Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 9:1-4
New Testament Lesson: Epistle: I Corinthians 1:10-18
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

"Jesus said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.' "

Peter and Andrew. James and John. They heard the call of the Lord and they left behind their old path of life to chart out on a new one.

These were ordinary folks who were accustomed to doing ordinary things. And it is such people that Jesus chooses as companions for his ministry and mission to humanity.

Those four men had no idea what life would hold for them. There was no crystal ball description of what the coming days, and months, and years would be like. I dare say they had no clue what was all in store for them as left the nets and boats set out on the journey of a lifetime.

As Christian people we have been called to a journey of a lifetime....marking our steps along the way with Christ spiritually even as these four men did physically.

"Follow me."

34 years ago today a group of people did that too. Responding to the same Savior in very much the same way. Jesus bid that group of Christians to follow along life's way and pledge their support and covenant together.

That 34 years ago today group of people penned their names to the charter that would become the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church of Joppatowne Maryland. One hundred seven people signed that document----like those first disciples - stepping out in faith not knowing the exact pathway that a venture in Christ would take them but trusting in God's Almighty hand to lead them and guide them along the way. Thirty four years later we sit here in a Sanctuary that could not even be envisioned by those wonderful Christian people. Thirty four years of ministering to the needs of people in this community and reaching out with the gospel of Jesus the Christ. Now that is something to be celebrated.

We can, and we do, celebrate the fact that God has given us this Church as a family of brothers and sisters who will support us and care for us.

But you know, I think sometimes we take it for granted, not only the church, but also our own Christian pilgrimage and discipleship. Yes its been 34 years since we came together as a congregation, and its probably been sometime since you and I as individuals have been walking with Christ.

But, but - those are just moments in time. Those are starting places. Everyday we are confronted anew with the call of Christ. "Will you follow me?" That is the question the Christ asks of us each step along the way of life.

***

Today's lesson relates to us oh such a wonderous story of the way in which two sets of brothers made a clear decision to follow Jesus and be disciples of his who would "fish for people."

As Individuals and as a The Church in North America we can learn from this story of the call of the first disciples what it means that God calls us to faithfulness in the church today. That is the challenge for us all - as Church and as people----that this not be a historical account or even a story - but this be the record of our living each day - that we "follow" ~ that we "fish for people." Let me suggest some steps along the way when it comes to following our Lord.

*** Follow Me -- LISTEN FOR THE VOICE. LISTEN FOR THE VOICE.

That's the first step. Peter and Andrew were casting a net. Doing their job. Minding their own business. Tending to what they should be doing. The same was true of James and John. They were fishing. And together with their father who owned this family business they were in the boat mending their nets.

Both sets of brothers do something. Its ordinary, but nonetheless, its miraculous. They listen for the voice of Jesus. The hear him when he speaks to them. They pay attention to him.

They don't write him off. They don't ignore him. They aren't too busy for him. They don't tell him they are doing something important now and ask him if he couldn't come back later. No. They listen to him. They hear his voice.

* Today in the church we need to listen for the voice of Christ. In the business of the Institutional Church and the lives we have built we need to try to hear the voice of our Lord. We can't let our business or our agenda get in the way---we need to listen and hear.

We aren't to build the church in our image and by our design - no, we are to build and grow the church in response to hearing the call of Jesus to follow him.

He is speaking that to us today.

He's speaking to us in so many voices in so many ways.

He's speaking to us in the voice of the children of our neighborhoods.

He's speaking to us in the voice of the community around us---a community we don't know as well as we used to.

He's speaking to us in the voice of a world were suffering and hurt go on and on and its merely news to us and nothing more. Christ is speaking. Just as he spoke to Peter and Andrew, James and John, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Are we listening? Are we listening to his plea to love in the church that we might love the world too. Or will we ignore his voice too busy with budgets and doctrines, too serious about issues which divide us and personalities that pester us. In the church. In our lives. We need to listen. Stop and listen for Christ. Yes - God is speaking to us every step along the way - putting it into voice: "Follow Me."

*** Follow Me -- IMMEDIATELY TAKE ACTION. IMMEDIATELY TAKE ACTION. That's the second step. First, listen for the voice. Second, immediately take action.

The Scripture is very clear---the four did not deliberate or debate or even inquire of Jesus specific terms of the call. They made a decision---they made a decision how? What does it say? "Immediately they left their nets and followed him." "Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him." Ever noticed that before? Immediately.

Immediately take action. We aren't always so good at that. We may hem and haw around and take our own good 'ol sweet time to do things. We Presbyterians tend to study things to death--we commit it to some committee from which it never returns. Its probably decent and in order but it doesn't get done!

Its easy to get frustrated in the church these days - no matter what church we are in. We try a program and it fails for lack of folks. We want the pews full now and we don't want to work at it. We say we want to be involved in the community---but we don't even talk to our neighbors let alone share our faith with them and talk about the worship service on Sunday.

Its easy to become Lazy Church. You know, "Just wait and see what happens." The Spectator Christians. Fold your arms and wait.... Huh? ah. No way. That's not the way of Christian living modeled here.

Immediately take action. Tell your neighbors about your church. Invite them. Bring them next week. Immediately take action. Try a new program, a new Bible Study, a new prayer time. Immediately take action. Volunteer. Don't wait to be asked. Ask what you can do. Following Jesus is reflected in our daily behavior. The steps along the way are to be purposeful steps toward and with Christ. Model. Act like these four fisher folk. Immediately take action.

*** Follow Me -- DON'T LET FEAR WIN OVER FAITH. DON'T LET FEAR WIN OVER FAITH. That's the third step..... Listen, take action, don't let fear win over faith.

These four disciples of Jesus followed him, seemingly without fear and seemingly without worry for what they were leaving behind. We are even told that James and John left their father in the boat when they followed Jesus.

Something about Jesus was very attractive to them in order to get them to do that. We are told what that something was in the last verse of our Gospel Lesson today, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people."

You see, Jesus was so radical, so real, and so liberating that they could feel it to the depths of their being how wonderful he was. Jesus is still that way for us today. And we need to not forget that the one we follow is the very same one who has won the victory of life for us--crucified and risen---he heals us and grants us new life----gives us hope and fills us with the possibilities of peace. Its time for all of us to quit worrying about the money and numbers and anything else that gets in the way. It time for us to start putting our faith into action in the church. We need to not be afraid to change - we need to see change as the very way in which we put one foot in front of the other and step out in faith.

We need to let go of our fears of people who are different from us, and in faith extend our love and fellowship to them. As Church, as Christians we need to tear down our walls - no walls. We need to do away with our boundaries - no boundaries.

We need to not be afraid of reaching out and loving each other - letting down our guard and letting our vulnerabilities show. This is a safe place to love and be loved. That's really the essence of Jesus - he is love - we can freely love him and he loves us more than we can ever dream. Its faith not fear.

Its immediate action.

Its said to us. Follow me.

Today, tomorrow, for 34 more years, forever..... Jesus invites you - and me - and us----FOLLOW ME. Amen. Amen.