St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

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What Is Your Vision?

Mark 9:2-8

February 26, 2006        (Click this link to see the bulletin)

1. I LOVE the Winter Olympics! Have you been watching them? The strength and endurance of those athletes amazes me! They way they swoosh down the mountains on the slalom runs, zigging and zagging around the gates! Or jumping into a big hollow with their feet strapped to what looks like a skateboard, zooming up the other side and turning six twists and flips in the air before landing. Or gilding across the ice on thin strips of metal, jumping and turning and spinning or ‘twizzling." They have worked long and hard to even make it to the Olympics. Some DQ [disqualify] early in the competition. Others get beat out by 1/100th of a second. Some fall and crash and end up being carried away on a stretcher. But, in the end, three will make it to the end. They step up on the podium like this one. First place stands slightly higher than second, and third is slightly lower than second. Someone calls out their names in turn, and places a ribbon around each of their necks, from which dangles a circle of gold, or silver, or bronze. It’s a moment like no other! They had a vision, and with time and hard work, their vision became a reality. Oh, if only that moment could last forever!

2. What’s been happening in Torino the past two weeks mirrors what happened on that high mountain in Palestine. Actually, by the time Jesus stood with Moses and Elijah, the Olympics had been going on for 800 years. I’m pretty sure they had all heard of them. They knew how the winners were chosen. It’s almost as if this podium were right there on the mountain. in what must have been a moment reminiscent of Torino, Jesus stepped upon the highest level, and Moses and Elijah took their places on either side of him. Then God singled out Jesus, and said, "Here he is! He is the very best! Do it like he does." These three also had a vision, and with time and hard work, their vision became a reality.

3. The three on the podium at the Olympics are not the only ones in the room. The "also-rans" watch with eyes riveted upon the top three. Their audience includes the ones who didn’t make it to the top. Maybe they’ll try harder and smarter, and make it the next time around. Or maybe they’ll never try again. It’s a decision each one will have to make. Was it the same with the disciples? Peter who had already been scolded for misunderstanding why Jesus would suffer; and there was James and John who would shortly show their ignorance by wanting the best seats in the house. And all three will utterly fail Jesus by falling asleep while he prayed in the Garden. But they will have another chance! They will become leaders in the Church that came into being after Pentecost. The vision they saw upon that mountain drove their desire to move Christ’s Church ahead!

4. Vision! What is your vision to move our Church ahead? Before you answer that question, let’s imagine the possibilities and get real about the realities. First the realities. Rev. Bill Neff was St. Andrew’s organizing pastor. He had a vision that was both grand and glorious. St. Andrew’s would be huge. This room we’re in right now was originally planned to be the Chapel. And the Sanctuary would be built on the back part of the property, where The Little Light House is located. But God had other ideas for this congregation. Now, 50 years later, the reality is that St. Andrew’s will likely never have 4,000 members. That’s the reality. We will probably not be huge. The possibilities, however, ARE huge! What is your vision of the possibilities?

5. Our Book of Order might seem like a strange place to look for vision possibilities, but they are here! Right here in the third chapter – The Church and Its Mission. "The Church is called to be a sign in [the world] and for the world of the new reality which God has made available to people in Jesus Christ" (G-3.0200a and b). Signs come in all sizes. Whatever their size, they all tell what needs to be told. STOP. ONE WAY. SCHOOL CROSSING. SPEED ZONE AHEAD. The Church is to be a sign of the new reality which God has made. "The new reality revealed in Jesus Christ is the new humanity, a new creation, a new beginning for human life in the world. Sin is forgiven. Reconciliation is accomplished. Dividing walls of hostility are torn down. The Church is the body of Christ, both in its corporate life and in the lives of its individual members, and is called to give shape and substance to this truth" (G-3.0200c).

6. We are called to give shape and substance to God’s truth! Sin is forgiven. Reconciliation is accomplished. Dividing walls of hostility are torn down. But that’s not the end! There’s more! "The Church is called to be Christ’s faithful evangelist, going into the world, making disciples of all nations . . . demonstrating the new reality in Christ by the love of its members for one another and by the quality of its common life . . . sharing in worship, fellowship and nurture, practicing a deepened life of prayer and service under the guidance of the Holy Spirit." What a vision!

7. Rick Ufford-Chase, the moderator of our General Assembly, has caught that vision, and wants to raise the bar on what it means to be Presbyterian. The latest issue of Presbyterians Today features an interview with him. "Presbyterians want to go out and do mission themselves and get their hands dirty. The clear thing I’m learning is that mission is moving to the congregations and to the pews. Presbyterians are getting out of the pews and into the world, and discovering something that was missing in their lives. They want something engaged and relevant that speaks to their spiritual center." Rick has a vision for the next generation of Presbyterians.

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