Sermon: "Building on the Journey of Faith"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

[This sermon by Bishop vonRosenberg was delivered using the following notes.]

Did you hear the association of Jesus’ two challenges from the brief Gospel just read? First, there was the theme of a journey – “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it”(Matt 7:13-14). And then, Jesus offered some advice on building – “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock”(24-25).

These two challenges from our Lord are part of what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. In St. Matthew’s Gospel, the words we read today are parts of that Sermon – along with other significant teaching, including the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer. These are important words, this Sermon on the Mount – including Jesus’ references to journeys and to building.

Now, we have already done a lot this morning – and there remains much still to do. However, at this point, I want to invite you to spend a few minutes reflecting with me on the association suggested by our Gospel reading – the association, that is, between our journeys in the faith and the act of building on behalf of the faith.

First, we need to admit that building is a challenge to our journey in faith! Especially is this true when we build something as a community. For instance, I have never been part of a building project that did not result in some people leaving the church – and I’ve been part of at least four major building projects as a parish priest. Not everyone can get his or her way. That’s a fact. “It seems like we’re spending too much on ourselves”, others will say. Some people even pick fights so that they can justify not pledging – or, leaving the church entirely. We could compare stories all morning, I’m sure – and most excuses have been used before, I assure you. The point here is that building is a challenge to our faith, as a community.

Secondly, this building project is a symbol of your faith journey at St. Christopher’s – a kind of landmark on the journey. But, the building project is not the journey itself. Some people have been energized by what you have accomplished. That’s wonderful. Some of you have probably gotten worn out by what has been expected of you. That’s understandable. As important as the building and the renovation are, though, it is even more important to distinguish the building from the journey. That is, the building is a means to facilitate the journey of faith. You may have built the building, but you have not arrived at the journey’s end yet. Put another way, you are not yet in heaven, even though that destination may seem closer this morning. The building is distinct from the journey.

Thirdly and finally, this building project should intend to invite others to share their faith journeys with you. That is, if you intended for this project to be only for the current members of St. Christopher’s, then it will have failed – no matter what you accomplished. Rather, what you have built is primarily for the sake of the people who are not yet here. And I don’t mean only your grandchildren and great grandchildren. I mean, rather, the people of Kingsport who do not know the love of Jesus Christ. Those are the people I pray will hear your bells ring out in invitation. Those are the ones I pray will be drawn into worship by your renovated organ. Those are the children of God for whom you have made room in your enlarged and beautified place of worship.

And so, your building project is completed. But your journey in faith continues. May we celebrate and give thanks to God today for all that has been accomplished. And tomorrow, may we be responsive once again to the One who calls us ever forward on our journey of faith. Amen.

Copyright © 2003 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee