Sermon: 5th Sunday of Epiphany  

         Luke 5:1-11 - Eager For The Journey           
         Various Texts: Our Lenten Series (see below)   
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Luke 5: Many years ago the great explorer, Sir Francis Drake, was attempting to recruit a number of young men for an upcoming exploration. He gathered them around and told the group that if they came with him they would see some of the most marvelous things their eyes could ever behold. Sandy white beaches, juicy fruits, foreign peoples, priceless treasures, and gorgeous landscapes. And he told them that this wild adventure could be theirs if they came with him. Not one of them enlisted for the journey. The next day a different group came out. Drake told them that if they came with him they would encounter storms that would terrify them into tears. Tiger winds would hammer them and blow them off course for months. Water would frequently be scarce. At times they will be so thirsty that their very souls would cry out for simply one drop of water. In short, danger would always be their constant companion. Drake concluded by declaring that if they could handle these things, the joys of exploration would exceed their wildest dreams. Every single one of them in the group joined Sir Francis Drake that day, some did not even go home to say goodbye to their families, they just boarded the boat eager for the journey.

 

What made the difference in these two groups? Why did the first group turn down the mission and the second jump at the chance? Was the second group different and more adventurous than the first? The answer is: No. It is not the men who had changed; it was the message. The first spoke of rewards; the second spoke of challenges. The first offered comfort; the second promised suffering. The first tempted them with things; the second seduced them with an experience unlike any other.

 

I like to think that Sir Francis Drake discovered what Jesus knew all to well. And that is this: The paths that are offered to us must promise to shape us, build our character, change our world view, if they are to have any appeal to us at all. If we are presented with a challenge that will change, we will be eager for the journey.

 

What is it about Jesus' message that made the disciples eager for the journey that was presented to them?

 

1. Jesus offered them a change.

2. The mission promised to be a challenge.

3. And their lives would never be the same.

 
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Lenten Series

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Lenten: A Sight For Blind Eyes

             David E. Leininger

1.   Lent - Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

2.   The Devil Made Me Do It  -  Matthew 4:1-11

3.   Nicodemus  -  John 3:1-15

4.   Excuses (Alternate Lent 2)  -  Luke 14:16-23

5.   Unexpected Evangelists  -  John 4:5-42

6.   Sight for Blind Eyes  -  John 9:

7.   The Grief Grinch  -  John 11:17-36

8.   Sometimes You've Got to Shout!  -  John 12:12-16

9.   The Imperatives of the Resurrection - Matthew 28:1-10

Lenten: Salvation at the Skull

             Frank G. Honeycutt

1.  Escape from the Island of Spiritual Sloth – Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

2.  On Defeating the Devil – Luke 4:1-13

3.  Headlines and Holiness – Luke 13:1-9

4.  The Waster – Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

5.  Costly Extravagance – John 12: 1-8

6.  Salvation at the Skull – Luke 23:1-49

7.  Pilate Pops the Question – John 18:1-19:42

8.  Resurrection and Remembrance – Luke 24:1-12

Lenten: They Heard Him Gladly

              James W. Moore

1.   The Common People Heard Him Gladly - Mark 12:35-37

2.   Jesus and Andrew  -  John 1:35-42

3.   Jesus and Zacchaeus  -  Luke 19:1-10

4.   Jesus and Bartimaeus  -  Mark 10:46-52

5.   Jesus and Mary and Martha  -  Luke 10:38-42

6.   Jesus and Mary Magdalene  -  John 20:11-18

7.   When The Risen Christ Comes Looking For Us - John 21:15-19

Lenten: The Passion Of The Christ

              Brett Blair

1.   His Triumphal Entry  -  Luke 19:28-40

2.   His Cleansing Of The Temple  -  Luke 19:45-48

3.   His Teachings  -  Luke 20:27-38

4.   His Last Supper  -  Luke 22:14-23

5.   His Trial  -  Luke 23:13-25

6.   His Death  -  Luke 23:33-43

7.   His Resurrection  -  John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-10

Lenten: With an Eye to the New: Preaching and Reading the Old Testament

              Elizabeth Achtemeier

1.  Responding to the Story – Deuteronomy 26:1-11

2.  Living by a Promise – Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

3.  Return and Be Forgiven – Isaiah 55:1-9

4.  Passing from Old to New – Joshua 5:9-12

5.  Endings – Isaiah 43:16-21

6.  Servant Song – Isaiah 50:4-9a

7.  Passover and the Lord’s Supper – Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14

8.  Suffering Servant Song – Isaiah 52-53:12

9.  God Shows No Partiality – Acts 10:34-43

Lenten: The Healing Power Of The Christ

              James W. Moore

1.   The Healing Of Simons Mother-in-Law - Mk 1:21-28

2.   The Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand - Mk 3:1-6

3.   The Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac Mk 5:1-20

4.   The Healing of Jairus Daughter and Hemorrhaging Woman - Mk 5:21-43

5.   The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus - Mk 10:46-52

6.   The Healing Power of the Cross - Mk 15:33-41

7.   The Healing Power of the Resurrection - Jn 20:1-18 or Lk 24:1-10

Lenten: Encounters With Christ

              James W. Moore

1.   Jesus & the Man Born Blind  -  John 9:1-12

2.   Jesus and Mary and Martha  -  Luke 10:38-42

3.   Jesus and Nicodemus  -  John 3:1-10

4.   Jesus and the Woman at the Well  -  John 4:7-15

5.   Jesus and James and John  -  Matthew 20:20-28

6.   Jesus and Caiaphas  -  Matthew 26:58-6

7.   Jesus & Mary Magdalene  -  Mark 16:1-7

Lenten: Journey To The Cross

             James W. Moore

1.   Jesus And The Demon-Possessed Man  -  Mark 5:1-20

2.   Jesus And The Hemorrhaging Woman  -  Mark 5:21-43

3.   Jesus And The Extravagant Woman  -  Mark 14:1-9

4.   Jesus and Judas  -  Mark 14:43-51

5.   Jesus and Simon Peter  -  Mark 14:66-72

6.   Jesus And Pontius Pilate  -  Matthew 27:15-26

7.   Jesus And The Women At The Tomb  -  Mark 16:1-8

Lenten: The Man From Galilee

              Thomas A. Pilgrim

1.   The Temptation Of His Life  -  Matthew 4:1-11

2.   The Transformation Of His Call  -  Matthew 4:18-22

3.   The Touch Of His Hand  -  Matthew 8:14-17

4.   The Treasure Of His Kingdom  -  Matthew 13:44

5.   The Test Of His Courage  -  Matthew 20:17-19

6.   The Tragedy Of His Victory  -  Luke 19:28-40

7.   The Triumph Of His Defeat  -  Matthew 28:1-10

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What Is Unique About Christianity?

The story of Jesus sitting and debating the Law with rabbis reminds me of another debate that took place in a comparative religions conference, the wise and the scholarly were in a spirited debate about what is unique about Christianity. Someone suggested what set Christianity apart from other religions was the concept of incarnation, the idea that God became incarnate in human form. But someone quickly said, “Well, actually, other faiths believe that God appears in human form.” Another suggestion was offered: what about resurrection? The belief that death is not the final word. That the tomb was found empty. Someone slowly shook his head. Other religions have accounts of people returning from the dead.

Then, as the story is told, C.S. Lewis walked into the room, tweed jacket, pipe, armful of papers, a little early for his presentation. He sat down and took in the conversation, which had by now evolved into a fierce debate. Finally during a lull, he spoke saying, “what's all this rumpus about?” Everyone turned in his direction. Trying to explain themselves they said, “We're debating what's unique about Christianity.” “Oh, that's easy,” answered Lewis, “it's....

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