Introduction:

What does it mean to be a member of a Christian Church? It is good to ask such a question in this particular time of the church year. And what time is that? you ask? Why, of course, it’s the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Now, before your eyes glaze over or you burst out laughing, let me give a brief explanation of the Sundays in "Ordinary time." We all know by now the extraordinary times of the Christian year --

Advent/Christmas

Lent/Holy Week/Easter

Pentecost/Trinity

but what about these "ordinary" in-between-times? They are the ordinary Sundays - the counted Sundays between the high, holy days of the Christian year. The countdown to Advent or Lent, so to speak. It is the time in which we celebrate the ordinary days of the year. It is/used to be called in some communions "kingdomtide" or "kingdom time". It is the time in which the Sunday scripture readings concentrate on the teachings of Jesus. In each of the three cycles we focus on either Matthew, Mark or Luke. It is a time to ask/study what it means to be a member of the Kingdom. In short, what it means to be a church member. The Scripture text from Matthew is a good example of membership, for here we find a series of brief parables of the kingdom: -- brief stories -- quick, thumbnail sketches of membership.

Our Presbyterian Constitution, specifically the Book or Order, Chapter 5, is very specific about what it means to be a Presbyterian.

To illustrate the meaning of membership today, I want to utilize a nine-point list along with what I call: "one sentence sermons." These brief parables, a list of one liners which a relative sent me,

and those infamous billboards which cropped up around the country with God speaking out from the roadside. Listen up.

Proclaiming the good news which is to say that it behooves our declaring faith in Jesus and sharing our faith with others.

The Parable: the net - telling the story of Jesus and bringing people (good and bad) to the throne of grace

The Sermon: Jesus said: "I will make you fishers of men."

Billboard: "Be fishers of men - you catch ‘em, I’ll clean ‘em. -- God.

Participation in life together and worship

The Parable: of the leaven that a woman took and put into 3 measures of meal (50 lbs. of dough), until all was leavened. In a word, growth in grace and praise.

The Sermon: "Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to church."

Billboard: "Let’s meet at my house before the Game." -- God.

Pray, study the Scriptures, and grow in faith In a word, talking to God (prayer) and listening to God (in prayer and scripture reading).

Parable: of the mustard seed – a small seed, but when planted, nourished, and watered -- grows and grows to a bush, then a tree.

The Sermon: "Pray is four-letter word that you can say anywhere."

Or

"The person who kneels before God can stand before anyone."

Billboard: "We need to talk." – God

Or

Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test. – God.

                Support the church through money, time, and talents

Parable: of the treasure found in the field. The man goes and sells all to buy that field where the treasure is hidden. (Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.)

The Sermon: " Give God what is right, not what is left."

Or

"There are no pockets in a shroud."

Billboard: "Will the road you are on bring you to my house?" --God

 

                    Participation in the government of the Church

Parable: of the Scribe (interpreter of the Law) who "brings out" the new and the old. I understand this to mean that we need not scorn the tried and the true way of doing things in the church, but also to be open to new and innovative strategies for reaching people and doing the business of the church.

The Sermon: "Don’t put a question mark where God put a period."

Billboard: "Do you have any idea where you are going?" -- God

6. Demonstrate a new quality of life

In a word, make a difference wherever you are.

Parable: of the pearl – the very value of having it.

The Sermon: Wisdom has two parts:

1)having a lot to say and 2) not saying it

Billboard: "That ‘Love they neighbor’ thing, I meant it." -- God.

                    Service to the World

Parable: the leaven/yeast of the loaf, helping others to grow

The Sermon: "God doesn’t call the qualified; he qualifies the called."

Bill Board: "I love you and you and you and…." -- God

 

                    Living responsibly in relationships

Parable: mustard seed – the tree nests God’s creatures. Living responsibly personally, in the family, in vocation, in politics, in culture and society.

                The Sermon: A family altar can alter a family.

                Billboard: "Come on over and bring the kids." -- God

Working for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment

Parable: the bread – help the whole loaf to rise

the pearl (merchant who sold everything to have it) – seeking things of great value for all

The Sermon: "A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing."

Billboard: "What part of ‘thou shalt not’ didn’t you understand?"

Or

"Don’t make me come down there!" – God

Conclusion:

What does it mean to be a member? It means a lot -- a lot to you and your family, to your friends and neighbors -- and yes, to your session, your pastor, your church and to God. Let us give thanks today that we have been called to be a part of God’s kingdom -- and earnestly pray that we can be responsible members.

A didactic sermon preached by the Rev. Dr. E. Thomas Miller, Georgetown Presbyterian Church on the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 24, 2005.