“The Reluctant Ones”
by Pastor Steve Purdy
[Preached 1/22/12 and based on Jonah 3: 1-5, 10 and Mark 1: 14-20]
Jonah was more than reluctant; he resisted God’s call to go to Nineveh… he rebelled… he ran… but finally he realized that running from God was not such a good idea and so, he went and the people repented.
When Jesus was convinced the time was right: John the Baptist had been arrested and the path was obviously clear for him, he began his public ministry.
What about us? When there is an obvious need for Christian presence… when evil is prevalent and we sense God calling us to make a difference somewhere in our world, what do we say and do? We are tempted to run – like Jonah did; we are wiser – when we know the time is right – to respond like Jesus did. How does one know how, when and how much is the right response?
I’ve been examining myself and I think I realize what it takes for me to get involved. I personally get involved in one of five situations. I get involved when:
- There’s a need that cries out for attention and I feel like I can’t escape doing something. This is my Steve-like-Jonah response. Just Thursday, I was standing in the parking lot with Tom Dodgen when a man came up asking for help to buy gasoline to get his wife to the doctor. I wasn’t wearing a name badge but Tom knew who I was and I knew who I was.… I had to do something.
- I am personally concerned and something evokes my response… like when I was driving down Mountain Street and a 2-year-old girl was by herself at the street. I stopped to find her parents.
- Someone I admire or respect asks my help.
- It is clearly my responsibility… as a husband, father or pastor.
- God clearly calls me to service over a period of time or unmistakably during a devotional or a prayer time or any other time… when I really know God wants me to act!
These situations propel me into action. Do you know what propels you to become involved? I like to limit my involvements when and where I can, because life is so full.
I remember several years back when I was called by a former parishioner to go visit her son who had just been diagnosed with metastatic cancer. He was 36-years-old, a member of my former church, but had recently been on an Emmaus Walk with me. Now, this may not seem like an issue to you, but as a pastor, there are ethical issues of reaching out pastorally to another pastor’s member. Fortunately, when I called her, this young man’s pastor, she was open to my visit.
I had known Curtis for 12 years when I went to visit him in the hospital, one week before the Christmas of 2000. As we visited, Curtis shared, “This is a win/win situation. Either, I will die and get to go be with my Lord or I will get better and get to stay with you guys. Either way, I win…” and he meant it! This is actually rather breathtaking, isn’t it? When we gathered for his funeral a few weeks later, there were at least four or five people who spoke of how much his words meant to them. It would have been a real shame had he been reluctant to give his witness.
What is it that motivates us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in a world filled with bad news? Do we have to be diagnosed with cancer or swallowed by a big fish before we are convinced? “But pastor, it is so difficult to share our faith!” Is it… or do we make it more difficult than it needs to be?
Paul Tournier was a famous Swiss doctor and Christian author. He had an opportunity to spend a day with one of his favorite professors from medical school. During their time together, Tournier mentioned a new book he had recently written and the old professor wanted to hear it, so Tournier read him the book. At the conclusion, the professor said, “That’s a wonderful book. Every one of us Christians should read it.”
Tournier was surprised. “I didn’t know you were a Christian, professor. When did you become one?” His old teacher’s answer surprised him further, “Just now, as you read your book.”
What if Tournier had played the “what if” game and said, “What if I read the book to my professor and he was offended by my references to Christ, and he wanted me to take him home… never to return?” Then, this man who was prepared by God’s Spirit wouldn’t have had the opportunity to place his life in Christ’s hands that day.
You see, this is what Jonah did the first time… “The Ninevites will never respond to God’s message. I’m running the other way.” And, that’s exactly what Jesus didn’t do when he heard of John the Baptist’s imprisonment. He may not have felt ready to begin his public preaching, but he did it anyway!
When it comes to sharing our faith, do we tend to make this worse than they are – to “awfulize” things a bit? Do we focus on the potential obstacles we might encounter or the terrible outcomes that might happen? Could it be that the difficulties we do face in the sharing of our faith just might be the hills that strengthen the weak knees and leg muscles of our faith?
Consider with me that in 1943, Thomas J. Watson, Chairman of IBM, made this comment about the advent of the computer: “I think there is a world market for about five computers.” Since 1943, the computer industry has made a long, uphill climb, but the market is “a wee-bit larger” than five computers. Does anyone here have one in your home? Anyone have more than one?
Vision is hard to obtain, and yet as Leif Anderson, who was also a businessman said, “Adversity is often the window of opportunity for change. Few people or organizations want to change when there is prosperity and peace. Major changes are often precipitated by necessity.” Wow, what an opportunity is ours at this point in history!
This is not only true for businesses, but it is true for individuals and it is true for the church.
- Jonah would have saved himself a lot of trouble if he had gone to Nineveh the first time.
- Simon Peter would have saved himself a lot of grief if he had not denied Christ after Jesus’ arrest.
- We can save ourselves a lot of inner strife when we learn to take advantage of the opportunities that come our way to share our faith.
Let me share my perspective about three groups of people who find their way into church on Sunday mornings. This may not be completely accurate, but I would say this is pretty much the way I see who gathers in worship on any given Sunday…
1. Visitors and onlookers – These observers have come to see if there is anything credible to this particular local church or this preacher. Perhaps they are new in town or perhaps they are in that “formerly disillusioned” crowd who are giving religion “one more try.” Our year end report says we average 24 guests every week! They come for observation.
2. Typical church members – This group has developed habitual attendance through the years. They may not expect anything momentous or life changing, but they might “need a lift.” They typical church member comes for inspiration; visitors and onlookers come for observation.
3. Active disciples and seekers – You may find this grouping curious, but I believe active disciples and seekers have something in common. Those involved in small groups and/or leadership positions and those who hunger for spiritual truth are looking for transformation. They want all that the Christian faith has to offer; they want to encounter God!
You see… I believe that worship is the primary port of entry for most people looking for spiritual truth or a new church home. Oh, some will try out a Bible study or an “Open Gym” or a men’s, women’s, children’s or youth program first, but worship is the place to measure the warmth of a congregation and whether they can expect to be nurtured spiritually.
I share this because we don’t have to look very far when it comes to sharing our faith. Just look around you. Can you tell when those you love are going through a difficult time? Reach out to them! Can you tell when someone is new to church? If not, that’s a pretty big sign that you’re not paying attention to others when you come to worship… or perhaps that your own worship attendance might need improving.
Did you realize that when we gather for worship, we gather:
1. To worship God?
2. To receive… to strengthen our faith?
3. To give… to strengthen others?
How many of these purposes have you accomplished this morning?
I want you to know that God has a plan for each of us and for this church. This entire month our leaders have been seeking God’s direction. We have asked God to lead us. We have shared our individual perspectives. We have looked into God’s word. We have sought God’s direction regarding the church’s financial future – and we continue to do that!
I believe God has led us and is beginning to unfold his plan, but here’s the crucial point: We can choose to be a part of what God is doing by being faithful witnesses – even in difficult circumstances – or, we can choose to be “reluctant witnesses” and listen to our fears and “what ifs” and back down from our faith challenges.
I hope we will encourage one another when the way is steep! “You can do it! Your leg muscles and knees are getting stronger! Your faith is emerging strong!”
Just think… What if we all decide to say “yes” to God right away! Why wait until another time? Can you imagine that anyone can prevent God’s will from being enacted? Who could possibly be that strong? Well, God’s will is prevented every time we say “no” to opportunities God gives us. Sure God can find someone else who will say “yes,” but tell me – Why is it again that we don’t want to be the ones who are saying “yes” and being blessed by being in service to God?
F Let’s say “yes” to God the first time!
F Let’s choose not to be “reluctant ones.”
F Let’s choose to be faithful the first time! (Yes, we gather to worship to be strengthened in faith, but let’s not forget that we are here to strengthen others as well. Look around you and practice encouraging others!)
God has a great future for us… let’s be partners with God and partners with one another! There’s no reason to be reluctant!
Benediction – Our Old Testament lesson began,
“And the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time…” Is God gracious or what? God does not quit on us! I would say that some of God’s greatest servants were once reluctant ones… and by the way, that’s all of us! So, take heart and say ‘yes’ to the Lord!