Sermon 07-05-09
Psalm 48: 1-3, 9-10 Mark 6:1-13
“Business as Usual?”
Prayer
Do you own your own business?
How do you start a new business? What are the general factors you would
consider before opening a new business?
Perhaps: a good economy, commercial growth, potential clients,
competition, overhead, future development, the investment pay back, etc.
Other factors:
1. Location: Is your home town a possible location?
2. Purpose: Who I’m I reaching out to. What impact will it make in the
community. Where can this business go from here in the near future.
3. Reputation: How are you known? How are you and your product or service
trusted.
4. Facing Challenges: What kind of challenges do you need to face between
success to failure, between gain and losses.
5. Training: In order to be successful in your business, others need to be
learning the ropes and training with you about the how to do it well.
6. Faith: Trusting and praying that God is a partner in the business with you.
Jesus business was about the
location, Jesus’ ministry began in
west.
Because of that, new influences had always played upon
most forward-looking and least conservative part of
which Jesus began. It was his own land; and it would give him, at least at the
beginning, an audience who would listen and kindle his message. He began in the
synagogue, the real center of religious life in
was no professional leader, that is no particular person regularly was the one
giving the address… any distinguished person present was invited to speak, and
often a discussion and group talk would follow. That is how Jesus got his chance.
The synagogue and its platform were open to him at this stage (of his ministry
because he was well known in the community).” (Barclay, Luke, pg. 45-46).
In other words Jesus was building his reputation amongst the people. They needed
to know him, to trust him, in order to be able to sell his product, the kingdom of
God. We see here that the identity of Jesus is related to his work. Luke
describes in chapter four, by the time Jesus read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah:
“The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.” Luke 4:20b.
His challenge comes when at the discussion and sharing time, Jesus affirms:
“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21. “Where did
this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds
of power are being done by his hands! Jesus appears as the crucial figure in the
history of God’s dealing with
(Anatomy of the New Testament, Spivey/Smith, pg. 137)
The basic messianic hope of the first-century
Messiah, usually expected to be an heir of king David, and perhaps Son of God…
but he was to overthrow the political enemies of
people in a new and perfect reign of David…not all hopes for the restoration of
It is here in
his townspeople and rejected. Questioning began about his past, his parents, his
father’s field of work, his mother and even his siblings.
The carpenter’s son is a prophet! The prophet! The Messiah!
Jesus’ reputation and back ground did not match his product. Jesus was not able
to sell the kingdom in his hometown.
Jesus was 30 years old when he left his home to start his ministry. Before starting
he was invested in his family, he worked as a carpenter in
grew in wisdom and knowledge of the law of God. He also cared for his widowed
mother and younger siblings. Jesus was building a pool of friends in his
community, creating a network of disciples, followers and investors as part of his
support system, who during his ministry provided for his physical needs and
supported his messianic work. They believed in his product, and trusted in him.
It is here in
“would be witnesses to carry on his work after his death.”
(Anatomy of the New Testament, Spivey/Smith, pg. 137)
That is why the saying that Jesus used as he was training his disciples, “if you are
not welcome, shake the dust off your feet,” It had to do with his own experience of
being rejected. Shaking the dust …. was a way of letting go of that town and
moving on to a new place were hospitality was offered and the message
welcomed. Jesus trained his disciples in the ropes of teaching, preaching, and
healing those who believed in the kingdom, and in Jesus’ messianic purpose.
“Carry with you only what is necessary for your travels, the rest will be provided
for you by God.”
Jesus’ dependency on God was his economic foundation. Jesus prayed, he went to
church, the synagogue, he studied the scriptures, he kept in constant touch with
God because God was his partner in this business of salvation.
How long will it take for a business to succeed?
Depend on the type of business… Jesus’ ministry of spreading the kingdom is
growing strong, God is still speaking, don’t you think?
Our business today as the church of Jesus Christ, is about Jesus’ message of
salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness, grace, mission, justice and love for all of
God’s people.
Here is an example for us: We are located in the center of town across from a
College campus. Can that be a great location for our business?
Is our own town, the perfect place to begin our business? Or is our church’s
reputation working against us, as soon as it is revealed? Can we sell our product
here? We are well known in this town. The question is, what is our reputation at
the campus across the street? Are we only the pretty church on the common? or
Are we the only church that had no presence on campus?
Where are our priorities? Who do we want to reach for Christ? How do we want to
reach out to them? What is our sense of purpose? How can we face our
challenges? Growth or death?. Traditions versus non- traditional ways?. Are we
afraid? Are we afraid to change in order to embrace a new generation for
fear of losing investment? Are we loosing members because things aren’t
going the traditional way? Can we gain members if we invest in the younger
generations? Where do we go from here? Do we even want to grow? What will our
future bring? How long should our ministry last?
The last and first question for our consideration would be:
Is God our partner in the business of this church?
