Sermon by the rev'd. August Sorvillo

Sermon for Sunday July 1, 2007
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 8
The Reverend August Sorvillo, D.Min.

As Jesus travels toward Jerusalem he takes the most direct route. This route takes him through Samaritan territory. Jews and Samaritans argued over holy sites, scripture, and other spiritual matters for generations. Their dislike for each other bordered on hatred. He could not do good works because of their hatred for him and all Jews. As he gets closer to Jerusalem Jesus encounters others who desire to follow him but he answers each person with a question. The point of his question to each person is clear. “Have you considered the cost of following me?”

Certainly many people desire to follow Jesus, but each person must consider what is at stake when in the process of following the Lord. Are we willing to leave mother and father and follow him? Can we leave possessions and follow him? The path to servant hood is not easy or without demands. We must determine if we are committed to service. I believe it was Dwight Moody who said, “Going to church every Sunday does not make you a Christian any more than sleeping in a garage will make you a car!” If we are an occasional church worshipper perhaps our commitment is not deep enough! If we are in church all the time are we there because we love Jesus and want to serve him or because it is the right place to be on Sunday morning. These are hard questions, but they are necessary questions to ask! In other words do we have the commitment to be followers of Jesus? Are we willing to go where He sends us? Are we willing to minister to all people or merely to the suburban upper class? Or to college students? What about those in nursing homes? Can we deal with the isolation of ministry? Can we be obedient? Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “The church still is a visible concrete space in the world: but the only way in which the church can defend her territory is by fighting not for it, but for the salvation of the world.” Ministry is serving others and at times not following our ego or desires, but meeting the needs of others. At times ministry means marching out of step with everyone around you. To follow Jesus means that we must humble ourselves and serve others. This means we must not seek comfortable ministry but do ministry where it is required. That is a part of the cost of discipleship. Be of good cheer. The path is difficult and the ministry is demanding but God gives us grace by which we can do His work. The Holy Spirit gives us the fruits of the Spirit to accomplish more that we can imagine. If you are called to follow do count the cost. But also consider the cost if you refuse that call. If God is calling you, what will your answer be?

Fr. Augie+

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