Over the past several weeks and even months, I have found myself identifying increasingly with two major biblical characters. Not that in any way do I consider myself to be in their league when it comes to their status in the faith. But I have been able to identify with some of their emotions.

Back in the spring, I began to feel like Abraham must have felt when God told him in the12th chapter of Genesis, "Go to the Land I will show you…"¹ I was hearing God’s call as he led me here to a land flowing, not with mild and honey, but with water, lots of water (which, coming from hot and dry West Texas, is a pretty major thing!) But I understood what Abraham and Sarah must have felt as God told them to leave behind everything that was precious to them and venture off to parts unknown. I could begin to understand that mix of anticipation and uncertainty that Abraham must have felt as he left his homeland to follow God’s leading.

Over the past six weeks or so, I have identified with the apostle Paul in two ways. First, as I have been saying good-bye to the congregation and community in Midland, I experienced much the same gratitude that Paul expresses in letter to the Philippians, when he says, "I thank my God every time I remember you…"² As I wrapped up my time in Midland, my heart welled up with thanksgiving over the blessings of the nearly nine years we spent there, and so I could join with Paul in expressing thanks for the memories.

And I also identify with Paul as he addresses the Christians in Rome form the text I read a few months ago. For Paul expresses great excitement and anticipation as he looks forward to his arrival in Rome. Paul said, "I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you," an d "I ling to see you…"³

I can honestly say that I know how Paul feels. For I, like many of you, have prayed for the hastening of this day when my family and I could finally be among you. Since the middle of May, when the PNC and I agreed to move forward with the call process, I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this morning. As I read Paul’s words to the Romans, I can appreciate his sense of excitement and anticipation, because I share those same sentiments.

Using Paul’s words to the Romans, I want to share with you three things that capture how I feel about coming to Georgetown. The first is when Paul says, "your faith is being reported all over the world."⁴ The truth is, the Georgetown Presbyterian Church enjoys a wonderful reputation in the community, in the Presbytery, indeed, in our denomination. You have a long tradition of commitment to this community. Through your history of involvement in ministries like Habitat for Humanity, Helping Hands, and the Hispanic ministry, it is clear that this congregation cares for the people in this community. In my brief time here I have already met the mayor of Georgetown and the Superintendent of the Georgetown School District. Both were very brief chance encounters, little more than a how-do-you-do and a handshake. But both the Mayor and the Superintendent mentioned that they appreciate what Georgetown Presbyterian does for and in this community.

I don’t mention this just so we can walk around all puffed up with pride, though a certain measure of pride is appropriate, as it indicates that you as a congregation have a known presence in this community. But what it tells me is that the words of Paul ring true, that you faith is being reported throughout the community.

The same can be said about the Presbytery f New Harmony. In my conversations with folks from throughout the Presbytery, this congregation’s involvement with and commitment to the Presbytery has been mentioned time and again. When I came before the Presbytery this past Tuesday for my examination by that body, as pastors and elders came up and introduced themselves to me they also told me what a good church I am coming to serve.

Again, I am not telling you this to puff you up with pride. I am telling you this to let you know that your faith is being reported, and the reports are good.

It means that your faith is not something that you keep to yourselves. It means that your faith is more than words. Jesus said that a tree would be known by its fruit. And by that he meant that it’s not whether or not you look like a good church that’s important, but what you produce, what you do, for the benefit of others. A tree can look healthy, but if it does not produce good fruit that others can enjoy, it is not worth much. The same is to be said about our discipleship, both individually and corporately. Our faith is not worth much if it does not issue in works and actions that benefit others.

Your faith is being reported all around, and the reports are that your faith has been very fruitful indeed. For this reason I have longed to come among you.

The second thing that Paul says is that he is eager to be among the Romans, so that they… may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith."^{5 The} key here is "mutual encouragement." In other words, Paul is saying that we’re in this together. He’s not saying, "I want to come to you so I can tell you what to do…" Rather, he’s saying, "I want to come to you so that we can work together in proclaiming the gospel." Paul’s writings are replete with this kind of language of mutual encouragement, of partnership in the gospel, of building up one another for the good of the whole Body of Christ.

The truth is, the Church is greater than any one person. The Church is the Body of Christ, the people of God coming together to proclaim the gospel. It’s about all of us being willing to roll up our sleeves and get our hands a little dirty. The Church is way more than "me" and it way more than "you." The Church is "us", as we mutually encourage one another in our faith and as we work together in putting our faith into action.

The other day Carol, Stuart, and Helen came home from the store with a box that two words inscribed on it, two words that told me it was going to be a long evening: "Assembly Required." It was an entertainment center for our TV and VCR/DVD player. I opened the box, and I found several fine-looking shelf pieces, some trim, a door, and about sixty or so assorted nails, screws, and miscellaneous hardware pieces. Now, the hardware was more or less non-descript, but the shelf and trim pieces all had a beautiful maple finish. But the truth is, they were just pieces. It was not an entertainment center until all the pieces were in their place, each piece being put to use for its intended purpose.

That’s the way it is with the Church. The church is not about individuals doing their own thing; it’s about you and me coming together and working together like God has designed us. The church is about the mutual encouragement in the faith of which Paul speaks. It’s about building up one another for the sake of the whole Body. It’s about a partnership in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a partnership in which each of us has an important and indispensable role to play.

I have longed to come to you so that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Finally, Paul says something at the end of this morning’s passage that at first glance seems strange. He says in verse 14, "I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks." As a Christian of Jewish heritage, Paul is saying, "I am obligated to Gentiles and non-Gentiles," or to put it more succinctly, "I am obligated to both the Jews and Gentiles."

To rephrase this in contemporary language, Paul is saying, "I am obligated both to people who are like us and to people who are not like us." It’s the obligation to BOTH groups that is key here. For the truth is, it’s easy to be obligated to people of like mind and status; but when we only focus on people who are like us, the church becomes a club. The gospel challenge is to obligate ourselves for the sake of Christ to people who are different.

Again, I have seen evidence of this congregation’s willingness to rise top that challenge. You need to know that one of the first things that caught my attention as I was reading through the Church Information Form the PNC had filled out, was your leadership in the development of a ministry to the Hispanic people. That caught my attention, not only because I speak Spanish and I have always felt an affinity for mission toward the Hispanic people, but also because it says something when a church reaches out to minister to those who are different. It says that you are willing to risk your own comfort for the sake of sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others who need to know that love. It says that you realize that the gospel is not meant for us to keep for ourselves, but to share and proclaim boldly beyond these walls. It says that you realize that our obligation is both to people who are like us and to those who are different.

I was also excited about the plans to develop a special worship service that will be aimed at those who have lived their lives apart from the church. It doesn’t mean we change what happens on Sunday morning; it doesn’t mean we compromise the integrity of those things that are so important to our Presbyterian and Reformed heritage; it means we look for ways that our proclamation of the Gospel will reach beyond those who gather here on Sunday morning and somehow incorporate them into the life of the church, that we find a way to take what we believe and what is precious to us, and present it in such a way that others will catch our faith.

I have longed to come among you, because you have shown that you are aware that our obligation is both to people who are like us and to those who are different; you have shown that you are willing to risk your own level of comfort for the sake of sharing the love of Christ with a world that so desperately needs to know that love.

Friends in Christ, I know that we all come to this day with great expectations. I know that you have high expectations of me as your Pastor, and I will strive to live up to those expectations. And I have high expectations of you and of this staff, for you have a reputation of excellence and faithfulness.

Of all the expectations that are out there, it is most important for us to focus on the expectations that God has of us. The truth is, God expects us to be faithful to him. God expects us daily to seek his will and follow his leading. God doesn’t expect us to do everything; he just expects us to open ourselves to allowing him to work through us.

And if we are faithful in seeking to meet the expectations that God has for us, then the words of Paul will continue to ring true: that our faith will continue to be reported throughout the world; that we will encourage one another in our partnership in the Gospel; and that we will continue to recognize our obligation to proclaim the gospel beyond these walls.

In all of this, to God be the glory. Amen.