This sermon was preached for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lynchburg, VA on the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B 2024.
Photo by Dave Herring on Unsplash

Mark 1:14-20
I want to make this a memorable sermon— I don’t want to get to down in the weeds because there aren’t all that many weeds to get down into.

Jesus came to Galilee. The Kingdom of God has come near.

Jesus passed Simon and Andrew. Follow me. Jesus passed John and James— immediately he called them. and they followed him.

There’s a lifetime behind those words— the upbringing and family values of those boys, their social and cultural norms, their family and friends, the political situation, their faith in Adoni, the God of their people, the movement of the Holy Spirit in a thousand nudges that made it possible for them to say “yes.”

There is a lifetime ahead of them as well: three years with Jesus- miracles, conflicts, misunderstandings, joyful laughter and tears alongside him. The trauma and loss in the crucifixion— and the unbelievable, life-changing news that he is risen. And the rest of their lives, spreading this news, that they heard from the very beginning: The kingdom of God has come near— repent, and believe in the Good News.

When we talk about our faith journeys, we are living out the stories of those who followed Jesus. While there is a lifetime that goes into our decision to follow Christ, when we look back on our lives there is a moment, or there are several moments, where we made a choice. We made a commitment— privately, in prayer, in front of our families, or perhaps in front of the church, to make a change. To follow Christ. To accept that this idea, this story, this person, is real— that he has bearing on our lives, so much so that we’ll turn- we’ll change our lives, reorient ourselves around something greater than ourselves.

Today, I’m extending an invitation. Last year Fr. Chris and I sat down here in front of the altar and explained for the first time what it means to join the church— how we Episcopalians do that. It’s a little bit different in every church, every denomination, and it takes some explaining; I’m not going to do that here now. Instead, I’m inviting you— each of you— to make a commitment to your faith.

If you are new to the faith and have not been baptized; I am inviting you to take the biggest step of a lifetime— to follow Jesus. When we baptize you it is just a moment, but it is just like Simon and Andrew— that moment will change your whole life. You’ll forever be included in the greatest thing that has every happened in the history of the world; and you’ll be included in this community, here at St. John’s, as we learn to live in the light of Christ each and every day.

If you are new to our church— you’ve been baptized, and you have not yet formally joined us, get confirmed, or be received. Confirmation is the mature, adult profession of faith. In some denominations people are baptized as adults, but many people are not— maybe you’ve never made that choice to follow Jesus on your own. Do it this year. You’re confirming that you believe in Jesus Christ, and saying so yourself will have an impact on your life for many seasons. It will matter. and what’s more, you’re confirming that you want to be with us, in this community; and we will confirm that we will support and uphold you in your faith.

If you don’t fit into the above categories— you’ve been confirmed, you’re already Episcopalian and joining from another parish, or you’re already a member and have been here for longer than me, or Fr. Chris, or longer even than that— you can reaffirm your faith. Maybe you’ve lost someone. Maybe you’re in a new relationship. Maybe you’re celebrating the birth of a child; or someone in your household is going to be confirmed or baptized or received. Maybe you’ve come back after a long time. Maybe you don’t have a reason; you’re just curious, or you know that God has put something on your heart to be here. You can reaffirm your faith; you can re-make those promises from baptism and confirmation, and receive the laying on of hands. I invite you to do so. It will matter.

When we do these things— Baptism, confirmation, these sacraments of initiation, of renewal, we are saying to God, to ourselves, and to this community— Yes. Yes, I want to follow Jesus. Yes, I will use my skills, my nets, to God’s service, not to my own ends. Yes, I will listen for the Holy Spirit, learn the scriptures, give of my time, talents, and treasures, pray for the good of the kingdom, be of good courage, hold fast to that which is good, strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak, love and serve the Lord and you know the rest (1 Thessalonians 5). We’re doing something countercultural, something foolish, something unexpected, something that the evil one despises, something beautiful. One moment, one person, one Yes at a time, we’re changing the world. It will matter.

Last time we did this, we made one mistake. We didn’t tell you the next step. I’m going to sit down now, and not complicate my message with those details— but I will tell you shortly, when we get to the announcements. We’ve got the signup sheet ready. Don’t worry.

“I will, with God’s help.” Those words are from our baptismal promises, same ones we say when we are confirmed, or reaffirm our faith. Simple words, responding to one simple command: Follow me.

There’s a whole lifetime behind those words; a whole lifetime leading up to them, and a whole lifetime that will follow them. Make a commitment to your faith.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” “Follow [Jesus], and [he] will make you fish for people” Amen. (Mark 1:15, 17)

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If you read this sermon online and you are in my area I encourage you to come visit St. John’s. If you don’t live nearby, there is a church for you to join, wherever you are; God may be inviting you to something new. Please reach out to me if you need help finding a Christian community near you.