everyone shared.

From our Old Testament lesson we heard that "God's voice was rare in those days". In modern times our technology and scientific knowledge has increased to such a point that we can control most aspects of our life. Sometimes we can even cheat death. So we form our God in our own image rather than the other way around. And when we don't get our way, we get angry with God because God has not seen fit to do things our way.

Certainly in the western churches most believe that faith is a private, personal issue and any proclamation about Jesus is best left to the ordained clergy.

Annie Dillard, author and theologian, writes "if we had any concept of the power we are invoking on Sundays, we would not wear flowered hats and suits to church, but every pew would be equipped with seat belts and ushers would hand out crash helmets." My friends, Phillips life was changed to such an extent that he invited Nathaniel and probably others to come and see the Savior. Come and meet Jesus.

If we invited a neighbor to "come and see" just what would they find? Would they find an energetic, enthusiastic, life-giving, soul-saving faith, or would they find us reticent to talk about our faith and how our lives are changed by the experience of being part of St Paul's in the desert, or worse, would they find indifference and apathy. Our actions speak louder than our words. If we choose to live the Christian life, it is one of self-giving, rigorous honesty, and a belief that God is in charge. From that life, we show forth the compassion, love, forgiveness and acceptance that Jesus showed us.

I have two friends, fine upstanding Methodist people, who heard the call to follow Jesus in a new and exciting way. They had a good life and good ministry at a large Methodist church in Chicago. Yet they felt called to the desert to establish a new congregation. They answered that call, quit their jobs, left their possessions and are now in the process of working with the local Methodist church to plant a new congregation. They are enthusiastic about working for Jesus.

Phillip and the other apostles connected with Jesus. The apostles spent time with the Lord. Almost daily they had conversations and interactions with him. That means for us to spend time in prayer and reading the Bible. Most of all it means listening for Jesus to speak to us. That requires a concerted effort to remain in quiet anticipation for his voice.

Phillip and the other apostles grew in relationship with Jesus. We find ways to live our life as a reflection of our Lord. That means looking for those less privileged than ourselves. It means calling others into account for their actions and it means to respect other people. It also means for us to ask God what we should do with our lives, and then proceed to begin to do what may seem to us as outrageous.

Phillip connected with others who knew Jesus. Regularly the apostles met, broke bread and prayed together when they could. They had answered a call from Jesus and join with one another to spread the Good News of our salvation. For us it means to be with others who are actively seeking ways to represent Jesus in the world today.

Phillip and the other apostles reached out to those who have not heard the Good News and made disciples, such as Nathaniel. For us Christianity is hard work. Our Lord does not accept complacency. I assure you we will be called out of our self-satisfaction to move deeper into the love of God. We will be stretched and tried and we will find resources we never knew we had. For God is our strength and our faith can move mountains.

Phillip never forgot who was God. He didn't draw attention to himself, but like John the Baptist, he pointed beyond himself to the one who is God. Nathaniel was a cynic and a skeptic. Skepticism is not a modern virtue. Doubting Thomases have been around since the dawn of creation. By our nature we don't want to be led, we want to lead. So it is imperative that we truly become followers. By becoming a follower of Jesus, Nathaniel was transformed. He became a follower because Phillip invited him. "Come and See" What did Phillip see in Jesus of Nazareth that stirred him so much to invite his friend? What was Nathaniel promised if he indeed came to Jesus? He was promised to come and see souls redeemed. He was promised to come and see lives transformed. He was promised to come and see the heavens opened. Come and see, come and see. Like Nathaniel, perhaps our world weary cynicism will fall from our hearts too as we hear the call once again. Take a moment now and look into your hearts as Jesus invites you to "come and see". The deepest yearnings, our secret desires are revealed as Jesus awaits us there and see the heavens opened for you.