John 14:15-21

JOHN 14:15-21
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to se you again.
Winter – spring – summer – or fall
All you have to call
And I’ll be there –
You’ve got a friend.

Ok – I probably have lost some of you for the rest of the sermon as you are trying to remember the rest of the words to the song – or remembering where you were when you first heard it – – or going through all the different memories the song brings up for you.
The song – of course – is “You’ve Got A Friend” – written – I think – by Carol King – and made famous by North Carolina’s own James Taylor.
It’s a beautiful song with a beautiful message of commitment and love.

I do remember one extremely funny sketch on Saturday Night Live with Carol King and – I think – Steve Martin. Carol was inside a nice, warm house – the fire in the fireplace blazing – playing the piano and singing “You’ve Got A Friend”. Outside was a blizzard – the snow falling at a fast rate and the wind howling.
Steve Martin was outside the house – and you could hear him pounding on the door and screaming:
“Carol – open up! It’s your old friend – Steve!
Open up!
It’s freezing out here!”
But Carol just continued playing and singing “You’ve Got A Friend”
Steve then appeared at the window – screaming – pressing his face against the window – yelling for Carol to open the door. Carol continued playing and singing – oblivious to Steve.
As the skit continued Steve was hanging onto the window – screaming – grimacing as only Steve Martin can – and finally collapsed into the snow. Finally Carol got up from the piano and looked out the window – but Steve was covered by the snow and she couldn’t see him.
A funny skit –
But the sentiments of the song “You’ve Got A Friend’

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to se you again.
Winter – spring – summer – or fall
All you have to call
And I’ll be there –
You’ve got a friend.

are serious.
We all need friends.
Surely there have been times you wished that you had a friend – or were glad you had a friend – someone to help when the chips are down.
Surely you have wished at times that you had someone to talk to when you were lonely — someone to listen to your problems — someone who cared — someone who would love you even if you were in the wrong?
Or you were glad you had a friend like that.
Have you ever heard someone say,
“He doesn’t have a prayer”– or
“She doesn’t have a prayer.”
What they mean, of course, he or she is hopeless.
Have you ever felt like you didn’t have a prayer?
That you were hopeless?
When you felt hopeless, wouldn’t it have been nice to have a friend to talk to?
Or if you had one – weren’t you glad you did?
Wouldn’t it have been nice at those times in your life to have a prayer?
Wouldn’t it have been nice to talk to God and know that He is listening?

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to se you again.
Winter – spring – summer – or fall
All you have to call
And I’ll be there –
You’ve got a friend.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that God is your friend?
Wouldn’t it be nice to know that God loves you and will help?
Because, if God loves you, you are not hopeless! If God will help you, you have hope! If God loves and will help you, things will work out! If God is your friend – then you can make it through the hard times in life.
Yea – for most of us it is important to have friends. For most of us it would be important to know – beyond the shadow of a doubt – that God is your friend.

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to se you again.
Winter – spring – summer – or fall
All you have to call
And I’ll be there –
You’ve got a friend.

Well – maybe you don’t think you need friends.
Maybe you never felt hopeless.
Maybe you’re one of those beautiful people that we see in magazines — with symmetrical features — good hair — perfect teeth — great talent.
Or maybe you are a good athlete — or always get A’s on tests — or make people laugh –
Or maybe you have succeeded in your career — or things are just going well for you.
There are people like that, you know.
Or at least it seems that way.
Beautiful!
Successful!
Never in doubt!
Or so it seems.
But you know what — beautiful people have their problems too.
Even beautiful people need friends.
Philip Yancey is the author of the book Where Is God When It Hurts?
He talks about interviewing the beautiful people — famous football players — movie stars — authors — TV personalities. He talks about how we idolize them — how we want to be like them — how we want to know every detail of their lives — their clothes — their romances — even their toothpaste. Then he goes on to say:

“Yet I must tell you that, in my limited experience,
these our ‘idols’ are as miserable a group of people as I have ever met.
Most have troubled or broken marriages.
Nearly all are hopelessly dependent on psychotherapy.
In a heavy irony, these larger-than-life heroes
seem tormented by incurable self-doubt.
(Philip Yancey, Where Is God When It Hurts?)

“Tormented by incurable self doubt!”
Hard to imagine, isn’t it!
But we know that it’s true.
We know about their broken marriages — their addiction to drugs and alcohol. We know that their talent has a dark side.
If the beautiful people find themselves “tormented by incurable self doubt,” we need not feel odd if we, too, sometimes feel lonely — isolated — uncertain. – like we need a friend.
That is part of the human condition.

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to se you again.
Winter – spring – summer – or fall
All you have to call
And I’ll be there –
You’ve got a friend.

That is how Jesus’ disciples felt — lonely — isolated — uncertain.
Like they needed a friend.
You might even say that they felt betrayed.
Jesus was talking about leaving them. He was talking about dying. The disciples had made great sacrifices to follow Jesus. They had staked everything on him. They had walked away from their fishing businesses. They had left home and hearth. They had allowed themselves to believe that Jesus was the one who would turn everything around — would make everything right. They had believed that he was the Messiah — the one who would save Israel.
And now he was talking about leaving them.
Can you imagine how they felt?
The sense of betrayal!
Why had Jesus asked them to follow him if he intended to leave them?
Why had he brought them this far only to abandon them?
Yea – I’m sure the disciples felt that they needed a friend.
Jesus knew that his disciples were afraid – that y felt that they needed a friend — so he made them a promise.
He said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.”
An advocare.
A friend.
In the original Greek, the word we translate as “Advocate” is “parakletos.”
So what?
What does “parakletos” mean?
Well it means “someone called in to help.”
A parakletos could be a lawyer called in to defend you.
It could be a witness called in to testify in your behalf.
A “parakletos” could be anyone called in to help in your hour of need.
A friend.
Jesus, knowing that he would soon ascend back to the Father, promised his disciples a “parakletos”–
someone on whom they could call when they needed help — someone who would be there for them in their hour of need.
A friend.
Jesus promised that this friend would be with them forever.
That is where we come in.
The – “parakletosthe friend — that Jesus promised to these first disciples is available to us as well.
This “parakletos– this friend — is there to help us when we need help – to guide us when we need guidance – to steer us rightly – to protect us from harm.
When Jesus talked about the “parakletos — the friend — He was talking about the Holy Spirit –
God’s Spirit dwelling within us –
God’s Spirit living in our hearts.
The promise that Jesus made to those first disciples is a promise to us as well.
Jesus has made it possible for us to have a “parakletos
— a helper on whom we can call in time of need – a friend – God with us – God dwelling in our hearts.
Jesus is saying – in effect –

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to se you again.

Winter – spring – summer – or fall
All you have to call
And I’ll be there –
You’ve got a friend.

That might seem pretty academic to you — not especially useful “where the rubber meets the road” in the nitty-gritty of your life.
But it isn’t academic at all, because it works — it helps.
I remember reading about Colonel Thomas Schaefer, the highest-ranking military officer in the U.S. Embassy in Teheran when that embassy was overrun and the Americans taken prisoner. Colonels are seasoned veterans and tend to be strong — and Schaefer was no exception. However, being taken prisoner in a hostile nation — not knowing if he would ever see his family again — held in solitary confinement in a tiny cell with nothing to read and nothing to do — Schaefer found himself at the edge of his limits. But he was a Christian, and so he got down on his knees and prayed, “God, I cannot handle this. I need your help.” He says, “And I got it!” He received the help that he needed to survive those long, seemingly endless, days of captivity.
The “parakletos – the friend — the Holy Spirit — gave him the strength that he needed.
John Claypool is a minister whose little daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. He thought, “I don’t believe I can survive if she should die.” But he was a man of faith, and called on God to help him. He describes what happened. He says:

“The truth of the matter
was that this crisis did bring its own special potencies with it.
Looking ahead I would say, ‘I do not think I can stand it,’
and looking back I would say, ‘I do not know how we were able to survive,’
but the truth is we did….
I and my daughter and the members of my family
were met in the worst of times
by energies we knew nothing about ahead of time….
All I know is: the Lord did provide as he promised
and coming to trust in him
is enormously encouraging to me as I face the future.”

As you see from these examples, those who live in the presence of the Holy Spirit cannot expect easy lives – Jesus never promised us a bed of roses – but the Spirit helps us to prevail no matter how difficult the circumstances.

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to se you again.
Winter – spring – summer – or fall
All you have to call
And I’ll be there –
You’ve got a friend.

Earlier in this sermon, I mentioned Philip Yancey, who interviewed football heroes — movie stars — television personalities — only to find that these beautiful people had feet of clay — that they were “tormented by incurable self doubt!”
He went on to write about the other side of the coin — people whom he calls “servants” — missionaries — doctors and nurses working in Third World countries — linguists living among primitive people in remote places, often for decades, to translate the Bible for those people.
Yancey says:

I was prepared to honor and admire these servants,
to hold them up as inspiring examples.
I was not, however, prepared to envy them.
But as I now reflect on the two groups side by side, stars and servants,
the servants clearly emerge as the favored ones, the graced ones.
They work for low pay, long hours, and no applause,
‘wasting’ their talents and skills among the poor and uneducated.
But somehow in the process of losing their lives they have found them.”
(Philip Yancey, Where is God When It Hurts?

Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit, and has delivered on that promise.
Those of us who believe in Christ can expect the Spirit to help us when we need help — anytime — day or night.
The only question is whether we will follow faithfully.
If we will, God will bless us with lives that become stronger day by day — with faith to drive out fear — with lives solid at the core.

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to se you again.
Winter – spring – summer – or fall
All you have to call
And I’ll be there –
You’ve got a friend.

On the cover of today’s bulletin there is an old Southern prayer.
Let’s read that prayer together:

“O Lord, help me to understand
that you ain’t goin’ to let nuthin’ come my way
that You and I together can’t handle. Amen.

Yea – you’ve got a friend!
Amen.

John 17:1-26

John 17:1-26
April 24, 2005
Easter 5
Evangelism Is ….

What do you think of when you hear the word: Evangelism?
What about the word: Evangelist?
What about the words: Share your faith?

Do these words conjure up positive images for you?
Do you feel some ownership to these words – like they describe you – or what you feel you should be?
Do you feel that you are to be about evangelism –
that you are to be an evangelist –
that you are to be sharing your faith?
Or do you feel that these are things for “someone else” to do – but not you?

I was at an Evangelism Conference at Columbia Theological Seminary this week – and discovered that the way we think about evangelism has a lot to do with the way we do evangelism.

So – what do you think of when you hear the word evangelism?
Going out and bringing people to Christ?
Going door to door and witnessing?
These have been images of evangelism for many people. And it is not something that many people want to be a part of.

What about the word evangelist?
What do you think of when you hear the word evangelist?
Someone with a floppy, well – thumped Bible who stands and yells at you until you finally give up and make a decision for Christ – just to get them to be quiet?
Someone who will get the pianist to play “Just As I Am” 100 times if necessary until people respond?
I heard a joke not long ago about a Revival Preacher who ended his message on the final night of meetings with the usual invitation. The pianist played and played – but no one came forward.
Finally a young boy came down the aisle –
the preacher praised God and said
“And a little child shall lead them!” —
and
“Who else is God speaking to – right now?”
and the boy went straight to the front of the Church – then turned right to go out the exit door to the rest rooms.
Not exactly the response the preacher wanted!
This is the image that many have of an evangelist – and for many it is not a very positive one!

What about sharing your faith?
What do you think of when you hear these words?
Passing out tracks of pamphlets?
Going up to someone and starting a conversation by saying:
“If you were to die do you know where you would go?”
This is the image that many have of sharing your faith – and for many it is not a very positive one!

Many people do not have a very positive image of evangelism – or of evangelists – or of sharing their faith. And since they do not have a positive image of it, they do not take part in it – leaving it to someone else – feeling that there is no
way they are going to take part in evangelism – or being an evangelist – or sharing their faith.
Yes — the way we think about evangelism has a lot to do with the way we do evangelism.
The negative ideas we have about evangelism have a lot to do with why we do not do evangelism.
Presbyterians have not done a very good job at evangelism in the past few years – and we have lost many members and not gained many more because of it. A recent study of the major denominations showed that the Presbyterian Church (USA) lost thousands of members every year – leading the way in membership loss of the 25 top denominations.
Yea – We’re Number One!
But membership loss is not something you want to be number 1 in!

Maybe we need to take another look at evangelism – evangelists – and sharing your story!
What is evangelism?
What is an evangelist?
What does it mean to share your story?
And – is it something everyone should be doing?
The original meaning of them word evangelism – in the original Greek – means sharing the good news!
So – an evangelist is someone who shares good news.
And sharing your story means sharing how good news has affected your life.
What if we were to think about evangelism as sharing the good news of God’s love.
What if we were to think about an evangelist as being someone who shares the good news of God’s love.
What if we were to think of sharing your story as sharing how God has touched your life and changed your life.
And – what if we were to think that this work of evangelism – this sharing the good news of God’s love – was everyone’s job?
What if we all took the role of evangelism – sharing the good news of God’s love – personally – seriously — and became involved in it—passionate about it – excited about it?
We may lose our number 1 ranking of being the top denomination as far are losing members.
Our churches may grow – and more and more people come to know about Christ.
But first we need to let it sink in that
evangelism does not have to be going out and bringing people to Christ
eangelism does not have to be going door to door and witnessing
evangelism is simply sharing the good news of the love of God in the best way we can do it
evangelists do not have to be someone with a floppy, well – thumped Bible who stands and yells at you until you finally give up and make a decision for Christ – just to get them to be quiet
evangelists do not have to be someone who will get the pianist to play “Just As I Am” 100 times if necessary until people respond?
evangelists are simply people who try to share the good news of God’s love in every way they can.
sharing your faith does not have to be passing out tracks of pamphlets
sharing your faith does not have to be going up to someone and starting a conversation by saying:
“If you were to die do you know where you would go?”
sharing your faith is using any method you can to get tell others about the good things God is doing in your life.

Evangelism is sharing the good news of God’s love!
Being an evangelist is being someone committed to sharing the good news of God’s love!
Sharing your story is using any method you can to share the good news of God’s love!
And we are all called to do evangelism – to be evangelists – and to share the good news of God’s love!

Our scripture passage before us today – John 17:1-26 – is a prayer Jesus prayed for His followers – and those who would come after them – at the Last Supper. A beautiful prayer for those who – with the strength of the Holy Spirit — will be doing the work of Jesus in the world – sharing the good news of God’s love with others in words and actions.
It is a prayer for evangelists – a prayer for those involved in evangelism – a prayer for those involved in sharing the good news of God’s love with the world.
It’s a prayer for each of us.

Churches need to be “evangelizing communities” — or communities that are committed to spreading the good news of God’s love!
Christians need to be busy telling how God has shown them love — and can show love to others!
We all have a story to tell — the story of God’s love.

That’s what evangelism is!
That’s what being an evangelist is!
That’s what sharing your story is all about!

Dr. Leighton Ford, the brother in law of Billy Graham and at one time one who would preach along with Dr. Graham at many of the crusades they held around the world, was one of the main speakers at the conference I attended this week. The point he kept driving home was the need to do evangelism. We all can not do it like Billy Graham or Leighton Ford – but we all can do it some way.
We all can share the love of God with the world.
We all can tell our story of God’s love.
Dr. Ford asked each of us to think about the first person who shared the love of God with us. He said that for most of us it was probably not a “Bible thumping” preacher – the Evangelist who conjures up negative images in our minds – but a loving friend – or parent – or grandparent – who simply told us that God loved us in a way that made that love real for us.
That’s what evangelism is!
That’s what being an evangelist is!
That’s what sharing your story is all about!
We need to be committed to that!
Not just as a denomination that is losing thousands of members a year.
Not just as a Church that is losing members.
But also as individual Christians – called to be evangelists – called to be people of faith with a story to tell!

So – how can we be evangelists – people committed to sharing the good news of God’s love with the world?
Well – first of all it takes prayer.
We need to be in prayer that God excite us – and give us a way to share the good news with others.
Second – we have to have a story to tell.
Has God changed your life?
Has God made a difference in your life?
If so – tell the story!
If not – listen to someone else’s story – so you can learn what God can do for you!
So – we have to pray.
We have to have a story to tell.
Then – thirdly – we have to be willing to go out into the world and tell that story of how God has changed our lives.
In the past we could just sit back and wait for folks to come to the Church – but things are different now. Now the Church – and that means each of us – have to be willing to go out and take the message of God’s love into the world.
Times have changed.
The world is a different place than it used to be.
The church is not as important to people as it used to be – but the message of the church – the good news of God’s love – still needs to be proclaimed – more so now than ever before. But we have to take it to the people instead of expecting the people to come to us to hear it.
There are 3 ways we can respond to the changes in the world – in the culture.
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We can fight it.
We can change with it.
Or – we can see how God is still working in the world – identify the places God is working – and be a part of that work.

The third option is the option of Christ – who prayed to God to bless His followers as they take His message into the world – just as He had done.
Unless we are willing to take the message of God’s love into the world – every day – the message will not change the culture.
So – we have to pray.
We have to have a story to tell.
We have to be willing to go out into the world and tell that story of how God has changed our lives.

That’s what evangelism is!
That’s what being an evangelist is!
That’s what sharing your story is all about!

So –
What do you think of when you hear the word: Evangelism?
What about the word: Evangelist?
What about the words: Share your faith?
Try to remember that it’s sharing your story of how God has changed your life.
Try to remember that we have to pray.
We have to have a story to tell.
And we have to be willing to go out into the world and tell that story of how God has changed our lives.
Try to remember that we are called to share our story of God’s love with the world every day.
Try to remember that if the Church is going to be renewed, we have to do the work of evangelism!
Try to remember that

That’s what evangelism is!
That’s what being an evangelist is!
That’s what sharing your story is all about!

AMEN

Luke 24:13-35

ACTS 2:14(A),36-41
LUKE 24:13-35
LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
EASTER 3 APRIL 10, 2005

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven;
Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

The resurrection of Christ makes a difference in our lives — our Church — and our world. We don’t have to live in the past — or as Peter calls it “this corrupt generation.”
The old ways of sin — the old ways of lack of faith — of lack of commitment — or lack of concern for others — of lack of forgiveness shown to others — of a seeming inability to drop habits that are destructive to ourselves and others — all these and so many more “old ways” are no longer necessary for us.
Why?
Because

Christ has risen
Our lives have been changed
Our world can be changed
Because Christ has risen.

Our ways of sin — our self-destructive habits — our lack of faith — our lack of excitement for the things of God — our lack of the ability to forgive those who hurt us — all these things can be changed — they are no longer necessary for us — but we can be

Holy
Faithful
Committed
Excited
Loving
Caring
people

This is the difference the resurrection can make in our lives.
We can

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

But — do we?
Does the resurrection make a difference in our lives?
Do we realize the difference the resurrection makes in our lives?

Do we

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven;
Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”

In other words

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

When Peter spoke these words, it was the day of Pentecost. The Spirit had moved mightily among the disciples and Peter had begun explaining to the crowds about Christ — and how to live as if the resurrection of Christ truly made a difference in their lives. The message of Peter was so persuasive that day that the author of Acts tells us that 3,000 people came to believe in Christ on that day.
This is a story we marvel at.
It’s a miracle along the same lines as those of Christ.
Just imagine 3,000 people coming to be baptized at the same time!
But — I wonder — what miraculous thing would happen here and now if we would just let the resurrection make a real difference in our lives?
We need to realize the difference the risen Christ can make in our lives — and then

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Too often we choose to not let the resurrection make a real difference to us.
Too often we choose to live as if we don’t even realize that it ever happened.

Look at Cleopas and his friend on the way to Emmaus.
They had heard that Christ had risen.
They had heard that the women had seen a vision of angels who had declared the glorious news of the resurrection.
They should have been filled with excitement.
But — instead — they are distraught.
The news of the resurrection does not make them joyous.
No — instead of joyous it makes them even more confused.
They are not able to see what the resurrection can mean for them.
They do not realize that the resurrection can change their lives.
They do not realize that the despair of their lives can be changed into glorious hope because of the resurrection.
But — what happens when the resurrected Christ breaks the bread?
Their eyes are opened —
They understand —
Yes — they do not have to live in despair —
Yes — they can live in glorious hope —
Yes — their lives can be changed —
Yes — they can live as if the resurrection makes a difference —

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven;
Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”

Like Cleopas and his friend — too many times we choose the old ways of living — the old patterns of our lives — as if we were oblivious — or blind — to the resurrection. We choose to live in ways the world and our sinful habits dictate to us . Ways that have nothing to do with proclaiming the resurrected Christ to the world. We even choose to live as we did before we even knew Christ. Our actions are not as different as they could be. We may even live as if we have not heard — like those Peter addressed did not know until Peter told them about the resurrection and the difference it could make in their lives.
Maybe we choose to do God’s will — until something else comes along to attract our attention.
Maybe we choose to be faithful and committed to God and the church — until we find something else we deem more interesting.
We may even take part in the work of our risen Lord and the work of the church – – until we find something else that we prefer.
We may try to live as God’s committed, excited people in the world — until the ways of the world interest us again.
We may be able to control destructive habits for awhile — until the temptation of go back to our old ways becomes just too great.

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ
so that your sins may be forgiven;
Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”

Friends — Christ has risen!

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Like Cleopas and his friend after recognizing Christ —
Like the crowd that Peter addressed — 3,000 of whom became believers —
Let the risen Christ touch your life.
You don’t have to live without a commitment to God.
You don’t have to live in old ways with old habits and old ways of doing things that may be destroying you and others — no matter how strong those old habits and ways may be and how difficult they may be to break.
We can all be loving — faithful — committed — excited — caring
We can all

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

How can we do this?
Well –
I am sure that you have heard of Ashley Smith. You might not recognize her name, but you have certainly heard her story.
Ashley is the young woman taken hostage by Brian Nichols, the man who killed a judge and three other people in Atlanta.
Ashley has had a troubled life — drugs and other problems. Not so long ago, when she hit bottom, Ashley spent two months in a Christian clinic for drug abusers. The counselors not only helped her to get off drugs, but they also helped her to get her heart right with God. When Brian Nichols took her hostage, she had in her possession a copy of “The Purpose Driven Life” — a book about Christian faith — and she had read part of it. God had done a good job of getting her ready for her encounter with a killer.
When Nichols took her captive, Ashley talked to him about God. She showed him pictures of her family. She read to him from “The Purpose Driven Life.” When Nichols asked what she thought he should do, she was honest with him. She told him that he needed to stop running — he needed to turn himself in. She told him that, when he went to prison, he could fulfill his “miracle” by “sharing the word of God” with other inmates.
You know the rest of the story. He let her go — and she called the police — and Nichols surrendered peacefully
Ashley let God change her life.
Ashley was changed from a young woman with many problems to a young woman with a story to share – and willing to share it with others.
Ashley let God make a difference in her life – and lived as if Christ made a difference to her.

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Now – of course you don’t have to be kidnapped by a killer to begin living your life as if Christ makes a difference in your life. You can live as if Christ makes a difference in your life every day. Every day as you let Christ change you – every day as you share the love of God with others – you are living as if Christ has made a difference in your life.

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ
so that your sins may be forgiven;
Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”

Friends — Christ has risen!

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Like Cleopas and his friend after recognizing Christ —
Like the crowd that Peter addressed — 3,000 of whom became believers –
Like Ashley Smith —
Let the risen Christ touch your life.
You don’t have to live without a commitment to God.
You don’t have to live in old ways with old habits and old ways of doing things that may be destroying you and others — no matter how strong those old habits and ways may be and how difficult they may be to break.
We can all be loving — faithful — committed — excited — caring
We can all

LIVE AS IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Are you ready?
Well, then, let’s do it!

AMEN

John 20:19-31

Acts 2:14(a), 22-32
John 20:19-31
Easter 2 April 3, 2004
Believing Is Seeing

A week has passed sense our celebration of the resurrection of our Lord.
What kind week has it been for you?
Has it been a week filled with glorious hope — the glorious hope and power of God and the new life we have because of the resurrection of Christ?
Has it been a week of joyous response to God because of the way our lives and our world are changed because of the resurrection of Christ?
Has it been a week filled with bringing the new life and hope we have in Christ into the world with joy and enthusiasm?

Is that the kind of week it’s been for you?
Or —
Has it been pretty much a week of “business as usual” — some joy but mainly just the mundane — work and whatever we usually do?
Did you leave the joy and excitement of Easter here last Sunday?
Did you forget to take it home with you — and out into the world?
Has the promise of the new life we have because of the resurrection of Christ changed your life –and given you a joyous message to proclaim to the world —
Or
Does the reality of the world seem to sap the energy and enthusiasm and “good news” right out of you?
Or
Is it that your life and world just seems so hard to change — and you give up trying to let the resurrected Christ make a difference in your life and world before you even start?

Indeed — as we come together today we may find ourselves wondering —
“So what if Christ has risen?”
“What difference does it make — to me?”
“What difference does it make in my life?”
“What difference does it make in this church?”
“What difference does it make in the world?”
“Where’s the new life Christ offers?”

These are very legitimate questions.
Particularly this week as we have been bombarded with the battle over the life – and then the death – of Terry Schiavo – the death of the Pope – – the war in Iraq – and so many other events in the world – and for many of us events in our own lives – we might wonder what difference the resurrection of Christ might make in our lives and in our world.
Indeed —

“So what if Christ has risen?”
“What difference does it make — to me?”
“What difference does it make in my life?”
“What difference does it make in this church?”
“What difference does it make in the world?”
“Where’s the new life Christ offers?”

These must have been the types of questions the disciples were asking to themselves – – if not aloud – as they tried to make sense of the events of that first Easter day.
As they gathered that first night – with their grief over Christ’s death still strong – they must have had trouble believing Mary’s story of seeing Christ. And John and Peter may not have been able to fully understand the meaning of the fact that they did not find the body when they rushed to the tomb that morning.
They might have seen evidence of the resurrection – but not yet believed it.
They might have seen evidence of the new life Christ offered – but not yet believed it.
The “dots” may have been right in front of them – but they may not have been able yet to “connect” them and get the beautiful picture of the risen Lord – and the beautiful life He could give them.
And then – something happened.
Jesus appeared – breathed the Holy Spirit upon them – and they saw the evidence that helped them believe in the risen Christ – and the new life Christ could give them.
Jesus appeared – and finally it all began to make sense.
Mary had come to them with the story of the risen Christ because Christ had risen!
John and Peter had found the tomb empty because Christ had risen!
They had had the evidence before them – but had not believed it.
Now – they believed it – saw it for what it was – and their lives were changed!

Seeing is believing.
But believing is also seeing.

Sometimes we get the impression that if we see something we will believe it.
“Seeing is believing” we like to say.
That can be true – but what if the evidence of something we need to believe is right before our eyes – but we do not believe it?
While it is true many times that seeing is believing —
it is also true that believing is seeing.

Believing is seeing.

The disciples may not have believed the evidence of the resurrection that was right before their eyes until Christ helped them believe. Then they could see it for what it was – and the joy and excitement of the risen Christ changed their lives.

Believing is seeing.
Believing is seeing.

Maybe it’s hard for you to see evidences of the new life Christ offers us.
Maybe it’s hard for you to believe in the new life Chist offers you.
Maybe when you look at the world all you see is that many people going homeless and hungry – or all you see is wars, drugs, and violence – or people sick and dieing – and sometimes people using the death of others to promote their cause instead of really caring for the person dieing –
Maybe when you look around you at your family and friends you see many of your friends and loved ones who are sick and showing little sign of improvement — indeed may be getting worse – or maybe you see that your home life – your family life – is definitely not what you would want it to be —

Maybe you see things that make you feel:
“So what if Christ has risen?”
“What difference does it make — to me?”
“What difference does it make in my life?”
“What difference does it make in this church?”
“What difference does it make in the world?”
“Where’s the new life Christ offers?”
“I don’t see the difference – so I can’t believe it!”

Friends – many times
Believing is seeing.
Believing is seeing.

Like the disciples who had the evidence of the resurrection right in front of them but could not believe it – we have the evidence of the new life in Christ right in front of us – but can’t see it for what it is until we believe it!

Believing is seeing.
Believing is seeing.

Every day God is changing lives.
Every day miracles happen.
But we don’t believe it to be what it is — and don’t see it to be what it is!

Believing is seeing.
Believing is seeing.

Christ has risen!
New life is possible!
New ways to live are possible!

Believe it!
See it!

Look at the world again with eyes that are open to the new life Christ offers.
Look at the world again with eyes that believe the evidence of the new life Christ gives us.
The evidence – the cause for rejoicing – the cause for believing that God is changing the world through the risen Christ – is before us every day.
Every day God’s people are making a difference in people’s lives!
Every day the hungry are being fed!
Every day people who are sick and dieing are finding peace as God’s people reach out to them with love and compassion!
Every day relationships are being changed as people find new ways to relate to each other – ways that are more peaceful – more caring – more understanding.

Believe it!
See it!
Let the power of God to change lives change your life!
Let the power of God that can change lives change your perspective!
Let the power of God that can change lives give you a renewed sense of hope and excitement for life!

Believing is seeing.
Believing is seeing.

The power of God – the power of the risen Christ – is at work in the world every day —
Believe it!
See it!
Share it!

Share the power of the risen Christ – the power that can change lives – with others.
Help others experience the life changing love of Christ as you reach out into the world with the live of God.
Show others God’s love.
Reach out to those in need of a helping hand.
Give a smile to those who are lonely.
Visit those who are sick of depressed.
Help make a difference in the life of someone who needs it.

Christ has risen.
The world can be changed.
Lives can be changed.
Believe it!
See it!

Believing is seeing.
Believing is seeing.

Amen