“Who Is Worthy?”

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Luke 5:1-11

              As we move through this season of Epiphany, the word of God is becoming for us much more personal and demanding as Jesus calls his first disciples to follow him.

              The way in which Jesus calls Peter, James and John, is by going to the place where they are at, their place of work.  They were fishermen.  Jesus gets Peter to take him out in his boat so that he could teach the crowds of people who were on the shore.  After he was done, Jesus tells Peter to go out into deeper water and to let down their nets.  Peter must have thought Jesus was crazy.  They had been fishing through the night and did not catch one fish.  Who does Jesus think he is and what does he know about fishing?  But Peter gives in to Jesus’ request, lets down the nets, and the result was a huge catch of fish, so many that the nets began to break and the boats began to sink.  Upon getting back to shore, Peter reveals his shame and feeling of inadequacy, “Go away from me, Lord;” he says, “for I am a sinful man.”  He did not feel worthy to be in the Lord’s presence.  But Jesus answers his sinfulness with a word of grace and a surprising statement.  “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”  The response of Peter and the others was spontaneous as they left everything and followed him.

              Out of ordinary life, Jesus calls ordinary people to be his disciples.  That, of course, includes you and me.  All too often we feel inadequate or unworthy to be disciples.  We all are sinful people who can not stand before the Lord on our own.  You may think that you don’t know the Bible well enough, or have the talents or abilities to be a disciple, or feel you don’t have the courage and strength to share your faith. You can come up with all kinds of reasons why you can’t follow him, but Jesus still calls us, and with his grace, he sends us out.  “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”  The life of discipleship is a never-ending road, a road that is not easy, in fact, it can have many twists and turns, bumps and pot holes along the way, but for those who answer the call of Jesus and respond in faith, the life of discipleship can be exciting and full of opportunities as God works in and though us to expand and grow his kingdom on earth.

              Last week at our local mission Sunday, we emphasized our support of our seminary students.  Jon Larson came with some of his friends from Wartburg Seminary and spent the morning with us.  During the adult education hour, they shared with us their stories and sense of calling to the ordained ministry.  Each had a different story to tell as they tried to understand and discern their call to be a pastor.  The one common thing they all said was that it was an on-going process.  The life of faith and our journey as Christians is always in process.  We seek to grow in our discipleship every day as we live in relationship with Jesus and in his word and live within the community of faith, the church.

              As they shared their story of faith and calling, I thought I would share with you my story and sense of calling to the ministry.  I have to admit that I don’t have a very exciting story to tell.  There is no big conversion or earth-shattering event.  As far as I know, I have always been a Christian as I grew up in a Christian home with Christian parents.  Faith has always been part of my life.  My dad was a pastor and my mom was very active in many different areas of the church’s ministry.  Going to church was something we did.  I went to Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, youth group activities.  I went to Bible camp and on youth trips.  My youth director was a friend and an important part of my faith development.

              After high school, I went to Concordia College in Moorhead, one of our church colleges.  They had a very active and exciting faith community, especially Wednesday night communion services.  I have to admit, I didn’t go to church on Sunday mornings very often, unless some girl asked me to go, a most effective evangelism strategy, but I did go to daily chapel services on campus on a rather regular basis.  As part of the curriculum we had to take religion courses.  Before I went to work one summer as a camp counselor, I took a Bible class, thinking I should know something about the Bible.  It was a great class and I learned a lot.  I use some of the things I learned in that class even to this day, especially the definition of grace that all my confirmation students know: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.  During those first two years of college, I thought about seminary, but didn’t take it too seriously.  I was more interested in theater and dreaming of being on stage. Another activity I was involved in that had an impact on me was singing in choir.  My choir director often talked about the songs were singing, especially one song he arranged entitled “Lord of the Dance.”   The words of these songs were an introduction to Christian theology.

              As I mentioned, I spent one summer as a counselor at a Bible Camp.  That was one of the best experience I have ever had.  Besides being with other Christian young people and having a great time, I learned so much by leading Bible studies with the campers.  It gave me a chance to think about what I really believed and what the Christian faith was all about.  It was at Bible camp that a pastor told me for the first time that I may have gifts for ministry in the church.

              Well, I finished my college career with a major in communications.  And, like a lot of college graduates, I didn’t have any plans after college.  I thought about grad school, but didn’t really act on it.  What I ended up doing that summer after graduation was work for my home church as a part-time youth worker.  I took kids to camp and planned other activities during the summer.  As it turned out, they hired me full time as a youth director when the associate pastor left to take a new call.  His name was Gary Benson.  Some of you know him.  During that year I worked with my dad participating in many different aspects of ministry.  Almost like an associate pastor, I helped lead worship, teach confirmation, and sing in choir.  It was also during that time I met Susan.  That, of course, is another story.  During that year I worked in the church I began to sort out my call to go to the seminary.  I was drawn to it more and more.  I had a couple of friends at seminary who also encouraged me to go to the seminary.  And so, one day, when my parents were gone on vacation, because I wanted it to be my decision and not my parents, I went to the seminary office to find out what I needed to do to get in and I enrolled as a seminary student.  It was a decision I have not regretted as it has been, and continues to be, an interesting calling.  I have been a pastor now for 22 years, serving here at United for 18 years.  During that time, I continue to discern my call to be a pastor.  Like you, there are times when you wonder about this faith thing.  Is it really true?  The two events that have confirmed the truth of the gospel for me are the deaths of my father and mother.  The power of the resurrection has become the most important aspect of my faith.  If it is not true, as the Apostle Paul says, we are the most to be pitied.  But if it is true, it is the power that leads to salvation.  I opt for the power of salvation and to be involved in a life-giving ministry.  My favorite Bible verse is John 10:10:  Jesus says, “I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.”

              Well, that is my story.  You have your story.  Whether you are a pastor or a lay person, God is calling you to faith and discipleship.  God has given you gifts and talents for ministry and wants you to use them for the sake of others who do not know Jesus Christ or are not connected to a community of faith.  Jesus does not want to leave anybody out. His call to Peter, James and John - that they should help him in catching people – came precisely in order that the good news would go out wider and wider, reaching as many people as possible.  That large catch of fish that caused the nets to break and the boats to sink only points to what is possible if we answer the Lord’s call and follow him.   You may not think that you are worthy of this calling, but you are, for the Lord Jesus makes you worthy through his death and resurrection.  Through Jesus your sins are forgiven and you are given a new life.  It is now for us to share this grace, this good news with others.  In a few minutes, we will receive the Lord’s gift of grace through the bread and the wine.  We will be nourished and strengthened in our faith for a lifetime of discipleship.  At the end of the service, I will say to you, “Go in peace, serve the Lord.”  It is really Jesus saying to us, “Go and catch people.”  Amen.