Exodus 19:2-8 [1]a   Matthew 9:35-10 [2]:8 [2]

For centuries, the Church has glorified the twelve original disciples of Jesus. They have become larger than life: symbols of extreme dedication and faithfulness. People have prayed TO them; churches have been named FOR them. At Bethlehem, we have two of them in our stained glass: St. Matthew in the choir loft and St. John in the front. Look at them! They're serene; they're beautiful!

It's a mistake! A huge mistake! They're held up as examples so lofty that none of us could ever hope to meet, and precisely the opposite is true!

Webster's defines disciple as "a pupil, a follower," and what are we? As Christians are we not followers of Jesus? (Actually, there are those who say we should call ourselves Christ Followers and not Christians, given the behavior of some who claim the name of Jesus...) Aren't we pupils? Aren't we learners, becoming what Jesus would have us be?

As we head into Week 3 of our Sermon Series, "You have a story to tell: empowered to serve," let's look at the disciples and the notion of discipleship. What does it mean to follow Jesus? How might we start in our efforts to become better disciples? How can we be equipped to share our stories better?

In our Gospel reading, Jesus sends the disciples out to share the Good News. Why in the world did they agree to go? Why did they accept this huge challenge- this huge mission that Jesus is giving them? This is pretty early in Jesus ministry! The disciples aren't close to finished projects here! And the answer can only be that they knew Jesus and trusted him!

In our reading from Matthew's Gospel it says that Jesus had compassion on the crowds- that he loved them- that he knew what they needed and intended to meet those needs: their hurts, their fears and their hopes...The Disciples knew that love, that compassion first hand! For example, every one of us share the desire to be part of something important- something far larger than ourselves. And in Matthew 4 [3], Jesus says to Peter, Andrew, James and John, "Come, and I will make you fish for people!" Come, be a part of the most wonderful thing God has ever done!

We all care for and love our families (they may not be close to perfect, but they're ours!). In Matthew 8 [4], Jesus reaches out and heals Peter's mother-in-law.

Every one of us wants desperately to be accepted as we are- for who we are. And as we saw last week, in Matthew 9 [5], Jesus says "Follow me!" to a tax collector named Matthew- one hated and despised in that place and time as a traitor, both greedy and corrupt. And then Jesus has dinner with Matthew and his tax collector, sinner friends- in that culture, the ultimate in acceptance!

Jesus accepts Matthew and his friends as they are, where they are. Jesus teaches the twelve- and you and me- to start where someone is, not where you want them to be! Jesus love and compassion was right there for the disciples daily- hourly! Jesus knew them; they knew Jesus, and they trusted him when he asked them to do something! They were willing to try. God works wonders when people are willing to try...The first step in discipleship- in telling the story- is knowing Jesus! You and I start with the disciples! You and I are known by our Lord from the beginning of time! The same love- the same compassion that Jesus shared during his earthly ministry is there for you and for me! In our baptisms, you and I have been promised Jesus' love and grace forever!

How do we get to know and trust Jesus? The same way you do as with any relationship: by spending time with him in Scripture- in the reading of the Bible! You will learn the heart, the mind and the will of Jesus by reading the Gospels. I promise you, the more time you spend, the better you will know, love and trust Jesus. If you need a Bible, take the one in the pews in front of you! If you're not sure how or where to start, look at the table of contents, and go to Mark's Gospel.

And if you are looking for Bible study here and now, it's not too late to come to Pastor Beth's study on the Book of Acts on Wednesday mornings and evenings (see how the disciples grew up and shared Jesus across the known world). This fall, we plan to be offering a systematic, thorough walk through the Bible! If you have been long absent from- or looking for a reason to start regular Bible reason, come, get to know Jesus!

We also get to know and trust Jesus here, at worship, by receiving him in the bread and wine of Holy Communion, by gathering in all kinds of groups throughout the week- by sharing and showing love to one another, and knowing his presence in that love, that sharing, just as he promised we would! Come and get to know Jesus in this family of believers!

Our second issue of the day: What then did those first disciples do, knowing and trusting in Jesus and his love, even though they were new? As well as they could, they took Jesus' love and compassion into a world filled with harassed, helpless people- people who needed the love of Jesus as much as the disciples did! And here's a wonderful thing: Jesus structures their first mission so they have the best chance to be effective! (Look at the text! I used to think that Jesus' command to stay away from the Gentiles and the Samaritans to be exclusive, at best, but now I believe that Jesus wanted the disciples to start with folks like themselves- that is, people they might know- the people they'd have the best chance of relating to!)

The new disciples start close to home in their call to meet the needs of the people around them in their call (the same call you and I receive as Jesus' disciples!) to share the Good News- the love of Jesus Christ. And while I have no doubt the twelve literally raised the dead, cured the sick, cleansed lepers and cast out demons, I wouldn't let that discourage us, or even slow us down! I would use those things as metaphors, images for our world today:

People alienated or estranged from God, or from their loved ones can feel so alone as to feel dead... People struggling with addictions or abuse or codependency or whatever can be described as demon possessed. You and I can be there for them- the person at your place of business, on your block, at the store may not have heard a kind word or seen a smile in weeks- could be at their wits' end. Your smile, your greeting can be the very face- the very voice of Jesus for them- with your compassion, your care, you are showing the love and care of Jesus!

When you invite someone to church with you, you are showing your willingness to share your church family! And please know this: you will make mistakes (lots of them! Believe me, I know!) But you haven't been called to be the perfect disciple- there's never been one. You were called to be the best disciple you can be. You will be forgiven and strengthened to try again...And God will use you! You will be effective. You will see that you have been equipped to serve with all the gifts and skills you need to make a difference in the lives of the people around you, and in your own life, as well!

The twelve were hardly perfect! They struggled with jealousy, misunderstanding and fear, to name just a few issues, and yet look what God did with them! They shared the Good News of the crucified and risen Jesus with the whole of the known world! That's why we remember them today! Your impact can be enormous, too...

Let me show you what I mean...At a Penney's in Southern California some years ago, Patsy Smith told a sad story to a sales clerk- a 21 year old named Lanette Davis: Patsy's daughter Shelley had struggled with her pregnancy; there were complications and he was born three and half months early, and died soon after his birth. Patsy was shopping for an outfit for her grandson to be buried in, but everything was way too big, even "preemie clothes." She didn't want doll clothes; he was a baby, not a doll, and his name was Andrew John...Lanette offered to do what she could. That evening, Patsy called Lanette at the store and asked "Any progress?" And Lanette said "Yes!" Lanette's mother Sharon had volunteered to tailor one of those "preemie outfits." She had taken the sleeper apart and altered each piece...

The outfit was ready when the tearful grandma returned the next morning. When the Smith family went to the funeral home, they stopped and read the guestbook- and found these names: Ronald, Sharon, Laura and Lanette Davis- they had been by earlier and had dropped off a plant and a card, addressed "To Andrew John's Mommy and Daddy- our prayers are with you..."

As Andrew John's parents worked through their grief, the Davis's stayed in regular touch. The young mom, Shelley found great comfort in the kindness of the Davis family and her new relationship with them. When she asked them why they were so nice to her, Lanette told her "we know that death is not the last word for us- we know that Andrew John is with Jesus..." And she grew to where she wanted to know that Jesus- and to pass that kindness and care around.

She's a member of their church today- a follower of Jesus, no less than Peter, Andrew or anyone of the original disciples. Shelley knows Jesus' love and she shares it: she is a group leader in that church's infant loss program...The love and compassion of Jesus- shared and received- a story lived and that story told, and another person becomes part of the Story, becomes a disciple and begins to look for ways to share...

You and I have that same story to tell: the story of the God who loves you and me so much that he was willing to share in our lives- to take on our deaths, and in his resurrection showed us once and for all that nothing- not even death can take his love away. It's the story of the One who wants to use you and me in the greatest and most important mission the world has ever seen- the sharing of his Love with a world crying out in pain and sorrow- needing His love and compassion as much today as it did when the twelve were sent out for the first time. You don't need a catalog from me about how messed up this world is- just get on line, turn on your TV or pick up a newspaper and see!

We tell this story with our words and our actions. We need both. Words without actions are just so much noise. And actions without words, while better, fail to share the connection you and I have to the God who has called us to follow Christ Jesus- and who has changed our lives- given our lives great meaning, purpose and the promise of eternal life- how could we have all that and not share it???

I believe that this church has been called to reach a minimum of 20,000 people in our metro area with the Good News of God's love in Christ Jesus by the year 2020. And I believe that in the process, we will touch lives around our cities, our nation and the world, serving and bearing witness to Jesus from Minneapolis to New York, from Brazil to India, from Africa to Argentina- maybe even northern Europe, too.

Every one of us has a part to play in this. Every one of us is called to be able to share our story- to step out and serve in ministry and mission, and as we do so, you and I will see that God has empowered us- equipped us- that's YOU- and me- with all the skills and gifts we need to be effective Christ-followers in whatever we do, wherever we are, for the sake of the world Christ loves. Will you please pray with me:

Loving God, you have called us to share your Son, our Savior- his compassion and his love with our world. Help each one of us- from smallest child to oldest adult to find our role in your mission. Equip and empower us with the gifts and desire to share and live our stories with those in need of your love- whether they're next door or across the world. Use us, Lord, wherever, whenever and however we can be used- to your glory, and to the glory of our Savior Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.