Who is worthy to be called?

In all three scripture passages today, we can hear the call of God on his people, and we are painfully aware of the reluctance of those who were called - a reluctance that showed itself in many forms.

As Joanne just read, Isaiah cried out haplessly as one living an impure life among impure people. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he describes himself as an unfit apostle. In the gospel reading for today, a skeptical Simon Peter put down the nets one more time and then felt so unworthy afterwards. Why was this? What did they have to fear? What did God do to overcome their misgivings? What hope does this hold for us today?

As a young person, I can remember wondering what it would be like to one day marry and have a family, being completely sure within my own mind that it could never happen to me. Throughout most of my adult life, I have had feelings of unworthiness about many things, some deeper than others. I suspect that most of us here today could relate similar experiences.

In Luke, it is interesting, isn't it, that Jesus found a means of getting everyone's attention in a very effective way. He asked Simon if he could teach from the boat just offshore, so that the people could hear him clearly. If you have ever been at the shore of any of our wonderful Sudbury lakes, you know how well sound carries over water.

When Jesus had finished speaking, the opportunity was right to demonstrate what he had just taught. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak. Simon must have been exhausted, having been out all night on the Sea of Galilee, another name for Gennesaret. He had come up with empty nets, time after time. But yet he trusted Jesus just enough to give it one more try. Then a miracle happened. Such a catch was hauled in that even with two boats working together, they were in danger of capsizing. It was only then that Simon came face to face with his own unworthiness, his total inability to see clearly on his own.
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A pause for reflection and any questions from the congregation…

What do you think Simon Peter thought about the idea of dropping everything and following Jesus?
What would happen if you were asked to do the same?
Has God ever made such a call on your life?
What was your reply?
Do you sometimes feel unworthy - why me, Lord?
Do you sometimes think…it may be too late for me?
Do you ever wonder…? Can God really use me after all?

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In response, let me offer a few thoughts. Remember Isaiah? In a dream or vision, he was given a glimpse of the Lord, showing how He could not be contained in the temple, making Isaiah realize, in comparison to the majesty of the Almighty, just how ungodly his own behaviour had been. How many of us have at one time or another been brought up short and confronted with our own humanity with all its warts and weaknesses?

But listen to the response of Isaiah to the call of God on his life…with lips freshly cleansed by the Lord Himself, he said…."here I am, send me". He went on to become one of the greatest of the prophets, recalled by Jesus himself in Luke chapter 4.

And then there is Paul, who wrote to the fractious and wayward flock in Corinth, recalling his own past as a severe tyrant against the Lord. Yet even to him, the most sinful of men in his own estimation, the risen Lord Jesus appeared just as he did to hundreds of others following his resurrection. And God used Paul in a mighty way, eventually extending his ministry throughout the growing Christian realm around the Mediterranean Sea.

Let's return to Simon Peter, the fisherman, who chose, reluctantly, to believe, to trust just enough to let down the net one more time. When he saw the results, the nets full of fish and realized who Jesus was, he was overwhelmed with his own unworthiness. Yet, this is the same Peter, the rock on whom Jesus chose to build his church, the church family of which we here today are a vital part.

Meanwhile, back at the Sea of Galilee, Jesus recognized in the people a great hunger for the word of God. Many of us today are on a quest of some kind. Some say they want to find themselves, find their place in the sun, their niche in life. There are those who do this consciously, with great and methodical precision. Still there are others who are perhaps not so conscious of searching for that special something, that pearl of great worth, the ever-elusive brass ring.

Jesus was very well aware that along the journey of life there is no scarcity of challenges, pitfalls and obstacles to confront us at seemingly every turn. He was also painfully aware that we can and often do things, which are wrong and yes downright sinful. In our upbringing as children and young adults, perhaps we were made to feel unvalued and even unloved. In our world today, there is a very fast pace associated with worldly events. There are unbelievable pressures upon every quadrant of society to consume, to act, to react, to conform, yet to be original. Our own denomination is going through such an upheaval. Doesn't it sometimes make us wonder what the outcome will be, is there any sense to it all, can I ever figure it out, can I ever be worthy?

Well, I wish I had some answers for us! As a matter of o fact, I do!!!!! Actually, they can be found in Luke's gospel. The people were pressing in on Jesus because they wanted to hear what he had to say. They recognized that he was special. They had a thirst for the truth of the word of God. That is the answer!!!

We can only imagine what Jesus might have said to the people from his nautical seat. He then turned his full attention to Simon Peter. I wouldn't say that Peter was doubtful, but he was certainly exhausted and very reluctant. Have you ever felt that way? I know that I have. Jesus knew he had to show him that he could look after his interests. Peter may have figured, since the boat is already out this far, let's go for it. What is there to lose? But, in mid-sentence, he chose to obey his heart. And look at the reward of his obedience! A record catch. When he saw the miracle of the abundance of fish, the toil of his livelihood, he then realized he had encountered the Messiah, and that all doubts of who Jesus truly was were completely erased. An enveloping humility and holy fear then set in, highlighting his inadequacies. We can recall the words of the confession we said earlier, and in few minutes as we recite together the ancient shamas, the 'hear o Israel'.

A few years ago, a friend of mine asked me to help him out with some volunteer work. It was something in which I had no apparent skill but did have a long-time interest. Eventually, he left the job and I stayed on. One day I lamented to the general manager that there was a position that needed filling and was wondering why it had remained vacant. He said to me - it is open because I was waiting for you to apply. That was my Simon Peter moment. As a result, for three years I have been privileged to do God's work over the airwaves on CJTK, Sudbury's own Christian radio station. The Lord took my interest and obedience and turned it into something that works for His purpose.

Remember Paul, who had vehemently persecuted Jesus and his followers - he became the most active and vigourous apostle for the Lord. He came to realize that Jesus died for his sins and rose again and appeared to hundreds. By the grace of God, he was transformed into a new person in Christ.

Just as Peter knew that the abundance of fish caused some concern, the same could apply to our own lives, when the Lord calls us. Overwhelming mercies from God can happen. It is perhaps His way of showing how much He loves us, how much He wants us to succeed. The call of the Lord may lead us to the mission field as it did with pastor John and Suzanne. Equally it may lead us to service in new walks of life here. But service in His army may be no more or no less than doing what you now do, but with a refreshed and divine purpose. It may well be that the fishermen of Galilee from time to time went again to sea to earn their keep as apostles. We are not always called out of where we are. True service can be realized right where we are, right where we live, work and play. As to unworthiness, we are ALL unworthy. It is The Spirit of Jesus who convicts us of all that we do that is wrong and by the grace of God and through forgiveness we are transformed not only into worthiness but also into holiness. We are then grafted into the family of believers as brothers and sisters in the faith and service of our Lord, united with all Christians everywhere throughout the ages.

In flying, I have learned that your altitude is governed by your attitude. It's the same with us on this path called life. I truly believe we are all on a quest for something different in our lives, something truly special. Over a dozen years ago, our interim rector Pat Playfair told us 'if you're looking for the answer, don't look to me - it's already here'. You know, I was so dense, it took me years to figure that one out for myself. I truly believe that what he meant was that the answer for all of our longings is to be found in the faith of Jesus Christ, and that His Holy Spirit, who is with us as we gather in this place, will see our needs, wants, warts and deficiencies, unworthiness, our talents and attributes, will show us miracles, will call us to humble service as we confess our humanity, will bless our lives beyond measure so that our boat will overflow. In His fullness and power, this place will burst at the seams with the harvest of souls that He so lovingly and desperately wants for you and for me.

For this we can truly say thanks be to God.