but you know

what you know is better, is brighter

It’s been said we live in a time when the church is well out of fashion…

And maybe they’re right. 

After all, none of us have to think too hard to recall a headline of some news story of a church scandal, or a time some cranky church member stared down a visitor for sitting in “their” pew. Now add those grievances to the common sentiment that you can worship God just as well on the fishing-boat or taking a walk outdoors; and you just about have to grant the point. 

The church, our faith, is headed for the dustbin of history…

And sadly, the truth is, most of us here have conceded the argument to those who would say we live in a time when the church is a thing of the past. 

Honestly, we don’t have much faith in the value of this place or faith in general ourselves…

Tragically our misgivings about the faith are put on full display by how we react to Peter’s sermon we hear today in Acts. 

When Peter says the crowd needs to be baptized; we shrug. ‘That’s fine, I guess,’ we murmur. 

When Peter says the crowd needs to repent, though, we get a little uneasy. ‘That’s old-fashioned language we do our best to avoid,’ we explain to any visitors. 

Then when Peter says we need to flee from this corrupt generation, we get down-right uncomfortable. ‘That’s not what he meant,’ we ask anxiously. Our anxiety betraying our cool demeanor.

Finally, the last nail is hammered down when we hear Luke’s remark about the effect of Peter’s sermon; “and that day about three-thousand persons were added.” We scoff skeptically at this outcome of preaching, then move-on to business as usual - managing the decline (in fact, we’ve even employed our best scholars to disprove Luke, to insist he was exaggerating…).

Yes, we’ve decided to approach the faith in a way that is diametrically opposed to that of Jesus’ first followers.

We will tolerate baptism, if we have to; but when Peter starts talking about repentance, we take our cue and start putting as much distance between ourselves and good ‘ol Pete…

‘God isn’t looking for repentance,’ we explain; trying to look as casual as possible. 

‘God is only looking for an hour of your week, if you’ve got it; and maybe your money, if you’re willing;’ we apologize.

‘God isn’t calling us to flee this corrupt generation. God is perfectly happy with the way things are, and so we’re going to ask as of little of you as possible,’ we mumble sheepishly…

Is it any wonder, then, the crowds aren’t flocking to our doors?

To any outsider, the way we treat this Good News is just like any other civic-club. And we’re just offering one option in an already crowded marketplace…

A United Methodist bishop I love, Will Willimon, tells a story about a church he visited. 

It was a nice, growing congregation on the right side of town. 

When it came time to take the offering, however, the Pastor stood up and said, “now, if you’re visiting today, don’t worry about putting anything in the plate. This is something members do, if you’d like you’re welcome/”

But before the pastor could finish his little speech, Willimon had, had enough. He stood up and taking the mic he said, “Give it here. We’re taking up offering, God has called you to trust God and not money. We’re going to help you with that. The offering plate is going to come around, put it in the plate. Worship God.”

Well, obviously Bishop Willimon may have overstepped his welcome, but he made his point perfectly.

The way we doubt the faith, how we ask for the bare minimum, we tell everyone that this faith is nothing other than joining a Rotary. Offering is little more than dues and worship is nothing but a mandatory meeting.

And if that’s all our faith is, sisters and brothers, can you blame folks for deciding to read the Sunday Times or play the first nine, instead of coming to worship the living God with us?

What the story of Acts insists and what Peter’s sermon makes clear, however, is that the folks with ears to hear, know they are searching for something more than one choice in the supermarket of social-clubs.

What the story of Acts insists and what Peter’s sermon makes clear, however, is that this faith is more than one option among many tother social gatherings; 

faith in the living God is the solution, the fulfillment of our searching - of what we should do.

What the story of Acts insists and what Peter’s sermon assumes is that this Good News we’ve been given to share, deserves our trust.

That’s why when the crowd asks Peter what they should do, Peter doesn’t hesitate; be baptized, repent and flee he proclaims. Peter knows we need saving, and Peter knows he has the sweet Word of salvation - the Word that will accomplish what it proclaims.

These folks came were looking and Peter honored their sincerity; Peter trusted that this Good News he had been entrusted with was the same Good News those searching needed. 

Peter didn’t say, ‘oh everything is already more or less fine. You don’t need to do anything. If you’d like, though, we can add you to the rolls and send you a giving-statement at the end of the year.’

No Peter is clear, he respects the pangs of the crowds’ doubt, and ultimately he trusts God will be at work including all in God’s salvation.

And that’s why, sisters and brothers, when the crowd does ask, three-thousand were added; as Luke points-out.

Finally, what Luke knows, and what we all know in our heart of hearts, is that Jesus is the reconciliation the world is longing for.

That’s why nothing short of baptism and repentance will do. God has decided to be about reconciliation - not just mending the fixtures, but leaving the foundation crumbling…

That’s why you’re here on your best days too, isn’t it?

You’re not here because we have service at a time that works, and you’re not here because the pews are comfortable, far from it.

You’re here because you’ve heard God’s call, because you’ve cried the same thing that crowd cried so many years earlier, “what should we do.” Thanks be to God when you found yourself searching, God sent the Word of salvation to you -and to your children, and to all who are far away.

And that changed everything, didn’t it?

As I like to say, you don’t need me to protect you from God. In fact, although we know deep down, following God will be one of the hardest things we ever embark on, it’s worth it; it’s what we long for and need. 

Finally, the only success the church can ever have, if the church is to have such a thing at all, will be by letting God’s Word have its due. 

That, honestly, is what’s behind Luke’s editorial comment when he notes three-thousand were added. He isn’t trying to claim Peter was such an effective preacher or the crowds so easily taken; he is insisting that when Jesus’ says the Good News is to go to the ends of the earth, Jesus’ Word can be trusted. This World will ring out.

God’s Word will accomplish what God has proclaimed

Sisters and brothers, God’s grace that we have to share is the most precious gift you can ever give someone. It isn’t something to be embarrassed or ashamed of. 

God’s Word will call for more of you than you have to give; but it’s worth it. Just recall, all those time you found yourself wondering what to do, when you were baptized, when you repented; it has always been God’s Word that you fled to. 

That Word never failed you and it never will. This Word will not fail anyone. This Word, is trustworthy.

There will come in the time when the phone will ringer there will be a knock on the door and the worried voice on the other side will whimper, “what should I do.” And nothing else will matter, not your bank account, not wether your hair is just so, nothing. 

As the winds of chaos howl you’ll hear the preaching on Peter; this promise is for you, and your children and all who are far away. Then you will understand why Luke needed to note that three-thousand were added.

Amen