Today is our annual church assembly meeting. We will plan our church activities for 2008. Sometimes it is nice to have a professional person help you when you are making plans. An experienced person can give good advice. To give advice for our church, who would be good? Well, letfs look at todayfs Gospel lesson. There on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus was talking to Moses and Elijah. What were they discussing? They were talking about the work that Jesus was about to do for our salvation, they were talking about his suffering and death. (cf. the Gospel of Luke) I do not think they told Jesus, the Son of God how to do his work, but they could give Jesus, the Son of Man strength and encouragement for the suffering he was humanly about to endure.

Maybe Moses and Elijah could give us some advice for our church work. Give us some strength and encouragement. What advice would they give to us?

Moses might say something like this. gPastor Mike. Donft get upset or angry pr discouraged about your church congregation. Look at mine. For forty years they grumbled and complained. They even wanted to back to Egypt. Your job is to lead your congregation to the Promised Land. They need the Ten Commandments, but they also need the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who forgives sins. They need the guidance of the Holy Spirit on their life journey. They need to know the promise of salvation. And all you people of God, remember that God gave us manna and fresh drinking water. He gave us protection from our enemies. And he will do the same for you, too. You do not know the road map when wandering in the wilderness, but you know the destination. That is Godfs covenant.h

Elijah might say something like this. gPastor Mike. You think you have it hard!? The wicked queen Jezebel tried to kill me and all the true prophets of the Lord God, but I escaped to Mt. Sinai, and there God spoke in a soft, clear voice to give me hope and a mission. There were still many in Israel who believed in God. So when you are discouraged you might think that no one in Okinawa wants to believe in God and come to church, but the Holy Spirit wants to save all. Your mission is to preach and teach the Word of God. And all you people of God, remember that God loves you. You may not go to Heaven in a fiery chariot like me, but God will swing low and carry you home. In the meantime, your mission is to remain faithful to God. This congregation is, first of all, a place to pray, praise and give thanks to God. You must support and keep the church open to be the place to do that. Then this congregation is the people who pray, praise and thank God in their daily lives. That is Godfs desire for you.h

And the advice given us would be the same that Moses and Elijah would give to Jesus to encourage him in his work of salvation. Trust God. Keep to his plan. Drink the cup of suffering. Do the will of God. Go to the cross. Trust always in the resurrection. Rejoice in the hope and love of God the Father. Pray, praise, and give thanks.

Amen.

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