Solace in the Story

Luke 24:33-35

We all love a good story don't we? We all know that yesterday was a busy day for us all. My day started here at the church were I pulled a couple of tables out and put some my cooker under the tent. A few others showed up about that time and we told a few stories. Some about fishin', some about cars, and some about cooking stuff. Shortly after that I headed to Fairfield for a soccer game. While I was there I heard stories. Mostly stories of things that had recently happened and things that were happening with the game. After that game was over, we headed to Blooming Grove for a Baseball tournament. During the games I heard stories of practices in back yards. I heard stories of the glory days in Little League and High School.
When I left there I came back here to the fish fry and the stories continued. We love to tell stories. I also understand that we love to hear a good story. From what I have been told, some of my better sermons are the ones where I tell stories. Like the story of Emperor Bokassa of the Central African Republic, or the story of my time in the jungle of El Salvador, or the story of man with weather balloons tied to his lawn chair flying into San Diego Airports airspace. I remember stories from sermons too. In fact, I heard the story of the balloon man of San Diego from a pastor that lived in the area when the event took place. We love a story don't we.
One thing about stories though, sometimes you wonder if you can or should believe all the story. When we get the email and read the story from Renaud Abonnel Deputy General Manager Finance & Administration,Societe Generale De Banques Au Burkina, talking about the $4.2M he needs to send to the United States and he will split the money 50/50. Well, that story, I don't think you need to believe that story.
Just like the story of this church having a hundred or more people in worship. I know, some of you probably thought that I was crazy to suggest a year ago that I wanted to see this church with 120 people in worship on average. Then 7 weeks ago I told you a story. A story of me getting a pie in the face if we could average 65 and have 100 in worship. You thought it was a nice story but not really anything to believe. You knew we couldn't average 65, much less have 100 in worship, even with Easter. But then what happened? In the last 8 weeks we have had over 100 in worship twice and had averaged over 75.
Well, I waited for the pie. I was ready for the pie. In fact, I'll still take the pie. You deserve to give it to me and I'd love to take it.
But here's the next challenge. Attendance is great, but now we are looking at adding membership. Would you think I was just tellin' you a story if I said I'd get in a dunking booth a the BBQ if we have 20 people join the church this year? You know we had 14 join last year. Wouldn't that be a nice story to tell? A story about a church changing lives and making a difference in the community. As story of a church that is growing, but as it grows it is doing things as an outreach.
Now that's the kind of story we like to tell and that is the kind of story other people like to hear. That is the kind of story that the long-time members of the church take solace in.
Ohhhh, there's that word again. You were wondering when I'd get back to it weren't you. Solace: safety, comfort, peace. Yes, to see this church as a strong church that makes a difference, not only in the lives of the people in the church, but in the lives of the people in the community. That is the kind of story to in which to find comfort.
But there is an even better story. A story that, though it is hard to believe, no it is a story that is unbelievable, yet is true. It is a story that offers comfort to us. It is a story that has brought solace into the lives of many for nearly 2000 years.
It is the story that the 11 Disciples were discussing when Cleopas and his friend returned from Emmaus to the upper room. Jesus had risen. Jesus is alive. He had appeared to Peter. He had appeared on the road to Emmaus.
It is a story that began with a miraculous birth and proceeded through an extraordinary birth that changed heaven and earth. It is a story that continued through a remarkable life of healing and teaching. It is a story that didn't end with a death on a cross but continues today bringing solace in the lives of those who follow Jesus.
It is because of this story that it matters that we have 120 people in worship. It is because of this story that we care enough to have a health and welfare event with medical, clothing, and food available this coming week-end. It is this story that we tell to others so that they too can know the solace that it brings into our lives.