There are many people, church people who have taken note of the weakening of Christianity in America. They attribute this to the prevail emphasis on relativism. Morals are relative. Truth is relative. Humanist’s emphasize the need to be good to others, to treat others as you want to be treated. These teachings do not contradict scripture unless you look at the motives.

The computer is to blame. It was to simplify life, cut the average work week in half, and to avail knowledge to the user. Computers have made pornography main stream. College, even Christian colleges lead students from the spiritual to the secular present. Just last night the history presented Jewish folklore as historical fact. Movies like that Golden Compass seek to undermine the basis of Christian belief. The author of the book Golden Compass was quoted to have said, “I look at the world and I see no sign of God…No sign of God a living God.

I am not sure if God might agree with his observation. But what God would not agree with is our attempt to point the finger. If there is no sign of God in this world, we the church, individual and corporately MUST accept the blame.

Jesus said,

“Come, follow me.”

I began this year saying that the weakening of Christianity is caused by busyness. I stated the word busy is an acronym for Being Under satan’s Yoke. Today's scripture reading brings another reason to mind. Laziness!

Laziness has become a part of our culture. We have become lazy in too many areas of our life and faith is just one of them. I am just as guilty. I jump in the car to go to the post office. Yet I see two women who are liv- in care givers to two members of our congregation walking from Milltown to target, to the Acme, to Wal-Mart, the A & P. If you see me walking to Dunkin Donuts in the morning it's because Diane has the car or I don’t feel like sitting in traffic on Main St.

Just yesterday I was speaking with someone in our congregation about Thomas Sweets ice cream parlor in New Brunswick. This person who lives in Franklin said they had just walked there from his house. My response was ‘you walked there, are you kidding’? Why does a 30 minute walk seem so absurd?

Laziness appears in every area of life. We are too lazy to invest ourselves in saving a marriage it is easier to get a divorce. We are too lazy to restore relationships and forgive it is easier to hold on to a grudge. We are too lazy to accept invitation to “Come, follow me.”

Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo tell a parable of a boring, little town that decided to hold a marathon. On the appointed day, the runners showed up in all their athletic apparel. The crowds gathered. But then something strange happened: “The runners took a step or two or three and abruptly stopped. One man fell to his knees, crying, “I have crossed the starting line! This is the happiest day of my life! Another woman started jumping for joy shouting, “Yes! Yes!” and running around giving the crowd high fives. Several people formed a circle and prayed thanking God for the privilege of crossing the starting line.

Jesus calls to Come, follow me is the starting line of discipleship. Baptism is a starting line. Confirmation is a starting line. Energetic discipleship has to start some where yet it can stop a step or two past the starting line. What we learn when we run the race that is set before us is the great love and faithfulness of God that will increase our joy and our hope.

Energetic discipleship is radical. Simon’s and Andrew’s response to Jesus invitation Come Follow Me was radical. Jesus called them to leave their job, to step out of their comfort zone, and to follow Him. Some would say they were being irresponsible. Have you ever been accused of being irresponsible because you chose to do something for Christ, because you chose to follow Christ?

Energetic discipleship is talking the talk and walking the walk. Does your talk and walk attract people to God? A magnet has two poles, one that attracts and one that repels metal objects. Our lives are very similar. We can attract people to God or we can repel people from God.

The challenge for each of us is to hit the road – doing mission, falling down, getting up, sinking, being saved and then being willing to tell our stories to others. That’s what it means to follow Jesus, and that’s what will attract others to be active disciples.

Energetic discipleship was expressed in the words of several songs we sang this morning. Singing those songs is only the beginning to energetic discipleship. We sang I’d rather have Jesus than silver, gold, riches, houses, lands, man’s applause, worldwide fame, or anything this world affords. I’d rather have Jesus, to be led by His nail pierced hand, to be faithful to His dear cause, and to be true to His holy name. We sang I will walk by faith even when I cannot see because this broken road prepares Your will for me.

Now it is time to live those words.

amen