I don’t think the disciples were surprised, because their Leader didn’t carry much of this world’s goods Himself. So when He sent them out and told them to "travel light," that is exactly what they did. Why? Because somehow they knew that Jesus was right—if they were to fulfill their mission, the less they took with them, the more they would be able to accomplish. So that was the game plan in the first century: travel light, and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel!

I’m wondering this morning what those marching orders mean to us as Jesus’ disciples in the church today?

The Light Church
24% fewer commitments, home of the 7.5% tithe, 15-minute sermons, 45- minute worship services. We have only 8 commandments; take your pick.
Everything you’ve ever wanted in a church . . . and less!

As implausible as that advertisement sounds, there are actually a growing number of churches across this country that have adapted their message to our contemporary culture’s insatiable demand for "lite" products. If lite beer, lite potato chips, and lite and lively yogurt appeal to the masses, why not lite church?

Some of those congregations belong to mainline denominations that are facing serious declines in their membership. Others are newly formed independent churches, often organized around a dynamic and charismatic leader, and they are increasing in size by dramatic proportions.

In either case, the approach is basically the same. These so-called seeker-friendly congregations are offering opportunities and programs that are geared to attract people supposedly looking for minimal requirements and maximum choices in their religious experience.

One church bulletin listed among its weekly events an aerobics class titled "Jumping With Jesus." Another church up in Indiana promised free donkey rides in the parking lot and toy plastic bunnies to all the children in Sunday School on Palm Sunday and Easter morning. And a man I met at Chautauqua last summer told me that his congregation out in California has had great success with their Wednesday night dinner followed by a lecture series on "How to Increase Your Investment Portfolio."

"We’re packing them in from all over the community," he told me.

Now I don’t want to be too critical or unfair, and I have nothing against exercise or children’s programs or financial advice for Christians. But these lite churches, as I refer to them, seem to be more focused on filling their sanctuaries and buildings with people than they are interested in filling those people with faith in God. More often than not, the theology is thin, the recruitment techniques are aggressive, the fund raising depends on lots of gimmicks, while mission and outreach to others in need are an afterthought. The bottom line appears to be getting bigger and to be attracting people seeking minimal requirements and maximum choices in their religious experience.

And in case you haven’t guessed by now, I do not think that is what Jesus had in mind when He told His first disciples to travel light.

In those "marching orders" recorded in the 10^th chapter of Matthew, I believe we can find three commands which call us into action, and the first is a "commitment of our lives to Jesus Christ." If we truly desire to follow Him, then we need to offer Him the best we’ve got to give.

When Jimmy Carter ran for the Presidency back in the 1970’s, his autobiography, Why Not the Best?, caught the attention of the American public. The theme of that book was simple and direct: "We cannot afford," he wrote, "to waste the talents and abilities that God has given to this nation."

In the book, Carter went on to tell a story that is familiar to many of you: "I had applied for the nuclear submarine program, and Admiral Rickover was interviewing me for the job. We sat in a large room by ourselves for more than two hours, and he began to ask me some hard questions. Finally, he asked me one question by which I thought I could redeem myself. He said ‘How did you stand in your class at the Naval Academy?’ I swelled my chest with pride and answered ‘Sir, I stood 59^th in a class of 820.’ I sat back to wait for the congratulations, which never came. Instead, he said ‘Did you do your best?’

I started to reply ‘Yes sir,’ but then I remembered who this was and recalled the many times at the Academy when I could have learned more, given more, done more than I had. So I gulped and said ‘No sir, I didn’t always do my best.’ Admiral Rickover looked at me for a long time, and then he said ‘Why not?’" Carter concludes the story saying that he sat there for a while, shaken, and then slowly left the room. He got the job, but he never forgot the question: "Why not? Why not the best?"

My friends, when Jesus sent those first disciples out on their mission and told them to travel light, He was asking them to give their best and to leave with God all the rest. So they committed their lives to Him and in so doing, were blessed by the power of His love and the strength of His Spirit.

Jesus is still looking for disciples like that today. He does not expect the impossible, for we are human beings, weak and imperfect in every way. But He is asking us to give our lives to Him, including our time, our talents, and our treasures. During this Annual Giving Campaign, as you consider what you will pledge for the cause of Christ and the ministry of this church in the year 2000, ask yourself the question, "Am I giving my best?" Then, make your commitment and leave the rest to Him.

Now a second command which we can discover in the 10^th chapter of Matthew is to "share our faith with others." The Bible says that Jesus commanded His first disciples to preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand and to heal the sick . . .

One way that we as Christians today can share our faith with others is to witness to them how Jesus Christ has changed our hearts and minds and healed our bodies and souls. We can do that individually, one on one, or corporately through the Sunday worship and broadcast ministries of this church.

But there are other ways to bear witness to what we believe, and many of them are listed on the back of our bulletin every week. We are involved in evangelism, education, counseling, and caring for the poor. We are engaged in community ministries, medical programs, and mission outreach to hungry, homeless and hurting people across this city and nation and throughout the world.

The gifts we give in this Annual Giving Campaign literally undergird, sustain, and support all of those tangible forms of sharing our faith with others.

I have seen the evidence of that witness with my own eyes here in the Carver Homes neighborhood of Atlanta where children are learning to read and receiving food to eat. I have seen it in Haiti, where sick and suffering people are being cared for and healed by pastors and doctors who work there in the name of Christ. I have seen it in Kenya, where chapels and churches and a theological center are being constructed for worship and the training of leaders who will preach and teach the good news of the gospel.

As faithful stewards of God’s grace, your pledges are helping to make all of that possible. So as you consider what the Lord is leading you to do for next year, remember those people and give generously, as God has given to you.

You see, the difference between the first century follower of Jesus and most of us today is that we have received far more than what they took with them on their journey. And if we are going to travel light in this last year of the twentieth century moving toward the next millennium, then we, especially here in America, are being called to let go of what we have been given, and let God use those resources where they are needed the most.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, once put it this way: "Make all you can, save all you can and give all you can."

Those words weren’t meant only for Methodists. They apply to every Christian, including Presbyterians. Now where do you think that idea came from, if not from Jesus Christ who said "to those whom much is given, of them will much be required."

Although He said that long ago, I believe, and I pray that everyone here believes it too, that Jesus still speaks those words today, directly to me and to you.

In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen