Silliman University Church Reflections

Mark 1:14-20

Today we continue with stories of persons who encounter Jesus, & who experience an Epiphany. The close encounter with Jesus is life changing.

Last week’s sermon, was about the call of Philip and Nathaniel. Jesus had called Philip and Philip had told Nathanael come and see Jesus. At first Nathanael doubted saying “can anything good could come from Nazareth”, but when he came at close range and personally encountered Jesus, he believed and recognized the Son of God.

In today’s gospel lesson, we have another encounter between Jesus and four fishermen from Galilee. Our text says, “he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

This is a close encounter between fishermen and Jesus. The encounter overturns their lives. They leave their fishing nets and follow him immediately, urgently, unquestioningly.

This story could have ended quite differently. They could have scratched their heads and discussed the pros and cons with each other, their families and neighbors.

“They could have said,”well let us think about it for awhile, maybe God will change His mind

Maybe a big school of fish will come and what a waste if we do not pull them in. Maybe our wives won’t let us. Maybe our friends will make fun of us for leaving our jobs, our home and our families to follow a guy who walks around the country side preaching that the kingdom of God is at hand.

But when Jesus called these fishermen there was none of the above, they didn’t question his call, they didn’t think about it, they didn’t consult their families, they didn’t look for anything better to do, they just followed him.

When Jesus thru the Holy Spirit encounters us today and calls us to follow him, does he tell us ok think about it, weigh it carefully, study the pros and cons, talk to your family and friends, and then when everyone agrees, follow me?

When Jesus calls us it is a matter of utmost urgency. Jesus is erupting into our lives with such a force that we have no choice but to decide now, not tomorrow or the next day, but now, at the time of the encounter.

Our elders today tell us of the faith of their ancestors. My grandfather was converted here at Silliman church. When he graduated, he built a church in Butuan, his hometown. The first DS graduate Rev. Angel Taglucop, after college went home and built a church and a school in Agusan. Rev. Angel Sotto was called to Negros, Rev. Feliciano Ursos to Dumaguete. Rev. Malahay to Guihulngan and many others. “Why can’t we build churches like they built today? Why can’t we build strong churches like they built? The answer? “They had convictions; we have preferences.”

Isn’t that true? The convictions the early Christians had for their God seems missing today. Many people have preferences not convictions. They believe in God when it is convenient, or when there is nothing better to do, or when it is socially acceptable, or when they sense they need a favor from God, but there is no conviction to give ones all, ones whole self, ones whole life over to him.

The difference between a conviction and a preference, is this. A preference may be a very strong belief, held with great strength. You can give your entire life to serve your preference. You can give all your money for a preference. You can also energetically convert others to your preference. You may teach this belief to your children, but this is still a preference. A preference is a strong belief that may be changed under the right circumstances like: 1) peer pressure; if your beliefs are determined by your friends, that is a preference, not a conviction, 2) if family pressure, 3) inducements; 4) lawsuits, 5) jail, 6) threat of death, changes your belief, what you have is a preference.

A conviction is a belief that does not change. A conviction is not something that you discover, it is purpose planted in your heart. Convictions on the inside will always show up on the outside, in a person’s lifestyle. To violate a conviction is to commit an unforgivable sin.

The early believers showed their conviction by giving their best sons and daughters to the seminary. Nowadays, they will say Jose, my son, you are at the top of your HS class, you take up law. Maria, you are the valedictorian in class, you take up Nursing. Juan, you have difficulty getting a passing grade, you go to the Divinity School. When Jesus encounters us, he doesn’t want our preference, he wants our conviction that he is the Lord of life, that we are his servants. He is the Master. We are the followers. We are his children, he is the Provider.

Jesus call us to a life of conviction, calling us to a task, a job. He calls us to do something with what he has given us. He calls us to share, he calls us to give to others what he has first given to us, his love, his caring, his forgiveness.

A Christian is one who shares the love of God with others while he lives on this earth.’ Sharing the Word, is the sign of a follower of Jesus. Sharing our faith, sharing our resources, sharing a part of ourselves with others is what this life is all about as we follow the Master. Jesus calls us to a life of conviction, to a life of urgency, to a life of sharing, to a life of proclaiming his good news to others. Jesus calls us to love the unlovable one. Jesus calls us to reach out to the lonely, to the hungry, to the sick, to the ones in prison, to the disabled, to the forsaken, to the needy, to all who need to hear that God loves them. Close encounters with God are Life changing events.

Jesus came into Galilee preaching that the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus encounters us and calls us to a life of conviction, a life of urgency, a life of reaching out with love and forgiveness so that people’s lives are changed. Ready?

Sermon delivered Jan. 25, 2009, Silliman church