https://fb.watch/p2-jkZ8nE_/ has the link to Bethlehem, Pomaria’s worship on August 27

Matthew 16:13-20, NRSV

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.
And I tell you, you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Who do people say that you are? If people were to talk about Bethlehem, Pomaria, who would they say that you are?

Who do people say that we are? As the South Carolina Synod?

Who do people say that we are as people? As members of the community, as coworkers, neighbors, friends, family members, followers of Jesus?

How do they know?

Part of my work at the synod is sorting through pastors and deacons who might be a good fit for congregations in South Carolina synod. I read a lot of paperwork. And then I talk with the pastor or deacon. Sometimes I talk with their bishop’s office or their references. I try to come to a picture of who this person is based on what they say and on what they’ve done. If you tell me that you’re good at administration, but you can’t proofread your paperwork properly, I’m not going to believe what you say about who you are.

Just like I’m going to judge the parents of my children’s friends by how those friends behave, rather than what they tell me about their parenting. I’m going to believe that my neighbors are good neighbors when they act like it.

Now, I’m also going to hold all my judgments loosely, because I know how my kids act and how my actions aren’t always up to the level of my intentions, either.

But I wonder, what do our actions say about who we are?

As a congregation, right now, the synod has seen you be people who are willing to barbecue and partner with neighbors for the kingdom of God. We see your history, your participation in the synod and your community, your understanding of who Jesus is.

As a synod, I hope that we’re known for building a system where every person in South Carolina can experience God’s love and grace. Our actions include funding and supporting 11 campus ministry sites, where young adults can grow in faith or come to faith, as the case may be. Our actions show that we want to build relationships, being at congregations as much as we can. We build up leaders with resources for congregations, pastors, and deacons. If you want to know more about what Lutherans believe, we have a video series for that. If you want to know how to reach out into your community or how to grow as stewards of what God gives us, we’ve got a Director of Evangelical Mission and a Stewardship Specialist. If you want another pastor someday when Pastor Ard succeeds at retirement, we’re going to walk with you through that and find you a qualified, competent, educated leader almost as good as the one you’ve got now.

Now, all that’s important. We like having a good reputation in the community. But the most important part of who people say that we are is what they say about the God we serve.

At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus was walking around in person, healing, preaching, teaching, and being God in person. People saw him feed thousands of people with a lunchbox worth of food; the disciples saw him calm the storms and walk on water; people heard him speak with authority about the will and glory of God. And people will see him rise from death to bring us all into new life.

In South Carolina in 2023, people have to know Jesus through the people who follow him. They have to see God feeding people through our hands. They have to see God helping those in trouble with our hearts and minds. They have to hear the good news that God is with us through our speech and our lives.

So who do people say that God is? And who do we say that God is?

Let me tell you, people are watching. People are hungry for meaning in their lives. People want to know that the way they spend their time matters. They want to have friends and neighbors who care about them and whom they can help take care of. They may not ask you about your church, but they see what matters to you and how you make sense of the chaotic world.

When you and I can confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, it changes us. It changes our lives. Now, let’s be honest, faith is hard. We believe that the Holy Spirit gives us the gift of faith, the same way the Father revealed that beautiful truth to Simon Peter, son of Jonah.

But when we know that Jesus is God, deep in our bones, we know that we have a God who loves this world enough to die for it. We know that we have a God who loves us enough to make a way for us to live forever with him. We have a God who calls us by name in baptism and who trusts us enough to be his presence in this beloved world.

Think about that. The creator of the universe knows you by name, has counted every hair on your head, knows your sins and your potential, and trusts you to share the best news that the world has ever heard. God trusts you to care of the people he made and loves. Now, I don’t know about you, but I find that both terrifying and tremendously empowering.

The counterbalance to that is Peter. Peter is on a high note in this passage, but he’s usually got his foot in his mouth. Peter is the one who talks first and loudest, whether or not he should. I love him. Because if Peter can be the rock on which God builds the church, then there’s room for the rest of us awkward sinners and saints as well. We don’t have to get everything right all the time. We are responsible for following Jesus the best we can in every moment. God will give us what we need to do that.

God gives us what we need so that we can do the work God calls us to do. God gives us what we need to grow into the beloved, capable, faithful people we were literally made to be.

So who do we say that God is? And, because God is who God is, who do we say that we are?