It happened in New York City, during the time of the subway rush hour after a hot, hot day.  People were jammed into the subway cars and each car was loaded to capacity.  One man was able to push his way inside of a car, and as the doors closed, he stood facing the door.  As he stood there, packed against this door, the car began to rock and sway, and he began to feel sick.  The further he went, the worse he felt, and just as the car came into a station and the door opened, he threw up all over the man standing on the platform right opposite him.  Nobody moved or said a thing in that car as the doors suddenly closed and the train moved on.  But those who saw it said the man on the platform stood there with his hands out like he was saying, "What happened - why me?"

          Friends, that story may not be pleasant, but it's true.  Some days we're the one who got sick and other days we're the one who got hit.  With the Middle East again in flames, with American society on shifting ground, with the sweltering heat of summer, and disasters all over, we too, may be wondering, "What's happening?  Why me?"

          In our Gospel lesson, Jesus is getting His disciples ready for their first assignment.  They had heard His stories and marveled at His miracles.  He was sending them out and maybe they were wondering:  Would they have to preach?  Would they be able to do miracles?  Would they be able to handle being disciples, or could they just remain spectators, while others did the real work?  Would they stay with Jesus always, or one day would all this just be a fine memory, to be pondered later on, when they had returned to their families and things got back to normal?

          But things rarely "get back to normal" when Christ comes into your life.  Christ is life-changing.  You just can't go back to the way things were, unless your mind is made of concrete or your soul made of leather.  Jesus changes people, and that's unsettling.  Christ changes us for life, a better life.  With Christ, you can't go back to the old ways.  His Word motivates you, and His love challenges you.

          But will you, dear friends, rise to the challenge of following Christ?  Or will you just let things be as they are?  For the past three weeks, my messages on Faith, Hope and Love have challenged you, and yet each week we just smile and go home.  In fact, after last week's message about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I expected at least a few reactions.  But none came.  All we said it was how hot it was as we headed for the door.  And now we're back here again, and it's hot again, and I'm wondering if this message will fall on deaf ears again.  I'm beginning to wonder how all we must do is going to get done.

          There's a story that Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, and Robert Schuller all died on the same day.  As they approached the pearly gates, they saw a huge line of others checking in with St. Peter before entering heaven.  Peter singled them out and said, "You men of God, I have quite a list of other souls to process before I can get to you.  Would you please be willing to spend some time in hell - a few days - until the line shortens?  I'll call down for you just as soon as I can." So they all agreed and went.  But the next day St. Peter got a frantic call from Satan who said, "Come get these guys right away!  Billy Graham has been converting some of the people here, and Oral Roberts has been curing others, and Robert Schuller is raising money to air condition the place!"

          After the past few weeks of heat, it's no surprise that I've heard a request or two to air condition this place.  Some have said, "Just tell us how much and we'll raise the money!"  I'm sure if I announced air conditioning would cost $10,000, we'd raise it an hour.  But what about the bigger project, the classrooms we need?  Do we realize it will take a thousand times that much?  Do we realize we need to raise a million dollars to get the work done?  And it won't come by selling pop cans or candy bars.  How will it all get done?  Do we think the hired consultants are going to raise that kind of money without asking us?  Do we think our Pastor will raise all the funds that don't come in through pledges?  And there's that horrible word, "Pledge"!!  "Who wants that?  Why should anyone know what I want to give?"

          Let's look at what Jesus did when He sent out the disciples.  First, He didn't miraculously turn them into evangelists.  They had to learn how by talking with people.  Jesus didn't hire a paid evangelist, or send PR letters through the Roman Post Office, or use the Holy Land Internet.  He talked to people, because people listen to people and people serve when asked.  By example, Jesus showed them what to do.

          But Jesus didn't do it all - the disciples had to be involved.  True, the Lord could have waved his hand and had a million dollars magically appear.  He could have done it for them.  But one day He would do that.  He would die on the cross to forgive their sins.  Right now it was their turn to learn.  It was their time to do the work.  How is it all going to get done?  One person at a time, one act at a time, one day at a time.

          There are some things others can do, but there are some things only we can do.  Books and support groups will help a new mother learn how to raise her child, but only a parent can raise him.  And it looks a lot easier when others are doing it, but when that baby is placed in your arms, then it's your turn.  Am I right, Moms and Dads?  And by the way, parenthood never ends.  You don't run into the end zone, spike the ball, and the game is over.  Parenthood is yours for always.  It's that important!

          It's the same with following Jesus.  It doesn't end!  It will always involve doing the work, volunteering to help, digging into our pockets, and saying "yes" even when you have mountains of your own work to do.  Know this, my people:  You are never too old to do God's work!  No matter what your age, God calls you to follow and serve Him!  If you have no time for God, you either went to glory, or quit the church.  And God grant it's because you went to glory.  We are never too old to serve God!

          So, how is it all going to get done?  Paying the bills, raising the family, dealing with each tiring day, confronting the problems of the world?  How is it all going to get done?  Annexing to the city, building our classrooms, raising a million dollars?

          It will get done one person at a time, one act at a time, one day at a time, by the grace of God.  Some of it God will provide miraculously.  But most of it we must do: you - and you - and you - and I, each one!  It will take personal sacrifice.

          Friends, two weeks from today, after all three services, we're going to hear the challenge.  We will see what is needed from us.  Just remember - no church can exist without people willing to help.  Each one must do his/her part because that's how God gets things done.  We must do it together, with Jesus' help, or it won't get done.

          That's how new Moms and Dads get it done best, with sacrifice and with Jesus' help.  And that's how we are going to get this done.  Nothing great can be accomplished without Jesus' help, or without committed people.  Only Jesus can help us face what we must.  Only He can cool the heat of tragedy, or reverse financial ruin, or fix family troubles, or give us peace.  Someone joked (I think) that during our fund raising, he's thinking of becoming a Methodist.  Now is not the time to run, but to join hands.  Like the sign in the window, "I'd rather do business with a thousand terrorists than with one American."  That sign was in the window of a mortuary!  Right now I want to do business with 100, 200 or 300 committed people of God here at Epiphany.

          In the Old Testament lesson, the people hated Amos for what he told them.  They wanted him removed from office.  I have just ten months left with you.  You're going to get tired of my asking you to help.  You'll be tempted to let others do it, or say you're too old or too busy, or that you'll wait till the new pastor comes.

          But I promise you this:  I won't be waiting; there is too much to do, too much at stake.  We must all do our part.  When asked to help, may God grant us all the faith to say "yes!"  May God give us the energy to do what we can, to build for the future of Epiphany.  It's all we can do, and do that we must!  Amen

Copyright © 2006 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.