The First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton

Where can we reliably experience a tangible expression of God's love? We see glimpses of it throughout our lives, but none that can replace the gathered church. Scripture affirms that God has chosen the church to be the sign, instrument, and foretaste of his Kingdom. By virtue of this choice, we are called to be an embodiment of the salvation Jesus offers.

The church is called to bring the Kingdom of God to earth. That work takes on many forms, but none of it is possible without discipline. Discipleship, Justice, and Witness are only possible where Christians decide to act with intention and honesty. Discipline is the means by which God shapes us into ourselves.

When the world looks upon the church, does it see something unique? Is there any feature of the community of believers that stands out - that makes Christians appear different from their unbelieving neighbors? Scripture tells us that a central mark of our new identity is: forgiveness. We are a forgiven and forgiving people. When we walk the way of Jesus, this means making forgiveness a regular part of our life together - no matter how uncomfortable or vulnerable it makes us.

What unites Christians all over the world and throughout history? Most would say that we are united by a common faith - we are united by what we believe. But is this true? This summer we will explore the idea that evangelism - being a Christian in public - is primarily shaped by what Christians do, not what we believe. Fundamentally, Christians are called to love. This is the first thing we do, and from this act comes every other.

Before his journey to the Cross, Jesus is tried before the religious authorities and the civil authorities to the same effect. In both cases, he is found guilty without evidence. According to John, this is all the evidence we need to find the institutions, themselves, guilty. Instead, he offers a crucial reminder: Jesus did not come to serve the government or religious authorities - he came to replace them. The Church is not called to be an institution, but a faithful group of followers living as Christ lived.

Jesus comes to do what only he can do. He makes us clean, he forgives us, and he loves us just as we are. Pride tells us that God's grace is always for someone else. Jesus tells us - dirt and all - that we are loved and accepted.

The life we build is constructed through an endless series of small choices. Each choice reflects our core orientation to the world: do we choose fear or love? The Resurrection is about the victory of life over death. But it is not the victory of just any kind of life - it is about the victory of a life defined by love, not fear.

The Gospel narrative is not single-dimensional. With every perspective, the contours of its story change, broaden, and vary. John does not satisfy our longing for a simplistic tale of black and white morality, where every scene clearly communicates the significance of Jesus’ every action. Instead, John uses ambiguity to challenge our preconceived notions. He squarely asks us: do you really understand the Gospel? Or are you just following along?

There are many good reasons not to believe in God. They may be personal or public, individual or universal. John’s Gospel is just as attentive to belief as it is to disbelief. The resurrection of Lazarus is the ultimate and greatest miracle Jesus performs - and it has the effect of dividing its witnesses. As it turns out, it is the religious witnesses who deny the resurrection. Those who follow Jesus because of who he is, not what he does believe in the resurrection, even if they reject the religion of the Pharisees.

The Great Commandment is reflexive. Because God calls us to love him and serve our neighbor using every part of ourselves - heart, soul, body, mind - he also redeems every part of us. This means that God wants more from us than obedience or worship - God wants a relationship with us. We cannot experience this relationship and we cannot live out the Great Commandment unless we offer God our hearts - in addition to our minds.