The A, B, Cs of Being the People of Jesus

A Sermon and Reflection on Mark 3:13-35

Introduction

June is a time of transition for so many people. Kids are being promoted to the next grade. Teachers are limping over the finish line. People of all sorts are stepping into brand-new territory, whether it be career, vocational training, or school. Some are coming back home and reflecting on their time away. For others, we are enjoying vacations, or looking forward to vacations.

Summer is a good time to evaluate, to reflect on the past. What went well over the past several months? What didn’t? As I look ahead to the fall and to the winter, what do I want to repeat? What do I want my life to be like when September comes along?

A big part of it seems to hinge on becoming conscious of what you want, what brings you joy, and what aligns with your values and calling for your life.

In this sermon, I will talk about that, and how it applies to your life and our life as a congregation.  I’m going to talk about the A, B, and Cs of being a Christian (of living your faith) and the A, B, Cs, of being a Church. 

The As of being the people of God: adventure, assignment, apprenticeship

Jesus walks up a mountain and calls to himself the 12 people that he wants. This is a formal selection of the disciples who are going to be sent out to preach the gospel and are given authority to minister. Jesus delegates authority to them. They are named one by one. They are chosen for a specific purpose.

This calling mirrors God’s calling of Abraham and Moses by name. They were with their family, living their lives and God picked them for a unique purpose. With Abraham and Moses, they are both called, but their purposes are different. That’s worth noticing. We are all called to follow, but each person is called to live their life uniquely.

When you understand that you are called and what you are called to do, it reduces your anxiety because it simplifies your choices.

The first A I think of is adventure. Jesus invites the disciples on an incredible adventure, one that takes them beyond the familiar and into a life filled with new experiences and profound challenges. You and I have read the gospels, we know what is next. They don’t! They don’t know that they are about to go from the mountain top at this moment to almost being killed in a thunderstorm on the sea (chapter 4).

Normally, we think of those graduating or experiencing major life milestones as entering that adventure, but any of us could enter the adventure at any moment. We cannot predict life. You may get that dream job, meet someone special, or get clarity on some issues that have been cloudy in the past.

Sometimes the adventure changes our life and sometimes the adventure is about changing a part of our life.  I wonder if there is a part of your life that God may be working in and calling your name and saying, “Hey, let’s put some time in and talk about this.” Let’s pay attention to your health. Let’s pay attention to your finances, your diet, or your digital diet (what kind of media you put into your mind).

Not only are they called to an adventure, but they are given an assignment as part of their call. They are tasked with preaching the gospel, healing the sick, and casting out demons. They have a specific purpose and mission. Their purpose and mission help them know what actions to take and it guides their steps.

When you understand that you are called and what you are called to do, it reduces your anxiety because it simplifies your choices.

Sometimes it takes a while to understand, “Oh, this is why I’m here.” It took me a long time to understand, “Oh, I get it. This is THE reason I’m here.”

I knew as a teenager that I was called “to ministry.” Do you understand how vague that is? That’s like saying, “I want to be an engineer, or go ‘into medical’, or do something with numbers.”

I had to try out a lot of things. So, I went overseas on trips and imagined living in other countries. I started churches in houses and in a neighborhood that needed one, from scratch. I worked in a bunch of different kinds of churches. Mixed into that were other jobs, including working in management in a startup software company that served churches and non-profits.

It was an adventure and I understood I needed skills, character, and opportunity. I sought those out. At times it felt like wandering and then it clicked.

I help people heal from religious wounds and reengage with their faith without fear, guilt, or shame so they can enjoy the love of God again. My name, Jason, means “healer.” It’s unfortunate that so many have been shamed and hurt like they have, but my assignment is to show up and to help them with kindness.

The best advice I could ever give you is this. If you are younger, find someone with knowledge, wisdom, or expertise and ask. If you are older, be willing to teach. You are never too old to teach and you are never too young to ask.

The adventure and the assignment require this type of apprenticeship. The disciples enter that under Jesus. They learn his teachings, observe him, and understand his ways. They try to live it out. They make mistakes, learn, and try again with the safety net of understanding around them.

You’ll see why that’s necessary in our next section.

The Bs of being the People of God (Mark 3:13-19): Boldness is our business.

After Jesus calls the Twelve, he returns to his hometown. Although his influence and fame grow, so does the opposition.

The religious leaders slandered him, saying that instead of being filled with God’s Spirit, Jesus was filled with the Devil’s spirit. Jesus said, “No. I’m casting out demons. So, what you are saying isn’t logical. What’s happening is that I’m kicking down the door and showing that I’m stronger than the evil that’s in the world and you don’t have a category for it. Be careful how you talk about it.”

What this passage makes clear to me is this – if you are going to do anything good or noteworthy in this world, you are going to have to be bold. Boldness is the B and boldness is our business.

In my introduction, I talked about spending time this summer reflecting on what you want to bring with you in the fall. It’s going to take boldness to make those changes. It takes courage and faith to become who Christ is calling you to be.

You are called into an adventure, given an assignment with an apprenticeship. It is always going to require boldness. You’ve got to step into it and become yourself.

Jesus understood he had to be bold to accomplish the mission.  

People will try to dissuade you from doing what you are called to do. Do you know why? Sometimes it’s because they understand their assignment, not yours. Most of the time it’s because they are confused about theirs and it’s easier to shoot down someone else’s assignment than for them to clarify their own.

Let’s face it. We can become deflated and demotivated by the questions, misunderstandings, and accusations of others. Jesus experienced it. He is floating on cloud 9! He has outfitted himself with 12 followers! He literally has to come down from the mountaintop and he walks into his hometown and they say, “You’ve changed! We like you the way you were.”” 

This is where the journey of the individual and the life of the community start to intersect.

For instance:

1. People come to a point where they realize they need to make a change. They want to reconnect with their faith and their family or friends don’t know what to do with that. They need a supportive group.

2. Someone realizes they need to become sober, deepen their relationship with God, and find a faith community, and friendships that support their journey.

3. Someone becomes a Christian and their family doesn’t understand, or their family ostracizes them for one thing or another.

Jesus experienced that. He returned to his very hometown, the people who had known him for nearly 3 decades, and they rejected him. Thank God his faith community embraced him. We often think of Jesus ministering to others, but Jesus is rejected and he still has 12 people who can be there for him.

Does this resonate? People need the bonds of belonging, which is what Jesus talks about in our third section when he redefines family and expands the boundaries of our kinship.

The Cs of being the People of God (Mark 3:31-35)

Perhaps concerned by the word on the street and the commotion of Jesus’ return, his brothers and mother seek him, perhaps to see if he is okay. Jesus declares that his true family consists of those who do God’s will. Jesus defines the family of God as those who live the way of God together. I talked about this last week as the “kingdom of God,” or the “realm of God.”

The Cs are this: Covenant, companionship, and community. That is what we should find in a church.

You are called to adventure, to an assignment, with an apprenticeship but it is all within the context of a covenant community called the church.

In the church, we make a covenant to care. The word “covenant” is one of the strongest words in the bible. It is more than a promise. So many of the relationships we have in our lives are transactional.

When I joined my gym, they didn’t call the group together and covenant with me. “Do you, Jason, promise to wipe off the equipment? Do you promise to pick up the towels in the locker room?” We promise to help spot you at the squat rack.” None of that. It was,  “Sign here and pay that”.

In the church we make promises to care for one another and to be there. We make a covenant.

Companionship is another thing. Within the church, there is a solidarity that comes from sharing the faith and doing good work together. This companionship transcends our earthly relationships.

We may vote differently, shop differently, eat differently, dress differently, and do a lot of things differently, but there is companionship with simply sharing the faith. There is something remarkable about knowing that we have this in common.

The community extends to a type of spiritual family. Many people in this church are living in this situation.

We live in a highly mobile society. Some people move to a city and don’t have family close by. The people in the church become a type of extended family. The adults in the church become extended aunts, uncles, and cousins for our children. Often the people in the congregation become our first friends.

So much is happening on Sunday morning. Yes, we are doing the great, public act of worship and bearing witness to God. We are also providing points of friendship and connection that are often lacking in people’s lives.

That’s why it’s good to mill around after the service and talk to someone close to you. Get in the habit of saying hi and breaking the ice so everyone can feel comfortable.

We are entering summertime. Summertime worship services are so chill. It is so relaxed here. It is a great time to just make it a point to talk to someone new every Sunday. Put on a name tag, talk to a person, and then pray for that person and praying for that person will help you remember their name.

You are called to an adventure of discipleship and given an assignment. With God’s grace, you have the assistance of the body of Christ, the church.

Conclusion

I will pray that this summer is a refreshing time for you and that you get clarity in the areas of your life where you need it.

I also pray you will understand your assignment and calling. As we worship together, may the gospel penetrate those areas where our character needs to be refined.

And, as we enjoy the great weather and God’s wonderful creation, may God also provide us with the support system we need to help us to be bold in our obedience.