Epiphany 2 – B

                                                                                                                                                                        John 1:43-51

                                                                                                                                                                    January 15, 2012

                                                                                                                                                                        St. Columba’s

           In the Name of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Intro

           In our Gospel and O.T. readings this morning, we hear of three calls from God – calls to Samuel, to Philip, and Nathanael.

           Each of these calls is received differently, but each is a call to serve God in its own special way.

           So as we venture forth is this season of Epiphany – this season of “Making Known” – let us explore these calls, that we might further understand our own.

I. Three Calls

           A. The Boy Samuel was serving the priest Eli in the Temple at Shiloh.

                  1. He was sleeping in the in the Temple near the Ark of the Covenant

                      2. And God calls to him.

                      3. The bible reminds us: “Now the word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.”

                      4. So TWICE Samuel mistakes the voice of God for Eli’s – and he goes to him.

                      5. Eli, perceiving this must be the call of God, instructs the Boy to say, “Speak, Lord for your servant hears.”

                      6. And God does speak – and Samuel obeys – and answers God’s call, and thus becomes the FIRST GREAT PROPHET in the history of Israel.

                      7. But this is not a story about Samuel hearing God’s call when no one else does.

                       - It’s not about the fact that he says, “Speak for your servant hears.”

                      8. The key to this story is the PERSISTENCE OF GOD.

                      9. For it is God who CONTINUES TO CALL Samuel, until Samuel is able to hear and to respond.           

           B. Our Gospel Lesson tells of the calling of two of Jesus’ Disciples: Philip and Nathanael.

                      1. Jesus is beginning his ministry following his baptism.

                      2. He finds Philip and says, “Follow Me.”

                                 - and Philip does just that.

                      3. And the first thing Philip does, as a follower of Jesus, is to GO AND TELL SOMEONE ELSE;

                                 - in this case, his friend Nathanael.

                      4. He tells Nathanael, “I have found the one we have been seeking – the Messiah Moses wrote about in the Law, the One preached by the Prophets.

                                 - It’s Jesus of Nazareth.

                      5. And Nathanael responds, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.”

                      6. Now, Nathanael’s comment has often been misinterpreted as “Regional Arrogance” – you know, like “Can anything good come out of Oxnard.”

                      7. But in reality, he is questioning from SCRIPTURE, for Nazareth is not referred to when talking about a Savior.

                      8. But Philip simply responds, “Come and See.”

                      9. And when he does, Nathanael is in for an amazing adventure.

           C. It’s interesting to note that in each case these calls come at the initiative of God to people who are ready to accept them.

               1. They are each going about their own life when God’s call intervenes:

                                 - Samuel is going about his duties in the Temple;

                                 - Philip is presumably doing his daily chores;

                             - and Nathanael is sitting under a fig tree – a place traditionally seen as a symbol for one who studied the scriptures.

                      2. None of them is described as being especially gifted, or in any way particularly special.

                      3. They are, however, willing to hear or see what God is doing – AND RESPOND.

II. Our Call

           A. God calls us as individuals, just as Samuel, Philip, and Nathanael were called.

                      1. And God equips us with what we need to answer that call.

                      2. Look again at what happens when Philip encounters Jesus.

                      3. Jesus says, “Follow me” and Philip does.

                      4. And the first thing he does is to go and tell someone else – a friend, one who does not know Jesus – Nathanael.

                      5. And when Nathanael BALKS, Philip doesn’t try to argue with him – he doesn’t try to answer all is questions;

                                 - He merely says, “Come and See.”

           B. And the same is true for us.

                      1. We like Philip are called by Jesus to follow him, but what is our response?

                      2. But, do we FOLLOW Jesus – or do we prefer to lead the way,

                                 - putting ourselves first – living our own life – with Jesus coming after?

                      3. Our response must be like Philip to go and tell others about the difference it makes knowing Jesus in our lives.

                      4. And like Philip, all we need to say is “Come and See.”

                                 - COME with me to church and experience Jesus and SEE if it doesn’t make a difference in your life.

                      5. As I have said, time and time again, the number one way that people come to church is if someone else brings them.

                      6. The call of God is strong and persistent – all we have to say is, “COME and SEE” and God will do all the rest.

                      7. Let me tell you a story about what I mean.

III. Ed’s Story

           A. Nancy used to go out with a guy named ED.

                      1. And every Saturday night, after a date, Nancy would ask him if he wanted to go to church with her the next morning – and Ed would refuse.

                      2. Several months after they stopped dating – and Nancy was going out with someone else [ME] – Ed called her up.

        3. He said, “You know that service you told me about – I would like to go.

                  4. She said, “To the Easter Vigil?  It’s the longest service of the year!

                      5. But he said he wanted to go – and so he did.

                      6. Now in case you don’t know, the Easter Vigil is a series of readings from the Hebrew Scriptures that recount God’s saving acts in history – each one followed by a psalm or song – then comes Baptism – and then the First Eucharist of Easter – it’s a loooooong service.

                      7. So the service began, and Ed kind of sat there – and then he began to pick up the bulletin and follow along – and then a little later, he began to sing some of the hymns – and by the end of the service he was doing the whole thing.

                      8. And the next Sunday, Ed went to church with Nancy again, and the next week he went again

                      9. Well, Ed became a regular attender of that church – he met his wife there – they were married there – and Ed has gone on to serve on several Vestries at that church and others where he has lived – he has been Senior Warden – Chaired a Search Committee – and served on other Diocesan Committees as well.

           10. And all this happened because someone said to him COME and SEE.

           11. The call of God is indeed strong and persistent – all we have to say is, “COME and SEE” and God will do all the rest.

Conclusion

           Our Psalm today said, “Lord you have searched me out and known me…”

           Like the Psalmist, God continues to search US out and know US.

           Like Samuel, we must always be ready and open to hear the call of God.

           Like Nathanael, we can prepare ourselves to better know God and hear God’s call through reading and studying God’s Word in Scripture and in other forms available to us.

           And like Philip, we need to put that Call into ACTION – sharing the news of Jesus with others – inviting them to “COME and SEE.”

           Who is the ED in your life?

[Let us Pray]

Let Us Pray

           Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the end of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.