May Fellowship Message

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In my young career as a preacher I have already had several opportunities to preach a final sermon. I do not keep a “canned” sermon ready to preach at the end of a season of preaching. Every situation is different. Every congregation needs a different message. I stand here today not knowing if we will be able to continue this monthly time of fellowship next year or not. I sincerely hope we will be able to continue, but the future is not clear at this time.
          The words that God has given me for this time focus on the relationship that Jesus wants to have with each of us from this point on. Many teachers of ancient religions would never have called their followers friends. Jesus was obviously different. He wanted his original followers to be called friends and he wants to call us friends. Why would the God of all creation insist on calling us friends?
          I believe the answer is in the scripture for today. The Christian religion is based on love in a way that no other world religion is. It is God who initiates that love for us. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures our God guides the nation of Israel. God sometimes punishes them when they turn and worship idols, but God always waits for them to return to him. Much like the Father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, God waits for us to return again to seek God’s love. God never withholds the best from his people.
          That includes in today’s scripture where Jesus speaks of laying down one’s life for ones friends. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his own crucifixion. When God will give his very best, God’s only son, in order to free us from sin and death. This is the amazing Good News I am called to preach. That our God is so awesome and amazing and God’s love for us is so strong and everlasting that there is no cost or expense too high for God to pay to ransom the lost children of Adam and Eve.
          Grace, the unmerited favor of God surrounds us as we consider the work of the crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and glorification of Jesus. Our hearts must beat with the same love for Jesus that Jesus showed for us upon that cross. That fantastic love and amazing grace must propel us to act toward others in acts of service and love.

          My hope for each of us as we leave this place tonight is that we will love one another, just as Jesus has loved us. Nothing else is strong enough to keep us together as a community. Only the love of God shared between friends and neighbors will sustain us in every and any circumstance. As we remember the work of Christ as we celebrate the Lord’s Table tonight. This table is open to all who know Jesus as their savior and lord. Come friends let us prepare for the feast of God. May this celebration remind us of the mighty acts of Jesus until he in his great love comes to bring us home. Amen. 

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