If you are at all like me, this past week has been troubling with its dizzying array of rising numbers and horrific pictures: parents searching for children and children searching for parents. As the week went on, the numbers climbed higher and higher. On Sunday afternoon there were 11,000, on Monday 23,000, on Tuesday 40,000, on Wednesday 80,000, on Thursday 116,000, and on Friday 135,000 people were reported to have died after a massive earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. What are we to make of these events, and how are we to understand God’s work in the world? Through faith, Christians profess that God is all powerful and that God is good and that his love endures forever.

I was so excited! It was my very first major conference to attend as an ordained pastor - and this was not a minor conference, by any means! The conference was held in the Indianapolis Convention Center. The title of the conference was "How Should We Then Live?" and the two notable speakers were Dr. Francis A. Shaeffer, a very prominent theologian, and Dr. C. Everett Koop, the US Surgeon General. The theme for the two-day conference was that of being salt and light in a society that so often runs counter to Christian faith. If Jesus Christ is Lord, Lord of the universe and Lord of our lives, then what difference should this make?

We continue our short series started last Sunday on chapter 12 of Paul’s letter to the Romans. He begins this chapter on practical Christianity by addressing the need for personal commitment to God, in view of God’s mercy given to us in Jesus Christ. Personal commitment to Christ is not always easy, as the pressure to conform to worldly ways is relentless and often intense. For this reason, we need to personally re-new, re-set and re-direct our minds with God’s revealed truth, so that we are not conformed, but are rather transformed.

In studying together the twelfth chapter of Paul’s great letter to the Romans, it has been my hope that we sense God’s call afresh and anew. As you will remember, Paul begins this chapter with the individual’s commitment to God and the call, not to be conformed to the world, but rather to be transformed by the renewing of one’s mind. This is to be done with a view towards God’s lavish love and tender mercy found in Jesus Christ.

Many of us have seen it, or heard about it, or have even read it. I’m talking about Rick Warren’s popular book, The Purpose Driven Life. This book is an attempt to answer the question: "What on earth am I here for?" This is not a bad question for the Church to ask as well. "What on earth are we here for?" "In the way of being and doing as the Church, the Body of Christ in the world, what on earth are we here for?"

Waiting …waiting … waiting. It sounds simple, but it’s often difficult for some to do. Consider the patient in a doctor’s office waiting to be called. Consider how often the patient shifts in the chair or looks at the clock on the wall, wondering if the actual appointment will ever come. Waiting, waiting, waiting. As Christians, we, too, are waiting … waiting for the return of our victorious Lord, no longer as a Babe in Bethlehem, but as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Much of our passage for this morning is hinged on the vital hope of His triumphant return.

"I didn’t know what I was getting into." Many people say this, having found themselves engaged in something far more that they’d anticipated. This has certainly happened to me. About five weeks ago, I sensed the Lord’s leading to study, teach and preach this year on the subject of worship. I have announced this to the congregation in several ways, including a Session meeting, the Annual Congregational meeting, newsletter articles and more.

Some cancers are surely physical and can often show on the surface. But there are other forms that are not of the physical kind, and yet are just as dangerous, and that includes the "cancer" of unfettered ambition. Jesus saw this developing in His disciples and like a wise Master Surgeon, He knew it was time for some spiritual surgery, for such unimpeded ambition can be harmful to one’s self and to others. It was time to teach the disciples that service to others was the better way.

"A great cloud of witnesses." This phrase has been used a great deal by others and myself with special regard to the names of those etched on our stained glass windows in this sanctuary. It is not a new phrase, of course, but one that comes from the epistle to the Hebrews. Having listed the names of those who persevered in the faith in chapter eleven, the author moves on to call for the same kind of endurance in chapter twelve, being surrounded as we are "by so great a cloud of witnesses."

Through the eyes of a child, Palm Sunday is a wonderful event, wouldn’t you say? There is a pageantry, a sense of vivid display and grandeur about it. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, garments and branches were spread before Him, with shouts of praise and adoration coming from hundreds if not thousands of people. Stretching from my childhood to this very day, this very morning, I still get excited at seeing palm branches waving in the air, and hearing glad shouts of "Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest!" The fact is, however, beyond all the pomp and pageantry that I experienced personally long ago as a child, I never really understood all the implications of this special day. But I wasn’t alone. In many ways, neither did the people of Jerusalem on that very first Palm Sunday.

Tonight’s service of worship is different than Sunday morning services at the church. We are hushed and stilled tonight as we focus on Jesus’ final hours and on the supper he shared with his disciples. It is good to take this time to look inside of our own lives and to follow Jesus on the road to the cross. Psalm 116 is a special psalm, for Jesus and his disciples would have sung this song after the Lord’s Supper and before going on to the Mount of Olives. The one who wrote Psalm 116 almost lost his life, but the Lord saved him. This led the Psalmist to ask a question each one of us might ask in the coming days, "How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?"

On a far more serious note, when the apostle Peter wrote this letter, he was writing to Christians who were suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ. Nothing had come in the way of a devious emperor’s legislation, but it was serious enough: insults, slander, accusations, beatings, social rejection and more. These Christians needed hope and encouragement, and not the kind that is so easily dashed. So do we, as the way of life can often be hard and challenging. In addition, Christians in this country are often looked at with suspicion and are ridiculed as fools, while other believers in the world are facing the threat of death and martyrdom for their devotion to Christ.

Things are not always as they seem. For instance many in this room enjoy eating baby carrots, did you know that baby carrots are not really babies? Indeed, baby carrots are really adult carrots masquerading as infants so that we will buy them. They come from full-grown carrots whose rotten parts have been cut away. Baby carrots are cute and easy to eat, but they aren’t babies. Things are not always as they seem at the Department of Motor Vehicles either for short lines and seemingly available workers do not always mean quick and easy visits.

Many authors have said it in seeking to hold course in an unsteady world. We are told by so many people and in so many ways that in life, "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." There are occasions when the Church needs to remember this precept as well. Many churches have lost a sense of their true calling and have turned to other ventures deemed or designed to be more appealing. This includes the content of the Main Message of the Church.

Many years ago, an inquirer from the religion of Hinduism came to a Bishop in the Church of India. Apparently, this person had read the New Testament all on his own. The more he had read, the more fascinated he was with Christ. As he read the Gospels, he felt as if he’d entered into a brand new world. As he put it:"“In the Gospels it was Jesus, His works, and His suffering. In the Acts, what the disciples did and thought and taught had taken the place that Christ had occupied. The Church continued where Jesus had left off at His death." The response of the inquirer to all of this was then quite emphatic: "I must belong to the Church that carries on the life of Christ!"

Long trips in our automobiles bring out the best in our families don’t they? What parent doesn’t relish the thought of 8 or 9 hours in the car with their beloved children, and how many children can’t wait to jump into the family truckster for a day of listening to mom and dad’s John Denver, Elton John, and Amy Grant cassettes as the family rolls down the highway? Yes, friends, summer vacation is only a few months away. Inevitably, every family car in America is witness to a singular question that is so loaded I can hardly bear to ask it now: “Are we there yet?” Whether the trip is an hour or 20 hours this question is bound to be asked, and what gets under the skin of those who have to answer is the fact that everyone in the car knows that we aren’t there yet. What a great question! What an annoying question! Are we there yet?

"Don’t just stand there, do something!" This is a familiar line to us, isn’t it, for after all, we are a people of action! We are largely a people on the go, regardless of age or circumstance. I can’t tell you how many retired people have told me over the years that their lives are so busy, they wonder how they ever found time previously to work! We are a people of activity, and this includes the Church. We are a congregation engaged in so many activities – as our bulletin insert testifies this morning - while we seek to be good stewards of all the many resources we have.

Mothers’ Day is a very appropriate time for us to think about the subject of family life. Of course, pastors have numerous passages to consider for sermon texts on such a Sunday as this. But because I happen to believe that, generally speaking, the family in this nation is in very serious trouble, I have chosen for our sermon text this morning the passage of Psalm 127. While so many families are struggling today, it is this psalm that speaks very clearly and forthrightly about family life. Going to the very first verse, and in fact to the entire psalm, we are here reminded in large part that we raise our families in vain without God – without God in the very center and heart of family life.

This morning, as we look at Peter’s sermon given on the day of Pentecost, we may note this as a good sermon, as a model sermon, as a most powerful sermon in light of the response. We are told that, "When the people heard this (sermon), they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?" When Peter told them exactly what to do, warning them and even pleading with them, there was a great response. "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

This morning, as we look at Peter’s sermon given on the day of Pentecost, we may note this as a good sermon, as a model sermon, as a most powerful sermon in light of the response. We are told that, "When the people heard this (sermon), they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?" When Peter told them exactly what to do, warning them and even pleading with them, there was a great response. "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

The title of this sermon may not be familiar to some of you, but to others it may. Quite a number of years ago, back in the mid 60’s, there was a half hour sitcom on television by this name. The situation behind it, as I recall, involved a bachelor in New York City, played by actor Brian Keith. He was quite content living in an affluent apartment and living a busy bachelor’s life. But suddenly, he “inherited” two nieces and a nephew, due to the untimely death of his brother and sister-in-law. One happy bachelor, living all on his own and at his own pace, suddenly finds himself as a "family man" with a teenage girl and twins! With this sudden change, Brian Keith’s life became a "Family Affair."

Are you aware that there are a number of confused pastors in many churches today? I know your mind may be taking you places you shouldn’t go, but I’m talking about role confusion. Many pastors today are confused as to their proper identity as pastors; in particular, what the priorities of ministry should be for them.

There is a church and it is a faithful church, full of faithful members and friends who are proud of the faithful pastors and staff at this faithful church. In the town this church is in, there is no one to be found who is in need, so the Deacons have nothing to do. The missions committee at the church is idle because everyone in the town already believes in Christ and comes to the church. The session is bored because the building is in perfect shape, the programs run smoothly, opportunities for fellowship and education abound, and the staff is in perfect harmony with one another. The pastors spend their days studying and preparing perfect sermons. There are no interruptions because everyone gets along so well at this church and no one gets sick. There is a church and it is a faithful church, full of faithful members and friends who are proud of the faithful pastors and staff at this faithful church. It is a church with one and only one problem. It doesn’t need Jesus, and this church never asks, "Where is Jesus? We are waiting for him."

You know, we don’t know exactly how Thomas spoke these words. We aren’t told how he was feeling or the inflection he used. We’re given the text and have to figure out from the context what Thomas must have been feeling when he said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Many of us know of Helen Keller, a woman who faced so many difficulties with courage and a brave heart. She was a follower of Jesus, who was thankful to God for his goodness to her. She wrote, "For three things I thank my God every day of my life: thanks that he has given me knowledge of his works; deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to – a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song."

We Believe! This past fall, as the leaves turned into a brilliant range of colors and the nights became cool, you just knew that something big was happening. There was a revival of sorts here in New England. Grown men everywhere were openly weeping and embracing one another. Fathers called sons and sons called fathers in triumph saying "We did it! We did it!" Mothers let their young children stay up until all hours of the night for weeks on end. 86 years of misery, frustration, anger, humiliation and tyranny were finally ended. Suddenly everyone was a fan and wanted to be a part of the nation. O to be a citizen in the Red Sox nation, for finally it had triumphed and left the lowly Cubs and their fans to wait and wonder what it would be like when winning comes to town!

Chesterton was a respected writer whose Christian faith was out in the open. He wrote plays, fiction, non-fiction, and even tracts. He was a famous man in England. He had not always been a Christian though, for he had made a spiritual journey from paganism at age 12 and agnosticism at age 16 to following Christ as an adult. I wonder if the London Times thought they’d get an essay from Chesterton describing how everyone else is wrong with the world, especially those who don’t know Christ?

It sure does take Lazarus a long time to get out of the tomb, doesn’t it? The poor guy is in there for four days and it takes forty-four verses in chapter 11 until he comes forth from the grave. "A friend asked me, "Can you get 6 sermons out of one chapter?" I replied to my friend by saying, "Six sermons is no problem. I just hope that by the time that Lazarus is raised from the dead that the congregation will still be attending."

It really surprised me, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. The event happened years ago, at a meeting in my former presbytery in southwestern Ohio. A minister member spoke from the pulpit and said that there are many ways, many paths to God. An elder at that same meeting was somewhat intimidated by the educated and ordained clergyman, but he was also noticeably concerned about this and so it was that he stood up to speak. He arose to say, “What then, are we to do with the claim Jesus Himself made? ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me’?” Not to be undone by this remark, the pastor then replied rather confidently to the elder: "Oh, Jesus didn’t say that. That statement was most probably contrived by the early Church." It really surprised me, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. The event happened years ago, at a meeting in my former presbytery in southwestern Ohio. A minister member spoke from the pulpit and said that there are many ways, many paths to God. An elder at that same meeting was somewhat intimidated by the educated and ordained clergyman, but he was also noticeably concerned about this and so it was that he stood up to speak. He arose to say, “What then, are we to do with the claim Jesus Himself made? ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me’?” Not to be undone by this remark, the pastor then replied rather confidently to the elder: "Oh, Jesus didn’t say that. That statement was most probably contrived by the early Church."

Our passage this morning is a favorite passage of mine and perhaps of many. So far as the background is concerned, this event of prayer comes following upon a miraculous healing of a man lame from birth. The apostles Peter and John were arrested by the local authorities and then interrogated and questioned intensely as to what power or name they had done this miracle. The apostles’ response was one of great courage, as Peter proclaimed: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

I believe it is fair to say that the passage before us this morning is surely one that is not often preached upon. It is fair to say, I imagine, because of the difficulty some have with it. This and other similar passages in the Bible appear to run counter to our conceptual understanding of God. It’s easy for us to consider the statement that "God is love" as found In the letter of I John, but this particular incident seems so harsh. It forces us, either willingly or unwillingly, to take God ever so seriously. Of course, this is not a bad thing to do, for we are all called to take into our view the whole of God’s self-revelation in Scripture, and so we prayerfully seek to understand this morning both this text and the God to whom we belong.

It was a startling occurrence, perhaps. It was surely unexpected by many seated in his midst. Gamaliel, grandson of one of the most famous rabbis in Israel’s history, and a most respected teacher of the Law in his own right, actually stood up and asked for patience toward the apostles. As we’ve listened to the story, it is amazing to hear of the angel of the Lord delivering the apostles from the bonds of their imprisonment. That, in itself, should have made the members of the Council “wake up” and take the apostles seriously. But when you are filled with a jealous rage, it is hard to listen to reason. In the midst of their murderous intent, Gamaliel nevertheless called for reason on the part of his brethren.

For many, the fall season is a time for personal self-assessment. The Nominating Committee has been prayerfully and diligently at work, seeking to find those whom God is calling to serve, either as deacons or as elders. We need to be in prayer for the Nominating Committee as they are about this task, and also for those whom they contact, for the sake of the Church and in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ. Following upon the passage in Exodus, practically speaking, we need a plurality of leadership.

He was an Englishman, born in 1517 and thoroughly educated in the process of time. Becoming fully acquainted with church history and the Scriptures, John Foxe eventually turned to the Protestant faith and made that faith his own. But it was a very difficult time to be a Protestant in England, particularly when so many Catholic kings and queens were passionately and vehemently opposed to such people of conviction. John Foxe was indeed persecuted for his faith for a time, until the English Reformation took place. Then, in 1550, he was ordained as a minister in the Church of England, and his ministry included the writing of books. One such book became known as Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. This book covers the lives of many martyrs, from the time of Christ to the end of the reign of Queen Mary, otherwise known to us today as "Bloody Mary."

God always provides for his people. Most often his gracious provision comes to us surprising ways. We often assume that happy people are the ones who God has really provided for. You know the people I mean: the people with no cares, the people who have it all, the people who are vibrant and healthy, the people who have somehow managed to take care of every need by themselves. These are the kinds of people we see on Ralph Lauren commercials or in L.L. Bean catalogs. Of course, such people have to have a dog with them, and it has to be the right dog, a Golden Retriever or a big Black Lab or maybe even a Labradoodle. I’m beginning to wonder why people who have no worries never seem to own Chihuahuas? We expect to find that God is only working among such happy, carefree people, but such happiness is an illusion that masks deep suffering and a longing for more, a longing that cannot be satisfied by having the right shirt, sheets, dog, bank account balance, or spouse.

"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation." When we hear these words of our Lord Jesus as a "Great Commission," we are able to acknowledge that the Church has been given marching orders. Similarly, when we turn to the key theme of the book of Acts found in chapter one and verse eight, we find the promise of the empowerment of the Spirit going along with these marching orders: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

This is the season of avid spectators, carefully observing what their favorite sports teams can do. For example, "Red Sox Nation" had awaited yet another World Series, hoping to see two baseball championships in a row. Alas, this has not come to pass! Fans of the Patriots are somewhat concerned, but not overly or unduly concerned, as they have watched the Patriots stall before in the beginning of the season, only to come out in the end on top of the National Football League. As Christians, however, there should be no special seasons when we are more attentive than at other times, as to what God is doing in our lives, our church, our nation and in the world. We ought to always be watching God at work in the world, for the reason that God never ceases to be active. God is always operative in the world, fulfilling His plans and purposes. He is continuously seeking His work of redemption in Jesus Christ to be fulfilled in a sinful, broken and needy world.

Witnessing, faith-sharing, evangelism – otherwise known as the "e-word" - even the thought of this makes some people very uneasy. For many, this discomfort has nothing to do with the reality of their relationship with Jesus Christ. The relationship is there. It’s the way of a witness that is the real problem. They need some practical guidance in how to go about being a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe our passage for this morning provides us with needed guidance in a very tangible, helpful and practical way. As we look at Philip sharing his faith with a court official from Ethiopia, we can see that the sharing of our faith is not as difficult or complex after all. So let’s follow what happened in the situation before us and glean the lessons that are here for us in "the way of a witness."

Do you remember a time when television came to us through the air instead of through cables? If you do then you may also remember the tests of the Emergency Broadcast System that used to interrupt TV viewing. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a piercing ring tone would be emitted from the TV and the screen would turn red, blue and green. After a full minute of the piercing ring tone a serious voice would begin speaking: "This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency . . . you would be dead right now." Okay, that’s not how it ended, but I don’t think we ever expected those annoying ring tones not to be a test. We didn’t expect that those ring tones could signal a real emergency or that important information would be shared with us through the Emergency Broadcast System.

It was on the 31st of October, 1517, that an Augustinian monk by the name of Martin Luther shook up the Church by calling for reform. The Church had strayed from having Jesus Christ as its sole foundation. It was turning instead to additional means in seeking to secure one’s salvation in the sight of a thrice-holy God. Such means were useless, said Luther, meaningless upon which to rely, for it is by God’s grace alone in Jesus Christ that we are forgiven, accepted, and adopted as the children of God.

I see it often, and perhaps you’ve seen it as well. There, in a grocery story, or in a Walmart or another store, is a parent modeling a certain behavior before the child. Sometimes, the behavior is quite commendable, and sadly at other times it is not. All parents need to be reminded now and then that much learned behavior is caught from parents, rather than taught. In other words, it is one thing to teach certain principles, and it is another to live them as a parent. The most positive experience for a child is to have important life lessons both taught and caught. Here, in our passage for this morning, Paul is seeking to teach sound principles regarding Christian stewardship. But he’s primarily teaching through the model of some faithful, exemplary Christians.

The best known theologians of our day are Oprah and Dr. Phil. Everyday, Oprah and Dr. Phil proclaim who we are, why we are here, and how we will get to where we want to be. Theirs is a theology of human progress and goodness without need of a redeemer. In the theology presented to us by Oprah and Dr. Phil, we discover that the way anyone gets to heaven, regardless of what they have believed or not believed, is by dying. God is not a judge in these contemporary theologies; we simply experience a blinding light and lots of warm fuzzies as we are drawn into the presence of God at our deaths. Perhaps that’s why it can be difficult for us to hear the Parable of the Talents that is before us this morning

This hymn, affectionately known as "Old Hundredth," is the hymn most associated with the psalm before us. It dates as far back as Geneva in the time of John Calvin, around1551, when Calvin had the psalms rephrased in order that God’s Word could be sung by the congregation. “Old Hundredth” was used in the Scottish Psalter as well, and was used by the Pilgrims and the Puritans when they first came to America in the early 1600’s. It is a good hymn, and an even better Psalm, reminding us of something very significant: that we ought to do more than simply be thankful for the gifts we’ve received. We ought to praise and thank God not only for what He has given us, but especially for who God is. In other words, we should give thanks not only for the gifts, but for the Giver.

The Praise Team assembled before the waiting and attendant congregation. They had prepared and rehearsed a great deal in order to lead the people in a ministry of music. A call to worship was given from the Psalms, followed by a few songs of worship. Then came a familiar song, and yet one with a powerful sense of devotion as the Holy Spirit moved in a very special way in the hearts of the assembly. It was as if, in that moment in time, everything in life paled in comparison to the matchless glory of Jesus Christ. They sang not about Christ, but to Christ, in a spirit of love, devotion and loyalty:

What I’m talking about here is the end of Daylight Savings Time. Most of us don’t mind getting "an extra hour" of sleep on that day, but then comes the darkness at way too early a time, or so it seems to us. Light is preferred to darkness, especially when it starts to get dark around 4:30 in the afternoon! When John wrote his Gospel, he had no idea what Daylight Savings Time would mean. But he did understand the powerful difference between light and darkness. He was also quite aware of the biblical symbolism of light versus darkness. He was aware of light often standing for knowledge and truth, leading to good and commendable behavior. John was also aware of darkness standing for ignorance, misery, or sin and wrongful behavior. Apparently, John was also quite aware of several prophecies regarding the Messiah coming to bring His light into the world.

In our study of the opening lines of the Gospel of John, we have found many outstanding traits and characteristics of our Lord Jesus Christ. In John’s "Prologue" so far, we have found Jesus to be the Eternal Word, one with God in essence, while distinct from God the Father as God the Son. We have also found Him to be the Light of the World, bringing into our lives the light of His truth and the light of His love and mercy.

Polls and surveys - they seem to be quite common today. For example, there seems to be a new presidential poll every two or three weeks now regarding the President’s job approval rating. An interesting poll for me, at least, would be to survey this congregation as to your favorite personal hymns. We might even have a sermon series some day on our favorite hymns and the Scripture or doctrines on which they are based.

Try as we might, we just can’t pull off that perfect Christmas. No doubt we want this day to be perfect. We want to push away the ugliness of a world beset by starving children, AIDS pandemics, and natural disasters. We want to push away the ugliness we find within ourselves as we hoard our treasures, lash out at those we love, and hide behind our piety. There is no pushing away the reality in which we live though. It is too close to home, even today, for it resides in our hearts, and it always bears down on us. That’s why we’re here this morning, and this is a good place to be, for we are gathered with so many others who also need to hear the story again.