Reverend Ref +

SERMON
EASTER 4B

The hired hand sees the wolf and runs away. This is because the hired hand cares more for his own safety and well-being than that which he guards. The hired hand is only in it for himself, and when he feels threatened, he runs.

This is fairly typical of human nature, isn't it? The employees of a company generally don't take the success of that company very seriously. They do what they are paid to do; and then, when things get tough, they run elsewhere.

We all have some kind of internal warning system in the name of self-preservation. Maybe it's the lure of more money, better benefits or travel. Some are more loyal than others, but we all have that bell that tells us it's time to run.

I tend to probably be overly-loyal, staying with something long past the time any other reasonable person would; and I don't know if that's loyalty, or fear of failure, or fear of being labled a quitter, or what. Fire me, turn me loose, lay me off, but don't ask me to be the one to end it.

An example of this was when I was working in Spokane for a certain company. The company came upon difficult times and things were not fun. We went through a slew of employees, people left, sales were down, it was getting dicey. Instead of jumping ship, though, I told the owner that I would be willing to move into sales if it would help. I hate sales, but I hate quitting even more. So I was willing to stay.

That is . . . until my paycheck bounced. Everyone has their limits, and mine, apparently, is not drawing a paycheck. Being able to pay bills and buy groceries is important to me. I can understand that things are tough and need to be worked on, but I have trouble with uncertainty.

But notice we are talking about hired hands. We are talking about people whose only reason for being there is a paycheck. There is an understanding of trade; an understanding that if I do something for you, then I can expect something in return. I am in it solely for my benefit. And wolves were never part of the deal.

However, when a partnership is formed, there's a difference. In a partnership, both parties have a stake in the success of the relationship; whether it's a business deal, a marriage, a friendship or something else. One person often invites another person to join him or her with the ultimate goal of being successful as a unit.

Think back . . . how many jobs have you had? How many partnerships? Generally speaking, we create partnerships to last. And in a way, this is what Jesus is attempting to do.

Not a partnership in the sense of equality, becoming an equal god, or a co-ruling affair, but in the sense that he is inviting others to join him in a lasting relationship. This relationship is based on acceptance and trust and a desire to make it work. He doesn't want people to follow him because they have to, or because they are only looking out for themselves; but he wants people who respond to his invitation and come voluntarily.

He calls (invites), they listen (come).

The church is also attempting to create a partnership between itself and the people in the world. We want to invite others to join us in a lasting relationship.

We know there are others out there who don't belong to our fold, but if we make them come to church, or if this place is seen as simply a place for your personal benefit, then those who come through our doors are no more than hired hands. People who join us solely for the purpose of expecting something in return are simply hired hands, and at the first sign of wolves, they will leave.

We aren't looking for hired hands. We are looking for people who will accept our invitation. We are looking for people who will willingly form a partnership, a lasting relationship; because it is those people who will work for the success of the church. It is those people who understand that this is more than simply "what can the church do for me?" It is those people who will stand their ground when the wolves come.

After last week's sermon, Phil said, "It sounds like you want us to become evangelists."

Bingo! But this isn't evangelism in the derogatory sense. I'm not asking you to stand in front of the bars with your bibles yelling at people. Nor am I suggesting that you put a "Turn or Burn" bumper sticker on your car. But I am suggesting that we not be afraid to invite others to join us.

We develop friendships through invitation. We get married through invitation. We grow the church through invitation.

In today's gospel, Jesus says that he calls to the sheep and they listen to his voice. As the body of Christ, we are the voice of Jesus. We are the voice people hear and listen to. We need to invite people to join us. Because if not us, who? And if not now, when?

Christ is alive, and that ought to make us excited to share the good news. Alleluia!