Continuing the Ministry

OT Lesson: 1 Kings 19:19-21 (GNT)

Elijah left and found Elisha ploughing with a team of oxen; there were eleven teams ahead of him, and he was ploughing with the last one. Elijah took off his cloak and put it on Elisha. Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you.” Elijah answered, “All right, go back. I’m not stopping you!”

Then Elisha went to his team of oxen, killed them, and cooked the meat, using the yoke as fuel for the fire. He gave the meat to the people, and they ate it. Then he went and followed Elijah as his helper.

NT Lesson: Matthew 4:18-22 (NRSV)—pastor Je

As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. As He went from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

Sermon

Introduction

Good morning. Today is a day of many significant observances. It is the seventh Sunday as well as the last Sunday in the season of Easter. It is also Ascension Sunday, as we celebrated Ascension Day last Thursday. Additionally, today marks our Live for Life Sunday, when we gather donations of items and financial offerings for the local Women’s Shelter. And most importantly, today is Mother’s Day. I have been informed that in this church, we celebrate not only mothers but also all women of faith, which is wonderful. However, I propose a slightly different focus. While honouring all women is commendable, I believe we should specifically celebrate mothers today. We can dedicate another day, such as International Women’s Day, to honour all women broadly. Focusing on all women today may inadvertently dilute the distinct significance of Mother’s Day. Please understand, this is not to overlook the contributions of all women, but rather to cherish mothers distinctly on Mother’s Day. So today, we honour all the mothers among us—those who have embraced this role in both traditional and non-traditional forms, and all who have extended motherly care and love. Whether you are a mother, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, godmother, or someone who has been like a mother, today we celebrate your immense contributions, your sacrifices, and the boundless strength of your love.

The role of a mother is profound and resonates across generations, echoing through time in the wisdom imparted, the comfort provided, and the hands held. In Scripture, motherhood is exemplified by figures such as Sarah, who nurtured nations, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose faith and resilience form a cornerstone of our understanding of divine love and human endurance. As we reflect on these biblical figures, we recognise the crucial role mothers have played in the unfolding of God’s plan. They were not only caretakers of their own children but were pivotal in shaping the faith journeys of many. They teach us about courage, devotion, and trusting in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems unclear. 

Today, we also acknowledge that Mother’s Day can evoke a spectrum of emotions. For some, it is a day of celebration and joyful family gatherings; for others, it is a moment for reflection and remembrance, sometimes accompanied by sadness for those who have lost mothers, those who have found motherhood challenging, or those who have longed to be mothers. Within our church family, we hold space for all these experiences, recognising that each person’s relationship with motherhood is unique and deeply personal. Let us take a moment for all mothers and those who fulfil motherly roles. May they feel the profound respect and appreciation we have for them today. May they be upheld by their communities, lifted in prayer, and enveloped in love not just today, but every day. We pray for God’s blessings upon them—for strength, wisdom, and grace to continue the vital work of nurturing, guiding, and loving.

As we proceed with today’s sermon, let us embrace a spirit of gratitude for all who have provided us with motherly care. Let the lessons of love, sacrifice, and resilience they have imparted enlighten our understanding of Scripture and deepen our faith. We thank God for the gift of mothers and all who extend motherly care. May we honour them not only with our words today but through our actions every day. Let us continue to support and cherish them, recognising the image of God they reflect in their acts of love and devotion.

The Call of Elijah and Jesus

In today’s Old Testament lesson, we encounter the well-known prophets, Elijah and Elisha. Elijah found Elisha ploughing in the fields, called him, and Elisha responded by becoming his disciple. Interestingly, Elisha was quite wealthy, yet he chose to leave everything behind to follow Elijah. Perhaps it was this very sacrifice that paved the way for Elisha to become the prophet who performed the most number of miracles in the Old Testament, surpassing even his mentor, Elijah. Typically, reflections or sermons on this passage emphasise Elisha’s response to the call, urging us to be similarly responsive when called by God.

In the New Testament lesson, we observe Jesus calling His disciples, where the renowned phrase, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,” emerges. Peter and his brother Andrew, along with James and his brother John, were not wealthy; they had only their simple boats and nets, and families to support. Yet, they too abandoned all they had to follow Jesus, eventually becoming among the twelve apostles. Like the story of Elisha, most teachings and sermons from this passage highlight the disciples’ readiness to answer the call, encouraging us to do the same.

These are valuable lessons, indeed. Truly we need to answer God’s call just like Elisha and Peter did. However, today, let us explore a different perspective from these familiar narratives. Elijah was beyond the peak of his prophetic career. He had triumphed in a spiritual battle with the false prophets of Baal, killing four hundred of them. He had also escaped a death threat from an ungodly government and overcome a significant low point in his life. Since May is the Mental Health Awareness month, Elijah also suffered from the major depression, asking God to kill him. He did not overcome the depression by himself but by the help from God and other people. So if you have depression or any other mental health issue, you must ask for help. And now after all these, Elijah knew that his time is rapidly coming to an end. Similar to professional athletes who recognise their waning physical abilities as they age, Elijah sensed his time on earth was drawing to a close. As we all know, he retired by ascending to heaven on a chariot of fire. Although it is not recorded exactly when Elijah ascended to heaven, I think it would be cool if that date was Ascension Day. Anyway he was aware that his earthly ministry would end, but he believed that his ministry was too precious to conclude with his retirement. Guided by God, he sought a successor who exhibited traits of dedication and diligence, which he saw in Elisha. Elijah then committed himself to mentoring Elisha, taking him along and teaching him thoroughly.

Turning to the story of Jesus, unlike Elijah, He began calling His disciples at the start of His ministry. Jesus knew He would ascend into heaven, specifically on Ascension Day. It seems fitting to discuss both Elijah’s and Jesus’ ascensions on Ascension Sunday. As a side note, the bulletin cover features a photo which I took in 2014 at the Chapel of Ascension on the top of the Mount of Olives, now within modern Jerusalem’s city limits, but back in the antique days outside of city limits. The photo shows a rock that, according to legend, bears the footprint of Jesus just before His ascent to heaven. The ascension signifies that Jesus would no longer be physically present to carry on His ministry on earth. Like Elijah, Jesus prepared His disciples to continue His vital work after His departure. After calling them, He also taught them extensively about His divine ministry.

Since today is Mother’s Day, it is also pertinent to mention that mothers bring new life into the world and nurture their children to carry on and continue the family legacy. This is crucial because perpetuating life and choosing life are among the most important divine commands in the Bible.

Teaching Takes Time

Humans differ from animals in many ways, one of which is the vulnerability of their young. Think about how helpless the newborn babies are. I recall watching a BBC nature documentary that depicted a mother gazelle giving birth. Almost immediately after delivery, during a predator attack, the newborn calf was able to run and escape danger. In contrast, human infants are entirely dependent on others for survival, with the burden of care often falling predominantly on mothers. So thank you mothers. This prolonged dependency requires mothers to invest significant time and energy to raise self-sufficient human beings capable of continuing life.

Similarly, educating and preparing students and ministry candidates require time. The Bible does not specify exactly how long Elijah tutored his protégé, but based on the narratives and historical context, it was likely around three years. This period was essential for Elijah to prepare Elisha to carry on the work and continue the ministry after him. And thus the ascension and the retirement of Elijah was postponed by three years. But that is the responsibility of the predecessors who are handing over their jobs and positions to their successors. Jesus, too, spent approximately three years teaching His disciples. Despite this extensive preparation, they were not fully ready to assume His ministry immediately following His departure. This is echoed in modern seminary education, which also typically spans three years; even after such formal training, graduates may feel unprepared for the demands of ministry. However, as the saying goes, “God does not call the equipped but equips the called,” ten days after Jesus’ ascension, the disciples received the Holy Spirit, transforming them from disciples into apostles, fully equipped to continue Jesus’ work. Elisha, too, felt unprepared at the moment of Elijah’s departure even after three year’s training. In seeking a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, he expressed his need for greater divine empowerment, which he received and which enabled him to succeed Elijah effectively.

Thus, whether in ministry or in any leadership transition, it is critical to ensure a smooth and continuous handover. For many of us, ministry is more than a job or a volunteer effort; it is a vocation in which we invest our time and energy for the glory of God. Recognising this, we cannot abruptly abandon our responsibilities. Of course we can move from one position or ministry to another, or we can resign or retire, which is not a problem at all. But when we do, our approach should mirror that of Elijah and Jesus, who both dedicated ample time to prepare their successors, thereby ensuring the smooth transition and the uninterrupted continuation of their divine missions. Just as in nurturing a child or a disciple, the process is gradual, demanding patience and dedication to achieve a seamless transition and the ongoing vitality of the ministry.

Continuing the Ministry

Elisha was called not to create a new ministry, but to continue the ministry of Elijah. Similarly, the disciples of Jesus were called to sustain the ministry of Christ Jesus. In like manner, we here at First Presbyterian Church in the city of Lebanon are called to continue, uphold and carry forward the longstanding ministry of this church. While I am not precisely certain of the number of years our church has stood as a beacon of service to God and the community, I estimate it to be just shy of two centuries. Please somebody teach me the church history.

I go to Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church in Crawfordsville once a month to moderate their session meetings, following their pastor’s retirement after more than twenty years of dedicated service. Interestingly, I discovered last Tuesday that they are celebrating their bicentennial this year. The outgoing pastor prepared a detailed document for the session, outlining what should be done to ready the church for future pastor, clearly signalling his desire for the ministry’s continuation and smooth transition. During their bicentennial celebration, I pray that their ministry might endure for another two centuries or more. Similarly, I hold the same prayer for our church and our ministry here.

So, what can we do to ensure the continuity of our ministry? First and foremost, we can continue engaging in the activities we have always done—participation in church events and functions remains one of the most basic and fundamental methods. We are involved in many impactful initiatives: the Caring Centre, the Women’s Shelter, PPM, and the Malawi Project. The recent ‘Pack a Baby Pack’ event was an outstanding example of our ministry in action. Furthermore, fostering internal fellowship is as crucial as serving others. Our Gourmet Seekers club, monthly BYOB event, Saturday Bible Study, and quarterly Communal Luncheon offer excellent opportunities for fostering fellowship among the saints within our church.

Secondly, we can emulate what Elijah and Jesus did to ensure the continuity of their ministries—by inviting disciples and identifying successors. This means inviting our friends and neighbours to join us at our church. By doing so, we not only continue our traditions but also infuse new energy and perspectives into our congregation, ensuring that our ministry remains vibrant and relevant for future generations. Let us be proactive in extending our welcome, sharing the spirit of our community, and fostering a nurturing environment that will carry on the profound legacy of our faith, and continue the ministry.

Conclusion

Beloved friends, the narratives of Jesus and Elijah are not merely ancient stories or fairytales. They are dynamic, living testimonies to God’s ongoing call to continue His ministry in our time. The same Spirit that empowered Elisha and the disciples of Jesus strengthens and guides us today.

While I have mentioned two ways we can perpetuate God’s ministry here at First Presbyterian Church, there are undoubtedly many more methods and opportunities awaiting our discovery. Here is your homework assignment: When you return home today, I encourage each of you to reflect deeply on how we might further extend and continue the ministry of Jesus Christ in this church. Consider what new or different contributions we can make. 

Let us respond to God’s call with conviction and courage, advancing boldly in the mission to sustain and spread the work of the Kingdom of God. For nearly two centuries, countless believers and saints in this church have continued and carried forward this sacred ministry. As we have inherited this great legacy, let us also ensure that it thrives and endures until the day our Saviour returns and we all enter the kingdom of heaven together. Amen.