2Corinthians 13:5-9

Community Church and 82^nd Street Academics is a place where students learn a lot, get closer to the Lord, and have some fun. I have some examples. One of our students came home from his first day at 82^nd Street. His mother asked, "Well, what did you learn today?"    The kid replies, "Not enough. They want me to come back tomorrow."

We teach the importance of a good vocabulary. Our 6^th grade teacher told the class, "Use a word ten times, and it shall be yours for life." From the back of the room, came a male voice, "Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda." Today we are honoring students and praying for God’s protection and blessing. Currently we have about 360 children enrolled in 82^nd Street Academics and 20 more in Sunday Kids Club. I hope that your family is part of the Community Church support for students. New York City is such a wonderful place to live and grow up and yet only 45% of high school students graduate and only 10% of minority students receive a regents diploma. We at the Community Church believe that this is a scandal in the eyes of the Lord and we are changing the odds through 82^nd Street Academics. Today you will meet some teachers and students that are key to that success story.

After graduation, we also discover that life is filled with tests. Perhaps you’re in the middle of one of those exams right now. Maybe you need to change jobs and you’re scared of that test. Perhaps you have a doctor’s examination and wonder how you will make it through. Perhaps you’re on your way to the gay parade today wondering why you don’t feel happier on a day when everyone else seems so happy and successful. The apostle Paul has some beautiful words of grace in the Scriptures today. They are about taking a test. May God use this service to help everyone here pass their next test in life.

We are all children in our hearts. A professor at Texas A & M writes, I taught during the day and did research at night. I would usually take a break around nine, however, calling up the strategy game Warcraft on the Internet and playing with an on-line team. One night I was paired with a veteran of the game who was a master strategist. With him at the helm, our troops crushed opponent after opponent, and after six games we were undefeated. Suddenly my fearless leader informed me his mom wanted him to go to bed. "How old are you?" I typed. "Twelve," he replied. "How old are you?" Feeling my face redden, I answered, "Eight."

There are many kinds of life tests. Some are tests that you wander into. Did you ever have a nightmare that you studied for English and enter the test room and suddenly discover that the exam in for Anthropology? There are all sorts of tests. The first time I travelled to Asia was also my first trip outside the USA. I was so excited that I left all my cash in the car at the airport. I had 12 hours in the airplane to think and pray about this. One of the reasons I go to Community Church is that there is a community here. Its not perfect people, but its people who wish they were and they have support groups. We have several starting and continuing this month after the small group seminar next Sunday. They can help you have more peace and success in life.

Its possible to take a test and fail. I don’t want to make the sermon an ad for the church, but the promise of forgiveness and peace with God is another resource we have. Have you ever failed and could not forgive yourself? Forgiveness is an act of God, because God’s justice was satisfied by the offering of Christ. When I pronounce the words, you are forgiven in the ritual, its not just me wishing you the best. If you have asked God for forgiveness, then I am announcing God’s response. Go in peace.

Paul actually says Test yourself. These are the tests that we avoid. Those are the tests where we ask the Lord for more time to study. It may be a personal discipline such as Bible reading or exercise or tithing. It may be our unwillingness to share our faith by inviting a friend to church or writing to the President. Paul says don’t be afraid to test yourself and expect that the power of God will take you to a new level. Kids, parents, friends, I challenge you to write on your bulletin one way in which you would like to pass a test. Maybe you wish you were less angry with your family. Maybe you are too free sexually or drinking too much. Go where you fear that you will fail. Set the bar firmly. Come up to the communion table this morning and say, OK Lord, I signed in for the test. I will never make it through unless Christ is in me. If I fail the test, please do something about it. We're rooting for the truth to win out in you. At Community Church, we couldn't possibly do otherwise. I hope you get involved, draw closer to others and get support and friendship and a frequent message of love and of peace through Christ.

Amen