Before I begin today's message, I want to comment on the impending war with Iraq that may or may not be coming.  Recently I received a message from Rev. Allen Bergstrazer, former naval technician and the first youth I confirmed thirty years ago back in North Dakota.  Now a Lutheran Pastor in Nebraska, Allen sent me this bit of insight and I thank him for it.  It's a stinging indictment on all who believe the military is an unnecessary evil, and a stern reminder to the men in that alert shack as to why they were there.  He wrote me:

          "Many years ago I saw a quote in the "Ready Room" of an F-106 interceptor group.  Their job was to intercept Soviet Bombers coming over the pole into the U.S.  This is what it said:  "War is an ugly thing, but it is not the ugliest of things.  A depraved consciousness that believes there is nothing worth fighting for, nothing for which you are willing to pay the ultimate price, is much worse."

          Allen concluded, "There are eternal virtues greater than ourselves, greater than our wants and desires.  And the only way a man who is unwilling to pay the price for those virtues will enjoy them, is by the efforts of those who are better than he is."  It's my prayer that Americans will not grow weary of this country's struggle against evil, and be willing to make the sacrifices necessary.

          A week ago, our President spoke briefly to our nation, announcing the deaths of the seven astronauts when the Columbia Space Shuttle disintegrated and burned upon re-entry.  He quoted words from Isaiah 40 that were just read among us in the Old Testament lesson, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:  Who created all these?  He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.  Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." (Isaiah 40:26)   In some strange coincidence, those words appeared in the appointed lessons for today, put in place fifty years ago by a committee who had no idea what today would bring.  It's yet another small miracle of God to remind us He is watching over us.

          Since their loss, we have repeatedly seen the images of the ill-fated shuttle, like a bursting star streaking to its demise through the heavens.  Not surprisingly, we have heard tributes likening the astronauts to shining stars.  Many of us have discussed whether or not the space program is worth the risk and the cost.  One thing is sure, risky ventures always have a cost.  Nothing worthwhile comes without risk, and every risk bears a cost.  Even to believe in God can cost you.  Paul once wrote the Philippians, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:7-8)   Just to believe in Christ bears a cost.

          St. Paul told the new little church at Philippi to be an example for all to see.  He encouraged them to show love in all they did.  He said in today's text, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."  Purity of the faith is not determined by doctrine, but by love.

          Today the Christian church needs shining lights, because our world lives mostly in darkness.  Our present generation is in deep need of God.  So many in our society grow up without adequate role models, young men and women who live by their wits, doing the best they can, not knowing right from wrong, considering depravity just a matter of choice.  They've had no one to lead them.  The Christian church must be shining stars in a universe of ignorance.  We must let our lights shine that others may see our good deeds and praise God.  We're not perfect, but we're the best the world has to offer.  We keep our lights on or a whole generation will grow up in darkness.  Never hide your faith because it makes others uncomfortable.  Let your light shine, shine like stars!

          Our church is called Epiphany, the "Church That Reveals Christ."  Epiphany means "revelation", and recalls the Wise Men who followed the star to see the Savior.  Wise men and women of all ages still follow the star to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.  Wise men and women reveal the heart of Christ in all they say or do.  And wise men and women can - and must! - shine like the stars to show others the way.  You and I may be the only light showing the way for those groping in darkness.

          Carol and I attended the lighting of the star atop Castle Rock last December.  It was placed there 65 years ago by firemen to celebrate Christmas.  The remarkable thing is that it's still there and has never been removed.  Doubtless, some have considered it a religious symbol, but so far they've not taken it down, so it shines every night most of the winter, a light to all who live in or drive by our little town, so rapidly growing with people coming from all over to his lovely part of America.

          Epiphany Church is here because of that growth.  We're here to show forth the love of God in Christ Jesus.  We are not here to proselytize other church members or to make a political statement.  We're here as a hospital for sinners.  We're here to train people to shine like the stars in a world of darkness.  People are moving into our neighborhoods by the thousands and need to know God's love in Jesus.  In powerful and moving ways, we must show that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.

          Epiphany's five purposes are on our bulletin header:  "Joyful Worship, Faithful Service, Positive Outreach, Loving Fellowship and Biblical Nurture."  Our mission is much like that of the Philippians.  They, too, lived in a pagan society among a worldly people lost in their own pursuits.  Their culture, also, had made truth relative and depravity common.  Public sentiment in their day was not in favor of the Christian faith.  They knew that unless they shared the light of their faith, their church would die and their world would perish.

          Thus St. Paul is speaking also to us, saying, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."

          His first words are particularly important.  "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure."  It's a sign of our times that the church fusses and fights within itself.  So many want to be critics rather than lovers.  Church people attack each other and Satan laughs.  He delights in our squabbles.  But we must resist this!  Our world needs to see Christians who love, who get along, who overlook the foolish and care for the poor and lowly.  Oh, that it may always be said of us, "See how they love one another!"

          Our most basic need is to be loved, to be approved of, to be valued by others.  We can tolerate a mountain of trouble if we know someone loves us.  We can show that love by what we say and do, in the little things like Orphan Grain Train, or in big things like marriage and family.  We shine like the stars when we love as we have been loved.

          The nurse escorted the anxious old man to the bedside of the young man.  "Your father is here," she whispered to the patient.  She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.  He was heavily sedated from the pain of the terrible auto accident.  Barely able to see, he reached out his hand and squeezed the older man's hand.  The nurse brought in a chair next to the bedside.  All through the night the old man sat holding the young man's hand, offering gentle words of hope.  The dying man said nothing, just held tightly to the man's hand and slipped away.

          As dawn approached, the young man died.  The old man wept as he placed the lifeless hand back on the bed, and went to call the nurse.  She did what was necessary and offered her sympathy to the old man, but he interrupted her.  "Who was he?" he asked.  Startled, the nurse replied, "I thought he was your son."  "No, he wasn't my son.  I've never seen him before.  I was looking for someone who was supposed to be on this floor and you brought me into this room."  "Then why didn't you say something when you realized the mistake?" the nurse asked.  He replied, "He was injured so badly I was here ten minutes before I realized this wasn't the young man I was looking for.  But he seemed too sick to tell the difference, so I just stayed.  I think he needed a father by his side."

          So do we.  Let us never forget that our Heavenly Father is by our side, and that He'll never leave us.  He holds our hand when we're sick and quiets our hearts when we're troubled.  Then He asks us to be His hands to hold the hands of others, and His feet to do His errands of mercy.  When we believe and when we show love, then we shine like the stars.  God help us all to let our lights shine!  Amen

Copyright © 2003 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.